ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
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
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavit for Support

I know that I am going to need a co-sponsor for when I file my I-134. What I am concerned with is the procedure for this. Do I need to fill out a form as well as my sponsor?, or does the sponsor alone fill out the I-134?

I looked through the guides and just couldn't find the exact information I was searching for.

Who needs to fill out the form?

What paper work needs to be in there?

Any help would be great.


Both fill out the form.Both provide income information - though if you have zero income, you should provide a letter of explanation about that. Additionally, the cosponsor will need to provide proof of US permanent residency or citizenship (copy of green card, Nat. cert, birth cert, passport ID page....etc).

Please know that the London embassy can be quirky on the I-134, and the example forms which direct you to check "Do NOT intend to provide specific support" are not always accepted. Be sure that you and especially your cosponsor check that they intend to provide specific contributions. For yours, the same vague-ish statement about marriage and sharing everything etc. is OK, but the cosponsor should put something more definite, like if you were going to live with your parents and your parents were cosponsoring, they might put "room and board"
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-22 19:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAnyway to reissue a K1 after returning? Child medical
I haven't heard of too many cases where the visa was reissued, but all of them have criteria that you don't meet:

1. There was an emergency at HOME (ie, not one in the US, as you describe), which compelled them to leave to take care of it
2. There was still time left on their I-94

I seem to remember that they don't really extend your 90 days to get married either, so too much time may have passed.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-21 10:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSponsorship

thanks so much...at least I have something else to think about.


Yah, just add it on to the pile, huh? The process can seem overwhelming, especially at the beginning - when you have to make all the important decisions!
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-25 14:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSponsorship

Hi all...

I am just at the beginning of the K-1 process and came to sponsorship. I am a USC and my fiance' is from the UK. I am trying to bring him to the states. I was a stay at home mom for years, helping my one son through leukemia. Now I am a student and the only income I have coming in is child support. I know my income is way below what expected. However, my brother is willing to be a sponsor for my fiance'. He lives alone. What would his number of household be considering he will take responsibility to my fiance' and my personal family unit is 4? Does he include me though we wont be residing with my brother? Which form needs to be filled out for Affadavit of Support? Is he my co-signer or does he fill out alone?

Really need help! Thanks


The cosponsor household size for your situation is 2 - As he lives alone, his household is 1 Plus the immigrant being sponsored (I assume just your fiance) is 2.

For the visa process he will fill out an I134.

For AOS he will fill out an I-864 (NOT I-864A)

If you are just starting the process and money is an issue, you might consider a CR-1 marriage visa - much cheaper, and he can work right away when he gets here.

Edited by Nik+Heather, 25 January 2010 - 12:55 PM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-25 12:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 Income Question
I guess I really can't say for sure how having or not having an employer letter would affect the outcome of your visa interview, as I submitted an employer letter. The instructions for the I134 ask for an employer letter.

You can try to sponsor on your own with the previous years' transcripts/returns+W2s, and a current pay stub - if your interview is so early. You might be fine, but I wouldn't guarantee it.

The risk is that they may say that they require an employer letter or a cosponsor, and then you're scrambling to get something together, instead of being able to hold your cosponsor information in reserve to be handed over just in case.

Edit: typo.

Edited by Nik+Heather, 25 January 2010 - 12:06 PM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-25 12:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 Income Question

It has to be a permanent job, so find a co-sponsor. London allows them.


While I tend to agree with the ultimate advice, I'd like to elaborate a little on the statement that a permanent job is required.

Many self employed/contractor people successfully sponsor, yet they are not considered to hold "permanent" positions. However, since the job isn't permanent, they are sometimes asked to show an earning history - in the form of tax transcripts for previous years. This is the step where you'll get tripped up.

Anyway, since they probably won't be interviewing until May or later, it's a bit of a moot point, as EM will either be unemployed or (hopefully) in a new, more permanent position. EM, I'm sure you are already planning to work like crazy and try to get that internship turned into an entry level position by May, but I'll also agree with SunDrop that you need to have a plan B - someone to cosponsor the visa.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-25 09:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresShould we get a lawyer?
I asked a coworker of mine who also went through the immigration process, and the answer he gave me was that really, 95% of the work is something that the lawyer just can NOT do for you.

Need a birth certificate? Guess what? YOU dig it out.
Need info on previous residences? Guess what? YOU dig it out.
Need your medical (vaccination records) from childhood? GUESS WHAT! YOU dig it out.
I could go on all day. :)

The guides here tell you which forms, which documents, what counts as evidence, sample letters of intent etc. Many hundreds if not thousands of couples have successfully completed the immigration process without hiring a lawyer. If you are feeling daunted by the sheer amount of things to do, the best advice is to just take things one step at a time. Work your way though the forms and collecting the documents one by one, and soon you'll be done! :) There are lots of people around here who got taken for a several thousand dollar ride. At the very least you should get as far as you can and learn as much as you can about the process so that you can watch them like a hawk!!

There are a couple of complexities which might make consider a lawyer - serious criminal record (google "crimes of moral turpitude"), overstays, entering without inspection, or other inadmissibilities.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-26 16:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresShould the Petitioner attend the Interview?
The impact of the presence of the petitioner at the interview is highly dependent on the consulate involved. For the best answer, you could turn to the embassy reviews, or the interview discussion threads in the regional forums.

Naturally, the emotional support for the beneficiary may also be worth consideration regardless of the immigration aspect.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-27 12:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTo Marry or Not to Marry
I think you should check with other people going through Nigeria. My casual reading of their embassy reviews is that K-1s are frequently confused with people who are married because the legality of any ceremonies is in question. Better to make an air-tight marriage with all the paperwork and seals so there is no question, in my opinion. Also, the CR-1 visa is one process that results in a green card. We went the K-1 route, but I'm learning now that CR-1 would have been a lot cheaper and a lot less hassle.

If your Nigerian fiancee is going to be interviewing through London, please know that the relationship and other evidence will be scrutinized orders of magnitude more closely.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-28 14:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPassport stamp date is wrong!
Well, since the requirements are that you show proof that you met ONE time, I'd pick one of those three dates (within 2 years) that were stamped on that page and not worry about the rest.

I guess that's option one. Submit POE stamp and leave out other supporting evidence.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-25 09:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDenial of Entry - Impact on Process
Pushbrk, Can you answer the question about when the VWP denial of entry occurred in the visa process? If the denial happened after the part of the usual process when they check entries and exits, perhaps that is what caused the delay as they had to redo work that is usually already complete.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-26 21:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConfused on Packet 3 - can we mail in forms before we have police certificate?
I would not advise you to send in your packet 3 response and checklist until you have all the necessary things in your hands. What if the post goes on strike and it gets lost? What if you get it and your name is spelled wrong and you have to order a new one...and then the post goes on strike and it gets lost? Now you aren't prepared for your interview, and you're taking up a spot that someone who was prepared should have had. Also, when you are required to send in extra documentation to London, your file goes to the bottom of the pile. Where you might be approved in just a couple of days after going fully prepared to an interview, it could take 2-3 weeks sometimes for them to process your visa when you have to send in additional documents.

Get your papers in order, and then mail in the checklist which says that you have your papers in order. The police certificate for the UK only takes about 10 days, so, assuming you've already applied for it, it's not too much of a delay to make sure your ts are crossed and your is dotted.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-01 16:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresImmigrant to non immigrant
Could they mean that they simply switched departments at the embassy on who is handling your visa? Many times the K visas are actually processed and handled like an immigrant visa, so they get some attention from the immigrant visa unit at the embassy despite being "non-immigrant" visas.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-03 16:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDoes an overstay past the 6 month rule cause problems with I-129F?

Could you please explain, what does that mean to "misrepresent myself"? I have no intention of lying, or staying, or jeoprodizing our visa application in any way naturally. It was frightening enough when I was denied entry that one time - I was so scared and thought I was in trouble and that we might have problems with the immigration process we knew we would have to go through later on etc.. but I have since read on some VJ posts that it (the denial of entry) does not affect the approval decision.


http://www.lectlaw.com/def2/m127.htm - basically, misrepresentation is when you make a statement you know to be false in order to mislead the person you are making the statement to.

I wasn't meaning to imply that you were going to misrepresent yourself - only qualifying the statement for other readers. :)

You're right, if you are denied entry "without prejudice" (legalese for simply not admissible, but they won't hold it against you), then it won't affect the outcome of your visa decision.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-29 08:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDoes an overstay past the 6 month rule cause problems with I-129F?

Personally, for the sake of your future together, I wouldn't risk giving them any reason to disqualify or reject your visa.


What she's talking about will in no way jeopardize her K1 visa or adjustment. The only risk is that some CBP officer may deny her entry (being denied on a visit is not grounds for visa denial - UNLESS you are found to be misrepresenting yourself).

OP you got us all excited because you said the "Overstay" word, but as was mentioned, this isn't really an overstay, it's something else. :) Check out the visiting FAQ for ties to Canada which you may find you need to show this time. Also, when Nik visited between NOA1 and NOA2, showing the receipt notice was very helpful when he got pulled into secondary inspection.

http://www.visajourn...mp;page=k1visit

Edited by Nik+Heather, 26 January 2010 - 02:58 PM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-26 14:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting US while processing K1
Here's the Frequently Asked Question section where your question has already been answered.

http://www.visajourn...mp;page=k1visit

Take time to read it - it has a list of evidence that you may want to bring with you. Nik found that NOA1 from the filing was helpful in getting him through secondary inspection on his last visit.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-08 10:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiance lives in UK, but is Indonesian Citicizen
Here's what the state department has to say about Indonesian police certificates:

http://travel.state....ocity_3272.html (Drop down for Indonesia, Jakarta)

Police Records
Unavailable for applicants inside and outside Indonesia. Indonesian police certificates require initial processing at a local or village level, which is nonstandard in nature, can be subject to capricious decisions by officials and may require nonofficial payments to proceed further.”


Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-08 13:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiance lives in UK, but is Indonesian Citicizen
As others have said, if she is legally residing in the UK, she can go through the London embassy. Be sure to use her UK address, because that is what they will use to determine the consulate (not, as you would assume, the consulate you request!)

If she is not legally residing in the UK, then she should go home - the UK has called the UK government to arrest people who are not legal in the UK before - on a recently expired visa, no less!!

I can't speak on the official policy (obviously), but we have noticed in the UK forum that non-UK citizens, or UK citizens not born in the UK sometimes get tougher interviews, require more relationship evidence, and go through AP, so keep that in mind as you read up on the London embassy interview reviews, and I would consider "front loading" your petition, if I were you.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-08 12:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresnew here

i understand, but most the western union reciepts are small amounts 100 or even 200 bucks, at a time. i was thinking it would show that i helped her make ends meet.



Another person could think that you are in earnest and she has other reasons to stay with you than for love.

Another person could think that you are "buying" something.

I am not saying that either of these are true, but that money changing hands is not proof of anything, and can be (mis)interpreted in many ways.


The other things you suggest are good. I would think that a summarization (screen shot of your email folder with your correspondence with dates, for example, or your Skype call logs with dates and duration) plus a few clean but affectionate examples of emails from various time frames should be sufficient, along with a handful of pictures, and proof of visit(s). A binder is, in my opinion, over kill - not to mention expensive (in terms of printer ink and paper) for the amount of time a CO would look at it.

I was surprised that there were apparently *NO* interview reviews for your embassy (?!). I think it must be a bug with VJ, because I found an interview review in one of the members' time lines.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-08 13:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresnew here
+1 to Sundrop's advice about seeking out consulate specific advice.

I would NOT include Western Union receipts for any consulate. They can so easily be misconstrued. Evidence of relationship should be in the form of time spent together, demonstration of common interests, values and language, frequent and in depth communication, etc.

Edited by Nik+Heather, 08 February 2010 - 12:37 PM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-08 12:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswhat if Fiancee is in the US when package is sent from embassy
Usually the petition approval is good for a few months. So what if the case sits a little longer until she returns home? You should be able to find out on VJ what all is required for packet 3 without waiting for the actual thing to arrive anyway, so she can go home prepared to hit the ground running in terms of the visa application.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-08 13:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiling K1 this week and moving soon...help!
In theory, you shouldn't have any problems.....BUT, USCIS is notoriously bad at consistently and accurately changing addresses in their system. If possible, I would look at other options if I were you - have it mailed to your parents', for example.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-07 21:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhere is requirement for proof of relationship?

If I put myself in the place of a adjudicator I would not want to face my supervisor if someone appealed or objected to an RFE triggered by evidence that included a notarized document showing that the couple were together.


Just so you know, those adjudicators probably don't ever get reprimanded for being too cautious about something, and believe me, if I knew how to get them reprimanded (or whatever) for fake RFEs, I sure as hell would, along with a whole army of people from the AOS forums!

And if they don't get called on issuing RFEs against things which are FACTUAL (ie: Your medical (dated April 28, 2009) was more than 12 months ago), they certainly will never get in trouble for RFEs based on things which are purely a judgment call. As it's a judgment call, you'll never get USCIS to say one way or the other. The leave themselves open for a lot of interpretation - intentionally..
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-11 17:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVaccination waiver
This thread is a bit windy, and sometimes a bit dramatic, but I remember lots of information and discussion on the subject (I didn't re-read it)...

http://www.visajourn...h...=226545&hl=
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-15 11:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOpinions regarding leaving job
I wonder if you couldn't have an informal chat with your manager/supervisor or whatever? Explain what's going on and that you aren't going to give official notice (yet), but your timeline isn't under your control, will they work with you on the end date as it approaches?

London frequently sends out the interview notice with a number of weeks to spare. Maybe with the advance notice you could negotiate a real end date for the job with fewer than 3 months notice.

Also, air fare at the last minute can be expensive. You may want to book your tickets a number of weeks out if you're waiting for the visa to be issued then as well.


Of course, I speak from the position of having the visa in June and POE in October...Having control over our own lives does make the wait a little more bearable.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-15 15:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPROCEDURE AFTER I ENTER THE U.S.
And, immediately before you enter the US, make sure the guy stamping your K-1 to let you in at the airport takes that Do NOT open packet from you!!!! :wacko:

http://www.visajourn...howtopic=242253
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-16 14:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavit of Support + tax returns?
I would recommend that you get tax transcripts they are free, and comprehensive. No need to go digging through your old files or to make copies of a bazillion pages of tax returns. And you don't have to worry about things being incomplete.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-16 18:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFor the I-134 ..How much income, assets, etc. do you have to have for it to be approved?
If your income is insufficient, you can show liquid assets to make up the difference.

When trying to pass the I-134, you would be required to make up 3x the shortfall. However, I would encourage you to look forward a few more months towards AOS, where 5x the shortfall would be required.

For example: If a person makes $10k per year, and $18k is required for a household of 2, then there is an $8k shortfall. For the I-134, $8k*3 is required, so $24k in assets. For the I864 (for AOS), $8k*5 = $40k.

I warn you about the AOS, because it can be a huge difference, and if you already don't have the income, there's no way you can save that up in the limited number of months before you'll have to show sponsorship ability again.


So, once you figure out how much in assets you need to have, what counts as assets? You asked about your home. Typically only "liquid" assets are accepted. This includes cash, or anything you could sell to get into cash in a relatively short time I haven't read any guidelines specifically on the I134 or I864, but elsewhere, this is about 3 weeks. So, if your bank account(s) ie Cash, still isn't sufficient, the next question is about assets. Assets that don't usually count are: Primary residence, your only car, your CD collection...etc. Assets that might count: Value of your second home (minus mortgage owed), Second car (minus loan), assessed value of artwork (I mean like big time pieces - that you would PAY someone to tell you how much they are worth), stock portfolio....
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-18 14:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSpecific Questions
Hi,

Just out of curiosity, why don't you marry and go for the CR-1 via direct consular filing (DCF)?

Also, I'm not sure how far ahead in the process you have looked, but you will need to establish "domicile" in the US before he'll be issued a visa (K-1 OR CR-1). It's something you'll want to have considered before too long.

Deceased and teacher/coach are fine. (I put "Engineer")

Edited by Nik+Heather, 19 February 2010 - 12:04 PM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-19 12:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresk1 NOA2 timeline?
It can go faster, but H1Bs get processed in the spring, and we went about 2 months with no approvals last year, so -- could be that those filing shortly will have the usual average wait.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-21 13:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEngagment ring and bringing across the border...

My fiance Ben lives in Portland Oregon and I live in Abbotsford BC. He has been coming up to see me almost every weekend since 2008, so the border guards are pretty familiar with him and he is pretty used to their random searches etc.
A lot of times they would explicitly ask him "are you bringing an engagement ring'' and he had always answered no. The day that he did bring an engagement ring with him, they asked if he was bringing any gifts so of-course he told them about the ring. He was asked to go inside the office to pay GST which ended up being $420.00. It sucks, but if they ask you, then it's better to be honest. You never know when they will decide to search your vehicle.


UGH! Better to do what Nik did and wait for the lucky lady to come visit!


What strange rules. As others have said, most of those laws (at least in the US) are written against people trying to make a profit off things...
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-22 15:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEngagment ring and bringing across the border...

You will want to declare it, because if you say no and look uncomfortable and they search you and find it there could be more issues. Some people get through without having to pay duty, my fiance had to pay duty on mine. Bring the reciept as proof of the cost. They only charged us like $60 for my ring. If you explain that she will be moving to be with you probably within the year they might not charge you, if they do, keep the reciept as you can claim it back once you move.



WOW really?! Usually, this sort of stuff falls under "personal items", and unless it's over a certain amount, you don't have to say anything about it. Coming into the US, it's $10,000...
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-19 10:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurestwo questions about K-1

.... folks seem to be really harsh on the OP, he clearly said it was a mistake that he let one chat log slip through. It's done, he's now asking what to do about it in a positive and constructive manner.


I think sometimes people are talking to "those who come after" rather than the OP A lot of us regular posters like to think that some people just read around here, and sometimes broadening the subject or speaking in general might be helpful to them. Just think if someone stumbled on this thread before they sent any emails in and found a bunch of people saying "Oh, that will be no problem at all!" Then they might not be so careful, and create a problem for themselves. I think the OP did get some good advice, and the rest should be ignored/appreciated in the context I've just described. I do agree that some of the wording has been a bit harsh, however. :P
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-21 22:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurestwo questions about K-1

I agree, I just emailed my lawyer to address this. it's not being cute.I don't know what pertains to a Pakistan Engagement but my Khmer engagement is the same one that a married couple would go though. I will tell her to stop if it hurts are chances in our Process


It can. As Gary says, it HAS hurt other people's processes because they called each other husband/wife when they weren't married. You need to deliberately create "good" evidence of your relationship.

being engaged to someone there are times that joking or not u see the future ahead and sometimes that slips... and i alerady know the legal meaning of marriage andwhy it has weight in regards to ownership of property or monetary things ...


IF they ask about it, THIS is your answer. Now that the damage is done (you already sent it in) I think you're approaching this in the best way possible. I know in our wedding, there was a specific phrase that we had about the ceremony just being the public declaration of the "marriage which has already taken place in our hearts" You should help prepare her with an answer, but if they don't mention this one thing in one email, SHE certainly shouldn't bring it to their attention.

good luck. :)
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-19 09:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresmedical exam causes of failure
Nik's medical was delayed until he saw his GP about the high blood pressure readings they took when he was in. For that sort of thing, a trip or two to your regular doctor and a faxed note did the trick.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-26 00:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan someone entering on a fiancee visa leave the states before we are married?

Neither the fiance or spouse visa processes are arranged for "convenience".


You have a gift for understatement, push.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-03-01 15:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPetitioner Photograph

Use that photo as the photo that gets printed on the visa that gets glued into your passport.


:lol: I just got this image of some poor junior consulate worker stuck behind the scenes with a bottle of elmers and some pop-sickle sticks carefully gluing visas on passports....The mental image result looking like some horrible parody of a preschooler's construction paper art project... I think I may have been working too much this week. :D
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-03-01 21:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConfused….?!?!? Please read...

She lives in Ottawa, so we're hoping that it will be Montreal. I'm sure I sound like a total moron but to me, this is all confusing. The Sponsor forms are confusing. What to do is confusing. The DS-230 is confusing. Maybe I should stop complaining! I think what I'm more worried about is messing something up.


Tony,

The process may seem confusing and overwhelming at first, but if you want to do this yourself, the way you combat that confusion is by educating yourself. There is simply too much information for us to address each question one by one for each forums user. That would require a lot of duplication of effort, AND will be of lower quality in general, because something might be missed if you take such a piecemeal approach. You need to get on track to understanding the whole of the process remaining in front of you. Luckily, you've found VJ, and a lot of that information has been gathered for you here! I would also caution you against relying solely on the forums as none of us are lawyers. We are just people like you, who have gone through the process once (mostly), and if you're really afraid of doing something wrong, "Some guy on the intarwebs told me" isn't going to hold up much. Know as much as you can on your own first. :)

I'd like to point you to some resources which may help you to sort out the visa application process. There are a number of links at the top of every Visa Journey page. You've found the forums link, obviously, but there are some others which will help you. These are tried and tested through several cases.

Embassy Info - Once you sort out which Canadian Embassy you're going through (see wiki page below), it has listings of what other users have been asked for and links and all sorts of good information, including what you need for packet 3.

Reviews: Embassy/USCIS-POE - This link will let you read about other users' experiences during their interview at your embassy. They are a good mine for information, and can really help put your fiancee's mind at ease because she'll know what she's in for on interview day.

Example forms: Once you know which forms you need to fill out, there are some confusing fields on these things, because they are multi-purpose forms, some fields don't seem to apply to us. Check how your fiancee is answering against the example forms if you have any issues. If you still can't sort it out, then the forums would be a second choice. (No waiting for a response if you go to the example forms yourself). Plus, if the answer is in there you'll just be directed there anyway.

Canada Wiki page: (http://www.visajourn...ndex.php/Canada) Actually, I think that will help you with your which consulate question!



As if that wasn't enough information, I would also encourage you to take a time out and take a far sighted view of the process. For example, did you know that after the K-1 is all over with, you'll need to adjust her status after marriage for an additional $1010? Knowing what's ahead and what the headaches are there may help you prepare through the next process better (ie better preparation for medical headaches if you get her vaccines before the visa medical, and obtain a copy of the full visa medical before arriving in the US).

Here's the flowchart that will take you all the way to her getting the green card. http://www.visajourn...amp;page=k1flow

Edited by Nik+Heather, 07 March 2010 - 11:38 AM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-03-07 11:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan my US fiance just be refused time off for emmigrating/helping me move?
I would echo JQ's general points. Especially in the sort of job that Russ has taken (You say yourself he's picked something below his abilities so that it could be simple, low responsibility etc) the deal is you show up to work when they tell you, you work, you go home and relax. If you miss the first step, you're hosed. Any paid time off is actually a PERK! Time off really is at the discretion of the manager. It can be highly personality driven, which is unfortunate. As you say, however, it sounds like the job that awful woman (no question that she does sound like a witch!) is holding isn't very stable. Hopefully things will work out better!

Sure in salaried types of jobs the deal is different - typically because the jobs are more about what you can accomplish on a longer time scale and not just "warm body" types of things - There are some weeks where my boss doesn't really care where I am or when, how much overtime I have to work or if I'm gone for 3 hours over lunch -- so long as my report hits his desk on time. Although like the past two weeks there's been a panic where I've worked 60 hours (& no overtime pay), it also means there's more flexibility for negotiations regarding time off and shifting hours.

That's the give and take of the job he's picked, and I think he knows it...I'm sure we are all very sympathetic about your situation - I too hate it when I've been planning something and getting all excited about it and plans have to change, believe me! Maybe if Russ is still having these problems as it gets closer one of your friends or family can travel with you from the UK to ease the trip? I know Nik was glad for his Best Man's company & moral support on the emigration trip.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-03-07 13:27:00