ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 application and visit visa
What you're proposing, the religious ceremony without a license is a very fine line - I asked my (Anglican) priest to do this for me and he said it was morally too shady, because will you tell the border guard you're NOT married when you actually believe that you are?

Secondly, your fiance is free to visit on a tourist visa while you wait for your K1 visa, but she cannot "live" with you for 3 months at a time until the visa comes, because then she's technically not a tourist anymore...

I may be corrected if I'm wrong, but if your fiance disclosed these 2 things to the customs official when she lands in the US, ("we had a church ceremony but didn't sign a certificate, and I'm staying with my fiance for 3 months until the visa comes") she stands a very high risk of being denied entry because you're *technically* bending the rules.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-20 10:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestions about I-129F
lizinparaguay - you must have passport stamps showing when you came to Paraguay? That is very important. Other things you could use are Paraguayan rental agreements or other more formal documents like electricity bills, or maybe cell phone/internet contracts from the area, or something of the like.

Other things I've seen suggested in other threads are bank withdrawals abroad, currency exchanges, or credit card charges from abroad. If you're in the peace corps, do you have a sort of work contract, record of employment or something formal indicating you've been sent to work in your fiance's country?

My fiance worked in Canada, in my area, for nearly 3 years before we met, and he moved home just 8 months after we started dating. He was employed by an American contracting company, and they filed his taxes, but he had an employment visa in his passport that proved he was in Canada...


zaim - along the very top of the screen, in the middle, there is a link called "Reviews: Embassy/USCIS & POE" that you might find illuminating :) People have recorded their interview experiences at many, many different embassies for their interviews - that's where you will likely find what you are looking for!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-22 18:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresApproval to flight time
The K1 visa is valid for entry into America for 6 months.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-24 06:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWe filed for K1. Can I visit him AGAIN using my VWP?
Bob 4 Anna is right. You can be denied entry as a tourist because of the risk that you could overstay and marry without the proper paperwork.

On the other hand, it's not wrong or sneaky or illegal for you to visit him in the States, and tell the border guard that you're visiting your fiance. That's what a "tourist" visit allows for. I got a specific question in August about going on a 3 week visit, but all they said was, "3 weeks? That seems like a long visit." I didn't say anything, and they let it go (I wanted to say, "it's not nearly long enough when you're in love!!" but I controlled myself :lol: ). They reminded me that I needed to return by the flight date, and I said, "yes, I absolutely understand, we want to do this right."

That doesn't mean I'm "more right" than Bob 4 Anna, or that my experience is more valuable - I don't think, though, that you are more likely to get turned away than to be allowed to enter. It's always a bit of a risk.

** I just want to add, I'm a Canadian permanent resident from Holland, crossing into the States on the VWP too **

Edited by iampatricias, 24 January 2011 - 01:42 PM.

iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-24 13:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGot RFE after 5 months 2 weeks.
Us too - RFE after 5 months and two weeks, and today was the day of the NOA2, almost exactly 6 months after the NOA1... it could be worse, I suppose!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-24 20:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNO2 what after???
This is a handy link: http://www.visajourn.../content/k1flow - with all the next steps coming up. From what I understand, forwarding the application to the embassy should happen within a week but someone please correct me if I'm wrong?
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-25 13:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting fiancee numerous times
I've never flown to Japan, but if you're worried they will deny you entry into Japan because there is a risk you'll overstay your tourist visa, I think the same process (bringing proof of ties to home) could apply?

Edited by iampatricias, 18 January 2011 - 01:50 PM.

iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-18 13:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting fiancee numerous times
Your repeat visits might draw more attention and questions if you are just "visiting friends" than if you were actually visiting your honest-to-goodness fiancee with whom you've applied for a visa with in order to live together in the States. If you're caught in a lie at the border, you'll be much, much worse off than if you get questioned for an hour while they decide if you're an immigration risk.

When I travel to my fiance's country, I always carry my work contract (showing that I'm expected to complete these responsibilities until mm/yy or whatever), and pay stubs, because those can contribute to "proof I won't overstay". Other helpful documents are things like rental/lease agreements or a return ticket/itinerary, or anything else showing your obligations at home. I don't have a copy of our I129f paperwork, or our NOA1 (probably unwise) and they've never asked to see any documentation after asking a few questions about my fiance and the purpose of my visit, though I have been told by a border agent that it is *my* responsibility to carry such proof on every visit.

Anyway, don't be afraid to tell the truth! You're just a visitor after all!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-18 10:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan you decline your medical exam (vaccination shots)?
I believe some doctors will not give certain vaccinations if you are already pregnant, because of a risk to the baby, but the vaccines on the list here are required. If she is missing any of the ones on the list, she should try to get them at home as soon as possible since most people find the shots are much more expensive in the US, and not having them *can* delay your case.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-25 06:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures2-year meeting requirement. Help!
Don't just take a lot of pictures though! KEEP all your boarding passes (or his boarding passes, whatever), luggage tags, and tickets if you can, and then make several copies of them. These are your PRIMARY EVIDENCE of having met in person before applying.

The pictures are also a great idea, but only support your case as SECONDARY evidence.

Have fun together in February!!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-25 06:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129 F petition approved!
Yessss! At last!!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-25 10:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshow long it take to expire the Fiancée visa
The K1 visa she'll get after her interview is good for ONE entry into America for 6 months, so if she gets the visa, and it's dated February 20, it will expire August 20 - it'll be a close call!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-26 22:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow long will I need to go home?
I like this comparison chart: http://www.visajourn...content/compare (though, K3 visas are no longer being offered).
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-27 07:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow Long Does This Really Take???
We just received our NOA2 after 6 months, and we thought we'd be together by Christmas, so that was a let-down.

Even now though, our file still has to go to the consulate, and all the administrative stuff that has to happen still could get done in 3-6 weeks, but I am done with these high hopes. There seems to be a backlog for interviews at our consulate too, so now, I will be happy enough if I can get an interview at the consulate by April. That would bring us up to 9 months total :(
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-26 10:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWill a change of address cause a delay?
Really? Both my fiance and I have moved since we received our NOA1 and we just followed the instructions, updating our address... about 2 weeks after that, we got a totally unrelated RFE, but our address update doesn't seem to have done anything to our processing time...
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-23 16:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Interview Questions About Proposal
I was thinking about your post last night and you're right - the intent is to use the K1 to be together, and the "where" happens to be America. So, your intent is to immigrate. But you're not using "getting married" to immigrate. You're immigrating in order to get married (and be together forever).

Should this matter ever come down to a questioning, or explanation, focus on how important your relationship is to both of you, and that being together and [fill in future hopes and dreams] are what you're looking forward to. And, that after looking at your options, you've both decided the K1 visa is the best route to those goals.

Good luck!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-30 09:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting USA while K1 Being Processed
I've always said I'm visiting my fiance, and follow up with, "we've applied for a K1 visa".

As far as I know, there is no rule saying you can't visit your fiance abroad. On occasion, tourist visas are denied because border agents are suspicious of the applicant's intention to immigrate/overstay. If suspicion like that could invite further questioning, the last thing you want is to be caught in a lie. If you've somehow inspired further questioning because you told the truth, at least you don't have to rethink your plan, just stick to the truth.

On one occasion, I already had the green tourist visa in my passport (I'm a Dutch citizen/Canadian permanent resident) from a previous visit and it was valid for another month and a half and I was threatened with, "we can send you right back home" but I was an idiot and hadn't brought any evidence that I had a return ticket, or responsibilities at school and work that I was expected to return to.

Now that I always bring all our paperwork, and continue to say, "I'm visiting my fiance. Yes, he's American, we've applied for a K1 visa", they've never asked for any of the paperwork. What a pain, but it's got to be done their way.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-30 09:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLawyer vs. Self file K1

And yet your timeline shows an RFE, which cost you time....


Yes indeed. We were young and ignorant and afraid.

VJ has been extremely informative, and I have definitely learned much, much more about this whole process since I found it, but when we filed last summer, I was writing an MA thesis and my man didn't want me to worry about anything but finishing it well, and he so he shopped around and did the paperwork with our lawyer. Together, they missed one box on one form. What can you do?

Anyway, our petition got approved! Woohoo!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-30 19:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLawyer vs. Self file K1

The question I have is how many people are using a lawyer to submit the documents and how many are going at it by themselves?


My fiance and I hired a lawyer because we were afraid we'd screw something up and cost us more time and money.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-30 14:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures**IMPORTANT QUESTION** RE: TIME LINE
Don't panic! Our RFE came 5 months and 2 weeks after our NOA1, and our NOA2 followed 11 days after they acknowledged receipt of our "new" evidence (missed checking ONE rather important box on one form).

Your case is in adjudication! That is great news!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-26 10:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUPDATE
Just to be extra clear, it means your petition for the I-129 has been approved. The USCIS believes you have demonstrated you are eligible to now apply for the fiance visa.

The USCIS will now forward your petition to the National Visa Center (NVC) where you will be given a new case number, and your petition becomes an application which is sent to a US consulate in you or your fiance's country.

There is still lots of paperwork to do, a medical to pass and an interview - only after these steps can you be sure whether your actual VISA application has been approved. This flow chart gives a pretty good outline of where you are in the process, though like others have said, the timing varies by country, so it's hard to say whether you'll have an interview in the next month or in the next 3 months. In any case, have a little celebration for making it through however long you've been waiting and get ready for the consular stage!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-03 11:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPolice Clearance from country other than her homeland
It's a sticky issue for me too - I lived in Holland for one year on an international exchange during my third year of university. BUT, for the sake of the K1 processing, only the NVC is allowed to request a police clearance from wherever in Amsterdam. I've just very recently figured out how to encourage NVC to get on that and will have to wait and see how much that delays our process. I hope you get what you need without too much trouble and good on you to look for it from the beginning!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-03 11:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVWP - limit on visits?
You know, I have been crossing the Niagara border on the VWP very frequently for the last 2 or 3 years. I've probably been WITHOUT an I94 in my passport no more than 25 days of the last two years, because I always go back and get a new one when the current one expires. Now, I'm not STAYING in the States every time I cross, so maybe that makes a difference, but I haven't been denied a visa or visa entry (except when I've gone without return tickets/itinerary) based on how often I've applied/visited the States.

Maybe these are exceptional circumstances?
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-03 16:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPassport Stamps
Wait and see what the RFE requires - dating the pictures by hand is allowed, but if the problem is something else administrative (like providing an English translation), you don't have to worry about the pictures for now.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-04 07:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIntent to marry
Looks good - the flight itineraries might not be so valuable because they don't "prove" per se that you took the flight, but if they match your passport stamps, they could be counted for good secondary-type evidence.

Your selection of phone calls seems fine to me too. Hang on to your boarding passes of any future flights. Other than that, I'd say not to fret too much and read up about what's coming the next few months :)
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-03 13:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIntent to marry
Our letters of intent were not notarized and we did not receive an RFE for that.

I have heard the 'proof you've met in the last 2 years' is needed for the petition, and 'proof of ongoing relationship' is needed for the interview around these boards as well, though including relationship proofs with the petition didn't seem to hurt us... We're going to print off some new emails/chat records, and fresh pictures/boarding passes and stuff from our next visit (Feb 18!!) for the interview though...
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-03 13:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2 only valid for so long?
Booo, Montreal! Booo!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-06 20:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 fiance visa or green card through marriage?
Good question! If you can prove you had not met your fiance(e) when you first entered the States, you could get married and stay (according to the lady behind the counter at the immigration office my fiance and I spoke to last year) but this claim is usually met with a great deal of skepticism and I would research it very thoroughly before attempting.

In any case, take a look at this link [fyi: K3 is no longer an option] - it seems like K1 and IR1 are taking about the same amount of time these days (8-12months start to VISA). In terms of ease, the IR1 is slightly simpler and also much cheaper. This is because the K1 is *like* a Pre-marriage visa + an IR1 visa, which adds paperwork and fees. The downside of the IR1 visa is that you, the non USC will not be allowed to visit the US while the paperwork is in process. During the K1 processing, visits are allowed.

Take some time to read through the Guides on this site before you make any decisions - there is a lot to consider before you choose your road!

Edited by iampatricias, 06 February 2011 - 08:47 PM.

iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-06 20:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBirth Certificate watermarks
Yeah, I sent a scan of my birth certificate which was acquired in the summer of 1990 (the year we immigrated from Holland to Canada), and was hole-punched through the name of the country of birth, and we (mercifully) did not get any flack for it. Still, I had my mom get a fresh copy when she was visiting family over Christmas so I have it for the interview later on...
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-07 16:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion about visiting a Fiance
Okay, one more thing! Like jonnyjungle said, there is a good chance you could get an agent who seems like they couldn't care less what you're coming to the country for as long as you've got a passport, and if that's the case, don't feel like you need to volunteer extra information you aren't asked for. I've had some honestly funny conversations with easy going border guards, but if you get a chatty agent, let them be chattier than you :)
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-06 22:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion about visiting a Fiance
Well, a few things that might raise eyebrows at the border are things like an extended stay, or if you were bringing really a very large amount of belongings or like, pets. Crossing into the States, I know they'd look twice if I was bringing a lot of cash (like, thousands), or maybe no cash at all.

I have never been to Scotland and I have heard some very unpleasant experiences from other members on these forums too. Sometimes it seems like you can do everything properly but if the person behind the counter is fresh from training or bitter about their job or had a fight at home or something, it just seems like they sometimes powertrip at our expense.

I find it helps me if I think of the agents as officials who know what they're looking for - inconsistent stories, fidgety-sweaty-too-nervous folks with strange things in their luggage, or strange traveling patterns. On the other hand, they see way more "normal" tourists, business people, and families traveling, and it's likely that even though it'll be your first time going through this process on your own, you'll probably look more like a "normal" tourist visiting her fiance than anyone who needs more than the usual amount of attention. Having said that, do go prepared! If you have a contract for your job, a letter from your boss saying when you're expected back, or a lease for your apartment, that'll back up what you're saying if they do pull you aside.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-06 21:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion about visiting a Fiance
Since this is your first trip abroad, you must be pretty nervous! It can feel real intimidating to have to go through such formal and impersonal channels to get into a country but don't worry too much - you have a return ticket, and usually, that is enough for a tourist!

By all means tell the folks at the border you're visiting your fiance, how long you're staying for and that you are thinking about starting paperwork to marry in the States in the upcoming year sometime. Bringing proof of your job in the States is also a great idea but they might not even ask for it. There are some countries where suspicion of you overstaying is much higher, but I don't believe Scotland necessarily worries about Americans trying to creep in illegally. Try to relax and be honest - you've got nothing to hide!

Enjoy your trip!

Edited by iampatricias, 06 February 2011 - 08:28 PM.

iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-06 20:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2 from VSC
Hey congratulations! Where is your local Embassy?

We got our approval January 24 and while I don't know when NVC received our case, our application was sent to our consulate on February 3rd, so that is 10 days - that seems like a pretty common amount of time - between 1 and 2 weeks.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-07 20:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresdoes the CO questioning about age gap??

For some consulates this causes a more intense review, they like to think How could a younger man love an older woman.


Hey now, watch yourself. It could just as easily be, "how could the older woman love the younger man?" :P

Edited by iampatricias, 07 February 2011 - 09:33 PM.

iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-07 21:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresneed to get accurate estimage of my fiance's departure
Well, where is your fiancee? Which service center (Vermont or California) did your information go to?

The short answer is, "nobody knows" and there are absolutely no guarantees. We heard "5-7 months" so from our receipt date at the end of July, we thought maybe we'd manage to be together by Christmas or January, but we don't even have an interview yet and now I'm not sure we're going to have a visa until May or June because our consulate is so so slow.

If the USCIS issued an NOA for the receipt of your I129f petition December 17th, the best case scenario, with no problems or delays, is a petition approval in 6 months. From there, your application has to get to your fiancee's consulate, and that process varies from country to country, but generally takes no less than 6 weeks. Still, I would not make any firm plans until you have an interview date, and even after that, it is risky...
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-07 20:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiancee wants to make sure what original papers need to send ? NOA2 received
They *look* like they're the same but the vital difference is that the documents the beneficiary takes the interview are the originals! Original birth certificates, original police checks, original marriage/divorce certificates.

So the fiance brings a copy of everything that was sent to the USCIS and the consulate, and for support, any and all originals.

Edited by iampatricias, 09 February 2011 - 06:25 PM.

iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-09 18:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNeed advices on which way to go!
Well, that does sound like an unfortunate set of circumstances!

Firstly, your K1 application was rejected because the payment you included was incorrect? If that is the case, it will truly have no effect on your CR1 application.

Secondly, K3 is no longer an option.

The CR1 applications (from what I've seen around the boards) are taking just about as long as the K1 applications - 7-10 months or so.

I believe you have to submit 3 years of income tax records to show financial support but if these won't meet the requirements, you will need to look into a co-sponsor.

If you are determined to work right away, marrying soon and then filing for the CR1 seems like the most prudent choice since with the K1 you have to wait several months. Additionally, the K1 is nearly $1000 more expensive from start to finish than the CR1.

I hope others' advice and the guides available on the site help you guys make a good decision for your future and that you have a good visit soon!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-10 08:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresconsulate confusion

Did the same thing... any problems so far with you doing that? Too bad they didnt do them at the consulate in Toronto... that's only an hour from here... LOL


Man, I know! At the very least, Toronto could take over a whole bunch of cases for a couple of months so that Montreal can get back on track! I talked to the DoS today, and they said my case had not been "received" by Montreal yet, and then added that "just to be aware, cases can take up to 4 months to get logged". I think Toronto needs to step up to the plate!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-10 09:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresconsulate confusion
Yep, like amykathleen2005 said, NVC knows where the paperwork needs to know. The USCIS, however, does not, so our NOA2 came back with "Toronto" listed as our consulate, though we are definitely processing through Montreal, so when the day for your approval comes, don't worry about your NOA2 telling you to go to Tel Aviv.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-02-10 08:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIntro and a Couple of questions about the USCIS website
I don't know the answers to all of your questions, but in terms of what the USCIS website shows for your Status (the one with the blue circles, yes?), ours changed from Initial Review to Request for Evidence at like, 9pm EST. and from RFE Review to Post Decision Activity around 8pm EST (Is it sad that I know these times? It's sad, isn't it :( ) Anyway, many members find their status NEVER changes, or changes really unpredictably. For example, we got email notification about our RFE, and our RFE Review, but not our Post Decision Activity (the most important one!). So, the USCIS site is not necessarily dependable, no.

As for your filing date, I believe you can go by the date on your NOA1?
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-26 22:12:00