Hey, so I'm just wondering if anyone has a similar situation to me.  I won't be applying for naturalization until October but I thought I would try and get a head start in case of complications like this.  I was arrested on a DUI charge about 7 months ago (stupidest thing I have ever done), but it got knocked down to a negligent in the second degree (which made it a traffic violation, not criminal) and deferred.  I also got a speeding ticket at the same time (yeah, I'm an idiot) and I've just paid all the fines off ($684).  How do I get proof that I paid the fines?  Is that a district court thing?

 

On the form, I'm being honest and saying "yes" to the questions that ask have you ever been arrested, have you every been charged with committing any crime or offense, have you ever been placed in an alternative sentencing (including deferred prosecution/adjudication), and have you ever been in jail (I don't recommend it!).  Am I answering those right?  I'm not sure if I was actually "charged" or "convicted" because it was deferred, so that part confuses me.  And does one night in jail waiting for an arraignment count?

 

So then I have to complete the table, which asks why I was arrested (DUI), date, city, and the outcome (deferred), so that seems simple enough, but how do I explain the speeding ticket?  Is "paid a fine" an acceptable answer for the outcome?  I get the feeling that citizenship is going to be long shot for me to obtain but I may as well give it a go!  One more thing, do I have to mention any speeding tickets I received in NZ?

 

Anyway, I don't know anybody that's tried applying for citizenship with a dropped DUI charge, so any info from you guys would be really appreciated! Thanks

I got my visa approval today!!!!

I'm so overjoyed that its bursting out of the top of my head!!!

I talked to everyone I saw on the way back including the taxi driver!!!

Just waiting for the pakage Thank you VJ!!

My fiance and i had thought to get married in Hawaii.. on my way to moving to Oregon.... due to the delay of CSC earlier ( we anticipated a NOA2 at 5 months which would have been January and we didnt get it until April) we are now in the high season pricing... Depending on when the visa is approved (anticipate interview early-mid June) the price of staying in Hawaii is becoming unrealistic. But we want to at least try... we are 'shouting' (paying for) the kids and grand kids). At the current prices offered we'd delay the holiday till later in the year and just marry quietly in Oregon....

 

When do I need to decide definitely where the POE will be? can I let them know at or after the Interview? 

 

Have searched the guides and paperwork to determine if this entry point can change.. so any insight will help otherwise I will email the Consulate..

 

Thanks guys...

So it looks like one of my in-laws will have to be a co-sponsor for us on the I-846, since DH has no income in the US currently (we're moving back to the US for him to start a job). Is it possible to change the sponsorship after we arrive in the US and DH has US-based income that would be more than sufficient to be the lone sponsor?

Hi all,

I'm a German citizen and permanent resident of New Zealand, and my husband is a USC and permanent resident of NZ. We got married in the US a little over 5 years ago when I was an F-1 student there. We initially filed for AOS to permanent resident for me, but abandoned the application because DH accepted a job in NZ and we moved here (2008). DH has now accepted an offer for a job back in the US, starting Jan 1, 2014. I've just sent in the I-130 package to the Chicago lockbox and received the email that it was sent to the NBC and was given a receipt number.

I've been trying to read up on what the next steps are, but was wondering if any of you could clarify a few things. Please forgive me if the answers are hidden in plain sight, my head is kind of spinning from reading everything tonight.

1. It looks like the K3 process is a waste of time/money. Should we skip this step? I tried to find the processing times at the NBC for I-130s, but couldn't find any answers. I'm very anxious to receive the visa before my husband leaves for the US in Dec, because we have two small children that would have to stay behind with me until the visa is approved.

2. Any tips for filing the Affidavit of Support from a USC who intends to re-establish domicile in the US? We have a checking account and a credit card in the US (using my MIL's address), and DH has a current driver's license from when we lived in the US for 6 months in 2012, but it's not from the state we plan to move to. DH's parents also live in the city we intend to move to. Would this be enough evidence to show intend to re-establish domicile in the US? Should we supply pay stubs from his current job in NZ and/or NZ tax returns to prove his current.

 

3. I was looking at LingChe's shortcut for NVC processing, but it seems to be geared toward applications where the petitioner is based in the US. Can/should the shortcut still be used when the USC is living abroad?

 

Thanks for any info/advice!


-

Hi all i'm new here but glad I came across this site, my partner and I filed our I-29F in June 2012 we received our receipt number the following month then December came and we got an RFE. We gathered the information required which took a bit of time on my part and my partners, finally in January we sent it away and now its May we are still waiting for a response  back in March we were told it could take up to 90 days I sent an e request a few weeks ago and was told its with a review officer and we will have a decision within 60 days and then my partner called last week he was told to leave it a week. Just crazy we are both going out of our minds, I do tell myself everyday that we are not the only couple going through this but we just want to be together and start our journey

Any advice to get into addiction treatment?

 

I have 15 years experience clinical and management, residential and out patient. In NZ a degree is sufficient and it seems to get licensed I need a Masters..

 

Seems like I have to decide to study straight away at full cost of a Masters....

Wait and live in Oregon a year and then start a Masters with reduced cost...

Give up the career I had, stress less .. apply at Costco... or WalMart....

Your input appreciated... 

 

Thanks in advance... 

Who should sign and the date the Declaration of how we met in person, the US Citizen or the Alien Fiance??

 

Many thanks!

Hi everyone,

 

I recently recieved packet 3? from the Tokyo Embassy. In the packet they gave me form DS-230 and information regarding police checks. I am a New Zealand citizen, and lived there for 24 years, so obviously will be sending that one. What I am confused about is that they included one from Germany. I worked in Germany for 8 weeks in 2009. I thought they didn't need a police check for countries we spent less than 6 months in?

Hello Everybody,

 

I need some help with regard to my situation after I got my K1 visa and POE.

 

1. I have arrived in the USA on the 30th of April, 2013. The customs officer at LA airport, stamped the I-94 with the date which read June 27th. Now, I know that I need to get married to my petitioner within 90 days of my arrival in the USA. But the I-94 says 27th June which is around just 60 days from my arrival date into the USA. Did the customs officer make a mistake in calculating the 90 days period and instead of stamping 27th July, stamped 27th June? Can I appeal to authorities to make a correction to 90 days? 
2. Also, once I get married to my fiancee is it legally required that I immediately file for my Adjustment of Status or can we wait till we get our finances right. This is because we have incurred quite a bit in the last few months and would love to have some time before we shore up the money to file for Adjustment of Status.

I would really appreciate any information on the above 2 questions.

 

Cheers.

 

Hello Everybody,

I am here to post my K1 Interview review held at the Auckland consulate, New Zealand on 23rd April, Tuesday at 9.30 am.


[u][b]EPILOGUE[/b][/u]

I must say I was quite tense since the time I got to know the interview date from the embassy. Largely because the last consulate review at Auckland was a very rare case of rejection. It was of an Indian citizen living in New Zealand. Since I am also an Indian citizen living in New Zealand it immediately set off alarm bells in me. In a way it was good because I really went into an overdrive in terms of meticulously collecting and arranging my evidence that I intended to show at the interview.

Also for the very first time I mentally actually drew up a Plan-B on what to do if God forbid I got a negative result at the embassy. I made up my mind that I will be applying for my permanent residency here in New Zealand and my fiancee will have to move to New Zealand. Essentially speaking I wanted to ensure that the decision of the consulate officer did not affect my plans to be with my fiancee, if I am not with her in America, it will be in New Zealand.

Also, I have extensively reviewed embassy reviews from India. The Auckland embassy reviews I only read to actually identify the consulate building and how to pay the fee etc., But mainly I prepared myself as if I was going to appear at a US consulate in India---keeping in mind the previous experience of an Indian citizen's interview result in Auckland.

I had prepared rather thoroughly for the interview. I prepared about 50 questions and divided them into important and general questions. I had compiled a mountain of evidence neatly divided into various folders and labelled them appropriately. I was tense, anxious but well prepared.

[u][b]THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW[/b][/u]

My interview was on 23rd Tuesday, April at 9.30 am. The building was easy to find thanks to Google Maps and my own reconnaissance mission a day ahead of the interview. Actually the day before the interview I went to the post shop on the ground floor of the building where US consulate is located and purchased a SIGNATURE REQUIRED tracking code envelope.

Since I had to come from Hastings which is about 400 kilometers away from Auckland, my friends in Auckland offered me accommodation but I politely refused as I wanted to be alone before the interview. I left the hostel where I was staying at exactly 8.00 am and was feeling hungry and wanted to have a quick snack, but strangely I did not feel like eating at all --as my stomach felt like a twisted rope with all that tension wracking my brain.

The consulate is on the 3rd floor of the Citibank building.

I entered the building at exactly 9.00 am and pressed the 3 on the lift button panel, but something really bizarre happened to me, I went somehow straight up to 7th floor, came back down to ground floor and went out---it was really unbelievable --I felt as if I was completely zoned out--I realized what I had done and went to the post shop and actually sat on a chair, breathed calmly and again went inside the lift. This time I did arrive on the 3rd floor.

There were two security guards in white uniforms. One bespectacled serious looking guy was lecturing the other security guard on how to scan various items that people bring with them to the consulate. As they were talking to each other I mildly approached them and said "I have an appointment at 9.30 am at this office". The bespectacled guy without even looking at me said "I will be with you in a minute" and kept lecturing the other security guard. I felt very slightly uncomfortable. Then the guy who was perhaps being trained asked me to give him my passport and appointment letter. He disappeared into the building and appeared back after 5 minutes. Then he asked me to empty both my bags. Then the security guard supervising shouted "Ask him to remove his belt". I removed my belt and the guard scanned everything. I also gave him my cell phone without him asking me for it. He asked me to switch it off and put it in the empty bag. He gave me a token number and told me I will have to carry all the evidence I brought without the bags. Now when he placed all my documents on table from the bag --they were all jumbled. There went my neatly partitioned and labelled evidence.

I thought it was not exactly a great start. I was asked to then walk through the scanning machine. Then I was asked to wait at Window number 5.

[u][b]INSIDE THE BUILDING[/b][/u]

Once inside the building, I felt pretty claustrophobic as I felt everything was very small and near. Windows 1 was for US citizens. Windows 2 and 3 are designated for the actual interviews. Window 4 is to pay the visa. Window 5 I cant remember now, lol. Window 6 and 7 I believe are for Non-Immigrant Visa's.

I stood right in front of window 5 when a gentleman above 50 years came near me and said "I have my appointment at 9.00 am, may I know when is your appointment? I said I have my appointment at 9.30 am but the guard specifically told me to wait at this Window 5. Then he said okay then I will also wait here and it was an awkward situation as we both shared the same small space at Window 5. Then I told him I wished him all the best and left the window to sit down.

I waited for my turn. The consulate did not have many people but what was really disconcerting to me was you could hear all the conversation between the consular officers and the interviewee's.

Once that 50 year old guy left the window, I went back to window 5 and pressed the buzzer. A friendly Caucasian lady came up to the window and asked me for my passport. She took it and asked me to sit down and wait. After 5 minutes my name was announced and I was asked to come to Window 6.

[u][b]POSITIVE VIBES[/b][/u]

Surprisingly I saw there an Indian lady dressed in a Punjabi attire. The very first thing she did was handed me a document named IMPORTANT NOTICE-FIANCE VISAS--it was essentially a document which contained all the detailed guidelines and instructions as to what I should be doing once I receive the fiance visa--once I land at the POE and how to apply for Adjustment of Status etc.,

I was surprised as I had not yet been interviewed. This gave me my first positive vibe about the interview. The second positive vibe came soon after.

She handed me a photocopy of the vaccination worksheet signed for by my US panel physician and intently told me to safeguard it as I will need it at the time of Adjustment of Status. Again there was a rush of positivity in me as I felt she was talking to me as if I was already approved.

Now, I do not know if this is the standard practice at Auckland consulate to handover these post K1 visa instruction list and the vaccination document to the petitioner. Anyway I quietly felt confident and happy. The Indian lady then asked me to pay the visa fee at Window 4 and wait for the consular officer to call me for the interview.

[u][b]WAITING FOR THE INTERVIEW[/b][/u]

I paid the fee in New Zealand cash and as I waited there, I was carefully looking at the faces and demeanor of the people getting interviewed. Almost all of them were smiling and it made me feel good. Especially couples with children seem to have had an easy time. As I was lost in my own thoughts my name was announced and I was asked to come at Window 2.

[u][b]THE INTERVIEW[/b][/u]

That is when I realized, okay this is it and I walked towards the window with a silent prayer on my lips. The consular officer looked calm, wore specs and had a faint hint of smile but very imperceptible. He had the entire I-129F petition with him and all other documents which I had already sent to the consulate for their review almost 10 days back.

The following questions were asked

1) How did you meet your fiancee?
2) What was the name of the chatroom where you met her?

Pause, he was flipping through the pages--

3) What does your fiancee do for a job?
4) What do you do for a job?

Pause, pages continued to be flipped over--

Then he made me sign the DS-230 Part II.

[u][b]A FUNNY INTERLUDE[/b][/u]

The consular officer was looking at my birth certificate and asked me for my date of birth. I told him my complete date of birth, month and year. He then pointed out in my birth certificate and said "but the year of birth says 1969". For a split second I was shocked and then realized what had happened. I told him ever so politely "Officer you are looking at the name of the Act under which my birth was registered, Birth and Death Registration Act, 1969".

This broke the ice, he smiled with a little embarrassment and he lightly hit his head with his hand, lol. That was the time I really relaxed.

[u][b]THE TURNING POINT[/b][/u]

As he was flipping pages, I saw a huge "APPROVED" stamp on one of the pages. My heart jumped a bit in excitement and the officer saw that I saw the page and quickly flipped it over. I acted as if I saw nothing. I was so desperately trying to hide my smile.

He then proceeded to ask me

When did you meet your fiancee?
How long did you stay there?

By this time I think we both realized what was happening there. After a while, he said "That's it". I asked him "Sir, what should I tell my fiancee? He replied "Everything looks good".

It was such an anti-climax and he did not even ask for any evidence at all.

The reason I stopped myself from posting this review the very same day was---I literally did not believe how incredibly easy it was. I am only posting this after I have actually looked at the visa inside my passport.

I had received my passport earlier in the day and I cannot believe that the actual interview turned out to be such a non-event. Thank God.

[b][u]EPILOGUE[/u][/b]

The US consulate in Auckland has got to be one of the best consulates in the world. They are quick, fast, efficient and incredibly responsive. Every single email was replied to in a matter of minutes. Every single request I made was met with a positive response. Once the petition reached the Auckland consulate, they work at such a high speed that it really is up to the beneficiary to gather all the documents and be ready for the interview.

In my case now, with the benefit of hindsight, I can categorically say that I was already approved even before the interview. I was not asked to show any evidence at all. Not a single question was probing in nature. They were all fact based, nothing very special. It was essentially a dream interview for every K1 beneficiary.

The way Auckland consulate works is also pretty unique. The way they collect the documents from you well in advance essentially puts them in a position to take a decision on your visa beforehand. At least that is the impression I got and if anybody read the previous reviews at Auckland it would be clear.

Overall it was an extraordinarily painless experience.

I want to take this opportunity to thank everybody at VJ for their support, advice and the moral strength they gave me.

The process took me exactly 8 months from start to finish. I consider myself really lucky. There was not a single hiccup. Not a single aberration. Everything went really smooth especially since the time the petition reached the Auckland consulate.

I wish all those people waiting for their NOA2's and interviews very best.

For VJ'ers from Auckland, as long as your relationship is genuine and have all the documentation, there is really nothing to be worried about.

Cheers.

We got our NOA 2 today... no email or text ... but on checking the USCIS website... 258 days after NOA 1!!!!!! Thank you Lord... am very very happy!

I'm the beneficiary of an I-129 F visa process (August filer - 256 days and still waiting) ... I'm wondering if I have a choice about going for permanent residency or citizenship. I would like to keep my status from NZ as I am hopeful we may come here to retire... one day.... anyone out there know about this or able to direct me?
Many thanks in advance for any thoughts...
(Really hoping CSC continues to push the approvals out till they have caught up!)

I got an email stating:
"On April 13, 2013, we mailed a notice requesting evidence/information for this case to you or your representative."

We are now waiting for the hard copy to turn up to see what we need.....but today I got another email stating:
"On April 19, 2013, we mailed a notice requesting additional evidence or information in this case I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)."

Does anyone know if this will be 2 separate RFE's coming our way?

We finally received our NOA2 today! My fiancé had contacted his congressman twice, and we were literally looking up other options (eg he moves to
NZ for a while) when we got our notice!

Hi there,

Just thought I'd let everyone know about my experience with getting a passport using the passport agency emergency walk in (San Francisco office).

I made an appointment for April 1. We went in at the allotted time, passed through security and waited about 20 minutes. I went up to the counter where the woman took the filled out application, passport photo, my naturalization certificate and checked our tickets that were for booked for April 13.

She verified my application, checking everything matched. My second ID (military ID) name didn't match my naturalization certificate as I chose to change to my married name at the oath. That was fine - she made a note on my paperwork and everything was fine. She then took the payment and said that it would be ready for pick up on April 3 at 12pm.

We went in on April 3 at 3pm (the second phase available for pick up). There was a line waiting, but we managed to avoid it as the security guard recognised us from Monday. We took the lift up and waited in line for about 10 minutes. The man checked my ID and gave me my passport, which was all accurate and in my married name.

Nothing to worry about and all went smoothly, apart from the fact we had to go into the city twice and parking there was ridiculous! We ended up going with the parking two buildings down from Hawthorne Street, which was $2.50 every 15 minutes.

Heya Good day from New Zealand . I would like to ask some questions pertaining to issuance of K2 visa. Hopefully , there are members here who have children and were issued K2s.

1. As soon as K1 visa is issued. Do you get the same date of issuance for K2 visa ?
2. Do your children get interviewed as well. My sons are 17 years and 13 years old.
3. When you enter the U.S. and I eventually marry within the few weeks, what happens to the status of my children who have K2 visas. I heard about conditional residency ? What does this exactly mean to them ?
4. Related to 3) . Does conditional residency mean that they can enter school as a local student or do they still need to establish physical residency for at least a year or so . We are looking to migrate to California.
5. Is there anything that you want to add that I need to be mindful with regards to issuance of K2 visa for my children ?

K1 visa questions
1. Can someone post some example of questions being asked at the embassy to obtain a K1 visa

Thanks in advance for your time and support.

Regards.

Hi Igor
I'm wondering how you go about deciding the date that you determine that the Service Centres are working from? I have been 'burnt' by the July 18th date that CSC keeps declaing... But now don't want to doubt everything!

Also... Many of this register ahead of me (I am an August filer) have not signed in for well over 6 months... Which makes me wonder how their not updating their timeline may askew the stats on VJ.....

Last... How do you make the little ticker thin gee display on your posts. Guys??? I am ticker challenged

Am on hold to a tier 2 rep

the first one I talked to seemed surprised I knew about the files being damaged, asked how I found that information!

Greetings,

I am on hold waiting for a tier 2 rep at USCIS. I asked the rep if it was true files were destroyed, and he said "Some files were, where did you learn that information" as if I wasn't supposed to know.