What new things would you like to see here (or old things changed)?

Some of my ideas:

--o Additional Guides (not sure on what though)
--o Add IR1/CR1 Section to the FAQ's
--o Chat program needs updated / integrated into new forums (there is a new version of the chat I want to use as well)
--o Add more timeline options (other visa types, etc).
--o Member Supported News Section (people can submit self authored articles that we can publish online in a news section).

I would love to make the site as user friendly and better cover other areas of 'family immigration' such as for parents, chiildren (K2/K4,etc), etc that are only minimally covered now. Let the ideas flow!

I can see the temptation to add in other types of Visas in order to drive traffic but the only reason this site is what it is is because everybody has one thing in common. Adding in other Visa types could be a social disaster.

Good point. I revised my post. I think that my goal is to add things that are "value added". I guess what I need to understand from people is when they came here what things were they looking for that they did not find. Did they want to know info on how to bring their children along when they were immigrating to the US (and could not find any generic info on that), did they want to know how to find work in the US (and we did not have much on that), etc... I suppose we do not need any info on other visa's unless they are of specific interest to the community at hand (people already here).

what I could think of is may-be a family/baby/kids corner. Since many plan on starting a new family some time after getting married and moving to the US it might be nice to have that.
I was thinking more of a off topic area, where people could discuss general themes around it and give each other tips - e.g. how the US health system works around pregnancy etc. how do they can get an immigrating kid into school etc etc.

I don't know what the actual use of it would be though, and it might be already covered in other areas.


Tanja

Hmmmm... interesting idea!

I was also thinking of what we can do to extend the site beyond the Visa Process. I am wondering if we could better implement a community networking system so members can "find each other". This would be great for new people coming to the US. Example: Jane Doe moves to Atlanta from Spain. She goes to the networking area and finds all members from Spain living in Atlanta. She could even sort by Visa Type, etc. This feature is already able to be accomplished (but not advertised well and kind of hidden). Maybe adding Blogs would be good as well...

I think it would be a good idea to have a forum devoted to foreign students marrying Americans. It happens quite often, and a lot of the information needs to repeated. Sometimes the posts get lost because they are in the wrong forum, and sometimes people just tell them that student visas are a whole different issue when adjusting status. It's not that different, and in most cases is a very similar process.

I'd be willing to write a short guide if needed.

The Living Here and you new life in America thread is really a good one, but how about sectioning it..so we have 'Tax' 'driving' 'Credit 'health' 'education' 'job hunting' as sub-sections as well as the more general section..that way we can pin the relevant data on those most oft-mentioned subjects in the right areas and all tax queries (for example) can go in their OWN thread and not clog up general
I also would like to see more info on K2/K4 visas - I know there isn't a WHOLE lot of info as they 'piggyback' visas but even so..

I agree with the K-2/K-4 visa too. There is always people on here finding it hard to get information about bringing their child to the US.

I agree, I think sectioning 'The Living Here and you new life in America' is a great idea Would make the various topics of discussion easier to find. As it is it is not always easy to distinguish by thread title and much valuable info is missed by many.

Info specific to K2/K4 in Guides would be a good idea too as there is often questions regarding children and what the necessary steps are.

Capt'n, I think your suggestion of a Blog in a new community networking section is also a wonderful idea. Would also make for easier meetups, share info specific to areas etc.

Well thats my bit in support of others suggestions.......Will be back when I think of my own hahahahaha

Oh heres one
The Guides and FAQ are in need of updating as there are errors due to changes etc
e.g In all the guides it states that documents are to be translated by a certified translator. This question comes up a lot in threads, as a certified translator is not required, only that a person conversant in the language certifies it as correct. The FAQ are too many to even mention here. As it stands, it is kinda a waste of time directing new members to the FAQ when they are outdated.

Can we set up a time to meet in the chatroom and fix things? I would love to have a session where we could basically "fix" the guides and FAQ's in real time. I think it would be useful. Maybe tomorrow or this weekend perhaps?

If we just assign people to make changes it will get confusing I think. If I just make them as people correct things then it will be fast, easy and in real time.

The weekend is better for me...Will give anyone else interested too time to gather some of the relevant info together to put forward those changes, for discussion if need be, or least to have verification on the necessary updates. Am thinking it may possibly take more then just one session but will be a good start.

I just fixed this in all the Guides. Here is a link to what is now referenced as the requirement:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...ge=translations

Just a thought, something for "parents" there have been quite a few questions on the site re "how do we"
not everbody is adapt at searching or has full access to a computer.

Also if a waiver has to be filed, sounds daft that I know, but not all parents are "aged". then if only one half of the couple has to file, the other half can use the LPR status which should have been granted to show hardship to her also not just the USC

Hope you get the drift here, Captain

On a quick note....did you get my PM's re the letter of intent being changed to reflect the initial stage of sending with I-129F to USCIS as opposed to how it is addressed presently to the Embassy? Also the PM regarding the now addition of photo requirements for the I-751 Package as per the I-751 Instructions?

Capt., regarding the guides: I've been working on a sort-of hardship guide that would identify the various types of hardships, examples of what to include, and what backup documentation to provide for each. I'll PM you what I have so far and let me know if you like it!

Note: Today several areas of the following sections were updated:

2.0 The K1/K2 Process General Outline
3.0 The I-129F Petition completed by the US Citizen
4.0 The K1 Application Process completed by the Fiance(e)
5.0 Entering the United States on a K-1 Visa
6.0 After Marriage - Adjustment of Status
14.0 Adjustment of Status from K3/K4

Thanks for your hard work.

Excellent work!

If it's possible to tweak the I-129F example cover letter, the part about FC-029 should come out.

i agree..leads to confusion

Can something be added to the guides about how to fill out the forms with regard to name changes after marriage whether it be for the US citizen or the non-US citizen?

For instance when is the best time to change the last name and how to go about changing the names on all petitions and forms?


Kanyiri

Ohhh, this is EXACTLY what I'm looking for! I'm a newbie, just stumbled upon this site, sooooo glad I did! I'm an American, my fiance is a UK citizen here on a student visa. We plan on getting married a few weeks before he graduates.

Fischkoepfin, I'd LOVE to have that short guide if you wouldn't mind writing it! I think I'll send you a PM.

On the new members page, could we possibly have the link words colored as opposed to black and being the same as the rest of the text. Ok I'm anal on links

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?autocom=custom&page=newmembers

IMO a seperate forum on Security Name Checks would be very beneficial as this is an area where questions come up a lot and it effects many of the members to various levels. It would also give somewhere where general info and links could be stickied to give members an overview on the process and the various levels of security checks. I know Administrative Processing/Review is presently in with waivers, but feel it could then be included in with Security Checks as they are connected.

Feedback???

I don't know, isn't that a part that one doesn't have any influence on? I mean the name checks are done by the authorities, sometimes it takes less, sometimes more time, but in the end it's not like you have to file a form or anything (?). May-be an informational sticky on top of the forum, or a simple explanation page in the faq part will do?

Actually the security checks done at service center are done by the adjudicators...the NCIC checks are sent out to the FBI .
There are issues when cases get shelved or stalled because of security checks as well as lack of understanding the process. Those on AR/AP could be included as they too undergo these security checks only on a lot grander scale. Having it as a sticky is not going to stop members posting in every forum depending on which visa is being applied for. Having it all in one place would go a long way towards tidying up the board and having all (or most) security check and AR question in one place, making information easier to access, any relevant advice easier to administer. Security checks and AR/AP are big deals regardless that one just cant fill out a form, they cause in some cases much stress. Besides not every forum on this board has completing forms as a prerequisite to being of use to members. The forum could also include Denials at service center stage. It doesnt seem to happen too often but it does happen as a result of the security checks etc.

How about a dummy area for people like me? When I first found this site, I got stuck on terms like NOA, RFE, AP and AR. None of the lingo made sense to me for the first little while. And now I see that those kind of questions come up a lot from new members. Could we have a better introduction to the wonderful world of "Visa Journey?"

From memory (but I could be wrong), In the initial email one receives on becoming a member there is a link for acronyms/abbreviations used. There is also a link for newbies on the Home Page. Here is direct linkhttp://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=definition You can access it any time at the top of the page under FAQ. You will find the link bottom left column.

Lorelle