ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Africa: Sub-SaharanI got my ticket!
Yay! I got my ticket today to go back and see my fiance! It's been a long five months...

I know I don't want to stay in N'Gor for a month, and we can't go back to Guinea because it's just too unstable right now. We were thinking about going to Saly Portutal but now we are thinking about going to Gambia.

Apparently my fiance has a Guinean friend who plays in a Guinean ballet in Gambia and they say it's really nice. Having a ballet would be good for both of us, he's a drummer and I'm a dancer. WOO HOO!

So, I've seen some sites that say I need a visa and some that say I don't (I am US citizen). I'm also pretty sure we'll be in Banjul and would love to find a little room with a clean bathroom to rent for the month I'll be there. Christmas on the beach...? Good places to eat....? Good markets....?

Leedah, any suggestions? Anybody else? Help!
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-11-14 12:25:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanLet's Talk .....
QUOTE (Perseverance @ Nov 23 2008, 01:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Another subject that he has a hard time with is the fact that I am 35 years old and my child bearing years are coming to an end. He does not seem to understand that and looks at me like I am crazy. If he wants a biological child, I am running out of time. When we met it did not seems like an issue, but time passes so quickly....


Hogwash, you have plenty of time. smile.gif Women today are so much more healthy than they were 20 or 30 years ago. If you are taking care of yourself you still have a good 7 or 8 years. I know lots of women who have had beautiful, healthy kids in their early 40s.
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-11-24 12:26:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanLet's Talk .....
From where I sit, I see it like this...

My fiance has spent most of his life just worrying about tomorrow. What am I going to eat tomorrow? Where am I going to sleep tomorrow? We Americans on the other hand, spend a lot of time planning for the far out future. So much so that I think many of us don't enjoy today as much as we could, myself included. Somewhere in between is ideal. My fiance cannot understand why I'm concerned that my savings is slowly dwindling while we are waiting for his visa, because all he is thinking about is his visa, and I've had to remind him if I hadn't been saving money the last few years I never would have been able to bring him here or help him eat while he's waiting to come here.

I think of these challenges as an opportunity for us to teach each other the good things that come from our different cultures. They live in the right now and in some ways that is a beautiful thing. We on the other hand do not completely rely on our children to feed us when we are old, and that is a beautiful thing too. When something like this comes up, I usually just ask him one simple question and give him some time to think about it. In other words, "What would happen to us right now if I had not been saving money for the last few years? Just take some time to think about it." It usually works and he'll come around. The delivery is also really important. Nobody likes to be nagged and I've found I really have to watch my tone when I start getting frustrated. We are slowly coming to a middle ground where he understands the need to plan for the future and I understand the need to enjoy each day as it comes. It's a process for sure and patience is key.
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-11-14 11:43:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanInternational Fabrics!
OMG my fiance laughs at me when we go to the fabric market together because I could stay in there for DAAAAYS ON END. He has the patience of a saint. It's too bad you can't get your fabric directly from Nigeria, you'd pay a fraction of the price. I am always amazed at how cheap fabric and tailoring are over there. We had our wedding outfits made in Senegal, both of them with incredible intricate embroidery for under $100.
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-12-04 17:57:00
Africa: Sub-Saharan~My Journey To You~ (Naija Journey)
QUOTE (kk_mine @ Dec 4 2008, 03:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I wish the best for the both of you!! rose.gif


Right back atcha KK.

Hugs...
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-12-04 17:52:00
Africa: Sub-Saharan~My Journey To You~ (Naija Journey)
QUOTE (kk_mine @ Dec 3 2008, 06:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I will let you know. Tel3 says the cost would be 13.5 cents per min. I was also looking in to Pingo I think they are a lot less. Well I just looked and they are 13.0 cents so not much difference. lol But if I do I will def. look out for you no problm. good.gif Thanks for info!

BTW do you know if it will show up as my number calling him? Juss wondering.


Sometimes it shows up as private, sometimes it shows my number. I think it's because they have a huge network and different carriers. I've used Pingo too but they charge you 85 cents a month and I find their connection isn't quite as reliable. I also use VIP and haven't had any problems with them.

I know just how you feel, this waiting is so difficult. My fiance and I helped an acquaintance navigate through this whole process at the same embassy and he had his visa within three weeks. It took a few days after the fact but it caused my poor honey to have a bit of a meltdown. sad.gif It's really hard watching other people get their visas in a blink of an eye but... nothing good is ever easy, eh?

Hang in there.
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-12-03 09:33:00
Africa: Sub-Saharan~My Journey To You~ (Naija Journey)
A note on calling cards; they suck. They bill you in 3 minute increments and have all sorts of hidden fees.

I use Tel3 Advantage for all my calls to Africa. I've searched the world for the best rates and this company has got them. They bill in 1 minute increments, have no hidden fees, no monthly fees, and best of all they will refund dead air time back to your account! They have local access numbers and the rate is $.1 cheaper than the toll-free access number. You can set up caller ID, so for example if I call from my cell phone or home phone then I do not have to enter in my account number. You can set up speed dial so you don't have to dial the entire international number. It's the best service!

If you decide to sign up please PM so I can get a referral bonus. smile.gif
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-12-02 14:34:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanHusband Granted Visa
That is the best Christmas present ever!! Enjoy your first one in the good o'l US of A together! heart.gif
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-12-12 15:13:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanI'm leaving next Tuesday!
Thanks for all the well wishes everybody! Right back at y'all!

Insh-Allah our AP will finish before it's time for me to leave... Please God!

Tiggi, I'm so jealous you are going to Guinea! smile.gif We need to stay out until my fiance's visa comes through because of all the talk talk talk. Be safe and I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!

WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-12-12 15:11:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanI'm leaving next Tuesday!
Merci! I am wishing for all of us to be reunited soon! heart.gif
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-12-11 22:13:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanI'm leaving next Tuesday!
QUOTE (longdistancelove @ Dec 11 2008, 03:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (WonTanNara @ Dec 11 2008, 01:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I can't wait to feel the Africa sun (among other things) on my skin! devil.gif


Oh goodness! (but boy don't I know it) Safe travels...I must be nice to see your loved one after 5 months! West Africa is great during this holiday season, no matter the religion. So much to do and people to see. I hope you have a great time good.gif


Thank you! heart.gif
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-12-11 16:12:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanI'm leaving next Tuesday!
OMG OMG OMG I am leaving here next Tuesday to go see my honey! I have not seen him in five months, and it's been a really long five months. Please pray for us that our AP will finish while I'm there and we can come home together! Insh-Allah...

Leedah where are you? Do you have plans yet? We will be leaving Dakar for Banjul on 12/24 and staying with Janice.

I can't wait to feel the Africa sun (among other things) on my skin! devil.gif

WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-12-11 13:06:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanEvidence Question
QUOTE (WhidbeyGirl @ Jan 11 2009, 11:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm actually just stickin' with what they ask for - two affidavits - nothing more. Having previous experience working in a governmental office I can say most don't want the extra "fluff" and it causes most to wonder what someone is trying to hide by "burying them in paperwork".


You are only sending in two affidavits as proof of your relationship? That's it?? From what I recall in the instructions they ask you to provide any and all proof of your relationship including but not limited to affidavits. I will be heartily surprised if you don't get an RFE.

Also, in the unlikely event that your petition is approved with only two affidavits as proof of your relationship, I can assure that Dakar absolutely will not accept that as your only proof. I sat in that interview room for a full day listening to the CO's grill the people who were trying to get family related visas and more of them were denied than were granted. You will need to provide a heck of a lot more than two affidavits to Dakar.

Good luck.
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2009-01-12 09:19:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanEvidence Question
QUOTE (WhidbeyGirl @ Jan 4 2009, 11:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So, two of SO's friends did attend the wedding, but they weren't the "legal" witnesses that are on the wedding certificate. I have requested SO to get affidavits from them, but they live 8 to 10 hours from him. My mom could write one up I suppose. As for the pictures, their isn't a way to remove them once they are imprinted. I attempted photo shop but I suck at that kinda stuff so they look horrible (the copies that is). If I crop them it comes out worse. So not sure if I'll send those at all. I do have a better photo program at work, maybe I can try to work with that. I did print copies of all my skype phone logs and my cell logs as well as a list of incoming and outgoing emails. Part of me wonders though if I give them tons of paper they are going to look harder for something to use against us. Maybe just stick with affidavits and give more as they ask for more. I don't know.


My advice would be to give them as much as possible up front. If you give less and wait for them to ask more, you will delay your husband's visa, potentially by months. It's already going to take months for your petition to be approved. If you don't send enough proof, you'll get a RFE and have to resubmit the petition. It will then take more months to get the approval. Give them the pictures with the wrong date and send an attachment explaining what happened and why the date is wrong. Give them all your call and chat logs. Give them everything!
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2009-01-11 12:48:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanVisa in HAND!
Thanks again for the well wishes everybody.

My fiance arrived in NYC yesterday and is all layered up and under 2 blankets! Hee hee...

It took him 3 hours to get through immigration and one lady was so rude to him, I lodged a complaint with US Customs and Border Protection. Hmph.

The hard part is over, now it's time to start preparing that I495 form.
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2009-01-23 20:32:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanVisa in HAND!
Thanks everybody! heart.gif
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2009-01-20 20:48:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanVisa in HAND!
kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif

Finally! After 239 days of AP and waiting almost an entire year for this K1 process, my fiance has his visa in his hand.

Zee Bee, you can update your tracker, he picked it up today 20-Jan. AP ended 24-Dec.

Whoo hoo!
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2009-01-20 12:16:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanFiance information-Please HELP
If he really wanted to change all his paperwork, I really don't think it would be all that difficult in Senegal. In other countries yes, but my experience in W. Africa has shown me that you pretty much go to the ministry for a birtch certificate and tell them what you want them to put on it. When my fiance got his passport, he didn't specify the birthdate so they just picked one out of the sky then he had to have it made again with the right date. All of his documents were brand spankin' new because he'd never had a need for them prior to this visa process and that was not an issue in Dakar.

Everybody has their own opinion, but me personally, I would have trouble lying if I knew for sure the date was wrong. Any sort of lie on a visa application, if discovered, is considered visa fraud. On the other hand, somebody already mentioned that if there's no other proof out there of the date being wrong, it may never be an issue. You will have to make the decision that is best for you and your fiance.

What is the most important thing, as it's been already said, is that the dates on all his papers match. What's even more important is that they all match what you put on the I129F.

Dakar can be tough, that's for sure, so make sure you dot every I and cross every T. They will want to see real proof of your relationship and lots of it. I've been through all the ####### at that embassy so PM me if you have questions about the processes there. I'm so happy to be done with them!

It took us a year for my fiance to get his K1 visa. We went through 8 months of AP for security clearance never knowing when it was going to end. I had the same "OMG am I going to have to move to Africa?" thoughts you are having now throughout the whole process. Now he's here! You'll need to have a lot of patience and faith on the journey ahead, but it will all unfold as it is meant to be.

Bonne chance!
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2009-01-24 09:27:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanIn Gambia....
We would have been approved without hassle if Washington had not mandated security checks on my fiance. We also have a friend who was in and out of Dakar in 3 weeks for her fiance's visa. This was back in October. I think of all the proof and paperwork is in order then you should be ok. No harm in asking for an earlier date if you can get it.
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2009-02-03 20:30:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanSenegal or ghana
Yeah welcome back!

So you were there when the change of president occured! This is a promising and exciting time for Guinea!
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2009-01-18 18:37:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanSenegal or ghana
QUOTE (Zee Bee @ Dec 1 2008, 10:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Since the Guinean website does say Dakar or Accra, I say, put down Accra as the embassy and see what happens. If it is only Dakar, then NVC will just send your petition there smile.gif


Yep you can try, but you will need to stay on top of things. Don't rely on them to communicate with you.

For example, the acquaintance I mentioned in my previous post was told by the Guinean Consulate that her fiance's K1 petition could be processed in Conakry. However, the NVC sent it to Dakar. She said they never let her know about that, but she was in Guinea at the time and they probably sent her a letter which was sent into oblivion. To this day, Dakar knows that mail does not reach Conakry but they still try to send things there.

Get the numbers for USCIS, NVC, DOS and the email for Dakar and put 'em in your cell phone.

When the time gets closer I can help you because I've been through this in the same places you will need to go through this.
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-12-01 11:09:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanSenegal or ghana
QUOTE (Tiggi247 @ Nov 30 2008, 11:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello everyone, when I get back from Guinea next month I will be starting the K-3 process after reading alot of posts I am wondering which would be the best Embassy for me wife to have her interview done. I havent heard to much about Ghana but I see that there are alot of people on AP that went to the Dakar Embassy, I hope that my case/process will be straightforward but you never know about these things, I did file for the K-1 visa but it was denied because we had miss the 2 yr meeting by less than 2 weeks, While in Guinea I will take plenty of pics we will have plenty of documents, I will check in with the Us Embassy there and have all of my paperwork notorized, , have a Traditional wedding on December 20th and then on the 22dec go the MFA and have a civil wedding, I dont know if I am overlooking anything , but I am not to happy about the Idea of someone sitting behind a desk deciding my fate/future with my wife or keeping me from my family if everything is 100% legit. I am just trying to take all precautions. blink.gif


If your case does get sent to Dakar, my fiance and I have lots of Guinean friends in N'gor (where the airport is) we can put you in contact with.
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-12-01 10:04:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanSenegal or ghana
QUOTE (Perseverance @ Nov 30 2008, 08:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I dont believe that you have the choice as to where you case will be sent. The US govt is going to send your case to the embassy to where they want it to go.



I agree. I think the NVC is going to decide where to send it depending on case load. I'm 99% sure having the option of processing in Accra is new. When I filed for my fiance's K1 in January of this year, the Conakry website said the processing had to be done in Dakar.

Sometimes Dakar is not too bad. I have an acquaintance who was in and out of Dakar in the last 3 weeks with a visa for her fiance. That was fun, answering all her questions through the entire process, setting her and her fiance up with a place to stay, then listening to her fiance "show" my fiance his visa while I was on the phone with him.... mad.gif But I digress...

Be absolutely ####### about your paperwork. Check it, check it again, check it yet again, and then have somebody else check it. Twice. Gather as much proof of your relationship as humanly possible. Prepare for the interview, practice practice practice. Those are really the only things you can do to "avoid" AP.

Women don't usually get hit for security clearance AP and there's absolutely nothing you can do to avoid it anyway (except not make any mistakes on your paperwork).

Make sure the birthdates and names on her passport, her birth certificate from the ministry in Conakry, and the birthdate on your petition ALL match.

Also, when the time comes for her to get the police report, make sure you get the casier judiciare with THREE signatures on it from the ministry in Conakry.

Bonne chance.
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-11-30 22:21:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanPutting Together An Official Sub-Saharan Meetup
For those of you that haven't seen it, here is a little clip about our festival here in VT. This one is from last year. Our festival this year was great and as soon as we get the new clip I'll post it.


WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-11-16 16:42:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanPutting Together An Official Sub-Saharan Meetup
Ohhh fun!

I live in VT, prefer to travel in the summer, SO is from Guinea, and we'll eat pretty much anything.

It would be really fun if we could pair this meeting with a W. African music festival. Here's what I know about recurring festivals:

Burlington, VT - 1st weekend in November
Oakland, CA - end of May
Fresno, CA - 2nd week in July up in the mountains, camp style
Boulder, CO - August (I think)

I know there are also festivals in Atlanta and Chicago too but I'm not sure when. Of course I think our festival in VT is the best on but I'm biased. blush.gif
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-11-16 16:38:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanFoods while in Senegal
QUOTE (WhidbeyGirl @ Oct 18 2008, 01:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Omoba @ Oct 18 2008, 10:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
WG, you can still make that meal with cheese while in Dakar go buy the cheese packaged in a supermarket.


Tambacounda is 8 hours by bus, think it'll still keep well? Also will I find Colby and Mozzarella?


I wouldn't trust a cheese that has been sitting for 8 hours in the Senegal heat! As an alternative, you can buy Laughing Cow that doesn't need refrigeration. It's no colby or mozzeralla, but it's yummy on fresh French bread with a little honey for b'fast.
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-10-21 15:05:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresquestion about administrative processing.
QUOTE (rahi @ Aug 14 2008, 12:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hi,
i have filed for my i 130 petition and i 129 petition at california service center in july 2008.
iam waiting for my NOA2 for both petiitons.
then i will apply for the k3 visa at avancouver OR
IR1 visa at montreal consulate.
whichever gets approved first.

1) I want to know if they do administrative processing if i take the k3 route ( because then it will take the same time as IR1 VISA, and it is better to follow IR1 route as both will take the same time) as it is still a non immigrant visa and i have yet to file my adjustment of status

2) when we go to the consulate for the IR1 VISA OR K3 VISA. do the embassy initiate the administrative processing / fbi name check after the interview. OR will those be going on at the uscis and for the time being the uscis has forwarded the petition to the consulate until they get the clearances.

IAM ASKING THIS BECAUSE I AHEV A VERY COMMON LAST NAME AS MIDDLE EASTERN PEOPLE AND DEFINITELY MY NAME WILL HAVE A FALSE HIT.

any suggestions and info. will be greatly helpful to me and appreciated.

thank you.
rahi.


There are several reasons a case could go into AP but I can only speak to one. My fiance has been in AP for security clearance since April 29th. I inquired about getting him a visitor visa and they informed me that the security requirements and processes are the same regardless of the type of visa a person is applying for. I know of both students and artists who have had to wait months for security clearance as well. So, to answer your first question I believe that if you do have to undergo AP for security clearance then it will happen regardless of what visa you apply for.

To answer your second question, in my experience, our case moved very quickly through USCIS and the NVC. Our AP was initiated after the interview at the embassy. The processes may be different between K3/IR1 and K1 though, I am not sure of that.

Best of luck to you.
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-08-19 11:54:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWomen,does your spouse help you with finances for the visa process or are you doing it alone?
Why is it that so many people see "being taken care of" as a financial thing?

My fiance is from Guinea and can fit all of his earthly possessions into one suitcase. I've paid for absolutely everything and I will continue to support him in Africa through this entire process because he just wouldn't be able to foot the bill himself. If all I cared about was a man "taking care of me" (ie paying for everything) then I would have walked away from an amazing person that has so much to offer and loves me very much. I also have no expectation of him "making it all up to me" because this is a partnership. He hasn't been able to contribute any money, but he's contributed and taken care of me in many other ways. I'm sure he'll also contribute when he's here whether it involves money or not. But, we are not keeping track...
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-10-03 16:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdditional processing after interview in London - name check..
Have either of you gotten your security clearance yet?

My fiance interviewed in Dakar on April 29th. At the end of the interview the officer said "we are happy to issue your visa today," took his passport, and handed us a receipt to come pick it up the following week. As we were getting into a taxi the guard called us back into the embassy. The officer said I'm very sorry, I tried to put this through and it came back and said it needs additional processing. She said typically this takes months so you should just go about your lives.

Go about our lives? I couldn't believe it. She could not tell me what "additional processing" meant. The next day I went back and politely and insistantly asked for some more detail. We talked to a different man that said "I can't give you a lot of information about our process but I can tell you your fiance has a very common name." I said so you need to do a background check? He shook his head yes.

The embassy said if you have not heard from us in 60 days then send us an email. It's been 4 weeks. I know of two other people this has happened to. One of them was in 2006 and after the interview it took six months for his clearance to come through. The other was just this past December and it took three months for his clearance.

I'm wondering if anyboby else has had this experience recently? If you have hopefully you didn't make it out to a taxi. That was heartbreaking...
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-05-27 15:14:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionLooking for people on AP for security clearance after consulate interview
QUOTE (JULIAFERNO @ Aug 13 2008, 04:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (WonTanNara @ Aug 13 2008, 10:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi everyone,

My fiance had his interview in Dakar on April 29th and was put on AP. I have since determined, through my Senator's office, that (looking on the bright side) our relationship has been verified and all other paperwork is in order and that he is on AP for mandatory security clearance procedures. I realize that this is somewhat of a black hole with a lot of possibilities, but I'm looking for people in the same situation to get some sort of idea of how long it's taking. We know of one other Guinean who interviewed in December for an artist visa, was put on AP for security clearance, and had his visa by March. Anyone else?

My heart goes out to those that have been waiting a lot longer than we have...

Won tan nara is Susu for "We go together."


We are also in AP. My fiance is in Turkey. Check out the Visa waivers and AP section of this forum and you'll get a lot more responses there.

I feel your pain ClockWatch2.gif


Hi there, thanks for the response and the suggestion. I'll try the other forum. I wish you the best and a speedy approval!
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-08-14 09:10:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionLooking for people on AP for security clearance after consulate interview
Hi everyone,

My fiance had his interview in Dakar on April 29th and was put on AP. I have since determined, through my Senator's office, that (looking on the bright side) our relationship has been verified and all other paperwork is in order and that he is on AP for mandatory security clearance procedures. I realize that this is somewhat of a black hole with a lot of possibilities, but I'm looking for people in the same situation to get some sort of idea of how long it's taking. We know of one other Guinean who interviewed in December for an artist visa, was put on AP for security clearance, and had his visa by March. Anyone else?

My heart goes out to those that have been waiting a lot longer than we have...

Won tan nara is Susu for "We go together."
WonTanNaraFemaleGuinea2008-08-13 09:56:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 question
Hi all -

I've been reading the guides and starting to gather my stuff for the packet I have to send to my fiance (because I'm really hoping that NOA2 shows up in my mailbox any day now, and I want to be prepared!)...and I have a question. The guide says that along with the I-134 form and all the financial / bank info it asks for, that I need to send MORE proof of ongoing relationship? Is this in addition to the original pile of proof I sent w/ the I-129F? Do they only want proof from when I sent the I-129F to present? He's been over to visit once since then and I'm going over there to visit, but we don't take pictures together every time he comes over, and we don't have phone bills because we use phone cards to call. Will passport stamps and ticket stubs be sufficient?

Thanks!

ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-13 11:23:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134-related question
QUOTE (Alias @ May 4 2009, 02:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Straight from the FAQ:

Basically, your employer letter should state "To whom it may concern: (first name,last name) has been employed
full-time with the XYZ Company since 200_ as a (name of your job), and is an employee in good standing with an
annual salary of $XXXX. Signed, John Doe, Supervisor (or whatever title)" The letter should be on company
letterhead.


thank you. there's so much info on this site that sometimes I'm not sure where to look. I didn't see it in the guide so I thought it best to ask.

ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-04 13:23:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134-related question
Hi all -

I'm working on gathering the stuff my fiance will need to take to the interview with him, and on the guide it says that along with the I-134, I should have a letter from my employer stating my job title, salary, etc. I'm about to ask my boss to do this for me, but my question is kind of silly: can it just be a "To Whom It May Concern" letter, or does it have to actually be to a specific party / address?

Thanks
Shelby

ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-04 12:59:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionscans ok on DS230 / ds-156 / ds-156K / ds-157?
QUOTE (HelloWorld08 @ Jun 2 2009, 02:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
scan filled out form is ok

it just needs original signature.



Super. That's what I was hoping. Seemed to make sense.

Thanks much!

ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-06-02 13:40:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionscans ok on DS230 / ds-156 / ds-156K / ds-157?
Hi All -

I helped out my very busy fiance by filling in the DS230, DS-156, DS-156K and DS-157 forms that he will need to take to the embassy in London with him. I scanned them and emailed them to him when I was done, but then I happened to think...will the embassy be ok with that? They're no less original than if he were to type the info in and print them out himself, really...and I have plenty of time to mail him the hardcopies if necessary...I just wondered.

Also, all these forms seem super redundant...they all ask for the same info! Do we really need them ALL?

Thanks
Shelby

ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-06-02 13:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionQuestions on getting an interview and medical appt - LONDON embassy
QUOTE (Nik+Heather @ Jun 12 2009, 10:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Darned topic got moved while I was replying. sad.gif

No, they don't tell you they received it.

No, you do not have to make an appointment for the medical before the interview. In fact, you can have the medical after the interview, no issues (except a slight delay, as they will have to wait for the results before visa processing can begin). I believe that those who try to have the medical on the same day (or the day before or the day after) call for an appointment with Knightsbridge as soon as they know the interview date. It seems to work out pretty well. DOS can tell you when your interview date is as soon as it's scheduled (as opposed to waiting for the letter in the mail), but you have to call them. 202 663 1225

Yes, I think you mail the forms in but bring the documents with you. Some forms were supposed to be signed, some not. If he's unsure he can print out another copy and bring them unsigned to the interview with him. I don't think that sending too many things will hurt (like sending too few would).

Lastly, why don't you come on down to the UK forum? We've got pinned threads for medicals, and recommended hotels etc.

-H



Oooh, I wasn't aware there was a UK forum! Good deal.

I guess i"m just nervous and over-thinking things because we're trying to plan a wedding on 10/10/09 and the longer we go without hearing anything, the more freaked out I get about spending money on a wedding...which, I know, we probably shouldn't have started laying money out for stuff until he had visa in hand, but things just didn't work out that way.



ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-06-12 10:11:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Just when I thought everything was going great. please help!

SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!

I obviously didn't meet the poverty guidelines for the past three years, I was in high school and only working part time. I did get two jobs for the year of 2011 but only worked 5 months because I left May 25, 2011 to Argentina with my spouse were we got married on July 25. THERE IS NO ONE WHO CAN BE MY SPONSOR. NOT EVEN MY PARENTS. and I am so scared because I don't want to get an RFE. I am assembling my I-864 packet now and I thought I was going to be okay. I got my job the same day my petition I-130 was approved and I made $440 weekly before taxes which sums up to $22,800 YEARLY. I have my paystubs for every week and and a letter from my employer and my school schedule as well since I'm a college student. Do I have to wait another 6 months so they won't ask for joint sponsor? I mean its personal but I didn't arrive back to Texas until Mar 21 but to take care of my dad because he was hospitalized. But will they take in consideration the fact that high school students don't make that amount of money when in school? Right now I have only been working for 5 weeks All help is greatly appreciated.


When we filed our I-864 my husband had been at his (well paying) job for only a few months. Prior to that we were in Scotland for 3 years, where he was a grad student, and he barely made any money.

You have to file the previous 3 years tax returns (even if, like my husband, all it shows is your lack of income for the previous years) but what is important is that you earn enough now. The previous poster is right in that being in college doesn't negate the financial requirement. But if you are filing for 2, you meet that requirement with $22,000. So no worries.

Edited by Helen Louise, 24 June 2012 - 12:28 PM.

HelenBradleyFemaleScotland2012-06-24 12:27:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionK1 from Berlin???
I will be sending in my I-129F in on Friday for my fiance who lives in Hamburg, Germany. I am using an immigration lawyer and she asked which embasy / consolate my fiance wanted to have her interview ect. at. She said that the options were Frankfurt, Berlin, and Munich.
I have read nothing about being able to do this in BERLIN but if it is possible then I that would be much easier.
Does the embassy in Berlin handle K1s???? I know I should trust the lawyer but.......
Thanks
hamburgapplesMaleGermany2007-03-26 22:14:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPacket 3 from Frankfurt Germany Consulate
Thanks for taking your time to scan this in and to make it available to all of us. My fiance and I are in this process also albeit a bit early on. Lucky for us I live in Vermont so it looks like things will happen much faster.
Thanks again for this..... I'm sending my fiance a link to this now!
Good luck on journey!
Robert
hamburgapplesMaleGermany2007-04-27 16:07:00