Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	K-1 Visa Interview	Hmm, that depends on which consulate you requested on the I129 form - you can be interviewed in either one, and you could even request a transfer (which can be a pain) but it will depend on the consulate you requested.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-14 10:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Passport issues; does it have to be 6 months minimum?	Montreal is already booking mid-July interviews this week From what I've read, the 6 month validity is required, and if you pay a little extra, you can have a new passport in 3-4 weeks, eliminating any potential issues...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-15 16:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Change of Address	We also changed both of our addresses near the end of November (see signature for where we were in the I129f process) with the USCIS, received written confirmation of changes, and haven't experienced any delays. That being said, mail from the consulate in Montreal has my old address on it so I'm glad I've paid for forwarding services...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-16 12:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Filing Myself or Professional help	what did you get a RFE for iampatricias? Also how can i make one of those timelines I see when you post? thanks For the timeline, choose "Settings" under your name in the top right of this page, choose "Profile", then "Change Signature". We got an RFE because a vital box next to "Have you ever been convicted of a crime?" was left blank. So dumb.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-17 08:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Filing Myself or Professional help	Yes, that sounds reasonable Well done!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-16 20:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Filing Myself or Professional help	Welcome! This is a great place for information about how to file and what to expect! Check out the guides for the most comprehensive information about the process. I like this link to keep on track of where I am in the process. Just be aware that to get from step 3 to 4 is what is taking the longest - between 5-7 months these days. Marrying in October seems a tiny bit tight - I wouldn't put money on any plans until I had an interview date with the consulate, and even after the interview, plenty of folks here have had unexpected delays getting a visa in hand. In any case, the this is a handy place to get informed!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-02-09 08:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	K1 VISA Expedite Request	Ok, just wondering why my case is taking longer than some applicants.. their NOA2 arrived after 2 months only..hope we get going soon!!! Maybe those applicants met expedite criteria. Even those who didn't apply for expedites and waited barely 2 months don't know how they got so lucky. They are the unusual ones so don't feel like your case is being delayed for any particular reason - everyone's wait is far too long.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-17 10:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Average wait time for calling NVC	The folks at the NVC and DoS can't usually help you until you have the new case number (that doesn't start with WAC/EAC) and that new case number is on the NOA2. You can call any time you'd like after that though - it'll sure put your mind at ease to have access to new information every few days (if all goes well!).	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-17 12:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Fiance with Refugee Claimant Status	Well, it's my understanding that Montreal accepts neither phone calls nor faxes, though emails seem to have a somewhat better reputation (I wrote about changing my mailing address yesterday or the day before) but my Packet 3 was sent like 5 days after I submitted my proof of status, so at any rate, they DO open their mail and read what's inside... I guess! If you decide to include a letter with his proof of status, I'd provide ever possible means of contacting either one of you (including email) and probably encourage the consulate to finish processing the visa application in Canada, to save you guys the trip down to Mexico. I don't know what the best or proper route to take is, but I do wish you lots of success!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-17 14:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Fiance with Refugee Claimant Status	Ah, that's a tough one... Did you send the paperwork for the Status in Canada request back yet? (I had to go through that too, by the way) If you haven't, maybe you can submit his RCD with a letter explaining that you'd like to complete the K1 process in Canada if possible but that his passport has already been confiscated etc etc. If you have the whole thing transferred to Mexico, it will probably take a while... though it might not make much difference with how far ahead Montreal interviews are being booked...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-17 13:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Fiance with Refugee Claimant Status	So, the case is getting processed in Montreal but he wants to pick the visa up in Mexico? Does he want to go home like, to see his family before you guys get married?	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-17 13:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Can i travel after NOA2?	I've also been to the US once since our NOA2.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-16 17:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	K1 visa - Initial Review	Am I to assume those who get their application processed quickly have very little "history" and thus go to the next step? How about those applicants whose history has to be verified, ie: divorces, criminal history, nationality, credit or employment history, etc...is that why there is such a lag time to get to the next stage? I wouldn't assume that per se - while it's true the USCIS 'initiates background checks' during the Initial Review, these checks are not initiated in the first few weeks, and throughout the 3 or 4 months we wait. From my understanding, these checks happen within 5 minutes of an adjudicator pulling your petition out of the box they're working on (4-5 months after the petition arrived) and if things are a little complicated, (you share a name with a convicted felon etc.) the adjudicator initiates in-depth checks and puts your petition aside until the extra checks clear (within the day? a week? maybe someone in some small county has to pull the physical file by hand from a records collection and takes 10 days to get back to the adjudicator?). There is such a lag time to get to the next stage because there are many more petitions coming in every day than adjudicators to process them. The one-month approvals are wonderful and infuriating but I doubt they are anything more than bureaucratic manipulation of the system for the sake of appeasing someone's superior with better numbers.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-17 07:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Birth certificate without POB	I don't honestly know how much the USCIS cares about the USC's place of birth being verifiable, but if I were in your position, I would file ASAP just to get the petition in line and if in 5 or 6 months you get an RFE for a new birth certificate, at least you're through the long wait time, and during that wait time, you might have been able to get a "better" birth certificate. If you wait another month or two or three now, and then submit the petition, you'll just be even further along. But that's just my opinion - good luck either way!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-17 16:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	k1 expiration date	Wait... so you can postpone the interview date for up to 4 months and possibly a year?! From everything I've seen on this site, it's not that big a deal to push the interview back once or twice. If you really want to drag it out, wait to return your P3 documents until a few weeks before the 4 months is up. The validity period will be automatically extended with no questions asked. When it's time to book an interview, check and see if you can reschedule with no penalty (for Montreal, for example, the system says appointments can be rescheduled as often as you'd like until a convenient time is found). And then of course, once you have the visa, you have 6 months to use it...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-17 21:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	k1 expiration date	Usually the NOA2 petition is good for 4 months but the expiry date is along the top of the NOA2. Have you received any information from your consulate or called the Department of State to get an update?	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-15 20:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Need help please	They told me to send a copy of my passport and Birth certificate to update my Birth date. Send copies! Has your case been sent to Manila? That's where I would send your copies and be sure to put your MNL case number on every page you send them!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-17 21:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Need help please	Hi there, this handy link has good phone call information. They'll be able to give you your new case number and let know know when you can expect to have an interview. Are you applying for an F-1 visa or a K-1?	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-12 22:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	I 94	Usually, when you leave the US by air, you surrender the I94 on your way out - like Inky said, it should've gotten stapled into the passport on your way INTO the country...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-17 21:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Will it become problem in interview?	I would try to get in touch with the consulate where you'll be interviewing to check about this issue - if the practice in your country of not including "family names"/surnames was not so unusual at the time of your birth, it might not be an issue. Even the practice of adding your father and grandfather's name seems more of a Middle Eastern practice than say, European or North American. My feeling is that all the official documents should match and verify each other's information, but your consulate should be able to tell you whether your passport/birth certificate not matching will impact you getting a visa. Good luck!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-19 08:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	pls!...help!! with the K1 visa!	This link probably has the best information on this site about what else you should be including as you prepare to send your I129 form away. If you don't prepare your initial package with the biographies, pictures, and letter of intent to marry, your package will either be returned as incomplete or else this information will be requested from you later, delaying the processing of your petition. It's best to put the work in at the start, so the whole process can proceed efficiently and smoothly! Welcome to VJ!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-19 14:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Fiance Letter of Intent	Where is your fiancee from?	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-21 06:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Fiance Letter of Intent	If you're writing the letters for the I129f petition, it's usually expected that you'll write a little something about how/where/when you met and the basic timeline of your relationship in less than a page. If the adjudicators are reading 20 of these a day, and determining your eligibility for a visa (ie. have you met in person in the last 2 years, and do you now intend to live together in the States), originality is good, I was told. On the other hand, when submitting the Intent to Marry letters at the interview stage (at least at my consulate), they really just need you to declare that you are free and willing to legally marry within 90 days of using the K1 visa.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-20 13:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Should We Wait to Apply?	I am from the UK and am engaged to an American. We are curious as to what our options are in regards to applying for a K-1 visa. Our original plans have changed somewhat, and due to the large processing times for the visa we were wondreing if it would be possible for us to apply now. At the moment he has six more months left in the military, and I have a couple of more months left before I finish my PhD. Though we are not currently able to move in together, would it be possible for us to apply now so that we would not have quite so long to wait apart on completion of our courses, or is this not really how the visa works? Also while I'm here, is it true that it is more beneficial to apply for the K-1 rather than the spousal? I am finding it difficult to see why, it seems more sensible for me to go the other way! Well, just so you are aware you don't have to be able to move in together to apply. Also, you have to be married to apply for the spouse visa. Your fiance is in the military, but he's not deployed abroad right now? If you've met in person in the last 2 years, and neither of you is married to anyone else, you can apply right away. Maybe read through the Guides at the top of this page to familiarize yourself with the requirements of both visas - I'm not sure the concerns you've brought up are much of an impediment to either the petition or the visa application... that I can see anyway...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-21 16:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Visiting US while K1 in process	If I decide to take a vacation and travel to the US let's say after 8/9 months from my last visit, while my visa is still pending...is it going to affect it in any way? Let's be clear, I know well that Homeland Security can decide about your entry in the US but if I honestly state that I have a K1 pending, that I do have a job back in my country, I do have a ticket back... why shouldn't I be allowed to enter as a visitor on a B2? There's no reason you should be denied entry if you bring proof of your pending petition, proof of your job, your return ticket, and anything else tying you to your home. Plus, if you are well-educated about the K1 process, I think that counts in your favour, because you are pursuing the legal means to immigrate instead of trying to scam the system. If you are denied entry, it does not affect your I129f petition in any way, and it should have no effects on your K1 application. In terms of personal experience, I've visited my fiance in the States though the VWP three times since applying. My situation might be different though because I live near the border, and cross back and forth even just to eat out with friends, and go shopping nearly every month. I'd say, don't fear! But be prepared!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-21 11:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	When should I file the I-29F (petition for alien fiance)?	Remember, his ability to travel to the US will be compromised once you file, though. You'll have to go there. This is not necessarily true, especially from a VWP country. Yes, there are risks of being denied entry but that risk does not necessarily increase after filing the I129f petition.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-21 11:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	When should I file the I-29F (petition for alien fiance)?	If I were in your shoes, I'd apply tomorrow! Okay, realistically, I've been waiting 8 months and still don't have an interview date, and our case is not exactly complicated - just bureaucracy being so slow! I would, however, apply sooner rather than later, because the K1, once it's in your passport, is valid for 6 months! And once you get through the USCIS process, there are ways to subtly delay the process, like booking a later appointment, or waiting to return the Packet 3 documents. Give yourselves a year but surely don't leave LESS time than that!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-21 10:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Traveling to States when visa is submitted	I am going to be submitting the papers for my fiance and we go to MN every june to visit my family. What kind of things should he say when we are in customs in the states? Should he tell them he is in the k-1 visa process?? There's no reason not to tell - basically, the border agents want to keep out travelers who they think might be misusing the tourist visa for immigration purposes. Usually, the advice here is to bring strong ties to home (rental/mortgage agreement, school enrollment, work contract/letter from work etc etc), and if your boyfriend is knowledgable about the K1 process, and produces proof paperwork has been filed, I'd say that looks like he's not likely to misuse the tourist visa since he's already pursuing legitimate means to immigrate. If he tries to hide the fact that he's got a significant other in the States, and is brought in for further questions and this 'avoidance' is uncovered later, it's much worse for him, so why not mention it up front? Nevertheless, people in the middle of the K1 process with no intent to immigrate have been turned away for good reasons (carrying only a one way ticket, for example) or sometimes, for no obvious reason at all. The best you can do is be prepared and don't cast suspicion on yourself.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-18 23:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Next step missing??	Calling Montreal is futile - they no longer staff their phones at all, nor do they accept faxes. Email is your best bet, but the DoS is even better because they do know just what Montreal has done regarding your case. Unfortunately, everyone is waiting ages for stuff to get through their mail room It's very terrible.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-22 07:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Next step missing??	Our NOA2 also says Toronto, and I'm just in Niagara, but all K1s are processed in Montreal (or Vancouver). There are no exceptions. The validity period is just to make sure you guys keep up your end of the responsibilities - it's auto-extended all the time, as long as the consulate has heard something from you. This handy link has the DOS number and the NVC too. Call the NVC first, give them your WAC/EAC number on your NOA2, and they'll give you your new MTL number. With that, you can call the DOS and ask them whether the consulate has sent you Packet 3, whether you're allowed to book an interview, etc. They are *usually* very informative about what you need to do next.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-21 21:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Marriage before K1 visa approval!	It sounds like a great idea in theory, one that I tried to vigorously convince my own priest of too, but in practice, it is quite risky. If you have to swear you are not married, when you've had a religious ceremony and you do, on the one hand, consider yourselves married, that's kind of a problem, no? Especially if you are repeating any kind of vows, if there is any kind of 'handing over of the bride' even without a legally binding marriage certificate. Like Kathryn said in her point #4, the interviewer won't give you a chance to convince them that since you didn't *actually* sign a wedding certificate, you're not *technically* married. An engagement party, like a wedding shower or something of the like, is much less likely to arouse suspicion, and if something like an engagement ceremony is expected in the beneficiary's culture, it's even less of an issue. Nevertheless, since the distinction between a 'legal' and 'religious' wedding in a Christian/North American context anyway (I'm only speaking for myself, folks, sorry for any offense!) is so fine, the instinct to feel like you have to hide something to still be allowed to immigrate should be a pretty good indicator of the risk involved, even though you are legally complying with the requirements of the K1 visa. In any case, my priest wouldn't go for it, so we've made alternate arrangements.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-20 14:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Marriage before K1 visa approval!	I think that people keep hoping there is a special loophole........ ... but I guess there isn't? Haven't we found one yet??	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-20 09:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Marriage before K1 visa approval!	Just as a special note too, the K3 is not an option anymore. For how you'd like to proceed through this relocation process, it sounds like the IR1/CR1 visa (a spouse visa) is more applicable to you. As everyone else has said, you may not apply for K1, marry, and then wait to receive the K1, and then enter the US. The K1 allows fiance(e)s of US citizens to enter the US, marry and stay legally. The IR1/CR1 visa does the same, except it allows a spouse of a US citizen to enter the US and stay.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-19 15:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	K1 Visa no NOA1 yet	If your cheque hasn't been cashed yet, I would probably cancel it with the bank, and send out a new package... you're going on 6 weeks now... Man, it's a tough call... it shouldn't take them even 2 weeks to cash it, usually... but who knows...?	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-21 21:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	I'm the USC, going to travel early april again	your I-129F will be meaningless down there to Brazilian authorities. If anything, you should hang on to all documentation from this trip (boarding passes, in particular) to bring BACK for your petition, in case you get an RFE or just for extra proof of relationship at the time of your interview. I agree with the above posters - I think they could care less about whether email information matches up on subsequent visits - they've got much bigger fish to fry at the airport! Also with the I129f - unless you guys want to make copies or look it over while you're together, I wouldn't bother bringing it. They've got different expectations for tourists and illegal immigration threats.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-22 08:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	small income and no co sponsor	Dont let these posters get you down, file for a K1 for your g/f and fill out the papers and wait. If you are married you can have a co sponsor which im sure someone would do for you to help. Just get married and get a co sponsor. All of these people telling you to return to the philippines, maybe they should come to the philippines and live instead? Since it seems so easy for them to tell you that That is just not very helpful advice - "file for a K1 and wait"? "you can have a cosponsor which I'm sure someone would do for you"? "easy for them to tell you that"? The OP has explained: 1. insufficient income to meet Affidavit of Support requirements 2. NOONE can co sponsor (OP's emphasis) So "all of these people" have tried to give constructive advice: get a second/third job, re-train for a better job, beg a relative (questionable, and must marry first), or move to the Philippines. We're not trying to "get you down" - these are the options available. "Just file and wait" is not a helpful option.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-24 10:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	small income and no co sponsor	You could always train for work in another field to increase your chances of getting a job that will pay enough to meet the financial obligations of one sponsoring an immigrant. Then you'll be financially better able to pay for all the expenses of the visa process, and you'll be able to provide for both of you while she's not allowed to work (if you go the fiancee visa route).	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-23 18:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Waiting for NOA2 and got this instead...	They're just not helpful, eh? Well, in any case, I seriously doubt it's a 'denial' because those usually come after RFEs have been traded back and forth - don't panic. To me it looks like it either A) should've been an approval that was mis-keyed like someone mentioned above (because "card production" never happens for I129f petitions but it does for other kinds) or B) it's someone else's card approval that was mistakenly associated with your case number. It's very dumb that the USCIS, who takes care of these petitions, won't take a look at your file and see that the error is on their end and making you wait for the mail is a waste of time.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-24 19:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Waiting for NOA2 and got this instead...	I have seen this once before in the last 3 months on these forums but this step (Card/Document Production) doesn't fit into the steps of what you're attempting to do if you've submitted an I129f to be able to apply for a K1. This might be a good time to call the USCIS?	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-24 17:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	NVC and Consulate dates	I've found the Department of State (DoS) most helpful in tracking my case after the USCIS is done with it. You do need your new case number before you can call them though! 202.663.1225	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-25 16:46:00