ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionwhat documents should i bring
QUOTE (carvin317 @ Oct 26 2009, 11:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What documents should i bring to prove i can support my fiancee.

I currently have an interview in early november.

So far I have the I-134, Letter from employment.


What else
1) Bank Statements?
2)Tax Records
3)Stock Options
Ect Ect

When assembling supporting documents for the I-134, remember the purpose is to demonstate current, sustained income (and/or assets) sufficient to support your fiance. To show current income, the employment letter is good; several months' (6 is a good benchmark) worth of pay stubs, if available, are also advisable. Most consulates also want to see the most recent tax return or IRS transcript as well.

If your income as demonstrated by the above is sufficient, there is no need to mention bank accounts or other assets on the I-134 nor to include documentation of such.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-26 10:58:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionwhat documents should i bring
This topic is well covered in the Embassy and Consular Discussion forum. Moving the thread there; I suggest you read the pinned topic at the top.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-26 10:09:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionnever out of status... do I need a waiver anyways?
By leaving under voluntary departure, you conceded that you were removable, i.e., illegally present in the United States. See http://www.immigrati...ate.php?id=1062 section 8.1, #2.

By accepting voluntary departure, you avoided the 10-year ban that comes with being deported. But it doesn't exempt you from other grounds of inadmissibility. Apparently your illegal presence was more than one year, as you were put under a 10-year ban at the time of your departure.

I am not a lawyer, and it sounds like you really need to consult one. But under the circumstances, it appears clear (at least to me) that you are under a 10-year ban and must apply for a waiver.

Edited by Stephen + Elisha, 26 October 2009 - 01:16 PM.

Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-26 13:07:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionvj members in GHANA
http://travel.state....ocity_3568.html

QUOTE
Police Records
Ghana Police Clearance Certificate: Available. Residents of Ghana should report to the headquarters branch of the Criminal Investigations Division of the Ghana Police Authority in Accra, where a fingerprint sample will be taken. Cost for preparation of the certificate is approximately $7 USD (higher for expedited service), payable in local currency, for preparation within 7 days. Non-residents should forward a letter of request for a Police Certificate for Immigration Purposes. Accompanying the letter should be a certified sample of the applicant's fingerprints and an international money order in the amount of $80 USD made out to "Commissioner of Police, Ghana." Forward these documents to the following address:

Commissioner of Police
Criminal Investigations
Department Headquarters
PO Box 505
Accra, Ghana


--

moving to:
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion
You are almost there and now you have to deal with the embassy. This is the place to post your experiences or questions related to this last step before moving to the US. Topics relating to I-134's, packets sent from consulate and medical & police certificates should be posted here.


Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-23 08:04:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffidavit of Support Letter
No cover letter is required.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-26 13:09:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionSEALED ENVELOPE FROM THE EMBASSY
The brown envelope is not just for AOS. It constitutes an essential part of the visa. A common misconception is that the visa consists of the sticker (actually a "foil" in DOS parlance) affixed on the visa page of the passport. Not so. A visa is whatever DOS says it is. And in the case of immigrant visas (or a "quasi-immigrant" visa like the K-1), the brown envelope constitutes part of the visa.

Don't believe me? If you have occasion to see one of the brown envelopes, you'll see that it bears the legend "THIS IS YOUR VISA."
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-26 20:22:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionpacket 3 and 4
moving to Embassy and Consulate Discussion forum; you may also wish to post in the appropriate regional subforum...
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-27 10:00:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionBank Statements
A few observations:
  1. If your fiance (or your co-sponsor, if you need one) makes enough money in salary and/or wages to meet the requirements, there is no need to mention bank accounts or other assets on the I-134, nor to provide documentary evidence of such. Don't even bother with bank account or asset information unless you absolutely need it to meet the requirements.
  2. At the bank, ask for a manager—a manager is far more likely to know what you need than a teller. Tell them you need an account letter for immigration purposes. They may even have a standard report in their computer to generate this. If not, tell them what it needs to contain as above.
  3. If all else fails, gather the information yourself: refer to the account statements for the last year (easier if you have online banking) and write out the letter. Then take it to the bank, ask for a manager, hand them the letter you've written and tell them "I need you to put this on bank letterhead and sign it. I'll wait." And then do just that.

Edited by Stephen + Elisha, 27 October 2009 - 09:20 AM.

Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-27 09:19:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionHELP! I-134
moving to:
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion
You are almost there and now you have to deal with the embassy. This is the place to post your experiences or questions related to this last step before moving to the US. Topics relating to I-134's, packets sent from consulate and medical & police certificates should be posted here.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-27 08:41:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionQuestion about I-134: PLEASE HELP!
QUOTE (cking2 @ Oct 27 2009, 10:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I agree but on that note, in general, it seems that many people on this site are saying that you NEED 3 years of tax returns/etc. Is this yet another example of the 'send in more than you need...' syndrome or does somone have any hard facts (from UCIS) about this?

I guess I just don't see ANYWHERE that the I-134 requires ANY tax statements (unless self-employed). I just re-read the latest instuctions and it states quite clearly:

1-statements from bank
2-statement/letter from employer
3-IF SELF-EMPLOYED - tax returns from ONE year
4-additional detail of investments (if needed I assume)

Well, I make plently of money and can easily get my employer to write a letter and so feel fine with that.

Yet, my fiancee is freaking me out and won't stop the badgering. "All my friends say you need...brah brah brah"

Anyone have insight if she will be asked at interview (GuangZhou) because I really think that the UCIS guys get enough paperwork and NEVER appreciate more than what is required.

-c

In regard to the I-134, the USCIS instructions are not nearly as important as your consulate's requirements. The consular officer will be the one looking at the I-134 and supporting evidence—USCIS will never see them.

Most consulates ask for the previous year's tax return or transcript. But your best bet is to follow Guangzhou's instructions and the advice of VJers who have dealt with that consulate.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-27 10:16:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionQuestion about I-134: PLEASE HELP!
QUOTE (Lari_razvi @ Oct 26 2009, 09:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello all! My fiance has just been approved for the I-129F and I am gathering the paperwork to send over to him before his interview. I have come across a problem regarding the I-134. I graduated from college last year so my previous income for 2006-2008 has been below $15,000. But this year now that I am employed in my profession I will be making over $30,000. I am unsure if I need a co-sponser since I will not have the W2 for this year by the time I send him my paperwork.

Not a problem. The consular officers are looking for evidence of current, sustained income. If you are currently employed at a salary of $30,000 per year, you'll be fine. You will substantiate your current income with pay stubs (six months' worth, or as many as you have if you've been employed less than six months). In your case, a letter from your employer (if they are willing to provide one would probably be helpful as well.

The previous year's tax return or transcript is meant to demonstrate sustained income. You may wish to attach an explanatory note regarding your full-time student status. But your current income is the most important, and it's sufficient to meet the requirements provided that you document it.

QUOTE
Also, I am living at home with my parents, so do I need to look at the level of poverty for a household of 4, or do I just need to look at the level of poverty for a household of 2 (my future husband and I)??? Please help!!!!

Your parents are not your dependents. You don't need to include them in your household size. Your household size for the purpose of the poverty level calculations is 2—you and your fiance.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-27 08:52:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionEvidence of Domicile for Interview
The interview takes place at the embassy/consulate - moving to US Embassy and Consulate Discussion...
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-28 09:00:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionGetting paperwork
OP describes obtaining paperwork for the embassy/consulate interview stage - moving to US Embassy and Consulate Discussion...
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-28 09:53:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionNo time on interview appointment letter. help!
While the K-1 is technically a non-immigrant visa, it is processed by the immigrant visa section at the embassy/consulate. Therefore, you should (probably) report at the immigrant visa intake time. But check the VJ information page for Brussels at http://www.visajourn...mp;cty=Brussels; perhaps a VJ user who's been through that consulate can answer as well.

This is an embassy-specific question; moving to Embassy and Consulate Discussion.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-26 10:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionSending off DS230 to Jamaica
moving to US Embassy and Consulate Discussion...
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-28 10:05:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 Questions
QUOTE (lesleysizeland @ Oct 28 2009, 10:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Stephen + Elisha @ Oct 28 2009, 08:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
At the risk of being pedantic, the US Air Force is not headquartered in Colorado, but rather at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA (physically) / Washington, DC (jurisdictionally) just like the Army and Navy.
http://www.visajourn...php?showforum=6
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-28 10:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 Questions
At the risk of being pedantic, the US Air Force is not headquartered in Colorado, but rather at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA (physically) / Washington, DC (jurisdictionally) just like the Army and Navy.
http://www.visajourn...php?showforum=6
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-28 08:58:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionInterview next week
QUOTE (Hoffy63m @ Oct 26 2009, 09:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Stephen + Elisha @ Oct 26 2009, 10:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
As long as your dad's (co-sponsor's) financial information as shown on the I-134 and tax forms is sufficient, you shouldn't have any problems. Some consulates disallow co-sponsors for K-1s, but I've never read or heard anything that would indicate that Seoul has such a policy. My fiancee and I found Seoul to be a very good consulate to deal with.

Also, if your fiancee isn't using it already, I'd suggest that she check out http://cafe.daum.net/readyvisa - it's a Korean language "cafe" similar to VisaJourney where people share their experiences and tips for the visa process specific to Korea and the embassy in Seoul.

(moving to Embassy and Consulate Discussion)



Ok phew.. Does anyone have any advice for attending the interview in seoul? Like how were they? What types of questions will they ask her and also me.

The consular officer who conducted our interview was a very friendly and kind African-American lady. She swore us both in, but the questions were mainly directed toward Elisha. Her English is very good, so I just stood there for moral support and let her do all the talking. The officer asked her how we met, when I proposed, etc. (My complete review, as well as other recent ones, can be found at http://www.visajourn.../...1&dfilter=5)

Reputedly there is another consular officer who sometimes does interviews and is a bit tougher - have your fiancee check the site I mentioned in my earlier post for Korean-language reviews of the Seoul experience.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-28 10:42:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionInterview next week
As long as your dad's (co-sponsor's) financial information as shown on the I-134 and tax forms is sufficient, you shouldn't have any problems. Some consulates disallow co-sponsors for K-1s, but I've never read or heard anything that would indicate that Seoul has such a policy. My fiancee and I found Seoul to be a very good consulate to deal with.

Also, if your fiancee isn't using it already, I'd suggest that she check out http://cafe.daum.net/readyvisa - it's a Korean language "cafe" similar to VisaJourney where people share their experiences and tips for the visa process specific to Korea and the embassy in Seoul.

(moving to Embassy and Consulate Discussion)
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-26 08:16:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionwhat is OF-194
QUOTE (Amin&Ani @ Oct 28 2009, 12:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That's what I thought too, however, the forms are different. KGH, you saw the blue sheet and you can find the form online. They are not the same.

The link I sent is just an example from the State Department Foreign Affairs Manual. Different consulates have different versions of the OF-194, but OF-194 is used across the board to designate the refusal worksheet given when someone is placed into administrative review or a 221(g) process.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-28 11:57:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionwhat is OF-194
OF-194 is the "Refusal Worksheet" - the blue sheet.

http://www.state.gov...ation/87511.pdf

This form relates to the embassy/consulate stage of the visa process - moving to US Embassy and Consulate Discussion...
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-28 08:53:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionquestion i134
moving to:
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion
You are almost there and now you have to deal with the embassy. This is the place to post your experiences or questions related to this last step before moving to the US. Topics relating to I-134's, packets sent from consulate and medical & police certificates should be posted here.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-28 08:49:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionK1 Visa Process
interview takes place at the consulate (or consular section of the embassy) - moving to US Embassy and Consular Discussion. You may also wish to check out the Canada regional subforum.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-28 09:49:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionInterview on a Friday
QUOTE (Unique @ Oct 29 2009, 04:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What type of air ticket I need to buy? One way or round ticket for K-1?
Thanks

Whichever is cheapest. The CBP agent won't care what type of ticket it is.

Please refrain from hijacking someone else's thread with an unrelated question—start a new topic instead. Thanks!
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-29 08:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionInterview on a Friday
QUOTE (JOHNNYBOY3115 @ Oct 28 2009, 03:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
She needs to fly home to the US around 5 days from the interview for our wedding. Is there anyway she can cross the border without her passport and just have the passport mailed back to us in the US? Or does she need to wait in Canada to get her passport back?

Not an option for two reasons:
  1. All air travelers must present a passport for entry to the US: http://travel.state....cbpmc_2223.html
  2. If she enters the US without the passport (with visa affixed inside), her status of stay will not be "K1 - Fiancee." If you guys then go ahead and get married, she will become ineligible for the K-1 and you'll have to start over from square 1 with an I-130 filing for a CR-1 spousal visa.
QUOTE
If she has to wait in Canada for her passport there are two options: 1) stay in Montreal until the passport is processed or 2) go back to her mothers house in Port Colborn and have it express mailed there.

It seems that staying in Montreal would be the best option. I wouldnt trust the mail. What do you think?

I agree with you and with subsequent posters: advise the consular officer at the interview of your timetable issues and ask to pick up the passport and visa in person.

(consulate issue - moving to US Embassy and Consulate Discussion)

Edited by Stephen + Elisha, 28 October 2009 - 02:31 PM.

Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-28 14:31:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPolice clearance !!!
QUOTE (slider100 @ Oct 29 2009, 07:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I was issued a police clearance by the "local Consulate General" of the country I stayed for a long time. Does that still mean I need to get one from the local police station of the place where I stayed ?
The Police clearance issued by the Consulate does mention that they have not found any adverse information on my name along with my Passport #.
Please help !

You don't state which country it was, so it's not possible to give you a specific answer.

Look up the country in question on the State Department's website: http://travel.state....ocity_3272.html

If your police certificate was obtained in accordance with the procedures listed for that country, you should be fine.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-29 09:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPolice Report Paperwork in Post-Visa Process
Police certificates are obtained and submitted at the consulate stage of the K-1 process - moving to US Embassy and Consulate Discussion...
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-29 08:32:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionInterivew questions
Interviews take place at the embassy/consulate - moving to Embassy and Consulate Discussion
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-28 08:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionUnemployed and Affidavit of Support
QUOTE (CristianAmour @ Oct 27 2009, 09:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Why not get a joint sponsor?

I don't think you could possibly get in trouble for having one as it is not the CO's who make the rules and the option is there...

This is absolutely, unequivocally incorrect.

There are no hard and fast guidelines from DOS on determining whether the public charge requirements have been met for a K-1 applicant. Therefore, consular officers have wide latitude in deciding what to accept.

From what I've read of Manila, they rarely accept co-sponsors. Even more rarely do they accept co-sponsors from outside the petitioner's immediate family.

In contrast, the guidelines and requirements for the I-864 Affidavit of Support used in the IR-1/CR-1 spousal visa process are much more explicit—and do allow co-sponsors. For this reason, many people who go through embassies like Manila, Bangkok, and others that rarely accept K-1 co-sponsors elect to marry and file for the spousal visa instead.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-28 10:56:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionwhat is included in packet 3
questions about packets from embassies belong in the US Embassy and Consulate Discussion forum - moving there
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-29 13:47:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 Fiance VISA
QUOTE (botskie @ Oct 29 2009, 02:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Stephen + Elisha @ Oct 29 2009, 11:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Question pertains to a specific embassy - moving to US Embassy and Consulate Discussion



Hi Stephen/Elisha,

I don't need these forms. What i need is a # to call US Embassy in the Philippines.

Thank you for your post anyways.

Um... I wasn't offering you forms, I was moving your post to the correct forum because you posted it in the wrong place. The US Embassy and Consulate Discussion is the most likely place to get information on contact info for a US Embassy. wacko.gif
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-29 14:05:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 Fiance VISA
Question pertains to a specific embassy - moving to US Embassy and Consulate Discussion
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-29 13:50:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPLEASE! HELP!
QUOTE (William33 @ Oct 29 2009, 01:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Dakine @ Oct 29 2009, 12:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Happens a LOT more than you think. Last trip we made to PI the guy sitting next to us in the waiting area for our return flight showed me his package and I noticed he'd opened it. He missed the flight as he went back to USEM and got it resealed.
At the same time I saw a person here on VJ years ago that posted his was opened when he received it and explained what was in it. He went to the US without having it resealed without any problems.

It's not top secret what's inside. Just your paperwork.


Good point. But in the general sense, it may be wise to get it resealed at the Embassy or Consulate. Getting rejected at the POE would be devastating, for an issue easily resolved at the origin.

No disrespect, but there's no "may" about it. Getting it resealed at the Embassy or Consulate is the only prudent course of action. And I wouldn't exactly call it "easy"—they will check every single document to make sure that everything is as it was when they originally sealed it.

I suspect the odds of being rejected at POE for having an opened envelope are very high due to the possibility that the contents have been altered.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-29 08:20:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionNVC to BKK in record time, trying to get exact status
QUOTE (thongd4me @ Oct 21 2009, 01:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My package arrived in BKK on Oct. 20, so there is a good possibility that Packet3 is already at her house in BKK.
I hope the second time is the charm and we won't get an auto-reply. whistling.gif

As I stated on another thread, it is highly unlikely (though not impossible) that a package from NVC to BKK shipped on 10/16 contained your file. Your NOA2 email notification was on 10/14; you need to figure on 3-5 days from VSC to NVC, then another 1-2 days minimum at NVC before shipping out to BKK.

Your next logical step is to contact NVC to find out when/if your file was shipped to BKK and the consulate case number as you will need it for communications with BKK throughout this stage of the process. Trying to skip this step will most likely yield only frustration.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-21 10:02:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAlright Y'all!
I-134 is used at the consulate stage - moving to US Embassy and Consulate Discussion
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-29 08:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion? About when fiancé comes to the US for good!
QUOTE (Nancy and Marcelo @ Sep 27 2009, 06:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm planning on doing the same thing for my fiance. How Delta charges 717 for round trip from Buenos Aires to ATL, and 1,670 for one-way is beyond my realm of understanding. As for fees or penalties, I've bought a handful of round trip tickets from different airlies and wasted the return ticket without notifiing anyone, and I havn't been penalized yet.

good.gif That's always been my experience as well.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-09-27 17:43:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion? About when fiancé comes to the US for good!
Are there any airlines that actually charge extra for no-shows? If you don't show up for the return leg, your reservations are cancelled and you'll likely lose the value of the return ticket—but if a one-way ticket cost more, then you haven't really lost anything. I'm not aware of any airlines charging again for not showing up.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-09-27 17:34:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion? About when fiancé comes to the US for good!
QUOTE (NigeriaorBust @ Sep 26 2009, 10:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
be sure you get a round trip from there to here not here to there. If they don't use the first half the second half is no good

good.gif Exactly right. The airline will cancel the return journey if the outbound leg is not flown.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-09-26 21:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionrecieved email from embassy and form
QUOTE (Artmin @ Oct 27 2009, 10:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
in this link http://turkey.usemba...visa_forms.html

1.which form i have to download and send to embassy ? my case is i-129f fiance

2.what is different w-2 or 1040 and transcript ?

3.what i have to send?

1. Read the instructions: http://turkey.usemba.../k1k2102009.pdf (English) / http://turkish.turke...k2tr_100909.pdf (Turkish)

2. For the I-134, you need to include copies of EITHER your sponsor's IRS Form 1040 and W-2s OR a tax transcript. A tax transcript can be obtained for free by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and following the automated prompts. A transcript shows the information that the IRS has on file from the tax forms.

3. See #1.
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-27 12:12:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionrecieved email from embassy and form
moving to Embassy and Consulate Discussion forum...
Stephen + ElishaMaleSouth Korea2009-10-27 09:47:00