Hey everyone-

After some recent conversations with other members we decided that a nice clean sweep of the Guides and FAQ's were needed. If you have some spare time and know a thing or two from experience take a look at some of the sections and if you find anything that is not clear, out of date, etc please post it here and your suggestion on how to make it better. As a team I am betting we can get through most of the stuff pretty quick and make many improvements while we are at it!

Once this is complete I am planning to "refresh" the FAQ's and to a degree the Guides to make them more readable, clearer and easier to find things in. Your feedback is welcome and please feel free to use this thread to list things you have found changes are need for .

Please try and use a format similar to this:



I promise to help in any way that I can to get these implemented and spruced up for everyone!

It would be clearer to have a flow chart for each VISA process. If they member is curious as to what VISA to persue, they would click on the link for that VISA to find out what that VISA is for. Flow charts are clearer, and simple to follow.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=k1flow

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=k3flow

We only have flowcharts for the K1 and K3 process. Adding more is an excellent idea .

K1 Flowchart:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=k1flow

K3 Flowchart:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=k3flow

Oh and the NVC process as well for IR1/CR1 applicants:
http://www.visajourney.com/examples/NVC_Pr...wchart_v1-2.pdf

In the K3 guide, there are instructions for putting together the I-130:

Assembling the I-130 Package: Checklist
Forms and Documents (follow these assembly instructions. All supporting documents must be in English or be translated as noted here.):
1. Payment as required by USCIS. Use a check so you can track the payment.
2. Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative (see example form)
3. Copy of the Birth certificate for the US Citizen (front and back) or a copy of ALL pages of the US Citizen's passport. This is used to establish citizenship. You may use a copy of your naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship issued by USCIS.
4. A copy of your marriage certificate (If not in English then again get a translation)
5. If either you or your spouse were previously married, submit copies of documents showing that all prior marriages were legally terminated.
6. A copy of a prior spouse's death certificate. (If one or both were married before, and the prior spouse died)
7. G-325A (all four pages) filled out by the US Citizen signed and dated
8. One passport-type photo (see specification) of the US Citizen. Write the full name of the US citizen on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of ". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325A.
9. G-325A (all four pages) filled out by the foreign spouse signed and dated
10. One passport-type photo (see specification) of the foreign spouse. Write the full name of the foreign Spouse on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of ". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325A.

BUT -- the current I-130 also directs petitioners to include evidence that will be used at the time of AOS to show bona-fides of the relationship, such as -- joint lease, joint bank accounts, etc.

This aspect of the guide should be updated. But what range of evidence will be sufficient for newlyweds who have never lived together is something we don't know about yet ... so just how to update it is not so clear!

Here are the new poverty guidelines for the mainland for 2007. I haven't seen them posted in the guides here yet. They went into effect March 1, 2007.

2007 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia

Size of family unit Poverty guideline 125%
2 13,690 17,120
3 17,170 21,470
4 20,650 25,820
5 24,130 30,170
6 27,610 34,520
7 31,090 38,870
8 34,570 43,220

For family units with more than 8 members, add $4,350 for each additional member.

I can't clean up the format.

The guides recommend making two copies of everything -- and it is a very good idea. (I made three.) But the K3 flow chart recommends making just one copy. It would be good to commonize the flow chart recommendations with the guides.

I think both should recommend making two perfect copies of everything in the packet.

Not that kind of flowchart. The ones we used in business projects.
The flowchart that is in the Guide is not very functional. For me, it doesn't really matter, but for new people they maybe a little annoyed at looking at this particular layout.

Business presentations always needs to be easy, and simple to follow. I'd suggest to try to be as redundant as possible with flowcharts. You have numbers there to show the sequence. Include arrows as well too pointing to the next stage.

Suggest that people who want to work on them 'claim' their document so people aren't working on the same ones... then they can be submitted for feedback. Capt, can you list all of the docs that reside out there and post the revised list with name assignments as people come forward??

Jen

Complete 2007 Poverty Guidelines (100%) If this helps..

Guides Main Page

TOC (Table of Contents)

Add
1) Would it be helpful to have FAQs (Link) listed?

2) "Begin Here" (I know it has a big arrow and is in red, but) - it goes to a pretty neat page and could definitely use some emphasis..title change to "Which Visa is for Me/You?" or something...

3) Is it possible to move the Ads? or insert a border/shading as a separation? (anyone have ideas/thoughts?) It doesn't bother me now, but I remember them when I first came and at first they seemed like part of the guide/page..if that makes sense..


Change/Update
1) Headings in TOC don't exactly match Headings for its section (i.e., "Spouse or Fiancé Immigration" - matches to - "Immigration Guides for a Spouse or Fiancé." I know it's a simple thing, but easy to change and might help.

2) The "Other Important Things" (Link) is Huge..could those links be added (for example) to "If You're Engaged"..which currently has "Getting a K1 Visa" "K1 Flowchart" and "K1 Visa Tips" but if it also had "General Assembly Instructions" "Affidavit of Support Tips" "Example Forms" and maybe some others (there are more down there) but perhaps Embassy Information (titles certainly can be changed to whatever anyone thinks is best).. But continue on down for "If You're Married".."Family Immigration" etc..even if the links themselves go to the same place..

Kind of a One Stop Shop kind of thing..if that makes sense..


Those are my immediate thoughts... thought I'd throw that out there..To me, the guides have so much value...

I think there needs to be a section in the guides explaining the implications involved when an I130 is retained......for people who file the I130 & I129 and get surprised and/or confused that their I130 was retained. Perhaps this could also be a FAQ.....What should I do if my I130 is retained and I want to apply for a CR1/IR1 visa?

Do you know the answer to that? I will add it to the FAQ right now if so.

I updated the Guides Main page based on some comments. I will make more of the recommended changes later as I have more time .

To keep broken links down everytime on the site we reference that we point to this download page:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...;page=immiforms

The above page links to:

I-864P, Poverty Guidelines: This form is used to determine the minimum income requirement needed to complete Form I-864, Affidavit of Support under Section 213A of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Although I think the guides and FAQS are great, people are usually too lazy to read them and end up just asking in the forums. If there was any way to make new members read the guides and faqs before they were allowed to post, I think it would of help.

You know, like those customer service pages, where you want to ask a question and it shows like a pop up menu "what is question related to?" "AOS, K1, K3, etc", then depending on the choice of answer they could be lead straight to the correct guide, and at the bottom of the guide could be the famous "has this information helped you?" type thing leading back to posting a message if the guides weren't enough.

Actually, reading this it just sounds like too much trouble, but maybe if used only when posting in the most complicated forums.


One idea that would be nice is to make a little DOS AND DONT'S list for each pertinent forum. Bold letters, not too long, just to avoid confusion or frequent mistakes (i.e. DO ask for a copy of your vaccination sheet when completing the medical examination abroad.). I'm sure the members can think of a bunch of those. It could be a sticky on top of each forum.


http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1forms

The DS-156 form listed there is not working

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1guide

Assembling the I-129F Package: Checklist
Forms and Documents (follow these assembly instructions. All supporting documents must be in English or be translated as noted here.):
1. Payment as required by USCIS. Use a personal check so you can track the payment.
2. Cover Letter (see example). Should include a description of what your are petitioning for (I-129F), a table of contents (list everything in the packet). If you need additional room to explain your case, attach a separate sheet (list the attachment on the cover sheet). Make sure to sign and date the cover sheet.
3. Form I-129F: Petition for Alien Fiance(e) (see example)
4. Declaration of how you met in person in the last two years. This should be a single typed page regarding question 18 of the I-129F. Make sure to sign and date it.
5. Original statements (from both the US Citizen and foreign fiance) certifying an intent to marry within 90 days of entering the US on a valid K-1. (see example)
6. Proof of having met in past two years. (click here for examples)
7. G-325A (all four pages) filled out by the US Citizen signed and dated (see example)
8. One passport-type photo (see specification) of the US Citizen. Write the full name of the US citizen on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of <Insert US Citizen's Name>". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.
9. G-325A (all four pages) filled out by the foreign fiance(e) signed and dated (see example)
10. One passport-type photo (see specification) of the foreign fiance(e). Write the full name of the foreign fiance(e) on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of (insert foreign fiance(e) name) ". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.
11. Copy of the Birth certificate (front and back) for the US Citizen or a copy of ALL pages of the US Citizen's passport issued with a validity of at least 5 years or a copy of the US Citizen's naturalization certificate (front and back). This is used to establish citizenship.
12. Copy of final Divorce Decree(s) or Certificate(s) for the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) if either has been previously married. If the previous marriage of the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) ended due to the death of their spouse then include a Copy of Death Certificate(s) documenting that fact.
13. Proof of Legal Name Change if either the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) is using a name other than that shown on the relevant documents. You must give USCIS copies of the legal documents that made the change, such as a marriage certificate, adoption decree or court order.
14. In regards to Section C Question 2, if applicable provide certified copies of all court and police records showing the charges and dispositions for any specified conviction(s) (in accordance with the IMBRA). See section 9 of the I-129f instructions for more information.

On number 1, it states that people should use a personal check to track the package, but it should also say money order accepted, so people don't keep asking "are money orders accepted?"

1. Payment as required by USCIS. Use a money order or a personal check (so you can track the payment).

On number 4, to make it even more clear:

4. Declaration of how you met in person in the last two years. This should be a single typed page attachment regarding question 18 of the I-129F. Make sure to sign and date it.

Looks like they changed their file/folder layout on some forms or are doing some sort of update. The other forms on this page are working.

DS-230, Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration: Only
new link: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/81807.pdf

DS-156K, Non-Immigrant Fiance(e) Visa Application: This
New Link: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/82063.pdf

DS-156, Non-Immigrant Visa Application: Only
new link: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/82068.pdf

Oh, another detail. San Juan, PR is not listed as a POE. I know not many people come through here but it'd be nice not to exclude a POE. After all, it is a POE.

I have update the Guides for any related I-130 filing. This includes the following:


http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k3guide
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide1
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide2

I added the note to make sure that Evidence of a Bonifide Marriage is included with the I-130 petition. Can someone please verify this? Thanks!

I have updated as you indicated .

In regards to the DS-156 form, the Montreal consulate said to go to https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp
This is the electronic form and prints out the barcode.
I'm not sure if this is the one your looking for, I don't know if the other consulates use it.

You're right - that's the link that's broken in the guides... the other one (on Dept State) is simply the pdf version which am assuming does not print the barcode.....

Yes, this evidence is now listed on the I-130 petition instructions as being a requirement.

It would be a good a idea to have a glossary section where users would learn all the terminology used by USCIS, NVC, State Department, US Consulates and VJ posters. It took me quite a long time for me to find out about Jame´s Shortcut. It will be useful to have a direct link or guide for using Jame´s Shortcut.

I have fixed the download section for all links to the Dept of State forms.

Who knows the answer to this question yet?

Oh don't start with me and the sticky posts.. I made perfectly thorough ones for a couple of forums that people simply will not read.

Oops, I guess this isn't the place for that.

Since cover letters are commonly discarded in the mail room at the Service Center and do not make it to the adjudicating officer, maybe we should not encourage people to use them elaborately, or should note that they will not go to an officer.
Anything important that needs to be explained should be included as an attachment. We could use the official explanation for what an "attachment" requires.

This has confused several people lately.

All FORMS must be originals with original signatures.

All EVIDENCE may be photocopies. Retain originals to present at the interview.

Capt., thanks for the link to the 125% poverty guide, but I still haven't been able to find it in a forum search. Looking in the guides and/or Visa FAQs would make it easier to find quickly. Would you consider placing a copy there, please?

Will do. I will linkify portions of the Guides and FAQ's even better .

I will have to revise many different pages to add your language above. This should as you said help to make it even more clear what to send and keep.

with all the questions i've seen on the i-693a, i'd like to see that expanded with more info along with a link to find a uscis civil surgeon easier:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1k3aos

also include a rough price range for the i-693a (between say $15-60), that they should get a sealed package for submission with aos along with a duplicate copy.

link

a few times i've seen several people not get a ds-3025 for later transcribing onto the i-693a. somewhere, i'm not sure where it's best to have it, it should be noted that the beneficiary NEEDS the ds-3025 for later use on aos.

Yes, Charles, it should be in the first part of the process's guides, to ask for a copy of the form 'cus it WILL be needed later for AOS. Also, a lot of people fail to fly to the US with a official translation of the BC, and at least from what I've seen, one is needed to get the marriage license.

I have revised the Remind statements as follows:

IMPORTANT!
Make TWO copies of the entire package before you send it in. This includes the money orders too. You want to have a perfect replica of the package you are sending in. All Forums that you submit must be originals with original signatures. Supporting Evidence that you submit may be photocopies. Retain ALL original supporting Evidence since the USCIS has the right to check them by issuing an RFE (Request For Evidence). If you receive an RFE, follow the direction exactly, and make two copies of what you sent back. During any future interviews the USCIS may also want to examine the original supporting evidence.

Forms?
(I do that one a lot too )

Oooops! Fixing now .

I would like to see a list of civil surgeons who don't rip you off. It comes up quite frequently.

USCIS link: https://egov.immigration.gov/crisgwi/go?act...office_type=CIV

VJers have used these:


NY:
$25
Dr. Lev J. Paukman
396 Avenue X
Brooklyn, NY 11223
Tel: (718) 376-6500
The doctor said my husband didn't need any additional shots, but if you know that you need certain shots you can get them for free from one of the walk-in immunization clinics sponsored by the NYC Dept of Health. (You can get the shots anyplace, as long as you have an approved civil surgeon fill out the supplement form.)

CA:
San Francisco
$35
Albert A. Gomez
Meridian Medical Group
2460 Mission Street #112
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 642-8449

San Diego
$25
Centro Medico Latino
345 N Magnolia, Ste 104
El Cajon, CA 92020
Tel: (619)401-0404

Santa Ana
$20 for transferring records to I-693A and $60 for a shot that he said my wife needed.
Dr. Sunita Lohiya, Royal Medical Group
1120 West Warner Avenue, Suite A, Santa Ana, CA 92707
(714) 444-4448

$35
Dr. George M. Martinez
2844 Summit Street, Suite 108
Oakland, CA 94609
Tel: (510)763-3005

Texas:
$10
Dr. L.E. Arnold
4534 Westgate Boulevard, Suite 106
Austin, TX 78745
Tel: (512)444-3131
Fax: (512)447-4699

Missouri:
$50
Forest Park Medical Clinic, Inc.
Dr. James Greenwald
1034 S. Brentwood Boulevard, Suite 1250
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314)367-6600
Note: this office is located in the University Club Tower; 12th floor. There is a parking garage and the cost is $1.00/hour for parking, or one can park across the street at the St. Luois Galleria shopping mall and walk across.

Maryland
$30
Dr. J.M. Anchors
16220 Frederick Road,
Suite 210,
Gaithersburg. MD. 20877
(301) 990-6061

Minnesota
$30
West Side Health Center
153 Concord Street
St. Paul, MN 55107
Tel: (651)222-1816. Busy place, a little chaotic but CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP! Extra vaccinations around $20

Ramsey County Public Health Center
555 Cedar St.
St. Paul, MN
$20 for the Td shot, $60 to have the forms filled up by the Civil Surgeon. Picked up the sealed envelope and copy in 2 days.

Mississippi
$25
Dr Steven Brandon, located in Starkville, Mississippi.

Ohio:
Cincinnati
$20
Dr. Stephen Bell, Bethesda Good Samaritan Occupational Medicine Centers - Queensgate
1150 West 8th Street, Suite 120
Cincinnati, OH 45203
Tel: (513) 241-4135
bring picture ID & vacc. card
Monday-Friday 8 - 4:30

Cleveland
$25. I am not sure if they do it by mail but it is a place called MedGroup on Cedar Rd. in Cleveland OH. it could be listed under Warrensville Center Rd.

Oregon
$5 if you bring your DS-3025 with you
Dr. Al Torres
2220 NW Pettygrove Street
Portland, OR 97210
(503)224-0103

$35
Dr. Michael J. O'Neill
356 SE Ninth Ave
Hillsboro, OR 97123
(503)693-9050

Ooh! Copied & pasted into my ever-growing list of Stuff Wot I Need To Remember. Cheers, D.

Um... sorry for the off-topic interruption... next time I post in this thread, it'll be with something useful, promise!

Hello, I was reading throught the Guides and came upon something that could be a mistake...I'm not sure since I'm not at that stage of the process, but I'm confused about the sentence. I'll point it out, perhaps is it incorrect.

On page: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1k3aos
Step-by-Step Guide on How to File for Adjustment of Status for K1 and K3 Visa Holders

The first item of instruction now reads:
1. Payment(s) as required by USCIS. Be sure to include the payment for both the I-485 and the the fingerprinting fee*. Use a money order so you can track the payment. If a personal check is allowed, use that instead.

Shouldn't this read as follows:?
1. Payment(s) as required by USCIS. Be sure to include the payment for both the I-485 and the the fingerprinting fee*. Use a money order personal check so you can track the payment. If a personal check is allowed, use that instead. A money order may also be used for payment.

How can you use a money order to track the payment, I thought we could only do that if we paid by check and have "online banking"?

I'm only going by the procedures for payment of the K-1 petition, where the Guide state to use a personal check to track payment, but here the Guide says money order.

Thanks,
-P

This suggestion is minor:

Maintain the consistency between the labels for the links and the titles on the pages they open/reference. For example the "How to get a Social Security Number" (link) opens up a page with a title that reads, "Step-by-Step Guide to getting a Social Security Number (SSN)." However there are other links and titles that do not match. Like I wrote before... this is very, very, minor but will add that touch of consistency with a polished touch that I believe you are trying to achieve as well as supplying valuable information.

Cheers!!!

Sheriff Uling

p.s. By the by, keep up the good work. I notice the majority of upgrades that you have been making over the past few months...

I was checking out the medical guide, http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=medical

I went to the bottom and clicked on the I-163 form, it took me to the Forum's home page, hmmmm
Unless I'm missing something AGAIN..........

Um the other three links at the bottom of the page are coming up 404, contact administrator

Fixing now.

I have not seen a section where it lists the membership levels and how many posts it lakes to reach each level of membership. Does that exist? This may already exist, but I have not seen it. If not, can we add a section that covers membership status/levels?

I've been around 2 1/2 years and I honestly don't know if such a thread exists (member status,etc.) but I think it's a good idea to pin it somewhere or something. I have seen THAT thread time and time and TIME again...how many posts until I can change my title or get another blue box or...? I'm sure I was guilty of it myself in the beginning.... M.

Per the request much earlier I have completely restructured the Guides page to make it easier to read and navigate. I hope everyone likes it. If it appears odd on your screen please let me know so I can fix it!

That only feeds the post whores!!!

Please check the link for Form I-130--I pulled one from the K-3 visa downloads page and it appears to be an outdated vrsion. I don't know why, because the link (reads* the same as when I navigate to it, but the one we have here is missing an important new requirement.

For that matter, in the downloads, there is no section for IR/CR, or Immigrant Visas-as I prefer to say.

(Not odd at all)...Much better - The "Other Important Things" (etc) is up where it might not get 'lost' (for lack of a better word).


Two link-related possible suggestions:

FAQs link in each visa type (obviously the will all go to the same FAQs page)...
Example:
Guides if you are engaged
-----o Getting a K1 Visa, K1 Flowchart, K1 Visa Tips, K1 Visa FAQs

Guides if you are married
US Citizen lives in the US & Spouse lives overseas:
-----o Option 1: Getting a K3 Visa, K3 Flowchart
-----o Option 2: The I-130 Petition & CR-1 / IR-1 Visa,
NVC Flowchart FAQs (not sure of a title of the link)

And maybe (if you feel it'd be worthwhile) an Embassy Link.. perhaps to introduce people to that area...


Lastly - inside the Begin Here page - just a quick link back to that visa's section (not a huge deal though)
Example:
Fiancé Visa (K1) (Link to "Getting a K1 Visa")

It doesn't really matter what purpose it serves does it? In fact, you look at it from that angle...I look at it from: they are going to ask *anyway* (I have seen thread upon thread upon thread!), so why not just post it somewhere so they at least don't have to make a whole new thread to ask? The threads usually start with something like....I have looked all over but I can't find where it says when I get to...blah blah blah. Whether you think such a thread/page/post would "feed" post boosters or not, newbies are going to continue asking this question until such info exists somewhere on the site. M.