Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Interview	NEVER NEVER NEVER give up an original document of any kind unless it is for a very important reason--but I have yet to see a reason that is that important that a copy verified by looking at the original would not do. WIthin the instructions it plainly states that copies of original documents are fine. If you do send in the originals they will be come part of your record and not returned. It is stated in every instruction for every form I've had to fill out for USCIS. You now must take copies of the originals to the interview. Hopefully the originals that are now part of your file will be sent to the embassy along with everything else. I know at our AOS interview the file the IO had was quite thick with all the docements we had subnmitted for the K-1. The IO did look at the original marriage certificate and asked if she could keep the copy I had. I still have our original marriage certificate. Use this as a life's lesson that original documents are irreplacable and should never be given up--EVER!! Only copies. I had one person insist on keeping the original and I managed to convince them that verifing the copy I had made is a true representation of the original should be good enough. I pointed out to them that someone else may want to look at the original, but now you have it so what am I to do. Take what you have and if asked you can explain. If you already sent the originals then take copies, but they may realize that they already have the originals. You will be fine. Now relax. Good luck, Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-10-07 10:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Airline madness!	be sure that they do not need any TRANSIT VISA for any country you might be connecting thru. if you just get direct flights then you are ok....but if you are connecting through another country CHECK TO SEE IF THEIR PASSPORT DOES NOT NEED A INTRANSIT VISA!!! i didnt know about this Most countries will let you transit thru them as long as you remain in the airport. Case in point. My flight from England to Kazakhstan was missed due to weather in Denver. The only option I had was thru Moscow. I specifically asked the ticket agent if I could go thru Moscow as I did not have a transit visa. She checked and said it would be okay. I asked her a couple of times just to make sure. When arriving at Moscow, they took my passport and told me to return to this location after 0700 to pick up my passport. It was a rather stressful 2 hours, but my passport was given back to me and I was allowed to continue on. Another example is my wife, she needs a visa to visit the EU, but she does not need a visa to make a connecting flight at Frankfurt airport. Typically transit visas are required for travel other than air as they cannot guarantee that you will not enter their country uninspected, but checking on this is a good idea before getting surprised. Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-10-07 11:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	what is DHS at DS-230 Form part I	This is one of those have you EVER applied for a SSN. Do you currently have a SSN? If YES then you can get a replacement card issued, if NO then you answer 43b to have the DHS share their information with the SSA so you can get issued a SSC. If successful, a SSC will arrive about 3-4 weeks after your arrival in the US. Some have had o go to their local SSA office to get the card issued for a CR1/IR1 visa. This is a moot point for K-1 visas as checking YES gets you nothing as you still have to go to the SSA office to apply for a SSC. Basically the US issues a person ONE social security number per lifetime. So if you were on a work visa or some other type of visa before and applied and received a SSN then you do not need another number-- 43A-- but you can ask for a new card-- 43A bottom. 43B is for issuing you a SSN if you never have had one. Hope this helps. Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-11-03 11:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Original or Scanned Copy	The answer about copies and originals is contained within the instructions of all forms and it states: "Copies: Unless specifically required that an original document be filed with an application or petition, an ordinary legible photocopy may be submitted. Original documents submitted when not required will remain part of the record, even if the submission was not required." So a legible photocopy is fine. Should you give them the origianl it will be kept and not returned. So you are also doing the correct thing by taking the original to the interview. I would recommend also taking a copy so the IO can look at the original and make a note on the copy when/if they keep it. Good luck, Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-11-03 10:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Originals or Ceritified	The answer to this question is contained within the instructions for each and every form we must file. It states: "Copies: Unless specifically required that an original document be filed with an application or petition, an ordinary legible photocopy may be submitted. Original documents submitted when not required will remain a part of the record, even if the submission was not required." So an ordinary photocopy is good enough. However, they may request to see the original and make a copy of it, so take the originals to the interview. NEVER let them keep an original as it is one of a kind and cannot be replaced. Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-11-29 17:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Sis wants to visit USA while my I-130 in processes.	The sister will need to be able to prove ties to her home country. Your wife or even you writing a letter inviting her will not do much good and the fact that you have an immigrant visa pending it might actually hurt your sister's chances of getting a visa. Your sister must prove strong ties to show she will return--this is typically ownership of property, a job, family--if she is young and single it will be very hard. Have her apply for the tourist visa on her own and do not write an invitation letter. She can try and will only be out the cost of the visa application fee. Good luck, Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2011-11-29 17:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Sposes (women) last name change	I have some questions about name change because my wife wants to change after she gets here also. 1. How exactly does one go about doing it? 2. Will her passport from her native country become invalid once her name changes? 3. I want to get her on my insurance ASAP when she gets here, will a name change after I do this complicate it? 1) There are several methods with different timelines and costs. A) wait until the next step in the immigration process and change her legal name that way--free, but the time may be very long; B) get a court ordered name change--very fast, but it does cost; C) apply for a new GC (this assumes you already have one)--is a bit slow and costs around $340 I think (too lazy to look it up on the USCIS website) 2) passport will still be valid, but she will either have to get a new one to use her married name to travel or she will have to use her maiden name on all international travel documents 3) This is ruled by the almightly SSN not name. Until she has a SSN it will depend on the insurance company as to whether she will be added or not. My wife is using her maiden name and most likely will forever as she gains nothing by changing it--people will ask her "How do you spell that?" for her lastname or mine and hers is a bit easier to pronounce . This is up to you and your wife. The name change does not make it easier or harder with USCIS. Good luck, Dave	Dave&Roza	Male	Kazakhstan	2012-01-06 15:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	December Filers	new to the forums checked my bank statements and my application fee was cashed by homeland security last Friday 12/28/12 now what? Its now a waiting game!	Hershey888	Female	Saudi Arabia	2013-03-14 12:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	Congratulations everyone!!  I called last week - Friday to the NVC.  Found out that they had already processed the K1, assigned a KEV number and shipped!!  If my figuring is correct the package arrived at the Embassy today..    The speed and efficiency will make your head spin after the 7+ month wait with CSC..	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-04-29 18:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	I just got our Approval today too and my filing date is 09/05/2012. I have to copy your dance smiley. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AS WELL!!!!! Now I have to finish out my day.. Clients at the office until 9PM.. I think I will have a difficult time concentrating.. LOL...	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-04-17 16:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On April 17, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E).	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-04-17 15:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	I looked at Igor's List for CSC and 8 people were approved yesterday! It's like extraordinary! However, most of them were December filers and only two August filers o.O They need to make themselves look good somehow.. take the average between pre Dec and the Dec filers and brings the statistics into alignment with their goal of 7 months.. Only the US government would think of this!!	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-04-16 10:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	My Senator's office just contacted me and said that an officer has our petition and within 30 days we should have an answer!! Praise the Lord!! Hopefully this means mine is somewhere in the same place.. Maybe the CSC is going to come to life?? We can all hope and pray it happens..	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-04-16 09:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	Our time has come! A very very happy day for me and my fiance! After having involved a Congressman, an RFE after 6 months and 1 day, we received our NOA2 today exactly 2 weeks after RFE! I thank God for the approval. I feel so relieved! Congrats!!!	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-04-15 19:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	Yes, patiently wait while december filers get approved I had the same reaction.. Happy for them... but #######!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing like going in date order..	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-04-09 15:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	So we got a reply just now from our service request. It says "Your case is currently under review. You should receive a decision or notice of other action within 60 days of the date of this letter." My feeling is that this is a generic reply they send to everyone meaning 'leave us alone, we're working on it, we'll get to it when we get to it", whereas David is more optimistic and thinks this means that they are now literally processing our case as we speak. Can anyone confirm either? We will hit 200 days of waiting on Friday I'm getting very gloomy and grumpy about being the last of September VSCs to hear Hand in there.. because by no means are you the last of the September filers... All us CSC'ers are trying to patiently wait..	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-04-09 14:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	September CSC Filer here... and to answer your question: no, nothing since receiving NOA1 on 9/7/2012 (almost 7 months now). Seems like CSC's wheels came off the rails right around August 2012 (probably due to recent influx of DACA applications). My brother filed a similar I-129F through CSC for his Brazilian fiancee just a few months before me (I met my fiancee through my brother's now-wife), and he got his NOA2 in less than 3 months. My patience has been exhausted, so I sent a letter to my Senator (Feinstein) seeking assistance... at least it feels good to do something, rather than sitting around twiddling thumbs. The backlog at CSC must be huge by now. -josh We are is the same boat! My NOA1 was Sept 4. I've written both of my Senators (Bennett and Udahl), Congressman (Perlmutter), the President (don't expect anything from him) and a few others. AND Yes.. at least feels good that I am trying something, although I think in vain. Bottom line is an injustice perpetrated by USCIS on US citizens. I think September filers will be lucky to see an NOA2 by the beginning of the summer.	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-04-01 19:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	1363975721[/url]' post='6067423'] Mean while, CSC is in a coma :/ I'm hoping someone can revive CSC and soon...	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-03-24 18:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	Well, I called my congressman's office today, and faxed over my information. Hopefully it will, help. I am waiting to hear back from my congressman. Sent them a release to get the information on my behalf on Monday. Thought I would wait until Friday and call back if I don't hear anything. God knows I wish CSC would figure out the problems and get moving. Wishful thinking I guess	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-03-21 13:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	1363211110[/url]' post='6044711'] All of these late(ish) September NOA2s have me refreshing the USCIS page just about every hour...am I alone? I've resigned to not looking. Then just maybe I will be surprised one of these years! And I am an optimist.. LOL..... 1363483633[/url]' post='6052433'] My USC fiance got NOA 2 hard copy on Thursday 14 March - a week after I got email Now have to contact NVC to inform of change of embassy. Any idea how long NVC process takes? Good luck everyone -we are all getting closer to the finish line Check Igors timelines.. That will give you a good idea..	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-03-16 20:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	Well, they certainly aren't processed in chronological order LOL I wonder myself what is their system! Not to be facetious but are we expecting too much? Timely, orderly, thoughtful process from a government entity....	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-03-11 09:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	Approved today - email from USCIS Good luck everyone! Way to go ... I da ho... Come on CSC.. don't let the VSC out do you!!!!	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-03-08 18:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	""""I know it's all about patience. But geesh I can't take it I'm going nuts with the waiting. It's so close now. I just can't stand the anticipation of not know how much longer. I dealt with the process pretty well but now that I know September applications are being touched I can't but help to feel anixous. """"" (BeanCamp) I have exactly the same feelings. It has almost been 6 months for us too; it went pretty well so far and now I feel so worried...my stomach is like a knot right now .. I agree.. The difficult part is the waiting.. Especially since we are separated from our fincee. I just wish I'd have known things were going to slow down so much.. then I would have fit in another visit.	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-03-07 17:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	Exactly how I feel! It gets tough to be positive when you don't even have any idea how long you have to wait to see each other again. So happy for the September filers who have been approved already - I just hope the rest of us aren't far behind! I don't think we can set much store by the timelines now - it will be being pushed back by the people who haven't updated their timelines etc etc. 3 weeks until I hit my 6 month mark.... Nuts is a good description.. I'm just trying to stay positive and hope the time flies by quickly.. 6 months today for us!!	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-03-04 08:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	Thank, God I'm not alone! We're September 2 filers and still on initial review in USCIS website. We're exact 6 months today and still patiently waiting for the precious NOA2. The waiting is killing but I guess we have no choice but to wait. I hope and pray for the best for all of us. Chin up, SEPTEMBER 2012 filers! God bless us all! Agree completely.. Keep the "chin up" and look to the positive. The wait will be up soon and we will be with our fiancée. Then interview and shortly thereafter.. wedding and lives moving down the road of life..	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-03-03 20:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	Let's here some more positive stories! Majority of posts are people waiting over 200 days, let have some faith that within a few months September people get approved. You said it!! Faith and patience.. Too many posts with neither. I know it is a long process and accept this.. BTW - Don't forget March 8 - International Women's Day.. Not something typically celebrated here in the US, BUT a huge day in Europe..	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-02-25 00:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	I know we all are hoping for a quickening of the pace, and probably wishing you were together.. but just a reminder.. don't forget your special someone... Valentines Day is almost at hand! .. I just purchased flowers, card and chocolates to be delivered to mine..	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-02-08 20:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	I everyone I got my NOA1 on September 25th it feels like eternity since that date. Keeping hopes up of any day now receive the NOA2!! best wishes to everyone. Always keep positive I know how you feel.. Sept 4. for us... Still waiting and keeping the "chin up". God knows I cannot wait to go pick her up. I will definitely be there for the interview and will spend 2 or 3 weeks there before coming home. How is everyone else hanging in?	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-02-07 21:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	How is everyone doing? Haven't heard anything yet on my front, other than see a hopeful processing between 2/27 and 3/4. We will be at the beginning of 5 months on Monday 2/4.. Yea!! Isn't there a saying about molasses in February??..	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-02-01 16:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	Hello Everybody This is my first post on the Forum. Together with my Fiance we filed for K1 visa in the end of September 2012. From what I've read so far it takes 6 months on average to process a petition. So I don't really expect to receive a reply before March/April this year. I'd be beyond happy if it happened earlier though. I pray every day there will be no delay, because we're planning on getting married in second half of July! Good luck to everybody! Welcome to VJ and welcome to Sept forum.. We are all hoping the same! Let's go and get these petitions approved!!	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-01-28 19:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	I've been working with my Congressman's Immigration staff, and just received this today (some sentences redacted by me): "I called the California Service Center where your case is pending...The normal processing times have not changed due to DACA and they anticipate it will be sent to the floor for adjudication in the 5 month normal processing time... Each officer receives a large stack of cases to adjudicate and it can easily take 1-2 weeks (sometimes longer) for them to get through the stack." So right now it's looking like we can expect ~5.5 months from NOA1 to get NOA2 for the CSC. Thanks... Same information I have received and expected.. Maybe meaning March sometime, but hope much sooner ...	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-01-27 20:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	Hey everyone, just checking in to see if there is any news?? Still waiting and hoping for CSC to put on the after burners and speed up..	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-01-24 22:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	Out of curiosity, with all the uncertainty about when this process will be over, is anyone actually making proper plans for a wedding?? I'm so glad now that we agreed to do a ceremony further down the line...I don't think they can expect anyone to have a big white wedding at 3 months notice! We are waiting until my fiancée gets here on soil. Then we will plan everything together..	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-01-18 15:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	Mine says Feb. 5 to March 24. Lately it hasn't even given an estimate for lack of data. I don't even look to this number anymore. Briefly it gave me a date already past. It really jumps around. My timeline now estimates Dec 17, 2012 to Feb 2, 2013. Hmmmmm... very interesting.. Personally I think this has to do with information people are posting on their timelines.. correct or erroneous. When the time comes I am sure that I will throw a party. Until then I wait and be patient.	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-01-17 21:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	5 months for me is feb 24...and I heard with London you usually wait about two months after approval until interview. So april 24 at the earliest for me maybe...Man that seems a long time from now! Concentrate on the end and not the time. As for Ukraine my understanding that once K1 reaches the Embassy things typically flow pretty quickly. I am hoping anyway!!	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-01-16 17:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	Isn't it odd how much timelines vary?? Scott65, your estimate of NOA2 says between jan 13 and feb 28...which is a huge gap! Whereas mine is just march 28 to April 4 (as of today) - a gap of just 6 days. I'm at VSC not CSC, but still it's so weird! I wonder what causes that?? I would expect that it is more of a lack of data or incomplete or incorrect data from the timelines. I would think the coding behind the scenes is the same for both CSC and VSC. Just thoughts since I am in IT.	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-01-16 17:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	Can hope for the NOA2 around Valentines Day and then be with my girl for March 8.. We'll see what time brings..	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-01-16 15:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	Hey everyone I wanted to post this here, but feel free to pass along to other threads. After hearing all of the "hub-bub" about Dream Act petitions getting preference, adjudication officers being "pulled" from other areas for processing, CSC not processing anything, etc., etc., etc.. Even my own failed attempts to call the CSC and receiving conflicting and nonsense information. One sweet girl, obviously misunderstanding something, told me that the service centers count the first month of the process as zero month.. Huh??? I asked her if the IRS would let me have a zero month.. So I wrote both my Senator and Congressman. Wanted to "get it from the horses mouth" so to speak. Anyway, today I received a call and received what I would call reliable information (my Senators Immigration Specialist). So.. here it is.. 1) CSC and VSC are processing as quickly as possible. No adjudication officers were "pulled" from processing K1 or other areas to process Dream Act petitions. Rather more adjudication officers were "brought in" from other resources. 2) Expect 5 to 7 months in the processing time. Typically no less and "hopefully" no longer. But at the end of a "full" 5 months contact someone to find out your status.. (i.e., CSC, VSC, Senator, Congressman, God.. LOL) 3) This puts Sept K1's at Mid February or March for NOA2. So we should be expecting notifications sometime around that time. 4) As always read everything thoroughly and "with a grain of salt".. even what I am telling you... check it out thoroughly and for everyone's benefit don't push propaganda or false information. I sure hope this helps OR at minimum puts minds to rest knowing that the machine - be it slower than anyone wants - is still functioning. As always... GOOD LUCK!! Let everyone know when you get your NOA2. Sorry for the redundancy. I pressed a combination of buttons writing the first and everything disappeared.. If able please delete the first. Thanks! Edited by Scott65, 15 January 2013 - 06:00 PM.	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-01-15 17:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	Hey everyone.. Just wanted to report this here and feel free to pass along to other threads.. After hearing all the "hub-bub" about CSC processing times and the like. People believing the process has halted and nothing is being done. Even failed calls of my own where information conflicted with what I consider to be common sense; I decided to write my Senator and Congressman. Response from speaking to someone today indicates a few things. 1) Process times are on schedule and within the 5 - 7 month window. This person indicated that this is true of both CSC and VSC. As always they try to keep times closer to the 5 month window but are not always successful - volume, vacations, etc.. 2) No adjudications officers at the CSC were "pulled" to process Dream Act petitions. Rather other officers were "brought in" from external sources to help in processing for the Dream Act. 3) As usual at the end of a full 5 months and no word on your K1 to contact someone CSC, VSC, Senator or Congressman to find out the status.	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-01-15 17:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2012 filers	Hey everyone. It's a new week and one more closer to that day.. whenever it will be -- Hopefully soon!!!	Scott65	Male	Ukraine	2013-01-14 23:24:00