ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNot having proof of meeting in person in last 2 years
Agreed. If your SO visited Dec 2005, you can still file by Dec and be ok. If they have the passport stamps, that is the primary evidence you need. Let go of the picture thing, it's only 2ndary evidence, you dont need it. Just file with what you said you had in your post from last year. Or else you can wait till Oct 26th 2008 and ask again smile.gif

FYI, you wont be filing anything with INS, as it no longer exists. USCIS for several years now.

Edited by msu17, 26 October 2007 - 03:18 PM.

msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-10-26 15:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNot having proof of meeting in person in last 2 years
And even for those reasons, its still very very hard to get around the meeting requirement. Just go meet your fiance. You wont get approved until you do.
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-10-26 14:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNot have noticed after 4 months sent
Fill in your timeline (option bar above) with your first notification date and it will give you an estimate of when to expect the decision based on the averages of the VJ members.
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-10-29 23:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurespetitioner traveling frequently to italy
I agree with above. Assuming you are the US citizen, there are no restrictions on your travel. I'd say the majority of people go abroad while the K1 is processing.
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-10-29 23:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConfused about visitation rules
Ditto for the K1. Lots of us with SO's from the UK have them visit during the K1 wait.
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-10-25 22:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI NEED ADVICE!!!!
Anyone can act as a co-sponsor, relative or not. I am a student, so I had to get a co-sponsor and used my mother. She is retired, so while she has some income, its not enough to meet the 125% line. We used her assets such as savings bonds, stocks, savings etc. to show she had enough to cover either 3 or 5 times (can't remember) the difference between her income and the poverty line.

A thought I had was perhaps hold off filing once you return to the US until you find your next job. Then you can have that employer write a letter stating your salary etc. Or just get a cosponsor and call it a day smile.gif
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-01 11:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLengthy visits while waiting
The first time we spent a lot of time together, he was in the US on a student visa (where we met). Then 2nd time, I was still in college and got a student work permit to the UK and worked over there for the summer. I think most people can't really take that much time together though. Ah the joys of international relationships... whistling.gif
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-02 17:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresengagement story for interview
I agree with telling the truth. I'm assuming you are going through the UK embassy, and they aren't a high fraud embassy. When my husband went to his K1 interview, they just asked him to tell them about me (only question regarding our relationship). No engagement story needed. Most people are done with the UK interview in like 5 minutes. If they ask about the engagement, just say there was nothing ever formal, you just decided to get married and plan on doing it within 90 days of entering the US. I think it would be sketchy if you guys lied and they caught it. Good luck, and dont worry about the interview too much.
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-04 16:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresgot NOA2 by mail.but USCIS online said case still pending?
Don't worry about the online status. Ours didnt update for a long time after our approval. Congrats!
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-04 16:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMove up Interview date?
Someone in the UK forum was able to contact the embassy in London and move the date up (I think by getting a cancelled date). They showed they had concrete plans for a wedding. Again, it was at London, so your embassy most likely does things differently. But as someone said earlier, its worth a shot to see if you can perhaps get a cancelled interview slot. I wouldnt' count on it though, but I hope I'm wrong! Good luck!
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-04 23:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPOE
Just show up when you usually would for an international flight. As stated earlier, passport with visa, brown envelope and possibly the x-ray. Theres varied opinions regarding whether to bring the x-ray in checked or carry-on luggage. They would have to call a doctor to actually read the x-ray if they asked for it at immigration, but they are entitled to ask for it.

When my husband came through, he got in the slow lane, but the lady at immigration just flipped through the brown envelope, typed in whatever they need to type in and waved him through. No additional questioning. That was at Detroit from London. Congrats on being so close!
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-07 23:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEmergency Circumstances
I know you can get an emergency AP after you have filed for AOS, but I dont know how that works with the K1. Perhaps make an infopass appt., explain the situation and see what can be done.
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-07 23:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 advice please
I am in the same situation. I'm in medical school, so obviously I can't work. We used my mother, showed proof of her making over the 125% poverty line (K1, and now for AOS as well) and have had no problems. I had worked a bit during the summer etc, so I submitted those, but my mom's info was what we primarily used. You both need to fill in the financial info sheets etc. You just provide as much info as you can. There are lots of students on here and we haven't had too many problems with co-sponsors. You absolutely DON'T have to have a job as long as you can show a cosponsor willing to sign the forms that makes enough.
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-07 23:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow to speed up the K-1 Visa process and Rejction at POE
It seems you have done what you can on your end to get your petition moving. The USCIS info line isnt very helpful, they pretty much just read off what you already know. Good luck and I hope you hear something soon.

Regarding your fiance flying over here, she would have to pay the return ticket if she was denied at POE. Most people dont have a lot of problems visiting with the K1 processing as long as they bring lots of evidence they plan on returning (not just a return ticket), dont pack a lot luggage, dont seem sketchy at immigration etc. My husband came over when our K1 was processing and he had fewer questions than when he said he was visiting his gf!
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-07 23:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTime to call the Dept the State (DOS)
The embassy schedules it, but the DOS usually knows the date. I believe (if I remember correctly) that they are open till 11-12 PM, so call early or late. Correct me if I'm wrong though.
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-13 21:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion (Probably a stupid one.. but :P
Makes no difference from what I've seen. I brought my husband over here on a K1 from the UK in July and was processed the same speed as other male and female petitioners from the UK. Besides, I'm sure if they did have drastically different processing times, whichever sex was disadvantaged would be up in arms.
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-13 21:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTravelling International post-marriage, pre-AOS filing
According to the USCIS website: Q : What if I need advance parole? NEW
We anticipate completing the receipting of the I-131 documents by the end of October 2007. Due to the heavy volume of cases, we are encouraging customers to wait until the end of October before inquiring about their case. If special circumstances exist and advance parole is needed quickly, please make an InfoPass appointment to visit your local USCIS office or call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283. When you visit the local district office, be prepared to explain the need for urgent travel, provide the U.S. Postal Service tracking number associated with the original application filed, and the date the application was received at the Service Center where you filed.

I'd overnight it and then make an infopass appt. tomorrow. Good luck!

Edited by msu17, 17 November 2007 - 03:28 PM.

msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-17 15:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswhat exactly do the uscis timelines mean?
I dont know your case, so maybe your lawyer has a reason to recommend no travel. However, my fiance came from the UK during the process and walked right through immigration. He had no convictions etc. and brought plenty of evidence of his return. He came over on VWP. I'm pretty sure that if you were denied entrance to the US for whatever reason, that would not have an effect on your visa application. Good luck with whatever you decide
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-17 15:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK 1 filling
The K1 is not THAT complicated after a good few weeks spent reading up on it (Thank God for VJ on this) good proof-reading and organization. If you dont have a very strait-forward case or have absolutely NO time, then a lawyer might be a good idea. However for an average run of the mill case, there is no need for a lawyer. Where you from in OH by the way? I'm in the Toledo area
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-03-29 20:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGetting married before fiance visa approved
London does usually try to accomidate wedding/travel plans. There are several UKers who have either had their interview date moved up after asking nicely or scheduled earlier after writing in travel and weddign plans. No guarantee, but worth a shot. If that doesnt work, carry on with the big fancy weddign party, but DON'T do anything legal. DONT SIGN ANYTHING until the UK citizen is here on teh K1. Make sure not to wear rings/reference the party when you come through immigration either.
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-20 10:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI want to be with my fiancee
[/quote]
My main problem all along has been that I don't know what realistic expectations for this are. So, we can ditch the K1 once we get married in the US? I am a fairly smart person (mechanical engineer) but this has all been REALLY confusing to me.
[/quote]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I dont think you can switch from K1 to K3 or CR1. If you are going to stick to the Nov 10th date no matter what and plan on abandoning K1 you are just wasting your $. Don't feel bad, this is very overwhelming at first!
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-05-29 18:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI want to be with my fiancee

Do you go through Vancouver or Montreal. One is slow and one is fairly quick. Either way, it's running around 3 months to get aproval from CSC and since its almost June, you are looking at end of August/beginning of Sept for that assuming there isnt a slowdown. You then have to get through NVC which will take several weeks. The embassy needs to get the paperwork, send you out packet 3, you need to fill that in, they need to get it and send you the interview date. You then have to wait a while to get that. Look at similar timelines above for a more realistic timeline.

You also dont want to marry on exactly day 90 as its streching it for AOS. If you want to wait till later in the process I'd get married in the mid 80's, but that's just my opinion

She lives in Vancouver, so that's where she'll be going through. It's just hard, because we had to try to set a date far in advance so that her family would be able to plan to get down here. I just wish she could move down here and live with me until we get married, but it is clear that is not an option.


That's good I think they are fairly quick. Definitly check others timelines to get a better picture of the process.
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-05-29 18:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI want to be with my fiancee
Do you go through Vancouver or Montreal. One is slow and one is fairly quick. Either way, it's running around 3 months to get aproval from CSC and since its almost June, you are looking at end of August/beginning of Sept for that assuming there isnt a slowdown. You then have to get through NVC which will take several weeks. The embassy needs to get the paperwork, send you out packet 3, you need to fill that in, they need to get it and send you the interview date. You then have to wait a while to get that. Look at similar timelines above for a more realistic timeline.

You also dont want to marry on exactly day 90 as its streching it for AOS. If you want to wait till later in the process I'd get married in the mid 80's, but that's just my opinion

Edited by msu17, 29 May 2007 - 06:05 PM.

msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-05-29 18:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDS 156 Question (Important )
I did my husbands form for him and had him check no. My interpretation (though I could be wrong) is that its intended to be checked if you had a lawyer or assistance group thingy help you. Dont stress too much on this.
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-23 16:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresfiance visa question
No, because in order to file a K-3, you must be married and to file a K-1 you CAN NOT be married. That's why they are called a spouse visa and a fiance visa.
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-23 16:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGet a lawer involved when process already strated
As already stated, an initial meeting with a lawyer may put your mind at rest, but they can't do anything to speed up the process. They have the same access as we do to USCIS. Your congressman however has liasons who can directly contact the service center and get your case pulled and looked at ASAP. CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN TODAY!
msu17FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-27 09:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting USA on tourist visa before applying for K-1
Hi all! Glad to find this forum - it seems like a very helpful site.

I am a US citizen and am currently living with my Turkish fiance in Turkey.

My fiance and I have not yet begun to file for our K-1 fiance visa, but would like to do so soon. Before we begin the process, I would like him to travel back to the States to visit my family for the holidays. From what I've read here and other forums, it seems that the embassy officials are much less likely to grant a tourist visa if you have a US citizen fiance or spouse. Would it be better if he did not mention that he was engaged to a US citizen? Like I said, we have not begin to file for the K-1 visa yet and aren't planning to do so until after he returns from his visit (if he is granted a tourist visa).

My father is going to sponsor him for the tourist visa, and is a university professor - do you think he would have a better chance of obtaining a tourist visa if he recieved an invitation from my father to visit his university, rather than an invitation stating that he was visiting his fiance's family?

I'd really like him to have the chance to come home with me and meet the rest of my family before we start going through this long K-1 visa process.

Your help and advice is appreciated!

Edited by JULIAFERNO, 27 October 2007 - 05:00 PM.

JULIAFERNOFemaleTurkey2007-10-27 16:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresA few questions about I-129F and G-325A
Thanks for the replies.

Yes, I was referring to the photographer re-touching the photo. It's not obvious, but his skin does look a tad air-brushed if you look closely.

People seemed to have mixed opinions about whether to include student status under the employment section...hmmm.
JULIAFERNOFemaleTurkey2007-10-29 13:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresA few questions about I-129F and G-325A
1. My fiance just had his passport-size photograph taken to include in the I-129F petition, and although we asked them not to re-touch the photo, it appears as if they might have done so. Will this be a problem? Should he have his picture taken again?

2. For the G-325A: Under "Applicant's employment last five years" - My fiance has been in school for the last five years. Should he include the Names of his schools/student occupation under this section or simply write "unemployed"?

That's all for now...I'm sure I'll have more questions soon smile.gif

Thanks!

Edited by JULIAFERNO, 28 October 2007 - 01:57 PM.

JULIAFERNOFemaleTurkey2007-10-28 13:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow much evidence to submit w/ I-129F for proof of having met, etc.
Hi all,

This question has probably been addressed before, but I'll go ahead and ask...

How much evidence should one submit with the I-129F petition for proof of having met in the last 2 years and proof of an ongoing relationship?

I've been to Turkey twice and currently living with my fiance and his parents in Turkey, so we have plenty of evidence...just not sure how much to submit.

I'll submit copies of all of my boarding passes, flight itineraries, and Turkish visas in my passport for sure - but what about emails, calling card receipts, other various receipts, etc?

How many copies of email should I submit? What about the other stuff? I don't want to go overboard but want to make sure I include enough.

Thanks again for your help!

Edited by JULIAFERNO, 30 October 2007 - 10:08 AM.

JULIAFERNOFemaleTurkey2007-10-30 10:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUse the Standard Roman Alphabet as a general rule on forms?
My fiance is Turkish and his name and address use some of the special characters in the Turkish alphabet. I know that on the I-129F form you are able to write your address in both the Roman Alphabet as well as your native alphabet, but I am wondering which version he should use as a general rule on all documents and forms. If you are familiar with the Turkish alphabet - the differences are small, but do denote different letters (i.e. the s and c with and without a tail, the i without a dot, o and u with and without two dots over the top).

Anyway, to reiterate my question - should I use the standard Roman alphabet when I am writing his name and address on various documents?

Thanks again!
JULIAFERNOFemaleTurkey2007-10-30 16:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPassport style photo requirements - confused!
I remember reading a post where the petitioner recieved an RFE, and one of the reasons was because their passport style photos were not 2" x 2". I am reading over the I-129F Instructions, and it currently states:

"Give USCIS a passport-style color photograph of yourself and a passport-style color photograph of your fiance, with both photos taken within 30 days of the date of filing this petition. The photos must have a white background, be glossy, un-retouched and not mounted. The dimension of the full frontal facial image of you and your fiance in separate photos should be about one inch from your chin to the top of your hair. Using a pencil or felt pen, lightly print the name (and Alien Registration Number, if known) on the back of each photograph."

Now, that doesn't say anything about 2" x 2". My fiance has his photo taken and the dimensions are approximately 4.5cm x 6cm (5.1 cm = 1 inch). He told them he need a passport-style photograph and this is what they gave. Is this appropriate?

Also, what does "not mounted" mean? There is a small white trim around his photo - is this "mounted"?

I know these seem like minute details, but to USCIS it seems they can make the difference between an RFE or not, and of course I'd like to avoid that!

Thanks again!
JULIAFERNOFemaleTurkey2007-10-31 08:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurestravel visa question
QUOTE (Roy and Yazi @ Oct 31 2007, 08:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
IMHO, if she does, she can kiss her money goodbye.... buyer beware... if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is...


Considering that it is the embassy official who conducts the interview and makes the decision regarding to give or not to give said visa, it does sound like a scam. In my opinion, no one can help you get a visa except for yourself.
JULIAFERNOFemaleTurkey2007-10-31 19:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 Recieved!
Congratulations - how exciting! kicking.gif
JULIAFERNOFemaleTurkey2007-11-01 17:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresThe Nitty-Gritty: I-129F/G-325A Q's
G-325A Questions:

1) If no middle name, write "none"?
2) If foreign fiance's country does not have provinces/states, write "none"?
3) For foreign fiance: "Applicant's last address outside of the United States for more than one year?" - How to answer this question?
4) Are you able to leave boxes blank if they are referring to a question in which you already stated "none" (e.g. Husband or Wife: "None" - can I leave the subsequent boxes blank (name, birth date, etc)?
5) For employment section: There have been period where I've been employed by two companies at the same time - but for both companies I was a "independent contractor" - Also, the jobs were completely unrelated fields of work (teacher and internet sales manager) how should I handle this?

I-129F Questions:

1) Part A, Q. 12 - "If youf fiance is currently in the U.S. complete the following" - if not applicable to my fiance should I leave blank or write "Not currently in the U.S."?
2) Part B, Q. 18 - "Describe the circumstances under which you met" - If i attached a suplement sheet for this question, should I simply state in this box "See I-129F Supplement, Part B, Question 18..etc."?

I think that's all!

Cok tesekkur ederim (Thank you so much!) cool.gif

Edited by JULIAFERNO, 02 November 2007 - 02:07 PM.

JULIAFERNOFemaleTurkey2007-11-02 14:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion about adding supplemental page for address
Hi all.

My fiance has a long street address which won't fit into the given boxes on the I-129F or G-325A. In the space provided we wrote "See attachment" and the attachment sheet looks like this:

My Name

I-129F Supplement: Part B, Question 2, Address of alien fiance


Number and Street: XXX
Apt. #: X
Town or City: XXX
State or Country: XXX
Zip/Postal Code: XXX


A few questions...

Do I need to sign and date any supplemental sheet I provide?

Even though it is only his street address that won't fit into the box provided, I simply wrote "See attached" and included his entire address on the supplemental sheet. Should I only include his street address on the supplemental street and fill in the rest on the I-129F form, or is the way I did it alright?

Thanks for your help!
JULIAFERNOFemaleTurkey2007-11-07 10:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresApplicant's Residence Last 5 Years - too many!
Ok...

I working on my G-325A / Applicant's residence last 5 years...

I have many residences over the last five years, as I have moved every year. While I was in university, I would come home and live at my father's house for the summers (3-4 months) and usually moved into a new house/apartment when I returned to school. So, in total I have seven residences over the last 5 years. There are 6 fields under this section on the G-325A...should I just write "see attachment" and include all of my residences on the attachment or should I include as many as I can on the form and then the last one or two on an attachment?

I hate these nitty-gritty details!!!
JULIAFERNOFemaleTurkey2007-11-07 12:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisited my fiance abroad for 4 months, but kept US residence
I've been visiting and staying with my fiance and his parents for the last 4 months on a tourist visa (90 day tourist visa which we renewed once by taking a trip to Cyprus and back). I've maintained a US residence and do not have a job or a residence (rent, bills, etc) in my name in Turkey. My passport shows 90-day tourist visas.

Should I include my fiance's parents' address under my "residences last 5 years" on the G-325A?
JULIAFERNOFemaleTurkey2007-11-09 07:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresToo many attached sheets?
My fiance and I are finishing up our I-129F petition packet and forms and I've had to create several supplemental/attachment sheets to answer questions on the forms because the area given for addresses is too small. I have a supplemental sheet for my residences the last 5 years, another for my employment the last 5 years, one for my fiance's residences the last 5 years, one for his last address outside the U.S. of more than one year, one for his address on the I-129F and another for description of having met in the last 2 years. I feel a little ridiculous writing "See Attachment" for so many of the questions on these forms, but I want to do this correctly and they just don't provide very much space.

Do you think this will be a problem? My attachments are very professional looking and I used excel to create charts where needed that look similar to the charts on the forms (for residence and employment history).

I know to sign and date each sheet.

Is there anything else I should/shouldn't do?

Thanks smile.gif
JULIAFERNOFemaleTurkey2007-11-11 15:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBirth Certificate Question
QUOTE (pushbrk @ Nov 13 2007, 12:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (YuAndDan @ Nov 13 2007, 08:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Correct,

Note: send a plain photo-copy of it, USCIS does not require a certified copy or the original.


As long as there's a visible seal from the issuing authority on what you have, a copy of this certificate will do.


What about my Father's place of birth being incorrect on my Birth Certificate? Will this pose a problem?
JULIAFERNOFemaleTurkey2007-11-13 18:01:00