ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of relationship on K1 visa app.
I believe the medical exam is good for 1 year. I could be wrong, though. The doctor was very helpful, as she only brought 4 of the 5 required medical exam forms, and the doctor provided the missing one. If we have to redo the medical ... no big deal.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-03-19 18:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of relationship on K1 visa app.
We got the list of doctors & forms from the Internet & she did the medical last week.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-03-19 18:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of relationship on K1 visa app.
Nope!
DukeMaleAustralia2007-03-19 17:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of relationship on K1 visa app.
Thanks for the info!

I agree that we're being very ambitious with our August target date. Thankfully, the medical and police have already been done.

I thought Texas processed its own applications. The site lists processing times for TSC. Either way, I factored in 90 days.

Edited by Duke, 19 March 2007 - 05:21 PM.

DukeMaleAustralia2007-03-19 17:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of relationship on K1 visa app.
Our ceremony in april in london will be "unlicensed". The legal marriage won't happen until after the K1 is approved.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-03-19 17:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of relationship on K1 visa app.
Yep, you're correct. It's fixed now.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-03-19 17:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of relationship on K1 visa app.
The overseas won't (and can't) be licensed, so we will legally still be engaged until after the fiance visa is granted.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-03-19 17:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of relationship on K1 visa app.
Thanks. That's exactly what I was thinking. What I don't understand is if I can supplement my petition BEFORE being asked to.

The overseas won't (and can't) be licensed, so we will legally still be engaged until after the fiance visa is granted.

Edited by Duke, 19 March 2007 - 04:58 PM.

DukeMaleAustralia2007-03-19 16:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of relationship on K1 visa app.
Yeah, I realize we're dealing with the government, so we have prepared contigency plans in the event of a major delay.

Edited by Duke, 19 March 2007 - 04:48 PM.

DukeMaleAustralia2007-03-19 16:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of relationship on K1 visa app.
That's a good idea :)

Edited by Duke, 19 March 2007 - 04:43 PM.

DukeMaleAustralia2007-03-19 16:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of relationship on K1 visa app.
I'm concerned because we are on a tight timeline, and I don't want the process delayed any longer than necessary.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-03-19 16:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of relationship on K1 visa app.
Yep, my timeline was confusing. It's fixed now. We're having an unlicensed ceremony in London next month, and will be legally married in the States after the visa is granted.

My timeline was poorly written, so I fixed it. We are not having an "official" wedding overseas, so we will legally still be engaged.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-03-19 16:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of relationship on K1 visa app.
My timeline was confusing. I fixed it now. So, yes, the K1 is the right visa. Thanks.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-03-19 16:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of relationship on K1 visa app.
You're correct, we are in the petition stage. I'm still learning the terminology.

And you're also correct that my timeline was confusing, so I updated my signature. Hopefully it makes more sense now.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-03-19 16:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of relationship on K1 visa app.
Oops, I forgot! I also sent copies of the airline tickets from each trip. Unfortunately, I only sent the copies of the e-tickets sent via email by the airlines. I did not send copies of out passports or the actual boarding passes.

Oops, I forgot! I also sent copies of the airline tickets from each trip. Unfortunately, I only sent the copies of the e-tickets sent via email by the airlines. I did not send copies of out passports or the actual boarding passes.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-03-19 16:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of relationship on K1 visa app.
Oops, I forgot! I also sent copies of the airline tickets from each trip. Unfortunately, I only sent the copies of the e-tickets sent via email by the airlines. I did not send copies of out passports or the actual boarding passes.

Oops, I forgot! I also sent copies of the airline tickets from each trip. Unfortunately, I only sent the copies of the e-tickets sent via email by the airlines. I did not send copies of out passports or the actual boarding passes.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-03-19 16:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of relationship on K1 visa app.
I now realize that I may not have provided sufficient proof of relationship on my K1 visa app. I provided three photos of us, one each from each of our trips to meet each other. I dated the photos and specified the location taken, however, after reading this site, it appears that may not be sufficient.

Assuming that additional proof of relationship is going to be asked of me, is it something that I can provide in advance, or do I have to wait until requested? In other words, can I supplement my petition right now (before being asked)? Is this wise?

Also, does the level of proof of relationship required vary by country? In other words, do certain countries raise more "red flags"?
DukeMaleAustralia2007-03-19 16:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEntering USA while fiance Visa is pending

Why didn't she say "fiancee"? was there a specific reason?


She said 'boyfriend' instead of 'fiance' to avoid raising any unnecessary flags. If the immigration officer had asked anything about marriage plans or intentions, she would have elaborated more.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-04-22 23:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEntering USA while fiance Visa is pending
I wrote about this topic several weeks ago, and have seen several more posts since. Anyhow, I thought I'd share our real-life experience this week. My Australian fiance traveled from Germany on a R/T ticket to the USA, intending to stay for the full 90 days allowed on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

We were concered because (i) we have a fiance visa applciation pending, (ii) my fiance did not possess a return ticket to her country, (iii) this is the 3rd time she's entered the USA in the past 5 months (but the 1st since applying for a fiance visa) and (iv) she no longer has a 'home' in Australia, as this trip was her 'move' to the USA. When she returns to Australia after 90 days, she will stay with friends, and hopefully her interview will occur right away (she's already completed the police and medical.)

The Immigration officer questioned her for about 4 minutes. She did not ask for proof of my fiance's return ticket. The questons that my fiance remembers the Immigration officer asking are: (i) where she was staying in the USA (my fiance said 'with my boyfriend'), (ii) where her boyfriend lived, (iii) what her boyfriend did for a living, (iv) when she was returning to Australia, (v) if she had returned to Australia since her previous trip to the States in early Feb, (vi) how long she was staying in the USA this time, (vii) how much money she had on her, (viii) and since the answer to the previous question was "zero", how much money she had in the bank back in Australia (thankfully my fiance brought a copy of her bank statement. )

Edited by Duke, 21 April 2007 - 07:00 PM.

DukeMaleAustralia2007-04-21 18:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInteresting article

yes, that would be a good heading but I'm still wondering whether they just had a ceremony or whether they submitted a legal document. I mean if they were planning to get married again later why would they get a marriage license? I thought in the US there was separation of Church and State?


Wowsers! This should be pinned with huge wording that says:
DO NOT GET MARRIED BEFORE YOU GET YOUR FIANCE VISA!!!

I feel bad for these folks!


I've read several different articles about their story, and it appears that they had a legally recorded wedding in Hawaii.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-04-25 19:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresImportant question regarding our wedding date before visa approval

I just know that if I was planning my wedding with the possibility of it not being the 'real thing' on the 'big day' (which I am!!) that I'd want to know as soon as possible if there was a big chance I wasn't going to make it. You know? Maybe that's just me, but I think I'd want to have enough time as possible to come to grips with that and understand it.


It depends on what you consider the 'real thing'.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-04-06 14:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresImportant question regarding our wedding date before visa approval
I'm in the same boat as you. And, yes, our "wedding" date was set BEFORE I discovered this site, so I cannot go back and change history. However, I'm not stressed, as I consider the church ceremony the "real" wedding. In my mind, a marriage license doesn't make me married. It simply allows us to share last names, file joint tax returns, share in insurance benefits, own community property, etc.

Think of it this way: Suppose you have your big church wedding and mail your marriage license to the County. Then, several years later, you discover that the license was never received and/or registered by the County. In other words, LEGALLY you would not have been married all those years. However, would you FEEL unmarried? I know I wouldn't. I would simply file a new marriage license, and go on with life. It's the vows before God that matter to me, not a piece of paper filed with the courthouse.

In other words, I'm perfectly fine with my "legal" wedding occuring months after my "church" wedding. I just have to train my fiance to continue to use the terms "fiance" and "engaged" when she enters the States on the VWP, and when she goes in for her interview.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-04-05 14:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHolding the ceremony outside of the USA?

Just follow the guidelines... enough with the "fake" or "Non-Legal" marriages. One slip up and you're going to regret it. Just get your fiance over here first, get married in one of the FIFTY States in the U.S., not the territories, not Virgin Islands, etc. Your future is just too precious to be second-guessing this way. Good Luck!!


A non-licensed religious ceremony is as legally binding as two 12-year olds declaring that they're going steady. For someone to declare to a governmental official that they're "married" after having such a ceremony would be a lie.

Everyone on this site is trying to push the envelope and/or cut corners to some degree. If not, we would have all done things the "proper" way and hired immigration lawyers.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-04-26 14:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHolding the ceremony outside of the USA?
There seems to be a false assumption prevelant. The US Government does not automatically recognize all foreign marriages. Foreign marriages have to conform to certain guidelines, and a specific process has to be followed, to be regognized in the USA. In the absence of such, the marriage does not exist under US law. And if the foreign marriage is not legally recorded with the foreign government, then the marriage definitely doesn't exist under US law. And if the marriage doesn't exist, then one can legally enter the US on a K1 Visa (as my wife/fiance did last week.)

Another consideration is that many countries have residency requirements in order to legally marry. For example, the UK has a 14-day residency requirement. So, in order to legally record a marriage in a foreign country (and begin the process of having it recognized in the USA,) you must meet that country's residency requirement.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-04-25 18:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNVC
We received our NOA2 about 2 weeks ago, and our K1 petition is heading towards the NVC now. My question is, will the USCIS website continue to update our case after the issuance of the NOA2? In other words, will the USCIS website announce when our petition hits (or departs from) the NVC?
DukeMaleAustralia2007-07-02 12:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHot Button Issues
My fiance and I were engaged on Feb 1st and filed our K1 fiance visa application a few weeks later. Our goal was to have a church wedding in April, spend the next 3 months together in the USA while her visa was being processed, and then have her fly home in July just in time to pickup her visa and return to the USA. Unfortunately, we were using the dreaded CSC ... not the lovely VSC.

Our plans also included a few hot-button issues on this board, namely (a) having a religious ceremony while a K1 application is pending, and (b) entering the USA on the 90-day Visa Waiver Program (VWP) while an application is pending.

We received negative feedback that our plans were "too ambitious", "too risky", that we needed to "wait" and "be patient".

I found the negative feedback interesting, as if we were all going to to everything 100% proper (and take no risks) we would all have hired immigration attorneys and turned our applications over to them. The mere fact that we're going the "Visa Journey" route, and doing it ourselves, involves a certain degree of risk.


I understand that everyone is entitled to their opinion, however, the following is what we learned from what actually transpired:

* You CAN have a "religious" wedding ceremony prior to receiving your K1 Fiance Visa. I know this is a real hot-button issue ... and everyone seems to have an opinion ... but this is our experience, not our opinion.

* You CAN enter the USA on the 90-day Visa Waiver Program (VWP) while your Fiance Visa application is pending (this is another hot-button issue.) My fiance simply stated that she was visiting her boyfriend/fiance. Since it was her 3rd trip under the VWP in six months, they did ask for proof of ties to Australia, but the whole process only took a few minutes.


The following was our experience in AUSTRALIA ... although it may apply to other countries, as well:

* You CAN get your medical exam before receiving your Packet-3. My fiance did her medical exam 5 months in advance. Obviously, she did not have a case# assigned yet, so the doctor was kind enough to leave the case# blank and hold onto the exam report for 5 months.

* You CAN get your police report done in advance. Once again, my fiance did hers 5 months in advance.

* You can request a speedy interview. My fiance mailed in her "statement of readiness to be interviewed" on a Monday and had her interview conducted 8 days later.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-08-03 17:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures1st post former NSC adjudicator now petitioner
HUSKERKIEV, YOU'RE A LIFE SAVER! I read every one of your posts and learned more that I ever hoped for about the Visa process.

Anyhow, I'm concerned about an RFE because I went pretty light on the proof of relationship. I submitted:

(a) 3 photos of us together as a couple, 1 from each of our 3 in-person meetings. I wrote on the back the date and exact place each photo was taken.

(B) Pintouts of the 3 airline e-tickets from each of our 3 trips. I did not submit hardcopies of the boarding passes, just printouts of the e-ticket email confirmations that the airlines send out.

I did NOT submit copies of our passport stamps, phone records, copies of emails, or anything else.

<Q> Would you have issued an RFE in this case?

Also, concerning proof of relationship....

<Q> Do the processors take into consideration the country the fiance is coming from? I mean, are the processors inclined to let fiances from certain countries slide by with less evidence of relationship, whereas they might be a little more demanding from other countries?

<Q> Might the processors take any other factors (such as length of relationship, age difference, ect.) into consideration regarding proof of relationship and demand more or less evidence as a result?

Thanks a zillion!!!
DukeMaleAustralia2007-04-06 14:41:00
VietnamMy Journey might be over

Yes he is hard line. What of Vietnamese culture? Is Kevins wife acting like any other Vietnamese woman that comes to the states? I hardly think so.If she truly loves her husband he wouldn't be posting of this topic.. She had 4 years to learn and what to expect of her life in the States. She has family here that I'm sure could of filled her in. Regardless what country your spouse comes from there adjustment period.


Unfortunately, yes my typing can be viewed as pretty hard-nosed, but not trying to write a book or anything so I was straight and to the point. Merely my opinion and $0.02.

The adjustment period is always an issue and I think most could say that the small town environment prolly is not the most conducive to not feeling isolated or alone in a new world that is unlike someone's home country. I personally don't feel this is the whole reason for her actions because if it was... You would think she would come home and say, "Sweetie I gotta get out of this small town! Come with me."

As I was told in PM... there are alot of things I and We don't know and there are truly many reasons this situation has happened and it is not an isolated instance. Many couples don't have the fairy tale ending we all hope for...we just don't hear much about those stories.

Thanks to Kevin for sharing his experience...

Edited by PachucoBro, 08 June 2011 - 09:00 PM.

PachucoBroMaleColombia2011-06-08 20:56:00
VietnamMy Journey might be over
Well... I come from a different angle than most who have replied. I have been through one divorce from a foreign bride and am currently in the VISA process as I write this.

My thoughts are this... Regardless of what is really going on... She decided not to even return to see you in person nor did she try to talk to you directly and then mentioned things of an abusive situation (true or false, not important).

With those things in mind my advice is... DO NOT try to work things out. This behavior that she has shown, right or wrong, means she does not want to be with you and has no intentions of trying to work with you on making it better.

File for the divorce as soon as you can as it could take 1-2 years to get a divorce if she fails to agree and sign. Protect yourself. Let her do what she wants or feels she needs to do.

My ex-wife found an organization with good intentions who helped her get her Permanent Residency without my signature based on some phone calls to 911 due to our verbal arguments (no physical violence). She is doing well here in the states, we are divorced and she is not my responsibility any more. I had to learn to move on...and it was VERY HARD.

Good luck to you and don't forget...Protect yourself at this point.
PachucoBroMaleColombia2011-06-08 19:59:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belaruspetition is returned back to NVC
Ok so I have read many posts dealing with the effects of IMBRA on petitions submited prior to March 6th. What about the rest of us that have sent in a new K-1 petition AFTER March 6th. I received my NOA1 around May 11th.

I used the current forms available on the USCIS website at the time (April). What can petitioners such as myself expect?
PachucoBroMaleColombia2006-05-31 17:03:00
Mexico, Latin & South Americapacket 3 advice for Bogota
Here are a couple of recent posts in another section of VJ:

http://www.visajourn...showtopic=35423

http://www.visajourn...showtopic=35195
PachucoBroMaleColombia2006-10-04 13:59:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaDOMESA Delivery Times for VISA in Colombia
We picked up my fiancee's passports today at the DOMESA office in Barranquilla today. It was a very 'cold' experience. The DOMESA office here is merely a blue steel reinforced door with an intercom and a nasty looking metal slot in the wall that is actually used to pass papers back and forth.

For my finacee, looking to pickup the passports, she was invited past the door, but specifically was told only her and not me. They have a camera outside protected by a huge metal enclosure where they could see me with her. Once inside she was searched and her purse was looked through.

The reason for all the high security is because DOMESA, atleast here in Barranquilla, delivers money deposits for businesses and the government offices.

They also mentioned to her that it sometimes takes 3-6 days for them to receive the passport from the Embassy and then it takes about 1-2 days for it to arrive at the DOMESA office in Barranquilla.

The person helping her said it was good to pick up the passports at their office because they have a difficult time in delivering to many addresses in Barranquilla. It would have taken them an additional 1-2 days to deliver it to her residence door.
PachucoBroMaleColombia2011-09-22 19:26:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaDOMESA Delivery Times for VISA in Colombia

Did they by chance say how long it would take to pick up at the local office in Bogota?


Based on what other miscellaneous posts have mentioned... It should take 3-5 days to pick up at a Bogota office.

I will be sure to ask tomorrow when we go to pick up her passports at the DOMESA Office. We called yesterday and they said the Bogota office had the passports and would have it delivered to BArranquilla by Thursday.

Here are some dates to look at:

12 SEP 2011 - VISA Interview: Approved.
20 SEP 2011 - Phone Call to DOMESA: Passports are in Bogota and will be in route to Barranquilla 21 SEP.
22 SEP 2011 - Expected date of pickup.

So it would seem it takes about 5 business days (M-F) for DOMESA to receive the passports from the Embassy.

It also looks like it takes about 2 business days to deliver from Bogota to Barranquilla.
PachucoBroMaleColombia2011-09-21 11:37:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaDOMESA Delivery Times for VISA in Colombia
Well we got our VISA approved and paid for a DOMESA delivery to the DOMESA Office in Barranquilla.

The person lady at the DOMESA window inside the Embassy said it would be available at the DOMESA office for pickup in 8 days. Our interview was on Monday, September 12th. Pickup available on Thursday, September 22.

I had already bought our plane tickets to return to the USA on Saturday, September 24th. Let's cross our fingers!
PachucoBroMaleColombia2011-09-14 08:48:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaDOMESA Delivery Times for VISA in Colombia
It would seem that alot of people have questions as to finding out what the REAL delivery times that can be expected from DOMESA, but not many posts of actual experiences.

If you have had your approved VISA and passport delivered to you or delivered to a DOMESA office for you to pick up, please post the following information when you can.

  • Where you had your passport delivered to (residence or DOMESA office)?
  • What city did you pick up your passport in?
  • How many "Calendar Days" from the date of your interview to the date the passport was delivered or ready for pick up?

Granted, these kinds of delivery times greatly vary due to "Colombia Time" being a bit different than "American Time" and in no way should be taken as absolutely accurate. Follow the information VJ and VJers offer about not purchasing tickets with expectations that might not follow through.

Please direct people to this post if you know they have received their approved passport and VISA. Thanks!
PachucoBroMaleColombia2011-09-09 20:20:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaCOLOMBIANOS VIVIENDO EN LOS EE.UU.
Perdonas mi espanol pero pienso este thread es bueno por presentar mi prometida a miembros Colombianos en este websitio. Ruby's perfil es aqui: http://www.visajourn.../108764-ruby-l/ y quiero ella conocer Colombianos y Americanos que saben el processo de immigracion y vida aqui en EEUU.

Espero ella crear nuevos buenos amigos por ayudarnos en nuestra adventura que llamamos matrimonio. Gracias!

Edited by PachucoBro, 12 June 2011 - 11:11 PM.

PachucoBroMaleColombia2011-06-12 23:10:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussioncan someone send me a google earth screen shot of the brazil consulate?


You plan on dropping a bomb?


what a tasteless thing to say.


I thought it was funny... Being that the image used looked just like what a bombadier would use. Geez... Lighten up.
PachucoBroMaleColombia2006-08-04 13:56:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionInetrview in Bogota on Friday 7/14

Great! Well, if, God willing, he is approved, his flight is for that evening. I guess it will be time to make a call to the Embassy this morning to see what they say. Thanks so much for your help mel!!!!!!!


BUMP!

Just wanted to see if you found any new information as to the procedure for issuing VISAs. Sounds like Mel and Peter have pretty sound information, just wanted to see if ya found out any new information.

Trying to work out the logistics, finances and POSSIBILITY of being there for her interview AND her first trip to the United States. I would really like to be with her during this special event of her coming to the states for the first time.
PachucoBroMaleColombia2006-08-14 10:45:00
Asia: East and PacificCalling from the States to Australia
I noticed several posts about phone calling cards & prices, so I thought I would chime in with my experiece.

I use AT&T's plan (I think it's called "One Country") which allows me to make unlimited direct-dialed calls to Australia for $50 per month. The quality of the connection is far superior the calling cards I tried (espcially because I'm calling rural Australia) and it works out to a little over 1 cent per minute for us.
DukeMaleAustralia2007-04-07 22:23:00
Asia: East and PacificApplicant's Statement of Readiness to be Interviewed
I've been advised that the "Applicant's Statement of Readiness to be Interviewed" is part of the Packet-3. My Aussie fiance is in the States right now, and will remain in the States until after her packet-3 arrives back at her home in Oz. We have the entire packet-3 prepared, however .... except for this "Applicant's Statement of Readiness to be Interviewed".

Does anyone have a copy of this form?
DukeMaleAustralia2007-06-20 22:03:00