biggish data

Service Center assignment

Hi all,

I am just starting on this journey and I'm sure it will be a ride we'll never forget. I got my NOA1 in the mail and went to the USCIS web site to check on our progress and I noticed that it had been sent to the California Service Center which made me wonder why. I live in Florida and it would seem there would be many centers closer that would make more sense. Does anybody have any idea on how and why they select the service center your case is assigned to? Also is this a good thing or is can I expect it to take longer than if it went to Vermont?

Thanks.

Tom & Jialian

ChinaQuest52

Male

China

2009-07-28 18:59:00

Immigration did not collect the package

HeatDeath had excellent advice. Also you could make an infopass appointment to see what needs to be done if the CBP doesn't answer your quesitons.

Good luck

Ok, I'm sure they are not open until Monday so I'll call first thing Monday morning.

Edited by ChinaQuest52, 08 May 2010 - 02:29 PM.

ChinaQuest52

Male

China

2010-05-08 14:25:00

Immigration did not collect the package

My just arrived and the immigration officer did not look at her package from the Consulate. She tried to tell them she had the package in her computer bag but the officer said she was done and called the next person in line. She came in through LA and flew to Orlando where I met her. I'm not exactly sure where to start with this problem. Any ideas or phone numbers would be appreciated.

ChinaQuest52

Male

China

2010-05-08 14:06:00

immigration visa interview

My husband has his interview on the 20th of May and I'm just worried about the supporting documents he needs to take with him...we have everything from the checklist (DS-2001):
our Birth Certificates
Passports
Marriage Certificates
Affidavit of Support
Medical exam
Police Certificates for the United Kingdom
Photographs

I feel like this is not enough?
I read somewhere that we should take things to show our marriage is legit... like to take bank statements, bills and things with both our names on it, pictures...
Should we take extra documents??? I've read somewhere to take bank statements, rental agreements (for our home), docs that support our marriage is bonafide...I'm sure it will be better to over prepare, right? Did anyone else take more documents than what was ticked off the checklist?

Also because I (the usc) have been living in the UK for almost 5 years I'm worried about my 'domicile' I have been applying for jobs (in the us) and i have emails i can print off that confirm my application....shall he take these?
I also have a couple of emails replying to enquiries about apartments we're interested in...we'll these be any good? I have copies of my 1040's and 2555EZ'...I have papers to show that I have applied for a Texas teaching certificate and been approved (still waiting for actual certificate to be mailed) will this be enough to show that i want to 're establish US domicile'?
....looks like this may be an issue and i'm worried now...
we rent so we cant show anything there... my UK residendcy visa is not in my new US passport....do u think that'll count for anything?
What about employment? They know I'm going to leave...shall I ask for some kind of letter?
we cant put the cars up for sell yet...
I've got 2 shipment qoutes (to move our things)!?
*sigh*

what do you think?

OH! and one more thing
i read somewhere that the spouse (me) doesnt have to go (to the interview) BUT can if they want to BUT then i read somewhere else that only my husband can go.... surely as i am the petitioner I need to be there????

thanks to anyone who takes their time to reply! x

WOW! I can't comment on the domicile question but the ideas of bringing extra things to the interview is a good idea. My wife had her interview in mid April and while she was not asked to produce additional documentation as to the validity of our marriage many others were. I think it is better to have supporting evidence that you don't need than to go and not have anything to add weight to you case.

ChinaQuest52

Male

China

2010-05-08 15:01:00

a hypothetical question which could make or break a love story. please read

My fiancee is 46 and I am 36, but it's obvious to anyone that meets us that we are a couple. In fact people always ask us things like when we are going to get married. Why am I saying all this? I can only imagine that the interviewer saw something that wasn't quite right with your friends relationship. They are trained to spot unusual things, and age is only one factor. Coupled with your friends overly nervous demeanor probably triggered red flags.

In summary if you are telling the truth you don't have much to worry about. IMO it is a lot easier to tell the truth and be yourself, especially if you go well prepared with evidence. Good luck!!

Cruise77

Male

Colombia

2010-09-26 19:47:00

Is an immigration lawyer a good idea?

This is perhaps one of the most debated topics on the VisaJourney forums, to hire or not to hire an attorney. But after reading the comments on this thread, I figured it was time to throw my 2 cents into the ring.

For me this one is a no brainer, hire an attorney!! Although the visa journey and immigration process MAY seem fairly straight forward and easy (not saying in some cases it probably is), there are just too many things that could possibly go wrong. Some are obvious and we read about them here on the forums. But having a competent and experienced attorney is the only way to insure you are going about it the best possible way. The right attorney will put you in the best position for approval.

In my mind there are so many variables involved, how could you risk not hiring an attorney? For instance would you sign a big business deal worth six figures without a competent attorney? Would you buy a house without one? I wouldn't, so why should one of the most important events of you and your fiance(e)s lives not be given the same importance and treatment. Marrying someone from a foreign country is a huge step and a big emotional and financial investment (several thousand dollars in most cases). Taking how big an event and the huge investment you are making into account, spending $1,500-2,000 on an attorney is well worth it.

Another point I would like to make is the proper attorney not only fills sends and collects paperwork (which is a very important thing in itself as one mistake could disqualify you), but they will advise you. Advise you on how to go about the whole process in general. Advice on how to answer interview questions would be one example and just the tip of the iceberg. And no one here has even mentioned what happens after getting married and the adjustment process. An attorney will advise you on things you can do to ease that process as well.

I myself am not an attorney, nor have I gone through the visa process. My Fiancee, along with her 3 kids, are just embarking on this long Journey. Personally I am not going to take the chance of not having the best legal advice and someone to represent us from start to finish. They are just too important to me to take such a big risk.

Edited by Cruise77, 02 December 2010 - 12:05 AM.

Cruise77

Male

Colombia

2010-12-02 00:02:00

Does petitioner have to use full name?

Look, I know in USA people only use first and last name. EXCUSE me for being confuse about it because he is a US citizen.

Ok, I understand the question more clearly now. It is true in the USA for the most part we use only our fathers last name. But if his paperwork has his fathers and mothers last name, use them both on the application. Que tengan mucho suerte!!

Cruise77

Male

Colombia

2010-12-02 00:14:00

Parental Sabotage

Congratulations on making it this far. Being in a relationship for as long as you have is a great accomplishment. However your post does point out there are obviously a few things that you need to work out with yourself, your fiance and your parents. R

It is imperative that you separate what is best for you and your fiance, from what your parents think is best. It concerns me that you are worried enough about what your parents might do to sabotage your application, that you posted it here in the forums. But it is even more concerning that your parents would be so controlling to tell a grown 28 year old what "god's will" is to support their logic. Since you are the one that is going to be living with and marrying your fiance, not your parents, you need to be sure about what you are doing independently of what your parents or anyone else thinks.

If I was in your shoes I would do three things. First as others have already pointed out, tell your parents thanks for the advice but that YOU and YOUR fiance will be making the decision. Let them know in a firm but polite way to butt out. Second get far away from their influence long enough so you can sort things out in your own heart and mind. Take the time to sort out in your own mind independently what direction you should be going.

Third I would prepare your fiance for a rough reception. Touch bases with him and let him know that no matter what your parents say, that you support him 100%. There is nothing worse than living in a foreign country with meddling in-laws. I know from experience it is very disconcerting. You need to be your own couple standing on their own, living a good distance away from them. This may mean another state if it needs be.

I really hope the best for you. Happy New Year!!

Edited by Cruise77, 02 January 2011 - 01:41 AM.

Cruise77

Male

Colombia

2011-01-02 01:39:00

Visa Denied, Devastated, Please HELP!!!

They told me that I would receive a letter later on the mail. They also gave my fiancee a small yellow paper with different choices and the one checked says that the case would be sent back to USCIS. My finace told me that they were given that same paper to everyone (denied or approved) just that they check different according to the results.

Well if it's getting sent back get a lawyer NOW. You've already gone too long without getting proper legal advise, even when you suspected something was very wrong beforehand. I'm sorry this has happened to you and wish you the very best moving forward.

Best Wishes....

Cruise77

Male

Colombia

2010-12-02 00:31:00

do it all over again

You would be commiting visa fraud. Entering the US on a tourist visa with the obvious intent of staying would hurt your chances of getting a visa in the future. I would take this as an advantage and save up some Euros in Belgium. When your fiance gets a job, then work out the visa bit.

Cruise77

Male

Colombia

2013-10-14 17:34:00

Yeah... I mean when he's finally moved over here permanently. Someone keeps telling me he's going to have trouble finding a job because companies need some sort of contract to hire foreigners... even if they have a green card and a ssn.

Not too sure where she's getting her info. I wanted to check up on it just in case =/

Becca615

Female

England

2007-10-30 12:42:00

Thanks for all the info here!

I've been hearing that whenever he does get here and goes to find a job... certain places won't hire him because hes not a U.S. citizen. If he has his permanent residence and his social security number do companies (even retail places like Best Buy or RadioShack just to start out) have restrictions for that?

Becca615

Female

England

2007-10-28 14:30:00

I see that the CR-1 visa is much cheaper to apply for... but that he wouldn't be allowed to visit while it processes.

Would I be allowed to visit him in the UK instead?

Becca615

Female

England

2007-10-25 18:37:00

My Fiance and I became engaged mid-October while I was visiting him in the UK. We've been discussing visa options for a good while now, but still aren't sure which one to pursue.

He's planning to visit in February, but we're wondering if the choice of visa could affect his visit. If I apply for a K-1 now, will he still be able to visit and stay for the 90 days? If we try for a K-3 and get married while he visits, would he have to leave as soon as the application was filed?

Thanks for the advice!

Becca615

Female

England

2007-10-25 17:16:00

Silly questions regarding i-129F form

Thanks everyone! =)

Becca615

Female

England

2007-12-05 11:23:00

Silly questions regarding i-129F form

So far I seem to only be scratching the surface of this process... but we gotta start somewhere, right? =)

silly question #1: If something on the application doesn't apply to us... do we leave it blank? Should we put N/A? Does it even matter? =/ (example - question #9 on the form asks for "names of prior spouses" ... but neither of us have been married before.)

silly question #2: Question #10 says "My citizenship was acquired through" and I'll be checking "Birth in the U.S." ... riiiight below that it says "give number of certificate, date and place it was issued" - that's my birth certificate info... right? What is a certificate of citizenship? Does that even apply to me?

silly question #3: Question 8b. says "A# (if any)" ... what IS that? =/

silly question #4: My full first name is Rebecca. Not many people call me Rebecca (besides, maybe, the Grandparents). Should I put my more common name (Becca) in "Other names used" (question 7)?

silly question #5: Question 18 says "Has your fiance met and seen you within the two-year period immediately receding the filing of this petition?" and then in the little paragraph below that... it says "describe the circumstances under which you met." Do i describe the times we met in the last two years.... or when we first met in person four years ago? Should I include the two years before that where we were email pen-pals?

Digressing - Have any of you looked through a guide titled Fiance & Marriage Visas: A Couple's Guide to U.S. Immigration by Ilona M. Bray? Is it worthy of the $35 I'd be spending on it? I was thinking a book on this stuff might be handy for all the little things we might get confused (and overly worried) about =)

Becca615

Female

England

2007-12-05 00:52:00

Can we file while he's visiting?

QUOTE (Len_and_Bren @ Apr 4 2008, 06:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would think so, but he has to return to the UK to wait for interview and the like.

Yea... we kinda figured that part. I'm paranoid that the "visa police" are going to show up at my door and scold us or something =/

Thanks =)

Becca615

Female

England

2008-04-04 17:54:00

Can we file while he's visiting?

My fiance is visiting next Friday for three weeks. I haven't mailed the visa application yet.

Is it okay to mail them while he's here?

Becca615

Female

England

2008-04-04 17:50:00

Everyone loves silly questions =)

I'm sure I already know the answer to this... but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask anyway.

I just moved to a new apartment on May 1st and I'm still changing the address to about 5 billion things. I've finally gotten everything done and checked and checked again for my visa petition and reaaaally wanted to mail it tomorrow.

But my new checks haven't arrived yet.

Should I stop being impatient and just wait for my checks, or can I just cross out my old address on my other checks and write in my new one? I know I can get a money order but I'd really like to be able to see when they've put my payment through.

Thanks =)

Becca615

Female

England

2008-05-19 11:40:00

Easy Question.

QUOTE (Damian&Kelly @ May 20 2008, 03:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

if your fiance is in the Uk then its London England

Many thank-yous, my dear =)

Becca615

Female

England

2008-05-20 14:34:00

Easy Question.

I looked at that lol. He's not Australian =P

So how do I figure out which embassy in England he would send this supposed "visa application" to?

Becca615

Female

England

2008-05-20 14:32:00

Easy Question.

Forgot something on the I-129F.

Question 20. Your fiancé(e) will apply for a visa abroad at the American embassy or consulate at:

NOTE: (Designation of a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the country of your fiancé(e)'s last residence does not guarantee
acceptance for processing by that foreign post. Acceptance is at the discretion of the designated embassy or consulate.)

Where can I find this info?

Becca615

Female

England

2008-05-20 14:18:00