biggish data

Notarzing the I-134 ???

QUOTE (Filipina Lover @ Sep 20 2009, 12:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I heard something about it not needing notarizing but I haven't seen any form that says you don't have to notarize it, the form I have says it must be notarized.

I don't want to take a chance, I'd rather pay the $10 and not have any delay. I would think that the I-134 wouldn't have a place to have it notarized if you didn't have to do it.

It sure would be nice not to have to have things notarized. It would just be nice if they have some respect for us US Citizens and not have to have us go through this ridiculous process just to get married, when there are so many illegals crossing the border everyday and they do nothing about it.

It is altogether possible that consulates are providing outdated versions of the I-134 that still provide a place for notarization. That said, the current I-134 available for download from USCIS (http://www.uscis.gov.../form/I-134.pdf) does not include the notary certificate, and both the instructions and the form information page on the USCIS website specifically state that the form need not be notarized.

As thepizzadude said, find out your consulate's requirements and complete the forms accordingly.

Edited by Stephen + Elisha, 20 September 2009 - 01:41 PM.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-20 13:40:00

Notarzing the I-134 ???

QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Sep 19 2009, 11:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The current form does not require it. An older version used to require it be notarized...

No notarization required on the current version.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-19 23:04:00

Fiance letter of intent.

QUOTE (Rhiann @ Sep 20 2009, 06:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (soulreaper83 @ Sep 20 2009, 05:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK now I'm worried. Our lawyer never asked us to write any separate letters of intent.
We received out NOA1 on March 26, but nothing sine then. After bugging USCIS several times (both us and the lawyer) we got an email that background check is being conducted and you should contact after 6 months!!!!!

It's already been almost 6 months since are original 129F application; now they want us to wait another 6!

Any advice, suggestions anything. This is too frustrating. We planned on getting married in Dec but now i guess thats out of the question too.

Is this all happening because we never wrote any "letters if intent"? I hate lawyers!!!

PS: We did get touched on Sept 18, so maybe its a good sign or something

My fiance and I didn't send in letters of intent with our package and we didn't get RFE'd for it or anything.

Interesting... two questions:

What was your RFE for, if you don't mind sharing?
If you didn't send letters of intent, how did you meet the requirement in 5.B of the I-129F instructions:
"Provide original statements from you and your fiancé(e) whom you plan to marry within 90 days of his or her admission, and copies of any evidence you wish to submit to establish your mutual intent"?

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-20 21:19:00

Fiance letter of intent.

QUOTE (JackAndWhitney @ Sep 20 2009, 05:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Me and Jack are currently filling out our letter(s) of intent and I've encountered a problem, I know how to fill out my own letter of intent, but when it comes to his (Which I got from this link: http://www.visajourn...p;page=examples "Fiance Letter of Intent") I'm not sure whether to include the section marked:

United States Department of State
United States Consulate, [name of country where embassy is located]

[Embassy Address]

For his letter of intent or not. Also I'm not sure whether to include the embassy address on his letter of intent or is it for future use when submitting for the interview.

Edit: Thank you very much for all your help thus far! It may seem like we have asked some tedious questions but we're just trying to make sure we're 100% before submitting anything, we're very cautious and don't want to screw this up.

JackAndWhitney

For the I-129F, both of you should address your letters to the USCIS. Later on in the process, the petitioner will do a new letter of intent addressed to the consulate where the fiance will interview.

That said, the address is just a formality, so don't stress over it.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-20 16:14:00

Proof of Having Met in Last 2 Years and an Ongoing Relationship

QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Sep 20 2009, 03:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, not really. Jim provided a very good explanation of how it could be helpful.

Your explanation is less plausible. Again it supposes the CO will approve on old evidence and not on new. I would contend it is impossible (in any consulate, even a "cakewalk" like Kiev) to provide enough frontloaded evidence to be approved for a fiancee visa without providing recent evidence after the petition is filed. Silly. It is perfectly feasible to present enough front loaded evidence to dispell any imagined "red flags" known at the time of filing the petition. No, Jim's explanation is satisfyingly sensible and plausible. Thanks.

Jim's post and cited article certainly explained more fully, but it wasn't really different than what I said. Front-loaded evidence of bona fide relationship anticipates and addresses what may well be the CO's a priori assumption of a sham relationship entered into for immigration purposes—the "red flags" referred to in the article. And since the front-loaded evidence is part of the approved petition, which the CO is not allowed to re-adjudicate, it makes it much harder for the CO to establish a lack of evidence for the bona fides of the relationship.

Oh, and I'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from quoting me out of context. I said that Kiev was a relative cakewalk—primarily based on your descriptions of how smoothly things went. Relative is key. Omitting it changes the meaning entirely. Relative to some other consulates, Kiev is (from everything I've read) a cakewalk. Of course you have to be properly prepared, but they're not looking for a reason to deny you like many other consulates are. If you bring everything they asked for and arrange it properly, odds are good that you'll sail through. Contrast this to places like HCM, Guangzhou, Guayaquil, etc. where the COs seem to have an a priori assumption of fraud that requires significant effort to overcome.

QUOTE (toddandhien @ Sep 20 2009, 03:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well said, Stephen.

In our case, we were going through the HCM consulate, a well-known difficult consulate from which to get visa approval. I was quite aware that in many cases, the CO did not ask to see any evidence of a couple's relationship, but issued a blue slip for more evidence.

I did two things with our case. And bear in mind that I had been with Hien for 10 months when we filed and I had been to VN many, many times so we had a lot of documentation.

1. I front-loaded our petition with absolutely everything I had. Hotel receipts, airline tix for both of us, etc. The packet was an inch thick and just about everything had both of our names on it. I also included a 3-page summary of our relationship, very similar to the now-infamous "timeline."

2. I also included known blue-slip generators in the packet Hien delivered on interview day (timeline, proof of ex-wife's address, etc).

So, did this approach get the visa? We will never know. But I do know that they only asked for our pictures and nothing else. The CO asked questions from my "front-loaded" timeline but if they had not looked at the package of information I had submitted in advance I'm not sure how they could have ascertained that we had an on-going relationship. Hien walked out of the first interview with a pink slip so that's all that matters at the end of the day.

I remain a strong supporter of providing as much information as possible as early as possible.

Thanks for sharing this, toddandhien, and congratulations on making it through a notoriously difficult consulate on the first go-around. I agree with your impression that front-loading was beneficial to your case, and I suspect that other reasonable people would agree as well.

Edited by Stephen + Elisha, 20 September 2009 - 02:33 PM.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-20 14:26:00

Proof of Having Met in Last 2 Years and an Ongoing Relationship

Gary, you're essentially asking people to prove a negative. I think it would be very rare for a consular officer to come out and say, "The relationship evidence you provided in your I-129F package was really helpful." And unlike federal acquisitions, you can't request a post-award debrief to find out what you did right after a successful interview and visa issuance.

What is indisputable is that certain difficult consulates do refuse to look at relationship evidence people bring to the interview. What is also indisputable is that the consular officer is prohibited from re-adjudicating the approved petition. They can initiate a 221(g) process for insufficient evidence, but they cannot refuse to look at evidence that comprises part of the approved petition.

So, while there will probably never be enough evidence to satisfy you that front-loading is beneficial, the facts above will persuade reasonable people that front-loading is a good idea when facing a difficult consulate with a documented history of refusing to consider evidence brought to the interview.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-20 13:58:00

Proof of Having Met in Last 2 Years and an Ongoing Relationship

QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Sep 19 2009, 10:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (apotter @ Sep 19 2009, 10:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey guys and gals, I have a question. For proof of having met I intend to send the following:

1. Copies of all airline boarding passes, passport stamps
2. 4 Color Photo's of me and my fiancee together.

For proof of ongoing relationship:
-MSN conversations
-E-Mails

Should this be enough to satisfy their requirements and avoid RFE? Thanks for any input,

-Andrew

Your proof of having met is fine. You do not need proof of ongoing relationship for the petition. You can send it if you want.

Bogota, like any other Latin American consulate, is not the relative cakewalk that Kiev apparently is. Front-loading with evidence of ongoing relationship can't be a bad thing.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-19 21:20:00

Contacting Congress

QUOTE (baron555 @ Sep 21 2009, 08:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Complain all you want but you are just over the 5 month time period which is right in line with their estimates.

My friend had to wait 10 months for their NOA2 and they were worried but in the end they got it.

Be patient; we all had to be.

Some more so than others.

QUOTE

Your I-129f was approved in 105 days from your NOA1 date.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-21 08:07:00

children traveling on mother's visa

QUOTE (GaryG @ Sep 21 2009, 10:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What steps need to be taken once mother gets rights to travel back to philippines, before one year is up. She wants to pick up her two girls and bring them back with her. I think they have to have medical exams and passports, how do we get the medical exams scheduled?

I take it from the bolded statement above that you understand that your wife will have to receive her AP (Advance Parole) travel document before she can travel back to the Philippines.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-21 10:26:00

QUOTE (Maria&Nick @ Sep 22 2009, 04:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

=O I'm shocked too! Where is that info located? Here? ---> http://dashboard.uscis.gov/

Yup. You can view it in chart form, or download the raw data in CSV (bare-bones spreadsheet) format.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-22 15:24:00

I must admit that I am somewhat impressed with the new USCIS site.

Instead of just showing the timeframes now, you can actually display the number of pending applications, awaiting customer action (RFE response), completions (approved or denied), and receipts (new cases) on a month-by-month basis. For example, the July stats for I-129Fs:

CODE

                                          Awaiting
                                          customer     All other
Location   Receipts      Completions       action       pending
National     4,013          5,318           1,877        25,202
VSC          1,859          2,952             891        14,205

Another interesting aspect of this is it allows some insight as to what percentage of all petitions are represented by VJ timelines. For example, VSC received 2,458 I-129Fs in March. There are 155 March VSC timelines on VJ, which represents just over 6% of the total.

A move toward transparency by USCIS... I'm shocked.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-22 12:45:00

QUOTE (JimVaPhuong @ Sep 21 2009, 09:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Stephen + Elisha @ Sep 21 2009, 05:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Sep 21 2009, 07:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (thongd4me @ Sep 21 2009, 07:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Latest Alert - Reporting Functions Down

Good. Here's hoping it STAYS broke. What a wasteful and inaccurate system.

So, because it didn't work properly for you, it shouldn't work for anyone?

Worked ok for me. The day after CSC cashed my check, and I got my WAC number, I was able to see the status online. Nothing changed for three months. Then, in one day, I got a touch, and then an approval status change. The status changed twice in one day - I'm assuming the touch was when the file was pulled to be adjudicated. That would mean it was reasonably accurate to within a few hours.

A few days later, I got the hardcopy NOA2 in the mail.

I think Gary's case just slipped through the digital cracks!

It worked fine for me too. I wish it had worked faster, but it notified me the evening we were approved. Can't really ask for more than that.

I guess the phrase "your mileage may vary" and the concept it signifies are foreign to some people.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-21 08:45:00

QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Sep 21 2009, 07:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (thongd4me @ Sep 21 2009, 07:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Latest Alert - Reporting Functions Down

Good. Here's hoping it STAYS broke. What a wasteful and inaccurate system.

So, because it didn't work properly for you, it shouldn't work for anyone?

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-21 07:59:00

Fix i-129F typo?

QUOTE (driver @ Sep 21 2009, 09:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So after packing up my entire app... double-tripple checking. I made a typo...

I was missing a single letter from the beneficiaries name! ARG!!!!

So my NOA1 has the name misspelled. I called them up and they said I can just send a letter with the correction.

I sent a letter but I just got it back with some generic reply saying I can check the status of my application online. They sent BACK the letter I wrote... with this generic letter. What the heck?!

Are these people really this retarded? They didn't even read the letter! I wasn't asking about status! I sent a statement saying 1 specific box had a typo of her name.

Now what?!

Did your letter include your receipt number? Did you prominently mark the letter AND the outside of the envelope "NATURE OF SUBMISSION: I-129F CORRECTION" or something to that effect?

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-21 20:57:00

g-325A

QUOTE (apotter @ Sep 22 2009, 02:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey guys and gals, I'm filling out my G-325A, and it says list employment for the last 5 years. Well for the last 5 years I've been a student so I've had various (4) jobs. Should I list them all (+ address) on 2 G-325A forms? And then do I make 4 copies of each of these? Thanks,

-Andrew

List employment for the past 5 years—pretty straightforward, really. List all the places you've worked between 2004 and the present. If you need more lines than the form provides, attach a supplemental sheet clearly marked with your name, "G-325A Supplement," the question number you're continuing, and all the information the form asks for. No need for 2 forms.

When you're finished (but before signing), make 4 copies of the complete G-325A (including the supplement), sign each copy, and include them in the I-129F package. Have your fiancee do the same thing (i.e., send you 4 copies with original signatures on each).

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-22 13:40:00

I-864 Affidavit of Support. How long is it valid?

QUOTE (Jeff54321 @ Sep 22 2009, 03:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for your help! I'll fill out the other form and email the completed and signed form to her when the time comes. (Will also mail the original). Will she be able to use an email copy that's been signed before it was scanned?

They will want an original, with original signature.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-22 15:00:00

I-864 Affidavit of Support. How long is it valid?

QUOTE (Jeff54321 @ Sep 22 2009, 02:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What I tried to do during my trip to the Philippines, I tried filling out all the documents that my girlfriend would need from me later, and print them out on location. My thought was being that the mail system was so slow and I was unsure about being able to send a notorized document through email, I would speed up the K1 visa process this way.

However, I wasn't aware that it would take 5 months for the Vermont office to process my petition. The I-864 is dated May 6, 2009 and I'm assuming that by the time she needs the document, they would not accept it with that date and I'd have to redo it. How long is the I-864 form accepted before it must be redone?

You're going through the K1 visa process, which means you won't be using the I-864 until after your fiancee receives her K1 visa, enters the US, marries you, and files for adjustment of status (green card). She will need the I-134 Affidavit of Support from you for the interview process at the US Embassy consular section in Manila.

The I-134 needs to be submitted with supporting evidence: the most recent year's tax return and/or transcript at minimum, but pay stubs (the most recent 6 months are the usual suggestion) and a letter from your employer (if you can get one) verifying your full-time permanent employment and salary are also beneficial to prove current income. For all of this, the "fresher," the better. The consular officer is more likely to look askance at this information if it's all 6 months old.

QUOTE (Jeff54321 @ Sep 22 2009, 02:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I filled out the I-864 because the instructions state that under the "Who completes and signs form I-864" that "The US citizen or lawful permanent resident who filed a Form I-130 for a family member, Form I-129F for a fiance(e), or Form I-600 or I-600a for an orphan" Under the information that I received, they wanted me to use the I-864 because it was legally enforcable and the I-134 wasn't.

This is from the I-864 instructions. You will need to use I-864—but later, when it's time for your fiancee (wife, at that point) files to adjust status for her green card.

Edited by Stephen + Elisha, 22 September 2009 - 02:06 PM.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-22 14:02:00

Haven't received RFE yet...worried

QUOTE (madanisgirl @ Sep 22 2009, 03:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi everyone and thanks for all the feed back you have given to me already.
Here is another....last week I received an e-mail saying they had sent me a letter for RFE
I still have not received it and I am worried about the time frame for getting the information back
to them. What if it expires before I get the letter???? Is there a way to get my petition reinstated
if that happens??

The RFE is not always mailed the same day that the email notice is generated. Give it a couple weeks.

Depending on the type of information requested in the RFE, you are generally given between 30 and 90 days to respond. If you made a copy of the complete I-129F package before sending it, you can start preparing by reviewing the package to see if there's anything you missed. If you didn't make a copy, you'll just have to wait.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-22 14:10:00

G325A Biographical info form

QUOTE (CoffeeMuse @ Sep 22 2009, 02:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am trying to fill out the G325A form. I looked at the example form and it appears that the info at the top is for the foreign financee because the country is listed as Australia. If so, that means the form also needs the names, addresses, birthdates, etc. of the fiancee's parents? The form doesn't clearly state who's information is to be listed but the check list in the guide says the G325A form is to be filled out by the US citizen.

Can anyone just confirm what/who's info goes on this form?

Thanks!

For the I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancee, both the US citizen petitioner and the foreign fiancee need to complete a G-325A. Each of you will complete the form with your respective biographical data.

From the VisaJourney K1 Guide:

QUOTE

7. G-325A filled out by the US Citizen signed and dated (see example). If you are using a newer version of the G-325A it may only contain one page for "Biographic Information". Be sure to make four copies of the completed "Biographic Information" page to submit with the package.

...

9. G-325A filled out by the foreign fiance(e) signed and dated (see example). If you are using a newer version of the G-325A it may only contain one page for "Biographic Information". Be sure to make four copies of the completed "Biographic Information" page to submit with the package.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-22 13:54:00

Question about G-325A and I-134 forms

QUOTE (Archeon @ Sep 23 2009, 12:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

after talking to vermont service centre regarding this, they only require 1 copy of the bio form per person.

Regards,

Arch

You didn't talk to the Vermont Service Center. You talked to a customer service representative—not even a USCIS officer, but a contractor call center employee—whose word does not bind the VSC adjudicating officers in the slightest. Do you really want to take the risk of having your decision delayed by a matter of weeks by an RFE because the VSC adjudicator isn't familiar with the new form and simply assumes that you didn't include all the required pages?

It's up to you, but until USCIS issues some written guidance, I know what I would do.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-23 11:37:00

Question about G-325A and I-134 forms

QUOTE (Archeon @ Sep 23 2009, 11:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am a little confused, as the site here says to send 4 copies of the bio form per person, yet in the official instructions it says to only send 1 form off with the I-129 pack.

Can someone please clarify?

Arch

The I-129Finstructions are correct: one G-325A form for the petitioner and one for the beneficiary.

The confusion arises with the G-325A form itself. Past versions of the form included four identical pages, each with a different footer indicating the distribution of the copies. When you filled out the form, it populated each of the four pages with the same data. The modern-day equivalent of carbonless copies or multi-part forms, so to speak. USCIS posted a new electronic version of the form in July that only contains a single page. The form information page on the USCIS website still says 4 pages + 1 instruction page, however: http://www.uscis.gov...000b92ca60aRCRD

Hence, the best advice is to print and sign four copies of the page for each person and send them in. Thus, if USCIS is indeed still looking for four identical sheets, they'll all be there and you won't get an RFE. If they now only need one, they can toss the three extras.

Edited by Stephen + Elisha, 23 September 2009 - 10:22 AM.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-23 10:20:00

Question about G-325A and I-134 forms

First of all,

- These will walk you through the process step-by-step. You won't go wrong if you follow these.

Responses to your specific questions follow in bold.

QUOTE (gene mccluney @ Sep 22 2009, 10:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In the information on this website, it states make 4 (four) copies of G-325a Biographical data sheet for each person. But it only mentions providing one (1) photo. Does this one photo go behind the whole stack of 4 G-325a forms, or just behind the first one? Follow the suggested packet arrangement in the K-1 guide. The photo goes behind the entire G-325A, i.e., "the whole stack." Or should one submit 4 photos for each person? One photo each of petitioner and beneficiary per the I-129F instructions and K-1 guide.

I did this K-1 visa for my ex-wife many years ago. I can't remember exactly, but it seems I submitted the I-134 Affidavit of Support form with the initial K-1 package I mailed, as well as provided the same info to fiancee for her interview. The instructions on this forum state to only send the form (and support documents) to foreign Fiancee for her interview? Has this changed, or am I just forgetting? I can't say if it's changed or not, but what's certain is that providing an I-134 in the initial K-1 package is entirely unnecessary.

Providing ongoing proof of relationship between K-1 application and interview. This is more difficult because we will be apart. Too far away to visit during the wait time. (cost). Emails and stuff. Would that be enough? What else is suggested if one cannot visit in person during the wait for NOA-2???? Emails, chat logs, phone bills showing calls, snail mail letters, etc. I'm sending the mailing receipts from a couple of care packages I sent to Elisha during the wait. Anything that shows that you've kept up a bona fide relationship.

thanks in advance for any help.

Regarding your question on proof of relationship, it might benefit you to fill in a few details about your SO. Where is she from? At what consulate will her K-1 interview take place? Is there a significant age difference between the two of you? Are there any other issues that might raise red flags to USCIS or a consular officer? The time to start thinking about this issues is now, before you submit the I-129F. If you're going to be dealing with a difficult consulate, or if there are issues that would raise red flags regardless of the consulate, you need to think about how to address those issues—and should seriously consider doing so in your initial I-129F submission.

Edited by Stephen + Elisha, 22 September 2009 - 10:15 AM.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-22 10:07:00

problem with bio forms

QUOTE (marliesandjames @ Sep 23 2009, 12:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Archeon @ Sep 23 2009, 10:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am going to take your advise stephen and elisha and add a supplemental information sheet.

thanks,

Arch

we had the same problem and just filled the dates in by hand.
I don't see why this would be a problem.As long as you do it neatly and they are able to read it!

Good luck!

Again, there is no requirement that the form must be filled in by computer. If you call USCIS and request them, they will send you paper forms to fill in. Completing the forms by hand, in full or in part, is perfectly acceptable.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-23 11:41:00

problem with bio forms

First, make sure your version of Adobe Reader is up-to-date. The current version is 9.1.3. I've read that the form works properly with the current version.

If that fails to solve the problem, you have a couple other options:

Try filling it in using a two-digit date for the year rather than all four.
If that doesn't work, leave it blank and fill it in by hand after printing. Nothing says the form has to be completed on the computer. You could fill it in entirely by hand if you so choose.

If you're going to use an additional sheet, label it clearly with the person's name, G-325A Supplement, and the question number. Do not relegate important information to the cover letter, as it will most likely be stripped off and thrown away when the package is received.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-23 10:26:00

problem with g-325a

QUOTE (mike001 @ Sep 23 2009, 08:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i'm filling the g-325a form.and i have a problem with father and mother birthday won't let me enter the form mm/dd/yyyy if i do it show a black + on the top of the numbers. but i did 11/12/55 and the + sign is gon i don't if i leave it like that please help

thanks

11/12/55 is fine.

Or, if you're worried about it, leave it blank and fill it in by hand after you print.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-23 19:39:00

ARE DOWNLOADED K1 VISA FORMS BE PRINTED ON A4 TYPE BOND PAPER???

QUOTE (ChuckandRhean @ Sep 24 2009, 07:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Ron/Sharon @ Sep 24 2009, 05:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (ChuckandRhean @ Sep 24 2009, 06:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hELLO FELLAH VJERS!!!!!

aLMOST ALL MY FORMS WERE DOWNLOADED FROM THE USEMGOV. LINK...i JUST WANNA KNOW IF THOSE ARE TO BE PRINTED ON A4 SIZE BOND PAPER ??? PLEASE HELP.

A4 will be the perfect size to use as it used for: [/size][size="2"]letters, magazines, forms, catalogs, laser printer and copying machine output

one more thing, ive filled up and printed out DS 156k before and on the last page, the word NONE appeared on items 29, 30, and 31. Right now, DS156k is printed out on an A4 bond size papers BUT the word NONE ,DOESNT appear anymore on the last page same items .... is this the right way last page should be?thanks again

DS-156K doesn't have questions 29, 30, and 31. I presume you're talking about the DS-156?

If so, as long as the box for "No" is checked for each of those questions, then "None" doesn't need to appear.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-24 09:23:00

How long for NOA2

QUOTE (JennandFuat @ Sep 24 2009, 04:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Stephen + Elisha @ Sep 24 2009, 11:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

http://www.visajourn...l...=1&sortby=2

Looking at Igor's List, 12 users with VJ timelines who received NOA1 in July have already been approved by VSC. NOA2 dates are all within the last week. Your approval could come at any time... or it could take the full 5 months. There's just no way of telling. But the recent approvals of petitions with NOA1 dates close to yours bodes well for you.

Unless my eyes are playing tricks on me, Igor's list showed two August filers who were approved in the last few days. I looked at it a few times, to make sure I wasn't imagining things.. but I am either crazy or it really shows that.

You aren't imagining things. There have indeed been two August filers approved this week.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-24 15:46:00

How long for NOA2

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-24 10:37:00

package sent. Now more questions

QUOTE (ChuckandRhean @ Sep 24 2009, 07:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

GREETINGS STEPHEN + ELISHA!!!

MY QUERRY MAY NOT BE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE TOPIC AT HAND

IM ALMOST THRU WITH ALL MY DOCUMENTS AND PAPER REQUIREMENTS AS WELL AS WITH K1 VISA FORMS(DOWNLOADED). MY QUESTION IS ARE THESE FORMS DS230, DS 156, DS 156K AND DS 157 BE PRINTED ON AN A4 TYPE BOND PAPERS?? OH MY... ALL THINGS MUST BE DONE WITH ACCURACY, I SHOULD SAY

. ANY IDEAS CONCERNING THIS IS VERY NMUCH APPRECIATED. tHANK U

The forms are designed on US Letter size (8.5 x 11 inches) paper. But it's very difficult to get paper in US sizes outside the US, and the consulates understand that. The forms will print fine on A4, and the slightly different size shouldn't cause any issue at the consulate.

In the future, please don't type in ALL CAPS—it's difficult to read and makes it look like you're shouting.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-24 08:36:00

package sent. Now more questions

QUOTE (Rhiann @ Sep 7 2009, 02:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You should get your NOA1 before you check is cashed.
I've noticed most people do, that way you know they have your package.

While NOA1 may be dated prior to the day the check cleared, the hard copy doesn't show up for several days—often a week or more—after the check is cashed.

From my experience and observations, the sequence of events after mailing the I-129F usually goes:

Delivery confirmation received - 1 or more days after mailing, depending on whether you used express mail or a slower service
NOA1 issued - usually the day or day after the confirmed delivery (but you have no way of knowing this yet)
Check cashed - 1 or 2 days after NOA1 date. This is the point when many people learn their NOA1 date—they view the image of their cashed check on their bank's website and get the USCIS receipt number from the back of the check, then use the receipt number to track the petition on the USCIS website.
NOA1 arrives in the mail - around a week after NOA1 is issued.

NB: this represents the average times as I've observed them, so your mileage may definitely vary.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-07 10:39:00

Contact representative at this point?

QUOTE (trdc3lica @ Sep 24 2009, 11:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Ed+Cindy @ Sep 24 2009, 02:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You will probably have to wait. USCIS will just tell your representative you are within processing times. Unfortunately, people from countries like your fiance's can take a while with background checks. Heck, we are from a peaceful country and our NOA2 took 6 1/2 months.

I can sort of understand how Pakistan has a bad rep in the world. But what sort of background check would they be running on her right now? I could be wrong, but doesn't the background check on her begin after NOA2? That's when they ask for the police certificates and what not. I thought that at this point they'd be running background checks on me.

USCIS runs checks on the petitioner and beneficiary. Then, after NOA2, NVC runs another set of name checks on the beneficiary using a different database. When the approved petition arrives at the consulate, they run a further set of name checks on the beneficiary. If at any point in this process a check doesn't return an immediate "NO RECORD," an officer must manually compare the database to the biographical info provided in your petition to rule out a match. Hence, you can get delayed at any one of these steps in the process.

Edited by Stephen + Elisha, 25 September 2009 - 09:40 AM.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-25 09:37:00

double paperwork sent in

QUOTE (Haole @ Sep 25 2009, 02:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Zee21 @ Sep 24 2009, 07:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My Fiancee and I are just about ready for our interview. She lives in Ecuador and she is filling out the 2 documents required before we request our interview.Forms DS156 and DS156K. When she filled out the DS156 she made a couple mistakes,she put the wrong date on one of her visits to the US and the other mistakes was she misspelled my last name. keystroke error.... After you finish that document it gives you a number on the document and then it gets electronically sent somewhere and then it gives you the option of printing it. Well she decided to fill out a new document and made the corrections and of course it gave her a new number. What should we do now? There is two documents sent somewhere. does anyone have any ideas....HELP

The DS 156 and ds 156k DON'T go anywhere. She can make out a 100 of them if she wants.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-25 10:02:00

VJ applicant percent of total applicants?

QUOTE (Justine+David @ Sep 25 2009, 11:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Can someone post how they got to the statistics on the new USCIS page? I've thumbed around for a quarter of an hour but I guess I'm missing the big arrow sign : )

http://dashboard.uscis.gov - the National Processing Volumes and Trends are right on the main page.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-25 10:29:00

VJ applicant percent of total applicants?

QUOTE (JimVaPhuong @ Sep 25 2009, 08:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (TBoneTX @ Sep 24 2009, 10:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (JimVaPhuong @ Sep 24 2009, 07:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Given the above, what are the odds that somebody at YOUR consulate or embassy is reading your posts here?

If they are, then they know of the opinion that certain of them probably ought to be hauled back to the U.S. in chains... or, better, be given a permanent lifetime Foreign Service transfer to a run-down, air-unconditioned building in some malaria-infested, crime-ridden, civilly violent fifth-world cesspool of a corrupt, brutally anti-American dictatorship. Let them further their self-prized "fraud-prevention" skills there. Many imaginably wish this kind of love & kisses upon our beloved consulate, si man.

I think some of them are grouchy because they think they already ARE stationed in a malaria-infested, crime-ridden, poverty-stricken cesspool. I can't imagine being a CO in a high fraud country is much fun. Every time they issue a visa they are probably wondering if they didn't just let another visa scammer into the US, and every time they deny one they wonder if they didn't just wreck the lives of two people in love. I'd hate to be a CO in a high fraud country. Every decision would be like Solomon trying to decide where the cleave the baby.

On a very similar note, you might find this blog enlightening: http://xcalling-a-sp...rch/label/visas

It's written by an anonymous CO. Granted, it sounds as though he's been working nonimmigrant visas, but it gives some fascinating insight into how they gauge the people they're interviewing.

QUOTE (FaridS @ Sep 25 2009, 09:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

sure it does. are you telling me that if the total population was 5000 and VJ applicants only 5 (random applicants) that you would have a good idea of the true processing time? The higher the number of VJ applicants the higher the resolution becomes and the more accurate the result.

Not necessarily—as long as you have a sample size that is statistically significant and a relatively random distribution, you'll get accurate results.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-25 09:33:00

VJ applicant percent of total applicants?

The new USCIS website lets you view the number of filings on a month-by-month basis - it even breaks it down by service center. You can compare that info to Igor's List (select All Petitions) and divide to find out what percentage of your month's petitions are represented on VJ. For example, VSC received 2,458 I-129Fs in March. There are 155 March VSC timelines on VJ, which represents just over 6% of the total.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-24 21:32:00

QUOTE (baron555 @ Sep 9 2009, 09:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK, I will stop. Obviously there is very much a country/consulate specific criteria that must be understood. You never mentioned that in your first posts. And you do not mention that the consulate officers may have a different understanding of the laws of the country they are in. You did not warn the couples about this potential difficulty. That was the disservice. I stand down.

I consistently stated that my comments applied only to countries where religious ceremonies have no legal effect.

You have insisted throughout this thread that not mentioning a religious ceremony is misrepresentation, even if the ceremony was not legally binding. That was false and a disservice.

Once again, I believe that kathryn has done a great service: she presented a very balanced overview of the issue. It ought to be stickied somewhere or turned into a guide.

Edited by Stephen + Elisha, 09 September 2009 - 08:33 PM.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-09 20:27:00

Thanks Kathryn. I think you've summed it up perfectly.

Edited by Stephen + Elisha, 09 September 2009 - 08:10 PM.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-09 20:08:00

QUOTE (baron555 @ Sep 9 2009, 06:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Stephen + Elisha @ Sep 9 2009, 08:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I honestly don't understand the preachiness here.

The K-1 is for couples who are legally free to marry. In countries where religious wedding ceremonies confer no legal effect, the couple can have their religious wedding and still be legally free to marry and thus eligible for the K-1. Consulates in some of these countries advise K-1 applicants that this is okay. If it's okay with the consulate, why do you have a problem with it?

No one's advocating lying to consular officers. When a consular officer asks if you are "married," the question is being asked in a strict legal sense. If you are not legally married, the answer to the question is "no"—whether or not you've received the sacrament. Render unto Caesar, buddy.

Yo, Caesar! What if the couple just answered using the truth, "Yes we are married, but it is not legal."

What would be wrong with that answer? It is the real truth. Maybe this answer would get you nervous? Why would a couple want to have a non-legal wedding and then use the K-1 visa? Maybe it is because it is the quickest way to get together, rather than the more appropriate CR-1 or K-3? Maybe it is against the TOS of this site to give such advice?

Anyway, luckily this OP couple has opted for the safe route and not trying a find a way around the K-1 requirements based on a technicality.

Why volunteer information that is immaterial? The material fact is legal freedom to marry. If you are not legally married, then as far as the law is concerned, you are not married and the answer to the question is no.

If you believe a TOS violation has occurred, you are welcome to report the offending post. But let me help you out:

Have I advocated violating immigration laws? No. I have cited law and policy stating that the criteria for eligibility for a K-1 visa is "legally free to marry." I have argued that a wedding ceremony that does not confer legal marriage status on the couple is immaterial to K-1 eligibility. In support of my interpretation, I have put forth the fact that consulates in countries where religious weddings are not legally recognized have advised K-1 applicants that such a ceremony does not impact eligibility for the K-1.
Have I advocated lying to immigration or consular officers, or concealing/misrepresenting material facts to them? No. Once again, according to law, the material fact in question is legal freedom to marry. I have established that a couple who marry in a religious ceremony in countries where such ceremonies carry no legal recognition are legally free to marry. Beyond that, I simply advocate not volunteering information that is immaterial. The guides on this site offer the same advice (see the guide on visiting the US while a K-1 petition is being processed). I have not advocated, and do not advocate, lying if someone is directly asked whether they have had a wedding ceremony. I simply submit that the questions asked by immigration and consular officials are predicated upon ascertaining legal freedom to marry.

Considering that you haven't offered any evidence in support of your argument against my interpretation, I suspect that your implication that I've violated the TOS is a case of argumentum ad baculum—threatening your opponent so he'll shut up.

In any case, my position is clear, and the OP has indicated that she considers the question answered. But I'd suggest that if you disagree with someone's position here or anywhere, you produce facts to back up your argument, and not resort to unfounded accusations and innuendo.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-09 19:20:00

QUOTE (baron555 @ Sep 9 2009, 08:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And also, being Catholic myself, how would you live with the fact that you got married but would lie about it to the consular officer? That's a sin.

What would Jesus want you to do?

By your standard, a Catholic who is divorced is ineligible for a K-1 visa.

The Catholic Church does not recognize divorce. So, when the consular officer asks the divorced Catholic if he/she is married, he/she must answer "Yes." No visa.

The Government of the United States does not care a whit about your marital status in the eyes of God and the Catholic Church. All they care about is whether you are free to marry under United States law. Render unto Caesar.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-09 08:52:00