Sheepwalk

Hi emjkitazawa,

Your file will probably be sent out from CSC this weekend or next week.

We were approved on 7th Aug. CSC sent it out to NVC on 4th this month.

Gathering many of the posts on VJ, a little shorter than 1 month should be a new norm.

Ah, better call Department of State rather than NVC! My fiance says DoS staff is very nice and take only a minute or two to talk.

This is VJer's post from July (sorry i lost the link):

St&Sv

Posted 27 July 2013 - 01:35 PM

I recommend you call the Dept of State (202-663-1225) over the NVC. Our petition was shipped on 7/18 and I called a week later to hear the same thing I heard last time I called; "we don't have you in our system, please wait up to 8 weeks". After calling the DoS (hit 1 for english and then 0 for an operator...i was surprised no wait or annoying music!) he took my info and told me the NVC had it and should be done processing it shortly. He also had my case number too. DoS was much more easier to deal with than NVC.

Less than 1 months for a file transfer from a service center to NVC -- seems a new norm.

Also CSC filer, approved on 7th AUG, file sent out to NVC on 4th SEP.

It should be received by NVC in a few days and sent out to consulate within 1-2 days.

USCIS is now officially stating I-129F petition will be adjucated in 5 months, followed by 2 months of file-transfer period inside the country.

They told us 8 weeks too but it actually took around 3 weeks. I believe 8 weeks is the standard response, as some others said. After ours left USCIS, the process sped up tremendously. We are probably interviewing in the next week or so. Spend this time to get everything ready that you need. Good luck!!

Good luck for the interview!

Hope ours will be there too in 3 weeks.

My fiance called DoS today, 30th, our case hasn't reached them yet.

Our NOA2 is 7th Aug, from CSC.

There are no red flags..... No children involved. He has never been married or in trouble. I just don't want any issues. This is extremely stressful and I am so afraid I am going to make a mistake on paper work

Hi, if you wish to go through this journey stress-free, then doing yourself should be the best choice.

We hired a lawyer based in LA and regret it much. It's a lot of frustration when you need to do war-of-words with a law office, just to make them work properly.

They delayed filing our case one month. A lot of misinformation and lies.

If you pay like USD5000 for a K-1 visa alone, yes, you might get a good service but not by USD3000.

Remember you'll have AOS with USCIS after marriage. It's better you being familiar with these processes.

For your Q2, no, you don't need an attorney to be at the interview.

Another choice for you would be a documentation service like Rapid Visa.

I hear they are quick and cost only USD400.

http://rapidvisa.com/K1FianceeVisa.aspx

Good luck !!!

I have thought about this, and while it is likely they wouldn't check, if they did then the letter from my employer saying I'm currently employed and in good standing would be pretty inaccurate.

I've already made 30k this year, so do you think a letter from the dog business stating that I am permanently employed and making X salary going forward, plus a cosponsor would be enough? It goes without saying that everyone on this forum would rather not wait any longer than they have to.

It shouldn't matter to the consular officer if I switched to a lower paying job, as long as it is still safely above the minimum required right?

Hi, we've talked this with a lawyer for our case, and he said 1 month paystub and an employer's letter is fine.

Because US Embassy looks at your CURRENT pay.

So I would answer yes to your Q.

Yes, it shouldn't matter to them if you earn enough currently.

Hi, sorry to hear about your situation.

Another option I could think of is: your fiancee can wait booking the interview date for a few months.

Your NOA2 is valid for 4 months. The expiration date is written on it. You can extend the interview more if you choose to, by sending a letter to US embassy. Please check for country specifics on this.

If I were you, I'll wait to have 2 or 3 months paychecks and also arrange a co-sponsor, to be on a safe side.

Good luck! The dog business sounds so much fun !!!

Definitely no translation needed.

Good luck, you're almost there.

Over 200 days is too bad...

You might want to contact your local representative's office and request for support of immigration liaison.

In our case it helped, local congressman's liaison was very nice and concerned about us.

She called USCIS to inquire on our case right after we reached 5 months, got an answer "wait for several days". We got NOA2 2 days later.

Please take care.

Hi FherJess, we have the same NOA2 date. Ours was actually approved on the 7th. It's funny USCIS changed the date on the site to 8th the following day.

Anyway isn't it great each of us don't have to deal with this uncertainty in our own small corners of the world?

Once the case is received by DoS, it will be sent out to local consulate in 1-2 days.

To have a guess as to when your packet was sent out, check out on DHL.com.

Found this thread, and it really works !

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/302190-dhl-tracking-from-nvc-to-us-embassy/

Hi

We were approved by SCS on aug 15, 2013 and I called NVC today and they have not received our case yet. I will try call than every other day and hope that they will give me case number.

When is good time to filled out packet 3 ( ds230, ds156, ds157, I-134) that I download it from cambodia embassy. I read the post on VJ most people fill those when they got NOA2.

Hi there, form DS-157 is used when a foreign fiance is a man. Yes you can get ready for other forms, especially the I-134 and accompanying evidences such as tax return and employer's letter.

Other docs needed and possibly taking time to prepare is Police Certificate from countries other than your homeland.

Also the foreign fiance(e) can take immunization shots at a local doctor before medical check. Please double check country specifics for medicals.

Just to make sure, VJ Guide here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

Congrats on your NOA2 and good luck !!!!!

Wow, congratulations !!!

We're waiting from 8th AUG for our case to be sent to DoS.

So NVC messages us... that's definitely a good news

Hi, we have the same situation here. We were approved by CSC on 8th AUG, fiance called DOS today to find out our case hasn't reached there yet.

It seems we need to wait for a few more weeks !!!

Just hoping it hasn't sent to NBC.

I've read that you'll get message when the file is sent to NVC. That's great if you can confirm it on check status site.

You may found info on docs to prepare for the interview in US Embassy in Poland website.

Good luck !!!

Anyone denied at petition stage? How did you answer?

So you mean CSC... Thanx.

Thanks! In fact I never had an interview. The petition was denied at California Service Center.

Hello VJers!!!

Does anyone know how to answer 31. of Form DS-156 Part I?

The question is:

31. Have You Ever Been Refused a U.S. Visa?

Yes x No

Where?

I was denied a work-related non-immigrant visa petition some years back. So I need to answer "yes", and fill out the location.

Which address would be appropriate, the beneficiary's (my) residence, or petitioner's (my company's) office, which is inside the US??

Any tips would be great. I need your help. Thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations on your speedy NOA2 and a desirable job offer!

Lawyers say US consulates look at your "current" job, so if you could present 1 month's paystub which times 12 is above the poverty line x 125%, employer's letter and tax returns, you should be fine.

Having said that, I would feel the same way as you. I would accumulate a few months paystubs and explain that I was abroad for 2 years. I might also get ready for a co-sponsor.

The NOA2 is valid for 4 months. Expiry date is written in it.

Your fiance(e) can make ready for all the docs and respond to the Packet 3 instruction right away, then just hold off booking the interview for a few months.

Should you decide to hold off the interview further, you can ask for the extension of the NOA2 to by writing a letter to his/her local consulate.

I read in a VJ forum that you can ask for extension up to 1 year, 4 months at a time.

Please make sure to check for country specifics if you do decide to do so.

Good luck!

Thanks a million !!!

Was it LAX that was easy peasy POE. Planning on using it.

Yes to the photo...

But it is not requested on the DS 230, rather the contact info sheet that is included in the packet 3.

It also asks for 2 more of the same photo to the embassy if you apply for the visa withing 6 months.

It specifies a white background.

Not sure about your 156 answer.

Cheers M

Thanks!!! Then I'll go & get the photos this weekend.

I've read somewhere that the packet 3 especially indicates to show your ears in the photos. Funny... do they want our ears to stand with a scotch tape.

Home, jetlaged and with each other in California!

T: excellent!

C: the sealed envelope is what arrives from the embassy along with the passport! do not Open!!!

Immigration was a breeze. rookie officer, called supervisor to deal with the minimal paperwork.

Seemed like they just stamped the 2nd page of I129f, used the 90 day date stamp, stamped the passport, stamped the blue customs card. No interview room, no secondary.

Cheers!

Omedeto gozaimasu!!!

Wish you and all the red-tape-survivors here for a long, sweet marriage.

We've just received NOA2 this month and wrapping up our documentation.

So glad to find this thread... Thanks for sharing.

If anyone knows, could you advice me on:

1. Do you need to send back a photo together with DS-230 Part 1 to the Embassy ASAP after packet 3?

2. Is a renewed letter of intent from both of us required at the Embassy?

3. What to answer Q31 of DS-156 (Have you ever been refused a US visa? Yes --> Where??)

I was denied a petition for intra-company transfer my company submitted 3 years ago. Shall I answer my address in Tokyo or the company's address in the US, which the denial notice was sent?

Any tips appreciated!

just saw this post.

An answer from Sydney.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/412734-february-2013-filers-k1/page-46#entry6442980

Thank you for your recent inquiry.

To revalidate your petition, please have your U.S. citizen fiancé provide you a letter, requesting that your petition be extended to a further 4 months from the approval date of the I-129F petition. This letter must be dated and signed by your fiancé.

The letter from your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) should state their intention to still marry you within 90 days of your arrival into the U.S. with the K-1 visa and that you both are still free to marry.

Please scan and email a copy of this letter to SydneyIV@state.gov

If your request for revalidation is approved your application will automatically be extended & you will not be notified, however, if it is denied, only then will we contact you within 5 business days to you to advise you further.

Thank you

U.S. Consulate General, Sydney

Immigrant Visa Unit

(CC)

Note: You should never pay for travel arrangements (e.g., airfare, hotels) without having a visa in your possession. The U.S. Consulate General accepts no responsibility if you do so. Generally, it will take 5 business days to print your visa and prepare your document package after your interview; however, we are unable to guarantee the issuance of a U.S. visa before a fixed travel date. You risk significant financial losses if you ignore this advice.

**** Please include your case number in all correspondence ****

Please think before you print. Do you really need to print this email?

Just in case others run into the same issue as me, there is some relief knowing you can extend the period easily! I am so thankful!

Happy for you.

Hi Marie,

I think many hunny-bunny filers could be in the same situation.

As I was too, earlier, looked up for some information.

You are right, the approved petition is valid for 4 months.

The date is written on your I-797(NOA2). In your case it should be valid until 1st December.

Then, to extend the visa application, a US citizen need to write a letter to the embassy to explain it, in Tokyo.

It could be country specific so you'd better contact Montreal as pro_star suggests.

Don't worry. You have still plenty of time to prepare!

Is there any description on the site of US Embassy in London on extending the 4 months period?

In Tokyo when a US citizen writes and sends a letter explaining the reason to ask for K-1 interview extension, it may be accepted.

Please ask advice in UK portal.

I know your worries...

Good luck.

NOA2 confirmed late in the evening on the USCIS website, after 161 days (5 months, 1 week & 5 days)

Thanks to fellow Feb filers' posts here, we decided to file e-request and asked help to a local congressman's office.

On Monday a congressman's staff called CSC about our case, and got approved Wednesday night.

If there's anyone left out like us, please don't hesitate to make action !!!

We were virtually the last of the batch. Still couldn't place e-request, being told "within normal processing" by the site.