ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresApproved K-1 - Pregnant Fiance- urgent
QUOTE (tommyle08 @ Feb 19 2008, 01:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello everyone,

I appologize if i've made same thread. I've read about the K-1 visa and pregnant case in this forum. However, my case is slightly different from others. Here goes:

My petition has been approved and the Department of State National Visa Center (NVC) has scheduled an interview for my fiancee next week, February 27th, 2008. My fiancee is 9 weeks pregnant. . Questions :

1. Should i contact the USCIS office to inform about this pregnancy ?
2. Will my case be delayed ?
3. Should my fiancee tell her interviewer that she is 9 week pregnant ?
4. Will my child be automatically granted US citizen when he/she is born ?
5. What necessary steps should i follow up during this process ?

I will always welcome all your feedback and instruction. Your help is greatly appreciated. I'm worried that if i'm doing it wrong, i will jeopardize the process of getting my fiance here. Forgot to mention, I am US citizen and my fiancee is Vietnamese citizen. Thanks again.


1. USCIS has nothing to do with your case anymore.
2. No
3. If she wants to, i don't think it will affect the case either way.
4. Born inside the US, yes. Born outside the US, no, but if you meet the conditions you can apply for a consular report of a birth abroad which will make your child a USC. Which you can use to get a passport.
5. Nothing will change as far as the visa is concerned for your wife. Other than certain vaccines will be delayed until your fiance is in the US and after the child is born.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-02-19 14:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEAD Question...
QUOTE (masterpiece91 @ Feb 21 2008, 03:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We are debating on whether or not we should change our plans. We had originally planned to wait about 2 & 1/2 months after she arrived on her K1 visa to get married. After thinking things thru i realize that if we do that and lets say she is able to get a work permit at the point of entry it will only be good for 90 days. This means that if it take 2 months for us to get her EAD after we get married she could spend a good month & 1/2 without having work authorization.

My first question is: How long on average does it take to receive an EAD? (we would like her to be able to work)
Second question is: How long do people often wait to get married?
Third question is: Do we have to submit a AOS before the 90 days expire?

If you have any other suggestions or information related to my inquiry please feel free to write. thanks!


1. 60-90 days
2. Some next day, others wait until near the end of the 90 days. Its personal preference.
2. No, but it is preferable. But you do need to send in AOS to get an EAD that will not expire at the end of the 90 day stay.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-02-21 16:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTime extension?
QUOTE (Josh and Kayo @ Feb 22 2008, 03:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello guys,

We received NOA2 and it says our petition is good until April 14th...medical exam is scheduled for Feb 25th, no interview date yet. I'm kind of wondering if it is necessary to ask for an extension...would really hate to start all over after waiting 4 months for the NOA2....

Any advice would be appreciated.


As long as your petition remains active, the consulate/embassy will automatically extend it for you.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-02-22 16:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 Visa
There are quite a few, look for the Philippines forum on the regional forms on this website.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-02-23 21:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDocument translations
QUOTE (mm2000 @ Feb 23 2008, 03:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi

I am getting ready to fill the K-1 for my fiancée. I have a question about document translation. According to the instructions “All documents in foreign language must be translated”. I met my fiancée in a different city than the one I fly to when in visiting China. I order a plane ticket and reserved hotel in China (demotic China flight), so all the receipts are in Chinese (only a part of the receipts has English). Do I need to translate those documents? Anyone has experience on doing similar thing? All the receipts are in a form, so when I translate do I have to re-create the form then do the translation?

Thanks.

Henry


Just highlight the dates. You only have to translate official documents, and only if requested by the consualte.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-02-23 16:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProcedures for Cancelling a K1 Visa
Depends which stage you are at. If still at the USCIS, just send a letter to them requesting cancellation. But otherwise inform the embassy/consulate.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-02-25 16:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresShould bank statements be plain printout?
QUOTE (katrina_07 @ Feb 25 2008, 08:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi! I just wanna ask re the bank statements required of the K1 visa. Ive been reading posts and somehow just got more confused. Anyway the question is, is it ok to bring the bank statements of my fiance to the interview without any letter from the bank officer certifying his bank balance account? Of course, i will be bringing the affidavit of support notarized forms. He is well above the poverty line but im just wondering if plain bank statements would be fine.

Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.


If income is sufficient, there is no need to disclose assets.

But if you need it, the latest statement should be fine. Printout or copy is fine too.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-02-25 21:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGoing through POE
QUOTE (Jamie76 @ Feb 25 2008, 04:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This probably doesn't fit here, but maybe I can get some help.

What is a good cushion of time for getting through a POE. We will be coming through San Francisco and as it stands, we have about 3 hours. Our travel agent has given us the option of another flight to our final destination, but it means we would have 2 hours at the POE. Thoughts?


I went through there about a year ago. You could probably do 2 hours, but I would recommend 3 just in case its really busy.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-02-25 18:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 converting to K3
QUOTE (gurdip @ Feb 29 2008, 12:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
so if you have to re-file, will be able to file while I am residing in india or how long I have to stay their before I can file, or you guys think is much better and quicker to file from USA here, since I am usa citizen. But I wanted to spend more time wid my fiance while we waiting for our case to be process, so please suggest the best and quick way, I cant be apart from my love anymore. Will it be more faster? how well is chances to get a quick interview at mumbai consulate? I really tired of this waiting things now, I hope to find a the easier way to be wid my love, if somebody know any other way please reply me and let me know
and wat is the max limit of this AP thing? i mean wat is somebody late cleared on this? I am so afraid of this


There is no limit on AP. Some have taken years. Switching visas will not change that.

You can refile at any time, but your likely to wait just as long as you have already waited for your K-1. The fastest route is just waiting through AP and calling the embassy regularly to check the status of your case.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-02-29 02:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresForeign Names
QUOTE (CraigCam @ Feb 29 2008, 06:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
First, I want to say 'Hello' to everyone. I just found this site yesterday and I can't tell you all how relieved I was. I spent yesterday researching the guides and forums and found answers to most of my questions.

One question that I wasn't able to find an answer to was, how my fiancee's name should be listed on the Fiancee Letter of Intent to Marry? She is Vietnamese and the custom there is to give the family name first then middle and finally the given name. Should she use this form or the American form of given name first and family name last?

Finally, good luck to everyone here. I'm sure you will be hearing more from me in the coming months.

PS-Vietnamese is a crazy language with the letters having so many variations, but it is still an alphabet based on Roman letters, right? I mean, it's not necessary to fill in question 16 on the I-129f(write her name and address in the native alphabet), is it?


It really doesn't matter. Whatever way she is used to is probably best.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-02-29 19:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiled for K1 in october, getting married in India in April, is it wise?
Even though you are not married, showing that you had a wedding may cause the officer who is processing your case to assume that you are married and ineligible for a K-1 visa. You could have done a K-1 visa with what you did, but you should have left all evidence of the event out of your petition.

On the other hand, if a non-legal ceremony of some kind is common in the culture, you may be alright.

But regardless, you should be prepared for questions, and the possibility of denial and having to start over.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-01-31 15:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestions about the K-1
QUOTE (Delilah @ Mar 9 2008, 02:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Okay, so I've been browsing this forum a fair bit lately, because my girl and I need to get the K-1 Visa so I can finally live with her in the US. We've been in love for about 4 years, and the distance is so hard! (I'm from Australia)

I have a few questions, and I know I can find details on this site, but it's always better to ask in a forum.

1) I didn't complete highschool, due to personal reasons, but was getting good grades while I was there. I also intend on getting my GED when I live in the States, and attending community college. Will any of this effect my chances of getting the K-1?

2) My girlfriend lives with her parents currently, and doesn't want to get an apartment until she knows for sure that I have the visa. Will it matter if she just puts her current address? Is there a section on the forms that would allow her to mention this?

3) She's currently going to college, and will most likely still be doing her internship when/if I get my visa. Considering she wont be working (or not working a lot), will money we have in our bank accounts count for anything? She'll probably have around $20,000 from a damages settlement that she'll be receiving until she's 30 (Total over 150K), and I'll have around $10-15,000 in my bank by the time I leave for the US.

4) Can someone from my family be a co-sponsor? Or does it have to be someone in the US? Also how much will they need to be earning to be considered an acceptable sponsor? I doubt her parents will help, so it's either one of her friends or someone in my family.

5) Can she file a petition from NYC? and which forms will she need? I'd also like to know if she'll have to attend an interview for the petition, or does she just file it and we wait? Finally, with the G325-A (If it's still called that) do we both need to have filled one out BEFORE she files the petition?

Any information will help us SO much, and hopefully take a lot of the stress away. It's killing us to be apart, and since Australia is on the opposite side of the world, it makes regular visits very difficult. I've only met her once in person (July/August 2007) and we talk on the phone every single day.


1. Education is not considered for family visas.

2. She can use her parents address as her current address. Many do for various reasons such as not being able to receive mail where they are currently living.

3. She may be able to count the damage settlement as income, provided she shows documentation for this. Assets such as savings can be used if annualized over 3 years.

4. Needs to be a US resident or citizen.

5. Read the guides, only you will have to attend the interview.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-03-09 14:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNew here

I'm sorry, I should have mentioned that he was here illegally and got caught. He spent some time in immigration jail and was released on $6,000 bond. The judge allowed him time to stay here so he could be here for the birth of our daughter.


That makes it alot more complicated, did he overstay another visa or did he enter the country illegally? Reguardless, I'm pretty sure he may be facing a ban from entering the country (3-10 years ussualy). You need to find a good immigration attorney, do your research, looking into the AILA (http://www.aila.org/) registry might be a good place to start.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2007-03-27 18:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSuggested Meeting Place: Terminal 4, JFK
QUOTE (Klaatu @ Mar 14 2008, 07:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Folks -

Yippeee!!! Visa approved and received. Now for a question.

My financee will be flying on Aerosvit from Kiev to Terminal 4 in JFK airport in New York. I need to specify a landmark within the terminal I can meet her at.

I am not familiar with Terminal 4. Do you have any suggestions? Are there benches immediately outside of the customs office? Is there a McDonald's there? Any other named restaurants a Ukrainian is likely to recognize? Is there a large mural or statute?

Thanks much for helping.

Klaatu


[129 filed on August 17, 2007, Interview on March 5, 2008. Visa recieved March 12th, I believe]


I'm assuming there is some sort of international arrivals area where you can meet after your fiance clears immigration and customs. You wont be able to meet inside the secure zone.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-03-14 20:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiling Fee $455???!!!
QUOTE (Roy99 @ Mar 26 2008, 03:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (~Laura and Nick~ @ Mar 26 2008, 01:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yes, the filing fee for the K1 is $455 dollars.
Then there are other expenses in between, the medical for example ranging from $180 to $400 dollars depending on country.
Then the $131 is paid at the actual interview.
Then once you get married you file for AOS (Green card, Work Authorization and Advanced Parole) which costs $1010.00.

It's an expensive journey but oh so worth it.
Check out the K1 Guides here at VJ, they will help to get you organized!!!
Best of luck! smile.gif

Hello,
Does the fees for $1,010.00 come fast or over a time period? I just wanted to know because I will be paying a lot for fiance just to travel and for our marriage here I just wanted to know how much time I have to pay it after our marriage? I do not want to run into any problems. I am just so happy my fiance will have interview soon and be with her soon after.


For AOS you will pay the $1010 fee all at once. You file for AOS once you are married and have received the certified copy of your marriage certificate. Although there is no requirement to file for it right away, without it, your fiance will not be able to work, or travel out of and reenter the country. Many states will not also issue a drivers licence or state ID until you have an EAD at least.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-03-26 15:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPacket 3 DS-157 - "List All Countries You Have Entered..."
QUOTE (psiprez @ Mar 26 2008, 08:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
"Question 9. List All Countries You Have Entered in the Last Ten Years (Give the Year of Each Visit)"


My SO in England has absolutely no clue how many times, or when, he did or didn't visit neighboring European countries in the past ten years. And since they don't stamp your passport, he has no records.

He is worried that if he guesses the number and years of visits, they will accuse him of being dishonest.

He also can't remember the type and year he was issued a B-? tourist visa (sometime around 1990).

Any advice?


They are not going to fault you fiance for not completly answering a question like this one. Have him write an attached letter which as many countries/dates he can remember and add some kind of statement to the effect of, 'I have traveled to several times to these countries in the last 10 years. But I do not have records or remember when all of these trips were made."
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-03-26 20:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresA Few Questions
QUOTE (GrahamandMegan @ Mar 27 2008, 04:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Also Megan currently lives with her grandparents and obviously they own the house. Is this deemed acceptable as obviously we will be getting a house together after we are married and I am eligible to work? Also she was going to use her father as a co-sponsor for me. Is this also acceptable even although she doesn't live with her father but he does live locally?

Thanks again everyone smile.gif


There are no problems with that.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-03-28 00:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresA Few Questions
QUOTE (GrahamandMegan @ Mar 26 2008, 07:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi there.

A quick introduction before I ask the questions I have. I'm Graham, UK Citizen all my life (26) and I'm currently on holiday with Megan, my US Citizen girlfriend (23).

We met online around 10 years ago and have been in touch ever since as pen friends. We first met in April 2003 and I stayed until May 18th, when she kindly invited me for a holiday to meet with her friends and family. After that we still stayed in touch but my working life and her school life kept us apart. I moved around a couple of times and finally we decided after a vast amount of emailing, calling and online chatting that I should come across again to see how our feelings were for one another. Well I came over on 29th November 2007 and stayed for 5 days and we decided that we wanted to be together. So she came to the UK on February 29th for 18 days to meet with my family and for her to see where I live without the aid of pictures! We both then traveled here to the US to spend some more time together. I have a return ticket booked for 11th June and have every intention of using it, perhaps even leaving early to start proceedings for a K1 Visa as we have decided to get married smile.gif

I apoligise to everyone for the long post but wanted to get the whole story in to get the best possible information!

So here are my questions......

1. Can we begin filing for the I-129F while I am still in the country with Megan or would it be advisable to leave before we started proceedings?

2. In previous experience of everyone on here, is our story above enough to satisfy the criteria for having met with one another? We don't have any emails between us except for those before I came over in November 2007, but I do have my cell phone bills from that period. Are these sufficient additional evidence along with pictures and receipts for engagement rings etc?

Thank you for taking the time to read the above version of our War and Peace and I look forward to hearing from people who have had the same experiences as we are having.

Graham and Megan.


1. Yes you can. There is no reason to wait.

2. There are two types of evidence. Evidence of meeting and Evidence of a relationship. For the petition, you only need to provide evidence of a meeting that has taken place within the last two years. Which it has in your case.

Include pictures, passport stamps, copies of boarding passes, reciepts or anything that shows when you visited the US. And/Or when your fiance visited the UK.

You will need relationship evidence later, for the interview.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-03-26 19:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 visa for my Domincan Fiance
QUOTE (efernandez @ Aug 27 2007, 02:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Dan + Gemvita @ Aug 27 2007, 11:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (efernandez @ Aug 27 2007, 01:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Dan + Gemvita @ Aug 27 2007, 10:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (efernandez @ Aug 27 2007, 12:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey all,
My fiance is Dominican and i heard that it is currently taking from 2-3 years for the process! I havnet even started the petiton paper work. I was wondering if this is true and if there is any other way that i could get him here to the US. Im at a lose for words, so any help would be greatly appreciated.
Efernandez


Yes it is, Those from the Dominican Republic have over a year to wait for the interview after the petition has been approved. The average is 533 days according to the site timelines. If your fiancee can get legal resident status in another country, it may be much faster getting an interview.


What country would you recomend considering he cant realy go to many places... Canada? Spain?
What if we get married in DR, will that be quicker can he come back with me right away?? Im so desperate hahaha


You cant just go to another country, you have to establish legal residency in that country. What that takes, and how long that takes varies by country. But for some countries it may be faster than to wait the 1-2 years for an interview in Dominican Republic. Pretty much any country is faster than Dominican Republic when it comes to interviews.

Right. I totally understand that but regardless if he were to go to another country he would still need to interview in DR. Then the whole petition time here....just seems impossible.


He would have his interview in the Dominican Republic unless, he can establish permanent residency in another country. Then he can have the interview in that country. But that may or may not be an option depending on your situation, and it could possibly take more time than it would just to wait.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2007-08-27 14:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 visa for my Domincan Fiance
QUOTE (efernandez @ Aug 27 2007, 01:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Dan + Gemvita @ Aug 27 2007, 10:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (efernandez @ Aug 27 2007, 12:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey all,
My fiance is Dominican and i heard that it is currently taking from 2-3 years for the process! I havnet even started the petiton paper work. I was wondering if this is true and if there is any other way that i could get him here to the US. Im at a lose for words, so any help would be greatly appreciated.
Efernandez


Yes it is, Those from the Dominican Republic have over a year to wait for the interview after the petition has been approved. The average is 533 days according to the site timelines. If your fiancee can get legal resident status in another country, it may be much faster getting an interview.


What country would you recomend considering he cant realy go to many places... Canada? Spain?
What if we get married in DR, will that be quicker can he come back with me right away?? Im so desperate hahaha


You cant just go to another country, you have to establish legal residency in that country. What that takes, and how long that takes varies by country. But for some countries it may be faster than to wait the 1-2 years for an interview in Dominican Republic. Pretty much any country is faster than Dominican Republic when it comes to interviews.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2007-08-27 14:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 visa for my Domincan Fiance
QUOTE (efernandez @ Aug 27 2007, 12:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey all,
My fiance is Dominican and i heard that it is currently taking from 2-3 years for the process! I havnet even started the petiton paper work. I was wondering if this is true and if there is any other way that i could get him here to the US. Im at a lose for words, so any help would be greatly appreciated.
Efernandez


Yes it is, Those from the Dominican Republic have over a year to wait for the interview after the petition has been approved. The average is 533 days according to the site timelines. If your fiancee can get legal resident status in another country, it may be much faster getting an interview.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2007-08-27 13:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPrinting Format
QUOTE (anka @ Apr 1 2008, 10:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ok, I apologize if this has been asked and answered before, but I cannot seem to find it...

Is there a certain way I must print all the documents being sent off for the K1 petition? One-sided, double sided (and if so, head-to-foot, or no?) With the support data like proof of emails, phone bills, etc., does USCIS prefer/need a certain format?

Thanks so much! tongue_ss.gif


Just print everything on regular letter sized paper. A4 size which is used outside of the US is fine too. Avoid anything oversized.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-04-01 23:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPassport valid for 6 months policy?
QUOTE (hoosier @ Apr 1 2008, 09:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have some questions about passport expiration. My fiancee just realized that her passport expires at the end of November. Right now theres is a backlog in her country with the processing of passports because of the new chip they are putting in the passports now. The agency told her it would be a minimum of 1 month to get the passport back.

The question I have where does the 6 month rule apply in regards to K1 visa? Is this 6 months from when they issue the visa or 6 months when she tries to enter the country at the POE?

Her interview is likely going to be mid May and the medical before that and she will need it by then. I know were cutting it close so I'm trying to get the exact policy somewhere.


Her passport will also serve as her primary form of ID until she can qualify for state ID/Drivers licence. Its also the passport she would travel on if she were to visit another country from the US. You should get it renewed asap.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-04-01 23:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestions about K1 visa, help!
  1. What belongings can I bring?
    Anything not prohibited by US Customs.
  2. Can I go to school?
    Yes, however, you may not qualify for in-state tuition at public universities until you have resided in the state for a year. You may also not qualify for tuition assistence programs either.
  3. Can I join any community clubs/gyms?
    Yes
QUOTE (orange_n_pink @ Apr 1 2008, 11:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
awww..no funky Canadian plants? =(((((((((( hehe
Thanks for your speedy answer!


Does anyone know the limit of amount of money I can bring?


No limit, but anything over $10k must be reported.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-04-01 23:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Visa Arrived! (Still have some ?'s)
QUOTE (Mysteerie @ Apr 3 2008, 10:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This is for the Philippines. My baby has got her visa. After some research I know she has to do the CFO. Is there any thing after that?

Also another question, hehe one of my friends said that I needed to purchase a round trip ticket. Just wanted to confirm if this was neccessary or is a one way ticket allowed (of course I don't plan for her to leave, so that's why I'm asking). Thank you Visa Journey for all your help!!!


CFO is pretty much it. She may have to pay some airport departure taxes if its not included in the ticket.

RT or OW tickets are fine. Sometimes you can get RT at a lower fare class than a OW ticket, making it cheaper to by a RT.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-04-04 00:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiance Visa denied for a silly reason
QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Apr 14 2008, 10:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I still don't understand why people dither about with these 'religious' or ceremonial or whatever-you-care-to-call-these 'non-official' marital parties.

I can understand an engagement party to announce the couples intentions.

But anything that remotely smells like a blessing of marital union just seems like pushing the envelope to me.

Somebody will probably be happy now to come along and educate me about cultural customs I'm not aware of, or the desire of the couple to please the immigrant partner's family. That's a situation I wasn't in personally but I can still appreciate the desire of the couple to satisfy customs and family. But it's the US government you are applying for a visa through, and US law which ultimately applies.

I just think it's risky. Especially in the case of western couples who are trying to pull off a 'non-legal' ceremony. A western bride in a flowing white gown with 200 people around her having a sit-down meal is usually a legally pronounced wife once the 'party is over. That type of ceremony with a non-binding result certainly isn't the norm in the west.


Its not really that risky, if you take the time to research and understand the complexities of it.

We did the K-1 route because its less culturally acceptible for a wife to be away from her husband for a long period of time.

We did a ceremony/rececption in Indonesia out of respect for my wife's parents and family. But we did it after we already had the visa, and right before we left to the US. In doing it, we made it clear that this would a non-legal cermony. And under Indonesian law, that by itself was not legally binding.

If anyone is going to do a non-legally binding cermony for whatever reason. Make sure you completly understand the marriage laws of the country you plan to do the cermony in. Do not give the CO or Immigration officers any reason to suspect that you might be married.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-04-14 22:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan i stay in LA before seeing my fiance in another state?
QUOTE (mary12 @ Apr 14 2008, 10:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi! Would like to seek your advice and here is my situation. Im planning to leave end of the month to see again and marry my fiance in one state but my connecting flight is in LA. I have relatives in LA and was wondering if i can stay with them for a few days ( since i also have some stuff to bring for them) before going to my fiance's state. Is that possible. I wanted to do this so i can rest and look fresh before I see my fiance coz its gonna be a long almost 1 day trip when i get there.

Please advise so i can already make my booking.

Thanks and look forward hearing from you.


Yes, you can do that.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-04-14 22:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresk1 and k2 change status total cost
QUOTE (freddypr @ Feb 9 2008, 04:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hello to everybody i just want to know how mucho i have to have to change the staus of my k1 i think is $1,010.00 and $ 80.00 and i have two k2 under 14 yrs old thank u


It will be 1010 for K1. For each child under 14, it will be $600.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-02-09 18:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow long is the K-1 valid for?
QUOTE (Qjonny70 @ Apr 22 2008, 12:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi,
My Fiancée's interview is scheduled for May 21 at the US Embassy in Moscow. How long is the K-1 valid for? I heard that she must enter the US within 6 months. Is this correct? I can't seem to find this information anywhere.
Thanks everyone!


It will expire 6 months after it was issued. Once she is in the US, she has another 90 days to marry you.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-04-22 01:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1: Renewing old visa, traveling and/or moving during process
QUOTE (BrookTrout @ Apr 22 2008, 12:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thank you, Rebeccajo. smile.gif

4. Do you have any idea how long extra background checks might take due to travel to the US once the K-1 has been applied for?

Thank you!!!



QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Apr 21 2008, 04:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
1. If there is going to be any extra processing because of her frequent travel, additional travel will not 'cause' the security checks.

2. It would be less problematic for any current visas to be renewed prior to filing the K1.

3. Your fiance will need a firm mailing address in order to receive communications from the consulate.




Are you refering to secondary processing at the PoE? Or the security checks that are part of the visa processing?
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-04-22 01:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCAN I?
QUOTE (selvatoree @ Apr 22 2008, 02:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Just hope that your interviewer at the embassy is not the one guy who didn't get the memo about the marriage not being recognized by the US. MR. kid brooklyn please explan what u said please and this memo was in egypt?


What he means is that if you suggest that you have had a non-legal marriage to the interviewer, they may assume that you are married and deny a K-1 visa.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-04-22 14:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCAN I?
The US recognizes all marriages performed in another country, provided the marriage was legal under that country's laws.

Civil marriage implies that you indeed had a legal marriage and you will be recongized as married under US law.

There are cases where one can have a relgious marriage but not be legally married, but this depends on each country's laws. In some cases a cermony is enough to be considered married.

You need to first clarifiy if indeed you are actually married by law. From there, you choose the type of visa that applies to your situation.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-04-22 01:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProxy Marriage
QUOTE (USDZ @ Jan 11 2008, 12:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello. If my spouse and I married by proxy would we need to go the K1 or K3 route? I believe, although we have a marriage license, that we are considered as "engaged" by the U.S. immigration unless the marriage was consumated after the date on the license. And I have not seen my husband after this time.


Any marriage would send you down the K-3 or CR-1 route. But I don't think a proxy marriage is enough to meet the requirements of a marriage visa. Well the marriage itself may, but you may have to meet each other in person afterwards at a minimum.

Edited by Dan + Gemvita, 11 January 2008 - 01:50 AM.

Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-01-11 01:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWant the K1 but only for the wedding
QUOTE (InChina @ Apr 29 2008, 11:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello,

I just am wondering. I looked at the form from the immigration department for me to request the visa. I want to bring my fiance (a Chinese national) home this summer to have the wedding , but we will be returning to live and work in China afterwards. The form requests specific immigration information. What I want to know is how I can apply for the visa while assuring immigration that my only intention for returning home is to have the wedding and that we will not be planning to settle in the U.S and she will not be applying for residency in the U.S (at least for now). We plan to return to China afterwards and live and work. Has anyone experienced this before? I just want to make this as painless and transparent as possible.


The correct visa in your case is a B-2 visa. While it may be more difficult to get, it will at least be worth a shot. It takes alot less time than a k-1 visa.

A k-1 visa is for a fiancee to enter the US, get married, and the apply for permanent residency. You could use it in your case if you could not get a B-2 visa. But because of the immigration intent with this visa, it will take more time to get. It could take anywhere from 3-9 months. Depending on the processing time for visas in China.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-04-29 11:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhere do we get my fiancee's birth certificate translated?
QUOTE (Jeff/In-In @ May 2 2008, 02:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
UNITED STATES NON IMMIGRANT VISA PROCESSING DOES NOT REQUIRE TRANSLATIONS FOR DOCUMENTS IN INDONESIAN LANGUAGE.

ACCORDING TO THE LIST OF TRANSLATORS IT ALSO STATES THE ABOVE INFORMATION. DID YOUR WIFE'S INDONESIAN BIRTH CERTIFICATE NEED TO BE TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH? blink.gif helpsmilie.gif


Technically K-1 is non-immigrant, but it is processed by the immigrant visa unit. The checklist asks for all documents to be translated.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-05-03 11:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhere do we get my fiancee's birth certificate translated?
QUOTE (Jeff/In-In @ May 2 2008, 01:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
How do we have my fiancee's Indonesian birth certificate translated to English and legalized? unsure.gif helpsmilie.gif


http://jakarta.usemb...ar/Sworntra.pdf

A list of translators that have registered with the US embassy in Jakarta
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-05-02 01:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWork authorization at some port of entries

I'm surprised that Newark doesn't...being that is one of the most heavily populated with immigrants entering in and out... :huh:


yea but jfk is so close to newark, that they might figure that people from new jersey could (almost) just as easily fly into jfk


Some airlines go to one, but not the other. So it may not be that easy to do.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2007-07-27 14:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWork authorization at some port of entries

Hello everyone,

I've read here under the K1 visa chart, that some port of entries will stamp your passport with a termporary work permit if you ask them.
It mentioned JFK and NY airports. Does anyone know if these are the only POE that will issue this, or are there any others. I fiance would be coming from Central America so most likely the POE would be Miami or Houston. Has anyone entered any of these and received this work permit.

Would appreciate any insights. Thank you,

Kitkat


No other airports that I know of give the work authorization stamp.


i have heard that jfk is the only one that issues the stamp...one option is simply to take a detour and make a connection in nyc...just make sure than jfk is the first airport that you enter on us soil...it might be worth the inconvenience (is that spelled correctly?)


Some airports outside the US, particularly in Canada and Ireland, do preflight immigration. But really I don't think its worth it, unless you either have a job lined up, or you have skills in a profession that will allow you to get a job right away.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2007-07-27 12:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWork authorization at some port of entries

Hello everyone,

I've read here under the K1 visa chart, that some port of entries will stamp your passport with a termporary work permit if you ask them.
It mentioned JFK and NY airports. Does anyone know if these are the only POE that will issue this, or are there any others. I fiance would be coming from Central America so most likely the POE would be Miami or Houston. Has anyone entered any of these and received this work permit.

Would appreciate any insights. Thank you,

Kitkat


No other airports that I know of give the work authorization stamp.
Dan JMaleIndonesia2007-07-27 11:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan the USC use public funds (Medicaid)?
QUOTE (jen_and_nate @ Aug 10 2008, 05:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi,

My fiancé (UK) is going to be filing for a K1 visa soon, but I have a question about me using public funds. I know that the person immigrating to the US cannot use public funds, but can I (the US Citizen) use public funds? I might need to use emergency Medicaid for an emergency room bill I just received. Is Medicaid considered public funds? Would it hurt our case (either for the K1 or for when he adjusts his status) in any way if I use Medicaid this one time?

Thanks so much!


Using medicaid is not a problem. However, if you qualify for the program, do you have the necessary income to sponsor an immigrant?
Dan JMaleIndonesia2008-08-10 19:34:00