ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresShould I FAKE IT?
NEVER submit anything fake when applying for a visa. You could end up with a permanent ban
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-04-26 09:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGuys-----RFE trick notworking any more
QUOTE (badspellor @ Apr 25 2008, 09:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Jomo @ Apr 25 2008, 11:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Patience, people. This is all a process, whethere we like it or not. Disrupting that process usually doesn't generate much of anything.



QUOTE (Sylvia_n_Joseph @ Apr 25 2008, 11:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I personally believe that the RFE trick is useless. The best thing is to just wait it out. Interupting people with phone calls trying to get your case done faster just slows every case up and will get your case assigned to the problem stack ( yes there is one ) and make it actually take longer.


Exactly!! Wait it out. Want to know the moment you're approved? Set up email notification at the USCIS's Case Status Online. You can have the email sent straight to your cell phone. Almost all cell phones have email addresses and they come in as a text message. Here's some examples from the most popular carriers in the states:

AT&T (formerly Cingular): 2125551212@txt.att.net
Alltel: 2125551212@message.alltel.com
Sprint: 2125551212@messaging.sprintpcs.com
T-Mobile USA: 2125551212@tmomail.net

Replace 2125551212 with your 10 digit cell phone number. If you use a different carrier than these, check out this page that has the addresses used for almost every cell carrier, including some international ones: http://www.emailtextmessages.com/

If you set this up then the moment USCIS does something with your petition you'll know it, provided you have your cell phone with you at all times!


Case status email is badly broken when it comes to your NOA2 from CSC . My application is half way to Lagos and USCIS still says pending almost a month later. Keep looking in your mail box you may be suprised .
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-04-25 15:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGuys-----RFE trick notworking any more
I personally believe that the RFE trick is useless. The best thing is to just wait it out. Interupting people with phone calls trying to get your case done faster just slows every case up and will get your case assigned to the problem stack ( yes there is one ) and make it actually take longer.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-04-25 10:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures2009 DV lottery results
The people have already been drawn and the winners should have been notified already
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-06-07 17:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureswaiver at interview
What sort of wavier ? What makes you think you need one ? A few more details please
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-06-22 09:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiling options w/ b2 visa
The fraud is entering the US with a visitors visa when you are intending to immigrate. If when you enter you say " I am just visiting" and you are really planning to stay and marry you are commiting fraud and could end up banned from staying.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-07-02 14:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresanyone married by proxy
so where did you do your proxy mariage.
[quote name='Paris Heart' date='Apr 20 2009, 08:12 PM' post='2858114'

I hope not too. LOL, but we proved it with back to back debit card trasactions, we have joint checking and the receipts showed out ATM card numbers, we made transaction at same place, such at Starbucks in Paris 30 seconds apart, and shops, we showed we were at same place, same date,same time to show we were in Paris together. and the bank did a letter telling USCIS which was his card transactions, and what mine were. So I think we are covered,plus we have more eveidence.

On the absent license form, my husband signed it in front of notary at U.S. Embassy Paris.
[/quote/




Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2009-04-20 22:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresanyone married by proxy
There are only 4 states with poxy marriage laws. California only allows it for deployed military in an active combat zone. Colorado the law reads

Marriage by proxy is allowed in Colorado only if either the groom or bride cannot appear due to illness, is out of the state of Colorado, or incarcerated.
In these case, the bride or groom can obtain an absentee application. It must be notarized. Identification for the absent party must be provided by the other soon to be spouse when applying for the license.

In Montana
2) If a party to a marriage is unable to be present at the solemnization, the party may authorize in writing a third person to act as proxy. If the person solemnizing the marriage is satisfied that the absent party is unable to be present and has consented to the marriage, the person may solemnize the marriage by proxy. If the person solemnizing the marriage is not satisfied, the parties may petition the district court for an order permitting the marriage to be solemnized by proxy.

(3) The solemnization of the marriage is not invalidated by the fact that the person solemnizing the marriage was not legally qualified to solemnize it if either party to the marriage believed that person to be qualified.

(4) One party to a proxy marriage must be a member of the armed forces of the United States on federal active duty or a resident of Montana at the time of application for a license and certificate pursuant to 40-1-202. One party or a legal representative shall appear before the clerk of court and pay the marriage license fee. For the purposes of this subsection, residency must be determined in accordance with 1-1-215.

In Texas
.006 ABSENT APPLICANT.

(a) If an applicant is unable to appear personally before the county clerk to apply for a marriage license, any adult person or the other applicant may apply on behalf of the absent applicant.


(cool.gif The person applying on behalf of an absent applicant shall provide to the clerk:
(1) the affidavit of the absent applicant as provided by this subchapter;
(2) proof of the identity and age of the absent applicant as provided by this subchapter; and
(3) if required because the absent applicant is a person under 18 years of age, the documents establishing parental consent, documents establishing that a prior marriage has been dissolved, or a court order authorizing the marriage of the absent, underage applicant.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, § 1, eff. April 17, 1997.

2.007 AFFIDAVIT OF ABSENT APPLICANT.
The affidavit of an absent applicant must include:


(1) the absent applicant's full name, including the maiden surname of a female applicant, address, date of birth, place of birth, including city, county, and state, citizenship, and social security number, if any;


(2) a declaration that the absent applicant has not been divorced within the last 30 days;


(3) a declaration that the absent applicant is:
(A) not presently married; or
(cool.gif married to the other applicant and they wish to marry again;


(4) a declaration that the other applicant is not related to the absent applicant as:
(A) an ancestor or descendant, by blood or adoption;
(cool.gif a brother or sister, of the whole or half blood or by adoption;
© a parent's brother or sister, of the whole or half blood or by adoption; or
(D) a son or daughter of a brother or sister, of the whole or half blood or by adoption;


(5) a declaration that the absent applicant desires to marry and the name, age, and address of the person to whom the absent applicant desires to be married;


(6) the approximate date on which the marriage is to occur;


(7) the reason the absent applicant is unable to appear personally before the county clerk for the issuance of the license; and


(8) if the absent applicant will be unable to attend the ceremony, the appointment of any adult, other than the other applicant, to act as proxy for the purpose of participating in the ceremony.

So basically those 3 states allow you to marry without both people being there . In Montana actually neither person has to be there but one must be a resident of the state. No residency requirement for the other two. USCIS requires that the marriage be consumate AFTER the wedding . So you would have to prove that you have "been together" after the wedding ( I would hope they don't demand pictures of the actual event )

Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2009-04-20 22:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresanyone married by proxy
Time line is the important thing premartial intercourse would not count. You have to have had a post proxy coitus. As long as you two visited and can prove it after your marriage you should be ok
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2009-04-20 20:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresanyone married by proxy
I was referring to the OP who was asking about proxy marriages and a visa. But I am glad you are being as wild as you can
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2009-04-20 20:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresanyone married by proxy
I think the big question is did you visit him ( and do the wild thing ) after your proxy marriage. USCIS does not recognise unconsumated proxy marriages.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2009-04-20 20:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDid I miss something?
Isn't Spain one of those European countries that don't need a visa for short stays ?? So he can come and go on that passport. He has to apply for whatever after he get married but he can visit at will.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2007-12-12 18:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 Petition
Wow 12.5 pounds . Sounds more like a baby than a visa petition. I hope sending all that won't make them delay sending it on. I guess they probably get some really good bulk postage rate on thier shipments. My K1 should be just behind yours. Same center , same country and only about 2 weeks difference in filing.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2007-12-16 20:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNotarize Copy of Passport
I would think in most cases your pictures could prove you have been there. But then agian I was in Nigeria and that is definately not like California. A notery should be able to state that something is an exact copy of a document.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2007-12-05 23:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI'm not sure about this
To apply for a K1 visa you have to get a waiver if your last K1 was less than 2 ( or is that 3 ) years ago OR if this is your 3rd or more lifetime. I married a foreigner way back in 1985, so this is number 2 in 24 years ( assuming we get approved this year ) Last time I was being very cutting edge and met him online . This time it was arranged by family.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-01-05 21:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow important is the Letter of Intent To Marry...?
QUOTE (mapanti @ Jan 21 2008, 07:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello to all of my fellow VJer's!!

Congratulations to all who have received there NOA2's dancin5hr.gif And an early congratulations to those whos NOA2's are on the way yes.gif

I wonder how important is the Letter Of Intent To Marry (LOIM)...I ask this because we included everything in our K-1 Visa application except for that. I was following instructions from a book before I stumbled upon this site and it seems that the LOIM was the only thing that was omitted. However, we did include a pending marriage license for April that I obtained from the courthouse (you can do that in MD:-).

I know that if they require more information, USCIS will request an RFE. However, I was curious to know if there is anyone out there who received an NOA2 approval without the LOIM included in the K-1 packet...? If so, did they just request that you bring it to the interview along with the original supporting evidence... huh.gif


They may construe the pending marriage lic. as intent . Although at the current approval rate I hope that is for April 2009 because April 2008 may not be possible mad.gif I hate the slow way thing go, especial for those wanting to come from poorer areas. Seems to be USCIS thinks poor people have more desire to be here so they will in turn slow them down. wacko.gif I filed in Novemeber and doubt my SO will see a visa before this coming fall.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-01-22 06:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresA question for RFE
Pictures are considered primary evidence. You need something that shows you and he were at the same place in the last 2 years , stamps on a visa, hotel bills the ticket stubs things that have a date on them . Pictures are ack up evidence.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-01-31 23:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUs Old Folks
Being older I have a job that I have had for 29 years and a house I have lived in for 23 years. My parents are gone so it is my childern that have to adapt to my choices. One is married with childern and is the least approving of it. The middle one is 25 and finsihing his degree so he will be moving on/out and is ok but keeps his eyes on his mother. The youngest is getting ready to attend college all the way on the other coast and seems to be the most accepting of what is going on.
He has never been married before and has no childern. He owns property but has not built a hose on it yet. We plan on building a guest house there. Being the oldest he inherts his fathers property and has a responsibility to care for his parents. We will be building a family home there. We will also be looked to for assistance in getting his siblings started ( and he is 16 of them ) In return they are obligated to see to our end of life needs.
Being older we can realistically discuss retirement options. While I am working the US will be our primary domicile. As we get older we will shift to a split life and in the later years full time there. There are no retirement homes in Nigeria . Family will take care of your needs. I much prefer this to the end of life in the US were you are sent off to a facility to get you out of the way.
I think as older people we have a better handle on what we have and what we really want to do with the rest of our life. We are lucky enough not to have to worry about co sponsers. We also understand the value of a good prenuptial and will.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-02-03 11:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMox please bring back the CSC approval abacus
Maybe they are holding out to notify everyone on VDay wacko.gif
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-02-13 21:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI need some advice?are we gonna have some trouble?
QUOTE (waiting_here @ Feb 15 2008, 06:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
thanks! i just got bothered coz i saw this vj'er who posted something like his fiancee got denied of a k1 visa coz they asked her engagement party receipt. I thought its really a big deal.

We may not know the full story. It could be their application made mention of a party and they asked for proof.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-02-15 10:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCAN FIANCEE WITH TOURIST VISA WAIT IN THE U.S. FOR K1 APPROVAL
Many get turned away because one the K1 is filed it is harder to show that you aren't intending to immigrate. It is a risk some take. I am not sure of what percentage get turned back. As for her coming here then filing and waiting. The current process is taking about 6 months just for the NAO2 and then longer for the rest. I doubt you have a visitors visa that would let her stay that long. There are also a few things she needs to gather for the interview , like a police certificate and the medical which she will need to be in her home country for.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-02-17 09:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFe question
It is very common to get a touch a couple weeks after reciept but all that seems to mean is you have been consigned to a box that is heading for a shelf for the next 4 months. It is after it has been properly aged on the shelf that they pull them out and seemingly do everything in a matter of days. I wish they would realize that all this space to store boxes is costing them money. innocent.gif
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-02-22 08:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuick Quetion about E-mails
Emails aren't what prove you have met. You need stamps in passports and airline ticket stubs and hotel reciepts. Add a few pictures of the two of you together.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-02-25 08:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTime range for petition
We need some more info. Are you talking about the application for the K1 visa ? Which local office California or Vermont ? In general is seems to be taking about 6 -10 months to get to the embassy stage currently. Fill in your timeline for more accurate infomation.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-02-27 08:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion on the timeline
The date moves. Mine started to be mid May and moved to late June and now is back to late May. It is based on activity for approvals. The holidays at year end did some bad things to the lines as did the July crush. What I can tell you is that from the end of november to know I have made it to more than 1/2 way up the list of people waiting for approval from the same service center. I think watching that your movement up the list gives you a good idea of how things are doing.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-02-29 12:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInterview today and need more financial documents
Are you borderline and do you meet the 125% of the NEW 2008 guidlines ?
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-02-27 20:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDisparity Between VSC and CSC and
Your other half is in Canada. You can go there almost at will and see her. You two can talk online daily.
You have it so good and don't even know it. I filed for someone in Africa. I can't afford to fly off to see himbecause of my work and kids and there is NO way he can get a visa to visit while we wait. He doesn't have a computer nor money to spend on cafes, which he doesn't trust do to the scammers. Phone service is terrible. I have spent 3 days trying to get through for a connection that lasted 4 minutes. ( Ok I am venting )
I have been waiting since November. And yes it is upsetting to see someone get approved for the same country that filed in Jan but I know there are people that filed in October that are also waiting.
The problem with the process is that being efficient would mean they wouldn't need as many of them. If you take forever then you have a job. I wish I could push them along or do something but it like having a baby. Some arrive earlier than others.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-03-01 16:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Visa vs Greencard Lottery
QUOTE (Jesse G @ Mar 20 2008, 08:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The biggest difference is the obvious.... the DV Lottery is a lottery.... Might take you 5 or 6 years to get one, for all you know. Last time I calculated, a DV Lottery applicant had about a 65% chance of being selected for a visa.

What has led you to believe that "it looks like [your] number would come up in June for the Greencard Lottery"?



65% when did you do your math ? I know for the last couple of years there have been over 600000 submittions for 50000 visas that is tless than 1 in a hundred chance.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-03-21 06:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWHERE CAN I FIND MY CASE
Only California and Vermont do 129F visas.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-04-04 05:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDumb question about CSC
I seriously think their online and email system is broken. The last several people that have reported Noa2's ( myself included ) have found them in the mail box ( snail mail ) and online I am still recieved and pending.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-04-07 12:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa process taking longer than expected
I am a Nov CSC filer and just got an NOA2 dated Mar 31. So you should be pretty close to getting yours. DOn't know what was up with CSC last week. Looks like they only got through mine and one other according to Igors list as of this morning. I know that their online system is out of wack and you should be looking closely at your snail mail.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-04-07 07:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan fiance visit US with I-129F pending?
There is nothing against visiting. The problem is there is an increased chance that they won't let him in. He should bring whatever proof he has that he has to be back in Canada. And be prepared to be turned back . They will see the petition as intent to immigrate so he has to convince them that he doesn't intend on doing it yet.
Good luck
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-04-13 15:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUS Marriage - Does it have to be in the 50 states?
If you have to pass through immigration when you return your fiance will probaly be refused entry and told to return to his home ocuntry and you will have to start a k3/cr1 and wait everything out all over again . Personally I wouldn't want to risk it .
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-04-17 11:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresThe K1 Petition
If they sent everything back to you then you sent it in again with a new check then you are starting out all over again. If you get a letter requesting more evidence ( RFE) and you just sent that then you are in your old order.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-04-20 08:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurescheck online
You get tuoched right after your case arrives. Then at CSC a lot of people get touched almost a month later. I think that is when they send it to the storage room. If you let it go through naturally you get touched again when they start working it several months later. It you are lucky that is about when you get approved . Maybe a week later. I NEVER got email notified of it being approved even though I was signed up for it. I got a hard copy in the mail. The case has already gotten to Africa and CSC still says recieved and pending.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-04-26 17:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProxy Marriage
To go K1 they need to have been physically together in the last 2 years right ?
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-01-11 06:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F question 11
It is in the instructions I was wrong about the timed one . It is 2 years not 5 ( mine was 20+ years ago)

I 129 f instructions

look on page 2
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-04-28 21:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F question 11
You have to file a wavier if you exceed the limits. ( one limit is visas in a 5 year period and the other is lifetime ) It is mostly because of those that have made a cash thing out of marrying someone. Not a big deal.

The change of address may depend on how fast the approval goes. If you are certain she will move i might include it as a note but you should contact whomever has the petition when she moves and file a change of address.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-04-28 20:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F question 11
Yes you FILED . It doesn't ask if the visa was consumated. whistling.gif Filing a visa that is withdrawn counts as a used petition.
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-04-28 20:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F checklist for my fiance
get several passport style photos. Saves the hassle in case the first one is lost/damaged ( murphy's law states if you don't prepare it will happen. Murphy's second law says is you spend money to vcover yourself it won't happen )
Sylvia_n_JosephFemaleNigeria2008-05-02 15:18:00