-
America's Largest Immigration Community!
Free US immigration self-help guides, example forms, community discussion, case tracking & estimated approval dates!
Community Discussion
Country Specific Help
Immigration Guides
Immigration Timelines
Approval Estimates
Professional Help
AS SEEN:
Latest VisaJourney Member Visa Approvals!
- How to Use VisaJourney ❯ Join Today for Free!
Who are we? For over 20 years, VisaJourney has been your one-stop immigration community for Work, Student and Family Visas (K1 & IR1 Visas), Green Cards, US Citizenship, DACA, the Diversity Lottery and all other topics. Share your experiences and relax -- you are not alone!
Trending Immigration DiscussionsTopic Popularity Poster #1 Will it look bad if I don't go with Dina to biometrics
Green Card Discussion- 
DinaBill#2 10 year green card and secondary inspection
Work and Travel Discussion- 
Meganmaroni#3 Bona Fide Evidence for Visa Appointment
IR1/CR1 Visa Discussion- 
KMG#4 Sponsoring my child to come to the US
US Citizen Family Discussion- Sonata Arctica#5 DS-160 Passport Issuing Country Mistake
Embassy Discussion- 
Mays91
Community Spotlight
PSA: If entering the USA 2 years after marriage, kindly remind the immigration officer of this
spicynujac posted a topic in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures,
When we last entered the US, our immigration officer said "Oh, hmm I wonder if I could go ahead and change you an IR-1." The agent right next to him said "Yes, you can do that" and he acted surprised. His comments made it pretty clear he was going to erroneously issue us a CR-1 and he seemed to not even know he could change the visa status until his coworker advised him (THANK GOODNESS she overheard!). I don't know how onerous the process is to correct such an oversight but I'm glad we didn't have to find out!
Just wanted to pass this along in the hopes it saves someone from any problems with the wrong stamp being placed in the passport, as I've read about here before.... I would kindly remind the officer "We married >2 years ago. We can enter with an IR-1 visa now right?"-
-
- 19 replies
Traveled to Canada for 20 days after entering the U.S. on a K-1 visa (June 1–22). Seeking reentry under Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR).
Dovahkiinali0605 posted a topic in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures,
I entered the U.S. on a K-1 visa on June 1st and left for Canada on June 2nd, remaining here for 20 days. I am now attempting to return to the U.S. through Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) using Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR). My K-1 visa is expired, but my I-94 is still valid. Am I ok?-
- 29 replies
Wrong USCIS application form filed by my lawyer!
narayan333 posted a topic in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports,
Hello, so my wife came in k-1 visa to USA and we got married and all. We filled for work permit and green card together but while doing that my lawyer filed for I-130 no idea why. Will that application make my process for work permit and green card slow? If so how do I withdrawal that application? My lawyer isn’t helpful at all. I need some help…-
- 20 replies
Seeking advice for Thai/US couple - What US visa path to take?
PeachyTocker posted a topic in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures,
My gf and I live in Thailand but spend 2-4months in the US per year. Once/if we have children age 5+, the time split would become vice versa. We have no plans to live full-time in the United States in the next 5 years, but I visit my family and friends 2-3x per year for 2-3 weeks at a time. I would love it if she can join me for those trips and experience that part of my life. What options do we have -- US visa wise, maybe a tourist or fiance visa later? Other?
-
- 77 replies
Abandoned AOS and now regret it
Mariammaria posted a topic in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports,
Please be nice, I know I made a mistake... But got my K1 approved and arrived in the US June 25, 2024 and applied for AOS February 25, 2025 -- then left the US (abandoned my AOS). Will I be banned for re-entry to the US -- even under a spouse visa?-
- 32 replies
US Citizen with Foreign Fiancé: When and How to Get Married?
gandalf1989 posted a topic in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures,
I'm currently living and working in the United States. My fiancé currently lives in Japan. We have been dating for about 6 months, and we have met in person several times, but we are not yet married.
My fiancé will be visiting me in the United States on a tourist visa some time in March or April and staying for about 3 months. I want to file for a fiance/spouse visa asap -- what's next?-
- 18 replies
Recent Immigration DiscussionsI-129F cover level? 
12:50 pm today
ros4u
Read 20 Times
1 RepliesCould anyone also provide a cover Letter Example/template for the I-129F
*ongoing from previous post
So what new evidence should we upload on the portal after submitting our I-751 packet??? 12:47 pm today
PeteCzw
Read 67 Times
2 RepliesSo my wife and i will be mailing our ROC here soon. Just wondering, what kind of stuff should we be uploading while we wait for approval or while we wait for our interview in the mean time? I know things like next year's joint tax filing would be good. My wife and i dont plan on moving, we dont have a child (we may hold off on having children), no major life events, no changing of jobs, we dont plan on buying a new house or new car where we will have a loan, etc. The only thing i can think of specifically for my situation are: new tax filing next year, additional monthly bank statements, additional trips (pictures, hotel receipts, car rental receipts, flight receipts, venues), additional pictures with family and friends. I dunno. Unless new life events happen, are we even suppose to upload stuff regularly while we wait for our case? Can someone give me suggestions? thanks
Filling out the fiancée visa form I-129F while still here before i return back to country to start the process [merged threads] 12:36 pm today
ros4u
Read 151 Times
3 RepliesCurrently looking through the form I-129f from going through filling out the details a few things i am unclear of
it states family name: what their surname name currently is
Stating on is your beneficiary currently in the US - meaning i am no but i will not be staying so it is just on the Esta
if there is a good link to completing the form or a forum on here around it that would be awesome too
Dakar Appointment Scheduling 10:33 am today
cirenebrown
Read 146 Times
1 RepliesDoes anyone have any idea (rough estimate if known) when the appointments slots will open for the next month in the AVITS Dashboard? I was able to pay the $265 visa fee online and immediately redirected to the appointment calendar. Currently September have no more availability and the next three months are greyed out and not allowing me to select them. I am assuming this means that the calendar opens on some date in the future and then I would be able to go in to help schedule a Consulate Appointment. Is this date usually that last few days of the prior month, the first/first week of the next month. Or is this unknown and just have to keep checking back until you get lucky?
And I would assume I need to have that appointment scheduled prior to the actual MD honoring and medical appointment scheduling right?
Philippines CFO experience 09/17/2025 FBI Background Check is Required 10:22 am today
Aquabac
Read 223 Times
2 RepliesI found this forum searching for info on CFO and whether a "police background check and freedom to marry certificate" were required.There was some conflicting info and I said once my Fiance' went through the CFO in Manila I would start a thread and explain her experience.Especially regarding the FBI background checkIn a nutshell. It is now a requirement to provide a criminal background check.I also made an affidavit that I was free to marry but that was not asked for by the interviewer.This was her experience:She was notified she could pick up her visa & passport 09/15/2025She went into Manila early the next day and picked it up.Once she had it she could go online and sign up for the CFO.There were many spots open and she was able to sign up for the very next dayShe arrived at 0640 and only 1 other person was there ahead of her.At 0700 there were only 3 people including herRegistration was 0700-0830Seminar was 0900-1030Interviews went from 1100-1300She was told they would be taken in the order they registered that morning but for some reason she was literally the last person interviewed.The interviewer was a woman.The conversation was in Tagalog and some English.After exchanging pleasantries her first question was literally about the FBI background check.She even used the term FBIShe asked " Can you give me the documents of FBI"That's how she phrased it.I had a DUI in 1999 and the interviewer then asked for my court documents on thatShe then asked for a copy of my Passport Bio page.Then my fiance's Cenomar (Certificate of No Marriage Record)Then she asked for my fiance's passportThen she asked to see proof of relationship which my Fiance had a great deal of in photos and receipts etcThe interviewer gave these a cursory look only.Spent less time on it than reading my FBI report.Then she started asking more basic questions" How did you meet?" How many weeks did he vacation here?"" What is his job"" What did he study in college?"The interviewer at some point asked for my " 1040"My fiance couldn't find it in her records because I had given her The IRS transcripts and she was being literal searching for the 1040 in her document files.The interviewer than asked other questions and ignored my financial info which surprised meOther questions asked:" What would you do if you need help?"" What to do in the US incase of an emergency and have problems?" Who would you contact to ask for help?"She answered that she would call 911 and go to the nearest Philippine Embassy if need be.In the seminar they told her that and to contact the CFO but she forgot to say the CFO part and the interviewer was okay with her answer"What are your future plans together?"After that, the interviewer told my fiance " Congratulations"'That was it and she was emailed her CFO immediately and is now free to travel here.As stated earlier the main reason for this thread was to discuss if an FBI background check is required now and since it was literally the first question asked I'd say it is requiredIn earlier threads it has been discussed how to get it but I will just give the basics for anyone reading this thread in the future and wanting to know.The FBI calls them Identity History Summary Checks.I'm not going to be too specific because things can change but here are the basics:Google for FBI background checks and make sure you click on an actual FBI website NOT some private google sponsored ad.Here's a link to the FBI FAQ on background checks.If you do the electronic method you will get it much faster. For me it was within an hour of the fingerprints.I got fingerprints scanned at the Post office.The FBI website has a link to search for Post offices near you that supply this service.Good Luck to all!
-
Follow Us
-
-
-
Recent Status Updates
-
Hello @jorgesalazar818. I hope you are doing well. I wanted to check with you to see if you've received any news from Ciudad Juarez.· 1 reply
-
-
Received application approval today one day short of 14 months HUZZAH !!!!· 0 replies
-
Hello Everyone!· 1 reply
I have a situation where, during my NVC documentation process, the fee was requested for my daughter as well. However, while reviewing the documents, NVC excluded my daughter with the reason that she is not eligible based on her age, as she turned 21 in November 2023. In reality, during the pandemic, I applied for my I-824 to port my approved I-140 (Priority Date: March 6th, 2012). It took almost 2 years to get my I-824 approved. At that time, my daughter was below 21 years old, and my dates became current while I was waiting for my I-824 approval. (As per my attorney, she should be on the file based on this point.)
Later, NVC requested me to submit the DS-260 with all documentation, including my daughter’s. Once I received my DQ (Documentarily Qualified) letter for document completion, I realized on their website that my daughter’s name was grayed out and I couldn't access her form. Only myself and my wife were on the application process, and I am the principal applicant. During that time, I engaged an attorney to raise our concern. After careful review, the attorney adjudicated that my daughter should be on file based on the CSPA action and issued a memo to NVC with all exhibits stating why she should be on file.
NVC processed the case again, retriggered the process, and my DQ date changed from November 2023 to May 2024. My daughter’s name was also back in active mode. When we received our Interview Letter (IL), her name was listed on the letter as a dependent. At this time, the attorney is saying to just attend the interview, and we will see how the visa officer makes a decision on her case, since she is above 21 at this time.
Please let me know if anyone has experienced this kind of situation where the child was below 21 during the NVC process when the dates were current, and later the dates retrogressed and became current again at a later stage. Is she eligible under the CSPA Act?
-
-
-
Popular Contributors
-
Quick Links
Learn:
- Immigration Wiki
- US Immigration Guides
- Example Immigration Forms
- Visa Frequent Questions
- Immigration Form Downloads
Interact:
Share:
Track:
