biggish data

where to get married

hi all !

my fiancé and I have been very quickly approved , first I129f received on May 1st, letter from embassy with interview instruction on June 14 ! i'm just waiting for my interview now as my readiness form has been sent back to the embassy

anyway, we are planning our wedding, but we 'd like to go to Mexico (3 hour drive only from AZ) in order to get married at his sister's place. the pastor is american but am i able to go abroad for Two days, time for us to get married even if the administration part will take place at the clerk house in Phoenix !

can we separate both process the legal one and the spiritual religious one so i can visit abroad?

thank you

regards

sandrine29

Not Telling

2014-06-28 07:01:00

Wow! Phoenix has moved up in the world since I used to live there -- it was hard to get non-stop flights even to major US cities, let alone London! Thanks for the info (even though I can never afford to fly British Air -- their flights always seem to be among the most expensive).

yeah ! LOL Phoenix, in now obvioulsy open to the world ! lol there are flights form Paris, direct but so far expensive !

then i agree with the British airways analysis, they are quite a bit of the top most expensive companies !

we will check out with some fare compare sites and see for the best

thank you

sandrine29

Not Telling

2014-07-10 15:08:00

The big drawback of the POE not being your destination is that you have to claim your bags, go through customs inspection and recheck them. If your stop is non-POE they can check your bags right through. Much more convenient.

I live in New York and can tell you there is no problem using JFK as your POE. The line can get a bit long sometimes, but they know what they are doing and will get you through with little or no pain.

thank you for that tip!

sandrine29

Not Telling

2014-07-09 15:26:00

As the others have stated, the POE is the first city you land in the US at. There are a few pre-screenings locations that are not in the US, but they do count as your POE. I personally will pay a fee dollars more for a flight that goes from Europe directly to Denver just so I do not have to worry about immigration (passport control) and customers (goods declaration). On my last trip from Frankfurt to Denver, it took almost an hour to get my luggage and exit the secure area. If I had a connection I would have to re-check my luggage, go thru security, and get to my gate. All I have to worry about is finding a shuttle or taxi to get me home. So I would vote for either a direct flight from PAR to PHX or from PAR to LHR to PHX. Just remember that each stop adds about 1.5 to 2 hours to the travel time and when you are talking about a 9-10 hour flight I would rather spend my time in the air rather than waiting at a gate for a connecting flight, YMMV.

Other than trying to make a connecting flight, the POE is up to you, your route, your wallet, and your schedule. I would recommend you give yourself about 3 hours to be on the safe side.

Good luck,

Dave

thank you Dave,

i flew over phoenix with a stop in Dallas and 3 hours stop over a trip lasting already 14h was enough !! lol so i agree !

we will try to make our best to match all criteria : price, stop, time during stop, and departure/arrival flight ! lol that's not the worse when we have been through all the process.

first, my interview next 29th of July (no prob obviously)

thank you again

sandrine

sandrine29

Not Telling

2014-07-09 08:48:00

The POE is the first place you touch down on US soil. There is no pre-clearance in London, so it will/can not be your POE. I also doubt that there is a direct, non-stop London to Phoenix flight. It goes from London to some major city in the US (New York, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, etc) -- wherever it stops first, that's your POE. That's where you need to be sure you have sufficient time to clear immigration and customs, reclaim your luggage and get it to the place to get put on your last leg of the trip to Phoenix. In most airports, that's at least 2 to 3 hours. Good luck!

thank you it confims that the first foot in the US is the POE wherever it is

there is some direct flights even from France ! LOL

and one flights Paris - phoenix with one stop in london. all is possible, i think i will just check the cheapest and with a long stop to be sure

regards

sandrine29

Not Telling

2014-07-09 08:43:00

My husband and I chose PoE based on the flights we booked on the website. My PoE was Detroit and my last stop was Key West. Choose any PoE that you think can get cheaper price of ticket planes. And yes, your PoE is the first stop you make in the US. Also, there are several Port of Entries outside of the US.

thank you !! you're kind and clear in your answer

that what i thought and wanted to do regarding flights fares lol

regards

sandrine29

Not Telling

2014-07-09 08:40:00

oh i forgot....lol

what about if you 've got a correspondance? is the POE the first stop you're making? is it better to get a direct flight and avoid any stops in other US cities?

sandrine29

Not Telling

2014-07-09 06:26:00

hi all

i've been going through many posts, trying to get updated each day and i wonder about one thing :

does the choice of the POE location is important?

i want to avoid NY cause i guess the stop won't be long enough to go through check points so i was thinking making a stop in London (from paris) so it's stil Europe and then, direct to Phoenix, so i will have POE in the town, i will live.

what do you all mean , the POE is important to be chosen? difficulties, length, denied?

thanks for your wise answers

sandrine29

Not Telling

2014-07-09 06:09:00

Hey can i ask a question how match should i make in the year to brig him her with me

Bk19

Not Telling

Algeria

2014-02-18 11:53:00

Thanks for your help:)

Mikenmalin

Female

Sweden

2014-01-08 16:37:00

Thank u guys for this:) Such a process!! not only be apart but also being almost 8 months pregnant on top of all

Mikenmalin

Female

Sweden

2013-12-30 16:12:00

I dont know if the baby become a us citizen only cuz the father is since we not yet married...

Mikenmalin

Female

Sweden

2013-12-30 16:01:00

Thanks for the link. I dont really get it.. Do we need to like start all over again for the baby? Same long process?

Mikenmalin

Female

Sweden

2013-12-30 15:56:00

K1 visa petition sent but since baby not born couldnt include it. Does anyone know how this works?

Im the benificiery, living in sweden and pregnant. My fiance is american and sent the petition like a month ago. How does this work? What do we need to do when baby born in february 2014? Can we add the baby or we need to fill out a new petition for the baby?

Thanks

Malin

Mikenmalin

Female

Sweden

2013-12-30 15:00:00

Thank you:)

Mikenmalin

Female

Sweden

2014-04-15 07:22:00

Everything from a week to 2 1/2 month. Never been denied, never overstayed or nothing. But since this process take so long, he can't just take time off work, I had to be here in Sweden when I was pregnant and had the baby we haven't seen each other for so long and it sucks!! And he never met his baby girl cuz of his work. Really miss him now!

Mikenmalin

Female

Sweden

2014-04-15 07:17:00

Im so scared every time I gone there.. Lol, always ask me so much questions, second hearings.. I did go every 2-3 months for a year so maybe that's why! Haven't been there for 8 months now so maybe they not so suspicious:)

Mikenmalin

Female

Sweden

2014-04-15 07:06:00

Baby coming with me if I go. It's her daddy we going to visit and she's only 2 months old. Not sure we go, depends on if his boss let him take time off to go here or not.

Mikenmalin

Female

Sweden

2014-04-15 06:53:00

Thank you:) i guess i can get some document of my income and regristration where I live. Always have bad luck with questions when I go there. But was there a lot before I had the baby. I will see what I can find.

Mikenmalin

Female

Sweden

2014-04-15 06:50:00

Hi

I want to visit my fiancé and I have a problem with what to show as proof that I'm going back home again. I moved in with my parents to save money so don't really have a contract. I just had a baby so I don't work so no work income but I do get money to stay at home with my child. Do you think it's enough with having document showing that I booked church and pastor for my baby's baptism?

Thanks/Malin

Mikenmalin

Female

Sweden

2014-04-15 06:18:00

Why is medical examination so expensive in London??

About 415$ here in sweden! Shots not included.., Free healthcare here aswell!

Mikenmalin

Female

Sweden

2014-07-27 16:23:00

Yes, you can visit!

Are there some POEs that are worse than others when it comes to visiting your significant other? I went through Detroit in January, when asked said I was visiting my boyfriend, and was let through no more questions asked. I'm traveling again in August (for 88 days), but through Minneapolis St Paul this time. We haven't started the K1 process yet. I've read through many of the POE reviews, but these all seem to pertain to entering on your K1, not before. I'll be bringing a letter from my employer stating I'm on an approved leave of absence, from my university stating I need to be back to defend my master's thesis, and from my landlord confirming my ongoing apartment lease. I'm thinking maybe since I already told them last time I was visiting my boyfriend, I should just say that right away this time, instead of saying "friends" - I don't know if they have it noted anywhere what I've said before...

Anyone with any experience from Minneapolis St Paul?

Hi

Iv been there once.. Not very good experience because they took me to second hearing. Asked a million questions for an hour, kinda rude too! But when he was satisfied he let me thru and said welcome to America.. Lol! Maybe my fault he kept me so long because of all things I forgot my printed return ticket! I had lots of other proofs and I said I could show him the return ticket if I could open my email but nope!

I'm sure I only had bad luck but now I'm scared of transfer there:) I think you will be fine.

Best of luck with your case

Malin

Mikenmalin

Female

Sweden

2014-04-18 03:44:00

Yes, you can visit!

How long are you planning on staying? Are you able to find ways to prove your ties back to Sweden in case you are asked (since you're not working, maybe a lease/mortgage, bank statements, etc.)?

I visited the US with our k1 in progress last month and had no issues- I brought a pile of documentation just in case, but none of it was asked for.

I'm not going yet for some time cuz need us passport for baby and stuff but at some point it would be nice to visit since my fiancé can't take too much time off work to come here all the time.
I rent a floor at my parents at the moment to save up money but we can of course sign a rental lease. I have loan at bank and bank statements of money in and out, taxes and so on. If I'm going I guess I stay for a month or so, all depending on when I get noa 2, interview, medical exam and all other stuff.

A little worried since we have a baby togheter and if they consider that as a higher risk that I would stay or something. Like we would go thru all this to mess it up with me staying!! Lol.. Been there lots of times already and never overstayed or nothing.

Mikenmalin

Female

Sweden

2014-03-03 12:29:00

Yes, you can visit!

Hi

We just sent our i 129 f petition so in the beginning of the process. Does anyone know if i can visit US during the process? My concern is that we just had a baby so I (swedish) and my baby want to visit my fiancee so we can plan wedding and of course so he can spend some time with his daughter. I'm not working at the moment because home with the baby so how to show I will go back? Does anyone been in this situation?

Mikenmalin

Female

Sweden

2014-03-03 11:29:00

How to organize the "evidence" for the K-1 package.

In the petition, you need to prove that you have met the requirements, which are merely that you have met in person one time in the past 2 years. You need to provide PRIMARY evidence of this (Passport stamps for entry to her country, or a common 3rd country with similar dates).

Make sure that this part of your evidence is clearly and prominently displayed. Don't go burying it back in the middle of a bunch of stuff that they don't need to see in the petition and may not bother to look at closely - where they might miss it!!

The interview in a few months is where you provide evidence of an ongoing relationship: ie letters, trips, pictures etc. You can include all the things you are suggesting so that they will hopefully be in your file when it gets to this stage; VJers call this "front loading" the petition.

Nik+Heather

Female

United Kingdom

2009-06-12 10:49:00

How long to wait before starting K-1 Visa process?

You can file now. it will take a while to process. About 5 months or so. Being that your girl is Filipina, she will probably interview in Manila and not in UAE. You have just had to meet in person once in the last two years, plus show an on-going relationship. I meet my girl (a filipina as well) December 23, 2010. We met in person Feb 11, 2011. i filed Feb 25, 2011 (after I got back.) I visited her again May 30,2011 while waiting. I went back for the embassy interview on Sept 1, 2011. She is arrived in the USA with me on Sept 18, 2011. We were married on Dec 10, 2011. Hope this helps you some.

gretchen_darren

Male

Philippines

2011-12-31 06:32:00

Affidavits from friends?

usually when we say affidavits, you would think of having it notarized.. but, we chose not too. bec one of the reason is ya, u know how much is the notary here in PH.. . but i think it's still a choice on whether u prefer to have it notarized or not.. im not sure but i think when it is notarized, the more it would look formal/official. but imagine if you have a lot? lol.

i have seen previous applicants who did the same... the didn't have the affidavits from friends notarized, but they are still approved.we don't really know if they will ask for the affidavits from friends/family but atleast we have addition to our papers showing that the important people around us are in favor of our relationship..

Wait sis, are you going to bring the affidavits on your interview also?

I might ask my other family members to write.. but those that are included in our I129F will be for sure forwarded to the embassy, so the consul will be able to see it if they review our packet before the interview..

Robb&Ann

Not Telling

Philippines

2013-05-09 05:33:00

Affidavits from friends?

Thank you so much. I am thinking of bringing affidavits of my friends and of my fiance's friends on the interview too but I'm afraid it would cost too much because I still need to have all the affidavits notarized. Huhu..

we have the affidavits from people we know but we did not have it notarized..it just have their signatures...

Robb&Ann

Not Telling

Philippines

2013-05-09 05:11:00

Affidavits from friends?

not really required. we sent some affidavits along with our I129F but it's not really required.

Robb&Ann

Not Telling

Philippines

2013-05-09 04:56:00

sis, we don't have noa2 yet.but that's what we are going to do for CFO.. cause you know, what one's exp with CFO might not be the same to us.. so it is still better to get ready incase they demand of something.. i have a feeling that if they would ask for something and you don't have, they might use that as an excuse to hold your certificate or sticker..i guess im just being paranoid, but i can't afford to have delays because of them.lol. and based on the reviews i have been reading, it happened to the previous applicants.. say they don't have the pictures, or advice or consent, the CFO used it as a reason to hold their sticker and/or cert until they return back with those reqs. they are asking. so better to be ready than give them chances to give us more stress and delays.

Edited by Robb&Ann, 10 May 2013 - 05:43 AM.

Robb&Ann

Not Telling

Philippines

2013-05-10 05:36:00

im going to have computerized and notarized.. and handwritten but not notarized.in short doble doble sis.. to be sure.we dont know what cfo prefers unless we are there.. we might over prepared but in the end they wont ask..but atleast we are ready just incase..

Robb&Ann

Not Telling

Philippines

2013-05-10 05:26:00

Are you going to have yours notarized?

yes sis. just to be sure..coz u know cfo..lol.

but i will also ask my father to handwrite then sign on it but not notarized.. coz ive read before that cfo prefers handwritten... then the other one said cfo asked her to have a computerized and notarized advice...so i dont really know what cfo prefers..

Robb&Ann

Not Telling

Philippines

2013-05-10 05:24:00

They're not in the Philippines sis.

Ahhmm, do I need to have my parental advice notarized?

sis, question, who will sign ur parental advice?

for some beneficiaries, CFO did not ask for their parental advice

but, for some beneficiaries too, CFO asked for their parental advice

some beneficiaries advice were not notarized

but some were notarized

so we don't really know what CFO prefers by the time that you are there.

Robb&Ann

Not Telling

Philippines

2013-05-10 00:17:00

sis, how about ur aunts or uncles?

Robb&Ann

Not Telling

Philippines

2013-05-08 09:17:00

Our RFE : If you have some tips and advice, we want them!! Thank you!

if you are dealing with USCIS, take time to visit their site too...

Robb&Ann

Not Telling

Philippines

2013-05-10 19:20:00

Our RFE : If you have some tips and advice, we want them!! Thank you!

go to www.uscic.gov

http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD

here's the pdf http://www.uscis.gov...form/g-325a.pdf

Robb&Ann

Not Telling

Philippines

2013-05-10 19:18:00

Our RFE : If you have some tips and advice, we want them!! Thank you!

my fiance just scanned the receipts.. if u send the originals, by the time that USCIS reviews ur file, it is possible that some receipts are faded already.

Robb&Ann

Not Telling

Philippines

2013-05-10 09:05:00

Our RFE : If you have some tips and advice, we want them!! Thank you!

chat logs and call logs are not primary evidence but, the consul in manila embassy might review ur case before ur interview, so the consul will also see whatever u have in ur I129F packet. to be safe, send a reasonable amount of chat logs,call log, and other docs that u think will benefit u during the embassy stage.. our 1st packet was 380+ pages but it's not just all about chat logs.. our chat logs was only 27pages. 18 pages call log and others..it's in our link below..

prioritize the primary docs or proof of meeting in person.. and other impt docs they are asking..

Robb&Ann

Not Telling

Philippines

2013-05-10 00:32:00

Our RFE : If you have some tips and advice, we want them!! Thank you!

hi. you may send in the chat logs but not the 100pages.lol. maybe 10-30 pages..

you may also include the skype call log.extract the calls using skype log view... once u have the result,, view it in HTML then paste in MS WORD..

Robb&Ann

Not Telling

Philippines

2013-05-10 00:24:00