ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswhat's next?
:star: Congratz on your petition approval. :star:

Now you can get busy. Here's what to do:

1. Don't wait for the Embassy to contact you. Instead, call the National Visa Center (NVC) and get your MNL case number.
2. Once you get your MNL case number, pay the visa application fee at BPI.
3. The next day, schedule your interview either online or by phone.
4. Complete your medical at St. Lukes.
5. Complete your Embassy interview.
6. Receive your visa and buy a plane ticket.
7. Complete the CFO seminar and get your CFO sticker attached to your passport.
8. Enjoy while everyone serenades you with the song about Filipinos returning home someday..."babalik ka rin..." :jest:
9. Pack your bags.
10. Fly away.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-16 01:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresconfused

but what does these PACKETS 1,2,3 mean?whats in it?

The U.S. Embassy Manila really doesn't have packets for K-1'ers. Instead, they send you a letter which says you are eligible to schedule an interview and gives you instructions on how to prepare for your interview.

Please don't wait for the letter to arrive. The letter could take a month or more to arrive. Sometimes the letter never arrives. Other times the letter is accidentally sent to the petitioner. Instead of waiting for the letter, you should pay the visa fee at BPI, schedule your interview, and complete your medical since you already have your MNL case number.

You can read the Embassy's letter by clicking the links below.

Interview preparation instructions - English version

Interview preparation instructions - Tagalog version
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-19 11:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLetter of Intent

That being said, I do believe Manila does not accept cosponsors on K-1s. Go to the appropriate regional forum for better information.

Manila accepts K-1 joint sponsors on a case-by-case basis. I'd say it's at least a 50/50 acceptance rate.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-19 16:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLetter of Intent
In a joint sponsor case like yours, I believe it's important for the petitioner to attend the interview. You yourself should give the letter from your joint sponsor to the consular officer.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-19 11:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduressome problems in documents for interview.
I'm not an expert, but I agree with Tintin and Mike. I don't think your fiancée needs to write a letter explaining her name change. I think her passport, naturalization certificate, and her income tax returns will explain everything.

I wouldn't worry about your approved petition expiring because the USEM routinely revalidates petitions for another four months. If you book an interview appointment which falls after the expiration date, it's not going to be a problem. I agree with Tintin and Mike, book an interview as soon as possible because the Embassy has been busy and the interview dates fill up fast.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-20 10:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion about the interview process

That isnt the way I saw it but lets hope you are right. Now how does she prove he wont become a public charge as she say she can at the interview? What can she do to sway the decision? I didnt know they would interview her as well.

In my experience, a petitioner who plans to use a joint sponsor at the USEM has a better chance of the USEM accepting the joint sponsorship if the petitioner attends the interview.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-22 11:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion about the interview process

Manila almost never allows co sponsors for K 1s. They also dont allow others to attend the interview. You can prove he wont become a public charge by following the procedures to do so which is why they exist.

^^^ You have been misinformed.

First, the U.S. Embassy Manila (USEM), in their own words, allows joint sponsors for K-1'ers on a case-by-case basis. Based upon what I've seen here on VJ during the past four years, the USEM has allowed joint sponsors in K-1 cases at least 50% of the time, if not more. I personally know three K-1 couples who have used a joint sponsor at the USEM.

Second, the USEM almost always allows petitioners to attend their beneficiary's K-1 interview. It's rare that they don't.

@MarcoAndMaria...Since you are using a joint sponsor, I recommend that you attend your beneficiary's interview.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-21 14:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPost NOA2 received --- What's next?

Hello fellow member, i agree with your post coz when i called yesterday the agent did ask about the letter and of course i answerd " no " so i was not able to have my appoinment scheduled but for today im going to do it again and thnks for posting this im pretty sure agent doesn't really know about those things.

This issue has been going on since I started reading VJ four years ago. If you simply tell tell them "yes," then they will schedule an interview for you.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-23 01:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPost NOA2 received --- What's next?
For those who want to schedule their interview by phone, just tell the call center agent "yes" when they ask whether you have received the letter from the Embassy. The call center agents don't realize that you can make an interview appointment without having received the letter from the Embassy. They also don't realize that some people never receive the letter. If Chinook had waited for the letter, she would still be in Bacolod.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-22 11:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPost NOA2 received --- What's next?

Who should be the one to contact the embassy for my appointment/interview schedule?

Either you or your fiancé can book an interview appointment. Book an appointment either online or by phone. Good luck with your visa journey. :star:
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-21 13:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCenomar
Get CENOMAR and an NBI clearances closer to the interview...maybe one month before the interview. The expiration of those documents is immaterial because the Embassy likely will want a fresh ones.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-23 19:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHELPT! k-1 visa for my fiance and k2 visa for our daughter! PLEASE HELP!
Here are some ideas...

You need to be domiciled in the U.S., so you should live with one of your fiancé's relatives in Las Vegas. Apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN through the State of Nevada. Once you are licensed as an RN in Nevada, get a job there as an RN. Once you have a job as an RN, you could file either a spousal petition or a fiancé petition, depending on whether you decide to marry in 'Pinas or in the U.S.

Keep in mind that you can not use your fiancé's relatives as joint sponsors. Also, you can't use your parents as joint sponsors because they are not U.S. citizens. However, you won't need a joint sponsor because you will be earning well above 125% of the poverty line for your household size.

Your fiancé does not have to go back to 'Pinas when you file a petition for him. He can interview at the U.S. Embassy in the UAE. The only reason he might want to return to 'Pinas is to get married there. However, he can return to Dubai after he gets married.

If your fiancé is living in Dubai at the time you petition him for a fiancé visa, and he has his interview there, he will need a Dubai police clearance if he's lived there more than six months. He can get a police clearance while he's living in Dubai, but I'm not sure if Dubai would issue a police clearance if your fiancé were living in 'Pinas. In that case, the U.S. Embassy Manila would waive the Dubai police clearance. I'm not sure what the rules are for a spousal visa. Also, your fiancé will need an NBI clearance from 'Pinas.

I don't know the rules about petitioning your daughter, but you may need to file an I-130.

Edited by Tahoma, 23 October 2012 - 01:10 PM.

TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-23 13:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresk1 visa potential "denied" result
jbee...You and codeblue will be fine at the USCIS stage of your visa journey. You both have met in-person with your sweethearts within two years prior to the I-129F petition being filed.

Best wishes to you both for a smooth and speedy visa journey... :star: :star:
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-24 12:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresk1 visa potential "denied" result

I rest my case.

Hope we run into each other in OT or P&R :yes:

How can you rest something you don't have?

Agreed, OT or P&R is the appropriate place for you. :yes:
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-23 19:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresk1 visa potential "denied" result

DaveE, let it go. I , as well as any astute person, should easily understand what you wrote. :thumbs:

Anyone who imagines themselves as the self-appointed spokesperson for astute people is, by definition, not very astute. :bonk:
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-23 14:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresk1 visa potential "denied" result

The requirement is that you have met in person within two years of filing the K1 petition. If he was there in Dec 2011, you are good until Dec 2013. There should be no problem.



You are misreading what I wrote. The fact that they have already filed the petition means they are good to go. If they had not filed the petition they would have to file it prior to Dec 2013 or not meet the two year requirement. I never said it runs out.

What you wrote was unclear. You did not say whether the requirement to "have met in person within two years of filing the K-1 petition" was previous to filing the K-1 petition or after the filing of the K-1 petition. Therefore, when you said "you are good until Dec 2013" and "there should be no problem" it left an open question of whether they needed to meet in person before December 2013.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-23 13:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresk1 visa potential "denied" result

The requirement is that you have met in person within two years of filing the K1 petition. If he was there in Dec 2011, you are good until Dec 2013. There should be no problem.

^^^ The highlighted part above is not correct.

The rule is that you and your fiancé must have met face to face within the two-year period previous to the date when the petition was filed. You have already done so. You were together in December 2011, so you have fulfilled the requirement. The clock does not start ticking again. There is no requirement that you meet face to face again.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-23 12:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTax Return

Thank you sis!

Walang anuman. By the way, it's okay to call me "kuya." :)
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-23 01:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTax Return

Thank you. Do you know how long is this going to take? Im really worried.

He should be able to fill out and submit his income tax return in less than one day.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-22 11:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa APPROVED! :D
:star: Congratz on your visa approval !!! :star:

...and thanks for sharing your story. :thumbs:

By the way, what did your dad fix you for breakfast on interview day?
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-25 15:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresImmigration service
Do it yourself. You can get your questions answered here on Visa Journey. A lawyer/immigration service will slow down the process and cost a lot of money.

Click on "Guides" at the top of the page and read the K-1 Guide.

The forms you'll need are on the USCIS website and are free.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-28 21:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRelatives in the USA can cause Visa denial????
At the time of her K-1 interview, Chinook had two sisters and their families living in the U.S. Neither the Filipino pre-screener nor the consular officer asked about them.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-11-06 13:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Withdrawal Request

Email :whistle:

:idea: :lol: :thumbs:
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-11-06 21:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Visa
The K-1 is a non-immigrant visa. However, it can be confusing because the U.S. Embassy Manila processes K-1 non-immigrant visas in their immigrant visa unit.

Question #36 on the DS-156 asks if the applicant ever had anyone file an immigrant visa petition on their behalf. Since someone filed a K-1 non-immigrant visa petition on behalf of your fiancée, she would answer "no" to question #36.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-11-13 15:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOn average how much more time does a 221g add to wait for visa
Chinook received a 221g at her K-1 interview. Her interview was on a Monday and she received her visa the following Thursday, about a week and a half after her interview.

You can read about Chinook's interview experience by clicking on our timeline and scrolling down.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-11-14 12:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresproblem with income tax return.

why dont they allow co-sponsorship here? what's the reason for that?

Here is what the U.S. Embassy Manila says regarding joint sponsors for K-1'ers:

Petitioners in fiancé(e) (K1) nonimmigrant visa cases are generally expected to provide the adequacy of their own financial resources to ensure that an alien, after admission into the United States, will not become primarily dependent on the US Government for subsistence. While our immigration law does not disallow joint sponsorships for K nonimmigrant visa applicants, the mere submission of an I-134 Affidavit of Support from joint sponsors is not sufficient to establish that the alien is not likely to become a public charge. Accordingly, we make a thorough evaluation of other factors, such as the sponsor's motives in submitting the Form I-134, the sponsor's relationship to the applicant or petitioner, the length of time the sponsor and applicant have known each other, etc. An I-134 Affidavit of Support submitted by a casual friend or distant relative who has little or no personal knowledge of the applicant has limited value. Unlike the I-864 filed by joint sponsors in immigrant visa cases, the I-134 is not legally binding and imposes no legal obligation on the joint sponsor to make good on his or her promises. Please be assured that we look at the totality of circumstances in assessing the credibility of joint sponsorships.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-08-27 10:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNOA(1)

Do I just need to be more patient?

Yes.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-11-16 15:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswhat to write on nature of submission for k1 petition
Original submission.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-11-16 15:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNeed your help pls I'm so worried!!

hello Penguin_ie yes my flight will be on november 24 and thank you so much

Since you are flying to the U.S. on November 24, then you have no visa worries. When you enter the U.S., the Customs and Border Patrol officer will issue you an I-94 which will be valid for 90 days. Have a safe flight and a wonderful reunion with your sweetheart...and welcome to the States! :star:
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-11-17 13:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNeed your help pls I'm so worried!!
Your visa is valid for six months from the completion of your medical at St. Lukes. Like Mr. Pangga said, there's nothing to worry about if you enter the U.S. before your visa expires.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-11-16 14:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129f TERMINATION LETTER ??

Just now we got their reply thru email saying they will be sending us the termination letter within 45 days. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

WHAT COULD BE OUR NEXT STEP AFTER THIS?

Here's my advice: Link to your other thread.

Did the USCIS send you any other emails or letters since your petition was sent back to them?

Edited by Tahoma, 28 November 2012 - 10:30 PM.

TahomaMalePhilippines2012-11-28 22:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129f TERMINATION LETTER ??

Hi VJ Family,

We are the couple under K1 visa whose papers was sent back to USCIS for re evaluation. Yesterday was the 180 days since they received our papers. However we were advised to call back again on Monday for their decision.

If ever our petition wont be successful this first time, what options do we have?

Thank you so much for your heads up. We highly appreciate all your idea and info on what could be the next best thing we could do.

Usually, a consular officer will send a case back to the USCIS if they don't believe a relationship is bona fide. This is a very serious issue for you. Do you have any idea what happened at the Embassy interview that caused the consular officer to decide that your relationship is not bona fide?

From my reading here on VJ, I understand that you can expect the USCIS to notify you of their intent to revoke or their intent to deny the visa/petition. It's also my understanding that it's important that you respond to the letter from the USCIS. It's probably a good idea for you to start gathering more proof of a bona fide relationship to send to the USCIS.

As mentioned above, simply filing a new fiancé(e) visa petition or getting married and filing a spousal petition will not remove the marker on your previous petition that caused the problem in the first place.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-11-08 11:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPlease help me
Fiancé(e) visa applicants at the U.S. Embassy Manila don't need a DS-160.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-12-09 15:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresany revision
I see from your timeline, and your profile, and from your other thread that you are a K-1 visa applicant at the U.S. embassy Manila.

Here's the link to the U.S. embassy website that gives you instructions to prepare for your interview including links to the current forms you will need to submit at your interview: USEM link.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-12-09 16:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRemittance Related Issue
They'll think it's unusual if you didn't send remittances.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-12-10 05:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPolice Clearance

http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=9727

If he is no longer working in Saudi Arabia then the following applies:

:thumbs: :thumbs:


If he's still in the county and the interview will be in Saudi then yes, he'll need it. But he's currently in the Philippines then no, it's unavailable for any individual outside the kingdom.

Good luck!

:thumbs: :thumbs:


Hi, do yourself a favor and print out that is says the Police clearance is not available if you are not physically in the country. I have read where some people were given a 221g even though it clearly states on the website that it is unavailable. Some CO's are either unaware or just want to give some people a hard time. Play it safe and print it all out to submit to them if they say that you need it. Good luck :thumbs:

:thumbs: :thumbs:
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-12-11 10:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresnoa2 hard copy receives by fiance

Hi, sis bro. :)

Is it possible for a K1 applicant to go for medical WITHOUT paying the visa and no interview appointment letter?

There have been reports here on VJ where people completed their medical without paying their visa application fee and without their interview appointment letter. They showed the guard at St. Lukes their NOA2 and their NVC letter which included their MNL case number.



hey just want to ask how can i have my medical exam.. what are the documents i will need to bring of course aside from fees... just want to know what i need to prepare and when i need to prepare for medical exam.... thanks

You should pre-register for your medical exam on St Lukes website. It will save time when you go for your medical.

St Lukes website has a list of requirements. Click here to go to St. Lukes website.

Don't forget to wear a coat or a sweater because it's cold inside St. Lukes. Also, take a ball pen with you. Wear comfortable shoes so you can take the stairs and avoid the elevator. You can hide a snack in your purse because manong guard doesn't look. :whistle:

Click here to read a good thread about the medical at St. Lukes.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-12-11 11:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresnoa2 hard copy receives by fiance
1. Don't wait for the Embassy to send you a letter because it's a waste of time waiting for it. Sometimes they don't send it.

2. You can read the Embassy letter here.

3. Instead of waiting for the letter, call the National Visa Center (NVC) and get your MNL case number.

4. Then, pay the visa application fee at BPI.

5. Next, schedule your Embassy interview.

6. A week or two before your interview, complete your medical at St. Lukes.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-12-10 03:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPOE question
Ignore it.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-12-12 18:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGreetings Visa Journey Peeps

1. Send in application

^^^ Yes, you sent in an I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e).

2. They receive it and send NOA1 and then send to appropriate service center. In our case, (I live in Seattle) I am assuming that it will be the California center.

^^^ Yes, your petition most likely will end up at the California Service Center (CSC).

3. Then they review the application and that takes like 5 months or so?

^^^ Right.

4. Once that is approved, they send NOA2 and from there it goes to NVC or CV something?

^^^ Yes, once the USCIS approves your petition, they send it to the National Visa Center (NVC).

5. Then they send my application to Manila. (my fiancee is Filipina) Then she gets some sort of approval number? Then she can schedule the medical and interview online?

^^^ After the NVC assigns your petition an MNL case number, they forward your approved petition to the U.S. Embassy Manila. Once the Embassy receives your case file, they send a letter to the beneficiary informing them that they are eligible to schedule an interview. The letter also details the interview preparation instructions.

However, you should not wait around to receive the letter because it will set you back a month or more. Some people never receive the letter. Instead, you should start calling the NVC about a week or so after the USCIS approves your petition, and keep calling until you get your MNL case number from them.

Once you have your MNL case number, you can pay the visa application at BPI, schedule an interview either online or by phone, and complete the medical. This will speed things up a lot.

You can read the Embassy letter here.

6. Then I send her some money to pay for the medical and a hotel in Manila for 2 nights so she can stay for medical. Are the medical exams and interview at the same time? Can you schedule it that way?

^^^ The medical usually takes two days. However, if you come in early enough and St. Lukes is having a slow day, you may get the medical completed in one day.

Many people complete the medical a week or two before the Embassy interview. Some people complete the medical much earlier because they want to get a head start in case they have to undergo an eight-week TB culture at St. Lukes. A few people push the limits and complete their medical a couple of days before the interview. Some of those people have even hand-carried their medical results to their Embassy interview because St. Lukes could not deliver them in time for the interview.

My wife, Chinook, is from Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. She spent two weeks in Manila to complete her medical, complete her Embassy interview, and attend the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) seminar. Then, after she received her visa and returned to Manila on her way to the U.S., she stopped by the CFO main office to get the CFO sticker attached to her passport. Your fiancée will need a CFO sticker in her passport in order to board a flight to the U.S.

7. Then at some point she has to attend a class to leave to get a sticker on her passport?

^^^ Yes, she has to attend the CFO seminar and get a CFO sticker attached to her passport. There are two ways to do this. She can complete the CFO seminar before she has her visa. Then, once she has her visa, she will have to return to the CFO to get the sticker. Or, she can wait until she gets her visa and then attend the seminar and get the sticker at the same time.

8. Then they send her the visa? And this happens within a month of the interview/ medical?

^^^ Once she passes her interview, she'll receive her visa usually in a week or two...sometimes more and sometimes less.

9. Then she comes here. How do you know when to book a ticket? It seems like there is not a lot of advance notice.

^^^ Book the ticket when she has her visa in hand.

10. Then we marry and live happily ever after. ;)

^^^ That's the plan! :star:

What can I do to speed things up? I have heard that I can schedule the class she has to take before she does the medical/ interview.

^^^ See #5 and #6 above.

She already has a passport and a clean police report. How close to the interview does the police report need to be?

^^^ In my opinion, she should get her NBI clearance and her CENOMAR within one month before her interview.

Is it really going to take around 9 months no matter what I do? I want to do everything possible to get her here asap.

^^^ It could take that long, or it could take less time if everything falls into place.

It will take a lot longer if St. Lukes finds any abnormalities on her chest x-ray. In that case, it'll take about nine extra weeks to complete a TB culture. If the culture is positive, then she can look forward to a minimum of six months of treatment.

Thanks in advance for any info.

^^^ Walang anuman...and best wishes for a smooth and speedy visa journey! :star:

Peace,
Jason


TahomaMalePhilippines2012-12-22 14:23:00