GrayL

Congrats on the approval to you both

I have my interview in Auckland on the 25th (my dad's bday so hopefully thats a good omen).

NZ Fees say $455 payable only in NZ Cash or bank cashiers check - to be paid at Consulate General at the time of your interview.

At least i don't have to muck around trying to find a post office and i love how mines $105 more than yours, even though were just across the ditch and most americans assume we're the same country anyway

Thanks!!

Haha, well said, yep, I was actually told when I was in the US "Aren't aussies and kiwis the same thing" !!

I said, "Aussies are just way cooler!" hahaha..

Wow yeah that's weird, so much more expensive, the very best of luck to you on the 25th, I'm sure it'll be as painless and simple as mine was!

Wow, that's certainly a painful experience, I'm sorry that you're having to go through all of this...

I do agree with some of the replies, I think these questions are fair, they're not going to ask simple generic questions because in a case of fraud, the petitioners would have already memorised these questions.

They ask these questions I'm sure specifically because they are so much 'out there' than what you would expect them to ask, which realistically is exactly what they ask them.

In saying that, the fact that the OP has come on VJ to express their disappointment says that this is not a fraudulent case, rather, just the circumstances could be.

Although the questions are extremely personal, did you answer them honestly and correctly? If that was me, and they asked me a question I literally didn't know, like if my fiancee had a c section, I would just say, "I don't know".

Nonetheless I wanted to hopefully put some ease to the minds of others reading this regarding the length of relationship, I think in this case the denial was because of something else.

I met my fiance in June 2010, we applied for the K-1 on December 7th after getting engaged on November 4th. So we were only dating for 5 months, and this wasn't an issue at all!

I had my final interview today and the CO did state, "You have only known her just over a year, what made you decide to take this big step and get married so soon?", but of course as we all know time is not an agenda for love, it's just duration, you can be with someone for years and don't know if it's right, or you can know within 5 minutes of meeting someone that you want to spent the rest of your life with them. When you know you just know, and in my case, I just knew!

That's pretty much what I told the CO, and he just literally said, "Awww" and that was that!

Time is not an issue, it's how you can prove your relationship.

OP, I hope you can get it resolved, remember, keep your cool, be polite but assertive, and contact senators and the likes. You certainly don't want to give them more reasons to say no, after all, although it sucks beyond belief, you're at the mercy of them.. good luck!

Gray

Hi elya,

I'm so terribly sorry to hear about your situation, I wish I could give you the answers, but instead I can just offer my good wishes.

I think the only thing you can do it write a letter to your local senator or similar, I think they can do something about it.

Calling the USCIS is just pointless in our experience.

Once again I hope you can get this sorted, despite everything it will be worth it in the end.

I'll say a prayer for you that this gets sorted.

Good luck, and keep your head up.

Gray

hey everyone,

this is probably a dumb and obvious question ( I just want to be completly sure if I am right or not) but me and my fiance just filed for our k-1 visa recently to VSC. we got our hardcopy of our noa1 and the service centre notified us that they got our I-129F July 15/2011. I looked on the USCIS site and made an account to check our case status and it says our case was last updated July 20/2011 and nothing since. I just want to know, was this a "touch"?

In one word, I think the answer is YES!

That same thing happened with my VISA, only when something actually changed (ie in our case RFE!) did it get updated.

I would take that as a touch!

Also, FYI, in my experience, one our case was touched, it was updated less than two weeks later, so good luck to you, not long to go!

MY GIRL HAD HER INTERVIEW THIS MORNING IN MANILA AT 6:15AM AND BY 9:00 AM SHE WAS BACK IN HER ROOM ONLINE TELLING SHE WAS APPROVED....... SHE SAID IT WAS SUPER EASY.. I DIDNT EXPECT TO HER FROM HER THAT SOON..THANK GOD ITS ALL OVER WITH...THIS WHOLE VISA PROCESS WAS WEARING ME OUT..FEW MORE WEEKS AN SHE'LL BE HERE..THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE FOR ALL THE GOOD INFO.. GOD BLESS AND GOOD LUCK TO U ALL... GREG & MADELYN

Congratulations to you and your fiancee!!!!

:dance: :dance:

Congratulations, and thanks for the write up. One question though, you wrote: "They then let me know that I needed to marry within 60 days". I thought it was 90 days?

SORRY, my apologies, yes, I meant to say 90 days! 90 days after you enter the US, not 60, my mistake!

I think I'm still in shock

GrayL

Hey there again,

just got back from the consulate, APPROVED! :dance:

I also have just finished writing up a play by play on another thread;

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/323716-my-k-1-sydney-interview-process/

Hopefully it will help, and good luck with your interviews!!

GrayL

Hello fellow VJ'ers,

Over the last months you good people have been invaluable throughout my VISA process, so I wanted to hopefully put something back to the community.

I had my final K-1 VISA Interview this morning at the Sydney Consulate (MLC Centre, Level 10), and here's my play by play of what happened, leading up to my eventual approval, just 30 minutes ago!

My interview was scheduled for 8:00am, I arrived at 7:30 and sat in the lobby area, got there nice and early, got the nerves somewhat calmed!

I headed up to the elevator in the MLC centre at 7:50am, they are right the way on the right hand side, and headed up to level 10.

First you need to go through security one you get to the consulate suite, identical to airport security, so I had to take off my belt and remove my electronics. I needed to show my passport at this stage, nothing else.

Next I had to surrender everything electronic, so I wasn't able to take my phone or iPad to the consulate, I wasn't even allowed to take my bag! Fair enough really! They give you a ticket so you can get it back on your way out.

Next they shoot you up about 40 floors to the consulate, and you show your passport and letter to the entrance lady. She ticks your name from the list and buzzes you into the actual consulate.

You take a ticket, and take a seat.

The first wait was approximately 10 minutes, then they get you up and take off of you your passport, the 3kg envelope, and the payment receipt. This took about a minute or two. Then then ask you to sit down again while they get your documents prepared.

I waited for about 20 minutes, and then got called back again, the lady gave me all of my original documents and asked me to take another seat, while I waited for my actual interview. She also briefly explained the next step. That again only took a minute or two

I waited for about 25-30 minutes, then got called up for the actual interview, so nervous I walked up to the counter.

The interview starts with them going through all of your documents (that they had already), and they asked you questions like which countries you have lived in for longer than 12 months etc. He went through the official documents to ensure nothing was missing, thankfully nothing was.

Next he asked about my relationship, how did we meet, what made us decide to want to get married, I have only been with my fiance just over a year, so he asked me "This is a big step, what made you so sure you want to marry your fiance", stuff like that.. you just answer honestly, and that's about it.

Next they go through the Affidavit, and asked about both mine and my fiancee's employment, where we both work, and what I plan to do when I get to the USA for work, standard stuff like that.

They then let me know that I needed to marry within 60 days, and had to go to the USA within 6 months. And also let me know that I couldn't leave until I had my green card.

Lastly they get you to sign the DS-230 part II, they had it all ready to go.

And.. that was about it. After that he pretty much told me that he had everything he needed to approve the VISA, and gave me a little piece of paper that said, "Congratulations, your VISA has been approved" with my case number and the tracking number of the 3kg envelope. I was told I would have it in the mail at the latest by Tuesday next week (ie one week). The interview took about 20 minutes.

I was finished by 9:30, so the whole process was approximately one and half hours!

I went to the interview with a massive stack of paper, everything we've ever sent to the consulate, everything we received, relationship evidence, engagement evidence, X-Rays (which I found out you don't need unless you have something wrong with you!), the list goes on. But none of it was required. I would still recommend you bring everything, makes you look like you're prepared (the guy even commented that I looked prepared!).

I have to also say everyone at the consulate was super nice and friendly, greeted you with a smile and really just wanted to make sure they had everything so that they could approve the VISA!

So anyway, I figured this play by play would have been beneficial for me to read prior to the interview, so hopefully it will help someone else too!

Here's just a few tips I can give you:

1. Get there a little early, maybe 10-15 minutes, they are all ready to go, even at 8:00am, and I think being there early made the process quicker, about ten minutes later quite a few people arrived, and it's a first come first served basis, so it can't help getting ahead!

2. Go to the bathroom before you enter the consulate! You can't go when your inside the consulate!

3. Don't rely on anything you may want to use as evidence being on an electronic device (phone, laptop), as they don't let you take anything up with you, only paperwork and that's it!

4. Relax! Hard to say, but if you're confident you have what you need (the only thing they ask for is what was outlined in the letter, so passport, 3kg postage bag and the payment receipt from Australia post) then the process will be relatively straight forward and you'll be done before you know it!

5. Take a bottle of water with you, you'll need it!

6. They keep your passport! So don't rely on it to get you home, if you're like me and had to fly in from another state!

I'm off to do a bit of sightseeing and to celebrate!

Good luck to each and everyone of you!

GrayL

The absolute very best of luck to you mate, Bring on 5pm!

If I'm still around at 10 I'll keep an eye out for you!

Thanks for all your good wishes.. I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for VJ, such an invaluable resource!

Nervous and exciting at the same time, so I can't wait for it to be done!

Glad you got it sorted out!!

You local Post Office probably doesn't ever see many people come in and ask to pay for a US Visa, so that's probably why they didn't know what to look for. Conversely..the one near the Consulate probably sees them every day.

Again, good luck for your interview...might see you tomorrow!

Hey, sorry I must have missed something, you going tomorrow?? Woo, yeah, I'll be there at 8am with my Blue and Green Crumpler Messenger bag, say g'day!

I need to sleep but alas, jet lag has other plans! ha ha ha

Hello again,

OK I'm here in Sydney in the Travelodge hotel, I can physically see the consulate from my window, exciting!

So as promised here's my reply regarding the payment, as my experience just 5 minutes ago.

It was so easy!!!

I highly recommend you book at the Travelodge on Philip Street, I am about 2 minute walk from the consulate, one block away!

If you have time to get the fee payment done here there is a Post Office not too far away. Basically when you leave Travelodge (On Philip Street), turn left, and then immediately turn left again onto Martin Place. Go all the way to the very end of the street and the post office is literally on the corner on the left hand side, right at the very end of the street, you can't miss it!

I went in and just said, "I want to pay for a US VISA K", and the lady immediately knew what I was talking about.

One important thing:

Eftpos or Cash only, ***NO CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED*** ... I was okay I was paying on eftpos, but that little nugget might come in handy!

She also said, strictly no refunds also..

She printed off just a regular and tiny receipt, and she actually stapled it to the Interview Letter (the attachment you got from the Consulate), so take that with you, the receipt is small, and easy to lose!

I did however do some scouting, I explained to the lady after I had it all done that I went to my local Post Office and they had problems finding it, and I asked what specifically she typed, codes etc so that I could write back on this post (for archiving purposes).

Basically the payment is a Tran Code 828 (that's what it said on the screen, she even showed me her screen!), and then she said "Oh any Australia Post can do it, they just need to put in code 828 and then scroll down to K visa".

The key there was it just said K visa, not K-1 or anything, that's probably where my local Post Office slipped up!

So anyways, hopefully this helps someone, any Australia Post can to it, code 828, K visa, $350, no credit cards, done.

Here's the walking distance too.

Travelodge > Consulate = Less than 2 minute walk

Travelodge > Post Office = 5 minute walk

Post Office > Travelodge = Less than 3 minute walk

You walk right by the MLC Centre on the way to the post office.

OK, well, hope this helps, and good luck to you!

GrayL

Thank you so much everyone for you replies, I'll definitely post the results here tomorrow.

Thanks

Gray

Hi Travis and Meghan,

Thank you for looking that up, yeah, that's pretty much exactly what I did today. I printed off the 'final checklist' letter and the printout from the Sydney consulate website (that you quoted) and went to my local Australia Post this morning but the guy just had no clue. I let him read it all but he still just couldn't find, even though he really genuinely wanted to help. He said he could have made some calls but all the other POs were shut! He spent 20 minutes searching the computer after I found another thread on VJ but still he just couldn't find anything. He was the owner of the Post Office, but he said he's never heard of it, it's probable a West Australian thing.. hehe!

He did mention that they were not a government Australia Post, rather a franchise outlet, so maybe a government one (which was only a 5 minute drive away) would be able to help. Although no other one was open (I went in at 1pm, and most shut at 12!)

It's okay, now that I've changed my flights it pretty much means I'll have the entire business day on Monday in the Sydney CBD to find the answer, I'll do the same and go into the Post Office right next to the consulate and ask them, SURELY they will know. If not I can go to the consulate and ask.

I'll definitely reply back to this post and let you know how I get on on Monday, so you know too! Here's me thinking it would be a no brainer, just like buying some milk!

Cheers, and thanks so much for your help, it means so much.

Take care,

Gray

Hi Travis/Meghan,

Thanks for that, it's certainly helpful..

I'll go to the Post Office on Monday and tell them that, gosh sometimes you get the feeling the consulate just like being difficult, why couldn't they just accept credit or eftpos or even cash like the other VISAs, I certainly didn't expect this to be a drama!

Thanks again, I'll reply back here with the results, but at least now I've given myself a whole day in Sydney to work this one out, rather than one hour Monday morning over here in Perth, Western Australia!

Gray

Hi Jadeleaf,

The instructions seem to make out that it's specific that I have to do it at Australia Post.

What I've since done is change my flights so that I arrive in Sydney and have plenty of time to go to the Post Office right next to the consulate on Monday (I would have arrived too late otherwise).

I couldn't go their Tuesday morning either becuase I have to be at the consulate at 8am and the post office doesn't open until 8:15!

So I'm planning to go to the Post Office on Martin Place Monday.

Does anyone know more specifically what I'm asking for? I figure if that Post Office doesn't know anything about this, then there's no hope for me!!

Any more information would be so great.. thank you so so much

Gray

Hi Good people of VisaJourney,

I'm after hopefully a really quick response to ease my stress levels at the moment.

I've just been up to my local Australia Post store to pay the K-1 VISA Fee for my Sydney Consulate interview on Tuesday.

The instruction made it sound easy but I went and asked and the guy (although very helpful) was unable to find anything on his computer regarding the payment. He spent 20 minutes looking.

He did a search for lots of things;

K-1 Visa

K-1 Fiance

U.S. Consulate General

Visa Fee

Visa

But he drew blanks every time?

I'm kinda stuck, I fly out on Monday, ie in two days!

Can anyone help? I'm totally stressing out

thanks,

Graeme Lucas

Hi Visajourney folks,

So we're getting very very close to finalising our paperwork for the Packet 3 for my K-1 fiance VISA... I was really hoping for some further clarification.

My US Fiancee will be getting the help of a co sponsor.

His income (the co sponsor) alone easily exceeds the required mininum ($45k+ for a 3 person family unit, including me).

My question is, does he need to fill in the assets part, or can he leave this blank?

I have previously been told this whole section can be left blank if the income was enough on its own.

That made sense to me, but then I looked at the Example I-134 form on this site, and the person had an income of $55k, but still listed his home assets (in particular real estate). :help: :help:

Our co sponsor does in fact own his own property, and the thought "Shouldn't he just list it anyway?" went through my mind.

However if he does list his real estate assets, what proof (if any) will he need to submit?

I'm worried that if he lists his home as an asset, then the consulate may require something like an appraisal, which will take more time, that we don't really have.

OR can I confidently leave this blank?

As a side question, if the co sponsors income alone did not meet the requirements alone and real estate assets are used, what proof of assets are required to be submitted with the I-134??? There is a TINY possibility that our co sponsor may not be able to do this for us so it would be nice to have this question answered in advance should we need to go to plan B co sponsor!!

Also,

At the moment I am getting him to organise the following documentation for the I-134;

1. Completed I-134

2. 6 Most Recent Pay Stubs (he gets paid monthly).

3. Letter from the employer stating time of employment, salary and in good standing.

4. Statement from the bank stating when the account was opened and the current balance.

Is this all okay? Am I missing anything?

I really don't want to complicate things more than they already are by possibly requiring home appraisals etc. And although I've read the official instructions for the I-134, they are pretty unhelpful based on information I've read and been told here!

Sorry I'm just really really confused as to what is required, I really don't want another RFE so late in the process!! But then again I'm sure that's the story of everyone here

Thank you SO MUCH in advance for anyone who can help.. I'll owe you a beer or two!

GrayL

Hi Barbara/VJ,

I actually had two more questions, hopefully I can bug you again!

1. If the co-sponsor's salary far exceeds the 125% mark, are we required to fill in the parts about real estate and stock bonds, personal property etc, or is this left blank? Our Co-Sponsor definitely does have all of this, however I think I was told that it wasn't required? Would it look bad if he leaves it blank, even though he does own real estate? I was going to ask him to do it, but then will the consulate ask for 'proof' (house evaluations etc.), that would probably delay this process? If we don't need to fill it in is it better to leave it blank or write N/A or something?

2. I understand the letter from our co sponsor's employer and the bank statement should probably be original, but is it okay to submit copies of pay stubs? I'm not quite sure if he would be happy to part with the originals?

Thank you so much, hopefully that is all we need answering for this bit!!

GrayL

Hi Barbara,

Thanks so much for this insight and thank you so much...

I'll pass this information on, it certainly makes sense, fingers crossed we don't get an RFE!

Thanks again, always appreciated.

Take care, GrayL

Hi Otto,

Thanks so much for the insight.. so the co sponsor (who I've been told earns over $40k in his state job) will just need a letter from the employer and his most recent pay stub, and he will also need the Tax return from last year? Or was it pay stubs OR the tax return?

And does he not need to include his household assets at all on the affidavit? Just leave it blank? He owns his own home and a car and a motorbike, should he list these as well or does it not matter?

Also my fiancee's mom also is able to do an affidavit, is there any benefit at all in getting her to do one also? We just want to show the consulate when I have my interview that there are many people willing to help me out should I need it, and not become a charge??

My fiancee is not currently working so she does not meet the requirements.. she is however living off of 5 years of savings and has never claimed welfare or anything like that and is planning on going back to work as soon as I get my butt over there!

Thanks so much. :dance:

GrayL

Hi Visa Journey,

Wow so many little questions.. I'm hoping someone can answer!!

My US Fiancee is currently organising the I-134 Affidavit forms for her and her co sponsor (she does not meet the requirements on her own).

I have some questions regarding evidence + family unit definition:

1. The Co Sponsor keeps records of all of his pay stubs, does he still need to get a Statement From the Bank Officer, or both??

2. Regarding the Statement from the Bank Officer, is this something he can just go to the bank and get, or maybe make an appointment? Is this a quick and easy thing to obtain process? What exactly is he asking for when he goes to the bank??

3. What history does he need for pay stubs and statement, just the last year?

4. What is a family unit. The Co Sponsor has two children, but they are all over 21 with kids of their own, so are not at all dependent on him. He lives with his Wife (My fiancee's mom), who is NOT Dependant on him financially), do this mean the family unit is 1? I am guessing the family unit is the co sponsor plus Dependants?

5. Is there any other evidence the co sponsor needs other than the I-134, Bank Statement and/or Stubs and the Employer letter?

So yes, if anyone can answer these questions, that would be great. I have read through the I-134 instructions, but they still seem a little confusing!

We're trying to do as much of the leg work for the co sponsor as possible, so we can instruct him exactly what he needs.

I'm also aware he needs a letter from his employer, that is not a problem.

Thank you all so much in advance,

GrayL :dance:

Ahhh, what would we do without VisaJourney :innocent:

Thanks so much for your replies, that's definitely put my mine at ease!

Thank you all so much for you replies, have a good weekend! :thumbs:

GrayL

Hello there once again good people of VisaJourney,

Just one tricky question. My employer.

I'm currently in the final stages of my VISA process, I am Australian, and the Packet 3 application has been received by the Sydney consulate. I'm just preparing the final evidence for the Packet 3!

I just filled out the DS-156 form, and something just came to mind.

Will the US embassy likely contact my employer?

I'm probably in the same boat as many VISA applicants; I'm currently working full-time and I've known for a long time I'm leaving, but I don't want to tell my employer until I'm ready to leave!

I'm not sure if anyone can answer this one, but it would be REALLY nice to have the heads up.

I completely understand that this may be necessary, but I would prefer that I tell my boss, rather than he find out 'the hard way' that I'm leaving!

Thanks!

GrayL

Ahh #######, I just realised I posted this thread on the wrong forum board...