Putting K1 on hold at packet 3

[lwsx 0]

Hi all,

My fiancee received packet3 last week, and has not submitted the required documents yet since it would take some time to gather her interview documents. The question I have is, Does packet 3 have a due date? How long can we hold off sending in packet 3 documents? Or is there a process that lets us put the K1 petition on hold and resume at a later time?

now for a bit of ranting....

The problem we have right now is her anxiety about living in the States. 3 to 6+ months of no employement, or minimum wage employment is an unpleasant state of living, and she does not feel I make enough (~28k in NY) to support the both of us for this time period. She is partly right in that even with a 2nd job (if I can get one), I'd be a few hundred short each month. My family providing some financial help for a short time period does not ease her concerns.

I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. Landing a job that pays say $2700 a month take home would solve my financial problems - but with the job market being the way it is.... I can't just say everything will be peachy - I know I'd need to get a better job, but I want to cautious about making dreamy claims that may not pan out.

She has a decent job in China, and somewhat of a good living. Without a quick solution to my financial situation, or making unrealistic promises, she's concerned about being unhappy and me having too much of a burden in my current situation. I can not in all honesty ask her to give up what she has for a chance to be unhappy. So it's her decision whether she wants to take the risk of coming here.

That's where we are now, and putting off the K1 petition until we sort things out. If anyone has some advice, or story of hardship, I'd like to hear it. It'd certainly take some stress off.

thanks

[andy1974 0]

"The problem we have right now is her anxiety about living in the States." - same here brother. In my case she is afraid to leave her family behind. I have to encourage her everyday and start doing the papers on my side anyway. I would also wish to know how long they wait for package 3 to send back to them.

[lwsx 0]

"The problem we have right now is her anxiety about living in the States." - same here brother. In my case she is afraid to leave her family behind. I have to encourage her everyday and start doing the papers on my side anyway. I would also wish to know how long they wait for package 3 to send back to them.

My fiancee's parents are pretty worried about her coming here without being able to own a home beforehand.

what i can't wrap my head around, even being Chinese, is that her parents (and majority of families in China) expect real estate ownership as a marriage requirement. Her parents see home ownership as a mean of providing a stable living environement, and it should be obtained before the marriage. Renting is looked down upon as if you're a nomad with no permanet roots, a step above being homeless. I know that's how things work there, but it seems backwards here if you presently have limited means like me.

I emailed GZ about the timeframe, hopefully they'll reply by early next week. They've been picking up the pace, it seems. Just when things could go smoothly, I may mot be able to benefit from it.

[L&V 1]

I don't know how the US Consulate in China do business, but from my experience...

First thing to check is the validity date on your NOA2. She must be interviewed and have the visa issued within the validity of your petition. If you think the process will run past that validity end date, make sure you request for an extension - even 6 weeks before it expires.

Secondly, there's no real deadline for returning p3 information. But usually they want certain document ASAP. Follow their instructions.

Edited July 24, 2010 by L&V

[lwsx 0]

I don't know how the US Consulate in China do business, but from my experience...

First thing to check is the validity date on your NOA2. The interview must be scheduled by the end of that validity date. If you think the process will run past that validity end date, make sure you request for an extension.

Thanks, I guess I should've checked NOAs before I asked.

[lesleysizeland 0]

Hi all,

My fiancee received packet3 last week, and has not submitted the required documents yet since it would take some time to gather her interview documents. The question I have is, Does packet 3 have a due date? How long can we hold off sending in packet 3 documents? Or is there a process that lets us put the K1 petition on hold and resume at a later time?

now for a bit of ranting....

The problem we have right now is her anxiety about living in the States. 3 to 6+ months of no employement, or minimum wage employment is an unpleasant state of living, and she does not feel I make enough (~28k in NY) to support the both of us for this time period. She is partly right in that even with a 2nd job (if I can get one), I'd be a few hundred short each month. My family providing some financial help for a short time period does not ease her concerns.

I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. Landing a job that pays say $2700 a month take home would solve my financial problems - but with the job market being the way it is.... I can't just say everything will be peachy - I know I'd need to get a better job, but I want to cautious about making dreamy claims that may not pan out.

She has a decent job in China, and somewhat of a good living. Without a quick solution to my financial situation, or making unrealistic promises, she's concerned about being unhappy and me having too much of a burden in my current situation. I can not in all honesty ask her to give up what she has for a chance to be unhappy. So it's her decision whether she wants to take the risk of coming here.

That's where we are now, and putting off the K1 petition until we sort things out. If anyone has some advice, or story of hardship, I'd like to hear it. It'd certainly take some stress off.

thanks

You have 4 months (in England) to complete the I-129f process but you can apply for an extension. There is no 'time limit' in which you need to return the packet 3 as long as you are within the 4 months otherwise you will need to ask for an extension. Check what the process is for China.

Can she not start putting some money away so she has extra for when she gets to the States, that's what i did? I am the fiancee who moved from England and i have been in America for 4 weeks now. My fiance and I are due to get married in Sept. I am not going to lie to you, i have been very lonely, my mind is not stimulated as it would have been if i had been working and my fiance and I have argued but would i pack up my stuff and leave him.......No! There is no denying that to begin with she will be lonely, sad that she left her friends and family and yeah, there are money worries but you guys can make it.

Start getting all of the docs you need for your Packet 3, maybe even send back all the forms except the IV-15 (Checklist) as this is the piece of paperwork that says 'I am ready for the interview'. My fiance and I did this, our visa journey happened a little quicker than we thought so we held on to packet 3 for a while so we would have the visa at a time that would allow us to have our Sept wedding.

I hope she realises that you guys can make it and the money issues and loneliness is only temporary, good luck!

Lesley

Edited July 24, 2010 by lesleysizeland

[JimVaPhuong 4,865]

Most consulates will automatically extend the validity of the petition if the delay is their fault. They may allow the validity of the petition to expire if the delay is the beneficiary's fault. However, in that case, they will usually extend the validity of the petition in 4 months increments at the request of the petitioner or beneficiary. There is usually a limit to how long they will continue to extend the petition. One year is typical.

Many consulates will accept the request in almost any form. They just want some confirmation that the beneficiary is still intending to submit a visa application. Send them an email explaining that you need some additional time, and asking that the validity of the petition be extended. If they want a written request they'll usually let you know.

[lwsx 0]

Lesley, Jim thanks for the information. I'll check my NOA2 to see how much time I have.

Lesley, my fiancee's anxiety is like yours - she's worried about not having enough money the first few months, not being able to go out and eat once in a while, new cloths, etc. And not having work would add to her anxiety and loneliness. In her view, she'd become a burden, and getting some help from family to cover a shortage for a few months is illogical to her. For her it's not just family that she's leaving behind - a decent job, comfortable lifestyle, etc. She'd have to leave all of that behind and trade for a miserable 6 months or so. Her concerns now is beyond whatever money she would save to help with getting through things.

Have you been able to find work yet? Before you left England, were you prepared for the period when you couldn't find work? Was there anything, besides your fiance & hope, that helped you decide to take the leap (of faith, of sorts)?

[Mark-2010 0]

what is inside the latest P3?

[lwsx 0]

what is inside the latest P3?

from GUZ, the forms are out of date. DS230's list of documents to send back didn't list copy of passport bio page, and the fee is $170. GUZ's website has June '10 version of DS230 - forms & packets are here. if you look around enough, you'd find the update fee ($355?) on the site.

Had my fiance not go over the list & fees with me, she'd have prepared the documents w/o the passport copy & $170 instead of $355

[lesleysizeland 0]

Lesley, Jim thanks for the information. I'll check my NOA2 to see how much time I have.

Lesley, my fiancee's anxiety is like yours - she's worried about not having enough money the first few months, not being able to go out and eat once in a while, new cloths, etc. And not having work would add to her anxiety and loneliness. In her view, she'd become a burden, and getting some help from family to cover a shortage for a few months is illogical to her. For her it's not just family that she's leaving behind - a decent job, comfortable lifestyle, etc. She'd have to leave all of that behind and trade for a miserable 6 months or so. Her concerns now is beyond whatever money she would save to help with getting through things.

Have you been able to find work yet? Before you left England, were you prepared for the period when you couldn't find work? Was there anything, besides your fiance & hope, that helped you decide to take the leap (of faith, of sorts)?

Hi

I have not found work yet due to not getting married until Sept so i still have a few months. Um i was prepared for the period of time that i would be out of work but it is different when you get here, its not always what you expect. For me, i have been saving and saving and saving so that most (if not all) the wedding has been paid off, i made sure all my credit cards etc were paid off, i sold my car (used most the money for credit cards, rest into the bank account for wedding/extra cash), hmmm i tried to make sure that i wasn't going to become a 'burden' to my fiance, so to speak. But really, am i a burden? He wanted me in the States to be with him as much as i wanted it (to be with him).

Now, when i got to the States nothing prepared me for the immense loneliness i felt (still feel), i too gave up a great job, my car, friends, family, the choice to buy what i want, when i want. I always thought i would get here, volunteer, make friends, be able to get around etc but it has not exactly been like that. I do not have a car and right now we cannot afford to buy a car and Patrick needs our car for work so therefore i cant get to the volunteer placements, i sit by the pool on my own most days NOT meeting anyone! I have joined groups to meet people in OKC so fingers crossed. My SSN number is gonna take 4-6 weeks and without that Patrick's bank will not let me be added to the bank account (so i have to ask him for money which i HATE).

Honestly, i am in Oklahoma, you guys are in NYC. She will be able to use the Subway to get around, therefore being able to be independent still (to a degree, there is so much always going on in NYC so hopefully she will be able to make friends easy enough. Patrick is also new to OKC so he has not made many friends yet, i think if he had been here longer and knew more people i would have been able to make friends with his friends and their partners etc. Will your girl be able to afford new clothes straight away, probably not but to me, if she truly loves you then this is not a massive issue. Give it 3-6 months, she will be able to work, will be able to afford the things she wants.

What made me take the leap.....My fiance, my love for my fiance, the thought that if i did not do this i would spend the rest of my life without my fiance. He is my best friend and we just have a blast together. Would i have given up my friends, family, car, job etc to come to OKC and not work for 3-6 months if it wasn't for Patrick.......HELL NO! But as they say love conquers all. Tell your girl that yes it is going to be tough to begin with and yes it is scary but just make sure that you go that extra mile to make her feel comfortable and not so lonely (if you can).

I really hope she realises that she wants you more than anything and even if you guys have to go without a few luxuries for a couple of months then this is completely worth it as long as you are together.

Any questions/concerns please feel free to email me. If you fiancee wants to ask any questions to help her make her decision let me know and i will give you my personal email.

Lesley

[MRStee 19]

Lesley, first of all congrats to you for your bravery and love for Patrick. This process is definitely not easy. My husband came from Jamaica and yes in a sense he was a "burden" on me, but I didn't even care because I love him. He came to the US on 11/2009. We married 12/2009 and the very first job he applied for he got it on 7/2010. It's a good one I might add. A couple things that helped him when he was "sitting" at home is that I have teenage kids, who would take time to show him around the neighborhood. They would literally go by foot and just venture all over. The second thing that helped him is that over in the Yardie forum, we are a pretty strong group. I started having small 'link-ups' as we like to call them. I wanted my husband to see that he wasn't the only one going through some issues. It also gave him a chance to speak to other Jamaican men in his position. Some of them live close and they've actually become friends. I also made sure to find Jamaican markets so that he could have some products from his homeland. Since we live on the outskirts of Philly, we would travel to NJ, DE, MD, VA, NYC by car. The first night he arrived we stayed in AC for a total of like 50.00. (cost of the room, gas, tolls and breakfast, we ate dinner at home before we left) Hubby has been to about six states since arriving. Do we have money like that no, but my theory was as long as we had gas, tolls, cheap fast food, and our LOVE lol we could do it.

It helps tremendously when the petitoner can find things for their spouses to do. Projects around the house, taking walks (if possible) around

the neighborhood to get familiar where stores are, asking family members to pick them up and take them places with them. Things of that nature. It shows you care about them being lonely at home and it also gives them something to do and a sense of accomplishment.

I wish you all the best of luck on your journies.

Edited July 24, 2010 by MRStee

[Mark-2010 0]

from GUZ, the forms are out of date. DS230's list of documents to send back didn't list copy of passport bio page, and the fee is $170. GUZ's website has June '10 version of DS230 - forms & packets are here. if you look around enough, you'd find the update fee ($355?) on the site.

Had my fiance not go over the list & fees with me, she'd have prepared the documents w/o the passport copy & $170 instead of $355

I got my P3 this morning.

BTW, when should I pay for the visa fee?

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

from GUZ, the forms are out of date. DS230's list of documents to send back didn't list copy of passport bio page, and the fee is $170. GUZ's website has June '10 version of DS230 - forms & packets are here. if you look around enough, you'd find the update fee ($355?) on the site.

Had my fiance not go over the list & fees with me, she'd have prepared the documents w/o the passport copy & $170 instead of $355

When did they start using DS-230 for K-1 Visas?

[lwsx 0]

I got my P3 this morning.

BTW, when should I pay for the visa fee?

That's great! Get the latest version of OF-169 & DS-230 from GUZ's website, just in case. You need the reciept for the fee from CITIC Bank at the interview. So anytime before the interview at your convenience I guess. I emailed the embassy how much the $350 fee is in RMB, but they didn't answer that question, just said to follow the instructions on the website.

weird, the site still has the old Dec 09 form cached.

The link for OF-169 June 10 is http://photos.state.gov/libraries/guangzhou/47024/K%20p3/K%20Instruction%20-Jun_%2010.pdf

When did they start using DS-230 for K-1 Visas?

at least since May, when I started looking for packet3 information.