ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPort Of Entry...Dublin, Ireland?!!!!
Also, I'm under the impression that not ALL flights from Dublin do the immigration in Dublin, just certain airlines...and it hasn't always been reliable - ie sometimes flights on xyz airline are pre-cleared, sometimes they are not. So.....if she goes through Dublin and doesn't go through POE, not to be concerned either, just make sure she gets through immigration in NYC when she lands if it hasn't happened already.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-06 12:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTravelling during the Visa Process

Thank you Nik+Heather! That is very good to hear that my fiance visiting my on the visa waiver program shouldn't be a problem!!

Because she be visiting me for 3 months, she will lose her employment and she doesn't have an apartment (living with parents). Will not having employment and not having an apartment lease be a problem for her? She definitely has enough funds to support herself and will definitely have a return ticket.

When she gets to the POE, should her purpose of visit be vacation (which is the truth). Also must she say that she will be staying with her fiance?

When your fiance visited, did he say that he will be staying with his fiance?

Also, are processing times for the K-1 visa faster for countries like those in the visa waiver program? Or do all applications take about the same amount of time?


Really, it's up to the officer you get that day. Nik visited for 88 days or so and we went through the POE together, so the officer knew he was in a relationship. He didn't have a documented job - which as you say is part of what enables people to visit for so long! but he was able to say that he helped his parents in their store, and that he lived with family, so he didn't have most of that list either, and they still let him in. Honestly, there are some stories out there where people were denied entry on the VWP, but it is my opinion that they had extenuating circumstances such as: Too many days in the US already, or they were being suspicious (NZ citizen trying to drive over Canadian border w/ a lot of stuff, for example)

I think it may make things worse if she tries to pass off her visit as a casual thing and THEN it comes out she has a fiance (though even this has not been a deal breaker before). Aside from the time where he entered with me, Nik actually showed the receipt notice for the petition as part of his proof that he was going to follow the rules about immigration.

The processing time for the petition does not depend (at all!) on the country of the beneficiary. Some consulates are slower than others, and some consulates (mainly middle east/north africa) consulates also have frequent additional processing delays, but Japan isn't one of them. There's a timeline function on here and you can look at your embassy statistics to get a better idea.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-11 15:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTravelling during the Visa Process
So firstly, I've seen other reports that CBP actually can NOT see if you have a pending petition. Secondly, if you're traveling on the visa waiver program it is totally possible (we did it!), dare I even say "EASY" to get into the US to visit even if you openly claim a relationship with a US citizen and show them proof of your pending immigration petition.

Check out the FAQ regarding visiting during the K-1 process: www.visajourney.com/content/k1visit


Regarding the other poster's question I agree with Baron, especially on the 2nd back-to-back maximum stay trip it will be very much up to the border officer, how bad their day is, if they've had their coffee yet, the phase of the moon, etc.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-11 14:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresshould i use k-1 filing services
You're right, you DO do 90% of the work yourself, and it's the hard part. You have to dig out your documents like your passport and birth certificate. You have to remember all of your addresses for the past 5-10 years. You have to get your tax transcripts, You have to ask your parents to spell the name of the town where they were born. These filing services might have their own form where you'll fill out all this information, and then they will just re-format it. If you give them junk information (spell a middle name wrong etc) then they aren't going to be able to check it to ensure it's free from error. Also, I promise you that absolutely NOT ONE PERSON on this planet aside from you and your SO have as much interest in making sure your forms are correct than you do. If you want some one to double check your work or get some fresh eyes on it, why not take your mother or a good friend out to dinner as thanks for going over your packet for you - even at a reasonably nice place it's cheaper than the service, and you might get more care.


The checklist on VJ here has gotten hundreds (thousands?) of people through the process successfully, so no worries about an incomplete list of forms there. We used it all the way through the green card and no problems so far (not on VJ's side at least! :))

Maybe for some people with complicated cases (and I mean complicated - criminal records, domestic violence, multiple immigration attempts (failures), etc) more help is needed, but a visa service isn't it - they need lawyers, good ones.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-12 16:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 or K-3???
There is a lot of scatter in the data for how fast a petition will be processed. On average a K-1 petition is processed faster than a CR-1 petition. But, the slowest K-1 may take longer than the fastest CR-1, so there are no guarantees either way in terms of processing. Also, CR-1 is a superior visa. The beneficiary (immigrant) arrives as a permanent resident, and there's no hassling around with immigration for a couple of years, whereas with the K-1, getting the visa is only HALF the process! K-1 is also more expensive.


However, with a K-1, you can start the process immediately after being engaged (provided you have met in person at least once before). If you are apart, then in order to do a CR-1 visa, you have to plan another trip and a wedding before you can start processing, so that means that for two couples who get engaged on the SAME DAY, the one who pursues a K-1 and starts immediately can have a months long head start on the couple who takes time to plan and perform a wedding before they start their paperwork. So really a lot of that delay would be under your control, but depending on what sort of wedding you'd like should factor into your time calculations.

We picked K-1 for a different reason - we wanted to be together after we got married. With the K-1 you wait out the visa processing before marriage. With the CR-1, you wait out the visa after you get married.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-13 10:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresvalidity time frame for G325 and letter of intent
They don't think you're going to send it off before the ink is dry, but there is probably a "reasonable" amount of time after which they may become concerned that something has changed. Are you talking a few weeks or 6 months or something?
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-13 16:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHit a major snag... it may be over

I was not aware that was an option. Could you please explain how that works? Thank you


London has let K-1 applicants "self sponsor" by showing enough of their own assets to support themselves. Just be aware that the I-134 allows a lot more consular discretion than the I-864 does, so you'll want to make sure that you're not simply delaying your problem. So if your fiance is going to sell his house or something the profits could be used to show that he won't become a public burden. Then, when you're married, the whole what's mine is yours thing kicks in and it may also be enough to get you over the income shortfall.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-11 15:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHit a major snag... it may be over
You might consider getting another job working for the man and giving up your self-employed business for a while. I'm sure it's not a palatable idea for you, but at least then you would have some traditional income to claim. You wouldn't have to wait for it to show up in your tax returns, just get some pay stubs for your guy to show your current income meeting the requirements. Or, take the tax hit and don't deduct your business expenses.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-11 14:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIt's possible I made a mistake... is it too late to fix?
Another thing which may be helpful to you is that the embassy is not supposed to re-adjudicate based on evidence available to USCIS at the time of the petition approval - so, if the USCIS approved your petition with these pictures they "shouldn't" be able to use them against you. Of course, that doesn't mean that they won't be looking for something else...

You and your fiance should read through the embassy reviews to see how others have reported their embassy interview experience and be prepared. Forewarned is forearmed!
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-13 10:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage possible?
Well, yes, he can visit during the K-1 process. He can visit during the CR-1 process as well. People from the UK (married and unmarried) do this all the time. If you don't want to spend more time apart, then continue with the K-1. quitting now and going for the CR-1 means you just wasted another month (at the very least!) and the CR-1 processing is a bit longer than the K-1, so he'll be here months later than he would be if you just stuck it out with the K-1. Plus, you can stay together after the marriage with the K-1.


By the way, when a K-1 holder enters the US, and marries their petitioner, they are allowed to (expected to, actually!) adjust their status to permanent resident (green card holder), and they do NOT have to go home. That's the purpose of the visa - to come to the US and after marriage, stay here permanently. We were sort of confused when we were first dating, because we thought he had to get the K-1 and then also get a spouse visa, so I thought I would mention that in case you also had the same misunderstanding we did at first.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-14 23:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHi Everyone! New to this whole procedure and a bit nervous

love this thread! we're starting our 129-F package as well.. question about the photo, though.. are scanned photos ok and printed on paper? or does it have to be on kodak gallery? thanks!


They aren't looking for works of art. So long as the people are recognizable, they don't really care. FYI: Full page photos (4 or so pictures per page) with nice margins fit better into the file. :)

Edited by Nik+Heather, 12 October 2010 - 12:35 PM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-12 12:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHi Everyone! New to this whole procedure and a bit nervous
Hey Kristin,

Looks like you've gotten a lot of help in this thread so far. I hadn't seen anyone reference a few links that we found extremely helpful though. One of those is the example forms at the top of the page, or the embassy reviews where you can confirm what others have been saying about the (lack of) need for extensive documentation of relationship/conversations etc. for most London couples.

Regarding your question about visiting, check out the FAQ which has a list of examples for what is used to show proof of ties. We found that list very useful, and especially the receipt notice helped Nik get in on his short visit after the petition was sent. http://www.visajourn...content/k1visit

Take those forms one page, one field at a time and just work your way through them, and then soon you'll look around, and it will all be done!
Best wishes!
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-27 11:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGetting married while in US versus applying for a K-1 visa later
If you want to get married in Taiwan, then there is only the CR-1 option.

If you're OK with getting the legal parts over with and then do a ceremony later, then you can do the K-1 or even the adjustment route first.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-18 19:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAfter the I-129F
I have a few resources for you - There is a bar at the top of the page it's blue with white text (I'm being descriptive because sometimes people have trouble finding it.....it starts out Home, Forums.... Make your screen as wide as you can because it wraps funny)

There are some really important links up there One is guides. Maybe you already found that one - Under the K-1 heading on the left hand column there's the K-1 flowchart. This will give you an overview of the time involved and the major steps.

Farther to the right is Wiki - put in UK, and you'll come up with a few pages. Your fellow members have put in a lot of time to get the information in there. There are links to other pages and forums and threads.

The next heading you should check out is Embassy Info on the line immediately below that. You'll look up the London, UK embassy and there's a whole bunch of useful information about contact info, the medical and most importantly, a LINK to the electronic Packet 3. This is the same web link that arrives in the mail when the embassy invites the petitioner to apply for the visa once the approved petition gets to London. There's information on the medical, a list of all the forms you need, and all the documents which need to be collected.

Lastly, to the right of embassy info is Reviews: Embassy/USCIS Click on the word Embassy and find the London, UK embassy in the drop down. There, you can read lots of other users' experiences at the embassy interview, and what sort of questions they were asked, and how they spent 100's of hours collecting relationship info which sat in their bag gathering dust since no one looked at it.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-20 12:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting the US while awaiting NOA2 arrival
I find that traveling during the holidays seems to be even easier than usual. Also, when Nik visited during the process, he found that showing the receipt notice (NOA1) was quite helpful to him when he was pulled into secondary.

The list of things to show proof of ties isn't a list of requirements, it's a list of examples, bring a few of those things and you're fine. You don't need all of them, and maybe there are some things which aren't on the list which could help you. For example, while I would never recommend that someone do it on PURPOSE, when Nik came to visit me once, he had been unable to print out his itinerary showing his return ticket. But, he had a copy of an invitation to a wedding we were attending, and the NOA1, and some records of our plans to visit Hawaii, and that all satisfied the officer. The LAST piece of evidence Nik showed before the officer made the decision was the NOA1.

You're not likely to run into any troubles, in my opinion. People visit the US all the time and only a small percentage get turned away.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-25 12:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat was the hardest part of the process??
I'll refine the "waiting is hard to do"

Waiting isn't so hard, it's waiting without any idea of when it will END is the hardest part. If someone said that you'd be approved exactly 100 days from now, not one hour more or less, then it's a lot easier than if someone says that it could be anywhere from 30 to 180 days of waiting. It was the uncertainty and the inability to have control over our lives etc. which was the hardest part for us. Once Nik had the visa (in June) the time we waited for him to arrive (in October) went by much faster, and was a great deal easier to bear.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-25 12:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAmerican birth certificate information- quick question!

Aw man... I also added the Certificate Number, Date, and Place it was issued. I really hope I do NOT get an RFE for this...

The example DID NOT have the "ONLY fill in for Naturalization" when I was looking at it, or maybe it did and I somehow missed this when I QUADRUPLE checked everything... but! If you look at the form, it clearly looks as if it doesn't matter which one you check, I believe that they still want that information filled out even for a Birth Certificate.


Heh. Well....I also didn't look at the example forms while I was filling things out :blush:, and found a number of my Birth Cert and just put that in there as well.We didn't get any RFEs
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-25 19:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAmerican birth certificate information- quick question!
Hey, you've gotten some really good advice already. I think that you may have overlooked an extremely useful section of this website. At the top of the page there is a blue bar with some white text on it (stretch your window sideways, because the text wraps funny if your window isn't wide enough). They are links to valuable resources. The one you're looking for at the moment is "example forms" on the second row. There, you should be able to navigate to the example I-129f. it explains on that document that the number is only for the naturalization certificate.

It may be a good idea for you to read through the rest just in case there are any other errors for you to correct!

Edited by Nik+Heather, 25 October 2010 - 05:14 PM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-25 17:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresneed information re: embassy in London
For status updates like you're talking about you can call DOS - just do a search here on VJ (upper right hand corner) for DOS phone number. I don't have it memorized, but that's how I find it. I think it starts with 202....
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-01 12:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshow to close my petition
Amy, my first thought was about your concerns you shared with us a few weeks ago about possibly needing the waiver. I know it must seem daunting and hopeless especially while things are still uncertain. If I were him, I'd have been kicking myself day and night for the last 3 weeks, and maybe it just sort of exploded this weekend.

Don't do anything hastily or in the heat of emotion. If it were me, I wouldn't take any action which didn't agree with my feelings. If I didn't want to break up, I wouldn't withdraw the petition - make him make the final decision about letting the visa die by not responding. I know you don't want to get anything in the mail, so maybe you ask someone to check the mail for you. When something from USCIS comes, have them just put it away in a safe place. Discontinue your email/text message updates from USCIS, etc.

I don't think you're shopping around for a foreign spouse, with one waiting in the wings, so there's no need to be in any hurry to close things out with USCIS. They put dates on things so unpursued petitions can die a natural death.

Thinking of you... <3

Edited by Nik+Heather, 01 November 2010 - 09:18 AM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-01 09:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDoes my fiance need a copy or the real NOA-2

You'd be surprised what two govt agencies can lose. :lol:


Especially when A passes it to B, who passes it to C, who passes it back to you, who passes it to D, who passes it back to A.

True story!!
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-27 13:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDoes my fiance need a copy or the real NOA-2
You need to keep the originals in a safe place. Don't mail them anywhere unless specifically asked to by a government official - and then consider sending them with something a little more secure than regular old first class - it costs lots to replace them!!!
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-27 12:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Application UK to USA

Thanks for the latest comments. It really is a huge support to get these messages. I think the most irritating aspect of all of this is the unknown, fuzzy waiting we all have to do, whilst seemingly nothing is happening. I am going to join up to the September filers to see how we compare to the rest. Does anybody know the protocol on travelling to the US whilst the application is pending and what impact, if any this has on one's application?


Yeah, it's definitely not the waiting that got me (though I would have rather avoided it) it was not feeling like we had any control, and not being able to tell when the waiting could end! That's why I liked the statistics and later watching Igor's list (there's a link in that immigration timelines link I mentioned earlier).

As for visiting, it is TOTALLY POSSIBLE! I might even say "easy" regarding UK-US visits. Check out the FAQ: visajourney.com/content/k1visit Don't worry if you don't have every single thing on that list. Most visitors get in with just the return ticket. Nik visited me after the petition was submitted and they didn't give him (too much) trouble. There's always a possibility for denial, but it's pretty small for VWP.

Edited by Nik+Heather, 02 November 2010 - 05:21 PM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-02 17:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Application UK to USA
Do you like statistics? Check out the link at the top of the page called Immigration Timelines. It's white text on the top blue bar. You might need to stretch your window sideways because it wraps funny. There are lots of bits of data and charts to look at. I looked at it quite a lot when trying to set a date for our wedding, and may help you with setting your expectations.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-02 16:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCBP Officer at POE Lost my Husband's K1 Packet!!
Dodi,

I know it's hard, but it is not time to panic, yet. Honestly, I really doubt that they would just throw out immigration papers at the POE. I'm sure all of the immigration packets go to the same place, and yours probably went there as well. As was mentioned, you don't get any letters when a K-1 enters. It's in your court to apply for AOS. Do as you can on your side, and with this knowledge, do it sooner rather than later so at least you don't have to be wondering about stuff for very long.

Even if it's lost (I actually don't think it is, myself, given what you've said - maybe something got left out), you can't do anything about it. Keep up your side of the deal (by applying for AOS), and see what happens. We're all here in case you need help later.


(breathe in, breathe out) You guys are together now, and you'll be able to stay together, so that's the most important thing!

Edited by Nik+Heather, 03 November 2010 - 04:43 PM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-03 16:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHelp- Interview question
I think Ameribrit's idea is the best, but here are two others for you:

Although London doesn't seem to have the same administrative nightmares when it comes to rescheduling, I'd be tempted to keep the original interview date. Bring the "destroyed" police certificate with you. If they won't accept it, they will give you a slip of paper and tell you how to mail the new one in with your passport.


If you really want to reschedule instead, what you do is call the extortion line, then tell them what happened and ask if you can/should reschedule your interview. If they say yes, they'll also give you some email instructions (and super secret code) to make your request.

Edited by Nik+Heather, 05 November 2010 - 09:32 AM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-05 09:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresChange of address advice
Sorry, are you the petitioner or the beneficiary?

If the petitioner, you should consider that they may not forward any mail from the USCIS. This could be a big problem if they send you an RFE. Or, if your NOA2 (something they like to see with AOS, but not strictly necessary as some have found) . Likewise with what the other poster said, it can be a huge headache to deal with an address change. Couldn't someone just check your mail for you? Maybe a neighbor could pull it out of the box, and your mother could stop by to go through it every couple weeks instead...? Actually, that sounds almost as bad as changing your address with USCIS, doesn't it. :D

If the beneficiary, I wouldn't worry about it. You can track your case, and you don't need to be at home (or even physically receive) the "packet 3" letter.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-03 12:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F Question 18 - What to do?
As far as the petition and question 18 go, yes, they are interested in if you meet the requirements to file. The two important ones for you are if you have physically seen each other in the past 2 years (So in Q 18 you say "Met in London, April 2010" or something - and then attach a copy of your passport stamp or boarding pass and maybe a photo or two. Then you're done with that one.


The other thing is that you need to be eligible to marry when you file the petition, so if there's any waiting period after your divorce etc, that needs to be waited out before filing.


Generally, no, London doesn't care much about relationship evidence, but I can't really say how they would treat a repeat petitioner. It WILL come up when you have to answer if you've ever petitioned someone before, so the way I would attack it is by making a relationship timeline which would show when your previous marriage was emotionally over even if it wasn't legally over yet, and how that fits in with your new relationship.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-05 09:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresJust Beginning...Need my UK fiance' here yesterday.....
Some of the phrasings in this thread have been pretty harsh. No one in love appreciates having their relationship called into question. But, I think kenny's right from an overall point of view. And there's a lot of perfectly needless "Poor victimized me!!!!" in this thread.......I know online couples can feel pretty defensive sometimes (we are, I've felt it) but get a grip on it, especially here - because a lot of us are in that same boat. I've learned to own and embrace our relationship and how it evolved. The more you play up and the harder you defend the unusual-ness, the stranger and more suspicious it feels to 3rd parties, and the cycle continues. Treat your relationship as normal and true, and so will others.

There are a lot of people who feel like they are in love based on their online relationships. One day they meet, and sometimes all their dreams come true. Sometimes it doesn't work out. On VJ, we don't hear from that second outcome because they never make it this far, but they are out there. And, until you do meet, you'll never know which side you're on! I think it's really great that our relationships which started out online came to such beautiful fruition when we all met in person, but to assume that anyone who feels in love in a virtual relationship will absolutely just keep growing when they meet in person is just silly.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-03 16:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresJust Beginning...Need my UK fiance' here yesterday.....
Hey Dawn!

When we were trying to figure out the ins and outs of international travel, and Nik was planning his first visit here for us to meet for the first time was the first time we'd heard about the K-1 fiance visa and the first time we found visa journey. It was all...tee hee, a fiance visa? We had barely decided to be exclusive. haha. We found out what others have already told you, which is that what you really want is the visa waiver program. Sometime before his trip, he'll register online with ESTA and then hop on a plane to see your smiling face in person! :D

Since you're considering permanent immigration, make sure you read (& listen to when in person) all questions posed by representatives of the US government (even on the VWP visits) very carefully and answer them completely truthfully. Although that sounds sort of obvious, there are a number of people who find that what they felt were innocent misunderstandings are actually misrepresentation (this results in a ban from the US). Particularly the questions about ever being arrested or convicted etc. When they say "ever been" Yes, they mean that one time 15 years ago too. ;)


Meanwhile, I'd like to draw your attention to the many resources on this site. You'll find links to them at the top of the page (blue bar, white text - stretch your screen sideways, because the text wraps funny). Someone's already mentioned the guides they are so so so so so great!!! More on those later. Also, you had asked about how long things might take. Then you should look further to the right at Immigration Timelines and you can see all sorts of statistics as you look through the different links there. Although there is data for the K-3, due to some policy changes, you should really restrict yourselves to comparing the K-1 and CR-1. As you're reading the guides, look through the list of evidence you'll need to produce for your future petition - things like passport stamps and boarding passes. Get copies of these when he arrives and put them into your newly created immigration folder. Trust me, it's easier doing it now than having to dig them out months/years later! Finally, I want to show you where the Visa FAQs are. One in particular might be useful to you now: Visiting FAQ I know it says it's for people already in the process, but it has useful tips for successfully entering the country for anyone who is in a relationship with a US citizen. You don't need the whole list of items, but a good selection of them would be good, especially a print out of his itinerary showing the dates of his RETURN TICKET!

Good luck and happy visiting. :)

Edited by Nik+Heather, 03 November 2010 - 08:14 AM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-03 08:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDS 156 K - Please could someone help me :)
Oh, I'm sure about the documents vs. forms for which to mail in - just not the checklist thing. :)
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-05 15:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDS 156 K - Please could someone help me :)
Mail the forms, hand carry the documents. Forms being things that you fill out and return, documents being things which you do not write on - like birth certs, police certs etc. If you like, you could copy them and then attach them, but I wouldn't let the originals of those get into the mail. No sir!

They have recently made some changes, so maybe the DS-2001 is the checklist? That's what the thing we call the 'checklist' was intended to do - it says something like, I have collected the following required evidence, and I am ready for my interview, right?

I looked up that form, and that's almost exactly what it says. heh. I tried to follow the links on here to remind me of what forms and such were needed, but honestly this is one of the big holes in my understanding of the process. Nik pretty much did the research and consulate part on his own. :)
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-05 13:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat to bring to interview? (UK)
I don't notice any glaring things missing from your list.

I wonder if you've missed some of the valuable resources on this site.... First there are the embassy reviews (Check the blue bar at the top of the screen w/ white text. Those are links! Stretch your window sideways to make sure you see them all) everyone is encouraged to put their reviews in there. Second, there is a forum for all of us UK folks, and the interview thread is always on the front page. It's very long, but I think this year we tried to set it up with a lot of the information at the beginning of the thread.

Good luck!


Edit to add response to PP: London doesn't really ever look at relationship evidence (Unless the beneficiary is from a high fraud country etc and only interviewing through London because they are living there currently)

Edited by Nik+Heather, 08 November 2010 - 05:57 PM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-08 17:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresForm I-129 F
Since K-1's require quite a bit of proof that you will marry each other, I would definitely expand and talk about the circumstances about why she was here in the US, what state she lived in, exact number of times you went to Peru, when exactly you proposed to her. You should be aiming for a good long paragraph at the minimum, and probably more like a full page.
CatrachoMaleHonduras2010-05-29 18:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhere do I begin?
I did not read every page on here, so I'm not sure what conclusion you came up with or are going to proceed with, but honestly, I wouldn't do anything at all in terms of trying to get her papers. There is such a double-standard when it comes to immigration. By this I mean look at what's going on in my state of Arizona right now. The Federal Government is trying to sue us so we cannot enforce immigration laws, AGAINST THOSE WHO ARE ILLEGALLY! However, those who try to repent and do the right thing, they show no mercy. It's BS in every way possible. How does that make sense? Those who try to apply and come here legally without ever being here illegally, they run them through such a rigmarole that it's almost ridiculous, but don't mess with those who made it across the border illegally because that would be wrong (being facetious here). So in short, I would stay with her because apparently the federal government is not going to do anything about it anyways, and perhaps pardon all those who are here sometime in the future. That's what I would do. The government makes you pay when you try to be honest and do the right thing. I'm just lucky my wife was never here.
CatrachoMaleHonduras2010-06-26 14:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresa couple of questions about k-1
I can only help with question #4, your husband should be able to attend the interview with you. On the US embassy website for Ankara they stated that "it is not required but is useful"...I went to my husband's interview in Seoul and they asked me questions also. So to answer your question, he will be able to enter the embassy with his US passport...sorry I couldn't be of more help but I'm doing a CR-1 in Seoul
KourtFemaleIran2010-08-08 20:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures45 days after interview and no news from FBI name check
I had a friend who had to get a FBI name check to teach in Korea, it took him 3 months....I'm just hoping we hear something soon, the waiting is driving me crazy
KourtFemaleIran2010-08-13 09:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHonest opinions please :)
Our experience with the visa part of the K-1 process was very smooth. London has clear requirements, and there's very little second guessing involved.

The AOS process, however, has been a headache for us (and others).

If we were doing it all over again, I would seriously have considered going the CR-1 route - visa and green card all in one step. It's much cheaper too!
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-20 19:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting the US while K1 is processing

50/50 % chance of being turned away.

Strong ties is looked upon more in your favor.

Going through the K-1 doesn't give you anymore weight, indeed, it may work against you, since you might be planning on immigrating on this visit! :ph34r:

However, Canadians are given more lee way than others - so just be prepared and answer honestly.


50-50 is pretty chancey. If it was actually 50-50, especially from Canada, we would see a LOT more "They didn't let me in!!" threads.

I'll be conservative and say it's more 95% get in, 5% don't. (I think it's probably better than that)

An 8-12 week visit isn't that long considering that Canadians are usually stamped in for 6 months.

Check out the visiting FAQ for a list of proof of ties. Nik has been granted entry all 3 times he came over to visit - once for 90 days, and another time during the petition processing. I always advise that the most important thing to bring is a return ticket, but if you don't have one for some reason, the other proofs will do you just as well (we have personal experience - printer ran out of ink!).

http://www.visajourn...mp;page=k1visit
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-22 12:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavit for Support

Hope you don't mind if I add a question, we seem in a similar situation.
I am a mom of 3 as well with an English fiance. I also am about to graduate medical school (in May). I will be matched to a residency program in February (start date of July 1), and this is a binding contract, but will not receive pay until my residency begins. Does anyone know if I can use this future income for my Affidavit for Support. Being in medical school for the past 4 years, I have not had income but obviously will have substantial future income, just wondering if this will count or if I need a cosponsor. Thanks and good luck to us all. :)


They usually look at current income - and frequently, if you start a job mid-year, you can show that you make X dollars per week * 52 (even if you only work 26 weeks in that calendar year) for your annual income. I would say, barring more experience with this sort of thing you should pursue one of two options:

1. Prepare the I-134 with your annual income as shown in your residency contract. Be sure to be clear about the start date and the amount. ALSO prepare a cosponsor affidavit of support to hold in reserve. Perhaps not necessary, but really, since the financials are up to the discretion of the person interviewing that day, it's hard to say for sure.

2. Delay his interview until after you have received your first paycheck. Then - No problem! Just return your packet 3 in late June, or shortly after the run of June interview assignments - London tends to do them all at once, once a month. Oh, Another delay tactic - attach a cover letter requesting a date after your start date, and send in in May. Of course, all this assumes that you'll be at that stage at all by then!

Edited by Nik+Heather, 22 January 2010 - 08:40 PM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-22 20:37:00