DS-156 question #34

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

oohh ok i understand now what you ment, i took it a different way when i read it and now i understand correctly. but if we have already applyed under 'follow to join' on our DS-230 (sent to the embassy as Packet 3 response for interview date) now our interview is April 14 and i need to send the documents tomorrow for my fiance to receive them before she travels to the embassy, because she has to travel more than a week in advance because of holy week. now i need to fill out the DS-156 and DS-156K, on the DS-156K it asks what we are filing as, Accompany or Follow to Join? i assume Accompany but she is not going to accompany the mother? wont they see something wrong with this. on the DS-156, it asks when and with whom person is traveling; i am filling out 2 DS-156, one for K1 and one for K2 (2 copies each) therefore, what do i put on those questions. on the DS-156 for my fiance it asks with whom person is traveling with, stated NONE. now on the K2, what should i put? myself? and for the when question what do i put?

im sorry for so many questions but i have to finish these tonight so i can send them out tomorrow to my fiance in Colombia...

thank you

I doubt that section matters much but I think they are asking about other aliens and not a USC.... If you put accompany and the K-2 travels 4 mos. later, I doubt it matters.... If you put Follow to Join, but they travel together, no harm no foul. The only restriction I think I have possibly heard is that the K-1 must travel and enter either first or concurrently with the K-2.

I concur, from our experience. The USC does not list himself as "accompanying" the visa holder. I am not sure about the last item, but I believe it is correct. I cannot give any personal experience.

Omar, I think you have no worries about whether someone comes later or with your fiancee, and you can always clarify that at the interview anyway, people DO change their minds. The concern I see for you is trying to closely co-ordinate things with people that really don't care and operate on their own schedule. I hope you can pull it all off as best as you can.

[payxibka 10,048]

That's what I read also. I believe there was the common misconception about "visa application" which is what occurs at the consulate, not the I-129f.

In our case we did not "apply" for our older sons visa with my wife's. He will "apply" for that in June, 10 months after my wifes was issued, and it will be valid for 6 months. In our case "extending" his entry by up to 16 months. However, because it is a K-2, pursuant to a K-1, my wife MUST attend the interview and show that she has met the terms of her visa, i.e. got married and filed for AOS and must bring our marriage certificate, AOS approval letter and her green card. This is why I said if your daighter did a "follow a join" it would have to be your fiancee that returned to pick her up. Technically not correct, but your fiancee WOULD have to go to the visa application interview, whether your step daughter came back at that time or not. Your step daughter would have 6 months to enter the USA after issuance of her K-2 visa.

In practical terms, if you do a follow to join, it must be done within 12 months but it is difficult to do it in less than 6 months as your fiancee (then wife) cannot leave to go to the interview until she has her GC or an AP, both take about as long to get.

Only caveat I would put on Gary's post is that he described the process as it is done in Kiev..... Other consulates may or may not do it exactly the same way. You need to check locally. Specifically about the requirement of the "K-1's" required physical presence.

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

That's what I read also. I believe there was the common misconception about "visa application" which is what occurs at the consulate, not the I-129f.

In our case we did not "apply" for our older sons visa with my wife's. He will "apply" for that in June, 10 months after my wifes was issued, and it will be valid for 6 months. In our case "extending" his entry by up to 16 months. However, because it is a K-2, pursuant to a K-1, my wife MUST attend the interview and show that she has met the terms of her visa, i.e. got married and filed for AOS and must bring our marriage certificate, AOS approval letter and her green card. This is why I said if your daighter did a "follow a join" it would have to be your fiancee that returned to pick her up. Technically not correct, but your fiancee WOULD have to go to the visa application interview, whether your step daughter came back at that time or not. Your step daughter would have 6 months to enter the USA after issuance of her K-2 visa.

In practical terms, if you do a follow to join, it must be done within 12 months but it is difficult to do it in less than 6 months as your fiancee (then wife) cannot leave to go to the interview until she has her GC or an AP, both take about as long to get.

Only caveat I would put on Gary's post is that he described the process as it is done in Kiev..... Other consulates may or may not do it exactly the same way. You need to check locally. Specifically about the requirement of the "K-1's" required physical presence.

True enough. The consulate will let you know. I have to say Kiev has been excellent with no foul ups. Outstanding. I call them, give the KEV number and they know exactly what it is about, ask how Alla is doing, know all the names involved and exactly the procedure. No doubt they are looking at a computer screen of our file but at least they can do that! Speaking to them it is clear this is routine and they are well aware of the procedure. Not at all like calling the USCIS here. They sent a reminder letter of what we need, in Kiev anyway the K-2 interview is quite simple, but the letter did state Alla needs to be present (my attendance is optional) and needs to give her marriage cerificate and approval of AOS letter.

[Omar G. 4]

thanks for the help guys, i really appreciate it. in the end im just going to take it easy and not stress it. i think they will give both of them visas because the interview is for both K1 and K2 (both names are stated on the interview letter). on the DS-156 question 34 i put NONE, asking who was she (step daughter) going to travel with. and on the DS-156K i also put Follow to join. i rather this than having one saying Follow to Join and the other Accompany. my fiance is going to verify that the interview is for both and that both will receive visas because we are applying for both visas at the same time. the 6 month time limit isnt an issue, i will be able to pick her up in august and will be under the 6 month time limit. thanks again

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

thanks for the help guys, i really appreciate it. in the end im just going to take it easy and not stress it. i think they will give both of them visas because the interview is for both K1 and K2 (both names are stated on the interview letter). on the DS-156 question 34 i put NONE, asking who was she (step daughter) going to travel with. and on the DS-156K i also put Follow to join. i rather this than having one saying Follow to Join and the other Accompany. my fiance is going to verify that the interview is for both and that both will receive visas because we are applying for both visas at the same time. the 6 month time limit isnt an issue, i will be able to pick her up in august and will be under the 6 month time limit. thanks again

Good luck Omar. I know how difficult it can be to try and coordinate with all the family needs and the governments of TWO countries, and a university, none of whom have any interest in our needs and plans, so I wish you luck. The simpler you can make it the better.