ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
USCIS Service CentersPlease help...Case sent back to USCIS from state deparment for review????
hi,
i, too, am a victim of this :(

our case was approved at the CSC on Sept 30th. from there it was sent to the NVC. i paid the fees and sent the packets. On Nov 19th I requested an expedite. it was approved and our case was sent to the embassy in paris for review and interview on the 26th of Nov. It arrived in Paris on the 30th. On Dec 1st I found out that it is being sent back to the USCIS for review requested by the DoS!!!!! My case still hasnt arrived at either the NVC or the USCIS yet and I'm freaking out. Neither my husband or I have ever had any problems in the past, i.e, criminal record, overstay, deportation, etc.. and theres nothing wrong with our case to my knowledge. i dont know whats going on! :(
HoustonApolloFemaleFrance2010-12-11 08:29:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)France/America couples
Thanks so much for your quick response!
We had originally gone the way of the K3 visa, but it ended up that our I-130 for the ir-1/cr-1 was approved first, so they kinda chose for us. In the end I don't really care which we got, as long as this process ends well -- and soon! :)

Thanks for the advice about the horror stories, it's true, they make the stress level rise. But none of the stories I read concern France, so I decided to come to you guys for advice directly. I had heard that because we expedited our case then the embassy would be responsible for final review and that we run the risk of AP because the NVC hasn't done a full review. I'm confident that we have given them all of the necessary paperwork so I'm hoping and praying that it'll be okay.
I assumed it was a slow consulate just because I don't hear much about it. hmmm. maybe they don't have a large workload lately and they can process our case quickly? :)
I can deal with professional. Always beat mean.
And yes, hubby is born French and so were his parents and the rest of his family, so no issues there.
It's true that the process is so stressful, but it helps to talk with others who have gone through it, so thank you again :)
HoustonApolloFemaleFrance2010-11-27 14:56:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)France/America couples
hi everyone,
im a little new here I guess. I'm American and my husband is French. We applied for the ir-1/cr-1 visa and it seems that as of the 26th it has been expedited to Paris. I don't see many on here who have gone the same route as us (most are k-1/k-3 or adjustment of status?) but I was wondering if anyone could tell me if they know anything about cases similar to mine, how it works, or anything? also, how is the embassy in paris? is it busy? are they nice? about how long does it take to get an interview? have you heard of anyone getting AP?
any advice would be appreciated :)
merci a bientot
HoustonApolloFemaleFrance2010-11-27 14:03:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)France/America couples
salut tout le monde
j'ai une petite question..nous sommes en ce moment en train de finir avec le NVC...mais je voudrais savoir (approx) combien de temps ça prends pour avoir l'interview une fois que tout est envoyer a l’ambassade.
et aussi, pour la question de service militaire.. j'ai lu sur cette forum que nous n'avons pas besoin sauf si on l'a fait? j'ai demande une lettre pour la JAPD comme quoi ils ne donnent plus des certificats puisque après l'age de 25 ans on a plus besoin..mais mon mari a aussi travaille comme gendarme ..on a pas besoin des papiers pour ça?
merci bcp pour votre aide et désolée mon français n'est pas parfait .. je suis en train d'apprendre. :)
HoustonApolloFemaleFrance2010-11-09 13:48:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanCalls to Ghana

I can pull up our entire history of calls on Rynga very easily. I wonder how I can see how much it would be to call Ghana...hmmmmm well I hope you find something cheaper. Also, you can send a tex message from Rynga. Good luck!


I just checked on Rynga..in Euro it is to call a landline .06/min a mobile is .16/min in dollars that turns out to be landline .07.min and mobile is .19/min
papillonloverFemaleNigeria2010-08-01 07:21:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanCalls to Ghana

Great ideas! I will look into these subscriptions and other options mentioned. Since I noticed the rate change, I started back using the phone cards some. CTA Africa doesn't seem to have gone up that much or at all. I just have to still use Skype or another VoIP that keeps a log of phone calls to present as evidence to my fiancee's interview.

Keep 'em coming.


I can pull up our entire history of calls on Rynga very easily. I wonder how I can see how much it would be to call Ghana...hmmmmm well I hope you find something cheaper. Also, you can send a tex message from Rynga. Good luck!
papillonloverFemaleNigeria2010-08-01 07:06:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanCalls to Ghana
Marcel and I use RYNGA and it is only .03 cents/min to call Cyprus and .05 to call Nigeria. It has been the cheapest for us.

www.rynga.com It's easy to set up an account. you do have to download the file, but it is easy and there are instructiosn I believe.

Also, the amount you add is in euro so just be aware of that.
papillonloverFemaleNigeria2010-07-31 07:35:00
Caribbeanintroduction (help also)

How does your husband feel about you and your boyfriend? Posted Image

lol its my husband, sory i was in class while i was writing the post. but its my husband :)

Posted Image

thanks for understanding :)
KaskadaFemaleDominican Republic2012-05-03 08:21:00
Caribbeanintroduction (help also)
:crying: :crying: hello everyone :) i am a 21 year old full time college student from Pennsylvania. i married my husband this past June in the Dominican Republic. We have been going out for nearly four years. I know, i am pretty young but i absolutely love my boyfriend and am very excited for our future. We are working on our ds 231 right now and should be receving the interview right after. we are very nervous :crying: can anyone help us with the questions that are going to be asked in santo dominigo?????/
KaskadaFemaleDominican Republic2012-05-02 11:31:00
CaribbeanDominican republic-Medical Examination Procedure change?
My husband recently got his medical done and his results were sent directly to the consulate. We called a couple of days before to make sure it arrived. I think they are doing it this way. If they have an issue with anything they will contact the person. I honestly feel like this is a better concept :)
KaskadaFemaleDominican Republic2012-08-02 08:34:00
Caribbeanreceived package 4 by email
Yes, you know how when you call NVC and they ask you for your case number, petitioners names, email, ect; they send packet four to the email(s) you provided. You can always forward the email to your SO and print some out for yourself. Good Luck <3
KaskadaFemaleDominican Republic2012-08-08 12:00:00
CaribbeanInterview Letter - Dominican Republic

Thanks! He lives in Santo Domingo, so it's not a problem for him to get the medical exam. He's going to be busy this week getting things ready for the interview. He has to get his birth certificate legalized and translated (he's actually from Haiti), pick up his police report, have his medical exam done, etc. Hopefully everything will go smoothly! :)

Hey hun, that's perfectly fine. I emailed our interview letter to my husband and he had no problem. Don't forget that he needs to also take two 2 by 2 photos, cedula, passport and the money :) good luck and let me know of you have anymore questions!
KaskadaFemaleDominican Republic2012-09-25 07:14:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusUkrainian Embassy
Hello VJ members!!

Can anyone please tell me if the Ukrainian Embassy allows a co-sponsor for a K1 visa I-129F on the I-134 form? Also, I own my own home with no mortgage, can I list this as an asset that they will allow, and if they do allow is it at only 1/3 value?

Thanks in advance......
Robj and VikaMaleUkraine2012-02-29 23:30:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMedical in Kiev Ukraine
Here is address for where to go pay for medical.... Mihailovskaya 8, Kiev
Robj and VikaMaleUkraine2012-04-14 10:15:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMedical in Kiev Ukraine
Yes, clinic address is the same, only where you must go to pay for medical is new/different, cost is 1000(UAH)/per adult. I will give address here tomorrow, I hope that you/someone will then maybe add it to US embassy page for others to see for future reference. :)
Robj and VikaMaleUkraine2012-04-13 21:44:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMedical in Kiev Ukraine
Unfortunately, I am not sure the exact date, but you cannot pay at the clinic, they gave Vika a different address to go to pay, there also was a thread that I cannot find now where that couple also tell about the new way to pay. I will be happy to post the address given of where you go to pay as soon as I can call Vika with the time difference.
Robj and VikaMaleUkraine2012-04-13 20:56:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMedical in Kiev Ukraine
Hello VJ'ers,

Our packet has left NVC, but we are still awaiting notice from embassy that they have application. In meantime my fiance has booked her medical for 23rd Apr. My question is for those who have been through this, what are the bus numbers to take to go between place you pay and medical center, or what are the Metro stations that are closest? If anyone has gone from train station to payment place do you remember what buses also?

Thanks again
Robj and VikaMaleUkraine2012-04-13 11:40:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMailing documents for the interview
Hi there, I know that DHL is very big in Ukraine, I have also often used regular Post office, and have had documents sent to me from there take 9 days and going there take 10-12 days. Safest but more expensive is DHL.
Robj and VikaMaleUkraine2012-04-22 12:15:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisa delivery from Kiev Embassy
we were approved on 8th, we get visas delivered Monday, it would have been Friday but the 9th was a holiday
Robj and VikaMaleUkraine2012-05-12 15:50:00
United KingdomBeing questioned at customs?
I've just had a think about the situation and a talk with my boyfriend, and I think the wisest decision here is for me to visit the UK next time, so that that gives him roughly a 6 month break from entering the US. I also have not been to the UK for six months. I will just have to tell my prospective employers that I will need a month away from the job at some point, so that they're aware of that ahead of time... and hope that that doesn't hinder my ability to get employment. And if I don't get employed in the next few months, then I'll still be able to keep applying, but just let them know when I can begin work.

Thanks so much for all the replies. Now, we just need to save up the money! :)
CareyFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-19 14:58:00
United KingdomBeing questioned at customs?

The thing is, you can ring the customs agent all you like, they don't actually have any final say on the matter. The person that lets him in is the immigration officer at the border. They don't know anything about the call you made, and probably don't care. They just want to know why he's coming, how long for, and if he's a 'red flag'.

2-3 months between trips isn't long if you're talking weeks/months of visiting at a time. The one time I had problems was because I was returning to the US 2 months after I just left.. and I was there for just 4 weeks.

I know it's difficult for you to go and visit him, we were also in the same situation, with my husband looking for work and not wanting to risk an interview cropping up while he was away, or not wanting to take time off from a new job. But we decided that we couldn't have it all, and risked it. He happened to get an interview/job while he was in the UK, as his mum kept in contact to let him know about any responses. Maybe you can do that; put out some job applications and someone can let you know if you get any responses. You can always give them a call and explain that you're in the UK until X date, but would love to come in for an interview when you're back.

If it's really important for you to see each other soon, I would rethink the possibility of you coming to him. Yes, you might miss out on a job opportunity, but you could also miss out on him entering the border if he tries again after a few warnings.


Since he just left yesterday, it will be at least a few months before we gather the money to book up again, and I'm hoping that by then I am employed. I could ask my employer for time away ahead of time, but that isn't the greatest way to introduce yourself to a new boss and a new job - telling them you'll be away for weeks at a time. If not, I would love to visit and tell the employers when I would be back.

I just want to be sure that we are doing what needs to be done to show the agents that we are legitimate and not doing anything wrong. He has no intention of staying here longer than he is booked for, we just need to find out what papers he can provide in his situation of no employer, no lease, etc.
CareyFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-19 13:05:00
United KingdomBeing questioned at customs?
Thank you for all the responses. We once got lucky and made enough money quickly, and booked a trip 3 weeks after the last one, and I specifically made a point of calling the customs dept. in Newark to ask if that would be alright. The person there told me it wouldn't be any problem, and that he didn't need any documents. However, he was asked a few questions that time but got through just fine. The last time, he didn't have ANY proof... not even the return itinerary, so I completely understand the agent questioning him... we just didn't know he needed any.

I don't want us to lie to the agents and not say that we're in a relationship. All of the documents listed on this site and everywhere else i can find don't apply to him - no employer, no lease/mortgage, we aren't yet engaged so no K1 papers, and we often get financial help from family so his bank statement wouldn't have what they consider enough funds for 10+weeks. He pays rent to his mom - should she write him a lease contract and have him sign it? Their agreement isn't written down, just by trust. He also gives her some money for the house bills each month. He pays other bills in his name - phone bill, credit cards, etc. Also, obviously from now on he will always have a return ticket to show as proof.

But in his situation, what can be proof of ties to UK? Bill statements, a written lease from his Mom, the return ticket? I just want to make the whole process a lot less stressful and time consuming next time, for both us as well as the border agent. And I want to be 100% positive that we are doing everything legally.

I am currently unemployed but looking for full-time work. I could always travel to the UK to visit him, but it would be difficult to find a very long break from work. All of the other times between trips have been about 2-3 months - is that too short of a time span?

He only just left the country yesterday (it got me thinking on the topic, and worried!) so when we get the funds to book, I think I will just contact the customs in Newark and explain his situation and ask what he should have as proof... or is that a bad idea?
CareyFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-19 12:51:00
United KingdomBeing questioned at customs?

Is he 'big enough' to have a chartered accountant manage his books for him? If so, then an income statement from the CA, with the official Seal/Stamp on it, should be sufficient. Is similar to a 'audited income statement' from a CPA in the USA, but is a bit different. Does he have a company registration number? with Company Papers perhaps? And a Company Bank Account, with statements? Those are useful, you betcha.


He is just a one man operation, so the extent of his company paperwork is basically contracts, invoices, and payments from clients. He could also provide bill statements, his UK social security card, and other things. I just don't want to risk being turned away, the thought of it makes me feel sick.
CareyFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-19 01:03:00
United KingdomBeing questioned at customs?

Unfortunately now that he's been questioned before he may be tagged in the system as having been interrogated and the next trip may not be as easy. You have to understand that the border guards' mindset is that everyone is trying to immigrate into the U.S. until proven otherwise, meaning that the burden is on you to provide evidence.


We completely understand their mindset, it was just a pretty scary experience and I want to be sure in the future that it can go as smoothly as possible. Next time he will 100% absolutely have proof of tie to the UK, including the return itinerary...but with him being self-employed, I wasn't sure what else he could show as ties to the country... invoices from UK clients? Do bill statements count? And because we get a lot of financial help from my family while he is here, there usually isn't "substantial" money in his bank upon arrival.
CareyFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-19 01:00:00
United KingdomBeing questioned at customs?

What does he do as a self-employed person?

And BTW, you won't be filing for a K3 if you are not getting married before filing. If you are getting engaged and plan to marry once he's got his US visa, it would be a K1. If you do get married and then file, a CR1 is a much better route to go because it's cheaper and he'd be eligible to work as soon as he arrives in the US.


He's a web designer.

I realized that after I already posted the topic, heh. We will likely get engaged and then plan to marry once he has a US visa.
CareyFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-19 00:53:00
United KingdomBeing questioned at customs?

There shouldn't be a problem - before we were married, my husband came over every 3 months and stayed for 3 months at a time, for 5 years!! He was once asked, by the border agent, if his boss really allowed him to leave for such extended periods so often - to which he replied, "I am the boss."

He was once pulled aside and questioned, answered their questions, and was let through - only 2 times he ever had problems in 5 years.


Thanks for the reply!

There had never been an issue since this last visit, which sort of led us to believe that he just happened to get an agent who was having a bad day or something. He's never had to show proof of ties to the UK, but we'll do that from now on, just to be sure. He also didn't have his return itinerary printed out (despite my nagging prior to him leaving the UK!), and I think that may have caused some alarm for the agent.

Darnell - my boyfriend is actually self-employed, so do you know of any way to show a tie to the UK if he isn't working for an employer? He is also living with his mother, so there's no lease agreement/mortgage/house deed. Like I said before, he didn't bring a printout of the return itinerary with him and offering the confirmation code for the booking to the agent didn't suffice.
CareyFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-19 00:14:00
United KingdomBeing questioned at customs?
Hi there!

My boyfriend of 5 yrs and I are planning on getting engaged soon and filing for a K3 visa. I am an American citizen and he is a British citizen. We frequently visit, as often as possible, and recently he has been stopped at customs in Newark, NJ and questioned about whether he is in the country to work. The customs officer told him last time that because he stays for about 8-10 weeks for each trip, it looks suspicious and leads customs to believe he is in the country to work. He has never traveled to the country for any other reason but for us to be together, and simply works in England to save up money for the trips; both of our families also loan us money while he is staying, so that he can stay for longer.

I was just wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation, or knows if there is a way to alleviate the situation? I've read on here about providing the customs officials with proof of the relationship, as well as proof of how much money is in your bank account for the length of the stay... is there anything else we can do? It's such a stressful situation, and I don't want to even imagine what it would be like to be turned away when we are doing everything legally and want to be 100% sure we are not breaking the law. Last time he entered the US, he was brought into a separate room and interrogated, with the customs officer raising his voice and trying to scare him - not a nice situation to be in when you know you've done nothing wrong!!

Just wondering if anyone else has ever experienced this or knows of ways to make the process go smoother, for future reference.

Thanks! :)
CareyFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-18 23:31:00
United KingdomUK to US Visa Free, IS marriage allowed
Well, I am getting so much thrown at me here and from my friends on another site.. That its overwhelming me... I have thought about it and I called in an attorney.. will let her sort it all out.. She said since the purpose of his visit is to actually meet our online friends and stuff then it is not Visa Fraud... I guess my thing is I look at the over all picture and I ask questions in advance.. That stems from having 2 disabled kids... I always want to know the outcome of things... I wish, I were the type to just wait and see but Im the type I need to know.. and if it is going to get him hurt, then yes I love him enough to stop it now.. I cant stand to see someone I love and care for suffer...

As for the main question you all seem to want to know, yes I have seen him in person, its been a while, as I assume it has with alot of you... But my phone bills are over 500 a month talking to him, and we are on Yahoo Phone from the time he gets off work til he goes to bed..... I miss him so much it hurts, but if he is going to be hurt I would rather do it now that down the line....

One more thing... I dont get how, its easier to go to the UK than it is the US??? Supposedly the land of the free... yea right!!!
FFXImommaFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-06 09:34:00
United KingdomUK to US Visa Free, IS marriage allowed
Well, after alot of crying, and alot of reading all this..

I called and talked to him last night...

I told him everything I was told by USCIS and by you people here..

We talked for over 2 hours (another big phone bill), when I hung up with him he was crying.. but hurting him now will be easier than him getting hurt later on...

Hes young he will find someone else, someone is own age... I am deleting my membership from this site as I will no longer need it... I cant take him from everything hes known all his life, into a country as cold and cruel as the US... Marrying me he will already loose his family and friends, if he did stay hed loose his job and home too, he says it doesnt matter, but it does to me... God, why are the Brits so down on the US???

Thanks for all the help.. But honestly, you did more accusing than helping...
FFXImommaFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-06 08:07:00
United KingdomUK to US Visa Free, IS marriage allowed
Okay well after reading all this, I paniced so I called the INS, and since he is coming legally on a Visa Free. We can get married, and they gave me a list of forms we have to file immediately... But he can stay with me in the states... She said since he is not coming mainly to marry me but to see the country and we aew already engaged if we decide to get married in the 90 days, the sooner the better, so we can get the forms filed in a timely manner... So this is what we are going to do, I will update all as I know more... Thanks all for the advice...
FFXImommaFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-05 14:08:00
United KingdomUK to US Visa Free, IS marriage allowed
Thanks so much for your answers, we were hoping he could stay once he got here, because of the financial burden but if not then he will return.
FFXImommaFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-05 02:33:00
United KingdomUK to US Visa Free, IS marriage allowed
He is waiting on his passport in the UK now, we were told he could come to the US Visa Free for 90 days, is this true? And if so can we get married if we decide then and he apply to stay from here? Another thing is there is a big age difference me being the older, will that be a problem? We are buying a round trip ticket as it says we have to do for Visa Free, and he is not leaving his job just incase he has to go back.

so Question #1. Is Visa Free from the UK to the US legal?

Question #2. Can we get married and him apply from the US and stay or will he have to return does anyone know?

Question #3. Will our age difference play a factor?
FFXImommaFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-05 02:12:00