ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134 Question (Tipped Employee)

I make well over 125% of the poverty guideline for 1 or 2 persons, but only because I am a tipped employee. The problem is that my tips are not shown in my pay stubs but rather in a separate sheet that I need to report them myself. In order for the USCIS to consider income, assets - do those tips need to be reported and taxed for them to count them as income?

 

I would imagine that in order for your tips to be counted as income, they would have to be reported on your taxes. If you've been underreporting them (and believe me, I'm not judging) and not paying tax on them, now would be a pretty crappy time for the government to figure it out. Either report them and qualify on your own or get a joint sponsor, IMO.


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-09 18:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBritish Fiance needs to find a Notary where does he look?

So my british fiance needs to find a notary to notarize his intent to marry statement. Who in England could do that for him?

 

If he does need a notary he should be able to look online for "notaries public near me" or some such. In Canada, a lot of (if not all) lawyers are notaries public... so if he knows any he could ask them - they'd even do it for free (my Dad was one, so getting things notarized was never a big deal for me). 

 

They aren't hard to find. But will charge for their stamping and signing services, so make sure you actually need one. No need to waste money, this process is expensive enough.


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-11 17:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPassport expiration question

My best guess is that she should get the new passport but ask to have the expired one returned to her (or to keep it). Then when she goes for the interview, take both with her to avoid confusion and to prove that despite the new passport, she's the same person.


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-13 16:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNeed Advice and Peace of Mind

Greetings, VJ.

 

I hope you all don't mind if I tell you a little bit of a story, and perhaps I might be able to get some sort of guidance from those who might have experienced what I have themselves. I'm about to begin the process of a K-1 Visa with my fiancee and we're both rather nervous about it, as our past 5 years and the rest of our lives hinge upon this. But here goes...

So, back when I was only one, my mother and I left for the United States when she married an American and became a Permanent Resident. Given my young age, I also became one (either automatically or by her) for the time that she was there. They separated about 3 or 4 years later and my mother then moved back to Canada. Though I still had possession of my Social Security Number. Now, on April 15th 2010 after having an online relationship with my (now) fiancee I decided to go and visit her, the visitation which then turned into a stay that lasted until last August. As I was under the impression that I was still welcome to do so and was still a Permanent Resident.

 

While there I worked, all entirely over the table. Each with jobs that required a verification of my ability to work. I paid and filed my taxes each year and I registered to vote, several things that I thought one can only do if they are a permanent resident. It wasn't until I started a new job at LEGO that an e-verify file came back saying that my social was invalid or had expired, and that's when I started investigating it and learned that my status was revoked in 1994 following my mother's departure. Now, I'm a law-abiding person. I didn't want to cause problems with the US Government and thus took my own leave to go back to Canada and return properly without being deported or getting any sort of 'red flag' on my passport.

 

That all went well, and since August I've been working on getting back down to be with the woman of my dreams, the reason for my happiness. Each day just feels harder and harder as I don't feel feel like I belong in my home country anymore. That the United States is where I belong. Though I find myself worrying that my 'overstay' might jeopardize the K-1 Visa and cause problems despite that the USCIS, DHS and even Border Patrol have told me that it's a relatively common mistake. Has anyone had an issue like mine? What problems did it cause if it did cause any, and how did you get around them?



And as a last note, I've been looking into something called 'tnvisaexpert.com' as they offer a streamlined system at a decent pricetag where they submit everything, counsel you on the entire thing and make sure that you will get approved. I've found that they've existed for around 10 Years and have an A+ rating with the BBB. But I still want to know if anyone else here has used them and if they can be trusted, and are reliable? Because both my fiancee and I would love the peace of mind to have people with their credentials and experience handling this.



 

 

Thank you so much for your time, and I apologize of the text wall. 

 

- Kyle

 

Hi Kyle, and welcome. 

 

There may be some issues with your process, although nothing you can't overcome, especially since you left of your own volition, without immigration knowing anything about it. 

 

You probably would be best advised to consult with an immigration lawyer, since you may need a waiver for the overstay (or you may not, given that it might not ever show up on a search- I don't know)

 

I'd hesitate to go with any of those "visa service" sites... seems a little fishy, even though it looks like you've done your research. I'd want to talk to a human lawyer as soon as possible, to find out whether or not you'll need any waivers. If you don't, then I'd suggest you just do the paperwork yourself and save the money. If it's a straightforward K1 petition, you can totally do it yourself. Visa Journey has lots of forums to ask questions about the basic forms.

 

But if you do need waivers or there are other complications, a lawyer will be necessary, since the advice you get on Visa Journey is basically only good for the straightforward applications.

 

Best of luck!


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-17 17:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresX-ray from Medical Exam

I think they check it one more time at the border (at POE). I seem to recall that someone said they got to keep it after that. I'm thinking wall art!


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-18 23:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswhat do i drink before medical

Wow... ok...


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-18 17:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswhat do i drink before medical

What you drink makes no difference, though I know there are a lot of old wives' tales roaming around...

 

Ok, I have to ask... what is this about? Somehow what you drink is supposed to affect whether you test positive for TB? Really? I'm puzzled.


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-18 17:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIs it possible to file a K1 visa while living abroad?

 

Could you explain this comment?  I'm not sure I understand what you mean here?  She is living in Vietnam, but what do you mean by "co-sponsors for K-1 visas"?

 

 

If she is allowed to come to the states on a K-1 visa, i was planning on having her stay with family until she is able to travel and i can get her a visa to come with me to Australia.  Would you suggest another route , CR1?

 

1. Not all embassies apparently will accept a joint (or co-)sponsor for a K1. If Vietnam is one of them, you'd need to be able to sponsor her yourself (which would effectively mean that you'd have to apply from the US, when you're making enough money there to support her. You should be able to search and find out whether Vietnam's US Embassy will allow you to use 2 sponsors, or else you're going to a lot of trouble only to be turned down.

 

2. Then you're probably ok. Are you planning on getting married in the US and then just hopping back on a plane to Australia? Seems like kind of a downer! (oh well, none of my business!) 

 

CR1 would allow her to travel right away, but either way, she can't stay too long outside the US with just a greencard.  After 6mo or so (I don't know the actual timeline), her greencard is considered to be abandoned, and you would have to start all over again with the CR1.

 

*** Is there any way you can just bring her to live with you in Australia? 

 

- it's legal for her to come to the US on a tourist visa and marry, as long as she doesn't stay in the US. You get married, and both of you hop on a plane to Australia

- if you're living and working legally in Australia, maybe there's a way that she can come there with only her Vietnamese passport and citizenship and live with you there until you're about a year away from wanting to return to the US permanently. (I don't know how this would work - don't know anything about Vietnam/Australia immigration)

- then, you could apply for a CR1/IR1 from Australia, bring her to the US with you and live happily ever after! You can definitely use a joint sponsor on that visa, and depending on her legal status in Australia, she may have to return to Vietnam for her interview and medical, or if she qualifies as an Australian resident for the purposes of immigration, she could even do her interview in Australia!


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-25 14:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129f petition, never received RFE and now we got denied

Thank you for keeping fingers crossed for us and InesD thank you too!

We haven't got an RFE yet and we wrote two months ago the senator about our case and asked him for help... My fiance was in correspondance with his secretary vis E-Mail! Last week on Monday she wrote us finally somethig more that we are looking forward to:

She said USCIS has recived our case and it is actually getting processed!! And that we should hear something within the next 30 business days... BUT OH WELL! You know USCIS has their time ranches about 30 days and they tell almost everyone about these 30 days to wait before you hear something again,.... That's what they tell the most people and then they don't hear anythin fromthem again in a lot of cases?!?

I'm so disappointed of the uscis you can't imagine! My fiance an me we are both 24, have never been married before both!! Amd both NO KIDS or criminal background I can't understand the world anymore... I can't even really believe the update they told the secretary of the senator until I finally some results! Because the wait is already so long and we talked several times to TIER 2 on their phone and just got to hear that they have passed our noa1 date and we could ask for a service request (which we did!) but no response it is one week since service request...





 

 Hi Tricia - I don't know if anybody else has said this, but if you go onto the USCIS website, you can check the status of your case online. On the off chance you have an RFE that you haven't gotten a message about, it would say in your status that they were waiting for a response to an RFE. Don't trust that you will be notified, since apparently the notifications don't always work. But it should tell you in your status. If it doesn't say that, but just says "Initial Review", then at least you don't have to worry about that!


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-01 18:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE letter of intent to marry

I'm certain he can write the intent to marry in English. Maybe have him handwrite it and sign it so it's clear that he wrote it - just trying to anticipate any possible issues... if they thought he just signed something someone else wrote and he didn't understand.


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-27 01:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan K1 visa be rejected if B1/B2 was denied couple of times?
Then that won't affect your k-1. After all, the whole point of the k1 is to stay in the us.
nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-28 03:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures2 Questions (1 of them not really visa related)
Kansas is pretty conservative. If you can't find out the information fairly easily I think you'd be best to assume that you will need to retake the drivers tests. (Written and road.) So you might as well start reading up on Kansas driving rules. It probably won't cost too much and some of the laws are different there (and not just obvious ones like driving on the other side of the road.

Better to be prepared, right?


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-03-04 18:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPassport expiring soon. Will this cause an issue?
It won't hurt anything to get a new passport. Just do it. If you have the option to keep your old one, I would do that, just for continuity, in case the old passport number is in your file somewhere... You can bring it along to the interview to show that was the old one and now here's the new one.
nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-03-06 13:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuick Question about income.
I thought it was 125% but maybe it's different for k1s. Either way, it's probably a percent OF the poverty line, not above. So it's not so bad. Obviously it's better to have a tax return that shows income, but you can prove it other ways, like an employment contract or pay stubs, if it's a new job.

I also believe that it's a different form for support on a k1, not the 864. 364 maybe? Something like that. And I seem to recall that you can still get a joint sponsor on a k1.


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-03-16 02:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNo Pictures Together = No I-129F Approval

I received my NOA 03/03/2014 and I updated my timeline but I'm not sure how to display it on my timeline like most people have since I'm new :) . I already filed the I-129f on my own so I'm not sure how hiring an attorney at this point would help anything?


Yeah... No attorney.

But the fun stuff about your posts. Go to your profile page, find the signature tab and type in all the timeline info you want! Welcome to VJ - where (most of the time) we give better advice than any immigration attorney!



nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-04-09 17:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow do I prove I have enough income to support my fiance? (merged)
Are you planning to continue living with your family when the two of you return? If so, there's a specific "household member co-sponsor form" where your parents could use their income to make up the shortfall in yours, although I don't know if it applies to fiances.

Otherwise you might need to get them to be "joint sponsors" and fill in their own sponsorship form as such. It happens all the time and although the extra paperwork is a pain, and asking your parents to help sponsor your fiance is no fun, it's standard practice and should be fairly straightforward.

Do a little research on affidavits of support for k1s and that should help answer your questions.

*edited once I noticed that OP is discussing a k1 not a cr/ir1

Edited by nightingalejules, 09 April 2014 - 05:11 PM.







nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-04-09 17:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDilemma - Old Tourist Visa w/ Wrong Spelled Name, and New K-1 Visa w/ Correct Spelled Name

"In a way?" No, you'd be flat out lying if you said she'd never been to the US before. 

 

Never lie to immigration.

 

It is possible that it might complicate things slightly with the old misspelling, although I doubt it.  If, however, you lie and they find out, that is misrepresentation and carries a lifetime ban.

 


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-04-29 14:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDo i fill I-129f in Ukrainian or English

You will have to fill everything out in English, and acquire English translations of any documents that are in Ukrainian.  The only exception is the one part of the form where they specifically ask for the name in the original language.

 

Does Ukraine use a postal code system? Could you do a postal code lookup on an english language search engine and see what the address looks like in English? That would be my best guess.

 

Alternatively, I would imagine that Portland (if that's where you are now) has a Ukrainian Cultural Center or something like that where you might be able to go and find someone who is fluent in both languages and can help you with translations, or at least they might have some suggestions for you that can help you locally.

 

Good luck to you!


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-05-07 15:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswithdraw petition

I would agree.  If a prospective mate starts asking for money that is a sign.  Usually bad. I had smany girls on line prior to meeting my one true love that asked for money on the first or second chat.  Guess what I did with those contacts???  I deleted them and blocked them.  And BEWARE of the my baby, grandma, granpa, uncle, mom, dad, aunty, cousin, sister, brother.....is in the hospital.  This is a commonly used ploy.  It seems this scenario has been passed from one generation to the next.  In my case I visited my girl before I ever sent her any money.  She never asked me for money, even after my first visit.  Believe it or not there is a web site that Filipinos often use.  It is a site where you can learn lies and stories that work.  You can cut and paste one lie after another.  You can make up a whole person that does not exist.  I am not saying that the Filipino girls are the only nationality that have a site like this.  I am sure they are available in many countries and languages.  Sad really.  I am serious, I have seen the site...I will not mention it here because as far as I am concerned it is evil.  I mean people share their stories and excuses like it is a joke.  It's really horrible.
 
Aloha Ke Akua

While I certainly agree that this is a sad and bad situation and I feel sorry for the OP, let's not confuse girls you might chat with a time or two and ask for money vs. a fiancée you are about to marry. Many guys I know who were in the k1 process sent their fiancée some sort of allowance. Of course if the girl said she needed 20k/month for food that would be a red flag. But a guy who wants to help the woman he is about to marry isn't itself a red flag.

O course in this case a scam seems likely.

Edited by davenjanet, 04 September 2013 - 11:21 AM.



davenjanetMalePhilippines2013-09-04 11:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIt's not meant to be rude. Just a general observation.

While I think this complaint is universal on any forum, it is possible that VJ just might be the exception. I am an engineer, meaning that allegedly I am not an idiot:) I also have 25 years experience writing technical documentation. I spent hours reading the guides and everything else here, yet still had questions. The knowledge that any mistake would be flagged by USCIS makes us all cautious and hesitant. So I asked a question or two.

 

Hell I am embarrassed to admit it but it took me about an hour to find the link to Igor's list that everyone was referring to.

 

A few months after I filed my petition my friend (another allegedly smart engineer) filed a petition for his fiancee. He read all the guides here too. Yes he was constantly pinging me asking questions. 

 

Add to this the fact that for many members here English is not their first language. So let's cut people a little slack. As it's often said this is a difficult and stressful process!

 

 


davenjanetMalePhilippines2013-05-12 19:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSomething wrong with Affidavit of Support

For number 11 I personally  left the checkboxes blank and put:

 

 N/A (K1 VISA PROCESS FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE)  in the area for more information-  as it suggests in the example form... that's would be correct for a K-1 right?

 


Edited by jclink, 26 September 2013 - 11:16 AM.

jclinkMaleRussia2013-09-26 11:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisa Denied because I am ugly???

So sorry to hear that. But now you know the facts and can move on.

Sounds like she never intended to join you here and just used you for money or has several men and "options".  Happens too often.

Let the consular know the whole story so she can't play the next  guy if she changes her mind about immigrating some day.

Her nonchalant attitude and unwillingness to talk more in depth of what happened pointed towards trouble.

 

I am truly sorry you had to go through this mess.

 

 

I'm actually curious about that-  is there a way to ensure the consulate is aware of who she is so that should someone else start the process with her, the petitioner can be warned in advance of what has occurred?  

OP, I'm so so sorry.  You sound like a genuinely good and loving person.   I hope that you don't take this as anything that you did wrong.  Sometimes in life bad people take advantage of those with big hearts.   As others have said, thank God you found out before this turned into a situation that could have been much much worse.


jclinkMaleRussia2013-09-26 10:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisa Denied because I am ugly???

An officer will look over your documents and proof before the face to face interview. Usually they already know if a visa will be issued prior to the "interview"

 

That makes a lot more sense.   Thank you!


jclinkMaleRussia2013-09-25 14:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisa Denied because I am ugly???

Sure it does. There are SOP's (Standard Operating Procedures) for each consulate. If you think the process and interview in Kiev is the same as in Cairo you are misinformed.

 

Does Kiev get a  Packet 3 and Packet 4 prior to the interview?
Our interview is in Moscow on Weds of next week, and it strikes me as odd that you said their mind is made up prior to the interview.  Because in Moscow you bring everything for the interview itself (i.e. Proof, documents, so on).  It would seem that it would be hard to render a decision in advance without all of that.

 

I'm just curious as it's one of the RUB places.

 

OP, I hope this all turns out well and that there are only miscommunications.  It sounds though, and I'm sorry for saying it, that there are some trust and maturity issues you and your fiancee face.  I hope that's something you're able to overcome.


jclinkMaleRussia2013-09-25 14:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisa Denied because I am ugly???

Yes, it is a google translation as I said I got it from Skype. I do speak Russian, but I do not have a Russian keyboard. 

 

Why would you need a Russian keyboard to translate something into English.

Sorry, now I'm on the "This is BS" wagon.


jclinkMaleRussia2013-09-25 11:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisa Denied because I am ugly???

According to her, she was just given her passport back without papers.

 

I'm really really not trying to sound rude, but that doesn't sound right-   

Regardless I hope there's a happy ending to this story somewhere...


jclinkMaleRussia2013-09-24 16:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresThrow in the Towel and Move to Fiance's Country Instead?

Not to make light of the terrible wait you are dealing with OP...BUT... given what I understand of Norway and the quality of life, if my Fiancee had been from there and I could get a job... I'd go for the Viking way without hesitation dancin5hr.gifdancin5hr.gifdancin5hr.gifdancin5hr.gif


jclinkMaleRussia2013-11-04 17:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSignature needed

Your mileage may vary on this, BUT I emailed a pdf, had my wife sign and scan it and send it back.   I submitted it with no problems whatsoever.

HOWEVER

It does say it must be original so I don't know if we were just lucky or what. 


jclinkMaleRussia2014-02-25 12:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAlgerian in Paris

Typically he would need to have legal status in France to be able to adequately acquire all of the documents he needs. Working with Algeria related things is very difficult as it's hard to do anything outside of the country. In my previous experience, many embassies only issue visas citizens or residents of any particular country. And I'm certain he's going to need various papers from Algeria with the stamp of the city hall or it won't even be worth it. He can't get his Algerian birth certificate outside of Algeria. He can't get his proof of single status outside of Algeria. He can't get a French police certificate as he has no legal status there and that goes for various other documents. I'm certain he can't get anything from France as he's not a citizen or resident, but there illegally, which is problematic anyway. 

 

Perhaps someone has experienced otherwise? I see no way of avoiding Algeria for a few obvious necessities and some interesting questions if you were to make it to the embassy stage. 

 

I wish you the best of luck. I will see if I find anything else on the subject.


JoaozinhoNot TellingAlgeria2013-08-31 02:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresForm 325A - Biographical Information (K-1 Visa)

It's always best to tell the truth. 

I don't think this could affect you negatively unless you worked illegally as a nanny in the U.S. on some other visa. If this is the case, it's a major red flag, otherwise, I don't think so. But I'm certain someone more knowledgeable will chime in soon! :)

 


JoaozinhoNot TellingAlgeria2013-09-07 00:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresi am 40 years older than my finance

It's going to be very hard with that red flag. I'd suggest gathering a bunch of evidence if you plan to follow through with the K-1. If not, then try the CR-1 as mentioned above and document every part of the marriage!

 

Good luck!


JoaozinhoNot TellingAlgeria2013-09-02 19:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAlgeria, how to get police certificate???

My wife tells me that the police were correct and you should obtain the court records in place of the police certificate. You should go to the court nearest your birthplace. 


JoaozinhoNot TellingAlgeria2013-09-03 14:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Financial Requirement.

Read this too. http://london.usemba...faffidavit.html

And just so you know, as a self-sponsoring beneficiary, there is no I-134 to be filled out by you or your fiancé.


Yeah just read it. Interesting so seems doable. Our problem is the beneficiary has 0 assests. Hopefully the confirmed income will balance that out.

isbjornNot TellingUnited Kingdom2013-09-17 23:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Financial Requirement.

 
The UK has pretty liberal rules when it comes to the support for the K-1.  I'd recommend searching through the VJ UK forum here:  http://www.visajourn...united-kingdom/   and if you don't find what you are looking for, post this question there, or maybe a moderator will move it over.  I've seen discussions in the past about self sponsoring for UK citizens, but didn't go that route myself, so can't give you a specific answer


I did a search but couldnt really find an exact case,, but the term self sponsor never crossed mind, concise and exact. Much thanks.

isbjornNot TellingUnited Kingdom2013-09-17 22:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Financial Requirement.

Excellent! Thanks guys. 


isbjornNot TellingUnited Kingdom2013-09-17 19:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Financial Requirement.

So, essentially the petitioner makes under US poverty line. We were going to have a sponsor but for various reasons they can't do it anymore. 

We always thought that in our circumstance a sponsor would be needed. However today checking the State Dept site we saw
 


During the visa interview, applicants will be required to present evidence to the Consular Officer that they will not become a public charge in the U.S. You may present evidence that you are able to financially support yourself or that your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) is able to provide support. The Consular Officer may request that a Form I-134, Affidavit of Support be submitted by the U.S. citizen fiancé(e).
 

The U.S. citizen fiancé(e) will need to submit Form I-864 to USCIS with the application for adjustment of status to that of legal permanent resident following the marriage.

 

 

 

The beneficiary has been guaranteed to keep their job when working in the States, working remotely - essentially they are key employee with knowledge of a bespoke systems, so hard to replace. The employer would sign an affidavit acknowledging continued employment in the States. The salary exceeds the Minimum poverty line +1 dependent after tax (US) and PAYE.

Would that be sufficient for proof of financial support?


 




 

 

 

 


Edited by isbjorn, 17 September 2013 - 06:35 PM.

isbjornNot TellingUnited Kingdom2013-09-17 18:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow long did you know your fiance before you filed your I-129F?

Online - 9 years, and we met about a year and a half ago.


isbjornNot TellingUnited Kingdom2013-12-17 21:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGetting an Attorney or personally doing the filing,which is better?

We have a lawyer (with paralegals) dealing with our case.

I had complications coming into the country (at border control.)

 

Our lawyer was great and made me feel I could AOS with confidence.

Just having the moral support from people who know what they're doing is a plus.

She even called my Father-in-law when he was skeptical about co-sponsoring. She explained it in a way he could understand, when neither me or my wife were in a position to "sell" it to him.

They prompted us to get 3 "proof of good faith marriage" statements from friends & family. Things we wouldn't have thought about.

 

I'm not trying to sell lawyer thing, but I don't think I could have gone through with it all without their backing and assurance.

Also, we would have messed something up. We're both useless with forms and details.


Soul FrooshMaleUnited Kingdom2014-04-15 14:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBest way to proof your relationship

We provided photocopies of boarding passes, photocopies of passport stamps, 6 photos (2 with his mom) of my most recent trip over there - they're not timestamped, but I wrote the date and location and who was in the picture on the back (we were a bit worried as none of them included any recognisable landmarks, but we looked like we did in passport photos included in the pack, so I guess that was okay), a copy of the FB post announcing our engagement and all the comments underneath the post from friends and family (to show that it was legit - I guess we saw it as the modern equivalent of putting a notice in the paper?), and the Q18 response.  We were approved yesterday, no RFE. 

 

I understand the concept of front loading, and for some high-fraud countries, that may be a sensible approach.  But just like a resume is there to get you an interview, not to get you a job, we figured that the petition pack's purpose was to get us to the next stage, and we didn't want to risk the USCIS official looking at a massive file and thinking "oh god, it's 4.30pm, I've got a hot date tonight, I don't even want to think about reading all that lot now, maybe I'll deal with that one underneath first as it looks like it will be quicker to go through".

For our Q18, my fiance originally wrote a long, beautiful and romantic response, which I absolutely loved (and have kept so that i can re-read it whenever I'm missing him particularly badly).  But for the petition pack, we edited it to make it about half a page long, cut down the bit about how we met, and made sure it was specific about the dates of the recent visit, and how we got engaged.   (Friends of mine both had to write something similar when she was moving to the UK to be with her British fiance.  She wrote 10 bullet points covering factual information about dates and places.  He wrote a 3 page love letter going back to his memories of seeing her across a crowded bar all those years ago and covering everything in between then and now.   I don't think he was too impressed with hers!  We went for something half way in between the two.)

 

Good luck. 

 


PortlandiaFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-05-11 18:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGone on K1 visa but return back with out marry.help now

 
 
K1 and IR1 take about same time.. Not much of a difference...


I'd look into that in a bit more if I were you...

MacauPDXMaleHong Kong2013-11-15 22:27:00