Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
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
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Slightly Confuzzled	In my defense, her mother is also her landlord...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-24 20:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Slightly Confuzzled	Though it doesn't carry much weight on its own, you could get your mother to write a "To whom it concerns" letter declaring that your trip is short-term, you live with her and will return home to complete the visa process. Do you have any even minor family obligations this summer? Important birthdays, anniversaries, or weddings that you could mention?	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-23 20:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	dual citizen trying to file for k-1	The OP has already clarified possession of both a US passport and US birth certificate. The question was regarding whether further proof of PI citizenship (besides a PI passport) would be requested.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-25 14:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	dual citizen trying to file for k-1	It's okay - I've heard worse. Just remember to get tracking for it when you send it to Texas so you know it was received.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-25 06:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	dual citizen trying to file for k-1	There is no formal way to do this, but use paperclips or fasteners for documents that come in sets if you really want to. You don't have to number everything but a cover letter that works kind of like a table of contents I think is appreciated. It makes the USCIS' job easier than if they're digging through a pile of paper looking for a foreign birth certificate and elsewhere for the accompanying translation, for example. I've heard some folks use sticky flags to identify the different sections/documents. In any case, a binder is not necessary, and staples are discouraged. The rest is pretty much up to you.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-24 16:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	dual citizen trying to file for k-1	Yeah, I can't think of a reason the USCIS would requir additional proof of your PI citizenship, and I guess (but I don't know for sure) that if you include a copy of your bio page and relevant passport pages from your PI passport that this would be counted as primary evidence, as long as the dates on the stamps fit within the previous 2 years of filing... even though the US doesn't recognize additional citizenship, I can't imagine they'd write off passport stamps in another country's passport as 'unofficial'... but I'm just guessing... sorry!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-24 16:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	dual citizen trying to file for k-1	And i have about 3 stamps on my philippine passport. should i include that in my proof of being together or will it just jeopordize my filing? Is this the key question - will the USC's showing a Philippino passport with entrance/exit stamps as proof of having met within the last 3 years affect filing the petition as a USC? Or are you saying you don't have ANY proof of your US citizenship - no passport, certificate, nothing? Edited by iampatricias, 24 March 2011 - 03:14 PM.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-24 15:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Getting married abroad after visa issuance	I get this question all the time too - I just remind my loved ones "no can do, I need an American marriage certificate to do this right." Folks not going through this process have all kinds of ideas about why we're bothering with all this trouble - just smile and nod, and make sure you're doing things right, which it sounds like you have under control.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-27 12:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Need help in K1 visa	I believe you, as the beneficiary, may apply from anywhere - you don't have to apply from your home country and you can choose the consulate you'd like to be interviewed at when you fill in the I129f paperwork. The difficulty you will face is in proving the validity of your relationship. I don't know you and I am assuming your intentions are sincere but after reading about the immigration process on this website for the last several months, it sounds like very nearly all Pakistani nationals (especially males) go through a rather long period of Administrative Processing after their interviews no matter where they live. Additionally, because you are seeking asylum, even if you are granted it before the interview, your relationship will likely be scrutinized more deeply to be sure you are not opportunistically attempting to improve your fortunes in the States by any means. I do hope that wiser members will correct me if I am wrong, and I know you two want to be together very soon, but I would prepare yourselves for a much longer than average process	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-24 20:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	How long	16 months for us. When we met, he was working in my country and we didn't think we'd move and here we are... 8 months later...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-27 12:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Intimate photos/ having sex while Fiance	But what you are saying, is what i fear: that they will treat ALL relationships as fraudulent. in particular, requiring me to show up at the consulate at considerable time and expense to myself to ask me questions about my sex life. A stokes interview is more time consuming and labour intensive than the usual consular process, though, so it's not a common practice. Come prepared with other good evidence and they won't have a reason to spend extra time on your case.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-13 18:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Intimate photos/ having sex while Fiance	So I have noticed that some fiance' visa applicants are asked about having sex with their partners and are asked to produce intimate photos. Okay, yes, I've heard about this on these forums as well but it was always and only in one context: a high fraud country, the request for a second/follow up interview, and a doubt about the legitimacy of the relationship - very rarely, a couple is interviewed (more like interrogated) separately because of a high suspicion of fraud and after a whole lot of questioning, the officer may ask about sexual habits. This is quite unusual and I really wouldn't worry about it unless you AND your SO are requested to come back for a second interview. In terms of intimate photos, I have always assumed at least one of the pictures submitted with our file should show evidence of some affection (an arm around my shoulder, for example) but these are not required because there will always be people for whom such contact could be inappropriate or its public demonstration is not acceptable. In any case, the K1 and CR1/IR1 visa decisions don't usually hinge on the amount of evidence of romantic contact you can provide...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-13 17:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Thoughts on the 90 day ceremony deadline	Ofcourse people have told me, you can plan your wedding 6 months ahead (during K1 petition), Aahh, well, personally, my advice was to wait until AFTER you get your K1 visa into your passport. Then it's valid for 6 months during which quite a lot of a wedding could get arranged. You can enter the States 5 and a half months in and then take another 2 and a half months to finish plans. Hence, 9 months to plan a wedding. But yes, don't risk money until the visa is in your hand!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-28 13:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Thoughts on the 90 day ceremony deadline	The poster's location is listed as Niagara. Take a look at where Niagara is on a map. I'm sure she meant she'll be over the border, half an hour from her Canadian home for the wedding. Hehe, yes indeed! Plus it means most of our guests will be within driving distance of the ceremony - something we definitely want to take advantage of!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-28 07:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Thoughts on the 90 day ceremony deadline	If you want more than 90 days to plan a big wedding for family, you could use the 6 months' validity of the visa to plan the wedding, then do the POE, and finalize everything in the 88 days after the POE, and get married on day 89 - that'd give you almost 9 months to plan For us, we're planning a small-ish informal wedding the day of the POE, half an hour from my house in Canada It'll sort of double as a farewell party...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-27 19:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Packet 3 wait time	Just permission to book the interview. When you sign up here (https://usvisa-info....lfservice/login), and you've been told P4 has been sent, you can proceed through the interview appointment steps. Somewhere within the interview set up, you choose your DHL location too. You need your passport number and birthdate to sign up.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-28 17:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Packet 3 wait time	Ha, well, when I was calling the DoS every day for 3 weeks, I think I spoke to the same lady probably every third day, but I only ever had one lady who was clearly annoyed with my bothering to call yet again. I said, "I'm calling for an update on my case" and she confirmed my details. Then she said, "and what was your question?" so I replied that I wondered if anything had been sent to me recently and she asked me, "when was the last time you called?" It kind of threw me off. And then she said, "there's been no change ma'am" but she sounded so so bored... the poor woman. In any case, once you track your paperwork back to Montreal, then you can start to call again asking about Packet 4. Anyway, no, I haven't received P3 yet. It's terrible! I mean, if it weren't for VJ, our separation would be longer than ever!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-28 15:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Packet 3 wait time	Well, I didn't expect things to work out so quickly either - the first interview I booked was July 18th! I checked for openings every half hour for more than a week, and suddenly, most of April has opened up - maybe they've hired on a couple more staff? In any case, call the DoS and ask them, "has Packet 3 been sent to me?" and as soon as they say "it was sent on ____ " send your Packet 3 paperwork. Then call every day and ask, "has Packet 4 been sent?" and as soon as they confirm, you may book your interview. There is hope, but it's not in hearing from Montreal - the DoS can keep you much better informed (for the most part).	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-27 13:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Packet 3 wait time	I'd call the Department of State (DOS - 202.663.1225 - hit 1 then 0 for an operator) if you have your new case number and ask them whether Packet 3 has been sent to you yet. I haven't received a hard copy yet but I submitted the paperwork for it as soon as it was sent.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-27 12:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	I-134F affirmation?	I hadn't heard that it was necessary to have this form notarized.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-27 19:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	One more week and so many questions...	The K1 allows you to stay with the intention of marrying for 90 days (ie. 3 months). Because you have the K1, ESTA becomes unnecessary - you've been cleared for entry. The white form is required in your case.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-28 21:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	NOA2 letter	I don't think there's anything on the NOA2 that you don't already know - I can't see any reason you would need the hard copy in your hand until maybe the medical or the interview...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-29 06:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	K-1 Petitioner Not Employed but with Sufficient Assets	Also, it's my understanding co-sponsors are almost never allowed in Manila for K1 visas.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-27 19:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Employment question for the K1 petition	Well, in my opinion, it's best to include everything the first time, even if it takes a few extra days at the start. In terms of timelines, the ones that are taking less than 2 months are usually expedited for fairly serious reasons or because one of the people involved is in the military on the verge of deployment. For the rest of us, 5 or 6 months is the average amount of time it is taking to get our petitions looked at before they get sent to the consulate. It is very discouraging but this is the process we are all going through.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-02-17 09:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	A good Visa company or Law Firm recommendations	We did this process on our own and were approved in 3 months so do it yourself trust me it is not rocket science. Barbara J is right - you don't need a lawyer. We hired one because we didn't know what we were facing and were overwhelmed. I only found VJ in November and not too long after that we got an RFE for something so small, it's ridiculous neither my brilliant fiance nor our well-paid lawyer caught it. Nevertheless, our lawyer drove 2 hours both ways the next morning to my fiance's place to fix the error. Additionally, while my fiance and I are both at work, several time zones apart, our lawyer is working on another administrative detail for an international police check as well as working to find out why my mailing address is still wrong (when we have written confirmation it was changed in December!) and to get it corrected. We do not need a lawyer to achieve these ends for us, and those who see lawyers as scamming, slimy, lazy toads will probably write me off for being naive and lazy myself, but my fiance and I trust and like our lawyer and we are glad and reassured that he is (really, actually!) working for us. Of course that RFE was avoidable and beyond irritating, but for us, our lawyer has been worth the money. On a closing note, Barbara's 3 month approval is more likely a result of processing times when she filed (as well as the care and attention she put into preparing her petition, no doubt!) but no one can do anything to cut those times down, though both lazy and mistaken lawyers and confused and careless couples can do plenty to increase them.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-25 11:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	K-1 Visa & B2 while processing questions	It sounds like you've done your research! Well done! I enter the US on a fairly regular basis using the VWP (albeit, from Canada...which may make a difference) and I've only been hassled once, when I had no solid ties proving my return. Having a return ticket in hand helps (I couldn't prove I had it because I hadn't printed an itinerary - just the boarding passes for that day), plus the things SophWeb suggested. It's helpful (but not essential) if he has a job to go back to, school to finish, or appointments to keep, but for a longer stay, something like a rental agreement or even sometimes a letter from a parent saying, "my son/daughter lives with me and I expect him/her back at xx date" is enough to satisfy the CBP. But like you said, there are horror stories of people who come entirely prepared and sincere and are humiliated and turned away (the lady border agent who questioned me threatened to send me back if I couldn't "do better than 'I think' or 'maybe'" in remembering the last time I'd crossed the border, and this was after she went through every little slip of paper in my wallet and my purse asking me the same school/work questions 3 times in 3 different ways...). Nevertheless, I have had many, many more experiences where I'm surprised they didn't ask me *more* questions or give me a bigger hassle, considering the stories I've heard. I think it's helpful too if he is well versed in the K1 process so that he can easily explain to the agent that he understands he's not allowed to get married and he's definitely returning home for the interview, which you guys expect to happen 'soon' or whenever. I don't know much about the B2 visa myself, so I can't comment on that, but I hope the border crossing experience goes well for you guys!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-20 08:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Translations for Proof of Having Met in Person	I think you can provide your own translations of unofficial documents. I've also heard on these boards that if your friend can sincerely declare in writing, "I am fluent in both Spanish and English and I swear this is a true translation", that this is enough, even for the official documents, instead of paying an agency...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-22 17:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	No Interview listed on the form in Packet 4	Are K1 interviews assigned in Ghana or does the beneficiary schedule their own?	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-30 21:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	RFE - how long until for a case status update? CSC	Our RFE set us back 3 weeks total - check out my timeline in my signature for the dates. We went through CSC too and our RFE was for a very minor administrative error (so no real wondering if what we sent back would be enough). Good luck guys, and keep your eye on the prize!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-06 21:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	While waiting for NOA2	BC= birth certificate CENOMAR is a Certificate of No Marriage but I think it's only required in the Philippines? I don't know what NBI is... If it takes a little while to get, you'll want to look into getting a police check done for all the places you lived since you were 16. Where are you filing from? Some countries have slight variations on what needs to be submitted before or during the interview. Your profile doesn't give much information about which consulate will be processing your paperwork, but the your regional forum might be the best place to go since folks who have gone through your consulate can give you the clearest answers.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-06 21:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Visit the U.S. while applying for the K-1 visa	There are no rules saying you may not visit your fiance while you are waiting for the I129f petition is being processed, or even after you've submitted your K1 application. It may prove a little more troublesome to get across the border, but I think Canadians get a bit of an easier time with this, especially if you live close to the border and cross frequently. Having said that, Canadian members on this site have been refused entry while trying to visit a fiance - usually because they were not carrying proof that the trip was short-term, but sometimes for a totally unexpected reason - we are really at the mercy of the CBP agents. Just be careful with your visits that it doesn't "look like" you're living in the States while waiting for the paperwork to go through. And you may not spend more than 6 months in a 12 month period in the States as just a visitor.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-10 21:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Civil Marriage	When I first talked to my (Anglican) priest about marrying my fiance and I in a non-legal ceremony in Canada and then later marrying legally in the States, he had some concerns about the integrity of claiming we were not married when we crossed the border later... in the eyes of the state, we wouldn't be, but whatever. What he suggested was doing a sort of blessing of the marriage mass afterwards, or something like a vow renewal ceremony at the church at a later date. In terms of Christian rites, there are a few options available though I would make sure to explain the situation fully so the mass or whatever can be adapted to your needs and preferences My fiance and I are planning to get a marriage license the morning of my entry with the K1. In NY, we have to wait 24hrs before we can use it, so the next day, we're going to get a Justice of the Peace to marry us and fortunately for us, my priest (who can't legally marry us in NY) has agreed to come across the border with us to do a Christian wedding mass for us with our friends and family later on in the afternoon. Good luck!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-12 09:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	I-134	Our lawyer wrote: I intend to furnish room and board and all other contributions a reasonable person would provide for their fiancee and soon to be wife.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-12 09:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Time Estimate	It really does depend on how efficient your particular consulate is going to be in the months your case is there. Montreal is notoriously slow but they suddenly opened up a whole bunch of interviews in April. When I was first allowed to book, I was scheduled to go in July. In any case, I would plan for about 3 months and then do what you can to get the paperwork turned around as fast as possible!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-12 09:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	gettin things done beforehand ???	Hello, I don't believe he needs to get any police records from the States because they do background checks on all the applicants. The police check he gets should be no older than a year by the time he brings it to the interview. In many cases, the doctors who do examinations for visas require you to bring Packet 3 to the examination to confirm you are eligible. I'd say wait until you have that confirmed before you book the medical.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-12 11:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Birth Certificate	Usually, the "real", "original" birth certificate is only kept at the hospital or civil records in the town you were born - they're never given out. Instead, certified copies are available by request. If what you have has a raised seal it's likely a certified copy. It may be possible to request a long version and a short version (in Canada, anyway), and it's the longer version you'd want for this purpose. But like Gary and Alla said, copies of your passport count just as well for the I129f.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-14 21:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	RFE - Proof of having met - (pictures on cd) [edited title]	What you've got there sounds good. You might want to consider organizing it in such a way so that all the passports, tickets and photos of one visit go together... So it is very clear to your adjudicator that on this particular visit (demonstrated by these passport stamps/flight information) you visited these places, and used your credit card at this ATM etc etc... As I guess you've gathered from page 1, the key is the passport stamps, boarding passes, and receipts that place you in each other's countries. If pictures support that key evidence, include them, but they're not looking at the pictures to make sure your relationship is loving enough - they just need to establish that you have met in person in the last 2 years so focus on that.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-17 14:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Want to bring my fiance, doing some research..	Hi everyone, i got a few questions for you guys and i would apreciate it very much if you could help me out. Lets start with will they accept a PO BOX as a delivery address for all the correspondances because i have problems with my mail arriving plus i need to keep this from certain people until he gets here. second, has anyone gotten their petition rejected for any reason? and if so, had they repetitioned for a second time? third, once petitioned, how long does it take from the first mailing of forms to actual visa to be granted? does it or has it ever taken more than lets say six months? and does he need to provide any proof of income from homeland or anything like that? forth, we've know eachother since childhood but only been involved in a relationship for about six months now, do they care how long the relationship has been going on? and at the present time i dont really have much evidince picture wise, i have pics that include both of us from only one occasion, but we do talk every single day. im thinking bout going back in june for couple weeks, so maybe i could take some more pics and what not, who knows we'll have a engagement ceremony maybe, but just incase i cant go, you think these will be proof enough..and we dont chat much online, there are only emails we exchanged on fb, which are in a diff language anyways, but like i said, we talk on thephone every day so no need for chat. but i tried to save as many text messages as i could just because i liked his texts..will those help also? fifth, who needs to submit the intent to marry letter, me or him? i reaaaaallllllyyyy need your help pleaseeee:(( thanks! First - I don't know for sure Second - people do get rejected more often than we'd like to think for a variety of predictable reasons (the beneficiary has a criminal record at home, the petitioner has no way of supporting the beneficiary, complicated family issues with children, previous marriage, previous immigration issues, etc) and petitioning again is often a good choice. Third - Processing times usually exceed 6 months. Right now, the initial petitioning takes about 5-6 months. Then the paperwork goes to the beneficiary's home for the actual visa application and consular stage and depending on where he is, that could take 6 weeks or 16 weeks - where is he? Fourth - Initially, there's no requirement for you to prove your relationship is legitimate or loving - you MUST have evidence of having met in person in the last 2 years. This evidence is primarily required in the form of passport stamps/boarding passes showing you are in each other's country together or in a third country together. Pictures are not enough, flight itineraries do not suffice, FB, texts, or phone records are not official enough and do not demonstrate that you have met in person int he last 2 years. Fifth - you both need to write a letter of intent to marry with the I129f. Only you need to submit an updated letter for when he goes for his interview. Good luck!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-18 10:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Help asap form 156 and 230	Yes, I think you should bring them signed...? Did you submit these forms originally for the Packet 3/4 requirements?	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-18 18:48:00