Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	K-1 fees	Hi all, I'm new here.. I wanna know the all fees of k-1 visa until we get the green card.. Thanks Do a search as this question comes up a lot. Currently the I-129F filing fee is $340 There is obtaining the police clearence for each location the beneficiary has lived at for more than 6 months since the age of 16. Then there is the medical fee for the beneficiary: varies by Embassy but is in the $140-300 range (Depends on vaccinations needed, etc) Interview fee for the beneficiary: varies by Embassy but is usually around $140 or the cost of a non-immigrant visa for your country. Costs to attend the interview varies based on where the beneficiary lives in relationship to the Embassy Mailing items back and forth $100 per package via FedEx for us. Airline ticket to come to the US $800-2500 (a RT is usually cheaper, just cancel the return leg--this will save you from having to ask that question later on) Marriage license to get married around $30 Marriage itself varies based on what you want to do so from $10-10,000 Adjustment of Status (AOS) $1070. That's for AOS/AP/EAD filed after getting married within the 90 day window (no time limit to file but the sooner you file the better) Now you have the 2 year GC ROC on the 2 year GC is $590 Now you have the 10 year GC. Only naturaliztion is left. As you can see if it not a cheap process. The fiancee will not be able to legally work and help with the expenses until the EAD or GC arrives. Good luck, Dave Edited by Dave&Roza, 27 July 2012 - 11:15 AM.	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2012-07-27 11:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	just curious what the purpose of copying the package is	I keep seeing everyone say to "make a copy" of your entire package before sending it in. I am actually wondering why. I understand for the check for the fee, but for everything else I am sending in including the passport copy and pictures etc., I have them all electronically scanned or in .pdf or word and can just print out again and sign if they lose for some reason. So am just wondering are you all making copies of your final package because you don't have it all electronically and simply want a backup? Or has there been some other reason like a killer RFE or claim from USCIS that you didn't sign something where having an actual photocopy of what you sent in has been critical, versus me just printing it out again? Thanks in advance. I too have an electronic copy of everything and can print it out, sign the forms and re-submitt. This is a CYA just encase the package gets lost and USCIS requests something you already sent in. In this day and age a "copy" can mean a paper copy of every page or a scanned version that can be printed at will. I prefer the electronic copy that I can print at will and look at anytime I want to. You have what is suggest which is another version of the material sent to the USCIS. Good Luck, Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2012-07-29 13:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	No Boarding Passes	Do we really need boarding passes and stamps? The embassy has all these available to them already in the their database. Just asking. Proof of meeting within the last tow years is for the petition stage which goes to the USCIS. There the employee will spend about 30 minutes looking at your file to make certain you have fullfilled all the requirement for the K-1 visa petition--i.e. have the two of you met within the last two years (passport stamps only prove you were allowed into a perticular country), are you both free to marry, do you both intend to marry within 90 days of the beneficiary's arrival in the US and is one of you a USC or LPR. After that is complete, the petition is sent to the Embassy where they do the work in issuing the visa and that part of the process is very dependant on which Embassy you are going thru. Yes, you need to prove that you and your SO have met in person. You need to understand that during this entire process all the proof must come from YOU. The USCIS will not do any of the leg work for you and in fact can make your life a living hell if they claim something any you have to prove that you did not do it--try to prove a negative when their is no evidence. Good luck on your journey, Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2012-07-30 08:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	No Boarding Passes	Think of this entire process like a court of law. What evidence do you have of meeting can be broken down into several catagories. Primary and secondary are the best kind of evidence. Primary evidence stands on its own merit. Secondry proves another item. For example the meeting within the last two years--how to prove it? First show that either you or your finacee was in the others country or in another country at the same time. Best is the entry stamp. Were you together or just in the same country? That is where the photos or receipts come into play. You must "paint a picture" for the USCIS person that you were in the same country and actually met. How you do that depends on what evidence you have and your situation. For us, we were together 3 times within the two year time frame so it was easy to show that we were together. The same method works for proof of relationship. Just remember that the proof during this entire process is not YOU not on the USCIS. Think of it as you are guilty until you prove yourself innocent. Good luck, Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2012-07-29 22:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Evidence of Engagement, AGAIN?	How about the fees? my fiancé paid something in the US and now I have to pay it for the consulate as well? Man.... The K-1 visa is a two stage process. The petition which the USC files in the US and pays the fees for. Once that is approved it is sent to your local Embassy for issuance of the visa. You fill out more forms and more evidence and pay more fees, like the visa fee, and the medical fee. It is a good bet that Vermont forwarded the information to the Embassy. I would take the requested information to the interview just in case--unless it specifically request you mail the information to them again. You think the fees are bad now wait until you have to shell out $1070 to file the AOS. Good luck, Dave Edited by Dave&Roza, 30 July 2012 - 11:55 AM.	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2012-07-30 11:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Declaration of how you met in person question	Hi i just came back from the Philippines June 1st, and i was wondering on the question regarding on the declaration on how you met in person. I only have hotel itineraries of when we went to Macau in May 2012, boat rides, and boarding passes. We have been together for 3 years now, i only have pictures but before the month of May 2012 and the years before that i don't have any records of phone bills, etc. We have been living together for 2 years but the thing is we live together with my family, so we really didn't need to pay for phone bills, and all that please help me! I have everything set up but i don't know if it's enough, i don't want to get denied! You are asking three different questions here as I see it. 1) how to prove we met in person in May 2012? Use the passport stamps to show you were in her country and use the hotel receipts and any photos to show you were together. 2) Describe how you met as asked on the form: If you first met her back in 2009 state how that meeting took place. The when, where, how and why. You can then give a brief explaination of the relationship up until you visited again. 3) How do I prove an on-going relationship from 2009 to present? That is done with as much evidence of the two of you being together as you can get. A sworn statement about her living with you and your parents by your parents might help your case. The K-1 visa has two parts. 1) The petition that goes to the USCIS in which you prove that you have met within the last two years, you are both free to marry, one of you is a USC (or LPR of the US), and that both of you plan to get married within 90 days of the beneficiary's arrival in the US. That is it. 2) For the actual visa to be issued by the Embassy you must prove on going relationship. That is where you will want the e-mails, chat logs, phone records, etc. It only has to be from the submittion of the petition forward, but if you can dig up some old records back to 2009 (like the passport stamp and photos etc) your case will be stronger. Unless you know you are going thru this process and need to save everything to prove your relationship, why would you. Now that you know, keep good detailed records until the very end of this process. Just as a note for the up-coming interview for your process since you are in the PI you must make more than the 125% of the poverty guidelines for the K-1 as most IO at the PI do not accept co-sponsors. If you are short of that income level you may want to consider getting married and filing for a spousal visa. Good luck, Dave Edited by Dave&Roza, 30 July 2012 - 08:28 AM.	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2012-07-30 08:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	I-130 denied didn't attend an i-130 interview	Hello everyone,    I'm a US citizen and I filed an i-130 application for my wife and daughter (single and over 21) on 12/27/2011.  USCIS finally gave me an i-130 interview for 8/4/2014 with an immigration officer. Unfortunately i was unable to attend that interview  because i was out of state, this resulted in my application being denied on 8/7/2014. I contacted USCIS in regards to this and they said  that a letter was mailed and i need to follow the steps in it to appeal.  My questions are: Is this type of denial common?  What do i need to appeal?  how long will it be before i get a response?    any additional information will be very helpful.      Thank You in advance.    If you knew you could not make the interview, then you should have called the number on the NOA1 and rescheduled it.  I personally would not waste the time and effort to appeal as I feel it will be denied as it was you that did not show up for the interview.  So several months will go by.  I would refile and include evidence of a bona fide marriage like joint bank accounts, each listed as beneficiary on investments, same address, etc.  Items that most typical married people have.  Maybe this time around you will not have an interview.   Yes, refilling costs some additional money.  Just consider it the cost of not being pro-active the first time around.  This process is on YOU not the USCIS.    Good luck,   Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2014-08-10 13:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Interpretation of Total Household Income vs Poverty Line Issue	There's a phone line? What does this mean?         It means that the odds of getting a correct answer are worse than winning the lottery after spending a long time on hold.  The first person you talk to has no more information about your case or the immigration process than you do.  If you can get your call escalated to a Tier Two Human™ your chances of getting a correct answer goes up some.  In short it means it is a waste of your time and effort to call or e-mail the USCIS.  Just post your questions here on VJ.  Your chances of getting a correct answer are quite good and you do not have to wait 5 hours while on hold.     If you will start the process next year, you have some time.  Maybe try putting a few hundred dollars away out of each paycheck so you can have 3X the difference between your income and the 125% of the poverty level--$19,662.  Maybe get your parents to give you some cash to put in a saving account you could use as an asset--beats having them submit an I-864.   Dave Edited by Dave&Roza, 13 August 2014 - 05:06 PM.	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2014-08-13 17:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Interpretation of Total Household Income vs Poverty Line Issue	G) Compare Total Household Income with Governing Poverty Guideline.   If the sponsor?s total household income (line 24c of Form I-864 or line 18 of Form I-864EZ) is greater than or equal to the governing Poverty Guideline threshold, the sponsor does not need to show evidence of assets and does not require a joint sponsor. In this case, USCIS may move to Part 8 of Form I-864 or Part 6 of Form I-864EZ.   If a Form I-864EZ does not demonstrate means to maintain the required income, USCIS may choose to request that the adjustment of status applicant submit a new Form I-864 from the sponsor (if the applicant seeks to qualify based on showing ?significant assets?), or to submit a sufficient Form I-864 from a joint sponsor. Note that this request for evidence would go to the applicant, not the sponsor.       http://www.uscis.gov...0-0-0-3055.html   Okay, I am a bit confused.   Here's my situation: I want to bring my fiance here to the states with me, but I'm young, and with college I doubt I'll be breaking the poverty guideline this year. I still live with my parents though (haven't taken on a single loan yet) and this passage makes it sound like if I'm living with them then I do not need to prove sufficient income. They are definitely above poverty line.   Am I getting this right? Do you know how effective it is to call/email the USCIS with a question like this? It's called the miss-information line for a very good reason.   We do plan on finding a place quickly after he would arrive. I wouldn't need to re-prove my income once we do, right?   Thank you in advance.     The USC that petitions for a spouse or fiancé(e) must submit an I-864 to prove that for the family size they meet the 125% above poverty level.  Check the poverty guidelines.  For a family size of two--USC petitioner and immigrant--the level is $19,662.  You will have to show that you can met this at the interview and when applying for adjustment of status (AOS) after the marriage in the US.  Should you not meet that level,  you can use either a joint sponsor or three times the shortfall with assets.  If you want your parents to be joint sponsors, they would need to file an I-864 and include all dependents plus the immigrant to their family size.  Once the I-864 is approved you do not need to submit another one.  The only thing you need to do is inform the USCIS when ever any of the sponsors on the I-864 move using the I-865 form.  Your parents should also realize they will be on the hook for your soon to be husband should he ever get mean tested benefits from the Federal government and you cannot repay the government.  The I-864 is a legal contract between the sponsors and the US government and should be read very carefully just so everybody knows what they are getting themselves into.   Good luck, Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2014-08-13 09:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Does foreign income count on the I-864 count?	I just read this from one of the recruiting websites that helped me get a job in Korea: http://www.footprint...tax-tips-expats   For all intents and purposes, U.S. citizens who have income from any source are required to file a U.S. tax return even if they live outside American borders. The only exception is for citizens whose income is below statutory filing limits. In 2012, these limits based upon filing status were as follows: Single: $9,750; if 65 or older, $11,200 Head of Household With Dependent: $12,500; if 65 or older, $13,950 Married Filing Jointly (Both Spouses): $19,500; if 65 or older, $21,800 Married Filing Separately: $3,800 My income was less than the numbers listed here that apply to me when I worked abroad.  So, I don't think I need to file a income tax return at all.  I think I can forget about these amended tax returns and just go ahead and submit my I-864.  Jeez, that's so relieving.  Am I missing anything?   You will need to submit PROOF that you were not required to file an income tax return.  The USCIS worker has a check list and if the tax returns or a reason they are not included is not with your package, you will get an RFE for those tax returns.  You will need to show your income and the information above from the IRS and state that due to your income falling below these limits, you are not REQUIRED to file an income tax return.  Most people find it easier to submit back tax returns to the IRS and then submit tax transcripts to the USCIS to show that you complied with the US tax law.  Even if you are required to FILE a tax return, the chances of actually OWING taxes is quite small as the limit for income earned in a foreign country that is taxable in the UIS is somewhere above $95K.  YMMV.   Good luck,   Dave   Edited by Dave&Roza, 14 August 2014 - 08:47 AM.	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2014-08-14 08:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Does foreign income count on the I-864 count?	There's a difference between lying and making false statements.  I am telling you what I believe to be true based on the knowledge I have at the time.  If that actually turns out to be false, it doesn't mean I'm lying.  It just means I didn't know.   Actually as far as the USCIS is concerned they are one and the same.  They call it misrepresentation and they do not care if you are lying or are omitting something because you do not know.  Any form of misrepresentation is treated very harshly by the USCIS during the immigration process.  I highly recommend you take pushbrk's advice. Good luck, Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2014-06-02 23:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Maiden name or Married name?	I got married and changed my name to my husbands new name.   My tax returns for 2013, 2012, 2011 have my maiden name. My paystubs/job offer letter/ has my new name.   When filling out the I1864 where is says sponsors name - family name, do I put maiden or married? Do I fill out everything with the maiden or married name.   My i-130 has my maiden name.       What name do YOU consider to be your legal name--married or maiden.  If you want to use your married than do so.  You are including a copy of the marriage certificate anyways and that is considered a legal document for changing your name.  The key is here that you got married.  Before you were not married and therefore were using they name you went by at that time.  Now you are married and can choose to use your married name or continue to use your maiden name.  Your choice.  Just fill out the form in that name.   Good luck,   Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2014-08-16 20:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	IR1/CR1 I864 Question about Alien Registration #	Hello -  We're ready to send in our I864. On the form, it has a spot for an Alien Registration #. Some people on this site have suggested that the number is located on the 1797 NOA form, just above the beneficiary - this space is blank on mine. Is there another place to find this number or does this mean we don't have one yet? I'm Canadian and other than visiting the US, I've never applied for a VISA before.  Appreciate the guidance!!     For a K-1 visa the A# is usually above the beneficiary's name. For most CR-1/IR-1 visa holders they write it on the visa itself.  Since you are on a spousal visa yours should be written on the visa when you receive it.  If not, ask the CBP person when you enter the US to write it on your visa so you have it.  The A# helps USCIS find your immigration file.  It will be on your GC when you receive that.  I am not sure when they generate the A# for spousal visas, but you are still working on the application and may not be assigned an A# yet.  Having gone thru the K-1 process, I do not know the nuances of the CR-1/IR- visa.  You can always state it is "UNKNOWN" on the form or leave the space blank.   Good luck,   Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2014-08-20 14:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	short of $500 in income	He could use assets like cash to make up the short fall.  For $500, he would need $1500 in cash as assets need to be 3X (for a spouse 5X for all others) the amount needed.  It is current income that counts.  Last years income only shows consistency, but it is what he makes now that matters.   Good luck, Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2014-08-28 22:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Does why wife need a new passport if when we married she obtained my last name	We're already at the NVC process and when we got married she got my last name. She still has her valid passport with her maiden last name. Will that be a problem ?   What last name she uses is a personal choice.  If she wants to use your last name then she can do so and complete the USCIS forms in her married name and all documentation will be in her married name.  Changing her passport is also up to you and her.  She can travel on her passport as long as the name on the ticket matches the name in her passport.  It is recommended that she carry a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate to show the airline people she is the same person when she has to show her passport and GC in order to board the airplane back to the US.  Most major airlines know how to handle this, but I would check before you travel just to be safe.    It really boils down to how much travelling she will do and if she wants to become a USC after 3 years as a LPR.  It is not that big of a deal, but there have been stories here on VJ where the airlines give them problems, but it was a country specific airline and not one that routinely flies to the US. There is the story about Frontier in Mexico, but that was with the AP card and not the GC.   Good luck,   Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2014-08-31 12:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	For i-1864ez: submit both IRS tax transcripts and w-2???	That is a statement to make certain the person using the 864EZA is not using self-employment or investment income to meet the poverty guidelines.  Only income that is reported on a W-2 is being used.  If you submit a tax return you must submit a COMPLETE tax return and all supporting documents--schedules, 1099s, W-2s, etc.  To use the 864EZ the income must be from wages only--i.e. W-2.  By submitting a tax TRANSCRIPT you are submitting what was actually filed and processed by the IRS and do not need to include any supporting documents like the W-2s.  Using a transcript reduced the likelihood of receiving an RFE for an incomplete tax return.   Good luck,   Dave   My husband is very busy with work in the US, and I want to help him in any way I can in assembling AOS and IV while waiting for case number from NVC. My husband has W-2 forms, and is qualified to use i-1864ez. The EZ instructions say that my husband doesnt need to include W-2s if he chooses to submit IRS transcripts. However, one of the criteria for i-864ez says this: "b. I am using only my own earned or retirement, which is documented using IRS Form W2" I got few questions: 1. Is he supposed to include W-2s if he chooses to submit IRS tax transcripts?  Include only the tax transcripts 2. Are IRS tax transcripts obtained online( http://www.irs.gov/I.../Get-Transcript ) accepted by the NVC?  Yes 3. Do they need the original paystubs or just photocopies? Photocopies are fine 4. Any other tips? Relax Thank you so much guys! I appreciate your help! God bless! ??	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2014-06-22 22:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Entry in USA	Your spouse can enter the USA at any POE. Just keep in mind that the process may take a while or it may not. I would recommend having at least three hours for a connecting flight just in case. Also keep in mind that your spouse will go thru customs at the POE which requires gathering up the baggage, going thru customs, and then re-checking the baggage. This is why I am limiting my fiancee's POE to where I live as the other choices involve a very short lay-over in Chicago and we have not had much success with making it to the planes or the baggage making it. It is up to you how you want to handle this, but just leave enough time for the POE immigration process and customs and you will be just fine. Good luck, Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2010-10-31 16:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	finding case number	Hi Jennifer: I filed in May. My check did not contain any numbers that were in my case number assigned by USCIS. Since they now send the package to Texas to a bank clearinghouse (for the Californai Service Center anyway), the numbers on the check only relate to payment processing. I am sure the USCIS has a way of taking those numbers on the back of your check and relating them to the WAC number you will be assigned. As you will discover the website is not very reliable for how your processing is going. Several VJers have received their NOA2 in the mail and the website is still indicating initial review and no additional touches after the first NOA1 so do not put too much stock on the website. The way I get my hope is to watch the timelines and see who around my NOA1 date is getting approved or RFEs, at least that shows there is progress being made--like a glacier moving . Good luck on your journey and welcome. Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2010-08-03 11:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	NOA1	I sent my I-129F off in early May and when the check cleared there we a lot of numbers on the back, but nothing even close to the WAC number that was on the I-797 form. So I am betting that now that the file is first processed at the Texas lockbox that the case number is not assigned until it is received by the respective service center. It probablly has to do with the way each center assign numbers or the range of numbers that they have. It is the government so it does not have to make any sense. Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2010-08-09 15:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	DS-156K DS-157???	Granted our interview was in Almaty, Kazakhstan, but they sent and e-mail with the interview letter, checklist listing all documents required, a DS-156K in Russian, the DS-230, instructions on filling out the DS-230 Part I and II, and the link to the DS-156 (http://evisaforms.state.gov/) Select the DS-156 NOT the DS-160 and fill it in. When ready print it out so the all important barcode is printed on all pages. Make sure you have the required number of copies which for us was two (2). Hope this helps. I can now say this, but relax it will go well. I was a nervous wreck the day before the interview, but I am much better now that Roza has her visa in her passport and her passport in her hands. Good luck to you, Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2010-09-23 12:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	K1 Visa Flowchart	I was reading the VJ flowchart and was wondering why it was necessary to go to the SSA office two times. Once immediately after entering US and again after marriage. Why not just go one time after marriage? I have to take the day off and would like to do go one time. Since this is a government entity, do not expect to have to go only once . The main reason most people go rather after entering the USA is to get the SSN so they can start adding their new spouse to all those things that people seem to think require a SSN. Since the K-1 is only valid up until marriage, the SSA has been known to not issue an initial SSN to someone on a K-1 after they are married. The SSA will tell you to come back with the EAD or GC before they will issue a SSN--this is hit and miss depending on the training level of the people in your local SSA office. If you really only want to make one trip and haing the SSN is not a big issue, I would wait unitl after you file your AOS and have the GC in hand. Then your changes of getting a SSN on the first trip are much improved--just remember to take along all documentation as it is better to have it with you and not need it than to be sitting there going, "I really wish I have brought that with me." The SSN is one of those items that is case by case dependent as I've seen people have no problems and others could not get a SSN unitl they received their GC and even then they reported it was not a simple process. YMMV. Hope this helps.	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2010-09-19 09:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	checking the status of the process after NOA2	How can I check the status of the process after getting the NOA2? How do I know when the process gets to the Department of State/ National Visa Center/ Embassy? You can call their phone number 603-334-0700; Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 12:00 AM (Eastern Time). SInce you have just reached this point you will need to talk to a human and give them your receipt number. They can give you information about your case if it has arrived and if it has been sent to the Embassy. I called late in the evening an the wait was not too bad. As far as the Embassy, you will have to get someone who has dealt with Brazil as each Embassy handles things differently. For example, I read where people get a packet 3 and have to fill everything out and send it back in before the Embassy sends a packet 4 with the interview date. For us, the Emabssy sent an e-mail the day after receiving the information from the NVC and the e-mail contained the interview date, a copy of all required forms, and a checklist of what to bring to the interview. Congratulations on getting your NOA2. Things should move a bit faster now. Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2010-10-13 14:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Form DS-156	Hello I'm getting everything together. I have a list of documents that need to be filed. I've come across one the DS-156. But I don't see any information on it in the guides. Is this still required? Thank you What did your Embassy say was required? Each Embassy is completely different. I have seen that some of the Embassies require the new DS-160 form (Canada from recent posts), others require the DS-156K and DS-157 to be filled along with the DS-156. Go to this link: http://evisaforms.state.gov/ and enter the information into the form and then print it out so you have the barcode printed on the form and make certain you get the correct number of copies required also. Hope this helps. Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2010-10-19 10:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Does the USA have any onward bound ticket requirements?	Buy which ever is cheaper and remember to cancel the return leg of a round trip as there have been a few stories where the USCIS said the petitioner for AOS had left the country when they had not. The burden of proof is on you NOT the USCIS. I bought a round trip ticket as the one-ways with our criteria were about the same price or not available. The return leg is in April, but I plan to cancel it right after we are married so the airline does not sell the seat but forgets to remove my fiancee's name from the flight manifest. Good luck, Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2010-12-03 21:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	return ticket with K1 Visa	Buy which ever is cheaper. If you buy a round trip ticket, take the extra few minutes to cancel it or it may come to bit you during the AOS. I bought a round trip ticket with the return date in April--more than 90 days after arrival. Roza did get asked about why she had a round trip ticket on a K-1 visa. She just told them that it was cheaper to do it that way. I just went onto the Lufthansa website to cancel the return ticket and I will be keeping that confirmation e-mail until the AOS is complete. Good luck. Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-01-19 15:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Tax Forms -- originals or photocopies?	Call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to order tax transcripts. They are free and usually take about 5-10 days to arrive. Then you do not need the W-2s as the tax transcripts have the numbers the IRS considers official. I ordered the last three years for the K-1 interview and again for the AOS I-864 form. Simple to do. Good luck, Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-05-02 12:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SSN before marriage, then again?	Maybe. It depends on the SSA office you visit. Some peolpe are able to get married and take the passport, I-94 and marriage certificate and get the SSN in the married name. You can try after waiting the 10 days to get your fiancee (wife) into the SAVE database. If the officer says you cannot get a SSN because of the marriage--LEAVE. Wait a day or so and come back--or wait until that person goes on break and try again. This time do not mention the marriage and get the SSN in maiden name and then come back and change it to the married name. Some SSA people know the K-1 is able to apply for a SSN, but they think it is only if the name on the SSC will be the same as the I-94 even though they will let you change it with a valid marriage certificate as proof of name change. Good luck and let us know how it turns out. Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-06-03 20:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	apply EAD while on k1	If you apply for an EAD while on the K-1 Visa it cots something like $340, is valid as long as the I-94 is valid (less than 90 days), and may take up to 2 months to arrive. Most people recommend getting married and applying for AOS, EAD, and AP all at the same time. Cost $1070. EAD and AP arrive in about 2 months and the GC about one month or so later (that was our timeline of events). It is up to you as to what you want to do, but remember that the USCIS takes a lot of time to process any application. Good luck on whatever you decide to do. Dave Edited by Dave&Roza, 03 June 2011 - 08:06 PM.	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-06-03 20:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	K1 PLANE TICKET SHOUKD BE 2WAY?..OR 1WAY?	As others have said, get which ever is the cheaper, however; if you should purchase a RT ticket, please, oh please, make sure you cancel the return trip once the marriage takes place. This prevents the airline from selling your seat to someone and forgetting to change the name on the flight manefest and the USCIS gets ahold of the flight manefest and claims your fiance(e) left the country and then YOU have to come up with the proof that your fiance(e) did not leave the country. I bought a RT with a return date near the expiration of the I-94 (just in case) and canceled it about two weeks after we were married. RT was $1000 less than the one-way for when she wanted to travel--one week earlier and the one-way would have been $800 cheaper. Of course I tied my hands by requiring a direct flight into Denver rather than a stop over in some other US city requiring a plane change after going through immigration and customs. Glad I did as it took over 2 hours to get the bags off the airplane. So make certain to leave enough time on the connecting flight to get through the POE process for a K-1 Visa. Good luck, Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-06-04 00:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Background check & tax id # or ss # with k1 visa	My fiance got here to the US about two weeks ago. we are getting married in 2 weeks and are looking for an apartment. The apartment we want requires a background check for both of us and they said she needs a social security number or tax id number for her BR check... What do we do?! Go to your local SSA office with her foreign passport that contains the K-1 Visa and I-94 form, and a copy of her birth certificate (just encase) and apply for a SSN. As a K-1 visa holder your fiancee is an legal alien authorized to work with proper authorization from the USCIS (i.e EAD or GC). All this really means is she is eligible for a SSN and since she has already been here for 2 weeks she should be in the SAVE database and getting the SSC should not be a problem if you get the right worker who knows what is going on. If the work says she is not eligible or gives you any kind of grief--1) ask for a supervisor, or 2) if that does not work leave and go to another SSA office. I would recommend against applying for an ITIN as that is for people NOT eligible for a SSN. It can cause all kinds of problems in the future (and by future I mean when your fiancee applies for social security benefits or whenever the IRS gets around to looking into things--not worth the risk IMHO, but YMMV) Also think about this, they are going to enter a brand new SSN and what is going to come up on the background check?!? I think the apartment is just following the rules that say they must have a SSN when in this case it is not going to do them a bit of good as the number has no credit history. IF it is truely a criminal backgound check they do not need the SSN. If it is a credit check then they do and I would point out to them that you are husband and wife (soon to be) and your credit history should be sufficient as your wife's does not exist. My wife tried to apply for a Macy's credit card with her new SSC and was denied as they could not find any information associated with that SSN. Image that! I was surprised that they actually have standards in issuing credit and don't just give the cards out to everybody. Go get the SSC and that will solve all other issues. Good luck, Dave Edited by Dave&Roza, 08 June 2011 - 01:35 PM.	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-06-08 13:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	POE	Agree with others as it is the first point where you enter the US or are pre-cleared. Just allow extra time for a connecting flight than the regular going thru customs as it MAY take awhile for the CBP people to get to the K-1 visa people. Some have said it takes 10 minutes and other have said it takes 2+ hours so I would plan accordingly. I was lucky and had a direct flight from Frankfurt to Denver--actually I planned it that way just so there were no connecting flights in the US. The K-1 visa process took very little time, but the luggage took 2 hours to get off the plane. Good luck, Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-06-11 22:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	what is that DS 160 nonimmigrant visa electronic application?	I looked at the K1 instructions on the Embassy website and from what I can see from those instructions, she would be filling out the DS-156 and DS-157, not the DS-160. This is one of those that is Embassy specific. Since the Embassy website states you show be filling out the DS-156 and DS-157 do so. Realize that some embassies do require the DS-160 so follow the instructions of YOUR Embassy. In Almaty they sent the DS-156, DS-157 and all other forms for the interview in an e-mail as pdfs. Another example of differences is that in Almaty the K-1 interviews are on Tuesday only. So at this stage you need to make certain you are following the advice of people who have gone thru the process at your Embassy; others maybe giving you well intentioned but incorrect information. Good luck with your interview. Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-06-23 16:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	DS-156	If you will notice, the expiration date is insdie the box with the letters OMB (Office of Managemnent and Budget). Think of it as the document control of the execative branch of the US government. The have a procedure for maintaining documents used by each department. This includes how to submit the document, how to update the document, and when the approved or accepted document "expires" which means that it is past the OMB's update cycle and in not considered current. Some agencies update their forms regularly and others do not USCIS does not. What is more important is which forms the USCIS accepts as valid and they do this based on the expiration date assigned by the OMB. Check their website to make certain you are using an accepted version--sometimes that will be several "expired" versions for the same form. Again, if you have checked the USCIS website and are using an accepted version of the form, you are good to go. Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-06-23 16:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	all of a sudden, having wrong SSN, marital status, etc. on pay stub	Good Grief!! Talk about a murphy moment! But it sounds like you have a bit of time and good advise and support. Know that Jenny's and my prayers go with you also! Good luck!! We are going to have to wait until about October to file as we want to time the interview etc to be close to when Jenny's teaching contract with the University is over and for Cristina to be out of school for the summer. So you wil be an old married couple by the time we can walk down the asile ! Misha -n- Zhenya Just an aside here. Please remember that the K-1 visa is valid for a period of six months from the issue date, but the processing times are unknown and highly varable. So you may want to file knowing that it may take six months just to approve the K-1 and have it sent to the Embassy. Then there is the Embassy wait time. Roza received her visa September 22nd and it was valid until March 22nd and she arrived in the US December 22nd. I guess we like the number 22. Good luck with your VJ, Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-06-24 16:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	all of a sudden, having wrong SSN, marital status, etc. on pay stub	I've got some good news for you and some bad news for you. The good news is that if you are 125% over the poverty level and the most recent two pay stubs can show that than you are good to go. The bad news is that ADP screwed up my 1997 withholdings as reported to the IRS and I got audited in 2002 and had to prove that I did not make a bit more than twice my actual salary but the tax payments form my company were half of what was indicated. What a royal PITA. So I would stay on this and make certain ADP and you company get this resolved NOW. I would also suggest that you make certain to keep this years tax return for 7 years rather than 3 or 5 as most recommend. The USCIS may work slow, the IRS more so. Good luck with you interview. Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-06-24 16:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	DS-156	hey guys I'm worried about somthing about DS 156 I filled it online&printed it out is that okay ?!!!!!!!!!! What were the instructions YOUR Embassy gave you as to the forms required for the interview. For the Embassy in Almaty they wanted the form fill out online and then printed with the bar code and to bring that to the interview. This part of the journey is very specific to where YOU are having YOUR interview. Others that have gone thru this process in Egypt are your best source of what to do. As long as there is a bar code on the printed version I would think you are okay, but I would see if there were specific instrutions you received as to what procedure you need to follow. Good luck with your up coming interview. Dave Edited by Dave&Roza, 24 June 2011 - 04:25 PM.	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-06-24 16:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	how to get interview date EARLIER for US embassy in MOSCOW!	When we had to reschedule our interview I called the Embassy in Almaty and the people who answer the phone are locals hired by the US government, but there are USC that are working in the Embassy. I found the Embassy in Kazakhstan to be very efficient. In fact too efficient. They sent us the interview information and medical information and the interview date which was in less than two weeks. This was a problem as the medical results took more than two weeks to get. I would have the USC call the Moscow Embassy and explain the situation and see if they can accommodate you. After all it is now in their hands not the USCIS or NVC. Every Embassy is different and as others have said it does not hurt to ask. Good luck and congrats on getting an interview date. Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-07-07 15:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	How long does it take to get tax return copy from IRS?	Do you not have a copy of you tax return? Besides I think the transcript is the better document to have as any tom, #######, and harry can print out a tax return, sign it and say this is what I filed as long as it matches the other supproting documention. The transcript is what the IRS has on record of what was filed and they accepted. You need EITHER the 1040 form with all supporting documents OR the transcripts. Yes, a copy of the tax return itself takes longer to receive. I would stick with just the transcripts as the or official government documents whreas the form 1040 is not. Plus the transcript has all the same information the 1040 does so why would you need both? Good luck. Dave P.S. if you happen to have an IRS center near you you can go to it and request a copy of your form 1040 and they may give it to you right then and there. I do not know this for sure, but it would be worth a try. Edited by Dave&Roza, 10 July 2011 - 01:24 PM.	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-07-10 13:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Change in Job After Submitting G-325A	Hello. After filing the first set of paperwork for a K-1 visa, including the G-325A, my fiance has gotten a new job. What steps can I take at this point? I'm not sure if what we submitted is okay because it was accurate on that date, or if/how we should send a revised form. Thanks everyone in advance for your help! The information must be true, accurate, and correct as of the date you sign it. Life continues and things change. Let the petition run its course and when the K-1 petition is approved you will then have to get the employment letter, tax transcripts, and prove the petitioner (i.e. USC) makes more than 125% of the poverty level for the new family size. That is when you will show the new job and income level and that is when it actually matters. Good luck. Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-07-20 14:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Is K1/AOS process really bad?	Okay, I'll join in. Filed the K-1 petition May 11, 2010. Received the NOA May 28th. Received NOA2 August 11, 2010. It spend two weeks at NVC then sent off to the Embassy in Almaty. Interview scheduled for Sept 7. Medical would not be done by then so rescheduled for Sept 15th. OOPPS. Only do interviews on Tuesdays. Rescheduled for Sept 21st. Visa approved. Fiancee then spends the next two months getting permission to leave Kazakhstan--they work as fast as the USCIS . POE is Denver on December 22nd. Very smooth and easy. Wedding on December 30th at courthouse. Apply for SSN on January 10th. Go back on January 31st as no card--found out USPS had returned SSC because her name, maiden, was not on mailbox--got printout of SSN. Received SSC at local office February 18th. Filed for AOS February 28 and received NOA March 14th. BIO appointment for March 31st. Person had a hard time getting Roza's finger print so it took about 45 minutes. Filed joint tax return April 15th. EAD/AP card arrived April 28th. AOS interview May 26th. Very very easy. GC arrived June 4th. Now we have 585 days before we have to deal with the USCIS again. So I will say we have had a good journey so far and every step has been as promised and for us taken less than the expected 5 months. The waiting was hard, but it was well worth it. Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-07-21 15:56:00