ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresImmigration Attorney Rant
Just a quick warning that this post may be SLIGHTLY :ot: but related to it.

I need to vent for a moment, because this K1 process is really getting to me.

I know there are horror stories out there about horrible immigration attorneys, even those affiliated with AILA, like mine claims to be, and feel free to chime in with your own, because I'm sure it could be worse. But this week has just made me break down.

My fiance and I have been together for 2 years, but we waited a year to meet in person because I have children from a previous marriage and I was terrified to introduce someone I met online into their lives if I wasn't absolutely sure. Once we met we just KNEW. There was never an awkward moment, like when you're in a new relationship. It was like picking my best friend up from the airport. I started talking to an immigration attorney immediately about our options, but as a single mom, I knew I couldn't afford her services and the fees all at once, so we had to wait.

She eventually said, "Well, you might want to consider what one of my other couples is doing. They don't have time to wait for the K1 before their planned wedding date, so he's getting a B2 and, even though you're not technically supposed to do it like this, there's a loophole we can exploit, and I'll help them smooth it over when it comes time for the AOS interview". We tried this, planned our wedding, and he got his interview appointment for the B2 on Feb 16th. Our wedding should have been last Friday, but of course, he was denied (even though he didn't mention the wedding).

I got my tax refund and hired her immediately, chalking it up to our bad luck, not her bad advice, and we started putting together the I-129F package. I got all the documentation together (she wouldn't let me file it without having the I-134 together and I didn't realize till joining a couple of forums that we didn't need that till the embassy stage). She even had the audacity to ask me, "Now, why did you apply for the B2?" SHE FORGOT SHE'D SUGGESTED IT!! :blink: I gave her the last of my paperwork on April 2nd, after I'd started a new job and had been to visit him in the UK. I didn't hear a word from her till I got confirmation on my 894364th phone call to her paralegal that the paperwork had been sent off on May 7th. :wacko:

When we hadn't gotten a receipt number in 3 weeks I still couldn't reach the atty on the phone, but she finally emailed me that she'd sent my package to the wrong place and it had been returned, but not to worry, she'd expressed it to the right place the same day. :bonk: THEN I find out that she sent my ORIGINAL I-134 with the I-129F package, including all of the original documentation, even though we'll need that for the embassy interview!!! :angry: :help:

I'm a paralegal. I'm trained to trust attorneys and to believe they know what they're doing, because they're trained to. Her father was even a naturalized citizen from Mexico, so she's supposed to know how this goes! I've learned more from VJ and another forum I'm a member of than she apparently did in law school. My wedding day should have been on Friday, but because we trusted her bad advice we lost all of our deposits, everything. And to add insult to injury, my florist mistakenly charged my credit card yesterday for a wedding he didn't do, because his assistant didn't cancel it like she was supposed to. (I got a refund before the day was over, but MAN, I broke down and cried like a baby! :crying: )

This is just all too much. Can we PLEASE get some good news soon???

Sorry about the rant, guys. I just needed to let off a little steam. /rant

Edited by Dodi, 29 June 2010 - 10:44 PM.

DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-06-29 22:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNew Job - notify USCIS?
Technically, the USCIS doesn't care about your income. The only thing the USCIS has to determine is that you've met the requirements for meeting in person in the past two years, and that you're both free to marry.

It is the Embassy/Consulate that looks at your ability to support your future spouse. If you front-loaded an I-134 that has since been made inaccurate, your fiance will submit a new, original I-134 at the interview anyway, so there's no need for worry. Simply fill in the new I-134, get letters from your employer and copy ALL of your pay stubs from now until the time of the interview. (If you don't want to mail a lot of papers to save money, just scan and email the backup documents and mail only the original signed form.) The more you can document the better. I had just started a new job in March due to a lay off in February, so when we filed I sent a front-loaded I-134 (or rather my attorney did) and I had my employer letter from the day I started this job. In the interview packet I sent to my fiance, I included a revised/updated I-134 (I'd also not included my child support initially, not knowing I could), and a copy of the original letter as well as an updated letter stating that I had completed my first 90 days of employment and was still in good standing.

Good luck! :thumbs:

Edited by Dodi, 30 July 2010 - 10:48 AM.

DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-30 10:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresdo we need co sponsor?
The income requirements for 2 people is just over $18k. If she makes $19k, and can prove it with pay stubs, employment letters, and has a tax return, you should be ok.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-30 21:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDo I need an attorney??
I hired an attorney and they made so many mistakes and gave us advice that was ILLEGAL that they cost us MONTHS in the process. If you've got a straightforward case, and an eye for detail, and don't mind doing the paperwork, save your money for your wedding or your future.

It's not that difficult to fill out the forms, especially with the guidance and advice you can get here at VJ.

Good luck! :thumbs:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-30 21:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUSA is now Arizona

Also, if you hate this country so much...give up your monthyly check you get from the U.S. Government that is paid to all Native Americans for the injustices carried out against your ancestors.


Noah, I'm not defending catalyst in any way, because I think he was dead wrong... but wth are you talking about? I'm also a registered American Indian with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and we don't get checks. I don't know who lied to you, but the tribes themselves get money from the government. We'd be lucky to get a discount on our car tags or some government-issue commodity food, and possibly free low-grade healthcare, if you can wait six months to get an appointment with one of the indian clinics around here (few and far between in most major cities).

I'm with everyone else. There is a right way and a wrong way to ask for help. If you're just wanting to rant and blow off steam, fine. By all means, we're here to listen. But don't get racist. Don't bring Arizona into this. This thread is ridiculous.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-30 11:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAge
So long as you are legally able to be married your age doesn't matter. You're over 18.

Are you the USC? What country will you or your fiance interview in? There are some consulates that are notorious for denying for any reason, like Ecuador, and on occasion China and the Phillipines. I've never heard of them using age as a factor, but they usually claim lack of bona fide relationship.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-30 11:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEvidence of support and affidavit 134
There's no MAY about it - for a K1, an I-134 is required. It also MUST be an original signature. If your fiance hasn't sent you one by now, you might be in trouble come interview day.

You need to include all supporting documentation for him - employer letter, pay stubs, last year's tax return with W-2's, and bank statements.

They're not going to look at your income because you're seen as an incoming immigrant (even though the K1 isn't an immigrant visa, it's viewed as your intent to immigrate because you go into the AOS stage immediately after marriage). This means your income now will end upon your arrival and will have no bearing on your ability to support yourself once you arrive here, and you won't be able to work for some time (until you receive your EAD) so you will be reliant upon your sponsor for support.

If you don't have an I-134 already put together, call your fiance and get him to FedEx one over immediately, with all the documentation, so you'll have it for your interview. You'll need an original and copy.

Hope this helps.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-20 10:28:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNaturalization Oath Ceremony for Richmond, VA residents
What does this have to do with a K1 visa? That's where you posted this.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-22 10:28:00
Canadaestablishing U.S. credit
It's the SSN that most credit runs off of, not the DOB, so you should be fine. I've had my name as an authorized user before on an ex's card, and they didn't even take my SSN, but it showed up as a good account on my credit report somehow.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-28 16:57:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionPlease Help "Green Card Problem"
You've already adjusted status. You don't need to adjust status again, you need to Remove Conditions (ROC=Removal of Conditions, OP = Original Poster or person who started the thread = YOU). You CAN remove conditions on your own, as has been stated here very specifically IF you are divorced first. You cannot remove conditions on your own if you are only separated. Since you haven't mentioned having children with your spouse, I will assume there are no children of the marriage. You can get divorced much more quickly if this is the case (usually). What state are you living in? This will determine the steps you need to take to file for divorce. In Oklahoma, for instance, you can be divorced in as few as 11 days if you have no minor children involved and neither party contests. As you've been separated for over a year it's probably not an issue, but that will also depend on your spouse. You can usually look on Craigslist and find a paralegal in your area who will prepare divorce papers for you for a flat fee (much cheaper than an attorney) and then you file them yourself at the court clerk. They can tell you how to proceed from there, but it'll save you a small fortune (since you already paid a small fortune to the pig who isn't helping you right now).

Hope this helps.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-01-15 13:16:00
Philippineshelp I need police clearance from Saudi but I am already in the Philippines
I've been told that US Police Clearances aren't required because they do FBI background checks as part of the process anyway so they'll already have those.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-20 09:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2010 VSC Filers
I couldn't find a thread for this, so here we go!
Waiting on NOA2 now. 6 days from VSC receipt of pkg to NOA1 mailing. Here's hoping the good luck continues!!!
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-06-21 13:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNOA2 Notice by email & txt!!!!
OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!

I was at the doctor with a massive migraine, waiting and unhappy, when I got a text. I was so out of it I almost thought it was spam, till I notice an EAC number in it! It was from USCIS telling me my case status had been updated!

10 seconds later I got an email, checked it and found out my approval notice was mailed out yesterday!!! I just got my NOA1 on June 11th!! This is so fast!!!!

Good luck to everyone else still waiting on Vermont! They're churning them out!!! :wow:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-01 16:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHELP! Our application was routed to Texas from Vermont
Did you get a notice from USPS or are you talking about their bank information printed on the back of your check when it was cashed?

The banking information on my check said Lewisville, TX, but it was still processed in Vermont, and I got my NOA2 only 22 days after my NOA1. It took 6 days from the date of receipt before they processed my NOA1 and cashed my check, but I didn't see the check hit my bank for 2 more days, and received the NOA1 a day later.

It'll happen quicker than you think once it gets started. Just hang in there.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-03 09:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsnoa2
Congrats!!! :wow: :dance: :dance:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-03 12:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWhere are they?
We're still here. Got approved there quickly, moved along to the NVC, and after 2 days there... it's off to London! We don't stay in one place long. Just keep looking around.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-15 21:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNeed help

I meant the timing after the filing of the application. Like if the I-129F application comes in with a G-28 (which is the form for the lawyer), the application goes into the 5+ month to approve pile. If no lawyer is hired it goes into the 1-2 month pile. Again, I can't believe this would be the case as I'm not a conspiracy person, but, if it were, it would be really good information to have.


That's not necessarily true, because I had a lawyer involved, a shoddy one at that, and I got my NOA2 in 22 days. I think it's just the luck of the draw right now, and whether it gets forwarded to Texas for intake before being adjudicated or just stuck in The Pile in The Shelf to wait for someone to knock the dust off.

Good luck to both of you. I know it sounds hollow, but honestly, I wish you the best.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-05 11:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsLet us all pray... Please Holy Father.. Unite Us With our Loved One!!
Ok.... and Peter told me the US seemed a bit too religious for him. I guess I'm the odd athiest out on this one. Sorry guys.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-01 22:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHired Attorney
Carmen,

That's fine for packaging it. When they get your packet, they're going to take it apart and re-assemble it the way THEY need it done (none of us know exactly what order they require everything in) so how you assemble it doesn't matter as much as what's in it. The acco fasteners help them because then they don't have to spend time punching holes once they receive it.

When I sent over my package to my fiance for his interview documents, I had already assembled his forms and printed them (in triplicate) as well as all of our originals for our backup documentation and the I-134, proof of relationship, etc. and copies of the original I-129 paperwork just in case he needed them. It turned into a 3 lb 7 oz package in a 4-part classification folder with tabs and fasteners, etc. I'm kind of ####### retentive about my paperwork, so that worked for me, but it cost $47 to express it over to him via USPS. (1/3 the price of Fedex or UPS.)

Good luck! :thumbs:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-07 13:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHired Attorney
If you want to learn more about what myself and others have gone through with bad immigration attorneys, click here.

Edited by Dodi, 06 September 2010 - 09:55 PM.

DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-06 21:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHired Attorney
I made a very brief statement as to how we met, but included a three page letter detailing the evolution of our relationship, and front-loaded the petition with lots of photos and copies of passport pages, as well as phone logs, etc. from the history of our relationship.

The USCIS is only going to really want to know 2 things: Are you both legally eligible to marry; have you met within the past 2 years.

The rest is all done at the embassy/consulate level.

As for the attorney - I've had a horrible experience using an attorney who didn't know what she was doing, and even gave me advice that was ILLEGAL in the extreme as far as immigration goes, and I'm now having to work my way around it. This isn't always the case, as there are some knowledgable people out there who can help you. In the end, it's down to you, but you're going to be paying someone to fill in some forms and guide you. You're going to be giving them all of the information and documentation they need to fill in these forms, which means you could do it on your own. With help from other VJ'ers, it's usually pretty simple. I wish I'd found this place sooner, I'd have saved myself a headache ages ago, and he could be here by now.

Good luck to you! :thumbs:

Edited by Dodi, 06 September 2010 - 09:51 PM.

DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-06 21:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOver - Whelming sense of jealousy!!
I think I get the most envious or jealous when I see couples who are constantly fighting and talking about splitting up. On-again/off-again couples who just can't make up their minds whether they love each other or not.

It's so easy for people to be together when they live near each other, and I just want to shake them and say, "WAKE UP!!! Be GRATEFUL for what you have!!" There are so many of us out here who would give anything to be together, but we have to wait through months of red tape and prove that our relationship is real to some stuffed-shirt behind a desk because THEY have the golden tickets! :angry:

Meanwhile, men and women over here can hook up and break up for no apparent reason and have NOTHING to prove to the world. They can get married and divorced in the time it takes some of us to get our fiance's over here. :unsure:

I know that according to my timeline it's only been a few short months, so I'm one of those you'd say, "What are YOU jealous about, it's not been that long for you" but I've spent one week with my husband-to-be in the past year. ONE WEEK. In a lifetime that's nothing, but when you consider that we've been together for 2 years and only spent 7 weeks together out of that time, it's nowhere near enough. I don't think it matters how long your paperwork takes. Being apart sucks. Plain and simple. :(
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-07 10:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsVisa Approved in 3 1/2 months!
VISA ISSUED YESTERDAY!!!! BEING DELIVERED TOMORROW!!!! :dance: :dance: :dance:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-23 10:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsVisa Approved in 3 1/2 months!
I'm not sure if it has to do with the frontloading or not. Honestly, we frontloaded it with relationship evidence and the I-134. Other than that, it was the basic I-129F packet. I think we just got really lucky, and I hope our luck holds out when it comes time for the AOS.

I think it pays to be prepared. The guy literally said to him, "Why would you not be approved? Everything is here, and in triplicate." So next time, we'll do the same thing, and prep it up good and proper before we send things in. AOS, here we come! :dance:

Thank you all very much!!
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-17 09:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsVisa Approved in 3 1/2 months!
VISA APPROVED TODAY!!! :dance: :dance:

His interview took literally half an hour. He was out of the embassy in an hour flat!

The attorney had front-loaded my I-129F with everything, including the I-134, so the only things they asked for were his birth certificate and police certificate. They said, "Everything looks to be in order," and sent him off to pay the courier. They said he should have it by next Wednesday-Friday and not to buy the ticket till it was in hand and congratulated him!!

We're getting married in a month!!! He'll be here in less than a month!!! OMG :wow: :lol: :dance: :star:

And I'm off to update my timeline..... THANK YOU VISAJOURNEYERS!!! (F) :D
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-17 04:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsVisa Approved
It's about time you had some good news after the mess you had to go through at the USCIS/NVC level!! CONGRATS!! You're flying home with your fiance the day before mine flies over!! :dance:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-05 11:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDid any of u receive NOA2 if u filed in JUne- July?
I filed on June 1. My NOA1 came on June 8, and we just had an approved interview on Friday in London. There's no way of knowing how long your process will take. You can't really make any plans until it's over, because it could take 3 months, it could take 8. I'm sorry.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-20 20:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 June 2010 VSC Filers
APPROVED TODAY!!!!! :dance: :dance:

His interview took HALF AN HOUR. We'd frontloaded everything so much that they only asked him for his birth certificate and police certificate and said, 'Ok, good to go!'

Good luck to everyone coming up! :thumbs:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-17 15:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 June 2010 VSC Filers
Ok... there's no way I'm sleeping tonight with his interview tomorrow!

PINS & NEEDLES!!! :help: :hehe: :wacko: :dance:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-16 22:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 June 2010 VSC Filers
Three days till our interview!!!!! :dance: :dance:

I'm so excited I can barely breathe. He's checked his folder full of paperwork over and over to make sure everything is in there, and that he knows what everything is.

No matter how short your timeline is, it always feels like forever, especially right at the end.

Good luck to those of you still waiting. Hopefully you'll get your interviews soon as well!! :thumbs:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-14 16:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 June 2010 VSC Filers

I received a text email this morning stating I got RFE'd......... Noa1 - RFE in 28 days.... At least they are being processed, but now I have more of a wait. Does the process usually speed along once RFE is recieved?


Usually when an adjudicator sends out an RFE they keep your file on their desk and just sort of set it aside until they receive your response back. Once you have sent in whatever they're requesting they'll generally pick it back up and finish it. I won't lie, it'll probably add a few weeks to your timeline simply with posting everything and waiting for it to get back to the person who has your file, but at least you know it's on someone's desk and not just back on The Shelf waiting.

Sorry you're having to deal with an RFE, but hopefully it's something small and it'll be smooth sailing from here.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-23 08:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 June 2010 VSC Filers
Packet 3 was mailed out from London yesterday!! According to the DOS they rec'd my case on 7/14, but it was just SENT from the NVC on the night of the 13th, DHL shows it arriving on the 16th, and they logged it in yesterday morning and sent out Packet 3 at the same time!!

It's all moving rather quickly!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!! :dance: :dance: :dance:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-22 08:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 June 2010 VSC Filers
Our case was logged in by the London Embassy today! It arrived there on Friday (via DHL tracking) so I guess they take a couple of days to log everything in. Hopefully we'll have Packet 3 sent out later this week or early next. This is all moving so FAST!!!

Sure wish my fiance was moving as fast as our case seems to be. He got his ACPO certificate yesterday, and is getting 2 of the shots he needs today, but hasn't got his medical records together yet, or scheduled his medical exam, and hasn't gotten tested for the varicella antibody to prove he doesn't need the shot!! He just started selling stuff off this week (personal/household goods) in car boot sales, and getting realistic shipping quotes.

Hopefully he'll get things done quickly now that he sees we're nearly there.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-21 08:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 June 2010 VSC Filers
WOOHOO!! NVC received my case yesterday!!! With any luck it'll be headed to the embassy later in the week!!! :dance: :dance:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-13 09:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 June 2010 VSC Filers
No fair!! My NOA2 date was June 30th and the NVC STILL has no record of it. :crying:

Ok.... I'll stop whining for now.

Congrats!! :thumbs:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-12 16:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 June 2010 VSC Filers
Call back. They told me that it can be the petitioner OR the Applicant who can inquire, just not a representative or employer. Get someone else to talk to you.

I'm getting pissed off at the uninformed staff at the NVC who don't know what goes on with K1's and try to tell me that they don't have anything to do with the K1 process and it would have gone directly to the Embassy. Idiots, where would it get a DOS case number then???? I told the unhelpful girl this morning to find a new line of work after she got rude and snobby with me.

I wish the DOS and NVC and USCIS would train their operators better. Seriously, these are the people we're relying on for accurate information, and yet most of them have NO CLUE what's going on outside of their cubicles.

Edited by Dodi, 09 July 2010 - 08:30 AM.

DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-09 08:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 June 2010 VSC Filers
I really think the Lewisville, TX address has to do with the HQ of their bank, and not with where your case was logged in. Mine had TX on the back too, but according to the 2nd tier customer service helpline at the USCIS, it was processed in Vermont.

Good luck!!
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-08 19:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 June 2010 VSC Filers
Good luck, Becky!! Hopefully the speed streak will keep up and you will get processed quickly too!! :thumbs:

Everyone who's been approved recently be sure to :time: :idea:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-03 18:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 June 2010 VSC Filers
Mine says Vermont. I think the banking info comes from Texas, because that is where the headquarters for the bank is located. It was still processed in Vermont.
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-03 09:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 June 2010 VSC Filers
NOA2 email/txt notice 19 days after I received my NOA1!!!!!!! :dance:

Good luck fellow June filers!! :wow: :dance:
DodiFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-01 17:00:00