ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresThe road ahead (K1)
If you don't mind I'd like to share my story just for feed back. This process is over all nerve racking and I and just very concerned that there might be road bumps in the future.

The story begins maybe 7 years ago when I started talking to Mary on instant messenger. We did not meet off a dating website, in fact I think it was our common tastes in music that really got us talking at first. She lived in Toronto and I lived in Milwaukee. We talked off an on, online & over the phone. We had other relationships, she went to college, I moved to Chicago for a better job. About 2 years ago we started talking almost daily over the phone and got the balls to finally meet in person. We really enjoyed each others company so we thought it would be a good move. I flew over to Canada in March of 06. We spent the next few months talking and thinking about it. She finally told her parents and since August of 06 we have seen each other at least once a month. Regular plane trips and I have started driving.

As things were progressing I found a nice Immigration attorney in my area that gave me a rundown of the process. We were talking about getting married and I saw the long road ahead. In April 2007 I proposed to Mary in Niagara falls. We were up in a tower were we could both see New York and Ontario. It was a great day - she kept shaking and crying (a good thing).

So here is where we are going from here. In the last week of November I am filing my petition for the K1 visa. Our wedding date is set for October 11th 2008. If the visa is issued early and not extended then we will have to get married in a private ceremony before the actual date.

Between my friends at Customs/Border Protection and the attorney I have been rather calm about everything . However reading online here and hearing everyones different stories it really gives me fear in what is really going to happen.

Once I apply for the K1 Mary still needs to be able to come to the US. I do not think that will be a big problem. My sister is getting married in March of 2008. I figure if she brings along a print out of the return ticket, a letter from her employer saying she is a current employee, and the wedding invitation that even if a border official questions her they would have no reason to refuse her entry.

I had thought that once the K1 is approved she would get her visa and then have 4 months to use it. What I read here tho is that she has 4 months to get the visa after being approved. Once she gets her visa is she forced onto a plane or something? If things happen too fast we need to be able to stretch the time out as much as possible. I want to apply early enough tho where any problems would not delay our marriage.

Once she is here and married it is my understanding that the following would have to take place. I don't mean each specific form or interview and what not - but more of a general task list:
  • Apply for adjustment of status
  • Get interviewed
  • Obtain a green card
  • Legally change her name? (confused as to when it goes into affect)
  • Apply for SSN
  • Obtain Drivers License
  • Get her on the auto insurance
  • Set up Joint Bank accounts
  • Apply for a Credit Card
  • Search for new employment
  • Go back and have a Reception in Toronto
I think the only other problems on my list will be the marriage license - there are notes about providing residency information (getting married in Milwaukee - no longer living in Wisconsin) as well as requiring both of us to bring our SS cards. I have written the clerk's office tho to get more information.

On the good side - I really enjoy reading other's posts here. We feel so 'un-normal' with doing this and reading other's stories really made us feel like we are not alone.

-Jon
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-07-29 12:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDo I need to hire an attorney?

Is it really 2k bucks for a good immigration lawyer? I'm too stubborn to pay such fees.


Mine was going to be close to 2k to file the K1, and 2k to file the adjustment of status.

With the help of this site we have decided to pursue the K1 on our own and go from there.
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-08-06 13:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE Check
Check written, added calling card logs, made a real nice shipping label that has "I-129F" and "ORIGINAL SUBMISSION" in red. Triple checked everything again.

...........it wont all fit in a priority envelope. *sigh*

I don't want to ship it with out paperclips so I'll have to find a thicker cardboard mailer for my petition.
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-08-07 22:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE Check
Thank you everyone - I re-wrote some stuff and narrowed down my evidence to really focus on the 5 trips that have entry stamps and one trip in particular with a lot of receipts ;)

I just spent $33 at kinkos and it's time to assemble my 2 binders (one for me and one for Mary)

Thanks again - I honestly could not have done it alone :)
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-08-05 22:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE Check
Thanks!

I understand 100% that I could get a RFE anyways, I just want to make sure I am not missing something. Something that someone else might have done as well when they filed. :)
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-08-03 10:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE Check
Thanks for the tips!

Anyone else have any comments?
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-08-03 10:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE Check
I have read the guides, looked at samples, read every RFE thread I could find. Spent a ton of time in research. Our problem is that Montreal is backed up :( so I dont want to chance having an RFE delay us further.

K1 Packet
  • Cover Letter
  • I-129F
  • Supplement / explanation of meeting
  • G-325A w / Photo (jon)
  • G-325A w / Photo (mary)
  • Birth Certificate Copy (jon)
  • Every Page of Passport Copy (jon)
  • Letter of intetnion to marry (jon)
  • Letter of intetnion to marry (mary)
Proof
  • 6 random photos (dated on back with names/location)
  • Flight Itineraries (jon)
  • 3 tickets for events during one meeting
  • hotel receipt for same meeting
  • copy of credit card statement showing the hotel and other foreign charges
  • Boarding Pass Copies (mary) one stamped/dated by customs
  • Copy of postmarked letter
  • Three recent emails
  • Engagement ring purchase receipt
  • 3 recent phone bills



........... I know the different between primary and secondary evidence. Looking thru all of this it is obvious that we have met. What I am unsure of is if it proves with out a doubt we have met in the last 2 years. I really really wish we had a datestamped photo! I could show the properties of some of the digital photos, I dont think you can change any of those settings (it says the details of the photo, the camera, date, etc). We started our blog site only a year ago and the domain names entries start the same time.

I just don't know what will make them not question that we have met in the last 2 years.

Thanks for all the help!
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-08-02 20:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBulky I-129F Submittal

Google 'ACCO'?


I did - but it really only yielded binders etc. Is it the 2 hole metal strap at the top of the page faster?
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-08-10 15:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBulky I-129F Submittal
Can someone post a picture of these ACCO fasteners?

I ended up using paperclips and rubber-banding the stack between cardboard so I could put it in a USPS tyvex envelope.
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-08-10 15:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurescheck not cashed yet. should I be worried?
QUOTE (vanessaandbrent @ Sep 23 2007, 09:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (wind @ Sep 22 2007, 12:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Sinuprit @ Sep 22 2007, 02:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I sent I-129F on August 13, check still not cashed yet, already no energy to be worried. sad.gif


did you try to contact them, just to make sure that they did not lose your application?


CSC is still taking a little longer than VSC to process applications. As long as you know they have it, there is not much else you can do by calling them, unfortunately sad.gif

timeline.gif

Helps everyone have accurate statistics! Thanks!
Vanessa



There are a bunch of August filers here that are waiting. I'm on my 7th week.
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-09-24 08:02:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionGardasil
Mary had her medical exam today. They told her she had to have the Gardasil. The first shot was $160. She'll get her second shot in a few months. The third shot is due in 6 months tho.

I think we'll have our interview in June or July ......

Have we figured out if all 3 shots are required before the interview?

Oh, and she is going to be 26 in 2 months... they said she needed it. She'd have to be 27 for them to let her pass without it.

Edited by jonandmary, 06 March 2008 - 10:50 PM.

jonandmaryMaleCanada2008-03-06 22:49:00
CanadaWorking for a Canadian client before EAD
It was my understanding as long as you are employed in Canada and paid in Canada that it is legal. I believe large international corporations do this often - I am unsure of the specific restrictions. In fact I was really hoping my Fiance could do something similar while we wait for the green card to be processed. If you want to get technical she would not be employed in the US. A part of this process may be a special work visa that the company would obtain for the employee (unsure?).

Granted immigration law is so confusing it will never be cut and dry - but I am going off of what my friends at Customs/Border Protection have told me.
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-07-29 10:20:00
CanadaDocumentation from the Bank for I-134

Lorry got a letter from them stating yearly deposit amount and the account balance


I'm worried about this too. I keep Very little money in the bank. Most of my money is in a brokerage account with Vanguard. I was able to get them to send me official statements (since I receive only electronic ones). But do they even care what is in our bank if we are above the 125% guideline?


Oh wow - you still have money after these past few weeks???? I only lost $700, good thing the majority of that was in my IRA and is a long term investment. Then again, I'm young my IRA is small - I think my father lost a crazy amount in his. Good thing he has 10 more years before he needs it.

I wouldn't think they care if a W2 shows the 125% guideline. I am worried because I have a full time job and a corporation I run on the side. I make enough with my full time job to not have to even mention the corporation. However what if one day I don't have that full time job ... for this process I'd much rather show a W2 then accounting books.

By the way - anyone have an e-savings account with HSBC? I just started one of those in lieu of the awesome losses I am getting with some of my funds. When I call their customer service it sounds like I am speaking with someone in India. I didn't know if there was a place to write or different # to call to perhaps get a letter from them.
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-08-15 07:37:00
CanadaNexus?
I just wanted to say that I wish the entire immigration process was like NEXUS. Their phone message said that they are packed but the best thing to do is email the case #, your info, and the dates you can go. I did that and got my interview date just hours later.

129F was received at the CSC 26 days ago. No check cashed, no NOA1. sad.gif
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-09-07 13:58:00
CanadaNexus?
Just got the approval letter....dated 08/10/07....... ???????

Here are some of the western sign up Centers they list:
Blaine, WA
Seattle, WA
Calgary Airport
Edmonton Airport
Winnipeg Airport
Vancouver Airport

I noticed when flying into Toronto the signs say "Canpass" or something like that and not Nexus. When flying out of Toronto the signs say Nexus. I'll ask what the deal is when I go, but I will mostly be driving from now on.
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-08-31 20:58:00
CanadaNexus?
just another update. nothing yet - everything has been taking about 8 weeks to process. he didnt expect me to see anything until mid-september. they received & processed my application july 11th.
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-08-29 14:37:00
CanadaNexus?
I called to get an update. They told me my application was still waiting approval by the US. So unfortunately I have to wait to October to go in. The application is good for 6 months after its approved. The lady was really nice on the phone.
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-08-16 11:29:00
CanadaNexus?

here goes my stupid question of the morning.... what is Nexus?????


Well my knowledge is limited to my observations while waiting in very long lines ;) and what is on this website

Its a card for low-risk travelers who are pre-screened and cataloged. Let me give you two scenario's that I am in once a month or so. 1) Super crappy Terminal 1 at Pearsons has over a 1 hour wait to go thru US customs and no line for US citizens. I would be able to bypass the line, scan my card, receive a scan of my eyeball, and a 1 minute wait to get the green light in/. 2) Waiting on the bridge between Port Huron and Sarnia where I have waited over an hour before to pay the toll and wait to go thru customs. Nexus has a special lane and takes that one hour and puts it down to 5 minutes or less.
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-08-10 13:11:00
CanadaNexus?
I want to use it for both driving and flying. I was just going to take the interview at Pearson instead of driving down to Niagara Falls. Do they book out far for interviews? I am assuming then they don't do it on weekends either? :(
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-08-06 21:04:00
CanadaNexus?
Sweet - there is hope yet!

I fly out on the 17th ;) I was really hoping I could go for the interview while I am there.....otherwise I dont plan to be back up until Thanksgiving (Oct).
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-08-06 13:16:00
CanadaNexus?

Wow, I imagined it would take a month, at tops. I sent International Money Orders for the fees, instead of paying CDN$80 on a credit card, figured I'd save nearly $50 with the exchange the way it is now. They seem to be advertising it more and more right now, too. "Get a NEXUS, it's cheaper and faster than a passport," is more or less what it says on the brochure.


Charge on card was $47.51 on 7/11
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-07-30 19:05:00
CanadaNexus?
Well the long lines while driving were bad enough that I wanted to apply for the NEXUS program. I believe this might help avoid some of those long lines at Pearson's Terminal 1.

I sent my app in and they charged my card on July 11th. I was not as careful with the NEXUS app as I was with the K-1. I think there is a few month gap in my employment history. I have yet to get a call or a letter. I was hoping to have the letter before the third week of August when I fly out to Toronto.

Thanks!
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-07-29 22:10:00
CanadaRate cut powers loonie above 99 cents US
QUOTE (misa @ Sep 20 2007, 06:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It's good news also for us who have savings in Canadian and are just waiting to transfer it over at a decent rate! smile.gif


its back to 99 cents
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-09-20 07:06:00
CanadaRate cut powers loonie above 99 cents US
Yea, I saw that. I keep telling myself we will move savings right when its 1.00 even. To simplify the process we might wait to see if it raises a few pennies over so that she can just transfer from her CAD RBC account to her USD RBC account for now.
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-09-19 07:29:00
CanadaOmygawd, I really did it...Wedding Dress
Congrats - my fiance picked out hers as well and ordered it last night smile.gif
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-09-19 22:41:00
CanadaMontreal review and story
Are the K3 interviews different than than the K1? I thought the K1 interviews would not allow the USC to be present.... does this mean I could go in with my fiance? possibly just not into the interview itself?

I was debating whether or not to go to Montreal depending on how much support and help I really can give.
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-09-29 23:44:00
CanadaCanadians and Americans - do you celebrate Oct or Nov?
Both.... Oct in Toronto w/Mary's family .... Nov in Milwaukee w/my family
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-09-29 23:28:00
CanadaWashington/BC border wait times redux
QUOTE (SonoranSongbird @ Oct 11 2007, 11:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thank you. That's very helpful.

I was wondering if Nexus might be a good idea. It's my parents who live in a border town, not us, but we almost always cross the border at least once a visit. That may change, though, since I don't think my parents renewed their passports.

It's actually freaky how empty the highway next to the Peace Arch is right now. It is only 9 am out there, but this is seriously doing my head in. It looks like we had "the rapture"!


NEXUS is soooooooo worth it. I got hassled last time going up for Thanksgiving. The officer was wondering why I left at 3am, why I had a suit with me, what I'm all doing, etc - took 20 minutes to get in. Driving back home the wait time was 1 hour at Sarnia. I passed in 2 minutes. Pulled right up and didnt say more than 3 words to the officer and I was on my way smile.gif

I have always watched this site - http://www.cbsa-asfc...mes/menu-e.html
jonandmaryMaleCanada2007-10-11 14:41:00