ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting before the K1 process
QUOTE (Jamie and Skye @ Nov 12 2009, 05:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks guys for your advise, Nik + Heather, I didn't look at like that, and I hope they don't, I've been in Canada on a working holiday visa for 5months and I'm moving home because I miss my family, I have a great job offer back home and we thought getting the paperwork together would be easier back Home. I think the best thing is to say I'm spending time with my Fiancee before I go home.


Well, bring some documentation of that working visa for Canada - just in case. Usually you'd think there wouldn't be an issue (and generally isn't with VWP), but you don't want to look out of the ordinary without a good story and evidence to back it up. Also as the visitng FAQ recommends, bring evidence of that job offer such as the offer letter or a copy of it, at least.

Not trying to scare you, but better to be prepared. smile.gif
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-12 20:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting before the K1 process
You may want to be able to show why you are in Canada trying to enter the US - Ed+Cindy tried this, and I think the whole trying to sneak in the back door thing really back fired, as she was not allowed in for that visit. You have to admit - coming to the US via Canada is going quite a bit out of your way...
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-12 10:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNew to the site and about to propose...
If you don't know what forms are relevant to you, then you haven't found the guides yet. There is a link at the top of the page. There is a guide for each visa/filing type with links to the forms and very detailed step by step instructions for what to include in the packet and how to prepare the form. Yes, there are a lot of things and a lot of details, but it is all explained there in a tested and successful listing. The flow charts help you get an idea of the overall process and what to expect, but it's the guides that will help you get the whole thing put together.

Good luck (on the proposal and your visa journey!)
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-14 20:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresShould I tell the border guard we are engaged?
Will you be traveling on the visa waiver program?

Nik and others I have read about on here have found that the NOA1 is a very useful piece of paper to have at POE as it is a strong indicator that you are invested in immigrating to the US the "right" way. Nik certainly found that having that in his folder got him out of secondary inspection and through immigration quickly. Why wait to file 129f? Why not file now so you have the receipt with you when you get there?
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-14 11:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresproof of relationship
Before you go overboard, check with the Canadian forum and read consulate reviews. I doubt that you'll need to show much relationship evidence to begin with.

For the petition phase, you only need to prove that you met. Once. In the past two years. So, one boarding pass or one passport stamp is sufficient. If you want to send more, you can, but probably not necessary (for Canada). I made a little section table of contents with a table for who traveled, the dates and the destinations. The rest of that is presented at the interview, and you'll have the opportunity to do so at the embassy.

Remember, the more "extra", unnecessary stuff you have, the harder it will be to find the important things that will actually be needed, so be sure you don't bury the essentials with fluff.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-17 13:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresk 1 petition for fiance
I'm sorry I can't help you more than this, but here is a link in the MENA forum for returned/denied visas. Check out the signature of the first poster, she has links to a lot of information for you.

http://www.visajourn...?showtopic=3896

Your visa journey just got twistier and a lot longer. Best wishes.


Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-17 15:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresURGENT! Please clarify this for me!!!!
QUOTE (canadian_wife @ Nov 18 2009, 02:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You will have been in the US for 183 days by the time you leave on the 22nd?

NO real difference between 183 days or 181 days, but I wouldn't count on another trip to the US anytime soon

Good luck.



Yeah, and since (from your empty timeline) you haven't filed yet, being able to come and visit again may be just what your sanity needs in a few months down the road. Don't jeopardize that!
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-18 16:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswhat will mail from USCIS look like?
Regular, white letter envelope - really thin, they just have one sheet of paper in them. Completely nondescript. My cable bill looks more interesting than mail from DHS!
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-18 16:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 - petitioner got cold feet - final interview Monday (in 3 days in london) - What best to do
I think you should go to the interview on Monday and try to get the visa. If time apart has done this much damage to your relationship, I don't see how more time apart is going to help fix it.

If you want more time living together, she can come over to the UK and stay with you for some time, and then you can go back to the US with her and take a further 3 months to live together. I don't typically advocate using the 90 days of the K1 entry as a "wait and see" but as you are already in this stage of the process, why not?

If there isn't enough of a relationship to give it even that much of a go, then I agree, that's the end. But the first step is to preserve the work you have done so far and get to the interview on Monday. At this point with most of the work and waiting behind you, I wouldn't feel bad at all going the short distance further and getting the visa even if you don't use it.

Sorry to hear about your difficulties, best wishes.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-20 10:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNeed Birth Certifiacte Back
Actually, Nik found the people at POE to be quite friendly. It is worth a question (at least) to ask them if they will copy the originals, keep the copies and return the originals to you. We wanted to get a copy of the medical, just in case, and the first guy didn't think it was a problem, but he forgot to ask again in secondary. At any rate, a question like that isn't going to make him inadmissible, so how could it hurt?

The other alternative would be for him to get with the embassy and see if they will open, copy, and reseal the envelope and give you your originals back.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-23 12:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures6 months wait after a divorce
QUOTE (pushbrk @ Nov 23 2009, 01:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Nik+Heather @ Nov 23 2009, 11:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Andy-n-Maricar @ Nov 23 2009, 12:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You are free to marry in another state in less than 6 months as long as you meet the requirements of the other state but you cannot cohabit in the state of Oklahoma until the divorce decree is 6 months old.




The Oklahoma Statute you are concerned about is Title 43, Section 123.

§43-123. Remarriage and cohabitation - Appeal from judgment.

It shall be unlawful for either party to an action for divorce whose former husband or wife is living to marry in this state a person other than the divorced spouse within six (6) months from date of decree of divorce granted in this state, or to cohabit with such other person in this state during said period if the marriage took place in another state; and if an appeal be commenced from said decree, it shall be unlawful for either party to such cause to marry any other person and cohabit with such person in this state until the expiration of thirty (30) days from the date on which final judgment shall be rendered pursuant to such appeal. Any person violating the provisions of this section by such marriage shall be deemed guilty of the felony of bigamy. Any person violating the provisions of this section by such cohabitation shall be deemed guilty of the felony of adultery.


I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice, only my opinion.


The divorce of the beneficiary isn't granted in Oklahoma, so I'm not really seeing how this law applies to this couple.

I am wondering if Pushbrk's lawyer webpage is missing this key phrasing bolded above because they don't typically deal with people outside Oklahoma trying to get married there? Maybe bears some clarification.


All my references are to the OP's situation. He is the US Citizen divorced in Oklahoma. So the question is whether he is "free to marry" during the six months immediately following the date of his divorce decree.


OK.....well, it's not clear to me who got divorced where. "She" got divorced, so if the male is the USC, then she didn't get divorced in Oklahoma.

Flipper, can you sort us out?

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-23 16:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures6 months wait after a divorce
QUOTE (Andy-n-Maricar @ Nov 23 2009, 12:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You are free to marry in another state in less than 6 months as long as you meet the requirements of the other state but you cannot cohabit in the state of Oklahoma until the divorce decree is 6 months old.




The Oklahoma Statute you are concerned about is Title 43, Section 123.

§43-123. Remarriage and cohabitation - Appeal from judgment.

It shall be unlawful for either party to an action for divorce whose former husband or wife is living to marry in this state a person other than the divorced spouse within six (6) months from date of decree of divorce granted in this state, or to cohabit with such other person in this state during said period if the marriage took place in another state; and if an appeal be commenced from said decree, it shall be unlawful for either party to such cause to marry any other person and cohabit with such person in this state until the expiration of thirty (30) days from the date on which final judgment shall be rendered pursuant to such appeal. Any person violating the provisions of this section by such marriage shall be deemed guilty of the felony of bigamy. Any person violating the provisions of this section by such cohabitation shall be deemed guilty of the felony of adultery.


I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice, only my opinion.


The divorce of the beneficiary isn't granted in Oklahoma, so I'm not really seeing how this law applies to this couple.

I am wondering if Pushbrk's lawyer webpage is missing this key phrasing bolded above because they don't typically deal with people outside Oklahoma trying to get married there? Maybe bears some clarification.

Edited by Nik+Heather, 23 November 2009 - 02:28 PM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-23 14:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan a Lawful Permanent Resident apply for a fiance Visa
Green Card holders can apply for their spouse only - get married and then apply. It can take years, but when you get your citizenship, you can upgrade your petition.


If you can't wait that long, or aren't sure you want to get married yet, she'll need a different (non family based) visa - work, student, visitors etc.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-28 17:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134: "other personal property, the reasonable cash value of which is"
QUOTE (EDB73 @ Dec 1 2009, 10:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm right on the edge of the poverty level, so I'm tallying all of my assets. My bank accounts are a little thin, but I have a life insurance policy, some mutual funds, etc, so that helps.

Anyway, besides my crappy car, I don't have much in the way of assets. However, I'm an academic (ABD grad student and research fellow) with a large book collection (3000+), own a lot of guitars (5), amps (3), and other music equipment (mics, preamps, recording stuff), and other pricey objects (computes, etc). These items have a fairly large cash value. I have a property insurance policy valued at $80,000. I want to list these things as assets. Is that OK? If I claim such things as assets, and if I include a copy of my insurance policy (or whatnot), can I claim that full value? By the way -- I've had the policy for about 7 months or so.

I'm not sure what to count or not. I don't want to stretch it, but these items are valuable, and it seems to me they'd count as assets.

Thanks!

--- also, I did a search, but I didn't find anything that addressed this sort of question

ps: first post!


Unfortunately "stuff" doesn't really count for much in this game. You may have spent thousands of dollars on all those books, but the "real" market value of used books is along the lines of $10 for two large bags of them...It's not going to take you very far. They aren't considered to be liquid assets.

Your insurance policy might help - if that $80k is it's cash value, meaning you can sell it for that much - not that you have $80k in coverage.

If your mutual fund (or other investments) have no blocks on you liquidating them, then you can use them as assets. Stocks are open to doubt because their value is so fluid.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-01 13:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAwaiting Interview Date
In general:
If the beneficiary is a UK born citizen, the London embassy only very rarely (and I say that only because I don't want to be absolutist and say never...) asks for relationship evidence. All of that evidence is likely to sit at the bottom of your tote and never see the light on interview day. It'll just give you a sore shoulder carrying it around London, and waste paper/postage. Most people bring it anyway, in a "better safe than sorry" sort of way, but your efforts are much better spent understanding and fulfilling the actual requirements - like getting your I134 and supporting docs, getting your medical worked out, police certificate, etc. These are things which are actually required.


In special cases:
Examine your own case with a critical eye from a 3rd party perspective. London is a low fraud consulate mostly because there isn't as much pressure to try to get here to "make it". Also, the couples frequently have several visits, and we are seriously lacking in red flags. If you feel like you have a special case (ie: the beneficiary is on a temporary visa in the UK and is from a high fraud country), then perhaps reevaluation from the "general" case is necessary.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-01 16:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresChanging my name to my fiance's, so I have the same last name as our daughter?
QUOTE (squeaky580 @ Dec 1 2009, 10:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Dec 1 2009, 05:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (squeaky580 @ Dec 1 2009, 05:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'll be finally filing our I 129f next month- and today at my daughter's pediatrician's office, my mother posed a question to me.. My newborn daughter has her father's last name, which has already proven to be difficult for most American secretaries to spell, and it's compounded by the fact that I still have my ex husband's last name, which is also a "ethnic" name, and equally as difficult to constantly spell out.. In my state, it's relatively easy to change one's name, and my mother asked me why don't I change my name to my fiance's name, so the baby and I at least have the same last name. Would having the same last name on the K1 application be a red flag of some sort, or an obstacle in our application? Or is it something that I could easily explain in a notation on the application?

Any advice or opinions are appreciated. I know it seems like a silly thing to do, but caring for a newborn alone right now is stressful enough and dealing with this little issue would be a nice thing to have eliminated, if it is advisable. tongue.gif

Thanks,
Sarah



No. Do not do this until AFTER you are married. You are dealing with an extremely difficult consulate that would LOVE to deny your fiance's visa, do not give them a reason! Changing your name would be all they need to deny your visa on the premise you are already married.

Just relax and put up with spelling your name to people, what's the big deal?

You're right, Gary.. I guess I'm just letting small things get to me lately.. things have been crazy, and I'm kinda trying to simplify as much as I can.. Patience is a virtue I've always had to work to hold on to.. wacko.gif


Having a difficult name is the pits, huh!! Nik's got a nice, English sounding name. Unfortunately, it's just missing one letter from an extremely common name, and they sound very similar. It doesn't seem to matter how many times I spell it. How many times I tell them that it's NOT the way it sounds but a different way, it's still wrong 50% of the time.

I really feel for you - what with having this same thing with your own name and your daughter's. Soon you'll be married and then you can look forward to only half the pain. smile.gif

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-01 18:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMet my love, wanting to move to the US.. not sure where to begin..
Meeah,

You and your fiance need to make some personal decisions before you make some immigration decisions.

Firstly, Are you ready to get married? If not, visiting or a student visa are what you need to do. Family based immigration is expensive and time consuming and stressful, and just not for couples who are not ready to take the complete plunge when they start the process. I was madly in love with Nik after we first met and we both thought we wanted to get married, so we started out with a three month long visit before we started talking about immigration.

Secondly, Is your (collective) financial situation able to handle you being out of work for several months? What about the thousands of dollars of fees (I am not exaggerating!)? If you guys don't have a lot of straight up cash and/or you need to be able to work (not have a job, but be able to look for one) right away when you immigrate here, then you need to get married and go for the CR-1. If you guys can handle the substantially higher fees and you can stand to be out of work for a few months, then go for K1. For either visa, your fiance must be able to show that he can support you by making enough money over the poverty line, or by finding a good friend or family member to sign that they will support you if needed (and they make enough).

Thirdly, Where do you want to get married? If you go with the K1, you must be married in the US. If you want to be married in Canada, and can't stand to get a paper wedding only in the US, then you need to look at the CR-1 option.

Best wishes!
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-30 08:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMarrying outside US but still coming in K-1 Visa - Possible?
QUOTE (toma1 @ Dec 3 2009, 09:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (celiothrkn @ Dec 3 2009, 11:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (fashr001 @ Dec 3 2009, 01:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am a US citizen and my fiance isn't. I have applied for K-1 Fiance visa. Her family wants the wedding to take place in their home country. If we get married in her home country can I still bring her to the US under K-1 Fiance visa without doing the paperwork for a marriage certificate in her home country?


If you hold a wedding banquet in your fiance's home country and do not register your marriage with the authorities, then legally you are not married because you two do not have a marriage certificate. But if you think about it, it would be more of an engagement party than a wedding banquet...


good.gif

Yep! Thats what a lot of people in Thailand do. A lot of "proper" Thai parents won't let the girl leave the country 'til she's married in a Buddhist ceremony. (But they don't care if it's legal or not.) Fourtunatly, the USCIS ONLY cares if it is legal or not.

If possible, have a religious wedding in India, DO NOT register, and DO NOT bring photos of the ceremony to the visa interview.


I agree - if you have a non legal purely religious or ceremonial wedding, you are not committing fraud. But, as others have cautioned, it opens up a lot of pit falls which can be quite cumbersome to overcome. Be educated and careful, and you can do as you plan.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-04 12:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow do I get my fiancee into the U.S. for the birth of our child before a K-1 is processed?
Your fiance can certainly visit while the K1 is processing. Nik visited me for 2 weeks after we had started the process, no problems.

There is a special FAQ devoted to this particular subject. I think that having the K1 in process actually *helps* with getting in on the VWP. Notice that "a copy of any notice of action you have received" is also on the list of things he should bring with him.

I would recommend bringing everything he can on this list. Not everyone has everything, but the more the better.
http://www.visajourn...mp;page=k1visit
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-08 00:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiance abroad moving to different country
QUOTE (JD63 @ Dec 4 2009, 12:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (JD63 @ Dec 4 2009, 01:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I sent a letter, clearly indicating what the new and old addresses were, the receipt number, both our names and birthdates, sent it express mail with giant letters that said I-129 beneficiary address and country change.

The lady was really helpful and talked to several different people. Apparently since the address is outside the US she can't do anything on the computer, and it's a hard copy fix that has to be done with a letter to CSC.

When it gets approved an forwarded, will I get a number or something so I can contact VSC and ensure that the address is correct?



Sorry I meant NVC


Yes, when you get NOA2, you can contact NVC - In fact, that might be a good way to "intercept" the package.

1.603.334.0700
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-04 16:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiance abroad moving to different country
I'd go for an address change. I think there's something online, or you can try calling the 800 number on the NOA1.

If she has an address in Thailand and the requested consulate is in Thailand, then it should all work out.

Either way, good luck! USCIS has an awful track record of successfully changing vital information properly.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-03 13:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F approved in March09 but never took action. Can we take action now?
If you have your letter from the NVC (posted to the US petitioner) it will have a case number on it. Use that case number to call DOS and ask them about the status of your case. They should be able to see if it is open/closed/abandoned/whatever.

You might query the DOS representative if they can get the case transferred - if not, then work directly with the consulate.

Hope things work out.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-04 13:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting Other Half while I-129F being processed...
Nik also visited during the processing. He had the employer letter just like Ellie's, return ticket, NOA1.

I think they key to going through immigration is to not be too shifty - Yeah, you're excited to be seeing your guy really soon, but don't make them feel like you're being evasive. Especially as you'll have your NOA1, I wouldn't be shy about saying that you're visiting your "fiance" when they ask what you'll be doing in the US.

good luck, and relax! smile.gif
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-08 10:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresquestion about question 18 on I-129f
QUOTE (Seven @ Dec 12 2009, 01:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Oh...i'm into a similar situation yeh...i think i understood...

So if we've been traveling back and forth...this would be ok?

We met online whatever date, then we met in person for some days in an event in Europe, still talking online then met whenever in USA and whenever he traveled to Spain and whenever (saying how many times as stamps in passport) i traveled to USA to spend time together in person.

Is that enough or gotta be into details of at least one of the times we met in person?

Thank you all...i know isn't my topic but almost same question....And good luck to the OP!

Blessings


The minimum requirement is that you tell them how you achieved one meeting face to face. This can be the first (if it is within the last two years), The second, third, or latest. It can be as simple as "John visited Jane in the US from Nov 22 to 26, 2008" Back up that trip with the passport stamps/boarding passes/pictures from that trip.


Nik and I chose to list all of our trips to date (of the filing), and had something along the lines of "Heather and Nik met online on X date, Nik visited Arizona from XXXX to XXXX, Heather visited the UK from XXXX to XXXX, Nik visited AZ from XXXX to XXXX, Heather visited the UK from XXXX to XXXX, when they were engaged."

We provided boarding passes/passport stamps and one picture from each trip. It was all extraordinarily bare-bones. For a Visa Waiver country like Spain (unless the beneficiary is a citizen of a high fraud country and only living there), more than this is likely to be overkill. If the beneficiary is from a non VWP country but is living in and interviewing from Spain, "front-loading" the petition with more relationship evidence might be more recommended.



Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-12 21:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresquestion about question 18 on I-129f
Like others, I provided a more cut and dry timeline of events backed up by the boarding passes and/or passport stamps provided as primary evidence.

Unless your fiance(e) is not an Irish citizen but a resident from a country with a more difficult consulate where people find their relationship questioned, any more is extra fluff.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-17 11:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG-325A, do all copies need to be signed?
We used black ink on everything, and no problems.

Whoever got an RFE for photo copies but had original signatures must have a very very very stable signature!! I'm sure lots of things are slightly different in each of my siggies.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-23 09:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNeed some help please...
Also, for LONDON I134, your sponsors need to be sure that they check that they "DO intend" to provide specific contributions to your support while you are in the US. This is particularly necessary for the cosponsor. Yes, this is contrary to the example form available on VJ, and yes, it has caused problems for people in the past.


Also, you'll find lots of info like this down in the UK forum, like what birth certificate is needed (long form) and where to get it...etc etc etc.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-15 10:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBirth Certificate
QUOTE (Jamie and Skye @ Dec 18 2009, 01:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Okay we have a certified copy, but what does long form mean? We have the one he was giving after he was born but how do I know if it's the long one?



There is certain information which needs to be included on the birth certificate submitted during this process. Most people don't have issues unless there are two versions of a record (like there are in the UK, for example).

The "short" versions usually include the person's name, location and date of birth. Often these are the keepsake sorts, without all that extra "clutter".

The "long" versions will also include the parents' names, and other identifying information such as their dates of birth, place of birth, etc. I'm not sure how much of those details are required, but that's what I saw as the difference between Nik's two.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-18 16:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBirth Certificate
What most people think of as the "original" birth certificate is in fact the certified copy.

You will probably never see or touch your original birth certificate. It is held by the government.

If you have a rather official looking piece of paper, that's probably the certified copy, photo copy it, front and back (even if the back is blank) and send that in. You don't need that photo copy stamped or notorized or anything. If they want better proof, they will RFE for it, but I have never heard of that happening.

The rule of thumb for ALL documents throughout the process is that you only mail in photo copies, but take originals with you to interviews etc. If they want an original, they will let you know.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-18 14:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow long does it take between the first notice and second notice?
QUOTE (Arbind.Ariadne @ Dec 18 2009, 03:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You may check the timelines of the members here especially the ones under the same consulate as yours. Still, cases vary individually. Some get approved in barely a month or two (although not expedited for having a military fiance/spouse) while others wait for seven months to a year.


Persevere but remember your world doesn't revolve around the visa process. Hakuna matata.


God bless us all.



FAE luv.gif



Petition approval is not country dependent. Sometimes a petition will get stuck in name checks if one or the other of the people involved have a common name.

Further on down the line your timing will become country dependent, as you have to deal with a specific consulate (ie Canada = 4 month wait time! I would go INSANE!)
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-18 17:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow long does it take between the first notice and second notice?
If you fill in your time line it will give you an estimated date.

Also, check out the top of Igor's list. there is a nice graph, and when you see the bar for your month start to go up, most people will see their notice soon after!

Igor's List:
http://www.visajourn...filers.php?cfl=

Looks like Septembers are being worked on right now! Check the mail. smile.gif

Edited by Nik+Heather, 18 December 2009 - 04:27 PM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-18 16:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresForeign travel right after marriage?
I can empathize with you. Nik had his visa in June but didn't arrive until October.

Having gone through that same situation, where he could get on the plane at any time, but didn't - also for work reasons, I can tell you that the wait isn't quite as bad as the wait for the petition approval or other visa processes. It's slightly more annoying because you know that it's completely self-imposed, but the time really does go by faster when you have a definite date to look forward to, and no dependency on nebulous government (in)action.

I know you are eager to be together as soon as possible, but don't let that blind you to the financial and career benefits that this project can lead to.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-21 12:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 visa
Your timeline says that you haven't even gotten your petition approved yet. Can you be more specific about your dates? I don't see how you could complete the visa process in January without the approval yet.

There are many ways to extend your visa process - you can hold off on sending the packet back to the embassy, for example. That's probably good for a couple of months, especially if you stay in contact with the embassy and ask them to extend your approval. Also, you have 6 months (roughly) to enter the country, and then once you enter, another 90 days to get married. Do you need more buffer than this?

Edited by Nik+Heather, 22 December 2009 - 09:18 AM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-22 09:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhich father's name goes on G-325A?
QUOTE (Kukolka @ Jan 1 2010, 10:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
When my fiance was a child, his stepfather adopted him. His biological father gave up his rights to his children.

My fiance and his mother believe his birth certificate has his stepdad's name listed as his father. The only copy of his birth certificate that he has in his possession is a wallet card that does not have fields listing parents.

When the G-325A asks for the name of his father, do they want the name of his legal adoptive father (his stepdad) or his biological father?


My thought was to list his adoptive (step) father in the fields asking for father's information, and include a supplement like we do for other fields that are too long to fit, explaining the situation and listing the same asked-for information about his biological father. Would this be acceptable?


I'd do a combination of what you suggest and Pushbrk's suggestion - put whatever is on his long form birth cert on the form, but also put "see attachment" which includes an explanation & other man's name. I don't see how adding more information could hurt if it can prevent confusion/RFE from the adjudicator. Include supporting evidence like adoption cert. and such.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-01 16:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting U.S. while K-1 is pending
This is a Frequently Asked Question, and so it has been answered in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section.

http://www.visajourn...mp;page=k1visit
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-04 13:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNewbie question
QUOTE (Amy and Michael @ Dec 21 2009, 11:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi & Thanks to everyone that has posted on these message boards.

Background: I am a USC and my fiance is a UK (Wales) citizen. We are preparing our initial filing of our I-129F for our K-1 Visa.

I have been reading these message boards and have learned a lot, and wow so much to read. It is quite intimidating. I also have read through the USCIS.Gov website and I have a book that I bought that is a Guide to the Fiance Visa. I didn't fully realize before that we need letters of intent (duh!) so now I have to ask my fiance to write that up and mail it to me to complete our paperwork.

My question - as I read these forums, I see a lot of acronyms that I am not familiar with. I know some basics (AOS, USC, etc, but there are a lot that I can't figure out.) Is there an acronym cheat sheet anywhere?

Thanks again!
Amy & Michael


The process can seem overwhelming at first, but let me assure you that while there are a lot of things to gather, the requirements are fairly straight forward. Just focus on gathering one thing at a time, and before you know it, you'll have the whole packet assembled! In fact while gathering both the I129f packet and the AOS packet the end sort of snuck up on me - one day I went down the checklist...and everything was there! Yay! The guides are very helpful for creating that checklist.


Good luck for a speedy visa journey!

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-22 09:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAP- Does it apply to almost everyone ?!
London is one of the "easy" consulates, but I can remember a few people who had to wait (and in some cases are still waiting). We thought we had noticed a pattern - if you weren't born in the UK, you usually got AP, but then at least one person bucked the trend...If any of these sound familiar, then you may find yourself in that situation.

You can follow it all in the London interview thread:
http://www.visajourn...howtopic=168968

One was from Australia I can't remember if she was also a UK citizen...(female) and I think she had an overstay on a previous visit to the US. 2 months (+ a little) until visa.

Pakistani Student (male) - non-UK citizen: Several months' delay, new forms requested etc.

Indian Student (male) - non-UK citizen: No delay - visa rec'd 2 days later

UK citizen originally from India (female), missing birth certificate: 1.5 months to visa.

At least two Nigerian students (both male) were given a good grilling. I think the relationship failed on one before the visa was issued.

UK citizen from UK - issues stemming from alleged admission to alcohol abuse - be it flippant remark ("oh, I drink 30 pints a day"), misunderstanding of question (they asked per day, he answered per month), or had a really bad/good - but out of norm - night ("Oh, I had 20 pints at my going away bash last night")
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-14 16:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswhich visa???
VJ gallery, a question for you: K1 is to K2 as CR1 is to ???

Sounds like her boyfriend will also have to petition her daughter. If they are married does he do an immediate relative petition for her daughter as well or is there a similar derivative visa for her daughter like there is for K1/K2?



Milly, if it's important that you are able to work and travel immediately upon entry, then your only option is the CR-1 visa (K3 also, but it's more expensive and takes just as long for US entry and longer for green card). You will need to be married first, but a courthouse/Las Vegas drive through paperwork deal is sufficient to get the process going, and you can plan a big bash for later.

Regarding the income, check out the I864 and the I864p for 2009. Your boyfriend will need the income/assets to meet this, or you guys will need to find a US citizen or US permanent resident who meets the financial qualifications to be a joint sponsor for you and your daughter.

Also, getting a visa for your daughter frequently means that you will need to prove that you have sole custody of her, or that the father approves...

Edited by Nik+Heather, 15 January 2010 - 11:08 AM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-15 11:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHonest opinions please :)

I have to agree with this for another reason. Since finances are going to be an issue by your own admission, you would probably have trouble with the expense of the K-1 route. After spending the approximately $700-800 USD for the I-129F application, medical, visa application, and other fees, you would then need to have another $1,000 shortly after marriage to apply for adjustment of status.

The CR-1 is cheaper, and easier in the long run. Come here on a tourist visa (VWP), and get married. Be sure to return before your I-94 expires. Once you are home, your husband can apply for the CR-1 visa. The processing times are not so bad anymore.

Good luck!


She can visit for 90 days. Get married in the first week, Get the I-130 petition off, wait out a good portion of the petition processing, and then go home to finish up the visa. She doesn't have to leave the country before they send off the petition.
Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-21 10:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresComing up on our NOA2...
QUOTE (Todd&Dani @ Jun 19 2009, 09:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for the info Marina-Del. It is much appreciated.

We are going to be getting a co-sponor at this point for sure.

This leads me to a few more questions:

-Is there any kind of time deadline/expected date, etc. on me (foreign beneficiary) sending off the completed packet of forms and paperwork - (this contains the US petitioner's financial information, is that correct?) to the US Embassy? That I believe would be steps #8, #9, and #10 on the K1 Process Flowchart. This may give us more time to organize Dani's employment and also finalize with a co-sponsor. Any ideas and advice on this would be great from couples who went through something similar.

-Where do we find the forms and info to be supplied to the co-sponsor?

-Can someone direct us to a source on the US Immigration site or VJ where we can find the financial requirements on co-sponsors? Where would we find this information?

Thanks in advance to everyone from both of us,
Todd & Dani


I can't speak about the Canadian embassies particularly, but most embassies have you bring that info with you to the interview. Have you popped into the Canadian forum or read up on your embassy? (Embassy info link, top of the page)

Cosponsors fill out an I-134, and provide the same income and asset proofs as the petitioner would (if employed) They will also have to provide proofs of US citizenship in addition - the same options are available as what the petitioner needed to prove they were - Birth cert, passport, naturalization cert...

Financial requirements are the same, they must be able to show that they can support their household + the fiance(e) at the 125% of the poverty guidelines. Do a search for "2009 poverty guidelines" and you should get a table regarding the 100% and household size.

Checkout the US Embassy and Consulate Discussion forum. That's where you'll find people who are asking the same questions and getting answers + Helpful stickies.

Edited by Nik+Heather, 19 June 2009 - 11:23 AM.

Nik+HeatherFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-06-19 11:20:00