Silly Question

[C and Lore 3]

I'm new to this board. I found it during my endless...tireless search on google looking for info on navigating the maze that is USCIS. I see that many people in their sig.s say they were 'touched' what does that mean?

Also I didn't keep copies of my boarding passes as especially the first year when I visited I didn't know the rigorous requirements of 2 year meeting proof. This most recent trip I travelled with Continental (my favorite airline) whom I'm part of their Onepass program, is an online statement showing I travelled to Argentina and back enough? Or will they ask for more. We also travelled to Seattle, WA, Orlando, Fl, Cleveland,Oh (home), and on a cruise last year while she was here on her J-1. What would be acceptable since I hear on the boards that pictures are only secondary evidence.

Also from people's experiences here, if I file the I-129F in mid December 2010, is it likely she will receive the K-1 visa by June 2011? I want to wait until December because she is getting a B1/B2 visa and will go on a cruise this Decemeber and return to Argentina in February and I dont want her to miss the interview in Buenos Aires because she's still here, since I hear they dont reschedule interviews.

[amykathleen2005 441]

Hello and welcome!

Touched means that the last updated date on the USCIS website for your case has been changed. It might mean that it was moved from the box, or that they did something to your file. It can mean anything really it just shows that someone scanned your file. Some people don't end up getting any updates on the website even though they are approved ( they receive it in the mail) so I wouldn't rely on it.

For the K-1 you just need to prove that you have met at least once in the past two years, not have known each other two years. Do you have any passport stamps showing the visits? Pictures together? Luggage tags? There are many things you can use.

The time it takes for cases varies. 6 months is an average some take much long and some take less. It just depends. Right now USCIS is moving very quickly, but last year when we did our K-1 it was quite slow.

Check out this K-1 Guide, and the K-1 flow chart for more information. Also in your profile you must have mistakenly put in J-1 instead of K-1 visa. Those are two very separate visas and people often look to see what visa you have in your profile to base their advice on. I would suggest changing it to K-1 so you get the proper advice.

Good luck!

Edited September 2, 2010 by amykathleen2005

[Amyyduck 20]

C and Lore,

Welcome! I'm going to repeat what AmyKathleen said and advise you to read the guides, its great advice! The FAQ's are really helpful as well I've found. The search function is slightly less helpful because its often way too difficult to sift through all the results to find something useful and relevant but it doesn't hurt to give it a try. You probably could have found the answer to your question about touches by searching. I know that one gets asked about every other day.

As for not having boarding passes, you'll be okay without them if you can come up with some other forms of primary evidence. Passport stamps are probably the best (with the exception of people from Canada). Pictures are secondary evidence only, but they're helpful for backing up your primary evidence.

It's highly unlikely (though with this process, nothing is impossible) that if you filed in December she'd get her interview scheduled for February, so I think you'll probably be pretty safe doing that. Some people get their visas issued in as short as 90 days, for others it can take over a year or more. No one really knows why.

Best of luck to you on your journey!

[bobby_kvisa 7]

Passport stamps are good enough.

Do you have any proof of payment for the air tickets? Like a receipt for the flight purchase, maybe even a transaction on your credit card statement?

That can help but honestly it is not required - just an idea so you can understand what types of proofs can be used.

Again, your passport stamps are good enough proof - the USCIS and the Consulate both seem to honor this type of evidence.

[C and Lore 3]

Sorry, I just changed to J-1. I thought it referred to what her most recent status was which was J-1 last year. But what we are filing for is the K-1.

I also heard that its very frowned upon for people to get married while in the country on a B1/B2. Does anyone have any experience on this?

Thanks for the help on the guides. I'll definitely go through them in detail at home tonight!

[amykathleen2005 441]

You cannot come into the country, marry and intend to stay on visa that is not the K-1. If you did want to marry while in America you could get married and then file for the CR-1 which is a spousal visa. You're wife would have to go back to her home country in order to interview for such a visa (much like the K-1). If she is already here and you just decided to get married (with no intention of doing so when she arrived) then you can marry and adjust status now.

Also if she is a J-1 currently make sure she does not have any home residency requirements. Some of those visas require the bearer to stay in their home country for 2 years following the visa (this can be waived later). It should say on the visa or in the paperwork.

Edited September 2, 2010 by amykathleen2005

[C and Lore 3]

I'm relatively sure she has no home residency requirement, but I'll have her check.