biggish data

Elephant in the room

It is not legal to enter with he purpose of getting married but it is legal to enter as a tourist with no intention to marry and then change your mind.

This is not true.

It is perfectly legal to enter the US with the intent to get married. It is NOT legal to enter the US with the intent to STAY in the US if you enter as a visitor. Basically, you need to insure that your INTENT upon entry is accurate and true. As a Canadian, you can VISIT the US for up to 6 months a year (which is different from 6 months at a time) and it is legal for you to marry in the US and then continue to visit while you are going through the immigration process, which in your case, would be via the CR-1/I-130 route. But in case I haven't been clear ...it would be as a visitor .. a non-resident. And if your 6 month/year allowance is up while you are still waiting for things to be processed then you must be prepared to return to Canada and not overstay.

You can also get married wherever you like and then just visit while the process is ongoing, allowing you to continue to work while you wait. I did the K-1 route so I'm not as familiar with the CR-1 route, so I'm not sure if you'll need to be in Canada for immigration appointments throughout the process or only towards the end. I'm sure your research will tell you that. But if it does, then retaining a job there and visiting frequently may be the wiser course of action.

mozplay

Female

Trinidad and Tobago

2013-03-24 11:07:00

Proofs of meeting in person and ongoing relationship

Unfortunately I did not have the hotel receipt and cards. During my stay in Cambodia, I stayed with my family and she did the same. And we talked to each other everyday so we didn't really send each other cards or anything.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-02-09 18:34:00

Proofs of meeting in person and ongoing relationship

Are the documents below adequate to show the proofs?

+ Photos of us two along with family. (Engagement Ceremony pics and vacations pics)
+ Passport stamps
+ Facebook pages of us two
+ Call logs and messages screen shots in Viber
+ Some emails

Thank you. I'm about ready to file my I-129F.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-02-09 18:11:00

wrong name!!

I made the same mistake as I have 2 first name and accidentally forgot to put the second on the bottom of the form G-325A. As of my previous topic, most people stated that we might get RFE but it's not the end of the world.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-02-18 13:11:00

RFE

I really hope so. I really do not want to add more time to this lengthy process. Unfortunately, today is president's day. I think the office is closed.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-02-18 13:22:00

RFE

Thanks guys. Lets hope I don't receive RFE. I just applied my petition on 02/11/13 and have not received my NOA1 yet.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-02-18 00:37:00

RFE

Hey guys,

As I checked my forms again after I have sent the petition, I noticed I accidentally forgot to put my other half of my first name as I have 2 first name (Jonny Vorn) on the bottom of the form G-325A. I was really upset with my upset for committing the unthinkable mistake as such. I was wondering what I should do? Should I sent the correct one or just wait and expect RFE coming?

Thanks guys,

Jonny Vorn Soth

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-02-16 12:59:00

Spelling Error

You might have to file the form again. As some members here made similar mistake, he/she received the Classification Sought from the USCIS. But you should not be worried as all you need to do is to correct the mistake and you're fine.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-02-18 13:39:00

G-325A

To be specific, you should put Other-I-129F

When did they send that to you? After you received NOA1 or before that? After I sent the petition, I found the mistake on this form.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-02-18 13:04:00

Forms after Received NOA2

Ah thank you. Yeah, I'm currently just waiting for my NOA1. Filled it on the 11st of this month. And We don't need to send the birth certificate and other stuffs with the packet right?

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-02-19 12:24:00

Forms after Received NOA2

As the USCIS approved the petition and it sent to the embassy, who is required to send all the forms such as visa application and affidavit of support to the Embassy before the schedule interview, the petitioner or the beneficiary?

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-02-18 13:25:00

I-129F Denied :(

I'm sorry to hear that. I would not worry too much. Like everyone said here just wait to see the letter and their explanation. In my opinion, it's nothing big as you can refill with all the required documents.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-02-21 00:30:00

I-134 question 11 not checked

First of all, congratulation!! So just to be clear, question 11 leave it blank and put N/A?

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-02-21 22:45:00

I only sent the actual I-129f form

You should try to fill the petition again in the meantime while waiting for the denial letter from the USCIS. You should spend your time gathering all the required documents and forms. The best advice is not to rush things.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-02-16 13:05:00

Ongoing Communication

I think emails or screen shots of your messages and conversation. In my opinion, they don't really need a whole lot enough just to prove that you two are still communications.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-02-23 12:02:00

I129F part C

So we might get an RFE by putting "N/A" in Question 1 in part C?

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-02-24 12:09:00

Alien Registration Number Change

Hey all, I checked my status online at uscis.gov website, and it also says that my Alien number registration has changed as well. I was just wondering what it really means? Thank you.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-02-27 12:45:00

think I got robbed..Part 2

If I were you, I would not hire an attorney for this. Follow the examples, you'll be ok. I just applied for my petition for my fiancee in Cambodia as well. It was well easy by following the example. and if you need any assistance, let me know. Just contact me at janysoth@gmail.com

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-03-02 01:18:00

Background Check

What do they really check for the background check?

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-03-04 03:11:00

strictly ceremonial pictures pose a red flag?

I do believe it's ok as long as you have the engagement certificate and on the name board and title of your photos says that it was an engagement ceremony. I sent the photo including the photos from my engagement ceremony. Mine was a really traditional engagement ceremony.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-03-10 01:44:00

Do i have to wait for NOA2 to get the police report?

It all depends on the embassy. For mine, it only last 3 months so whatever you get prior to 3 months span is not valid.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-03-19 01:41:00

Criminal Background Check

Thank you for your response. Do they check both petitioner and the beneficiary?

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-03-23 01:30:00

Criminal Background Check

What kind of crimes will be red flag for K-1 process?

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-03-21 23:44:00

Cover Letter for Packet 3?

As I received email from the embassy stating that I don't have to wait for the Packet 3 letter to arrive in order to send the required documents. They say I can go ahead download the forms from the Embassy website and send them ASAP in order for them to schedule the interview. My question is should I create a Packet 3 Cover letter stating all the enclosed forms? Is there any Sample Cover Letter?

Thanks.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-06-23 21:45:00

NVC does NOT notify anybody in K-1. CIS notifies the petitioner (USC) when the petition is approved. Then when the paperwork goes through NVC and arrives at the foreign embassy/consulate, they will notify the beneficiary (foreign fiance) with further instructions. Usually, they will mail or have you pick up the paperwork that needs to completed and medical/vaccinations must be completed prior to interview.

Can you email the embassy regarding the case once you have the case number or you have to wait until the case received by the embassy?

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-06-13 22:16:00

Thank you very much for all of your answers guys. I would like to know that because I'm so anxious and ready to sent the Packet 3.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-06-13 21:38:00

Ah I see. How long does it take for them to forward to the embassy after they assigned the case number, you know?

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-06-13 19:51:00

I was just wondering how will NVC notify you when the case has been forward to the embassy? An email or via mail? Who do they notify? Petitioner or Beneficiary or both?

Thanks

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-06-13 19:37:00

Online Payment for K-1 Visa

As far as I know, you pay the fee prior to the interview.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-06-23 13:06:00

Likely the email then is a generic one they send out. Contact the consulate or embassy and ensure they have your information.

That's what I'm thinking. But that's what the Embassy wanted on my Packet 4 Letter. So I'm not really sure.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-07-11 19:31:00

If you're basing your income off of a job offer vs having a job, you need a notarized job offer. If it's based off of a current job, provide pay stubs, a letter from your employer, preferably on company letterhead, stating your position and rate of pay, including what your yearly salary would work out to be.

However, on the Packet 4 letter stated that I need I-134 along with a notarized offer of employment or current assets. I have sent them I-134 and supporting documents. I'm just really confused.

Thank you for your help.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-07-11 00:52:00

Offer? Offer is not the same as having a job.

I think it means the employment verification. Does that need to notarized?

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-07-10 10:45:00

Hello all,

I have received Packet 4 Letter from the embassy stating that a notarized offer employment needed for employment with I-134. I have already sent the supporting documents with I-134. Do they need a new one? and does it need to be notarized?

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-07-10 10:41:00

Our Process

My suggestion would be just describe how exactly you two met. You can even go more in depth for that so leave them nothing to be concerned about.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-07-14 23:54:00

Yes the key difference is what is called a Civil Marriage in USA and there is an equivalent in many other countries and then the "traditional" or say a religious marriage. the civil marriage is the one that is registered with the government. I was married (I-130 14 months process time) in Catholic wedding in Colombia, South America, but that was also registered as a civil marriage and it was the civil marriage that was recognized by the USA Immigration.

Now, after a divorce and annulment long story hehehe), I am in process for an I-129F fiancée visa. Our intent is to have my Filipina fiancée come to California and we will have civil marriage here in USA, then return to Philippines for a formal Church Catholic wedding for her family to see. It takes care of all the requirements Immigration and family/cultural.

I wish everyone good luck in life.

Good Luck for the rest of the journey.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-06-30 17:40:00

I think that is a wise and prudent decision... You have a lifetime together, and this process is difficult, do not add more roadblocks or stress... Have a good and speedy journey

Thank you very much. That's the last thing I want to do, create more problems to already long journey.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-06-30 17:38:00

Thank you everyone for the discussion. I rather be safe than sorry to hold off the original wedding until my fiancee get to the US and return to Cambodia once obtain AP to complete the family tradition. Once again, thank you very much for the help everybody.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-06-30 12:29:00

You could get 'married' within a traditional marriage so long as this is not a legal wedding that will be registered in your country because the US government will not recognise it as a wedding unless it is registered and legally valid. Just don't call yourself husband and wife on any forms or at the interview. In order to be able to use and be entitled to a K1 visa you need to get legally married in the US. But since it seems your traditional marriage is more an informal occasion that is between you and your family then it would be okay.

That would be great. We wouldn't register the marriage until we arrive in the U.S. The marriage would be just for family and friends.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-06-29 23:30:00

Thanks everyone for the answers. I totally agree and should not make any problems or interruption until arrive to the U.S. However, Wedding is really important for Cambodian people. I do believe they do need to register the marriage to legal the marriage. But i'm not entirely sure.

Jonny Vorn

Male

Cambodia

2013-06-29 23:27:00