biggish data

Tourist Visa Granted

QUOTE (LoriLawless @ Dec 13 2007, 11:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (eric_and_teresa @ Dec 13 2007, 11:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (LoriLawless @ Dec 13 2007, 10:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow congratulations!

Question, you're only staying until January? Did you have to show ties to your home country too?

Thank you

Yes, I'm only staying for 2 weeks. I can't stay any longer, I need to come back to work

lol.

I did bring all the documents to prove my ties and financial situation (job certificate, tax declarations, bank account certification, professional I.D., credit cards, etc, etc,) But the CO did not ask for anything.. he just wanted to see my old passport and my prior visa. I don't think I stayed at the window longer than 1 minute. He only asked how long I stayed during my last visit and I was still answering when he said "Your visa is approved".

I'm kinda nervous about the POE.. but I'll be honest and hopefully everything will work out just fine.

Thanks! I imagine you're not a participating country for the waiver program? I'm asking cause it seems that waiver program countries seem to have a hard time getting B2s.

I don't think you have anything to worry about at POE to be honest. I'm sure it'll all be fine!

Congrats again, I'm so happy for you.

Guatemala is not a visa waiver country. At the moment, I don't think any of the South American countries are. Still, as she has said, this isn't the norm for her country.

QUOTE (eric_and_teresa @ Dec 13 2007, 11:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (LoriLawless @ Dec 13 2007, 10:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, Guatemala is not even close to ever be part of the VWP

I wanted to ask you... in which cases do nationals of countries of the VWP need to apply for B2's? Is it when they have already started an immigration process? Because I've heard of foreign fiances traveling under the VWP while their K-1's are pending.

Thank you for your good wishes

If they've overstayed their VWP entry by a certain amount of time, they need to get a visa to re-enter. I don't know if there's any other situations, but I'm sure there are. Oh, if they want to stay longer for 3 months, too.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2007-12-13 12:35:00

How long does an I-129f really take ?

QUOTE (drbilldc @ Jan 17 2008, 08:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (vj2008 @ Jan 17 2008, 07:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I just checked http://www.uscis.gov...0004718190aRCRD

And it is really a bad new that average processing times for certain application types may grow longer. In particular, naturalization applications filed after June 1, 2007 may take approximately 16-18 months to process.

Now I want to ask how long an I-129F will really take? USCIS received my paperwork of I-129F and some other files and noticed it in September 2007.

That comment ont the website says "naturalization" will be delayed. Naturalization pertains to green cards and citizenship not I-130's and I129f's
Bill

Naturalization has nothing to do with green cards.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-17 10:27:00

Girfriend in Brazil, B1 visa or K1

QUOTE (kommie @ Jan 17 2008, 10:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I thought Brazil was added to the Visa Waiver program(2007) so there is no need for the B1. Am I correct ?

No. Their adjusted visitor visa denial rate is still not below 5%, so they are not yet eligible to be added. They were told they could be added if the adjusted visitor visa denial rate came below 5%.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-18 06:41:00

Senators listen to registered voters

QUOTE (SnowyTater @ Jan 18 2008, 09:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Okay..

I'm gonna open my big mouth again

I'm definately a newbie here too, and know very little about the entire process. I know very little about how long it used to take to process a person through the immigration gates compared to how long it takes now. I don't know anything at all about how necessary it is for it to take this long, why it does, what sort of funding goes into the system, etc.
I DO think it really sucks that everyone filing through the California Service Center have to wait longer, and if it's true that they've just come to a dead standstill then yeh, that's really bad, need to do something about that. And it would be cool if there were any feasible way for it to be more predictable how long it'll take, from day of sending the I-129 to day of getting visa in hand, so people can plan their lives more freely. I don't really know if there's a feasible way to do even that, though, what with everyone's case being very different.

Here's the thing. I don't really think it's that bad to have to wait six to nine months, I guess is the average, to be with the one you love. Don't get me wrong, it's hard, I know it's hard, I've been commuting back and forth with the guy I love for years, and we get to see each other twice a year. My point is that I'll gladly wait that long or however long it takes to be with him and to be able to marry him. I understand there have to immigration rules and policies and securities that take time like this. I'm perfectly OK with waiting all these months or years because I know how strong we are as a couple.

Personally, I'm glad it's a bit hard to get a fiance into the country. I think one of the guides on the site said that almost all, over 90% of the petitioners, do successfully get their fiance in. That's pretty amazing, I think, and I'm really glad that I don't have to worry about us being rejected and us having to find some way to live together. I'm glad it's harder to go through the process and that the process is this long, though, because I don't really want just anybody and everybody that starts up a 'fling' to be able to come into the country no problems, stay a few months until a break up, leave again, whatever, etc. I guess that might cause stability problems for the country, I don't know. I think maybe the government thinks the same way. Maybe the entire process is long and difficult on purpose; maybe the government wants to weed out the couples that think they're in love and think they're committed, but then don't even consider themselves worth all this hassle. That doesn't seem like too awful of a thing to me. Imagine how you'd feel if you gave up your citizenship somewhere, uprooted your whole life to move here, and then found out the whole thing was really just a whim and that you've really, really messed up.

I'll wait in line like everybody else, I'm okay with it. Maybe it used to be tons better but I don't know, as many problems as we have federally right now, I wouldn't prioritize this one.

If there's anybody reading that has been waiting an extremely long time, or is dealing with an embassy that makes it particularly hard for you to get over here, anything like that, I'm not talking about you. I think your cases should be improved, yes, it should be fair for everybody. I just mean the on-average six to nine months isn't that bad.

I agree, to some level. Reasonable wait times for everyone? Fabulous. I do have an issue with the wait times some people get put through after they get in the country, but that's neither here nor there in this discussion.
If people want to improve wait times, I don't think letters saying, "USCIS needs better processing times!" is the answer. USCIS needs more money to pay more people to adjudicate and process petitions and applications - everything costs money and they can only do so much with what is given to them. The government is more concerned with spending money in Iraq than spending money on even giving our own citizens the tools their need to survive, they most certainly aren't as concerned with processing times as we'd like to believe.
Making them concerned is a great idea, but how do we do that? Not sure.

As for not being able to work on a fiance visa...well, that's not really that uncommon. If you go to the UK on a fiance visa, you can't work until you have a marriage visa or some such (ukimmigration.com). Fiances aren't even married yet and the I-94 expires in 3 months, anyway. Work authorization makes little sense with such a short duration of I-94 anyway. Quicker turnaround for EADs, however, would make more sense.

I'm not really sure I think K-1 should have a long duration of permissable stay or be multi-entry, though. Or be automatically work authorized. K-3's are valid for 2 years and are multi entry - but they have to apply for an EAD. Now we're going to give fiance/es more rights than husbands and wives?

Edited by athena_ny, 19 January 2008 - 10:25 AM.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-19 10:19:00

Pls help about income tax

QUOTE (Karin und Otto @ Nov 26 2007, 07:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (smiley84 @ Nov 26 2007, 06:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi!!!!

Is anybody here who can advise me about our problem. My fiancee was not able to pay his taxes for many years. Can he possibly file a K1 Visa so we can live together co'z I really miss him. Hope you can help me with this...God bless

smiley84,

It is difficult to answer - being unable to pay taxes is different than having not filed income tax returns. Income tax returns are the primary method for proving/showing the USC's income, so in most cases if the USC hasn't filed tax returns it is (would-be) difficult to prove their income which is something he/she will have to do at certain points during the visa journey.

And at the AOS stage, a tax return is a requirement, not an option like at the visa stage. So without the tax return the OP may be able to get into the US, but without it there is no adjustment of status (unless they made below the minimum filing requirement) and living here legally. I'm betting if taxes haven't been paid, returns haven't been filed either, as well.

Edited by meow mix, 26 November 2007 - 07:54 AM.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2007-11-26 07:52:00

Why is my processing time getting extended?

It depends on the consulate too - someone from the DR can realistically expect between a year and two years, because that's how long it usually takes...(I think that is closer to 2 years) ... but for most, it'll take under a year.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-22 10:37:00

Setting a marriage date whilst waiting for the visa

QUOTE (~Laura and Nick~ @ Jan 23 2008, 08:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (SMASHROX @ Jan 23 2008, 08:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I will stand up and say that I am one of those people who is "rolling the dice" and set a wedding date in mid-November. We have only put money down on the reception site, which could likely be moved to another date if the timing doesn't work out.

Playing devil's advocate and assuming no visa is issued before the planned nuptials and we want to proceed with the wedding date, is there anything barring us from having my SO enter the country, get married and then start this stinking process over using a K3 visa when he goes home? I realize no one wants to start things over from scratch...but just thinking of ideas for a backup plan because I do have the dream of an amazing wedding.

Well....
Yes, you could totally do that...if you are willing to give up another year of you being apart from the man you love.

Believe me when I say, weddings are very special and important but they don't have to be huge and expensive to be "amazing"

I would rather have my husband living with me, together, as a team instead of putting that happiness on hold just to have one day which costs me tons of money. That money could go towards a home or children...a future. Unless you are loaded.

Just my opinion.

Best of luck with your journey!!!!

I had 8 people at my wedding, I wore a red dress, and got married at 1 pm on a Friday. I had the dream of an amazing wedding, but the finances aren't and weren't there. And I had a great time and wouldn't have it any other way, and we're planning on doing something big probably for our 10th anniversary...renewal of vows or whatever.

We didn't do a K-1 but I certainly wouldn't have had the money to spend on a wedding that may not happen. Which is why we advise people not to over plan, I suppose.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-23 21:03:00

Visa Delays Due To N-400 Overload and Politics?

QUOTE (Chris Future @ Jan 25 2008, 08:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What are the chances you think that the reason everything seems to be stopped dead in the visa processing centers is that they have been told to frantically push all the N-400 naturalization visas through first so that the recipients can vote for Hillary (or vote at all) in the November election?

Seems to me that if the office processes all types of visas, then the huge influx of those N-400s would probably take political precedence. Since our beneficiaries will not be able to vote, does that then increase our wait time? Possibility? Would anyone on this list know?

Seems to me that there would not be a commensurate flood of K1s, as those are not filed on a whim - i.e. you file a K1 when you want to bring your fiance into the country. Anyone with a green card can file for an N-400 anytime. So there should not have been a flood of K1s around the fee increase announcement.

In addition, what do you think the chances are that the new fees have allowed them to hire additional processors which may be able to reduce the processing times?

Thanks...Chris

There were a flood of all types of applications/petitions. Just as people filed for green cards sooner than they might have and citizenship sooner than they might have without a fee increase, I am sure that some people filed for the K-1 sooner than they may have otherwise to beat the fee increases.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-26 07:19:00

tourist visa for colombian fiance a good idea?

QUOTE (panamania79 @ Jan 25 2008, 01:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (delbuono @ Jan 24 2008, 03:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hey everyone. i am extremely new to all this. please help.
I will be marrying a woman from colombia some time this year.
we have begun looking up information on visa requirements. as of now, it's still like a foreign language to me, but hopefully soon i will sink my teeth into the whole process and know which forms are which.
anyways, she suggested that she gets a tourist visa. i dont know if that would be ok or not since our goal is marriage. i want to get her here as soon as possible and also be able to marry her with no hassle. i read on a visa service site that if we married while she was here with a tourist visa, we might face penalties because it becomes marriage fraud. is that true?? what if someone else were to "invite" her over and then i married her?
like most colombians, she doesnt have much money, so i also wonder if she would even be able to get the tourist visa.
either way, where should i start? where is the guided outline for the whole process??? is a do-it-yourself packet easy or is getting a lawyer a better option??? thanks a million.
jonathan

The chances of her getting a tourist visa now are quite slim.I 've heard that in order to qualify for a tourist visa you have to have at least 300usd in the bank, a job,and pay the interview fee of 200usd.In all honesty,your best bet is to file for the fiance (k-1) visa.If she were to come on a tourist visa,and you were to marry her,that in itself could cause you some problems because USCIS will look at that as fraud.

Not if she returned to her country and they filed K-3 or CR-1.

And it's about more than how much money you have in the bank (and the fee for a visa is 131 USD) - ties to your home country, etc etc.

It's also very hard for a single young female to get a tourist visa from South America - adjusted visa refusal rate for Colombia is 33.3% which while not the highest, is NOT low. source.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-25 10:24:00

People just dont get it, do they?

My now-husband and I were apart for 7 months only because he was already in the US ... and I have to say, I don't think my love for him is any weaker than anyone's here. I think taking pot shots at how much someone loves their spouse is a little ridiculous - yeah, it's been shown that perhaps long distance relationships last longer in the long run etc etc etc but it doesn't mean my friend with a husband she met at school or the people who marry on F-1 visas love their spouses any less.

As for people not really caring - it's something you can't understand until you've been through it. My husband is the immigrant, and people (his own friends) asked him to his face if he married me for papers (granted, he was already here on a tourist visa) and these IMMIGRANTS, quite a few who've been asylees or came here legally (though not through marriage themselves - if it was through marriage, it was a parent), really thought his green card showed up in the mail after we got married. They were asking the next week if his papers were done.

I'll tell them sometimes that it's not like that, but most people are happy in ignorance. So even then they don't really listen. But I can't spend the rest of my life worrying about what people think about my relationship.

Edited by athena_ny, 26 January 2008 - 07:13 AM.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-26 07:12:00

I-94 issue

QUOTE (We_Destiny @ Jan 27 2008, 01:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (nicole/philip @ Jan 27 2008, 11:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (athena_ny @ Jan 27 2008, 11:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This post is over a year and a half old. Come on, people.

it just so happens that this issue is stilll relevant to some people and it gives all of us answers or opinions that might help in any way.

I agree, So many times you have the veterans of VJ posting

and that includes doing research and using the search engine for old applicable topics.

Now you have new-comers using the search engine and they get reprimanded for that as well.

"you can't win for losing"

I don't tell people to read the guides, I answer their questions.

Bumping an old post is far less productive than posting your own question in a new post.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-27 14:54:00

I-94 issue

This post is over a year and a half old. Come on, people.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-27 11:35:00

fast K-1 for my cuban sweetie

QUOTE (Barbara y Alexis @ Jan 24 2008, 12:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (bora bora @ Jan 23 2008, 09:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Congratulations!

...and I won't ask how you went to Cuba to meet with him...

well, you might as well, i had to hand over ticket stubs proving i was there in order to prove we've been together in the last 2 years.

all the advice i've heard says that the USCIS doesn't hand over info to the Treasury Dept, which is the arm of the law that set up the "Trading with the Enemy Act" so i just had to take that on faith.

some other guy on this board tried to say he hadn't been to cuba and it was a hardship because of the law, but they rejected his petition. so then he tried again and had to admit that he lied the first time -- eesh -- but they still let it go forward, so that was lucky for him!

It's relatively easy to get to Cuba anyway - a few extra steps involved, but many people do it.

In the case of Cuba, you have to break laws to follow immigration laws...makes no sense, but meh.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-24 10:26:00

fast K-1 for my cuban sweetie

QUOTE (mox @ Jan 23 2008, 02:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Barbara y Alexis @ Jan 23 2008, 10:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah I agree it is totally unfair... Being in Cuba you are left wondering "how can this country, with this feeble economy possibly be a threat to the US???"

Seeing how the US has treated Cuba for so long, I don't think it's unfair at all. When I say it's the least our government can do, I literally mean "the least." Cuba hasn't been a threat since 1962, we need to move past it.

QUOTE

my attorney suggested it might have been a "training case" where they picked it to use to train new people.

He's wrong. Cuban petitions are fast-tracked. Never underestimate the lobbying power of expat Cubans.

QUOTE

either way, it was incredibly quick. "holy #######" seems to be the common response from people i tell!

peace to all.

Well at least it's the good kind of "holy #######."

Best of luck to you both. Let us know when visa is in hand!

100% agree. I wish they'd lift all these embargos, too

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-23 14:51:00

Why K-1 Why Not Marry And Adjust Status B1/B2

QUOTE (~Laura and Nick~ @ Jan 19 2008, 09:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (YuAndDan @ Jan 19 2008, 09:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

K-1 is a visa that has Immigrations intent a visitors B-1/B-2 visa is not issued with immigrations intent. K-Visas are processed through USCIS, NVC and the Immigrations unit at the consulate. B-Visas are not. Use of a vistors visa to immigrate is an attempt to bypass the normal immigrations process and is visa fraud.

Willful use of a NON-Immigrant visa that does not have immigrations intent is considered visa fraud, and adjusting status from them subjects the prospective immigrant to a higher level of questioning bu USCIS at the AOS interview, and if the IO is not convinced that immigrations was not the intent when getting the B-Visa, the IO can deny AOS, and file deportation orders.

Since you proposed this question then there is immigrations intent and you should file for the correct visa.

I have yet to see an I-130/I-485 adjustment get approved without interview, however I do see allot of K-Visa adjustments getting approved without the couple being interviewed.

I think it is possible though. Like if you entered on a work visa and were in the states for say 5 years...2 years into that you meet someone and get married...you can adjust that way. People have done it.

eau_explain was on a B-1/B-2 and was transferred to CSC and approved without interview. HOWEVER, that is the only case I have ever seen and if marrying on a B-2 pretty much guarantees and interview I'd say, 99% of the time.

(This was to YuandDan, but I don't feel like going back and replying to the correct post.)

My husband had been on his B-2 for 3 years when we met...obviously intent was not even questioned. But sometimes it isn't even when the person marries soon after entering. Kez married on VWP and intent never came up on her interview.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-20 14:23:00

My fiance's brother is living in LA illegally, will this affect my K-1 process for my FIance?

QUOTE (Amber824 @ Feb 20 2008, 05:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Here is another question my friend is worried about:

Her fiance's brother has been living in LA illegally for like two years now. He went to LA and hasn't been back to Mexico or anything. If they ask her Fiance about his brother, should he be honest about it or no? I would think being honest would be best, but at the same time, could that impede his getting here!?!

If they ask you have to answer, but they probably won't ask.

When my husband I went in for our AOS interview (he was already here) they didn't ask about other family members, and he has quite a few that were here illegally.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-02-20 19:02:00

Househunting whilst going through K1 process

QUOTE (Saffyre @ Feb 24 2008, 02:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My fiance and I are going househunting when I arrive there at the end of the month. My question is this: Can my name go on the mortgage application if we're not married? I mean could I declare the income I have from the UK?
Or can he just add my name to the mortgage after we are married?
I'm trying to make sense of this so that when we do come to AOS, it wont be messy!

Whenever I do anything credit related, they need an SSN. This may be a hurdle to getting your name on the mortgage.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-02-24 02:56:00

20 year old k1 visa help

Everyone else has given you a lot of good info, but have fun in Peru! My husband (from Lima) and I just got back and it's an amaaaazing place.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-03-22 11:05:00

Denied entry VWP

QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Sep 27 2007, 04:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you for your 'frank' reply.

Yes, we knew I was still married, but I took care of my paperwork and my parenting classes way back last year in june before I even travelled to NZ the first time. Circumstances change, things happen.

I realize we need to be strong and 'cowboy up' (btw HUGE red sox fan here!) but please do not assume that we are/were just uneducated to the process and went about this without any forethought. We wanted to be together... things happened... it's that simple.

Thanks again.

GO RED SOX! WE STILL BELIEVE

I couldn't resist.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2007-09-27 16:59:00

Denied entry VWP

QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Sep 27 2007, 01:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE

Wow. I'm surprised he got in as much as he did! Sucks he flew all the way from NZ tho to get turned away. That is one long a$$ flight!

Good luck on your journey.

Thank you. He actually was trying to come back to me from Dublin when he was turned away and then had to fly on to NZ instead.

They almost beg you to get married 'illegally' and then file the K3, don't they?

It looks as though our only hope is to wait.

New Zealand is not only "one long a$$ flight" but it's pretty hard on the pocketbook too!

Getting married while here is not illegal. Coming here to get married and STAY, however, is illegal.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2007-09-27 12:26:00

Is the K-1 an IMMIGRANT or NON-IMMIGRANT Visa?

QUOTE (~Laura and Nick~ @ Jan 17 2008, 12:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I believe it really is.

It's a one time entry visa on the purpose of getting married and living in the states. What is that other than immigrating to the States?

Work visas, travel visa, etc. are non-immigrant visas, you aren't intending to live there permanently, just stay for awhile for work or visiting.

Moving to another country to marry or because you are married and staying there, to me, indicates immigrating to the U.S.

I think they need to change the definition.

It's non-immigrant with immigrant intent. If it was "really" an immigrant visa, then no AOS would be necessary. Also, ridiculously high numbers of K-1 visas are never activated or never make it to AOS. If the K-1 became a green card upon entry, I think we'd see a whole new level of fraud.

Edited by athena_ny, 17 January 2008 - 01:07 PM.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-17 13:05:00

QUOTE (sipues @ Jan 22 2008, 02:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow, I had no idea I would be getting so much interest in this subject. I would like to say that I love this place for all its ups and downs; for all its mini-fights within fights within discussions of the heavy matter, or simple matter.

Thanks to ALL of you for your responses; I appreciate all the perspectives that have been offered.

To recap, alot of you have suggested I go to visit to feel things out. I am scheduled for my second visit at the end of Feb (athena nv, we might even be on the same plane, who knows). This has been scheduled for a while now, so we are both looking forward to it.

That being the case, this is why I appreciate all of your perspectives. My hope is that there will be more clearcut revelations to the "validity" of the relationship while I am visiting. I did hope for the same thing the last time I was there, and it was both clearcut and murky. The murkiness came from the secret nature of the people, and I believe some body responded who was hispanic who said this is a cultural thing because it happens in all of his family (I can't remember who you are). So, to respect cultural differences, one portion of my brain is telling me to let this go, but to also protect my heart, my future being, me, another portion of the brain is telling me that I should suspect. The clearcut revelation I had the last time, was her choice to inadvertently nibble on my hair as if it was a completely normal thing to do, in front of some of my family that were traveling with me. That doesn't say much, but I could never imagine that happening with somebody who was trying to stage something. Any way, maybe I need to concentrate on the nibbling of the hair, rather than the secretiveness and "contradictory" statements. We speak entirely in Spanish, and mine is rudimentary but I believe sufficient for a romantic endeavour.

So, what do I look for while I am visiting, to try and get a more concrete feel of the relationship? More nibbling? That might get tiring.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

Sipues

We'll be staying in the San Borja area of Lima

Good luck on your visit!

Most Peruvians I know are pretty genuine, even if Peruvians are not known for being the friendliest or most open people in the world (and let me tell you - a day at the Consulate in Miami solidified that for me

just try asking where the bathroom is...THEY WON'T TELL YOU!) Some are trying to defraud a USC, and I've met what I believe to be one or two of those as well...but I will say that most of the Peruvians I know are from Lima and from pretty well-off families with very little reason to want/need to live in the US or nail a USC spouse. So as far as the signs of fraud, I'll leave that to people better-versed in that.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-22 15:17:00

QUOTE (pushbrk @ Jan 22 2008, 02:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (athena_ny @ Jan 22 2008, 10:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (msu17 @ Jan 22 2008, 01:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree, visit time. My husband and I still have miscommunications in person and he is from the UK! If you've still got concerns after seeing her again, maybe then its time to rethink this. I agree with the women and respect her enough NOT to surprise her with the sole concern of seeing how she reacts. I would have been SO mad at Paul if he did that... Surprise visit for my birthday because he missed me, ok. Surprise visit to see if I was playing him, fight for weeks.

Exactly...it's not about having anything to hide, it's about the fact that he's surprising you w/ a visit to "check up" on you? I never had a thing to hide but had my husband done that, that speaks volumes about how little he trusts me. Obviously the OP doesn't trust his fiance, but making that so obvious is hurtful and could ruin a relationship, especially if she's doing nothing wrong.

I think a surprise visit speaks whatever it speaks, depending on how it is handled. Is it a "visit" or an "inspection". My wife wouldn't have liked me showing up in China unannounced for various reasons, trust or not. She would need time to arrange to spend time with me and so would her family. For her, a surprise would be a week's notice of an unexpected visit.

That's why I suggested at least a week or preferrably two or more. During that time, the status of your relationship will become pretty clear. The waiting drags on people. Sometimes they lose the spark or become complacent. You'll either feel like your relationship is renewed and recharged enough or you won't. Then you can act accordingly and make an informed decision.

That, too. M and I were in the same country, at least, but if he'd showe up out of nowhere I'd be like, dude! I have to work! I have to have money saved to entertain you with...etc etc. It was just suggested as a way I interpreted to be an inspection visit...which is really distasteful.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-22 14:27:00

QUOTE (msu17 @ Jan 22 2008, 01:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-22 13:45:00

QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Jan 22 2008, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Would somebody please shut this guy up?

QUOTE (zqt3344 @ Jan 22 2008, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What did you have to hide? What is wrong with that unannounced visit to you? If you really love that person, shouldn't you be glad to see them? AND the fact is the eyes do not lie, and apparently this person has some concerns, so better to be safe than sorry. Well I would question your integrity to think that you are so high and mighty that you cannot be questioned or judged only your spouse. Makes me wonder what you have to hide, I did not realize the other person in a relationship had to check in with the other and see if it is ok to go see them. Interesting, now I see why this person has a doubt about his finance in Peru if she is acting as you do! I cannot blame him at all to be worried.

QUOTE (Krikit @ Jan 22 2008, 12:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (zqt3344 @ Jan 22 2008, 11:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Better put this on hold for awhile or back out now. You seem to have some serious misgivings about this and probably for good reason, sometimes the heart gets in the way of the head. You might strongly consider flying down to see her by surprise on an unannounced visit just to see what is going on there for yourself and to see her face to face to get it worked out or your answers to your questions before you marry or bring someone to the USA that will make you more miserable later on. Investigate thoroughly. Good luck.

If my SO had chosen to fly in on an unannounced visit I would have seriously revisited our "relationship". Not only did I have a life separate from his own prior to our marriage, I would have questioned the integrity of a person who could not trust that I have values and morals which I uphold whether he is with me or not. A man who is that insecure about a relationship is not a man I would be interested in marrying.

You are right, he better rethink his commitment to this relationship and start investigating now and thoroughly. Something is a miss as you say.

QUOTE (panamania79 @ Jan 22 2008, 12:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Krikit @ Jan 22 2008, 10:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (panamania79 @ Jan 22 2008, 10:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It sounds like she's found herself another man.Make sure you have proof of this before you cancel the visa petition.I know cholos/cholas like I know the back of my hand and it looks like she's trying to play you.Nip it in the bud before you get hurt,please.

Oh, come on. Just because they're experiencing the symptoms of a long distance relationship, doesn't mean it automatically translates into "She's found herself another man."

Well,something fishy is going on and the man did ask for an honest opinion.That's just my opinion.And it totally okay if you disagree with me.

We've tried.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-22 12:59:00

QUOTE (Krikit @ Jan 22 2008, 10:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (panamania79 @ Jan 22 2008, 10:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh, come on. Just because they're experiencing the symptoms of a long distance relationship, doesn't mean it automatically translates into "She's found herself another man."

Seriously.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-22 11:19:00

I don't know what language you two communicate in, but could it be a language thing? My husband speaks wonderful English, and we still have misunderstandings due to little nuances. For example, he spent two days mad at me once because I called him silly - to us (or at least my family) silly isn't mean or hurtful - just, hey you're silly ha ha. To him, it translated as ridiculo for some reason, or ridiculous, and after many explanations that silly and ridiculous are two different things, he finally got it.

He's not a cholo though, and won't talk to you for days if you call him one. We have had the issues with contradictions - again, questions were asked in different ways (just minor things) and then when I asked him why I got two different answers, it'll be, well two days ago you asked this, and that was the answer. Now you asked it this way, this is the answer. One word answers might be popular in Peru, I've never been, but his sister and his friends from Peru are the same way. You'd have spend two days asking the question to get the answer we'd get in America from a short little sentence. Peruvians tend to be very private, which can lead to misunderstandings. Especially when you're only a fiance - homeboy wouldn't tell me stuff as his fiance that he's told me as his wife - just some family stories (both of his brothers have a lot of demons, as well as his father who has passed on) and things like that.

Is a visit at all possible? We met in the US, but I was in NY and he in FL, and things were so much easier to figure out when in person. We have tickets for the end of Feb. that we got for 400 dollars, perhaps you can find something cheap?

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2008-01-22 10:09:00

Denied at POE

QUOTE (typhoon @ Sep 20 2007, 10:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks everyone! Hopefully they get this done the right way with minimal issues.

Have any of you ever seen issues with a family member trying to get a visiting visa when another family member was denied entry and had their visa revoked? Or do they not tie them together in any way?

Not the same exact situation but ... my one SIL has been denied B2s (young and single, I guess) so she hasn't seen her mother in almost 6 years. My other one has never had an issue getting a visa or getting into the country, and her sister's denials had no effect on her admission to the country.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2007-09-20 09:19:00

RFE: Circumstance of Meeting

I don't see why the lease would be an issue, really. If he was on the lease because he was going to be staying w/ you for an extended period of time it's not like he did anything wrong, but you may want to consult an immigration attorney about that if no one here knows for sure.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2007-09-20 09:31:00

QUOTE (moxcamel @ Sep 21 2007, 02:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have to say, I can't get too upset about someone "abusing" the system to be with their loved ones. Our immigration system is so freaking broken, and so-called abuses like this are only a symptom of the larger problem. If you want to be angry with the abusers, be angry with the people that exploit our system to take advantage of others. Be angry with the human trafickers and criminals who exploit the system for ill-gotten gain. The people who just want to spend some time with their loved ones should have our sympathy and support.

Too much abuse of the VWP=no more VWP=less visiting of loved ones.

I'm sure that's a desireable outcome, no?

Edited by meow mix, 21 September 2007 - 02:10 PM.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2007-09-21 14:08:00

QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Sep 21 2007, 08:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Tinkerbell7 @ Sep 20 2007, 07:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (john_and_marlene @ Sep 20 2007, 03:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You ARE abusing the VWP. Have you figured that out yet?

There have been others on here that have said they visited the same amount of time as Jakey, some even longer.. They were abusing it and still got in. So those of you who are married already, it may be a bit easier for you to just point blank say "you are abusing it and thats that" dont you remember when you couldnt see your loved one? I beleive he is in the same shoes as you married folk were at one time. So instead of just saying "you are abusing it." try to help maybe?! Give some advice maybe?!
Done for now

Of course we remember. Otherwise, we wouldn't still be around here trying to help those of you who are still separated.

Just because the advise or comments is not what you want to hear, it doesn't mean it's not the truth.

I'm a little tired of reading about how those of us still not separated are so MEAN and CRUEL. Maybe we should start saying some of you who are still separated are WHINERS and BITTER?

(And lest anyone think I never had to be separated from my husband - we started long distance, even if it was in the same country.)

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2007-09-21 08:07:00

QUOTE (devilette @ Sep 20 2007, 07:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Tinkerbell7 @ Sep 20 2007, 04:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (john_and_marlene @ Sep 20 2007, 03:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You ARE abusing the VWP. Have you figured that out yet?

Being married now has nothing to do with it. I went 5 months wthout seeing my fiance. We dealt with it just fine.

He IS abusing the VWP, hwether he wants to face that or not.

Not only that, but what are we supposed to advise?

If the OP wants constructive advice:

In the time left before your visit, find a job. A stable job that will give you an employment letter. Move out and get your own apartment, lease included that includes steep fines if you break it.

I mean, honestly, those are the things you can do and not likely they will happen. In the CBP's eyes, you have no reason not to stay, and you're already going to the POE abusing your VWP (and if they let you in knowing you've been here for a few days short of the limit, I'd be shocked).

But that's not what you want to hear....

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2007-09-20 21:05:00

You've already spent almost 6 months here this year, so it's likely they will shorten the duration of the visit (drastically) or turn you away, because you'd be spending more time in the US than your home country, which is NOT what VWP is designed for.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2007-09-19 06:57:00

Take a Deep Breath...

QUOTE (LisaD @ Sep 23 2007, 04:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...before freaking out!

The search button is your friend...

So are the guides.....

Hear hear.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2007-09-24 05:47:00

K1 Co-sponsor documents

QUOTE (er1c @ Sep 25 2007, 09:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hmmm I had planned on not using my father unless they said I needed him. You are probably right, why cause delays and more headaches? Just get it out of the way at the begining...

Oh.... When he completes the form, is he sponsoring me who is sponsoring her or is he sponsoring her?

They will be picky - the income met absolutely has to meet the guidelines - and your father is sponsoring her.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2007-09-25 09:41:00

After fiancee is in the U.S. when can we travel?

QUOTE (pushbrk @ Sep 25 2007, 11:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (onofre @ Sep 25 2007, 05:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I know that after your fiance(e) is with you and the U.S., in order to travel to another country, we need permision from the POE officer or somthing like that. But when can your fiancee travel without have to ask for permision.

In my case is this. If everything goes well in October, she comes here in January, and my usual vacations weeks are in July. I want to know if by then we can travel back to Mexico without the POE process..

Thanks. 21 days until interview date!

Once you are married, it is possible to apply for emergency advance parole. Just Google "Emergency Advanced Parole" for links to information on this, should the need arise.

I'm not sure what all the criteria are for a qualifying emergency but a friend of mine obtained AP for his wife immediately at a local USCIS service center Infopass appointment based on nothing more than he had a business trip planned abroad and wanted to take her with him, then visit her family on the return trip.

I know *most* of the time they want evidence of an emergency such as a sick or dying family member - I know most offices won't consider a business trip and emergency.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2007-09-25 11:29:00

K1 versus previous unauthorized employment

QUOTE (monig @ Sep 27 2007, 01:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks a lot guys!!
We have been researching and we decided that will be better if he comes here and we get married here. We don't want to be accused of fraud... and neither spend a lot of money on a visa that will probably be denied. I believe once we are married, they wont deny a k3 visa. It is safer.
Ah, by the way, this forums are great!

You will need the same waiver for a K3 visa.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2007-09-27 12:38:00

K1 versus previous unauthorized employment

QUOTE (LisaD @ Sep 24 2007, 10:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (meow mix @ Sep 24 2007, 10:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Rob & Jin @ Sep 24 2007, 07:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (monig @ Sep 23 2007, 08:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I met my fiance while I was in the US under a R2 visa (dependent of R1, allowed to study only). I did not overstay the date on my I-94, but I worked without the INS authorization using my real SS#. Now I'm back to my country, but my fiance and I really want to get married and stay together. I believe I should be honest about the unauthorized work because I've read that hiding this fact may put me in big trouble. Do I have any chance to get the K1 visa?

What are my chances?
Thanks!

Well, lets put it this way you breached the conditions of a previous visa and worked here illegally (not unauthorized, but illegally), do you think it would be good idea to tell them that ? my advice is seek legal advice on this. If you give them a red ** they will fly it, if however they catch you lying you will be denied, and petitioneer may face prosecution .
This is just my opinion

Working illegally is a civil offense and not a crime, the crime is committed by the employer, so the OP is right that it is unauthorized work, not technically illegal.

Unauthorized work/overstay is forgiven through marriage to a USC if you are already in the states, but you're not - you need to to tell the truth and will probably need a waiver - hopefully kitkat1 will come by and help you out more with that, I'm not well versed in the specifics. Also, maybe ask over in the waiver forum.

she didn't overstay......

She worked without authorization which still makes someone inadmissable... I always include both because then hopefully less idiots will respond in the future with the kind of bullcrap I've seen on here.

Either way, she should talk to a lawyer but they need to tell the truth regardless - if they don't and it comes out later it'll be misrepresentation which would be a mess I wouldn't want to get into.

Whether or not she overstayed isn't the point, obviously.

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2007-09-25 05:30:00

K1 versus previous unauthorized employment

QUOTE (Rob & Jin @ Sep 24 2007, 07:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (monig @ Sep 23 2007, 08:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What are my chances?
Thanks!

athena_ny

Female

Peru

2007-09-24 21:23:00