ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
I believe the site says that it was last updated on January 15. Also, theoretically, the "July 19" means that date is the oldest application they are still working on, but it is more likely what Meridien said (that they pick a date a month behind the bulk of the petitions they are working on) because I know there are a few earlier than that date that are still pending.

There have been quite a few approvals from CSC for people who filed at the end of September, which is encouraging to me since I filed at the beginning of October. BUT the late September filers getting approvals now are a bit faster than what seems to be average.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2008-02-08 11:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
This might be encouraging at least to the early October CSC filers. A couple from the Canada forum who filed at CSC the last week of September got their NOA2. They are just a few days ahead of those of us who filed the first week of October. (Yeah, there I go stating the obvious.)
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2008-02-07 13:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
QUOTE (Lizared78 @ Jan 29 2008, 08:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
RECEIVED THE EMAIL THE PETITION WAS APPROVED ON JANUARY 28th!!

Although i'm relieved to have received the approval, feel somewhat guilty that earlier filers are still waiting...


No need to feel guilty. Well, not unless you've been calling the CSC nonstop so they will spend all day answering your phone calls and not processing our cases, anyway.

Congratulations!
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2008-01-30 16:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
Thank you, Tars. Nice to see so many Vermont people are starting to get their NOA2s. Even if CSC is so much slower, I think that is quicker than predicted for VSC so it gives me some hope that we will get ours sooner than predicted as well.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2008-01-23 15:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
QUOTE (lucy4 @ Jan 22 2008, 09:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I got mine. woohoo.


Congratulations! kicking.gif

I'm going through CSC and the estimated NOA2 date on my timeline just jumped from early March to early April! crying.gif
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2008-01-22 11:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
Aww, I feel really bad for people who can't be with their loves for Christmas. We are at least on the same continent--in fact it would be only 4 hours by plane if there were a direct flight--so we manage to spend at least a long weekend together about once a month. That is bad enough! It also helps that we are only one time zone apart so we can talk on the phone. His parents immigrated to Canada from the UK and his dad had actually wanted to go to New Zealand. If his dad had won that argument, we likely would not have met (we met through a mutual friend in Edmonton), but even if we had, I honestly don't know how we would have managed this long distance part. I really have to admire all of you who are managing that kind of distance.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-12-21 12:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
QUOTE (Eli the Barrowboy @ Dec 20 2007, 08:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We have booked for the 11th October 2008 in Forest Grove, Oregon!!!! So we left just over a year - will be running it tight enough I'd say as we are expecting RFE!!!!


That's pretty close to mine, both date and place. I'm afraid to jynx it by saying we've "set the date" but we have a lovely place where my parents live in Washington State booked for October 12. Depending when he gets the visa and sells his house, we can push it back if it takes longer than we expect, or we can get legally married as soon as he arrives if it is sooner than we estimate. My boss is an appeals court judge so it would be very easy to plan a very simple wedding in my living room with 6 weeks lead time once his house is under contract, but since my dad can't travel and I got sick and tired of everyone and their 5th cousin asking me when the date was, we are doing this instead.

What is everyone planning for Christmas? I'm going to Edmonton for the week and then driving down to my future sis-in-law's home in Calgary for Christmas and Boxing Day.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-12-20 13:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
QUOTE (Donny @ Nov 13 2007, 01:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have a dumb question, I think I know the answer but still I'm not sure ohmy.gif ( Can't make up my mind obviously!) wacko.gif My fiance sent the I-129F packet 31st of October thru FedEx and CSC received it the next day 1st of November, technically can my fiance be considered as a October filer or November filer? Please clarify this!!! This is a major dilemma! helpsmilie.gif jest.gif


I believe they will process the petition in the order received going by the receipt date they list in the NOA1.

Whether you consider yourself an "October filer" or "November filer" isn't really critical. I would say the day your fiance sent it is the day you filed it, which makes you an October filer, but you should probably check in with both the October and November threads since the people whose petitions are closest in time to yours are the people who filed both at the end of October and the beginning of November.

Good luck! good.gif

By the way, does anyone know if CSC has hired additional employees as well? Laguna Niguel is an awfully pretty place, so if they are hiring and you all know anyone looking for a job.......
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-11-14 13:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
QUOTE (KateandNik @ Nov 8 2007, 12:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Nell @ Nov 7 2007, 03:38 PM)
Hello, I just got a response from them 10/10/07 with the receipt notices. Then I got my biometrics notice dated 10/14, for appointment on 11/3/07, After which I got a request for my medical, so if you have not done that, I suggest you get it done, so you have it on hand when they request. I am awaiting my EAD. Good luck

I didn't think this applies to those of us who filed the I-129F... am I wrong?


Right, that is what we will eventually have to do for adjustment of status.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-11-08 11:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
QUOTE (moxcamel @ Nov 6 2007, 11:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
BTW, my check was cashed yesterday and showed up in my online statement today. I was *this* close to getting my own congressman involved.



Woohoo! kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-11-06 12:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
I wonder if whoever you talked to on the phone really did go look for the application in spite of telling you they couldn't. It was not whiny to call to check even if it was a pure coincidence. I'm glad they finally cashed it. I hope they gave you an early October receipt date.

I hope Moxcamel and Brian and Kathy get yours soon, too.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-11-06 12:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
33 days is long enough that I would start to be concerned. I hope that you get it straightened out soon! Sorry that is not very encouraging.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-11-05 13:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
Okay, ignore the above question. It was obvious when I got on the website for USCIS.

For anyone else whose check has just cleared who has not gotten their NOA1 yet, just go on USCIS website and follow the links for "check status online." Their description of which number is the receipt number is very clear (13-digit number beginning with certain 3-letter codes, which are listed there).

I was hoping I would be able to figure it out when I got on the site, but I really never dreamed it would be that clear.

And...

WOOHOO! NOA1 was October 16th! If I did not live in the middle of the cornfields, I'd probably already have it in the mail.

kicking.gif
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-24 14:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
I'm glad they kept your receipt date the same!

Okay, stupid question here, but I have a copy of the back of the check (blown up to about twice the size of a check, too) and there are MANY different numbers on there and I have no idea which is the file number/case number/whatever they call it. Is there a certain number of digits in it? Or a certain part of the check it would be on?
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-24 13:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
Okay, our check cleared Friday. I don't have online banking so I'm going to have to go next door (to the bank) to get a printout of the back of the check before I can go on their site to find the NOA1, but I'm assuming for now that they have issued it. Our whole office is going out to lunch today for a combined birthday lunch for me and our secretary so I will probably do that tomorrow. For now, I'm just relieved that we are probably in the system.

When I told my mom about the three-day difference between the reciept date USCIS stamped on the return reciept card and the USPS website, she said "Oh, that's the federal government for you." She is a retired federal employee, too.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-24 10:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
QUOTE (E & S @ Oct 23 2007, 05:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We got our NOA1 yesterday!! According to mail service it arrived in CSC on the 15th but receipt date was 18th. Never mind, this is already shorter than we expected. Hopefully the delay is solved or improved!


I don't have the NOA1 yet, but I did finally get the green card back from the postal service and it was stamped "USCIS received 10/12/07" even though, according to the USPS website, it was successfully delivered on the 9th. I'm almost afraid to check to see whether my check has cleared yet. If it hasn't, I will be more worried than if I don't check. If it has, well, all that means is I can obsessively check the USCIS website.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-23 10:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
QUOTE (albkos @ Oct 18 2007, 01:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
But how did u get the number on the back of the check so quickly?


If you do not do online banking, your bank can get the image of the check for you immediately. But it has to clear first.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-18 14:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
QUOTE (E & S @ Oct 18 2007, 11:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
does the first link refer to from the date of receiving package to case approved??
2nd link means from the date of receiving package to NOA1 issued?


One other thing that confused us is the time line still shows TSC and NSC.. I thought they don't handle K1 anymore?


Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the first link shows the date of the oldest petitions they are currently working on right now (yes, for NOA2). The second I'm not entirely clear on but I think it is the same thing--oldest petitions they are still getting out the NOA1 for?

The timeline still shows TSC and NSC because, even though they have not actually been processing petitions for a long time, people who filed before July 30 were still told to send their petitions there. People who sent their petitions to Nebraska or Texas earlier this year would still have them pending (though those petitions were forwarded to California to be processed---gotta love the efficiency of our government, no?).
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-18 11:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
Lucy4, yep, that is the NOA1 (proviso: I've never seen an NOA1; my check hasn't even cleared!). I think officially they just call it "Notice of Action" and it is form I-797. VJ uses NOA1 and NOA2 to differentiate between the notice that they've opened the file and the notice that they've approved you; USCIS just uses "Notice of Action" for both.

Well, I may not have any good news about our petition, but at least i have a plane ticket for the next visit.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-18 10:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
E & S, I don't think it is very likely that you will get an RFE that soon because the main reason the wait is so long is simply that there is a backlog of cases they have to look at first. I suppos it is not IMPOSSIBLE, though. But if you do, dealing with it when he returns is not going to slow you down that much. They do not give you a deadline for responding to the RFE, it's just that they won't be able to finish processing your application until they get the evidence you send.

Don't forget, too, you might not get an RFE at all!

Enjoy your visit.

Moxcamel, thanks. No, never bothered setting up on line banking at home. My bank is right next door to where I work (I live in a really small town). But if I would be able to get an image of the check from home, they should be able to get it there and print it out for me or at least take the time to find the case number on it.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-17 12:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
Okay, NOW I'm starting to get a little frustrated here. I sent our petition certified mail with return receipt requested. I know from the USPS website that it was actually delivered to CSC on Saturday morning, October 6, and picked up (and presumably signed for) first thing Tuesday morning, October 9. I have yet to receive the written card confirming that it was signed for.

So I am going to go over to my bank later to ask if the check has cleared. If it has, I know there is a case number somewhere on the back of the check. I don't know if the people at the bank will be able to immediately get access to a picture of the check or not (as opposed to just being able to check whether it has cleared) but if they do, how can I describe to them what to look for so they can give me the number? (I have one of the rare banks that automatically sends images of checks every month, but it is only the front of the check and I'm not sure how long it will take to get a copy of the front and back if I order one....).

*Sigh*

I'm not complaining about it yet. We're all in the same boat. I just want something to make me feel more confident that they have it on track to be processed at least. If anyone a bit more tech-savvy than me can make a suggestion, that would be wonderful.

Meanwhile, for those who HAVE gotten their NOA1s --- YAY!!! kicking.gif
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-17 10:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
QUOTE (KateandNik @ Oct 16 2007, 11:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Congrats bonkers!!! smile.gif I'm very excited to hear someone from CSC got an NOA1. tongue.gif


Yep, my sentiments exactly!
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-16 14:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
We sent ours yesterday, October 2.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-03 10:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresage difference
It might also depend how old you are. My husband is 9 years older than me, I don't even think of it as an age difference. I'm 44 and he's 53. When I was in college, dating a guy who was 5 years older was an "older man." In any case, though, as others have said, it might be something they ask about, but it shouldn't be a problem.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2010-10-19 13:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa and place of marriage
This is asked a lot. You can also get married, cancel your K1 petition, and start over with a spousal visa if you want, but that would mean starting over.

There are a lot of ways to try to include people in the wedding who are not able to attend the legally binding ceremony.

Our situation is different, but we are also dealing with parents unable to attend the "official" ceremony (my father is not able to travel here, and the idea of planning a wedding long distance with the time constraints on us is just too daunting). What I've decided to do is have my boss (who is a judge) perform a ceremony in my home as soon as possible once my fiance arrives and then have a reception in Washington State a few months later. Neither of us WANTS a religious ceremony, or the whole procession down the aisle, so coming up with a way to make the reception the "main event" is hard. No parental pressure, but it is important to me that my father not be excluded from the festivities. Ideas so far are to leave all the extras (except the "now you may kiss the bride" part-- he REFUSES to skip that!) and do them instead at the reception (ie, writing our own vows to exchange in addition to the traditional ones, candle-lighting ceremony, any songs or readings, toasts from our siblings, first dance, wedding cake, etc.---not that we'll necessarily do ALL those things). I'm thinking of setting out photos of the ceremony at the reception as well. I considered having the ceremony videotaped and showing that at the reception, but it just seemed a little narcissistic somehow. It is an option, if you wanted to have a reception in the Phillipines afterwords, though.

When my cousin's son got married, he and his wife wanted to get married by an Elvis impersonator in Vegas, but his wife's sister was undergoing treatment for leukemia at the time, so most of her family could not attend. The wedding chapel actually had a website that her family could log into to see the ceremony live (I think many chapels there do this). I've also attended nice renewal of vows ceremonies of couples who eloped and decided they wanted to have a "real wedding" later on.

A lot of couples from this site have a small civil ceremony at the court house followed by a "real wedding" the family can attend, even though the couple is technically already married at that point. None of these are ideal for your MIL if she really wants to be there when you actually get married, but they are all options.

Good luck to you.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-07-26 10:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresnew fees?...new processing times?...lets get all the rumors

I've heard that the CSC will fall off the United States along with the rest of Southern California and sink to the bottom of the Pacific before any of us get approved.


As a former southern Californian (who had to field panicked phone calls from relatives any time we had even an earthquake so minor the dog didn't notice it), that made coffee come out of my nose! Well, at least it eliminates the problem of Texas or Nebraska possibly getting wiped off the map by a tornado before they get any of our petitions sent out there.

I'd guess the change in filing location may help some in the long run--after all, it is a much more even division--but it will take a while for them to adjust to it. But that is a guess, and as others have said, there really isn't much of a way to know.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-07-26 15:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBirth certificate name does not match used name; what can I do?
By the way, I hope that did not sound too snarky. I just thought from the replies that my answer was misunderstood and therefore probably not clear.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-08-15 14:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBirth certificate name does not match used name; what can I do?
Which is why I said:

"Did your parents legally change your name to Jack when you were a child? Or is it a common enough diminutive in the UK that no change was needed, in which case can you document that somehow?"

and

" I would guess you may need something more, though, since your actual passport and birth certificate do not match precisely."

Again, there has to be a reason he was able to get a passport as Jack, and maybe that is something he can document.

Aside from that, you might want to consider having your fiancee call the USCIS where you will file (they have an 800 number, although I seriously doubt it is very easy to get through) or even an attorney for advice.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-08-15 14:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBirth certificate name does not match used name; what can I do?
Well, Jack is a nickname for John. I am not sure how he was able to get everything under the name of Jack rather than John either (I don't like my first name, which my mom chose when she was 7, so I really wish I did know. Did your parents legally change your name to Jack when you were a child? Or is it a common enough diminutive in the UK that no change was needed, in which case can you document that somehow?

I'm not sure I've been very helpful.

I've not filed yet, but I use a variation on my first name that is a little unusual, so on all the emails and letters and such that is how my name appears. Although my full formal legal name appears on all the other documents, I never use it without my middle name, so it is shortened various different ways on plane tickets. I am just getting my petition ready to file next month right now, but I intend to include a note explaining this to avoid confusion. I would guess you may need something more, though, since your actual passport and birth certificate do not match precisely.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-08-15 13:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHelp with border control?
Well, there is some risk in saying you are visiting friends. I said that when I went to Edmonton last month, and it was true, too, because of course my fiance is my best friend, and I was also going to see a few other friends. The immigration guy asked what my friend's name was, and I just gave my fiance's name, because that's who I was staying with. I didn't really think anything of it because on my previous trips to Edmonton, I had always stayed with a male friend. Well, when he heard a male name he said "That sounds like a boyfriend." He didn't really care that I was visiting my boyfriend or ask for ties to the US or any such thing, but I'm in my 40s and probably perceived as less likely than someone younger to impetuously decide to stay illegally on a whim.

There's also a possibility of being grilled about how you know the friends you are visiting (my fiance actually got this going through Canadian customs at Pearson after visiting me two months ago---FFS he was returning home!!!). Granted, those experiences were both with Canadian customs, but I don't think it's unique to Canadian customs or can't happen entering the US.

This past weekend he came here, told US customs he was going to visit his girlfriend (we have not yet filed our petition--we're about to). We had discussed this before his flight, and he thought it might be better to say that (and be prepared with evidence of ties to home) because he will have to say to quite possibly the same customs agent that he's visiting his fiancee when he comes here three weeks from now, plus we had already been questioned about saying we were "visiting friends" on our last two visits. He had no problems saying he was visiting his girlfriend. All they did was ask if he had a return ticket; they did not even ask to see it.

I am not suggesting that you NOT say you are visiting friends if you visit before filing. Obviously it has worked for us and has worked for most couples. But you really do still need to have evidence of ties to home anyway, just in case, and you might want to consider what kinds of follow-up questions you might be asked.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-09-05 16:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiance Visa denial
Yeah, as others have said, it's the whole package that counts, and it is at the consulate stage that you need to worry about this. I-129F petition is just to prove you are a US citizen, you are both free to marry, and you have met in person at least once.

It certainly makes sense that if your fiancee is not completely fluent in English she might prefer methods of communication other than email. Trying to write in a language you are not fluent in when it has as many weird quirks and exceptions to rules as English would be hard. HOWEVER, if she is not making as much of an effort as you to develop the relationship in other ways, I really would take to heart what some people have said about this. Love has to be a two-way street, and it is terribly easy to see what you want to see if you are in love. Trust me on this one---I've been there.

Proving day to day communication when you get to the consulate can be hard to proove. I've given this some thought because although we email and talk on the phone nearly every day, we of course have an unlimited calling plan on VOIP (so we can't prove daily calls) and it is not realistic for me to print out 200 emails and carry them with me on a plane to Vancouver. We exchanged post cards, birthday cards, and Christmas cards, but only BEFORE becoming a couple (because now we are together for all the special days and our only travel is to visit each other). So aside from a sampling of emails (amounting to one a month) and monthly visits, we won't really have any proof of day-to-day contact (although my fiance has said that if they question it, he WILL show up in Vancouver with an entire box of my emails---eeek!!). If we were not able to see each other as often as we do AND he were from a country where the consular officers were more suspicious, I suppose we would figure something else out, but I can see where this could be problematic for someone with a genuine relationship.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-22 16:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion on Father's Name on G-325A
If his stepfather has legally adopted him, then he is legally the father. If not, then his biological father is legally his father. It doesn't matter whose last name he has.

And actually, this isn't really important, but that is not all that unusual. A lot of children are given their mother's last names if the parents are not married when they are born (in fact, I think in my generation it was the norm), and I have even seen married parents give the children the mother's name, although that is unusual.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-24 11:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion regarding NOA1
In case anyone else is as confused as I was as to how to figure out which number on the back of your canceled check is the receipt number, if you go onto the USCIS site and follow their links to "check status online", they provide a description of it that is very helpful. It is a 13-digit number beginning with one of a few different three-letter combinations which are listed there.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-24 17:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCalifornia Closed Due to Fire
No, none of those are the CSC. Since it is not open to the public, I'm not sure whether they would post it on the site or not.

I imagine there could be delays even if it stays open, though. Employees may have had to evacuate their homes and/or may be unable to get to work due to road closures. Maybe if that is happening, there will be some kind of update on the impact on processing times? I don't know. The site says my case was "updated" yesterday, so there must be at least some people able to work there.

The satellite map I looked at this morning makes the Santa Ana Mountains look like they are the coastline because the smoke is so think it obscures pretty much all of San Diego and Orange Counties. I suppose it must have looked like that in 1993, too, because there was ASH all over the ground all over Orange County that looked like snow by the morning after the Laguna Beach fire was set (did they ever catch whoever did it?). All I can say is holy #######!

(And yes, even as a former Californian, the first thing that went through my mind was what would happen to our petition if the CSC burned down.)
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-25 16:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNot having proof of meeting in person in last 2 years
No, an attorney cannot do anything to get around the meeting in person requirement. What they may be able to do, though, is give you a good explanation of how the process works and what you need to do. And, as mentioned, if your case is complicated by anything at all (such as having a criminal record or prior visa overstay), then having an attorney represent you through the process is very helpful.

An alternative to having an attorney file the petition on your behalf is to have a consultation with an attorney. That may even be something you can do by phone if there are no good local attorneys.

Unfortunately, depending where you live, finding an immigration attorney who specializes in family visas, as opposed to business visas, can be difficult. If you are in Seattle, you may have better luck with it than I did in the Midwest.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-26 14:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNot having proof of meeting in person in last 2 years
Wait until you meet in person to send it! First of all, as others have already told you, the petition WILL be denied for failing to meet that requirement. Second, meeting in person with a pending K1 petition may actually be harder. I have seen this come up with other couples on VJ and the foreign fiance(e) has to prove that they have ties to their home country in order to get a visa to visit the American fiance(e) and they look at this a lot more suspiciously if you are visiting your fiance.

Good luck to you both!
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-26 14:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresA few questions about I-129F and G-325A
QUOTE (pushbrk @ Oct 29 2007, 02:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If you indicate "student", and no employement they are certain to understand your meaning and it doesn't look like you're marrying a dead beat or prostitute.


I agree with this. I don't know whether it would be a problem if you just put "none" or "not employed", but it will certainly answer the question (and avoid even potential misconceptions) if you put "student" or "None (full time student)" or something along those lines. That way you cover your bases no matter what.

Laura, if you are talking about the passport photo, no, don't put a date on the photo itself (I'm not even sure you can). My fiance's had the date stamped on the back of it. He went to the main government building in Edmonton which I guess has some kind of office that will provide passport photos to comply with any country's passport requirements (???). Mine doesn't have that. There is a requirement that the passport photos be taken within 30 days before you submit the application, so it is probably nice to have that stamp with the date on the back, but not necessary.

If you are talking about the pictures of the two of you together, they do suggest having those pictures where the date is added by your camera. The thing is, though, that is easy to manipulate and pictures are only considered "secondary evidence" anyway, so I don't think it's really critical. Personally, I don't like the way those make my pictures look so I did not do it. We just labelled the pictures with the date and place they were taken and our names, that's all. The same photos go in my albums, so I want them to look nice, and we have plenty of "primary evidence" of boarding passes, so I wasn't going to mess them up! Others may have a different opinion on that, but I really think you can do whichever you prefer.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-29 16:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresShould I?
QUOTE (julezabelle @ Nov 30 2007, 12:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
In fact, if Brantford was a wee bit closer to Buffalo I'd give you my two hole punch and the 47 extra acco fasteners I have! But with the price of gas these days, I cannot justify the extravagance!


Hahaha! I have 99 extra metal clippy fastener thingies (no hole punch, though; I used the one my secretary has in our office).

I used the Acco thing because I thought that would eliminate any possiblity of a page falling out and getting lost. I also tried to make it as easy as possible for them to find where each thing was in the package. I put in dividers and used highligher on the names, dates, and cities on our boarding passes and itineraries--and I used a different color for each trip too. I probably have OCD. When he sends additional relationship evidence to Vancouver he will likely be a frick of a lot less ####### and I'm sure it will be fine.

I am so happy you finally get to file! kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif

QUOTE
I wonder how many cuss words in how many different languages immigration has actually heard? That would make an incredibly funny book.


I speak only two languages, but I can swear in 9. Granted, I count it if I can only say one curse, but still. I can probably only really cuss proficiently in 3 languages.

I used to be able to cuss in 10 languages, but I forgot how to say the Serbian phrase for "go back into your mother's c***."
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-11-30 15:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan I get away with planning a real wedding now?
I just booked a place for an October 2008 wedding. We are having a fairly small, simple wedding, and I made sure that the events manager understood that we were dealing with immigration and might need to push the date back. I would say if you want to book a wedding, just make sure you will be able to change it if need be.

The other possibility is waiting until you have your interview date. This should be about one month prior to interview. Then you have six months to activate the visa and another three in which to get married. I know people who have planned weddings in four or five months without immigration concerns to deal with. It can be done.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-11-29 17:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPhotos as proof of relationship/meeting
I think you should be fine either way, actually. As someone mentioned, photographs of you together are only secondary evidence. There are couples here who have been approved after handling it both ways, and there is at least one who was approved without sending photos at all.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-12-18 17:32:00