ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsFinally - NOA2 approved with IMBRA Waiver for Limitations
Once again, Congratulations! Glad it's all moving forward for you.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-05-03 14:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsnoa2 approved...with child under 21 yrs old
You will take him to the interview with you. He needs to be there. They might not really talk to him much but they do want to confirm that they are issuing the visa to the right person. He should get his approval and visa together with yours. I petitioned previously for a fiancee who already had a son and he was on a K-2 tied to her K-1. We did not originally take him to the interview since he was sick, but we had to go back another time to take him with us. Your son MUST be at the interview.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-05-14 12:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAwesome NEWS!!
Congratulations! Happy news.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-05-19 00:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAfter 147 days APPROVED!!
Congratulations!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-05-30 08:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOMG !!! NOA2 finally !!!!
Awesome! Congratulations on your marriage and good luck through your new journey.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-10-26 13:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOMG !!! NOA2 finally !!!!

something is definitely wrong here. how can the K1 be approved when you got married and sent in the spousal petition?? you all gonna be in some problems cause your no longer his fiancee but his wife :thumbs:


Actually there's nothing wrong. You made assumptions about what they did but the assumptions are incorrect. they didn't send a spousal petition. While waiting for the fiancee petition to be approved they got married. This will invalidate the fiancee petition. They need to cancel it and file spousal petition.

It adds time to the process but shouldn't pose any other problems as long as the fiancee visa petition gets cancelled.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-10-26 09:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDocuments from Fiance
It seems you may get adjudicated in the next few days. Personally I would wait as it doesn't really hurt you if your petition is approved, but if you get RFE'd you would have to resend later anyway. There shouldn't be any problem getting the paperwork over well in advance of the interview.

Good luck!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-11-24 03:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportshow often do u check your email and USCIS web to check ur status??
I am over 4 months now, and I check once or twice each day. Before the fourth month I still checked a couple of times per week, I guess wondering if I had been "touched". I expect I am about 2-3 weeks away from hearing (18-22 days is the estimate here) but always hoping I'm one of the early ones, and not one of the late ones. Whatever way I hear first, I'll be exstatic, especially if there is no RFE. Mail, or email, or text, or website update, just can't wait for the news. This process is getting harder every day... Once the NOA2 comes at least activity starts again. This not knowing when is excruciating.

Best of luck everyone. I hope you all get yours before the expected dates :dance:
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-04-10 11:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHe has it !!! VISA IN HAND !!
Congrats! Love that step of the process. Good luck!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-12-07 00:47:00
VietnamWife had interview today
Congratulations!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-02-15 23:57:00
Vietnamwell things change in a year....
Actually if you two divorce she can (has to) apply for ROC immediately. It might look highly suspicious but if she can demonstrate that the marriage was entered into in good faith then she will get her status adjusted. Again, it might look highly suspicious if it happened so fast. But the removal of conditions is her process, not yours.

If you have proof that she did not enter into the relationship in good faith, contact ICE and they can deal with it. You cannot have her deported. But any proof or information that you have could lead to that.

I would hope that the issue is nerves only and that it works out for you. It would be a bummer to throw away a long relationship and long and expensive visa process after such a short time together here.

Best of luck.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-03-19 17:02:00
VietnamFRE requesting Marriage Certificate for me and my fiance
There has been tons of discussion on this board about avoiding the appearance of wedding ceremonies. And the biggest caution is against having photos taken that look like a wedding and then sending them to USCIS. It sounds like you did exactly that.

Since you cannot provide what is asked, send them a very clear letter explaining what the situation is. You need to be very clear with them.

If they continue to want evidence of a marriage that doesn't exist, even after explaining what really happened, they may deny your petition. You can then appeal or just resubmit your package WITHOUT potentially dangerous photos.

You can't give them what they want (marriage certificate, etc.) so explain what happened to them.

Good luck
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-04-03 22:47:00
VietnamEngage before divorce
I might misunderstand, but you are talking about filing for a K1 visa, is that correct?

One of the requirements for filing is to show that you are legally able to marry, sending an official divorce decree (or photocopy of that document) for any previous marriages. From what you are saying, it sounds like you wouldn't be able to get the official decree until after your court date in May. So you couldn't file your petition until you had those official documents in hand.

I don't believe that when you get engaged is a crucial point in the process. Just that you have met in the last 2 years, are legally able to marry, and fully intend to marry within 90 days of your US entry. The date of engagement is not meaningful to USCIS. This is just my opinion, based on what I have seen and read.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-02-08 14:56:00
K-3 Spousal Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHappy news! August file APPROVED!
Congratulations!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-02-17 21:41:00
USCIS Service CentersVermont service center
9 months ago VSC was much faster than CSC. Then likely the adjudicators at VSC were moved to other visa types while at CSC adjudicators were moved from other visa types to K1. It can go back and forth at any time. CSC may slow waaaaay down (I hope not) and VSC may speed waaaaay up (I hope so).

Your petition is in a box somewhere in the office in Vermont with a bunch of other petitions. From what I've read they are usually pretty good about pulling boxes in order, but just like any office environment things aren't always perfect. The other petitions in the box with yours all have pretty much the same date, within a day or two. Imagine hundreds of boxes, sometimes a box gets pulled out of order. They are doing the best they can, but they are human, just like me and you.

Good luck, and hopefully for all of us the process speeds up!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-09-20 16:13:00
USCIS Service CentersIs CSC going slow?
At the beginning of this year VSC was approving in just over 3 months and CSC took about 5. They've both changed. Both will change again, every few months. Adjudicators will be moved from one type of visa to another. Things will slow down and speed up, seemingly at random. I'm CSC so I'm hoping for under 90 days. However I'm planning for 5 months, and anticipating that it could be longer to get my NOA2. Just because you are in CSC and they are currently going faster, don't count your chickens. They could pull all or most adjudicators off of K-1s for awhile to focus on other visas and it could get difficult if you are too much focused on getting your NOA2 in 70-80 days. 6 months ago K-1 NOA2s from CSC were taking about 150 days...

As I said, I'm hoping for a short process, but I am planning on 5 months. It could certainly be more. And if an RFE comes I'll have to take it in stride.

Worrying won't speed up the process. You can either have it takes the time it takes and stress, or have it take the time it takes and focus on other things. My fiancee is still working and I'm focusing on other hobbies and goals so we keep our mind distracted from the process. It doesn't make it easier, but at least we are doing something beneficial while we wait.

Good luck!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-10-11 14:43:00
USCIS Service CentersWaiting for NOA2 for my K1 visa @Vermont
Normally they estimate 5 months. A year ago VSC was about 3 1/2 months and CSC was 5 months. They speed up and slow down all the tim, sometimes they stop for a few weeks, or at least it seems so. The 5 months is an estimate to review the petition. RFE's can add time. After the petition is accepted (the 5 month estimate) there is still the NVC, then the medical, embassy interview, receipt of the visa, and scheduling the flight.

I would never expect 5 months start to finish. Not saying it can't happen, but in the vast majority of cases 5 months start to finish is not reality. Sorry to say, but the December/January timeframe is just to get the next Notice of Action (NOA2), not the completion of the process. I don't know how long the following steps take in India, but for the Philippines (where you can move the process along very quickly) it takes nearly 2 months for those following steps if you really push it.

Once you marry, even if you do it the first day, you need to wait for the marriage certificate then apply for AOS/EAD and receive that, potentially 3 months or longer, before you can work. Best case might be December for the visa but likely March or longer before you can work. That's best case. If there are RFEs or other delays, or delays in India, issues with AOS, you could easily be to next June or even later before you can work in the US after coming on a K-1 visa.

Not trying to bring you down, just presenting the reality to help in expectation adjustment.

Good luck!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-10-07 16:16:00
USCIS Service CentersIs CSC moving again?
Whenever they change immigration laws there are unexpected impacts. I believe that when congress passed DACA, they didn't even think about authorized budget changes to allow the service centers to hire new agents. There is a lot of oversight as the people passing the laws don't consider a lot of the repercussions.

I had a fiancée visa in process 7 years ago when IMBRA went into effect. The law was put into effect but nobody knew what to do with it. NVC returned all approved petitions to the USCIS until they could figure out what to do. This delayed all petitions at that time until it was decided how to do the background checks. Everyone with petitions pending and approved during a 6 month period of time were impacted.

I mention this only to demonstrate that congress who enacts the new laws frequently overlooks the processes that need to be put in place to ensure those laws work. DACA is another example, I believe. Frankly I can make an argument for either side. There is a lot of talk of the "illegals" jumping the line. Personally I'm impacted by the delay DACA has caused. Like everyone else, I would love to be with my fiancée sooner, not later. But DACA is attempting to fix a very long standing problem for people who are victims, not perpetrators, of immigration crimes. There are college graduates, military heroes, and ordinary everyday people who have tenuous positions within the US. Military veterans who face fear and risk of deportation as an example. DACA allows them some temporary reprieve from the fear of deportation while things are sorted out. Personally I think it was long overdue. It had to be implemented at some point, just as IMBRA was 7 years ago. Yes, it sucks for those currently in the process, me included (twice now, 7 years ago when my then fiancee was pregnant with my child and now). There is nothing we can do but wait. We can complain about the situation (which does no good other than possibly burn off some stress) or we can recognize the need for DACA, even if the timing is a pain the ... neck. Either way we have to ride it out. Given the options, I prefer to think of the good being done through DACA and recognize that it had to happen eventually. Just my bad luck that it had to impact me now.

Good luck to all of us, and a speedy reunion with our loved ones.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2013-03-29 00:00:00
USCIS Service CentersCSC Finally moving
Did something work? I was approved today, so the flurry of activity ended up working for me.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2013-04-18 20:07:00
USCIS Service CentersCSC Finally moving
Hmmm, if your Oregon senator wouldn't do anything, unlikely my Oregon senator will either :\ But I'm hoping there's now light at the end of the tunnel.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2013-04-18 14:28:00
USCIS Service CentersCSC Finally moving
Based on the results here, there were 22 NOA2's issued for K-1s yesterday. Wahoo! Things are finally moving. Hopefully this trend continues. Tuesday had a dozen as well, plus the 15 or so between last Friday and this Monday and there were nearly 50 in the last 4 working days.

Good luck to all of us, and let's hope it continues.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2013-04-18 13:41:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)AP SUCKS! Co-sponsor needed...PLEASE HELP!!
Before taxes. Total gross amount.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-02-02 23:12:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)It felt like forever but we're approved!!
Congrats!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-02-17 16:58:00
United KingdomVisa Approved!!!!
Congratulations! Happy it all is going well for you two.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-03-27 12:58:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaNecesito Informacion
Translated: I am from Venezuela and my husband applied for me and our 2 children, I'm waiting for the NOA2 for the I-130 applications for each of us (we are September 2011 applicants), and I'm asking that someone who has applied for the Venezuela embassy tell me which documents I should send to the NVC and which documents I should take to the embassy on the day of the interview. And where should the $404 for each application be paid, in the NVC or in the embassy? I've read the embassy's web page and what it says confuses me... thank you very much, in advance.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-02-01 14:07:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Moving to Turkey.... I need advise
I always try to remember "If you have a short term problem, you don't need a long term solution" AP is temporary, but your job, home and son are long term. Keep the goal in sight.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-03-11 20:30:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanDid I forget anything?
It's not critical, but just a thought. If you send a personal check instead of a money order you can see when the check is cashed through your bank. Other than that it looks good to me.

Good luck!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-11-03 12:36:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Immunizations
My fiancee and I looked into getting them done beforehand. She's had most but the town she's from was nearly wiped out by flood quite a few years ago and many records were lost, including her immunization records. We considered getting them done early (possibly even at St. Luke's, as I've advised her to get other, not required, vaccines and she's doing those at St. Luke's). After talking to the doctor at St. Luke's about doing them early they suggested just waiting for the medical. At the medical they will do everything that's needed, no need to get them done early.

We discussed it for other reasons (to make sure all immunizations are done, none needed after arriving in the US) but it didn't seem to make sense at this point. If the civil surgeon in the US decides more are needed prior to AOS, so be it.

I wouldn't worry, just wait for the medical and you should be fine.

Good luck!

Edit to add: the doctor she saw at St. Luke's said that although they will review vaccination records, in most cases they will give immunizations again even if they've been given before, unless the documentation or the previous doctor meets some "standard". My understanding is that many people even with records get the shots again, so St. Luke's eliminates any risk of liability.

Edited by Grant PDX, 06 January 2013 - 09:43 PM.

Grant PDXMalePhilippines2013-01-06 21:40:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTotally confused, need help PLEASE!
The K visa being referred to is the K3. They are essentially obsolete now. They used to be applied for when the CR/IR visas took a long time to process. Now the CR/IR process is about the same length of time as the K-3, so there isn't really any reason to apply for it. It sounds like you are currently pursuing the optimal process, the CR-1.

Best of luck.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2013-04-23 23:09:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionHelp!!!

Look at the instructions on the St. Luke's website. http://www.slec.ph/#

 

Basically it's copies of your interview letter (that you print after setting up your interview online), passport photos, passport (and photocopy of the info page), petitioner's info including address and phone number (if you don't have it memorized, have it written down with you).  Check the website and make sure you're prepared.  Also, it's not required, my fiancée didn't take it, but if you have prior immunization records it can be helpful to take that.

 

Good luck!


Grant PDXMalePhilippines2013-05-07 11:29:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionHelp!!!

It takes a week or so for your visa package to make it to Manila.  It could be a bit longer, but you don't have to wait to start processing in the Philippines.  The MNL case number is all you need.  Get all your papers together, have your fiancée send everything he needs to send, setup your interview, register for your medical, etc.  GO GO GO.

 

We received the MNL case number for my fiancée a week ago, on a Friday.  Monday she paid the visa fee, her Monday night we made the interview appointment, this week she will do the medical, next week the interview.  I've already sent and she's received the I-134 and my divorce decrees and other things for the interview (I sent after the NOA2, before the MNL was available).  She will have her interview 26 days after NOA2, 18 days after the MNL case number was received.

 

Again, it takes about a week for your case to make it to Manila, I'm giving it 2 1/2 weeks prior to the interview.  But everything else needs to happen in between.  You don't need to wait for Manila to receive it before processing.  Your timeline is now totally in your hands.

 

Good luck!


Grant PDXMalePhilippines2013-05-05 22:59:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussioncan i set an appointment of interview and med with the packet from Mnl embassy? i have my MNL case no already...

As others have said "Do not wait for the packet".  They do still send it out.  Some receive it, some don't.  Forget about the packet, ignore anyone who says you need it.  It's your case, drive it as fast as you want.  The only thing you need to wait for is the info from the US citizen (I-134 and what not), but even that shouldn't slow your process down. 

 

My fiancée's NOA2 came not quite 6 weeks ago.  She's on a plane right now coming here (Yay!) and will arrive a day before we're 6 weeks away from NOA2.  She hasn't yet received anything from USEM.  It's not necessary.

 

Good luck!  And you can do this last bit just about as fast as you want.  We got our MNL number 4 1/2 weeks ago.  We had a few days delay (not normal) due to her needing to go back to the USEM a second time for fingerprinting (not normal, don't worry about this, she must just have very shallow fingerprints) and she still was able to go that fast.  You can too.  Once you have the MNL number you are in the driver's seat.  GO GO GO!


Grant PDXMalePhilippines2013-05-28 22:30:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDual citizenship
When you gain US citizenship you give up your other citizenship. However you can regain the foreign citizenship and retain your US citizenship.

My now ex-wife gained US citizenship while we were married based on the marriage, then regained her Philippine citizenship. The Philippines and many other countries who allow dual citizenship don't require that you give up the previous citizenship to gain theirs, as the US does.

So if Australia doesn't require that foreign citizenship is given up to gain theirs (I have no idea) then you can get it back.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-02-17 21:50:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWorried!!
My exwife did the same thing. She received an interview letter but no biometrics appointment. I called in to check and nobody could give me an answer. At the interview (finally) we were told that her previous biometrics, from the ROC, was still valid and that's why it didn't need to happen. It was confusing, but definitely easier.

Good luck! and congratuations.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-02-20 22:36:00
US Citizenship General Discussionis it ok to bring camera with for the interview?
I don't know about all locations, but in Portland Oregon photos were encouraged after the oath ceremony. They made time available and welcomed people up to the front of the room. I assume it's the same everywhere.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-02-25 21:56:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWhat's the next step?
She was eligible for a social security number as soon as she legally entered the country. At this point just go to the SS office with her documentation and apply.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-03-04 19:53:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWhen to file for citizenship?
Yes, 3 years from the date on her conditional GC. She can apply 90 days before that date. That is with the assumptions that she meets all other requirements (married to her CR-1 petitioner for the full 3 years, limited travel outside the US, etc.)

Best of luck!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-03-26 15:38:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 filling out time outside of the U.S.
When doing this for my then wife, we counted all the days. She had a fairly high number of days outside the US because of the same situation you have, but in the section showing the periods of time outside the US it was pretty clear those days were prior to her immigrating to the US.

I don't know if it's the "right" way, but in our case it didn't cause any problems.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-12-25 03:30:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionAddress in tax transcript is different from address in N-400

People move all the time.  They don't care if you have old documents with old addresses, as long as your current address matches your filing.  If you move, notify them, but really your old addresses on forms won't matter.


Grant PDXMalePhilippines2013-05-07 01:00:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionDo the I-751 Affidavits need to be notarized?
I've seen them go in both ways. I'd say it can't hurt to get it done, but I know of people who were approved with non-notarized affidavits. Not that the affidavits were even critical in those cases, assuming there was enough other evidence.

I would say it's not entirely critical, but I'd get it done for peace of mind if it not difficult to do so.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-02-03 14:54:00