ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPreparing I-129F Petition
I keep wondering how I should present my petition. I want to keep it organized and thorough. But I keep reading the tips and suggestions here and elsewhere on the internet, and I'm starting to think these petitions are reviewed bt kindergardeners. :wacko: Are these people REALLY so helpless that you need to color code things and write directions for them to find everything ? Or are they just a**holes that need their job to be made easier and ours harder ?? These process' are ridiculous. It's a good thing there are good people on this site that are willing to help others out. :thumbs:
CulchieMalePhilippines2012-04-25 22:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE because Chinese divorce papers not translated
I recieved an RFE too for Divorce Decree translation in English. No indication to translation of Birth Certificate nor passport but I still went ahead SENT translation of every document that was in foreign language (Russian) just to be on the safe side so I don't waste anymore time.
I would Suggest the same to you. Good luck!! Just sent my RFE yesterday - overnighted.
Sandesh&SvetaMaleUkraine2012-10-18 08:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHRR, two year residency requirement?
My guess would be that you can go to the interview, and if it is a problem you could either ask if they could delay your visa issuance until after October, or they will tell you to get a waiver.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-18 11:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHRR, two year residency requirement?
Your residency is the important thing, so consecutive/continuous residency in the UK of 2 years...but that doesn't mean you can't go on short holidays, long holidays, etc :-)

Also, are you sure that your J1 had an HRR?
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-18 05:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresJust starting the K-1 process
- Make sure he lists all his names when it asks for "other names".

- You can certainly file for AOS with different names than used for K1. This happens a lot of course, especially women who take their husband's name upon marriage. The timeline can be slightly complicated, in that if he needs to update his passport before filing AOS then this will delay you. Also, he won't have his passport for ID etc whilst it is being changed, and I'm not sure that someone in the US on what is technically a nonimmigrant visa should be without their passport and visa...

- I'm wondering if it's possible for him to change his name during the K1 process, ie after sending off the I-129F petition but before actually getting the visa. From other posts on here I would think this is possible. He would want to get his name change sorted asap after filing the petition, so that it was all done and dusted before the visa application paperwork.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-22 16:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNVC case number hard cop received
Yeah, the I-134 is the only thing your fiancee will have to complete. So if you can take that back to the UK with you it will save on some postage costs :-)
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-22 15:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPackage 3...?
Yes.

Also, you bring the police certificates to the interview but you have to show it (or give a copy) at the medical.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-22 15:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPaperwork hell, and more to come! Please help....

Return the I-864 and my tax paperwork by mail too?


No, you take that to the interview.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-23 06:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPaperwork hell, and more to come! Please help....
You return all the forms (except for any I-134) but none of the documents.

USCIS say that parents may sign for children under 14, so I assume the same applies here. (http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD)

The Embassy website does say, "Obtain the original, or certified copy, of the birth record of each family member (yourself, your spouse, and all unmarried children under the age of 21, even if they are not immigrating with you." so it seems like yes you will need the birth certificates of your children aged 18-20 too.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-23 00:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCheck Returned in Royal Mail!
Hope it works out ok :-(

Have to say though... 1 - LOLZ USA is socialist, and 2 - what is up with zip code "areas"??!

Did they just have the cheque and not the envelope? I guess it could be anything, theft or just a machine that ripped it up and so maybe you'll get the rest of the packet returned sometime too.

On the practical side, if you're really worried about getting the police certificate before the medical then I can tell you that the Premium service for the police certificate is very fast, like very very. (Except when the post office is striking lol.)
Also, I read a post recently of someone who'd gone to the medical before receiving their police certificate, and it went fine, just the doctors told them to fax the police certificate in and once they're received that they would forward the medical results to the Embassy. So slight delay there, but nothing monumental.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-24 22:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPolice Certificate & Medical Examination
They just haven't updated their website with that bit of information :angry:
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-25 18:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInterview date and DS-2001
Shouldn't.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-26 16:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F

Thank you. We have to include divorce decrees? I don't know if I have that one... :help: :(


Yeah cuz you need to show that you are free to marry... See Part 5.D of the instructions: If either you or your fiancé(e) were married before, give copies of documents showing that each prior marriage was legally terminated.

You may have to inquire at the court house where you divorced.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-26 19:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F
I think the answer would be "yes" as the question is not asking if you filed an I-129f before, but if you filed any kind of immigrant petition/application for a fiance OR a spouse.

On the attached sheet, give as much information as you can. So, at the least, best estimates of the dates of your marriage, immigrant application, divorce. His full name, and if possible his date of birth. I'm assuming you got married and then filed. Adjustment of status? Of course this was so long ago that the processes were probably a lot different. Include the outcome (he got his green card).

You will have to include your divorce paperwork anyway. Hopefully USCIS can use their own records to verify the information on your ex, and if you guys were married for a while after he got his green card then there shouldn't be any problems.

Your past should not effect this petition. Now, were you to marry Chris, then divorce and file for someone else, you'd probably be flagged... But right now you are not in such a situation :-)
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-26 16:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresphotos and wedding date
Generally, the photos required are US passport sized: 2" by 2". Some photo booths will be able to give this option and also a portrait photographer should be able to print you photos of the required size.

A wedding date is decidedly unhelpful if you end up not getting your visa in time and having to cancel the wedding and pay for xyz. In the UK the only difference I can see a wedding date make is that sometimes, you may get an interview sooner if your wedding date is sooner. But that's more a case of, if you get to the interview stage and your wedding is soon they might give you an interview a week sooner than they would've, whereas if your wedding is several months in the future they might give you an interview later than they would have generally...
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-27 16:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage before citizen

However, he is not staying. He will return to the UK in one week. then, we will file for the K-3 visa...Does that make sense?


CR-1, not K-3.

If you're asking, can he get married in the US without a fiance visa, return to the UK after the week, and then apply for a spousal visa, the answer is a resounding YES.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-27 16:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Visa - London
You will also need to get the medical done in London. There have been cases of people being allowed to have it done on the same trip, ie just before their interview, but this is by no means something to assume will be allowed. So be prepared for the possibility of two trips.

The Tube is easy to use. You'll be grand :-) If you manage to find accommodation close enough you may even be able to walk!

I don't know anything personally about accommodation options, but there are definitely cheaper options. Upmarket hostels, and the like. if you're going to be staying overnight and using the Tube then your radius of options is pretty big.

I think they accept the police certificate for up to 12 months. I'd say...wait for 3 months from when you applied and then apply for the police certificate. (Or, if you get approved sooner somehow, then apply that day. You won't receive your case number immediately upon approval, so you won't actually delay anything if you apply for the police certificate immediately upon approval.)

All the London area airports are options. Most of the airline/flight sites let you check for flights into all London airports, so you don't need to know before you look. Obviously some are more convenient than others. But Gatwick and Luton have rail links to London just like Heathrow. (Journey times vary, and depends on where your final destination in London is. The expensive Heathrow train is quicker than Gatwick which is quicker than the cheaper Heathrow train.) (Stansted has rail links too, maybe a little further and more expensive though.)

Just plan your Tube route before you go, and it'll be a breeze.

Oh, and congratulations!

Edited by JoannaV, 28 July 2011 - 05:01 PM.

JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-28 17:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPacket 3 Help needed
You do indeed need to complete all those forms, and they do refer to you.

Just answer the best you can. Some questions may confuse you because the form is not specifically for K1 visa applicants, but used for lots of different visas. So for some of these you can just write "after adjusting status" as your answer.

For education write the approximate dates of your college attendance, with n/a for degree. You could also write your high school dates in, although I think that isn't necessary, can't remember.

For employment write down what you can, with dates estimated if necessary. You could be the bummest bum in the world and it wouldn't be relevant to your visa :-) lol.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-01 13:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMy name came up in a conversation

It does however feel good knowing that we're doing this the right way and will have no problems once we're together. I'm sure it will be a rough road at times, but not as rough if we were doing this the wrong way, and were caught.



It's not just getting caught and living in the fear of getting caught. It is living your entire life in a country where you have no legal status and so do not have the freedom to do certain things. Travelling, working, retiring....even ignoring the fear of being caught there are so many things which are opened up to you when you go the legal route.
(I don't mean people can't work without legal status. I mean that there are so many possibilities for work which are not open to them.)
It may seem the hard route now, but you are right, your life together really will be so good :-)
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-30 01:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMail Delayed!!?! Readiness be done over the phone????
"The visa interview will not be scheduled until the Immigrant Visa Unit is in receipt of the results of the medical examination." So I don't see that the DS-2001 will slow things down at all. By the time they get your medical results they're sure to have all your forms too. Of course you can keep calling to ask if they have them, if you really want to. No harm in telling them you sent it.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-02 22:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPolice Report from Bahrain?
http://travel.state....5.html?cid=8960 and scroll down to Police Certificates. All the info you need about obtaining it is there :-)

Whether you need it will depend how old you were. Teenager could mean you do or you don't :-)
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-07 16:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUK Medical
Fill out form, wait, chest x-ray, wait, nurse checks his immunisation list, blood taken, blood pressure, doctor does a brief physical (nothing to worry about), may include a check of gender but really nothing alarming AT ALL. There are plenty of reviews on VisaJourney of the medical in London, maybe someone will link you or you could try searching "knightsbridge"
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-07 16:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAffadavit of support Info.
If his income is over the minimum requirement then he is fine :-) Plus he has savings so it becomes even more obvious that he meets the requirement :-) There are no extra requirements beyond the basic ones. That is, if you meet the requirement then it really does not matter about anything else! They don't go, "oh he earns enough but he's a student and hmm I don't know..."

In addition to the tax returns and proof of assets, make sure you have proof of his current wage from his employer and proof of his monthly veteran benefits.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-07 16:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDS 156
Short answer: answer yes, send it off, get the arrest records, no lawyer.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-09 01:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting my fiance/beneficiary
Just answer truthfully whatever question they ask you. Good idea to have the NOA1 on hand just so you can present it if they do ask you too many questions.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-11 06:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPaying US Embassy for Visa Interview
The London Embassy website says: "K Visa Applicants pay the fee to the Operator Assisted Information Service prior to attending the visa interview. Instructions concerning payment will be sent to you with the appointment letter."

Is it his appointment letter that told him to pay on the day?

As far as payment, it can be sterling or dollar equivalent.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-11 19:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresChanging beneficiaries address to non resident country address
If you are resident in another country you can apply from that country, give your address in that country, and interview at the US Embassy in that country. "Resident" can include temporary residence :-)

Edited by JoannaV, 12 August 2011 - 08:58 PM.

JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-12 20:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCo-sponsors
For London you can have a co-sponsor. If it makes you feel better then by all means get his parents to complete an I-134 and provide their tax returns. But you may not need to submit that paperwork at the interview: you need only hand it over if they question the sufficiency of your fiance's income. Even if it just gives you peace of mind it's worth it :-)
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-11 06:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresdoes wedding date help embassy prioritise interview dates?
Giving a date can help, in that London do seem to try to accommodate when possible (although not to the extent of letting you totally jump the queue) and conversely if you tell them you are getting married next year then that can cause them to give you a later interview date, lol. But there are no guarantees, and you certainly don't want to plan on anything. :-)
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-12 20:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI got a visa a month ago but I'm still stuck here, help!
The sooner you get over there the sooner you can marry and the sooner he can list you as his spouse in DEERS, meaning if he does deploy you will be a spouse and get everything that military spouses get, including help whilst he is gone. Also make sure you apply for your SSN as soon as you arrive, whilst on K1, as it will come in handy.

If you don't get over there then your visa will expire and you will have to reapply...
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-15 00:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureskinda confused!!
If his income is sufficiently high, then just get his recent tax transcripts.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-16 05:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI need I-134 help!
Co-sponsors are fine for London. Good idea to figure out the paperwork now but you no need to rush or anything as you don't know when you will get your NOA2. (That is, some stuff such as your most recent pay stub you won't be able to get together right now.) You will also be better able to figure out your expected income once you have been working your job a little longer.

Yes get your parents to complete an I-134 too. They will put your fiance's details in question 3 :-) I would write "daughter's fiance" for relationship.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-15 00:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRequirement for not being a burden once here
So long as you are always entirely open about your situation when applying for any benefit, you should not be accepted for something you should not be receiving.

The immigrant can receive certain things, for example unemployment if eligible. (Ie, if the immigrant works and then is laid off, it's more like unemployment insurance than welfare.)
Some programs work in such a way that it just means the sponsor's income has to be considered in addition to the immigrant's. So there are some state means-tested benefits which look at income in order to determine if you qualify, and they can count the sponsor's income too. Of course, as you will be married, your income will probably be considered anyway.

Looking at the I-864 forms, I don't see unemployment listed. It does say immunisations are allowed. Generally, anything specifically to do with the children you can kind of assume is probably ok.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-17 22:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhich is the best option for us?

I have a few questions. I’ll start by explaining my situation.

I am currently engaged to a man from the US, I am from Canada. We met online two years ago and have met in real life several times. He tried to enter Canada to visit my family and I, however he got declined at the border due to petty theft charge on his record from almost 7 years ago. We filed for his Criminal Rehabilitation forms; however we discovered that it could possibly take another 12-18 months to receive the outcome. We do not want to wait this long to marry and be together, so we decided that I would move to the US to be with him, and marry while we wait for him to be allowed to enter Canada. That way, we’d already be married when moving back to Canada.

Since we could be waiting a long time for the rehabilitation papers, I would like to marry him legally in the US and get a green card. What is the easiest way to do this? Is it possible for me to move down there with him while working on our marriage papers? Our ultimate goal, is to be able to be married and living together as soon as possible, and for me to be able to work in the US as well.


Hi. I believe I answered your partner's post earlier. So read what I wrote there.

Your post includes more information than his on your expected timeline. There are many possibilities but they all depend on your priorities. Quickest way to marry: go visit him today and get married. Quickest way to live together: file for the K1 fiance visa. (Or visit/marry tomorrow and then file for the CR1 spousal visa.) Quickest way to work in the US: visit him to marry him, then afterwards file for the spousal visa.

The visa process takes a long time. Not sure what the current stats are for Canadians, but it could be that you finally manage to move to the US when his criminal rehabilitation forms comes through (if they come through after 12 months say) and then immediately you can make the move to Canada. So it could be that you don't really get much benefit out of moving. On the other hand, if the forms take longer to come through, you will be glad you did it. Maybe it would be worth deciding to live in the US for a couple of years?

Getting your green card takes a while. You can however visit him in the US whilst waiting, and, if able to not work, can stay for as long as you are legally allowed.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-19 04:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresco-sponsor questions
You can certainly gather as much of the evidence possible now. You should be having your interview before the deadline for 2011 taxes, so the 2010 tax information will be what is needed anyway. If he will still be receiving his pension whilst working then proof of that will be gatherable now. If his pension puts him above the required level then you don't need to worry too much about getting extra evidence from his current job: yes you will probably want to get something but you will not need his most recent pay stubs.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-19 02:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow many times do we have to pay???
You're right that it would be preferable to spend $1100 on a trip to see each other rather than giving $1100 to the US immigration authorities :D The only difference is you will have to spend that money now rather than next year, but if you can afford to do it then definitely worth it, plus overall it will work out more cost-effective as you will be able to get a job upon arriving in the US. (Even working a part-time minimum wage job it would be worth it.)

If you decide to do the spousal visa then obviously you can't file the I-130 till after you get married, which will slow you down a little bit...but once you get to the US you will immediately be able to find a job and do everything a proper resident can do. Personally I definitely prefer the CR-1 route, but it's an individual choice.

Whether you file for the K1 or CR1 visas you are perfectly able to travel to the US and visit him whilst waiting for approval. At the US border you may need to provide proof that you're not intending to immigrate on that trip: so proof of your job for example. Also, proof that you've filed for a visa is pretty good evidence that you don't intend on immigrating on that trip! Japan being a Visa Waiver Program country you don't need to consider anything else.

Regarding aorobert's comment on vaccinations: for the CR1 you need to have the vaccinations prior to getting the visa. For the K1 you can choose to have them once in the US, prior to filing for AOS. In general, it is cheaper/easier to have them in your home country. However, there are exceptions, for example the list of required vaccines for children is very long and if they haven't had any before then it may be costly to obtain them in the home country, depending on the country. But you may already have had all the required vaccines anyway.

So if you decide the spousal visa is a better option then you won't be filing the I-129F. You will marry and then file the I-130. :-)
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-20 04:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow many times do we have to pay???
The plane ticket in order to marry can negate the cost-savings of the CR-1 vs K1. It will also delay you if you have to wait to marry (ie can't fly out tomorrow). So really every situation is different.

The visa fee is $350, the initial fee that you pay with the petition ($340 or whatever) is not a visa fee but, err, the fee for filing the petition. They don't make this easy to understand!

My advice would be to start the process asap. File the I-129F and pay the $340. Once you have done that you can figure out the next stage of the process. You will have several months before you need to pay the next fee, which you should be able to manage but there is also always the possibility of delaying the process a few more months if you need longer to get the money together. But you should be fine if you two scrimp and save for a little while :-)

As far as the requirements go, your fiance just needs to earn over $18,387. If he can prove that then you do not need to worry about his student loan or your savings. Those are things that you guys will need to think about when considering your actual financial condition, but as far as the US immigration authorities are concerned, all that matters is that your fiance earns over $18,387. So you are all set!

You did not explain how you or your fiance met. So I just want to check that you know that there is a requirement of having met in person within the last 2 years in order to get the K1 visa. So if this is not the case then one of you will need to fly to meet the other one before you can do anything. (In which case definitely get married on that trip and file for the CR1!)
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-19 03:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresThe wait.
You can try to predict the wait, but it's not really possible. It varies a lot. Given the current timelines I wouldn't be expecting it to change enough that you get it in a month. But other than that, you can't predict much. It's best to prepare for the longest wait and then be pleasantly surprised if it's shorter :-) Sometimes USCIS do weird things, like accidentally work on new petitions rather than old ones. Which is grand for those with the new petitions.

As a uni student and then a bum living with my parents, (but with savings from my time as a student) I was fortunate enough to be able to take several long trips to the US whilst waiting. We did the CR-1 route so we were married and it was pretty much as if I was living in the US but visiting my parents lol. So we did not have to be apart for toooo long at a time. After my last visit though I was not planning on heading back until I got my visa, and at the time my prediction was that it could be quite a while. As it turns out, it wasn't so long. But I know how daunting it can seem. All you can do is take one day at a time. It's horrible being apart for even a weekend, so I've always felt that it doesn't make too much difference how much longer you have to wait. It is nice to know that the end is in sight though.

We used Skype and all those online things early in our relationship. But we stopped using the internet so much later on. I don't know if this is an option for you, but we used Vonage and could talk on our mobiles any time we wanted for as long as we wanted. Costs money, but pretty cheap. My husband in the US paid for Vonage, and also paid for a UK number (which is a cheap little addition to a Vonage plan.) At the time I had a cheap mobile phone contract which allowed me to have unlimited calls/texts to 5 UK numbers. So I could call the UK Vonage number, which was then forwarded to my husband. And although the Vonage US number was linked to a house phone it could be forwarded to my husband's mobile. It was great being able to call at any time from anywhere, without incurring any additional charges. I found that kept us connected better than trying to coordinate online communication.

One day at a time. Focus on those things you want to talk to him about tomorrow. Plan little surprises. Write letters on nice stationery.
And prepare for his arrival. Even if you're living in a tent make the tent a lovely welcoming home, lol. (For your fiance's part, he can focus on saying goodbye to his friends and favourite places. Tell him to eat a pasty!)

In a few years time the memory of the pain of being apart will fade. But you will remember the good things from this time. :dance:
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-20 04:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPregnanct for medical?
You have the choice to defer the chest x-ray until after the birth. I'm not sure exactly how that works, whether that means you would have to wait to get your visa or if you could get your K1 visa and then have the chest x-ray in the US before adjusting status. Or if you won't need it at all if you are still pregnant when you adjust status.

The form you complete before you go for the medical asks if you are pregnant, and then asks for the due date and tells you to provide proof of pregnancy, for example a note from your GP. (or copy of test result)
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-24 04:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMedical question - the order of things
Oh, and I don't remember how old the kids are, but if they had the first of a series of vaccines and could be due the second in the series then will probably be a good idea to take them into the GP again before moving to the US to make sure they're as up to date as possible, if you see what I mean.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-09-07 12:01:00