Blueberryz

Hi All,

I just have a quick question, more so enquiring right now.

I will have my permanent residency soon (with restrictions) and I was wondering if I would be able to apply to have my brother come to the US on the I-130? He is over 21.

Has anyone successfully done this? Does anyone know the usual waiting times for this process?

Any information/help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi All,

Just an update for you. Went into the USCIS office today in Seattle and had an appointment with a lovely gentleman. He overlooked all my documentation along with my passport, K-1 Visa and my I-94 documentation and said that I have done everything the correct way and it looks like there is an error on their behalf but he cannot see where from. All we know is California has some documents of mine right now and don't have them all - he explained they are in several locations and once I submit my AOS paperwork they all come together then I get an appointment date for my Bio metrics.. etc. But he isn't sure as to why they sent me that letter - he may believe it has something to do with the US Consulate in Sydney or maybe even POE.

What he advised me to do is scan and print a photocopy of my K-1 Visa, I-94 and my entry stamp from when I entered on my K-1 Visa and mail it over to the California Service Center along with my receipt number and hopefully this will aid in them closing any "open case for review" that they have for me.

Until then, he said to continue along with the normal process, so get married and then send off the AOS paperwork and wait for my appointment times.

I would like to thank everyone for their help with this issue, it definitely made us worry a little bit less overnight, but glad it's all ok and I don't have to re-apply or anything stupid like that.

I think you should make an USCIS Infopass appointment ASAP. Maybe they can inform you whats going on. When you go, bring all the documents passport (with the i-94 form), the letter you recived from USCIS, and anything that may be important for this matter.

Hope you can solve your problem very soon. I send you the link where you can make your infopass app.

https://infopass.uscis.gov/info_lang.php?sel_lang=en

Thank you all!

I booked my infopass appointment last night and I have my appointment today at 12:35. I am taking all my visa documentation, including birth certificates and passports for both myself and my U.S fiance.

Hopefully they can shed some light as to what has happened!

You need to make an info appointment at your local office immediately.

Thanks for that.

We have an appointment tomorrow first thing, we need this sorted ASAP.

USCIS support staff have advised me to go ahead and get married still - apparently this happening is very rare and since I have already been approved they cannot see why the case has gone back to be reviewed.

Once I find out more information I will update everyone.

Thank you for all your help!

I just realised something and I am wondering if this might have anything to do with it.

A couple of weeks ago I went to Social Security to file for a SSN. When I had all my documents the clerk at the window advised that USCIS had my name down wrong (they search the system with your I-94 to validate)

They had my first name as [First Name Middle Name] at USCIS instead of [First Name] [Middle Name] if that makes sense. The clerk advised me that he would submit information to the USCIS for them to correct my name.

Do you think this might have something to do with it? Though I did get my SSN 2 weeks after that with no problem.

What the?? Clearly you DID go to the Embassy and HAD your interview and GOT your K1, otherwise you wouldn't be over there in the US right now. That looks like the type of email that you would be sent, had you not proceeded with and completed your petition and obtained the K1. Looks like the USCIS has failed to correctly process the information from the Embassy that you did indeed receive your K1. I would try as hard as you can not to stress as it is their mix up. Hopefully you will be able to get through to someone and get some answers and enjoy your wedding next week!!! I'm sure you will be fine Have a wonderful wedding!!

I know right! I am so confused, I have been on the phone to the USCIS for an hour now.. and not one person I have spoken to has been able to help me. Every time I read them the letter and explain my situation they are confused and put me back on hold. It doesn't help that the person I am speaking to right now has advised me that I need to set up an appointment with the USCIS. I explained that how is this supposed to help me when I am getting married next weekend and am supposed to be mailing out my AOS paperwork that next week.

All I want to know is why I have received this letter, as I would NOT have been allowed into the country.

Basically all the USCIS representative has advised me is that "It has been sent to the USCIS and they have no information to tell me why and he said to just continue what I need to do (which is get married)"

How is this helpful!?

Sounds like someone at the Consulate forgot to fill out a form!! I take you hand carried your packet to your POE?

I think they have stuffed up majorly on their end. I had my complete packet with me on POE and the immigration officer took all the document evidence with him and stamped my passport and wrote the date in which I had to be married (30th November)

Could you post the text of the letter you received?

This notice is in reference to the Form I-129F, Petition for an Alien Fiance(e), filed pursuant to the Section 101(a)(15)(K) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. The petition was approved and was forwarded abroad to a United States Embassy/Consulate with a validity period of four months.

Subsequently, the petition has been returned to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) with a finding that the beneficiary was not issued the requested K-1 visa. Since the period of validity has now expired the petition will not be revalidated. Therefore, in accordance with 8 C.F.R 214.2 (k)(5), all USCIS action on this petition is concluded as of the date on this notice. However, the petitioner may choose to file a new Form I-129F, Petition for an Alien Fiance(e), for the beneficiary with fee.

I hope it's an error! Everything was approved and I wouldn't have been able to enter on my Visa if it wasn't - I even successfully applied for a social security number a few weeks ago.

I am currently on hold with the USCIS.

I will not be leaving the US by any means. I have half my family coming over from Australia in a couple of days for the wedding next week and have all my AOS paperwork ready to go.

I am just very confused by the whole thing!

Hi,

Hoping that anyone with previous experience on this issue can help.

My fiance and I (I am the beneficiary) went through the normal procedure for the K1-Visa. I was approved in August and got my visa in my passport and entered the US on the approved K-1 Visa to be married by 30th November, 2012.

Today, a little over a week before our wedding I receive a letter from the USCIS (Notice of Decision) stating what sounds like I will have to re-file my K1-Visa?

I am freaking out and am currently on hold with USCIS and have so far got no where. I looked on the USCIS website and entered my reciept number and get the following message:

Post Decision Activity

On October 31, 2012, a USCIS office received this case from the State Department with a request that we review it. We will notify you when we complete our review, or if we need something from you. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.

For approved applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include USCIS sending notification of the approved application/petition to the National Visa Center or the Department of State. For denied applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include the processing of an appeal and/or motions to reopen or reconsider and revocations.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Wow, that does sound nerve racking. Do you think it was because there was only a 5 week gap between your visits, or because you had filed for the visa?

It was definitely because of the short gap between trips, if it had been a longer period of time that I had stayed back in Australia I don't think it would have been that bad. I can totally understand from their point of view why it looked so suspicious. But I answered honestly and didn't lie about anything.

I think advising them that we had submitted the I-129F and were actually trying to do things the right way was why she let me in. Plus my first visit I left on time and didn't overstay.

Just to let others there know, I have visited the US twice this year - both being 90 day visiting periods.

My first trip was from Jan 1st till the 29th March, I had no problems with Immigration as I said I was on holidays visiting my then boyfriend (now fiancé, and we applied for the I-129F while I was over there at the end of February).

I returned to Australia for 5 weeks, then went back again from the 5th of May till the 2nd August, my POE was in LA; and I must say I did get a bit of a drilling for my next long trip.. I was accused of trying to live there.. but I had a copy of my I-129F and stated that I was simply trying to visit my fiancé, the immigration officer asked me about what I did for work, how I was able to afford to have my now second long holiday in the US (I told her I was on leave of absence and I had savings and was willing to show printed bank statements which she didn't want to see) then asked what my fiancé did for work.. I was getting very nervous as it felt like forever and I was starting to think I was going to be denied.. but I think after seeing that I wasn't intending on living there (I had to show my itinerary for my return ticket) she told me that it wasn't advisable to stay exactly 90 days.. and that I should contact the airlines and leave a day or two earlier. (I stayed till the 90th day, lol).

After scanning my fingerprints and taking my picture, she stamped my passport (and put my departure date on there.. which was the 90th day, hehe) to remind me that I had to leave.. which I did!

It is a bit nerve racking but make sure you're honest - any proof of ties to home that you have is better!

Hey everyone,

sorry for not putting this up sooner but just want to mention that I used the p799 and didn't have any problems. I don't think it necessarily matters which form you use so long as your criminal history check is based on fingerprints.

What's the number for the Parramatta office?

I had my police check done last week (Monday) and I got my Packet 4 interview date today, which is for next Tuesday (21st) and I want to give them a ring to make sure it's going to be all sent to the consulate in time for my final interview!

Thanks in advance

Hi,

The consulate received my Packet 3 on Friday 10th August. I got an email today, Tuesday 14th August stating that my Interview is next Tuesday, 21st August.

I am so excited!

WOW!!! Thank you so much for all the info... you're a legend! I have the kids blue books with all their records, looks like they will only need flu shots and HepB. We all had Chicken Pox in 2010, but will probably have to get a blood test to confirm our immunity as the doctor never did a blood test at the time we were spotty. I will need a tetanus (TDP), the MMR and the flu shot. I will make an appointment with my GP to get all that done before I make my appointment for my medical, so I am well prepared on the day. Thank You again and all the best on your journey!!!

You're welcome, glad to share my experience to help others out there - as a lot of people on here have helped me along the way!

About Chicken Pox.. Dr. Waks just asked me if I had it as a child, and I said yes and that was it!

Best of luck to you as well, if you have anymore questions I'll be more than happy to help if I can!

Thank You to everyone for your help. I will call the Physician in Sydney and see how soon I can book our Medical Exams, hopefully I can travel up to Sydney and have them done as soon as I receive our case number. We got our NOA2 on the 3rd of August, so hopefully the case number soon. Can't believe we got our NOA2 so quickly, 86 days, hopefully everything else will move quickly and smoothly too.

Best wishes to everyone else playing the waiting game, hopefully we will all finally be with our other halves and enjoying our lives together!!

Thanks sooo much for the link....that helps A LOT!!

Hey!

Book your medical exam ASAP in Sydney with Dr. Waks - the sooner you get it done the better (I don't know what their wait times are like as I was still in the US visiting my fiancé when I booked in mine.) I just had my medical exam in Sydney this Tuesday.

A bit of info about booking it in:

When I first called to book in my medical, I spoke to the reception lady and she asked for my Case Number - I told her that I was yet to receive it, but I would have it by the time I had my medical exam (which is true - I called the NVC exactly a week after I got our NOA2 in the mail and got it then.) I'd go ahead and book in your appointment ASAP (I had mine with Dr Wak's and he was lovely).

A few things to make it easier for you for your medical exam - the best way to get there is by Train. Get off at Wynyard train station and walk through the tunnel to George St, the "George Street Medical Centre" is exactly across the road! Also, you do need to walk 5 minutes to the x-ray place which is called "Castlereagh Imaging" but Dr. Waks will first do your physical examination then either take you to Pathology first for your blood test (which is in the same building) then give you directions on paper to get you to Castlereagh Imaging.. I found the directions easy enough and my x-ray results were printed off in about 5mins after having it done, then all you need to do is walk back over to George St Medical and speak to Reception who will tell Dr. Waks you're back with your results, he looked quickly at my x-ray told me all was good and I was fine to leave.

That's pretty much it, nothing invasive at all, and you need to bring along a Express Post envelope, they know exactly where to mail it off to.. so hopefully the consulate will receive all my results in the next few days.. I've also sent off my Packet 3 on Tuesday so I hope most of it is all received together.

Also, once you book your medical exam you will get the following instructions via email, the sooner you can get it all together the better.. this is an exact copy from the email you will get from them:

Dear

In order to complete your Visa Medical Examination in a timely manner, please send us the following information either by email or fax with a copy of your passport /drivers licence(for Non Immigrant Visa) as soon as possible.

PLEASE RECONFIRM YOUR MEDICAL APPOINTMENT BY TELEPHONE (9247 4653 or 9239 1677) 2 WORKING DAYS BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT, OR ELSE IT WILL BE CANCELLED.

1. Your case number(s)

2. Type of Visa requested (Immigrant, or Non-Immigrant)

3. Home address (postal address as well, if different)

4. Telephone number (two numbers if possible), and email address

5. Have you ever lived overseas for more than 12 months(This includes being born overseas)? Which country(ies)?

6. Have you contacted the US Consulate in Sydney, or are you in touch with the Consulate in another city (if so, which city?)

_____________________________________________________________________

On the day of your medical examination, you will need to bring the following:

1. Current (valid) passport (or drivers licence for DUI applicants)

2. 3 passport size photos with your signature on the back (only 1 photo for children under age 15)

3. Spectacles/reading glasses/contact lenses if used

4. Immunisation record including DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), or results of blood tests: proof of immunity against MMR (Measles, Mumps,Rubella) if born in 1957 or later, Chicken pox (Varicella) . If you are unable to show proof, or the test results are negative for immunity, you may need to be vaccinated during the Visa Medical Examination visit and extra costs will be incurred. During winter season (Apr to Oct) flu vaccine is compulsory. If you already had it this year, please bring doctor's certificate for it. Otherwise, Dr Waks or Dr Rappaport will give it to you during your visit.

5. Child’s Immunisation Health Record (‘Blue Book’ in NSW) for children.

6. Fees (We accept cash, EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards)

7. A4 size Express Post Envelope (please purchase at any Australia Post)

If you are unable to provide the documents on the day of your Medical Examination, you may be asked to re-book your Medical Examination and incur cancellation charges.

If you are unsure of what to bring, please contact us by telephone on 02 9239 1677 (Dr Waks), and 02 9247 4653 (Dr Rappaport)

Sincerely,

USA Visa Medical Section, George Street Medical Centre

308 George St Sydney NSW 2000 Fax 02 9222 1420

(sent on : / / 20 by _____________)

I hope this info works, and if you have any more questions let me know!

About Immunisations:

If you can't find your childhood immunisation records, contact your local council where you were living at the time around the first 1-2 years of your life, the council keeps all these records on file and doesn't cost a thing to retrieve I got mine on the same day I queried into them. Dr. Waks said the records I obtained from the council were sufficient and I only needed a Flu Vaccination (which cost $20). (This may vary with you depending on age though).

About payments:

You have to make a few separate payments, one lot with George St Medical office (Mine was $300) then $20 with Pathology (separate) and $80 with Castlereagh Imaging (separate as well). They all take eftpos so you don't need to carry large amounts of cash on you.

1. Yes for at least the medical, the police check depends on your state but normally yes as well

2. You CAN yes, but if you're still waiting on the medical and police check you should send it now. If you had P3 ready to go (ALL the docs) then you could send it together.

Great, thank you.

I have another question, this whole packet 3 is starting to confuse me.

The DSL-1076 check-list asks for "Documents required by Consulate" and "Document attached" tick list. It asks for Birth Cert original and photocopy and Australian Police certificate original and photocopy.. Does this need to be sent along with Packet 3, or is this taken with me for the interview? I had my police check today and they are sending everything directly to the consulate, so I won't be able to get a photocopy?

Also, do I send the I-134 along with Packet 3, or is this too taken with me for the interview?

It's so confusing I just want to make sure I'm sending the right things off at the right time.

No you cannot send the documents until you receive P3. Even though you KNOW what documents you require, they will toss your forms out because they won't have the file yet. He will receive the email with P3 and THEN you can send the docs per the link.

Call NVC again and find out if they've sent your file to sydney yet. Sometimes they can take a while to send it on.

Thanks!

**Update**

Today we received the email with the Packet 3 info (yay ), luckily for me I had filled out and printed all these documents yesterday and are ready to go.

I have a couple of question on Packet 3

1. Do I need to wait for my medical and police check results and send them along with Packet 3? Or do they get sent directly to the consulate from where I have them done?

2. Can I send DS-230 (Part 1) along with Packet 3, or does this have to be mailed separately as on the form they said it needs to be received ASAP.

Thanks again!

Yes, for the most part. DS-156 has to be filled out online. Read the directions here for your consulate.

http://canberra.usembassy.gov/fiance_niv_appl.html

You will find everything there.

Good luck

EDIT: yes you have the correct information. Make sure you get a copy of the NOA2 to take with you also. Some consulates require a copy of that.

Thanks for that!

Yep, already have the original and a photocopy of the NOA2!

Hi VJer's,

I was hoping to get some questions regarding Packet 3.

I am currently in the US with my fiance for a few more days before going back to Australia. We received our NOA2 on the 17th July, I called the NVC exactly a week later and was provided my case number starting with SYD..

I have since organised both my medical (which will be on the 7th Aug and my police check will be done on the 6th Aug). We have also obtained all I-134 documents and requirements and I will be bringing those back with me as well, along with a copy of our I-129F and supporting documents for my interview.

We have yet to receive the Packet 3 info.. I was assuming since my fiance provided his email address they would be sending it to him via email.

Mainly my question is, am I able to pre-fill out all the documents required for Packet 3 and bring them back to Australia with me, then send it off with my case number to the consulate once I am back in Sydney?

I am assuming the documents required are these:

http://canberra.usembassy.gov/fiance_niv_appl.html

If I am missing anything, or this can be done - or if you have successfully done this any information would be great! I am trying to move things along as quickly as possible!

Thank you in advance!

Hi VJer's,

I just wanted to share our good news! We received notification through the USCIS website today that our petition was approved! We are both so excited!

I would like to thank everyone who has made this site and all the information provided as we submitted everything correctly and had no troubles!

Now I have to try and get my head around what we need to organize now. Any tips would be appreciated!

To everyone else out there waiting - hang in there! Your turn will come soon!