ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVSC picking up the pace!!
I've seen 2 NOA2 approvals today from people with an NOA1 date the same day as mine or the day before - and that was just June 8th!! There was a slew of approvals last week in the Under-30-Days category too. Looks like VSC is really churning them out right now! Hope the luck holds out.

Congratulations to everyone who's been approved at the USCIS level lately, and good luck with the NVC/Embassy!!
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-06-29 15:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConfused about our options...
Contact the Dept of State at 202-633-1225 for more information. They can direct you to the proper contact office.

Also, have your fiance's parents contact their local Senator or Representative to help look into the process.

You CAN apply for the K1, however, if he's got a greencard coming as an unmarried child of a USC, it'd probably be easier to just wait for that to come through, and then adjust the status after, since you're not planning to marry for another year.

IF the green card doesn't come then get married and adjust from student to spouse and apply for your green card from that.

Good luck!!
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-08 13:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDivorce Decree + K1 Interview Packet
Just to be on the safe side I took a long lunch and drove down to get a certified copy. Problem solved. Thank you all for your input, I just don't want there to be ANY possible reason for us to be denied due to the paperwork.

I was going through my co-sponsor's I-134 (my mother) and she signed 2 originals for me, but she signed them in black. As lightly as she presses on the page you couldn't see an indention from her signature, so it looked like a copy, even holding it up to the light! I figured, if I thought it was a copy, the CO might think the same thing, so I asked her to sign 2 more in blue, and I'm picking them up from her on Saturday before I see my attorney on Sunday to give her the packet.

I've now got all of his forms filled out and tagged, all of my documentation sorted and tabbed, and everything indexed to make it easy to find. The only thing I need to do is some more scattered samplings of phone logs and we're ready to send it! It's been a BUSY week, but thankfully I've got a boss who is laid back about me using the commercial printer and copier!!
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-08 14:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDivorce Decree + K1 Interview Packet
No, it's just a photocopy.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-08 09:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDivorce Decree + K1 Interview Packet
I have been divorced, but he's never been married. I front loaded copies of my divorce decree in the I-129F packet as required. I don't have an original, I only have a copy, and my attorney wants to meet on Sunday to finalize the packet to send off on Monday so I don't really have time to drive an hour to get the copy.

Will a copy of mine work at the interview? Or will he need the original, since it's MY decree and doesn't really pertain to HIM (the embassy info site said that he'd need originals of all documents pertaining to him, and since the USCIS has already determined that we're free to marry, I was hoping that would be sufficient).

Will copies work?
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-08 09:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresplease help, lost, scared and confused!
You have to be a legal resident to use DCF, but trust me, we tried the B2 visa thing by our shady lawyer's advice and he got denied. It cost us valuable time/money, and we're still waiting. Make a hop to the Caribbean if you can and get married, then go back to Mexico, or ask around and see if you can get a waiver for the 1-year thing based on him being separated from his spouse for 4 years. It's possible, if you ask the right people. And don't stop asking till you find someone who will help you. Persistence will probably be your best friend in your situation.

Have you paid this attorney anything yet? Because it sounds like they are trying to give you very bad advice. My advice, as a non-attorney, is to RUN (not walk) the other direction. Marry your fiance, and apply for the CR1. It'll still take you some time (about 7 to 9 months) but it'll be easier than a K1 with your current situation, and he'd be able to work immediately upon entry. (It's also half the price of a K1).

Hope this helps.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-08 16:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGetting started advice- should I use a lawyer?
Also, feel free to ask as many questions as you like on here. I used/am using an attorney, but she's made so many mistakes I would have been better off on my own and now wish I'd saved myself the headache and found VJ first.

As a student, your income is limited, so make good use of the campus computer lab/laser printers/copiers and put it together yourself. If you need any help, private messages are always just a click away.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-08 16:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisa interview
Lima didn't up the fee, the entire DOS upped the fee. Anyone interviewing after June 4, 2010 is now required to pay $350. Why they more than doubled the fees I do not know, but that's the new fee for everyone, regardless of country.

You send back the CHECKLIST, stating that you have all of your documents ready, NOT the documents themselves. Hope that helps. It IS very confusing, and there are lots of contradicting forms and instructions in this process.

Edited by Dodi, 10 July 2010 - 06:17 PM.

DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-10 18:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEx-Wife Issue
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that the marriage certificate was only required if you were applying for a spousal visa and were actually married. Is this not true?
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-11 21:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConfused
Can a moderator PLEASE kick the spammer? K, thx. ;)

:Reported:

Edited by Dodi, 12 July 2010 - 10:15 AM.

DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-12 10:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresplease help......!

I never thought a bank account number was any good on its own... the statements I have, only have 'member number', I guess this is the account number?


A bank account number, when doubled with the bank name, can give a thief valuable information. Your packet would have included the co-sponsor's SSN, DOB and the statements gave the available balance. If someone were to call the bank in question and tell them they were trying to send a wire transfer to their dear, sweet granny who couldn't understand enough to ask the questions on their own, and just needed the Routing number and International Transfer Swiftcode (which aren't personal information, they cover the whole bank, so are public knowledge) a helpful customer service rep would happily give that information to them.

With the account number, routing number, and swiftcode, along with all of her personal information AND her signature (which could have been forged from the original on her form) it would be possible.

Just as everyone else has said... FILE FRAUD CHARGES IMMEDIATELY. Because it is from outside the US her bank should have no problem initiating a fraud case and refunding her money. It would be protected under FDIC from most banks and credit unions, so they're covered.

Good luck :thumbs:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-12 10:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresplease help......!
Did they not keep a copy of the documents for the file?

I agree with the earlier response. Someone has hacked your co-sponsor's bank account and she needs to pursue a fraud complaint immediately. There is no reason that anyone involved in the visa process would debit money from her account.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-10 18:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCheapest way to ship documents Internationally

What are you sending that weighs 7 pounds? My info I gave my now wife was about 20 pieces of paper


I'm sending copies of all of our 129F packet forms for his review (not documentation, just the forms), the originals from our I-134 and all supporting documentation, 3-page EOR letter, 7 photographs, 38 pages of phone logs, copies of a christmas card, and receipt for shipping his christmas gifts, copies of our passport pages to show proof of being to each other's country (he doesn't have access to a full-size copier, just a fax machine, so I'm trying to make it easier for him), copies of boarding passes and trip itineraries, copy of my wedding gown receipt to prove intent to marry. All of the forms he'll need are already filled out (we went over them together) with sign-here tabs on them (2 original copies of each), marriage license (my previous) divorce decree (my previous) co-sponsor's I-134 and all of her documentation, Affirmation of Intent to Marry letter (notarized), and a copy of my birth certificate. Everything is in a 4-section Classification Folder with astrobrights between each set of documents, tabbed and indexed, with an instruction page on top of each section.

The folder is letter sized, but expanded to about an inch and a half thick, so I don't know if I can fit it in a flat-rate express envelope. If I can, I will.

There's a LOT of papers, but he needs them all, and I get a bit OCD about organizing the file when it comes to this stuff because it IS the US gov't that he's having to deal with. Better safe than sorry.

International will take about 2 weeks, 4-5 days within the U.S.


According to the USPS website, if I shipped my file by 4pm today with an International Express flat-rate envelope, it would get there approximately Friday.

Edited by Dodi, 12 July 2010 - 08:49 AM.

DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-12 08:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCheapest way to ship documents Internationally
I'm sending off all of the documents and required evidence for my fiance's interview. The file weighs about 7 lbs with everything I've put in it (including co-sponsor's documents JUST IN CASE). I looked online and DHL wanted over $120 to send it, UPS and FedEx had the exact same rates (SHOCKING) at $139 and $148 depending on the services I chose. USPS is between $48 and $65, but it can take a couple of weeks for it to get there (my last pkg from him took nearly a month by Royal Mail, and it was open when I got it, so I'm a little skeptical about sending it through the regular post). :wacko:

Does anyone else know a better/cheaper route?

Thanks in advance for your help! ;)

Edited by Dodi, 11 July 2010 - 09:49 PM.

DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-11 21:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHoneymoon Help!
If you leave the US (even to a US territory) you run the risk of the IO not letting you back in the country when you come back. The "At Your Own Risk" category is fairly accurate. The K1 visa is a one-time-only entry visa. If you leave the country and try to come back in, they could tell you you've used your visa and have to go back to your country and apply for a spousal visa instead.

Play it safe. Find a nice place to go that isn't outside the US (Hawaii might be a nice option) and get to know your new home. There are gorgeous resorts in Florida, California, pretty much any coastal state that would give you a nice get-away for your honeymoon without risking your visa.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-12 11:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhen can my fiance work?
It roughly takes about 80-90 days to get your EAD after you file for your AOS with your EAD application attached. This will usually come BEFORE your green card from everything I've read so far. Your fiance will not be able to work until then.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-12 14:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhen can my fiance work?
Yeah, what they said. :yes:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-12 11:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhen can my fiance work?
Due to changes in the immigration laws, that EAD stamp at the POE (JFK in NY is the only one that still gives it) is basically invalid. Without the EAD card or green card you wouldn't be able to use it.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-12 11:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhen can my fiance work?
There are 2 answers to this question.

A K1 holder is eligible to APPLY for an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) upon entering the US, even before marriage. However, this costs $340 and is only valid through the 90 days of their K1, and generally takes almost that long to get anyway, so it's really a waste of money since you'd have to quit working till your new EAD comes in after you file for your AOS.

If you wait and apply for your EAD at the time that you file for your AOS, it doesn't cost anything extra, and you won't have the 90-day restriction on it that the temporary EAD would. That seems to be the best option for most people, since $340 is a big chunk of change when you're already forking so much over for the K1 and GC.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-12 10:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNVC
No there is not. Most other types of visas that go through there are billed at the NVC for the visa fee, but for a K1 it's paid in separate parts with the original I-129F petition and then with the Application at the Embassy/Consulate. Any NVC operator who tells you that you'll have to get a letter from them with a payment amount doesn't know how to process a K1. They're completely different.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-13 16:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDisability and Income Requirements Help needed!
Thank you for that clarification. I was unaware of what that was. It's not like SSD/I then, and is untaxed.

Ok, you're right. It COULD be considered an income source IF he has a letter from his employer that he will be returning back to work full time as soon as the payments end and has a time frame for that to happen, and can verify what his salary will be at that time. There's no guarantee though.

Edited by Dodi, 13 July 2010 - 09:01 PM.

DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-13 21:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDisability and Income Requirements Help needed!
I know that you can include child support (I am) on your I-134, which isn't taxable and doesn't show up on a tax return. The stipulation is that you have to be able to PROVE the income. Why are you saying Disability isn't taxable? My mother's husband is on Disability and it is listed in their AGI on their tax return. He might need to check with a tax accountant about this, if he hasn't already.

But in answer to your question, so long as he has pay stubs or some other type of verifiable proof of the payments, then yes, he should be able to include it. He'll need the document that shows his awarded amount from the state and stubs of his most recent months to show that it is continuing still. (I have a downloaded payment history from the state that goes back to 2005 on my child support that I'm including since my child support is garnished and then deposited on a state-issued debit card.) A letter from the agency that gives him this payment would be helpful as well, to explain why he is receiving it and how long he's received it, and how long it will continue.

Hope this helps.

Edited by Dodi, 13 July 2010 - 08:53 PM.

DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-13 20:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDocument Checklist to be sent to fiance
The pay stubs prove your income is sustainable. With the volatile current economy, it's very possible that the job you had Dec 31, 2009 isn't the one you're in today due to a lay off or a company going under, or pay increase/decrease, whatever. That happened to me in February, but I found a new job quickly, I'm making much more now, and am actually able to support my fiance without my co-sponsor's income. The pay stubs prove that your income is still continuing, and are more current than Dec 31. Since I got my first employer letter the day I started my job, and my attorney sent my original I-134 with my I-129F incorrectly, I got a second employer letter dated last Friday which stated that I'd completed my 90 day probationary period and am still in good standing, and have included copies of every pay stub to date from this job.

Hope that makes it a little more clear.

I included my wedding dress receipt, copies of my passport pages and his to show the POE stamps for our trips to each other, copies of phone logs, etc. for proof of relationship.

Did you include a copy of any divorce decrees if either of you have been married before? A copy of your birth certificate along with the naturalization certificate doesn't hurt.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-13 09:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTwo Copies of Approval Notice
Call the USCIS, select option 6 that you DO NOT HAVE your receipt number. This will get you to a HumanTM. (Sorry, that cracks me up every time.) Once you get to that person, IMMEDIATELY ask for your call to be escalated. Explain to them that you need a second tier representative (because the first tier people don't know anything). If the second tier people can't help you, demand a supervisor.

This is the time you need to get your big boots on and stomp around till you make someone answer for thier mistake! Regardless of the fact that this is a 'gubment' entity, you've paid them quite a bit of money for a service. Apparently they didn't deliver properly. They owe it to you to fix it.

Good luck!!

Edited by Dodi, 14 July 2010 - 09:12 AM.

DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-14 09:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTwo Copies of Approval Notice
You should probably contact the USCIS and find out what happened. If they don't help you, call the DOS. 202-663-1225, once your case has been entered into the system at the NVC.

Did you have 2 different case numbers on the NOA2's? Or were they the same? If not, someone needs to do some checking as to what went wrong.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-14 08:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSHOULD I BE CONCERN??
Sometimes it takes a couple of days for the letter to get to you. If it just hit your bank yesterday you'll probably get it tomorrow or Saturday. Good luck! :thumbs:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-14 16:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresworking on I-129F package and have a QUESTION
I'm a notary, so I generally sign everything in blue anyway just for safety's sake, but when my mother (co-sponsor) signed her original I-134, she signed it in black, because that's what she has to do at work. When I was organizing the file, I looked at it and she'd pressed so lightly that you couldn't see any indention from the pen, and it really looked like a copy. I knew it wasn't because I'd watched her sign it, but BOTH of the originals I had her sign looked that way. I had her do another one in blue just to be on the safe side because if I can't tell, the CO at the interview isn't going to bother holding it up to the light, he's just going to kick it back as a copy (even though there was an original in the I-129F packet thanks to my shoddy atty).

The photos in the UK are acceptable, that's what my fiance sent over for the I-129F packet and they worked fine. I didn't write names and bdays on them, but it's possible my attorney did before she sent the packet off.

Don't worry about the paper. It's no big deal. It's what's ON the paper that counts, so just make sure the printer works well. We sent copies of everything for the I-129F, but I sent originals AND copies of things for his Interview Packet, just to be on the safe side. Certified copies work for court documents (divorce decrees) but I sent the original marriage certificate and birth certificate as well. (Top-hole punched a sheet protector, then put the neatly folded document in that to send so I wouldn't have to punch the original.)

Hope that helps!
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-15 10:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAbout to print everything out and assemble
The Proof of Ongoing Relationship isn't technically needed till the interview stage. The USCIS just needs to prove that you're both free to marry and have met in person within the last 2 years. It's ok to frontload it, though, so no harm there.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-16 22:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresthanks cairo embassy
I'm sorry, but I didn't understand HALF of that post.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-18 19:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresmistake on I-134,what to do?
Everyone's account balance fluctuates. It's not a big deal. They're more concerned with his income than with what's in his savings account unless you're relying on hefty savings/assets to make up a difference between the required income and his actual income. If he makes enough verifiable income to satisfy the requirements, you should be good. The only way they know what's in his bank account is to look at bank statements, if provided. They're going off of what he's put on the forms because the signature line contains an oath that he's telling the truth.

Take a breath. Stay calm. It's not as rough as you think! B-)

Edited by Dodi, 20 July 2010 - 10:22 AM.

DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-20 10:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWe need some advice..

Ok... so I have the LND case number.. now what do I do with it??? How do I use it to find out if the Embassy received our info from the NVC and more importantly how do I use it to find out what we need to send them so we can get our interview!! Thanks!


You call the DOS at 202-663-1225 (Press 1 for Main Menu, then 0 for Operator).

Ask them for a status update. They can tell you whether the case was logged in at the London Embassy, and whether Packet 3 has been sent out or not. Our case was logged this morning, but Packet 3 hasn't been sent yet. (It's a bit early to have expected that, but maybe by the end of the week...) B-)

The DOS can keep you updated at this point, or you can also call the London Embassy sirectly at +44-2074-999-000 (a little expensive). They have email, but you have to call in and get the email code to put in your subject line or they'll delete your email without reading it, thinking it's spam.

Good luck!
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-21 09:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWe need some advice..
You'll need the new LND case number. Call the DOS for an update. 202-663-1225 (Press 1 for Main Menu, then 0 for Operator).

They can give you the LND case number if you give them your USCIS receipt number.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-20 19:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresjust starting
Welcome to VJ!! :dancing:

First of, Mandy was correct, the guides and flow charts are a HUGE help. I'm bringing my fiance here from the UK as well, and it's all gone very smoothly just from what I've learned here.

Second, also as Mandy said, an immigration attorney is a waste of time and money unless you have a tricky situation to deal with. I hired one and was appalled at her lack of knowledge and the mistakes she made (even downright lies and misinformation that could have been criminal had we gone through with it). With all of the help and support you can find here, the K1 process is very straight forward and simple.

The UK doesn't require any special forms that some of the others do (some of the countries where immigration fraud is unfortunately prevalent). So get your nose in the guides and learn all you can, and then we're here to help!!

And don't forget.... once you get started... :time:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-21 15:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2
Congrats!! :dance:

That email/text system isn't always reliable. There are plenty of people who have received their NOA2 and their status still shows Initial Review weeks later.

On to the next step! B-)
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-21 15:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresmedical exam concerning tattoos in mexico
Tattoos and piercings have no bearing whatsoever on the medical exam. They will do bloodwork to check for communicable diseases and a chest x-ray to check for TB. That's about it. They might ask questions out of curiosity, just because they can. Don't worry. He'll be fine.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-21 08:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 step 1.. passed!
You should not receive any packets, she would be the one receiving them. You should receive a letter from the NVC when they've forwarded your case on to the embassy/consulate, but some people report not receiving a letter from them, so if you don't, don't worry too much. It's not necessary for the process so long as you have your case number, which you can get over the phone.

Most K1 visas only spend about 2-3 days at the NVC unless you're one of the unlucky, random 10% who are pulled for additional Administrative Processing. AP has no timeframe, and could take 2 days or 2 months or longer. More than likely, your case is at the NVC (possibly logged in) and about to make its way to the embassy or consulate.

Have you already sent your betrothed your original I-134 and supporting docs? If not, you should do so now. I just sent mine off to my husband-to-be and it's taking about 4 business days for him to receive them sent through USPS International Express Mail. (I sent a HUGE file for $47, so if you keep it to the bare minimum you can save some cash.)

Congrats on getting this far, and good luck!!
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-16 08:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI feel like my application fell through the cracks

We got our NOA2 approval yesterday July 21, it took a week after approval to get the email. WE RECEIVED THE NOA2 on JULY 21, 2010 by EMAIL, BUT the USCIS approval date was July 14, 2010, so your may already be approved, too. Good news is once you get the approval that's one week less waiting time towards interview. USCIS email and case status are 1 week behind actual approval.


It was for YOUR case, but not for most people. This is not the norm. It can come on the same day (most) or it can take weeks, even months for the online/email system to update itself. That isn't the standard.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-21 19:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresphoto questions
Honestly? You thought CUTTING THEM OUT was altering them? :FACEPALM:

PLEASE PEOPLE!! Regulations are made for when COMMON SENSE fails!!! (And it appears common sense is the least common of all senses.) :unsure:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-22 10:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDisclosure of Criminal Record non IMBRA or AWA
I had bogus check charges and it didn't affect my case at all. We got our NOA2 in 22 days, it flew through the NVC in 2 days, and hit the Embassy in London today. I didn't mention it at all because it wasn't required according to the forms.

Some people think disclosing criminal history up front will speed things up. Others say wait. I am one who would rather not dredge up trouble if I don't have to. It's not related in any way to your case, don't list it. If they ask, be prepared with certified copies of the court documents showing the charges and the outcome, but I wouldn't worry until/unless they ask. Your criminal record isn't really at question here, your immigrant fiance's is.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-21 08:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurespermission to marry?
You might want to include a second copy of her birth certificate attached to the letter which shows the name of the person granting the consent (highlighting the name wouldn't be out of the question). The person writing the letter should have it notarized as well. They can do that at any bank or tax office for a nominal fee (many places even free). Be sure to have the person include their relationship as mother/father/legal guardian.

Good luck!
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-23 13:42:00