ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 visa questions
Waiting is a part of the visa process, unless you're lucky enough to have entered the US and then on the spur of the moment decide to get married. If you're going to file any marriage visa, be prepared to practice your patience ;) Entering the US with any other type of visa with the intent to marry is a big no no.

Welcome to VJ and hope your journey is a smooth one.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-06-13 13:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNEED PEOPLES OPINION
How did this reporter get your guys' names? If they're going to write a story about the immigration process then I'd hope they would know more about it that waiting 2 months isn't that long. They should find someone who turned in their petition in January or December, which is a little longer than normal. *shrugs*

It would be nice if IMBRA gets coverage though.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-06-09 15:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNEED PEOPLES OPINION
Make sure you mention VJ! Then we can all be famous :lol:
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-06-09 13:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPlease help answer urgent question!

Question: If we wait, and then go through the whole K1 process, I know we have to get married in 90 days, but would a civil ceremony suffice for that or will there be lots of questions?

-Dave



As long as you take pictures and have all the proper paperwork filled out, it shouldn't be a problem. We had a small ceremony at the local mosque with no family or friends in attendance, and while the no guests aside from witnesses raised an eyebrow, we were approved fine. If you have plans for a fancy reception later, that's always good to mention at the AOS interview.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-06-23 09:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow can you request a copy of tax return for k1 visa?
How to get a copy of your tax return

I got three years worth of transcripts within a week.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-06-23 19:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of meeting/ongoing relationship
I sent proof of meeting from each of the two visits we had prior to sending the K-1, and then for the interview, added in proof of the meeting we had after that.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-06-28 10:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSo, it seems that at of now...
Congrats! It's great that he got it before he needed to be out of Italy.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-07-11 08:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhere do I even start

No reason to quit a job...he still has many many months ahead of him to get a visa.....tell him to go back to work.


Actually, there is a reason for him to quit the job. In Egypt, police officers and those in the armed services are not allowed to marry foreigners and cannot leave the country without a ton of difficulty. I'm not sure if that's the official policy, or just the culture, but it's nearly impossible for police or military to marry foreigners.

He doesn't have to quit until you guys start the visa process, or until you get married though. After that, sign him up for a lot of english classes so that he'll have an easier time adjusting once he gets here. Does he have a college degree? If so, have him get his degree stamped by the school and get all the syllabi, so that it can be evaluated once he gets here.

:crying: Tomorrow is our 1 year anniversary. The process is not a fast one K-1 or K-3 :crying:



*huggles* it will be coming soon inshaAllah

Posted Image

Edited by rahma, 11 July 2006 - 08:32 AM.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-07-11 08:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhere do I even start
Cairo seems to be slowing down considerably since we went through there last year.

If you do a K visa (K-1 for fiance or K-3 for spouse), for your initial process here in the United States, it will probably take 2 to 5 months. After that, it gets sent to Cairo. Cairo will take about a month to send your fiance/husband a letter with all of the paperwork he needs to fill out. After that is sent back, it can take 1-3 months to get an interview scheduled, and then the interview may be 1-3 months away. After the interview, all arab muslim men are put on administrative processing and/or administrative review, where their paperwork will be further checked and rechecked. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Then, the visa is issued.

All in all, the process could take 6 months, if you're really really really lucky, but more likely, it will take 8+ months with the increased AR/AP periods we've been seeing as of late.

As others have mentioned, please visit us in the ME/NA subforum for more info.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-07-10 16:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresABOUT EVIDENCE
We went through Cairo last year, and sent in 5 or 6 screen shots of our email inbox at various stages in our relationship (ie 2001, 2003, 2005). We also printed a few representative emails that didn't have anything too *private* in them. We also photocopied the envelopes and cards we sent to each other. We did not include any chat screenshots. It worked just fine for us, but then, we did not have a huge age difference (I'm younger than him) and nothing else that would be a huge red flag asside from meeting online.

I would say that they don't want to read hundreds of pages of ims or emails. Just create a nice sample that spans the length of your relationship.

Our evidence for the interview as a whole was as follows:

The screenshots of our inboxes and emails
Photocopies of cards and envelopes
about 20 pictures of us together, with his famiy and with my family
plane ticket stubs and itinerary

We did just fine. Good luck.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-07-19 09:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPassport photos question - headscarves?
I kinda had the opposite situation - passport gotten ages ago doesn't have a scarf, but everything from 01 on does. Of course, I was the petitioner, so that doesn't help you much either :lol:

I'd say to ease your nerves, write a brief note and drop it in with the baggie of pictures. They're used to dealing with all kinds of headcovering people, so I'm pretty sure they'll understand.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-08-08 08:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSite recommendations for most fastest ..service and good to get K1 (russia)
Do you mean like an attorney? Most people here on VJ fill out the forms themselves without a lawyer. The speed depends on so many things out of your control, there's no use worrying about it.

Read the guides at the top of the page for info on how the immigration process works.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-06-09 16:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhen can a K-1 visa holder legally work?

Can someone bottom-line the work authorization process for me for a K1 beneficiary AFTER the marriage and AFTER AOS to "conditional pem resident." What must happen, what forms must be filled-out for her to work? I thought I read somewhere that a perm. resident or even a "conditional perm. res." has the legal write to work in the US, which would mean only a SS# is needed?


As outlined eloquently in the guides, you must apply for an EAD while filing for your AOS to work prior to getting your green card. Getting the EAD can take 90+ days.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-08-15 13:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhen can a K-1 visa holder legally work?

I have a bet with a friend. We were talking about the K-1 process and the topic of working came up. I said my fiancee couldn't legally work when she arrives with her K-1 visa. He said I'm wrong and she can legally work as soon as she arrives (he said her I-94 allows employment).


I believe that he may be technically right, but practically wrong. Yes, the I-94 for a K-1 allows the fiance to work for 90 days after arriving in the US. Howeva, one needs proof of this, and needs to get an EAD at the port of entry or by applying for it. The only POE that offers that is JFK. Add to that the need for a SSN, which can take a few weeks to a month or more and the 90 day temporary EAD is practically useless.


I said nope, he's wrong and referenced this site and seeing this question asked before with the answer being (if I remember correctly) between 60 and 90 days. I searched for that topic and came up empty. I looked at the guides and I can't find a definite answer. If I understand it right we need to marry first then she would need to apply for a EAD and wait until that is approved before working. Who is correct? I think my friend owes me $20. :)


These are 2 different EADs you guys are talking about. The one you are refering to is the year EAD applied for when you adjust status after marriage. He is talking about the temporary one that is all but useless and obselete due to the fact that almost no K-1 immigrant can get it when entering the US.


So, I'd say you split the difference and neither of you owes either one any money.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-08-15 12:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUSC moving during K-1 process
I moved right before my husband's interview at the embassy. I wrote out a letter, explaining that I'd moved with the new address on it. He took it with him, and they updated the file during the interview.

I'd also change your address with USCIS just to be safe. However, if it's already at the embassy, they shouldn't need to contact you any further. Then, when your fiance is your husband, he'll file the AOS and your address will be updated on your file that way.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-08-19 20:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPossible to sign up at uscis twice
Yes, both my husband and I had individual accounts tracking our case. I also forgot my log in between the K-1 and the AOS, so I created a new account.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-08-24 14:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGetting married before entering the US?

I have a great solution to your concern. You can have a ceremony in her country and not violate the law. Just make sure that your ceremony is not legally binding. Your allowed to celebrate being together, but you are not allowed to be legally married abroad and use the k-1 visa.



Unfortunatly, there have been some denials recently when people have done this.

Now, my husband and I did have a religious ceremony (in egypt) long before we ever filed for a visa. At the time, a popular immigration book said that this was a-ok and the government wouldn't care. However, it appears that this has changed, and if the interviewers or point of entry (POE) officers find out about the ceremony, they might request that you do a K-3 instead and deny the K-1 or not let her in the country.

If you have a traditional egyptian wedding, with all of the hoopla, pictures, relatives, etc etc etc, it may be very difficult to convince the immigration officials that you are not married, despite the lack of offiality.


If you want to avoid trouble, you have a few options:

Get married in Egypt and file a K-3/IR,CR-1
Do the K-1 and once she has a green card or advanced parole (AP), go back and have the whole to do with her family.

Edited by rahma, 14 July 2006 - 02:52 PM.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-07-14 14:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOFF TOPIC but need direction

I did not see any benefits available for Grandfather petitioning Granddaughter. As an aside, a K-1 is much faster than the type of petition you reference.

Be sure to double check the DOS site and USCIS for eligibility requirements.


If I remember the processing times on things like this, it can get up into the 5, 6, even 10 year wait. The K-1 may take less than a year or 2 at the most. Much quicker to go that route :yes:
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-09-04 17:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresrequirements for fiancee visa
The guides at the top of the page will walk you through the entire process.

Welcome.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-09-12 08:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDitch the K-1 for DCF?
One thing to consider when you're looking at going the DCF route is how it will effect that transition once ya'll move back to the States. Will you have a job waiting, a means of supporting the new immigrant, a place to live? How much more difficult will it be for you both to come home and have to scramble to get everything set up?

I know at least in my situation, with an arab husband, it was essential that I had things set up here so I could ease him into life in the US. I could focus on getting him settled and not have to worry about getting myself settled in again too.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-08-30 10:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAnyone know what the current poverty level actually is????
http://www.uscis.gov...upp.htm#poverty
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-09-18 15:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures224 days ago and no thing yet?!!
Welcome to VJ! If you have a chance, visit the Middle East/North Africa forum. We have quite a few American/Moroccan couples, and they offer great advice for when you get to the consulate stage.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-10-25 15:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEngaged, need some help
Is it really necessary for you guys to have a wedding ceremony before you leave for the United States? Rather than worry about visa deadlines, you could just apply for the fiance visa (after your december meeting), bring her here, get married, file the AOS (adjustment of status) and related paperwork. Then when you get AP (advanced parole) or her greencard, you can both go back and throw a fabulous wedding party.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-10-25 15:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMy fiancee says she needs to own Land before moving here
Send your family member over here to read the guides at the top of the page. There is no land owning requirement for any marriage based visas. To get a tourist visa, she would need to show ties to her home country, and owning land is a good tie.

Suggest that he visit Malaysia. It's a beautiful country.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-10-26 14:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNeed your opinion
Post your question in the ME/NA subforum, where many of the Moroccan regulars hang out. I think they've discussed this lately.

When dealing with Morocco, you have to deal with the fact that certain interviewers have refused to take evidence during interviews, so it may need to be addressed in the original petition.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-11-07 15:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresfinally :-)
Congratuluations! Enjoy your sucess, and then gear up for all the paperwork you'll have to do once you get to the US :star:
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-11-07 16:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI am back


Can't access these old threads for some reason, and can't refresh my memory :unsure:

http://www.visajourn...p...=80&t=46081
http://www.visajourn...p...=80&t=47934
http://www.visajourn...p...=80&t=47943

the old site has been shut down....



Dang, I missed it. Maybe someone copied the most interesting threads before that happened :whistle:
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-11-08 11:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI am back
Can't access these old threads for some reason, and can't refresh my memory :unsure:

http://www.visajourn...p...=80&t=46081
http://www.visajourn...p...=80&t=47934
http://www.visajourn...p...=80&t=47943
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-11-08 11:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDenials and Rebutals
Kiya probably is the best resource. I think she has another group elsewhere. Hopefully someone can put you in touch with them.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-11-16 15:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresvisa denied
Yeah, they follow that guideline to the letter it seems.

Have a great trip and better luck next time around.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-11-15 12:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHelp please...last minute change

How do I go about finding such an attorney? i have no idea about it at all.


Most of us who have gone through the middle east/north africa have not used lawyers. I haven't ever heard of an attorney who has a specialty in ME/NA embassies. This is not to say that you should or should not use a lawyer.



Might I make a suggestion? Go, meet your sweetie, have a heck of a good time, consider it a relaxing vacation, and then come back and get started on the visa paperwork. Any visa you file will take time. Why let the stress ruin a perfectly nice trip overseas? Just be sure to take lots of pictures together and with his family while you're there, as evidence for the filing.

My first trip to Egypt happened 2 years before we ever filed any visa papers. I got a chance to see Cairo, meet his family and get to know my husband.

Edited by rahma, 22 November 2006 - 02:52 PM.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-11-22 14:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHelp please...last minute change


edited to add - Ah nuts, Jenn, the "helpful" one, got here before me lol.


:lol:

Why does everyone keep putting helpful in quotes? :unsure: :P


:lol: You really are helpful. Those going through Casa are lucky to have you :thumbs:
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-11-22 13:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHelp please...last minute change
Also something to be considered when thinking about getting married in Morocco is how much time you'll spend running around in order to get married. I think I remember someone saying it took a considerable amount of time (many days, maybe more than a week). The logistics seemed to me nightmarish.

I am not sure if you've spent time with your fiance before, but if this is your first visit, maybe consider just spending time together, seeing if you click, rather than add lots of stress in getting married rush rush.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-11-22 13:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHelp please...last minute change
Casa is a crazy place to get a visa through. Some of our members get approvals very quickly - months after filing. Some wait more than a year. Some have their visas denied, and then must go through a tortuous process to file again or appeal.

My best advice - patience. Your wait could be months, or it could be longer. There isn't anything you can do, other than make sure all your ducks are in a row, and you can prove your relationship is valid.

Certainly, the visa process is stressful, but as someone who has been there, done that, getting too upset doesn't help anything. Plus, the patience you learn will come in very very handy when you have to deal with the adjustment of status process once your sweetie arrives, and all the cultural differences you'll most likely encounter.

Good luck.


edited to add - Ah nuts, Jenn, the "helpful" one, got here before me lol.

Edited by rahma, 22 November 2006 - 01:05 PM.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-11-22 13:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHas anyone ever had any success filing an expidited fiance visa case?

If you have records of meeting your finace in person, emails, phone record, so on then you can prove that this is a real relationship. It all depends on the interviewer as well, I do not think that there is a written statement anywhere that you should have been with your fiance for what period of time.
Just my 2 cents


No, there is no written statement, but from past experience of past VJ members going through Morocco, knowing each other for a short period of time can be a reason that they won't believe that a relationship is real, and as such, will deny the visa.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-11-17 15:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHas anyone ever had any success filing an expidited fiance visa case?


I'm not sure you'd want to expidite in your situation. According to your timeline, you've met quite recently. We had a recent case of a VJ member going through Morocco who had met her fiance online in May, met him in person in June or July, and then was interviewed in October. The consular denied them. One of the reasons was that they didn't believe the validity of the relationship, because they hadn't known each other long enough (If I remember correctly).

That was me but we meet through family, not online. Wait time is I guess important but I thin it is more to do with the time you meet before you filed.


Ahh, sorry, I forgot the exact specifics of your case. We haven't heard any updates from you in awhile. How are you doing? Have you gotten some congresspeoples involved in your case?
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-11-16 14:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHas anyone ever had any success filing an expidited fiance visa case?
So far, I haven't seen anything in your posts that would necessitate an expedite. Filing for one would add another red flag to your case that you don't need.

I'm also not sure what proof sex before marriage would have in Casa either. Morocco isn't as conservative as other countries in the ME/NA, but I can't imagine that it's something that people would want to talk about in public, and might raise some eyebrows.

My husband and I were apart for 4 years before we filed for the visa and 5 years before he got here. The seperation and waiting sucks, but we're a living testament that relationships do survive. If there's one thing we learned in the visa process, it's patience. Hopefully your time apart won't be too long, but some time is inevitable. It's the price we pay for loving a foreigner (F)

Edited by rahma, 16 November 2006 - 10:16 AM.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-11-16 10:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHas anyone ever had any success filing an expidited fiance visa case?

You are petitioning in a country that is already difficult and high fraud, so I wouldn't push it. The poster that Rahma was referring to had ALL THE SAME PROOF you did - phone logs, chat logs, all that - and STILL Got denied...


:yes: They also shared the same religion, and were both serious about their faith.

Casa loves to look for red flags. It's a red flag to meet and apply for a fiance visa petition so quickly. Asking to expedite would add another red flag.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-11-15 09:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHas anyone ever had any success filing an expidited fiance visa case?
I'm not sure you'd want to expidite in your situation. According to your timeline, you've met quite recently. We had a recent case of a VJ member going through Morocco who had met her fiance online in May, met him in person in June or July, and then was interviewed in October. The consular denied them. One of the reasons was that they didn't believe the validity of the relationship, because they hadn't known each other long enough (If I remember correctly).
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-11-14 16:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat Must I Do To Marry a Nigerian?
Welcome to VJ. Everyone prior to me has given good advice. My input - be patient. The visa process may be long, and it is hard. Good luck!
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-12-20 16:51:00