Wedding in April 1st NOA recieved yesterday

[gnralph 0]

Hi Another member from Ireland here, I was in the exact same position as you, filed everything correctly and booked my wedding for September of this year, parents had booked flights etc. After coming to this forum and realizing just how long everything could take i made the reluctant decision to move my wedding back to May of next year.

Although it was a painful decision at the time and I ended up having to refund my parents it was def that smarter move rather then overruniing my own wedding and losing thousands. Most venues will let you pick a later date at no additional cost if you do it early. Having any sort of ceremony that looks like a wedding puts you at great risk of getting denied for K1, my advice, bite the bullet and move it like i did. Later down the line when everything is finalized youl thank your self for doing it all now while you have the chance.

Jaysus she'll go mad!!! Thanks though for the advice and the very best of luck to you and everyone else

[Joenguyen 0]

Help help help pls!

hello, i dont know how to post the question in this site. I can't see where to post, only can grab this " reply to this post". Can you pls tell me where to post to ask about K1 or pls share my post on forum: My fiancee got NOA1 since 27, Nov, 2013. 14th, Feb, our status changed like this " your appeal was dismissed....." My fiancee called to agents or someone working on K1 visa and they said that they made error and they sent him a letter on 1, Mar, 2014. In the letter said, they will update our status within next 60 days. But now 90 days passed but nothing happened, our status still keep same " appeal was dismissed ...", My fiancee called agents but what he gotwere the answers like this wait and soon, everything is still in the process and that is normal. 6 months passed and no reply. We are first time of K1 visa. Pls what we can do now. Help us. He applied to Dallas. Any help or advice appreciated.

[Enigma23 68]

Just another thought.. and it has npot yet been brought up.. so I thought I'd give a Puppy to you... (jajaj SofiaIsabella)

I'm not sure if it's connected in the system via the VWP system or not.. but when my Fiance applied for a Tourist Visa (Dominican Rep.) he was denied in under 2 minutes because we already had our K-1 on file. They did not care the reasons, the logic, the notarized letters... NOTHING. Flat out denial due to exiting K-1.

Can I travel to the U.S. for business or pleasure while my K fiancé/fiancée visa is pending?

You can travel however you may be subject to scrutiny. Travel under another visa status or the visa waiver program is not advised for K-1 fiancé/fiancée visa applicants prior to the approval of their K visa as they have already indicated their intention is to marry in the U.S. For more information about Nonimmigrant visa for a fiancé (e) K visa visit Travel.state.gov.

You can see more here:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1247/~/travel-while-k-1-fiance%2Ffiancee-visa-pending

Edited May 29, 2014 by Enigma23

[Enigma23 68]

Help help help pls!

hello, i dont know how to post the question in this site. I can't see where to post, only can grab this " reply to this post". Can you pls tell me where to post to ask about K1 or pls share my post on forum: My fiancee got NOA1 since 27, Nov, 2013. 14th, Feb, our status changed like this " your appeal was dismissed....." My fiancee called to agents or someone working on K1 visa and they said that they made error and they sent him a letter on 1, Mar, 2014. In the letter said, they will update our status within next 60 days. But now 90 days passed but nothing happened, our status still keep same " appeal was dismissed ...", My fiancee called agents but what he gotwere the answers like this wait and soon, everything is still in the process and that is normal. 6 months passed and no reply. We are first time of K1 visa. Pls what we can do now. Help us. He applied to Dallas. Any help or advice appreciated.

Hi!! To start a New Topic go to the Thread you want to ask the question in. Then look at the black banner at the top and find the "View new Content" link look pretty much straight down about an inch or two and you should see a blue button labeled "Start New Topic" Click it and fill in the subject line, etc.

Here a video to show you how..

http://www.visajourn...t-new-topic.htm

Also one for making Signatures, etc.

http://www.visajourn...g-signature.htm

These are from the New Members Guide found here:

http://www.visajourn...tent/newmembers

I hope this helps!!

Edited May 29, 2014 by Enigma23

[kehills 217]

gnralph, just to give you some perspective from someone whose case moved so fast we had to ask for a four month extension, our timeline would barely fit inside your seven month frame. We had absolutely zero problems; no RFEs, quickly received our NOA2 once we moved service centers, etc. We filed in April 2013, and if we had stuck to the original timeline, my husband would have interviewed some time in October or November for his K1 VISA; it took approximately two weeks to receive everything after the interview. So a November wedding would have been virtually impossible.

There's a reason that they say, on all communication and all advice, that you should not make plans, book venues, etc, until after the VISA is in hand. There are no guarantees. (And in fact, my husband was quizzed on that at his interview, and he even told them "well, we're going to get married within 90 days of my entering the country after we get the VISA. We hope for that to be the first week of April, but we're not going to make any firm plans until we have the VISA in hand." He was told by the Consulate officer that this was the 'right' answer, and they couldn't believe the number of times people made huge and elaborate plans, only to have those plans shot down in interview.)

As others have noted, you really need to re-examine your plans to leave the country for work almost immediately after getting married, as well. You should compare the K1 and CR1 timelines and processes, and what they allow and don't allow, and then consider what is the right VISA process for you. At the moment, it sounds like you really don't understand the timelines, limitations, and benefits of the two separate VISAs. You should become intimately familiar with them... and then yes, if you intend to pursue the K1 VISA, it would be best to change your plans while it's likely that venue, caterers, and people's airline tickets, can be easily changed with little problem.

[gnralph 0]

Just another thought.. and it has npot yet been brought up.. so I thought I'd give a Puppy to you... (jajaj SofiaIsabella)

I'm not sure if it's connected in the system via the VWP system or not.. but when my Fiance applied for a Tourist Visa (Dominican Rep.) he was denied in under 2 minutes because we already had our K-1 on file. They did not care the reasons, the logic, the notarized letters... NOTHING. Flat out denial due to exiting K-1.

Can I travel to the U.S. for business or pleasure while my K fiancé/fiancée visa is pending?

You can travel however you may be subject to scrutiny. Travel under another visa status or the visa waiver program is not advised for K-1 fiancé/fiancée visa applicants prior to the approval of their K visa as they have already indicated their intention is to marry in the U.S. For more information about Nonimmigrant visa for a fiancé (e) K visa visit Travel.state.gov.

You can see more here:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1247/~/travel-while-k-1-fiance%2Ffiancee-visa-pending

Ah jaysus there's more!?

I had an approved L1 visa before, I think it is actually still valid, and I applied for the VWP. Why you might ask? reason was that I was not travelling there to work I was travelling to visit my fiancee. I had no problems.

I know that the K1 is a totally different .....

good thread here on it...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/333134-can-my-fiance-travel-to-us-for-holidays-while-waiting-for-the-k1-visa/

[gnralph 0]

gnralph, just to give you some perspective from someone whose case moved so fast we had to ask for a four month extension, our timeline would barely fit inside your seven month frame. We had absolutely zero problems; no RFEs, quickly received our NOA2 once we moved service centers, etc. We filed in April 2013, and if we had stuck to the original timeline, my husband would have interviewed some time in October or November for his K1 VISA; it took approximately two weeks to receive everything after the interview. So a November wedding would have been virtually impossible.

There's a reason that they say, on all communication and all advice, that you should not make plans, book venues, etc, until after the VISA is in hand. There are no guarantees. (And in fact, my husband was quizzed on that at his interview, and he even told them "well, we're going to get married within 90 days of my entering the country after we get the VISA. We hope for that to be the first week of April, but we're not going to make any firm plans until we have the VISA in hand." He was told by the Consulate officer that this was the 'right' answer, and they couldn't believe the number of times people made huge and elaborate plans, only to have those plans shot down in interview.)

As others have noted, you really need to re-examine your plans to leave the country for work almost immediately after getting married, as well. You should compare the K1 and CR1 timelines and processes, and what they allow and don't allow, and then consider what is the right VISA process for you. At the moment, it sounds like you really don't understand the timelines, limitations, and benefits of the two separate VISAs. You should become intimately familiar with them... and then yes, if you intend to pursue the K1 VISA, it would be best to change your plans while it's likely that venue, caterers, and people's airline tickets, can be easily changed with little problem.

Very well written. I'll talk to the boss(future wife, yes i've surrendered already!) and see what way she wants to do this

• postpone the wedding
• travel to the US in November just for a vacation - no party/ceremony/anything that can be remotely considered as a wedding
• return home and wait on the K1
• travel on the K1 sometime in the new year for the wedding

or

• cancel the K1
• get married on the visa waiver program
• return home
• start the CR1 process

other option is getting a job over there where a company will sponsor me long shot though....

[k.dlg 300]

Thanks for all the help, advice and stories folks. Really appreciate it.

I guess i'll have to hope and pray it comes through on time, however unlikely that is.

if it not there on time

• i'll head over in November for two weeks on the VWP, have an engagement party and return home
• when the visa does come through i'll head over and get married

or

• head over on the VWP(im a bit iffy about this-any ideas??) and get married
• return home and apply for CR1

i'm extremely reluctant to post the November event as my fiance and both families will be gutted

Wow. A lot of people have been pretty judgmental on here and for that, I apologize. Not everyone was lucky enough to find VJ before they started this process, and I was one of them.

I was in your shoes. We had thousands of dollars on the line for a wedding the end of July 2013, and from looking at processing times back in late 2012 on various other sites for a complete petition to visa timeline, it looked pretty feasible to apply in January and be set to go by the end of July. Same timeline as you - 7 months. Well, as you can see in my signature, that didn't work out too well for us, and we had to forget the K1 and we got married anyway and then reapplied for a CR-1 (so far with no problems! *fingers crossed*) and essentially start all over again.

My husband came over on the VWP and brought sufficient evidence proving he would go back to the UK after the wedding, and was prepared to tell the truth about getting married if asked, but luckily, he had no problems coming through. My advice is go with your second plan if your K1 doesn't come in time. And lucky you, the processing times are dramatically faster than they were when we applied. Yes, it would be gut wrenching to spend practically the entire first year of your marriage apart, but alas, we're almost towards the end of this process since we started with the K1 in Jan 2013 and filed a CR-1 in Sept 2013.

Keep shooting for your original date, but be ready to change plans if you don't get approved through USCIS within the next few months. Wishing you the best of luck. I wouldn't wish what happened to us on anyone.

[cherylwasim 1]

Many here are correct that there is no way to cement in stone the timeline as there are many variables throughout the process. I took an approach to my visa process where I sent all the information that was required in an organized tabbed folder. I submitted multiple different documents of proof for each requirement instead of only one in order to erase any doubt and have the process go faster. I kept in contact through emails and calls continually. If you do the same will you get the same timeline??... maybe yes maybe NO... that answer can not be guaranteed, but it will help. From filing to interview day it has taken us 2 months. Don't buy any non-refundable tickets. Best to wait until visa in hand. It also depends on the consulate. Again MANY variables. 5-30-2014 is our Interview and we are very excited and nervous, however we are optimistic as this is a real relationship that we are so in love. I wish all the best of luck on this forum also!! And thank you for all the positive comments and feedback!! I will be updating our section tomorrow also.

[kehills 217]

Re: travel on the VWP, gnralph, we did it. A lot. My fiancé visited in March 2013 for two weeks (formally engaged), and then came back in both September (3 weeks) and December 2013*. The December visit was for almost six weeks. However, he made sure that along with having his passport handy, he had his copy of wherever we were in the petition process, and:

• a letter, on appropriate letterhead, from his boss indicating his vacation date approvals and when he was expected back at work, what his project was, and when it was expected to end, along with professional and personal contact information for on-the-spot verification;

• a copy of his lease;

• car ownership and registration information;

• return ticket to Australia;

• photocopies of the various plane tickets and hotels for events he was attending in Australia (professional conferences, weddings, etc);

• bank statements, utility bills, etc.

In other words, he went overboard showing that he still had ties to and a life in Australia that would guarantee he was leaving the US, rather than entering with intent to immigrate ahead of the K1 VISA.

He was never asked for this information, but we felt that it was better to be prepared in case they did ask than risk him being turned away because he just had to reassure them he was going to return, honest.

(* I visited him in June. Which makes 9 trans-Pacific flights between the two of us in a year, and probably indicates some level of insanity on our part. ...okay, 7 were his. Insanity on his part.)

[Snag 57]

Very well written. I'll talk to the boss(future wife, yes i've surrendered already!) and see what way she wants to do this

In case you didn't know, you can't get your case expedited.

(Sorry, I saw about three pages of those posts I had to join in).

Better to communicate now than, say, a month before the ceremony/party because the risks were taken. I think I'd be devastated then, rather than just disappointed and frustrated in the now. I'm afraid if the "boss" doesn't much like it, then there's not much else that can be done. There are going to be frustrations on this journey - whether that be delays, more paperwork (AOS), or just being away from one another for months at a time. It's hard. Only District 12 really ever survives.

[gnralph 0]

Wow. A lot of people have been pretty judgmental on here and for that, I apologize. Not everyone was lucky enough to find VJ before they started this process, and I was one of them.

Ridiculous isn't it!? Thanks for your story, it helps to hear other peoples experiences. No one is flawless and I am definately more flawed at this than most!! but I'm learning thanks to you all!

Best of luck to you and yours

Many here are correct that there is no way to cement in stone the timeline as there are many variables throughout the process.

Very hard to plan anything. Best of luck with the interview!!

Re: travel on the VWP, gnralph, we did it. A lot. My fiancé visited in March 2013 for two weeks (formally engaged), and then came back in both September (3 weeks) and December 2013*. The December visit was for almost six weeks. However, he made sure that along with having his passport handy, he had his copy of wherever we were in the petition process, and:

• a letter, on appropriate letterhead, from his boss indicating his vacation date approvals and when he was expected back at work, what his project was, and when it was expected to end, along with professional and personal contact information for on-the-spot verification;

• a copy of his lease;

• car ownership and registration information;

• return ticket to Australia;

• photocopies of the various plane tickets and hotels for events he was attending in Australia (professional conferences, weddings, etc);

• bank statements, utility bills, etc.

In other words, he went overboard showing that he still had ties to and a life in Australia that would guarantee he was leaving the US, rather than entering with intent to immigrate ahead of the K1 VISA.

He was never asked for this information, but we felt that it was better to be prepared in case they did ask than risk him being turned away because he just had to reassure them he was going to return, honest.

(* I visited him in June. Which makes 9 trans-Pacific flights between the two of us in a year, and probably indicates some level of insanity on our part. ...okay, 7 were his. Insanity on his part.)

You seem like a lovely grounded helpful person so I reckon he is a clever chap!

I'll definitely have all documentation at the ready.

I\'m going to bring my family over to meet the future in-laws anyway in November - Ala Meet the Fockers!

[k.dlg 300]

Ridiculous isn't it!? Thanks for your story, it helps to hear other peoples experiences. No one is flawless and I am definately more flawed at this than most!! but I'm learning thanks to you all!

Best of luck to you and yours

Of course! Hope things work out for the best and that you worried over nothing.

[gnralph 0]

Re: travel on the VWP, gnralph, we did it. A lot. My fiancé visited in March 2013 for two weeks (formally engaged), and then came back in both September (3 weeks) and December 2013*. The December visit was for almost six weeks. However, he made sure that along with having his passport handy, he had his copy of wherever we were in the petition process, and:

• a letter, on appropriate letterhead, from his boss indicating his vacation date approvals and when he was expected back at work, what his project was, and when it was expected to end, along with professional and personal contact information for on-the-spot verification;

• a copy of his lease;

• car ownership and registration information;

• return ticket to Australia;

• photocopies of the various plane tickets and hotels for events he was attending in Australia (professional conferences, weddings, etc);

• bank statements, utility bills, etc.

In other words, he went overboard showing that he still had ties to and a life in Australia that would guarantee he was leaving the US, rather than entering with intent to immigrate ahead of the K1 VISA.

He was never asked for this information, but we felt that it was better to be prepared in case they did ask than risk him being turned away because he just had to reassure them he was going to return, honest.

(* I visited him in June. Which makes 9 trans-Pacific flights between the two of us in a year, and probably indicates some level of insanity on our part. ...okay, 7 were his. Insanity on his part.)

Had emails to and from Border Control which backs up what you are saying

Sent the following to Border control:

Hi

My fiancee has applied for a K1 visa for me. She is a US citizen. My waiver is due to expire in August. I am planning on visiting her in November, hence I will need a new VWP. I have return flights booked. I can get a letter from my job, bank statements, credit card statements, loan statements etc.

I will definitely be returning and definitely will not be getting married under a VWP. I know we have to wait until the K1 is approved before marrying in the US.

Am I ok to travel once I prove that I will be returning and will not be getting marrying under the VWP?

To which the reply was:

Unfortunately, the Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative filed on your behalf reveals that you intend to live permanently in the U.S. at some point in the future. As a result, noncitizens with pending I-130 petitions who want to visit the U.S. face greater scrutiny when applying for a B-2 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate or from Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), if traveling on the VWP. In the worst-case scenario, this means that you could fly all the way to the U.S. only to be turned back by CBP.

This is why it is essential that you bring as much documentation as possible to show that you:

1. have binding ties to your home country that prove that you intend to return

2. plan to stay for only a short time, and

3. can pay for your living expenses during your U.S. trip.

[PallasAthena 101]

Had emails to and from Border Control which backs up what you are saying

Sent the following to Border control:

Hi

My fiancee has applied for a K1 visa for me. She is a US citizen. My waiver is due to expire in August. I am planning on visiting her in November, hence I will need a new VWP. I have return flights booked. I can get a letter from my job, bank statements, credit card statements, loan statements etc.

I will definitely be returning and definitely will not be getting married under a VWP. I know we have to wait until the K1 is approved before marrying in the US.

Am I ok to travel once I prove that I will be returning and will not be getting marrying under the VWP?

To which the reply was:

Unfortunately, the Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative filed on your behalf reveals that you intend to live permanently in the U.S. at some point in the future. As a result, noncitizens with pending I-130 petitions who want to visit the U.S. face greater scrutiny when applying for a B-2 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate or from Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), if traveling on the VWP. In the worst-case scenario, this means that you could fly all the way to the U.S. only to be turned back by CBP.

This is why it is essential that you bring as much documentation as possible to show that you:

1. have binding ties to your home country that prove that you intend to return

2. plan to stay for only a short time, and

3. can pay for your living expenses during your U.S. trip.

Very interesting response. By the way, others on this thread are bringing too much "doom and gloom" to your situation. I would just wait it out and see. Your NOA2 might arrive very soon since you're a K-1 and November is still a way's off. It might be cutting it close but who knows. You might be OK.

Has your fiancée consulted with any immigration attorney for more advice? (Some are expensive but others give a free first time consultation to answer your questions.)