ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNebraska Service Center Processing Time

Nebraska doesn't process K-1's. Why did you want to check there?



ohhhhhhhhhhhh. that explains it. I meant to put Vermont. phew. thanks! I feel better now.
Tonga 'OfaFemaleTonga2011-08-21 18:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNebraska Service Center Processing Time
Hi everyone,

I was just on the USCIS website checking my case status. I always do this, I don't know why. But, today I was checking it and checking on the processing times also to see if anything changed.

I put in:

"I129F"
"K-1"
"Nebraska Service Center"
and when I processed I got that the National Goal is 5 months, the National Average is 11.9 Months and the Nebraska Service Center Average is 42.6 Months!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is nuts! It has always been 5 months any other time I've checked it.

Could this be a fluke? What is the deal? :( :(
Tonga 'OfaFemaleTonga2011-08-21 17:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTrying to evade a co-sponsor, is it possible?
Hey! I am in the same boat. I am currently working my first full-time job ever since graduating college. I was in the peace corps for a while before this job, but of course that was volunteer and didn't pay. My tax returns will show under poverty level for all the past years I've filed. But, I also asked this question to VJ a few months ago and I was told that as long as I can prove my income with pay stubs and a letter of employment and good standing from my employer I should be fine.

I also don't really have a co-sponsor. I mentioned it briefly once to my mom and I could tell right away she wasn't comfortable so I never brought it up again. I don't have anyone else to ask either. SO, i'm on my own. But, like I said, we should be fine because by the time we would have to provide an affidavit of support we could prove sufficient income.

Also, they will be able to tell you were a full-time student, so they will understand why your income was low as opposed to just job hopping for no reason.
Tonga 'OfaFemaleTonga2011-08-30 12:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresESL Classes
OH, ok, I see. Thanks!
Tonga 'OfaFemaleTonga2011-09-01 21:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresESL Classes

It is best to do the right thing and file for the AOS ASAP after marriage, prior to his visa expiration.



Ok I understand that the visa expires if you don't marry within 3 months after enter the U.S. And, that it expires after 6 months of having it and not entering the U.S. So are you saying it also expires after marraige at some point?
Tonga 'OfaFemaleTonga2011-09-01 20:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresESL Classes
Also, I read this in the VJ flow chart:

Apply for Adjustment of Status (AOS), EAD, AP
Apply for Adjustment of Status (AOS). You should file as soon as possible. If you have not filed for AOS and your K-1 expires, you will be considered out-of-status until you file. Make all attempts to file before you become out-of-status.


Doesn't your K1 only expire if you stay in the US for 3 months without marrying the petitioner or if you wait longer than 6 months to use the visa and enter the US. And, if so then wouldn't it stand to reason that you most likely won't need to file an AOS because you most likely decided not to marry/travel?
Tonga 'OfaFemaleTonga2011-09-01 19:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresESL Classes
Hi all,

I am having a hard time figuring out whether or not my fiance will be eligible for things once he is in US and we are married.

So once he gets here (in posession of legal K1 Visa) and we are married (living together in Virginia) is he at that point considered a resident? Or, would this only qualify after we have done an Adjustment of Status to Legal Permament Resident?

I guess what I am asking, in other words, is: what is the status of the beneficiary after marrying the petitioner but before getting their "stamp" in the passport/green card after the AOS process is complete?

Thanks!!
Tonga 'OfaFemaleTonga2011-09-01 19:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresElectronic DS-156
I actually was doing some more reading last night, and the form that the fiance(e) has to fill out is actually the DS-156K, which is not electronic. So - I guess the electronic DS-156 is irrelevant. I think the embassy sends them the DS-156K. It is also available for download here: http://www.travel.st...forms_1342.html
Tonga 'OfaFemaleTonga2011-10-02 11:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresElectronic DS-156
Hi VJers,

I noticed on the electronic DS-156 form there is a place for the person who is preparing the application to sign, and for the benificiary. Does this mean I can prepare the application for my fiance - if so it would be much easier for us both b/c I have easier access to internet, scanners, printers, etc.

Thanks!
Tonga 'OfaFemaleTonga2011-10-01 23:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures6 months still waiting for NOA2
I’m in same boat..I'm the USC with a 5 month old now. However, we've been lucky he's been back and forth on his tourist visa. But the waiting is TOO MUCH! Being in this perpetual limbo is getting to be too much to deal with. We argue constantly...and I know we're supposed to present a united front. But geeze louise, we're only human and this process is for the birds! They told me today that once it's ONPT, to give it yet ANOTHER 30 days!!! Are you kidding me?? So 12 April is our ONPT- 6 months. They say wait another 30 days??? 7 months and that's not even counting time for packet to leave NVC, get to SA, schedule interview..etc, etc, etc. He has job offers waiting on him here with his company that has U.S.A. Offices. To be so close yet so far away still it just getting so hard. We're hanging in, but come on man...we just want to get on with our lives.

Sandicap- best of luck to you too...I know it's so hard especially with children involved. Hang in there! :-)
jamienshanieFemaleSouth Africa2011-04-07 15:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures6 months still waiting for NOA2
173 days here..VSC go figure!! I already contacted my Senator a few weeks back, got a lame letter from "VSC Congressional" stating that "if we don't see action by 12 April, then we can put in request to expedite due to ONPT." REALLY? Gee thanks. I've already called my Senator's office as of yesterday to 'great the skids' per say in regards to contacting VSC on 12 April due to ONPT. My Senator's office is all over- thank goodness. Not sure what good it will do, probably just get another lame email from the VSC Congressional email box. But here's to hoping we either hear BEFORE 12 April or our ONPT expedite will work....I can't take much more of this. :-( Oh and the VSC Congressional emails are signed "Thank you for your understanding and patience." LOL!!! If they ONLY knew....GRRRRRR.
jamienshanieFemaleSouth Africa2011-04-07 09:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNewly engaged and going through the K1 process...have a few questions))
Thank you everyone for the kind words and thoughtful replies! I am working my way into the next steps and appreciate everything!

More to come after I have some coffee and wake up a bit more :)

Cheers,
M@
M@hewMaleBelarus2011-10-01 07:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNewly engaged and going through the K1 process...have a few questions))
Hello everyone!

My name is Matthew and I've just dropped the question to my GF! She said yes; and now I am excited and terrified all at the same time :) Now I don't want to clutter this forum with my romance story or details...unless y'all are interested. ;) I surely don't mind talking but it may be painful to read since I've been told that I can be "wordy" and should write novels. Anyhow, my Fiance is from The Republic of Belarus and I am from the USA, both single and able to be married...and all that good stuff. Well we met for the first time over a year ago and I've been to Belarus some 5 times since. This last trip earlier in the month I proposed and she accepted...thusly here I am, or shall I say here we are!

So the first questions that come to mind, and I have been using the "search" and reading the pinned sections....well the questions are:

On the i-129F there is a question "Describe the circumstances under which you first met"... Okay, so the first time I met my girl was just a brief introduction from a mutual friend at a pizza joint. I was dating someone else at the time and so was she... it wasn't until some months later that we actually began our relationship. My question is if I should describe our first date... or the first time we literally met... or what?

Also, about 7 years ago my fiance was in the usa doing a work exchange program. She got a SSN back in the day; but I don't know if it is still valid or if we should put it on the application. It was a long time ago and I am not sure if it has some sort of expiration date or what.

Going back to her stay in the USA, she overstayed her visa by 2 weeks. Back then she was just barely 20 and had no idea of the impact. I wasn't sure if this was a big deal or if this could really hurt our chances of getting married her in the states. Not sure if anyone here has had such an experience, but I'd love to know what's the word on this :)

Finally, are there a lot of folks here that have married someone from Belarus? I'd love to hear about your stories if you are willing to share!

Thanks all and hope to get to share more of our story as time goes forward.

Cheers and best regards,
Matt
M@hewMaleBelarus2011-09-30 17:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresForms and information questions about how much info
Greetings all,

I am going through and filling out the G-325A and related forms and have some questions about little details that I am second guessing myself on...

For starters, my Fiancee... her middle name is one character too long to fit in the box while typing it. What's the best thing to do? Add an additional page and state her middle name there or just hand write it in there?

In terms of dates of marriage and divorce, should I put the month and year then the state? For example, married 11/2004 VA or what? If I try to spell it all out, there is no way it fits in the space provided...

Same question for employer... I can fit the company name and street address but not city, state, and zip... should I fill this in the space below?

I know it all seems pretty weak, but I don't know what the best thing to do is. Second guessing my thoughts because it's so important to me :)

Thanks all and warmest regards,
Matt
M@hewMaleBelarus2011-10-03 12:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-3 vs. K-1
It won't be a K3, it would be a CR1.

If you're saying that you are thinking of having him visit you, get married, and remain in America, then that is a plan you are not allowed to have. If you mean that he will return home after the marriage and file for CR1, then that is ok. Just checking!

CR1 is cheaper than K1+AOS, and it is faster from the initial application to the day he will be able to get a job in America. It is however generally slower from initial application to moving to America. (I chose to do a CR1, and at that particular point in time the CR1 went much faster. So things do change from month to month.)

The application is indeed pretty similar.


If you have any other questions, I'll be happy to answer.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-02-08 13:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiancee Visa for an arranged marriage. Possible?
Like other people have said, the only religious/cultural explanation accepted for not meeting is one where the two people actually are not allowed to see each other prior to marriage. This is not the case here. (The medical reason also comes with a high burden of proof. Many people have applied and been denied because USCIS was not sufficiently convinced that neither of the two involved could visit the other.) Financially, if you can't afford a plane ticket there is no way you can afford the rest of the cost of immigration, and fulfil the sponsorship element.

The two parties should arrange to meet, and at that meeting either marry or obtain lots of evidence of their meeting.

So the real question in this case is, should this couple go for a fiance visa or a spousal visa? If it is at all possible for them to marry on meeting then that would probably be the better choice, as it is easier to produce a marriage certificate than prove meeting and communication!
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-02-08 13:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVSC nonsensical response!
Remember, the first 5 months that you were waiting the file was probably just in a pile, waiting to be looked at. It is only after 5 months that they picked it up and decided to carry out checks on you. That should relieve you slightly: it is quite possible that those additional checks will only take a little bit longer. At least your file has now reached the front of the queue!
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-02-28 22:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNew Filer - Attorney or No Attorney..that is the question - HELP!
If your case is straightforward and merely involves form-filling, then do it yourself. Adding a lawyer into the mixture just means you have to give him the information and then he can copy it wrong :-) If at any point you need someone to argue on points of law, that is when you would probably want a lawyer.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-03-11 03:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRequest for expedition was denied. What else can I do?
One thing to remember is that they are mostly concerned with insurmountable hardship to the US citizen. This is what you have to prove. They are not interested in any hardships the intending immigrant is experiencing.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-03-15 03:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEmployment visa affect on a K-1 visa
The answer to your specific question: if you entered America on an employment visa you would no longer need the K1. You would get married and adjust status from the employment visa.

I don't know anything about employment visas, so I don't know if there is any risk of it being denied if they think you will be marrying and staying in America. Someone else should be able to give a definitive answer to that.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-03-16 02:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRegistered Diplomatic Pouch???!!!!!???? How Long?
All you can do is wait and breathe slowly :-) If the time passes and you still aren't hearing anything, and you had been planning on your fiance actually travelling with the children, then you will want to make a back-up plan just in case. If your fiance has to travel over on August 7th and then you have to go get the children, for example, just make sure that, nearer the time, you do have that back-up plan open to you. (Your fiance will not be able to leave the US for several months after arriving.)

But, try not to worry about it now. Even if it did take twelve weeks to travel over to the other Embassy, that would still leave almost 2 months for them to process the children. I doubt it will be 12 weeks, fingers crossed :-)
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-03-17 23:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDS-157. Q14. Specialised skills including biological or chemical experience?
Also, I would advise you to take a copy of your CV to the interview so that, if they ask, they can easily see what your subsequent work history is.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-30 05:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDS-157. Q14. Specialised skills including biological or chemical experience?
Maybe it would delay the application if you had experience in research on, say, biological weapons. But a biology degree with some chemistry? No. Stick to the truth and there will be no unnecessary problems.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-28 20:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhen should I file the I-29F (petition for alien fiance)?
If your fiance is planning on visiting you in 2012 prior to the marriage then you will not want him to have the visa until after that visit. Once he has the visa he must use it on his next entry to the US. So, if he is planning on visiting you during the spring break for example, you will not want him to have the visa already. You can delay sending in the documents prior to the interview, and also delay the interview itself. So this is not a concern right now as you are considering when to start the application process, but it is something you may need to remember later on.

I would suggest applying on the first day of summer :-) Or maybe the month before.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-03-21 13:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSlightly Confuzzled
I think that what you have is fine. You cannot book the medical until you have received your case number (after NOA2) so, although a good idea, that is not an option.
I think really you don't so much risk a denial as you risk being interrogated in secondary like you were last time. So definitely something you should be prepared for, but I think they should let you through eventually. (Hopefully not so mean this time!)

I don't know what your plans are as far as your wedding, but, for example, you could make an appointment with a wedding dress shop in England for after your return. And maybe something showing your possible plans for your eventual American wedding. You already have evidence of having devoted time and money to the fiance visa, so I guess I'm thinking of any extra evidence that would show you intend to return to the UK as an unmarried woman and then marry in America in Fall/Winter time.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-03-24 01:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresk1 or CR1? Decisions...
We married, spent two weeks together, then were apart for 3 weeks, then I visited again and we filed CR1. No problem at all.

So long as you don't have to make a special trip to get married (which you won't as you are making a visit before doing anything anyway) then CR1 is the better option. The only other argument against it is if you have a personal feeling that you don't want to be apart after marriage. So that's one reason some people go the K1 route, but if you're happy to get married and will have the opportunity to do so then go for it!

Assuming you two have actually met in person in the past 2 years, you could of course file for the K1 RIGHT NOW which could potentially cut your time apart down a little bit. Though this was not the choice we made.

Edited by JoannaV, 27 March 2011 - 11:29 PM.

JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-03-27 23:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMedical in London..malaria
May be a good idea to get information from your GP regarding anything you answer yes to, ie get the records on what treatment you had for malaria, if possible. Should not be a problem in getting the visa, just may mean the medical need some extra information from you.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-04-01 14:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG-325A questions - clarification please!
An answer to a little part of your question: some of your addresses you need not count. The visit to America definitely does not count as an address. Your NZ address before and after the trip is also your address for when you were in the US. They will ask about your trips to the US separately.
Some of the other addresses you may also not need to list, for example if you were just temporarily staying in a friend's flat. But if you need an extra sheet anyway then may as well include it all.

Personally I only listed my parents' address as that was still my "home" address when I was living elsewhere during the university terms. If there is an address that you returned to more than once and you did still consider an address whilst you were away (such as your parents') then you could potentially list that address once and allow the dates to overlap with your other addresses. Rich people do, after all, have multiple homes and they get their visas all right B-) (Although would like it if someone could confirm they did this on their G325A with no problem?) (And useful perhaps to compare it to employment: perfectly possible to list multiple employments with overlapping dates!)

With regards to additional sheets, I would follow the instructions given for the I-130: "If extra space is needed to complete any item, attach a continuation sheet, indicate the item number, and date and sign each sheet." There isn't really any need to indicate on the form that there is a continuation sheet, they should see it so long as it is mailed with the continuation sheet directly behind the relevant form. Personally I found it easier to handwrite everything, but up to you. If you use Word you could create a table (not necessarily with visible lines, just to make everything line up) and include the column headings. And hmm if you really have a lot of addresses it could be fun to fill that page with every address and not bother trying to reduce the number of items you need to list ;)


You won't be writing the US address, as I said before. However, in general you can indeed write USA instead of writing it out in full. Other countries write out in full to avoid confusion, where there is room to do so.

I think you specify K1 Visa. Even when one of the other boxes applies to someone there is no negative consequence of checking the "other" box by mistake and writing the specific visa type anyway :-)
Edited to add: so yes, I-129F as Ryan H says. Gah you and I can be long-winded together ;) )

Edited by JoannaV, 04 April 2011 - 01:21 AM.

JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-04-04 01:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFlight isn't nonstop... Problem?
It's perfectly possible that you will be waiting in line for an hour (if other flights have arrived at the same time, depending on the airport) and then they send you to secondary to do your paperwork and you have to sit there for ages because everyone's eating lunch except one person who first has to deal with some other people. I would not want to risk a short layover (potentially shorter given the risk of flight delays too...) on this particular trip to America.

On the other hand, Murphy's Law means you'll book the more expensive flight with longer layover and get through in 15 minutes ;)

Oh, and are you booking a return flight, which is generally cheaper than a single?
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-04-05 22:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresArranged marriage?
What is the specific reason that you cannot meet until marriage? The only way to waive the meeting requirement is either to prove that it is impossible (ie neither of you can physically travel out of your respective countries, not just that it is hard to do so but it is impossible) or to prove that it is against your religion to do so. And that latter is hard to prove, or hard for USCIS to accept. It would have to be documented that within your particular subsect of your religion it really was impossible for the couple to lay eyes on each other before marriage. This is hard to prove as it is rare for a religion to actually dictate that a couple can never see each other in the street, you know?
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-04-02 02:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI don't have a vaccination record, help!!
The London medical people will take your word for it on the chickenpox.

The only vaccines you should need are TDaP and MMR, which should cost about £60 at the medical in London. So that is the worst case scenario for you. There isn't really anything bad about being re-vaccinated.

If the blood test results you are getting this week show immunity to certain things, you will not be required to obtain the shots. Just take proof of the test results to the medical with you. Of course, if you actually had, for example, the MR shot as a child then you may only be immune to two of the components of the MMR and so would still need to have that shot.
If you are using the NHS then they should really give you the shots for any of the things you don't show immunity for, seeing as how TDaP and MMR are required shots in the UK too. But it seems NHS Trusts or GPs vary widely, so maybe you won't be able to get them for free in your area.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-04-21 12:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129f while unemployed
Maybe you should ask this question in the Chinese regional forum (http://www.visajourn...forum/94-china/) to get an idea of how it is handled there.

For sure, once you find a job and have had it for a little while, it won't be a problem at all.

What I do know, is that if you don't apply then you won't be approved. Obvious, but relevant when considering some issues.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-02 19:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129f while unemployed
You do not have to be employed in order to sponsor her. Your income may come from any (legal) source.
The emphasis nowadays is placed on your current income, not your past income. So if you get a job the only question asked might be "How come your expected income for this year is higher than the last two years?" And the answer would be that you were unemployed for a while. This is not a problem.

As for delaying the interview, you can do this for many reasons including that it doesn't fit in with your travel arrangements or whatever. You don't necessarily need to give a reason. If asked at the interview, your fiancee could explain that you wanted to save up a bit more money before getting married. Embassies will vary on how easy it is to rearrange an interview, so I can't speak for GZ specifically.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-02 18:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 interview London Question!!
I actually went to Audley Pharmacy, which is in the other direction. I also believe there is a bakery which accepts items. Someone needs to wander to those places and tell everyone the times they're open...
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-04-26 13:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 interview London Question!!
I just looked here: http://www.gouldphar....com/Photos.asp and it says opening time is 7:30

oh and it's 8:30 on US holidays, I guess the Embassy is closed those days so they just do regular pharmacy business

Edited by JoannaV, 26 April 2011 - 01:03 PM.

JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-04-26 13:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 interview London Question!!
I was within walking distance of the Embassy, left my phone behind, but ended up having to go to Gould's with a flash drive....and guess what, was stranded in the rain for hours after my interview because no-one was home and I couldn't get hold of my friend or her housemates ;) So yeah, phones are good haha.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-04-26 11:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAOS and Co-sponsors
Correct on everything :-)
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-05-03 15:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGetting Married Before Entering US on a K-1
The instructions for the I-129F state multiple time that it is for the purpose of bringing your fiance to the US to marry, and that you must marry within 90 days of admission. I suppose you could be confused because they do not make their sentences repetitive and so don't say things such as "you plan to marry your fiance within 90 days of his/her admission to the US, the marriage being within the US"...

It also tells you that once legally married within 90 days of admission your spouse can then apply for adjustment of status. Remember that advance parole is something applied for with (or after) adjustment of status. You cannot adjust status until married. Therefore you can only apply for advance parole to travel out of the US AFTER you are married.

Really, in the main, the instructions on USCIS forms are pretty straightforward. Normally, one should not read anything into them beyond the obvious.

Edited by JoannaV, 06 May 2011 - 05:39 PM.

JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-05-06 17:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProving US Residence
DCF has the same issue: obviously you can petition whilst living in the foreign country, but you have to prove that you will be moving back to the US at the same time or before your fiance/spouse. Evidence that you've kept your car, have furniture stored, are paying for insurance, have current driving license and bank accounts, and have filed taxes are all good things. You can also provide proof that you are looking for a job back in the US and accommodation.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-05-18 18:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134 evidence
If he was doing the same work in the past, then tax returns will help show that it is a constant source of income. Letters from both employers, stating his pay and the frequency of his work. Pay stubs or other proof of income, ideally something that shows his year to date income.
JoannaVFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-05-20 22:30:00