biggish data

Unusual delay at the embassy

Hello,
Thanks for the ideas. I have tried to contact the embassy through the immigrations email, and attempted to locate all phone numbers without any luck with those I found.
One said I could pay 20.00US for 3 calls to the embassy help line but that link was dead.
The email auto responded needing a code I don't have, which I think was assigned when my paperwork was forwarded to the embassy, or when packet 3 was submitted.
a BKK-###. without this code, the auto reply said my emails would be essentially ignored.
I think I will need to get this code from my lawyer if I can get it anywhere. Then I can email the embassy and ask for information I hope.

Our twice daily phone conversations have degraded to a depressing rehash of "don't worry", or "I'm sure soon everything will be fine" statements.
I need to find an answer to the unkowns or we'll just continue on in this miserable limbo.

Thank you for your replies
Best regards
winters

winters

Male

Thailand

2007-09-05 15:27:00

Unusual delay at the embassy

Hello,
I am frustrated, well that doesn't even come close. I mailed my petition last september (2006). Everything went as expected, 6 months USCIS the 129F was approved then sent to BKK embassy. Packet 3 was recieved and completed late May 2007. Thats where the normal process became abnormal. First my lawyers office after telling us to expect a letter, reported not having a document from me, almost a month after they said wait for the letter. In frustration I mailed the needed support document. Again the office said, "expect an interview letter soon."
3 weeks later, he his office called my fiance and stated 2 other petitioners mailed the same day had recieved their interviews only ours was still in limbo. Naturaly this stressed us out a bit, now waiting an un anticipated 2 months. I spoke to our lawyer and he sent a letter of inquiry to the embassy, they replied "it will be handled soon". This was now 3 weeks ago.
I noticed our USCIS petitions 4 months expired on 7/15/07.
I asked our lawyer if this would be a problem, he said no they will extend the time, "if they cause the delay". In my opinion, we/his office caused the delay, by not fullfilling the paperwork on time in May. Currently we have nothing, no idea if our papers were returned to USCIS expired. No interview, our laywer assures us for months now things are fine, not to worry, however 3 months of plans have gone to waste summer has passed and I have run out of inspirational conversations to alleviate the stress and dissapointment of my fiance.
I tried calling the embassy, emailing them, no human contact in either case.
If anyone has been through something like this, anything advice or inspirational would be greatly appreciated.

Luck to all in process.
Regards
Winters

winters

Male

Thailand

2007-09-05 12:13:00

K1 Visa APPROVED

Congratulations!

winters

Male

Thailand

2007-09-06 19:18:00

BKK Interviewer requested additional information

Hi,
You might also try contacting a law firm in bahrain (if you havn't) and have them draw up a letter that could satisfy the Thai embassy.
They will likely have delt with this issue a great deal.

winters

Male

Thailand

2007-09-08 03:22:00

I got my visa!!!

Congratulations!

winters

Male

Thailand

2007-09-08 01:59:00

Waiting Sux!!!....

Hello,
It really is a long process, I learned a great deal more of several languages and some fairly authentic IMHO Thai, Vientiane cooking while I waited.
My kids passed several grades.
Theres all kinds of ways to pass time, I strangled a dog last week.
If you really want this to happen, you'll get through it. It really is a long process, so make sure it's what you want.
Read this site and you'll see your among many people who have endured waiting.
BTW, the dog, I was joking.

winters

Male

Thailand

2007-09-08 02:58:00

Visa approved!!

Congratulations!

winters

Male

Thailand

2007-09-10 17:48:00

Hello Ladywhite,
She will definitely be taking her old passport with her, perhaps It was an over site on everyones part not to get it simply extended.
I do not believe anyone from the law firm will go with her, though she would appreciate it.
I think the interview is a moment you can't share well with anyone except your partner. She will stay in a hotel nearby until it's resolved,
her family is a big support albeit over the phone. I wish I could be there but I simply cannot, I'll wait for the results then make the travel plans.
It's a lot of money for my income all the back and forth traveling, we've waited almost a year now just to do this process.
I'm just hoping for the best at this point, it will go well.
kap koon krup

Best Regards
winters

winters

Male

Thailand

2007-09-17 22:53:00

Awsome,
Thanks gang again for the knowledge, and best wishes on your wedding Kang Lang.

I'll just tell her cool down, your being overly dramatic and it hasn't even been a year waiting yet.

LOL I don't know how she puts up with me....

Thanks again.

winters

Male

Thailand

2007-09-14 13:43:00

QUOTE (Kang Lang @ Sep 14 2007, 11:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (winters @ Sep 14 2007, 10:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Greetings,
Thanks to you good people, my fiancee thinks I am a visa guru now. Even though the interview letter took 10 days to arrive,
we definately have an interview on the 5th. We'd been going over all the paperwork last week and discovered her passport
could be a problem, she wasn't sure exactly when it would expire. I asked her to go to the lawyers office and check it herself
I'm not taking any chances right now. Sure enough it would expire, not only did the law offi ce overlook that.
They informed her she has to get a new passport and likely would be starting the whole process over which naturaly freaked
her out.
This didn't sound even remotely correct to me, passports get lost or damaged/ expire etc. I asked her not to worry about what they said,
and apply for a new one ASAP. Which she did yesterday, should be here in about a week.

This is not a renewed passport, this is a new one, new number. She will be keeping her old one to take to the embassy as well.
I searched the forums and couldn't find any clear case for a new passport at the interview. Does anyone know if this will be a real problem
at this point? Do we need to contact the embassy?

My fiancee has been on a long rollercoaster. Saying game over at this point is rediculous and cruel. I think she must have missunderstood them or has been missinformed.

Another question I had, regarding the interview. Would letters snail mailed from my family, my brothers and parents just well wishes and greetings on paper, help at all? I don't think we'll have any trouble proving our relationship, however it never hurts to do more.

I am very glad for VJ where I get clear and honest advisements.

Thank you

out of curiosity did she not just apply for an extension? my bf has a passport that was meant to expire in 2005 and he has an extension in his passport that is good for a few years. maybe they have stopped doing that?

Hello,
I too thought there may have been options when she told me she had a new passport/number. Frankly that should have been explained completly by our ineffectual law office before she went to apply. At this point there isn't any going back. I think you bring up a very good point for anyone else in this situation.

winters

Male

Thailand

2007-09-14 13:20:00

Thanks guys

I suspected, this seemed to be a common enough issue, not to have an easy solution. So we do not need to file any change form, or contact
the embassy prior to the interview?

Best regards
winters

winters

Male

Thailand

2007-09-14 12:58:00

Thank you

winters

Male

Thailand

2007-09-14 12:19:00

Visa Approved!

Thank you all
I'm still in shock, it's really over.. I just bought tickets and still, I just can't imagine I'm not going to wake up everyday wondering. I leave on the 17th and return together on the 25th.
it's really done.

Thanks for all the help gang.

winters

Male

Thailand

2007-10-06 00:07:00

Visa Approved!

Hi Everyone,
It is my great pleasure to inform you that our Visa was approved yesterday (evening for me). After a mere 357 days... Oy said it went very smoothly not a long wait, or many questions.
I suppose I better find something formal to wear ^^

Best regards and luck to everyone in process hang in there.

winters

Male

Thailand

2007-10-05 12:44:00

Chuckles,

Not true, the consular officials have issues to address and decisions to make of their own.

Beyond that, if in the course of their work they uncover evidence that indicates the USCIS decision on the petition was in error they are required to send the petition back to the USCIS with the additional evidence for reconsideration.

Yodrak

Adele,

It seems that the consular officer did indeed have an understanding of the culture, and of the laws, of the country - a much better understanding than many of the people who have posted in this thread.

Yodrak

What on earth made the interviewer think it was a wedding?The obvious question that comes to mind here is did the interview have any understanding of your fiancee's culture at all????????? Hope you get this resolved soon because these sounds like utter nonsense!

Adele

Still have to disagree here. It is not the interviewers job to make this determination. This was made by the USCIS and the interviewer is just there to confirm what the desicion the USCIS came up with, not make new decisions.

...

Yes, if it is new evidence supplied at the time of the interview. I guess for me, it would be hard to disconnect from the fact that these are real people we are talking about. To me, the picture seems so trivial. If I were the CO I would have taken the word of these people that it was not a wedding. There of course can be alot more to the story, but based on what the OP said... I would have come to a different conclusion then the CO.

I am involved with many people from India at work and as customers, and I have received lots of advice from them about my own immigration process. I can't say I am intimitly familar with their culture, but I am knowledgable about it. Not ALL regions of India consider a ceremony similar to a wedding 'legally binding'. I think this is very shaky ground. People do not understand how much more diverse India is then America. I know this sounds odd, but the area is so segmented by different languages and subtle lineage differences that there are about 29 different languages within India being used, none of them really more prevaliant then the next. This could really be a different topic.

At any rate, the evidence is flimsy, that is my opinion.

But thanks for your contributions Yodrak, I always find your advice very informed and helpful on VJ.

Chuckles

Male

Russia

2006-05-17 09:23:00

In order for a K1 visa to be approved by USCIS they want to see that both are free to marry and they have met in person during the past two years. Some people get their NOA 2 with very few photos and other proofs that they met. Now during the interview the CO looks at other imformation including the benificinaries responses to questions. Now if they suspect that the person is married they can look for further evidence. There are petitions that are approved by the USCIS and sent to the embassy in Manilla, Philippines for the interview and they request a certificate of no marriage from the Philippine government, if if shows the person is married then the visa is denied. India should be no different, the initial petition approval from the USCIS is based upon what evidence the petitioner submits and it can be false or misleading.

One case that was initially denied by USCIS because they did not prove that they met in person, they petitioner appealed and provided evidence that they met. The catch was that they met when the benificionary was in the US illeaglly. USCIS approved the petition but stated that there was no guarantee that at the interview the fact that the benificionary was in the US illeaglly would not result in denial at that time. They are looking at the fact that you meet the spirit of the law which is that both are free to marry and have met in person during the past two years.

Mike and Luvy

All great points. But if what the OP says is true, how does a picture prove a wedding? I realize that in India a wedding is a legal marriage, as has been stated many times here.

In any case, all that is going to happen is this case will be sent back to the USCIS, then based on this single picture, the USCIS will agree it means nothing, then send it back to the consulate and approve the OP.

What a waste of time and what a burden for the OP. Also, what a waste of resources, contributing to the backlog of the system.

Chuckles

Male

Russia

2006-05-17 08:53:00

[quote name='Joey559' date='May 17 2006, 08:06 AM' post='201121']
[/quote] Still have to disagree here. It is not the interviewers job to make this determination. This was made by the USCIS and the interviewer is just there to confirm what the desicion the USCIS came up with, not make new decisions.

Also, If I say a picture is of an engagment and not a wedding, and there is no contradictory evidence, that that is what it is. This desicion goes outside the spirit of the law and what it was made for. To stop people from fradulently obtaining US citzenship/green cards.

Even if someone wants to be a #######, $hit nose, namby pamby, I say so f'ing what if it should have technically been on a K3 and not a K1?
[/quote]

I'm sorry to disagree Chuckles but I think the interviewer is the biggest decision maker in this whole process. Everything up to then is just 'initial approval' until the interview where the government trusts that the consulate will see for themselves if it's a sham or if it's real...after all, it's much easier to get a sense of what the truth is when someone is sitting right in front of you. The burden of proof in the process is on us, not the government. Maybe it's not nice but it's the way it is and it's not going to change. And I would think that if it were a fraud case and they were already married you, as someone who's trying to get through this process, would be upset that someone wasted the time of those who work on the K1s when they could have been working on your case. It's not just a technicality, it's the law and if you have to follow the process then everyone else should as well. The k1 is normally quicker than the k3, what if they could change it into a k1 half way through or when they were at the interview and said, "yeah we got married, just approve us for a k3"...people would start doing it left and right.

Side note: I'm sorry the PO is going through this and I hope they get their case cleared up soon.

:star:

Joey
[/quote]

Yes that is all true, but its not like these people are trying to frauduently obtain a green card by setting up a fake marriage. I am sure they are true and genuine. It is just a shame and I think the CO went to far. That's my opinion. The spirit of the law is not being broken by these people. I think that gets lost by some people. Immigration laws (and benefits) were not set up to harass people who only wish to be happily married, and be contributing members of society. They were set up to help these people.

I'm not naive and I know these things happen and will continue to happen. I apologize for feeling sorry for the OP. I won't let it happen again on VJ.

Chuckles

Male

Russia

2006-05-17 08:22:00

Adele,

It seems that the consular officer did indeed have an understanding of the culture, and of the laws, of the country - a much better understanding than many of the people who have posted in this thread.

Yodrak

What on earth made the interviewer think it was a wedding?The obvious question that comes to mind here is did the interview have any understanding of your fiancee's culture at all????????? Hope you get this resolved soon because these sounds like utter nonsense!

Adele

Still have to disagree here. It is not the interviewers job to make this determination. This was made by the USCIS and the interviewer is just there to confirm what the desicion the USCIS came up with, not make new decisions.

Also, If I say a picture is of an engagment and not a wedding, and there is no contradictory evidence, that that is what it is. This desicion goes outside the spirit of the law and what it was made for. To stop people from fradulently obtaining US citzenship/green cards.

Even if someone wants to be a #######, $hit nose, namby pamby, I say so f'ing what if it should have technically been on a K3 and not a K1?

This is not the way it works.. you have no right to bring your fiancee to the US.. you are applying for a Federal benefit and it is up to you the petitioner to prove that they are eligible for it... it is not up to the State Dept to prove that you are not...

In this case, the CO was well within his perview to stop processing for a K-1 visa, because in their opinion the petitioner was not eligible for it due to the fact that the evidence suggests that they are already married... They shot themselves in the foot, and now you're trying to blame the CO... please, get a clue for how the process works...

And you can't sue someone for doing their job...

I never said anything about anyone sueing anybody. Did you read my posts?

I never said that the CO was not within his 'rights' to stop processing on the K-1. Did you read my posts?

I said IN MY OPINION, the CO went outside the spirit of the law and the responsiblity of the job given to him.

The petitioner already proved his case with the USCIS. The CO is #######. My opinion. End of story.

I felt bad for the OP and tried to cheer them up. So shoot me?

Chuckles

Male

Russia

2006-05-17 08:14:00

Adele,

It seems that the consular officer did indeed have an understanding of the culture, and of the laws, of the country - a much better understanding than many of the people who have posted in this thread.

Yodrak

What on earth made the interviewer think it was a wedding?The obvious question that comes to mind here is did the interview have any understanding of your fiancee's culture at all????????? Hope you get this resolved soon because these sounds like utter nonsense!

Adele

Still have to disagree here. It is not the interviewers job to make this determination. This was made by the USCIS and the interviewer is just there to confirm what the desicion the USCIS came up with, not make new decisions.

Also, If I say a picture is of an engagment and not a wedding, and there is no contradictory evidence, that that is what it is. This desicion goes outside the spirit of the law and what it was made for. To stop people from fradulently obtaining US citzenship/green cards.

Even if someone wants to be a #######, $hit nose, namby pamby, I say so f'ing what if it should have technically been on a K3 and not a K1?

Edited by Chuckles, 16 May 2006 - 11:31 PM.

Chuckles

Male

Russia

2006-05-16 23:30:00

No, the case didnot go back to US. Actually! the person who interviewed my fiance thinks by looking at our engagement pics that its a wedding and not an engagement. He asked my fiance again and again if its a wedding. my fiance said no its an engagement.
Later he gave my fiance a blue sheet, checked "this case needs administrative processing according to section 221g".
I called washington and came to know that the administrative processing has been done on april 10th and the case still pending and the consulate has not made the decision yet.
Later i contacted the congress women on may 6 and she got a reply from the embassy that this case has been sent to the anti fraud unit and they will contact my fiance after they receive documents from the anti fraud unit. I spoke to an immigration attorney and he told me that nothing to worry it takes about 30 days for the enquiry.
Thanks for your advises folks.

Just want to add my personal opinion. This is VERY disturbing. I agree, the person who conducts the interview should be able to send a petition back for further processing in the case of obvious fraud. But because he thinks a photo looks like a wedding ?!?!?! F'ing ridiculous and far outside the intent of the powers given to him/her.

Anyway, hang in there. I am sure you have followed similar cases here on VJ and they all seem to be resolved with some time. Good luck.

Chuckles

Male

Russia

2006-05-16 02:49:00

Police certificate for the Russian fiancé?

Anybody knows the best and fastest way to get police certificate for the Russian fiancé?
She lived in 3 different cities since 16 for more than a year.
Highly appreciate your help.
Good luck on your journey.

A&K, try the Russian forum. This will get lost in here. I know those guys have lots of experience and can help you.

http://www.visajourn...hp?showforum=98

Chuckles

Male

Russia

2006-05-25 20:10:00

Denied Petition

I feel for you guys, and have no advice. BUT your advice about the clothes is good. I don't know what is going on with some of those consulate guys... that is discussion for another thread... but it would seem you really have to put on a 'show' for them.

When you think about it, that guy could have easily been fooled by a scam marriage if someone met thier scam-fiancee for one day and wore 10 different sets of clothes. Makes you wonder why a guy would base an important decision like that on clothing... but he did and I suppose everyone needs to comply.

Chuckles

Male

Russia

2006-06-18 10:13:00

I-134 question

Should I put mine and my fiance's ages as what they will be at the date of the interview, or the date that I am filling out the I-134. Thanks.

Chuckles

Male

Russia

2006-07-03 09:25:00

Nice Link

Humm... this is what I see

"*** The All Other Nonimmigrant Visa wait time DOES NOT include K or V visa applications, which are processed similar to immigrant visas. A and G applications are excluded from these wait times, as they are processed separately."

So while technically you may be right, I still do not see that site being the most accurate way to try and figure out when your interview will be. As it was pointed out, in reality it is taking 4 months at the Manila embassy based on real world experience.

That is ok though. If people wish to use this reference, by all means, do.

Chuckles

Male

Russia

2006-07-12 23:11:00

Nice Link

I checked out that site and it looks to me it is for non-immigrant visas only. A K visa is an immigrant visa. Maybe I am not seeing something? I clicked on a few embassies and saw nothing for K visas. Oh well, at some embassies I am sure the wait is no different.

Chuckles

Male

Russia

2006-07-12 22:44:00

I-134 question

Thats why I sent him directly to the source. The embassy in Philipines.

Everyone has an opinion everyone has advice, but if you want the hard answers go to the source!!!!

Absolutely I agree !!! However there can be desreprencies based on a CO's intereptation of the 'rules'. I personally would trust someone who just did it over a website that can be outdated or interepted several ways.

Chuckles

Male

Russia

2006-07-16 18:54:00

I-134 question

This is all excellent advice, but you may also consider asking in the Phillipines sub-forum. Find out what the CO's have asked for recently etc. I understand that the Philipines can be a little more strict as far as financial requirements compared to other embassies. At least I have read that a few times.

Good Luck !!

Chuckles

Male

Russia

2006-07-16 18:50:00

Visa instructions from the U. S. Embassy

Does anybody know if the petitioner's fiancé(e) can pick up the packet with the visa instructions directly from the U. S. Embassy? I fear that the packet has been lost in the mail. It has been more than two months since I received a letter from the National Visa Center stating that my petition was forwarded to the embassy and that my fiancée would soon receive a packet of instructions.

There are many cases here where people have done just that. I do not know about your embassy in particular, I hope someone can confirm this for you.

Chuckles

Male

Russia

2006-07-16 18:46:00

MOSCOW INTERVIEWS

Yes, people have recieved interview dates recently. I am one of them. Here is a link with all the interviews scheduled in Moscow. The K visa's have the USCIS reciept number as well as the NVC number.

http://moscow.usemba...ar/iv_dates.php

Chuckles

Male

Russia

2006-07-19 14:22:00

I-864 vs I-134? What is the difference?

Yes, it is possible that the embassy you are going through will want an I-864 as opposed to a I-134. You have to check with your individual embassy.

The Moscow consulate, for example, has done I-134's in the past, and that is what it says on it's website. The package from the embassy my fiancee recieves requested a I-864. Don't rely on anything else except for what your embassy tells you. Call them, or wait for your package 3 to arrive.

Chuckles

Male

Russia

2006-08-07 18:01:00

Police Certificate

Well, the lawyer isn't supposed to get the police certificate for you. Although, I am suprised that your lawyer did not tell you that you needed one. For that matter, I'm suprised that your fiance did not see that in the paperwork that was sent to her.

Your best bet is to do the interview and forget the police certificate for now. In all likely hood you cannot get it in time. They will pass your fiance but give her a slip requiring her to bring in her police certificate before they will issue the visa.

You really should have been reading the Russia discussion forums. Getting a police certificate is a common 'problem' in Russia. You must get it from everyplace your fiance has lived since she was 16. Hopefully, she has only lived in one jurisdiction. The problem is the local militia tends to drag their feet issuing these (It is Russia after all). You may be able to speed it up with a bribe (It is Russia after all).

I wish you good luck, and hopefully you can solve this dilemma soon.

Chuckles

Male

Russia

2006-10-11 03:57:00

Are all Russian interviews in Moscow?

All K type visa interviews are done in Moscow. I cannot say for certain, but perhaps work type or other visas can be done in St. Petersburg and that is what she heard?

Chuckles

Male

Russia

2006-11-14 17:32:00

we need help about chat logs!!! PLEASE

passport stamps also

Chantel

Female

Philippines

2007-05-02 19:10:00

we need help about chat logs!!! PLEASE

hi... i just want to ask how u did the chat logs. we're just kind of worried about every detail. did u print the complete chat logs with timestamps and all that? or u just took a screenshot of the chat logs? and how many chat logs are needed? cuz my fiance and I have been chatting every day and night since july 2006. and we love all our chat logs even if sometimes we go nuts and fight any good advice??? please we need to send the package by friday. thanks a lot...God bless

chatlogs is not really needed for the initial application.... just send the hotel receipts, airline tickets, some letters and cards, pictures of you together and with your family, some emails, you just need to pick some to send with the packet.....when you go for interview soon at the USEM thats the time you will bring alll possible proof you have.....Goodluck...

If I miss something other members will fill in....

Edited by skyblue06, 02 May 2007 - 06:51 PM.

Chantel

Female

Philippines

2007-05-02 18:51:00

USE-MANILA INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE

thanks for sharing to us your interview experience, it will be of great help to us that who are still in the process

Chantel

Female

Philippines

2007-05-02 18:21:00

My Fiance is having her Interview right now!!!!

WOW Congratulations Vann

Chantel

Female

Philippines

2007-09-06 04:09:00

experimental Iv bill update

I am sure there are many before us that have questioned what those mystery numbers are, and from what I have read it was decided that they were random, it may have to do with the number of bills printed on that day in that month(?????) I dont think there is anyway to really find out.
I thought about the risk I was taking and talked with my husband at length before undertaking this. we both decided that some times we have to stretch the limits in order to achieve better results (shortcuts are not always a bad thing, you have to use a little common sense in deciding if the risk outweighs the benifit). I think all of us are tired of being seperated from our loved ones and if there is a way to make the wait shorter without jeapordizing everything we would do what it takes. Some people are more conservative and thats ok for them. I dont judge anyone for wanting to take the safe road.
If it only takes a week for the IV fee bill to arrive after being generated all the time then there is no reall reason for a short cut on this one. But I do know that my method was not a good one(nothing ventured nothing gained).
I didnt lose anything by trying this, as I said we are waiting some unexpected documents anyway.

indianheart

Female

India

2008-03-03 21:14:00

experimental Iv bill update

I will post as soon as the check is cashed...I will be calling the bank again tomorrow and the day after that ect...till I hear it has cleared. and of course I will be checking automated system on friday night/saturday morning and tuesday morning as usual (maybe inbetween times too

indianheart

Female

India

2008-03-03 15:30:00

experimental Iv bill update

I dont think it is worth the time to try this one. I received the actual fee bill one week after generated and I just got off the phone with NVC and told them I was concerned about the IV fee because I had mailed it over 2 weeks ago and it still had not been cashed, should I stop payment on that one and send another? they first told me that it was sent back because the barcoded sheet was missing (it was there just not with the bottom barcode). I told them I sent it, the operator said just a moment and when she returned she said it is ok, it wasnt sent back and to call back in 2 weeks. I clarified that it would be processed and I should hear something on the automated system in a week or 2? she confirmed yes.
This has been a very unsettling 2 weeks for me but I am thankful to know that the payment was kept and will be processed, but I think they are making me wait to continue because of the missing barcode. But I have to also say it didnt slow down my process because we had some unexpected paperwork issues to deal with, I have to wait for maybe 2 weeks for that to be ready and I am sure I wont need to try the last DS-230 shortcut either, I will have the barcode from them by that time

indianheart

Female

India

2008-03-03 13:01:00