Salamat_sa_Diyos

Yes, thank you's are in order here.

I'm very happy that a friend told me to check this website when I started my K1 journey. The information on this website was really very helpful. Infact it was more than helpful, it was THE guide.

I'm also very thankful to those who have gone through the journey and continue to support the 'newbies' with their experiences and support. Yes, we all have family and friends. But it is only those who are in Visa Journey who truly understand what we are going through.

My user name is Salamat sa Diyos (in Filipino). What it really means is "Thanks be to God".

I thank God for all of you VJ admin and friends! May God continue to bless us all!

Sincerely,

Jessica

Congratulations!

I just got my Green Card today, too! And it is such a big relief!

Congratulations! I got my letter of approval on Monday, March 24 and I got my Green Card today!

Yours should be in the mail soon!

Thank you everyone! And surprise!

I got my Green Card today in the mail! It wasn't 30 days at all!

So I went to take my Driver's License exam (Yes, I waited this long so I didn't have to take the driving test) this afternoon and I passed!

Green Card and Driver's License in one day!

Now, I feel like the UK Wildcats are going to win tonight!

I don't think you will need a lawyer. Many in this forum have gone through the process without one.

Just to give you an idea...

I arrived in Sept 2013. Got married in Oct. Filed my AOS/EAP/AP in Nov. Biometrics in Dec. Received EAD/AP card in Jan. Received a letter of possible delay in Feb. Received my Welcome to America letter yesterday.

I definitely think you will not get your AP in a month's time. And it even says on the AP that having an AP does not guarantee re-entry to the US. It still depends on the Immigration authorities at your port of entry. Just sayin'.

It is exciting to get married and go on a honeymoon. But please hold off your plans for your honeymoon until you've got proper documentation.

Congratulations and All the best,

Jessica

Dear Friends!

I just want to share the news that I received my 'Welcome to America' letter yesterday. And that they will mail my Green Card in 30 days.

This was my timeline:

• 15 Nov 2013 USCIS received my AOS application and called this day my filing date
• 11 Dec I drove to Louisville, KY to have my biometrics done
• 24 Jan 2014 I receive my EAD and AP card in the mail
• 28 Feb I receive my Notice of Potential Interview Waiver Case. The letter also said that

they anticipate a 6-month delay in processing my green card

• 24 Mar I receive my 'Welcome to America' letter saying that my green card will arrive in 30 days!

I thank God for this approval and I thank Him for sending me people/websites/information on how to go about this process.

Have a wonderful day!

Sincerely,

Jessica

MY POE was in Detroit last year and it took me 20-30 minutes to be interviewed by the immigration officer. And we were standing at the counter. We did have to run after that because I only had an hour layover before my connecting flight to KY.

My friend from France entered through Atlanta in 2011 and they kept her for 2 hours because it was the first time the immigration officer encountered a K1. She also had a connecting flight to KY after that.

I think 4.5 hours is more than enough.

Congratulations on your visa approval!

If you met once, like we did, (3 weeks) then once.

If you met more than once, then group the pictures together and attach them. For example if you met in Jan, Mar, May 2013. Then have 3 sets of 5 photos with descriptions. Explicitly:

(one set) 5 photos together in Jan, including boarding passes, etc.

(one set) 5 photos together in Mar, including boarding passes, etc.

(one set) 5 photos together in May, including boarding passes, etc.

The more evidence you have of meeting face to face, the better.

Hi, Melissa...!

Let me share with you what I did. Then the others in the forum can just add on.

I developed about 12 digital photos and put it in clear plastic bag--similar to a ziplock but thicker. I put my name and my fiance's name at the back and the date. I also made a summary of these photos on 3 sheets of copy paper and typed the description beside each one. The papers were stapled together.

I didn't get any RFE (request for further evidence) since that's all that I could produce. My fiance misplaced his boarding pass so I didn't have anything else to show.

You may paste the boarding pass on a piece of copy paper and any other evidence with your names and place on it. The point is to show that you were together and that you met. I don't think ticket stubs are necessary if they don't contain your names together.

Another thing to note is that even after filing your application, continue to collect evidence of your relationship. Such as snail mail letters and phone bills. Or other subsequent boarding passes on trips you both have taken together after the application has been filed. The consul will ask for these.

Hope that helps and good luck on your journey.

Jessica

I believe that there is a limit...$10,000 cash that you can carry with you. When we entered Detroit, I was asked how much cash do I have with me. It was below the limit but the officer did not ask to see it.

What I read here previously, one woman opened a dollar account with Citibank locally and then she just maintained the account in the US. She could withdraw the money from there.

Hope that helps. All the best.

Jessica

When I applied for a change in name for my SS card, the lady asked for my marriage certificate and the I-94. When I showed her a printed copy of the I-94, she said she needed the original one. I stood my ground and said, "If you read the fine print below it says that as of April, the I-94 is automated." She read it and said, "Oh, this is the first time I've seen this. Alright." And then she processed my SS card.

Ask the lady to read the fine print. Hope that helps.

Jessica

All the best...

I found this question somewhere in VJ archives which was proved useful. In the event that they don't say "approved" outright and just say "ok, we're done," ask: What can I tell my fiance the outcome of my interview today? Hopefully, he'll say "very approvable" too.

Blessings

Jessica

Let me share with you my experience.

Our NBI clearance has a 1 year validity. My interview was in May 2013 and my NBI was valid until June 2013. He said that I needed to get a newer one. I tried to say that it's valid till June but he said his point. The immigration will check your papers and they need to see that your police clearance is current or at least valid for 6 months. Anyway...

If you read my interview post (sometime in May), I asked the consul "What shall I say to my fiance if he asks the outcome of this interview?" He said that he needed those papers otherwise it looks "very approvable" (those were his words).

My NBI did take a long time even if it was just being renewed. As soon as I got it, I sent the papers with my passport via ARAMEX their assigned courier. And in a week's time, I got an SMS that my passport was ready for collection.

My point here is as long as you "pass" the interview and even if your NBI is missing, it's ok. Just make sure you ask that question (What can I tell my fiance about the outcome of this interview?) In case he doesn't say anything about visa approval.

All the best to you.

Blessings

Jessica

Just follow the instructions on the letter. Have NSO mail it directly to the US Embassy in Singapore. It says 6-8 weeks but it might be less. I couldn't afford the FEDEX thing because you have to set up an account with your credit card, they would block $500 but they won't charge you, etc. blah blah blah. So I just paid the fee using the credit card of my fiance. Remember they only accept American credit cards and a few others. Not Singapore or Filipino issued credit cards. My CENOMAR came in time for my interview which was a month after I ordered it.

I was with a lady who was being interviewed and the embassy official said they were waiting for her CENOMAR. She was STILL interviewed. NSO will mail it in time.

Blessings

Jessica

Hi, Harpa Timsah. Thanks for your reply.

Sorry, what do you mean? Maybe I wasn't clear too.

What do I put in Non Immigration Number? do I put the number that the Embassy gave me Case: 2013 etc

OR

Do i put the number under the annotation that says A#-------------?

So, I've been trying to get my papers and finances ready for the AOS. I see a question on page 2.

Non-Immigrant number.

I checked my passport and under the title Annotation: Fiancee of blah blah blah

I see a A#-------------.

Is that A#------------ my alien number?

Inputs appreciated!

Thanks, Dave! I should have waited a little longer for your reply.

Well, I got paranoid and called the immigration information number. And yes, she told me the I-94 is automated and that I can get my number at www.cbp.gov. I just printed out 4 copies.

Thanks for the link. I'm busy putting my papers together for the AOS.

Okay, so maybe I wasn't paying attention since the officer called his supervisor when I went through immigration. (See related entry about coming in from Detroit). I didn't get any I-94 card. Do I need this or not? And where do I get this?

I read from a friend that she did not need it...after almost crossing the border to Canada.

Inputs appreciated.

I arrived on Friday the 13th at the Detroit International Airport. Let me tell you the little bump I had to overcome.

So, I was at the immigration counter and the officer looks at my paper. Asks me a few questions. Looks at the paper and then calls on his walkie talkie: Supervisor needed for K1 at counter 38.

Supervisor: Do you know that he can send you back to the Philippines right now? You were supposed to be here in August.

Me: calm blank look while praying...

Supervisor: Where were you?

Me: I was in Singapore, working.

Supervisor: You were supposed to be here in August.

Me: Well, look. (Pointing to my passport) My visa was issued in July and I have until next week to be here.

Supervisor: No, look (pointing to the I-129F). This (Feb approval stamp) means you can get married. This one (passport) says you gotta get here. Now, you have to get married within 3 months or else you have to go home.

Me: Yes, I'm getting married on the 4th of Oct. Thank you.

Lesson learned: Be calm. Explain your side. And I really don't think that the approved I-129F means your K1 visa is approved.

We have all of the required documents except:

1. CENOMAR
2. NBI Clearance
3. SG Police CoC

We don't have those documents because we don't know if the USEM SG will accept and process the case or if they will forward it to the USEM MNL. And because we don't know if the documents have to be sent directly to the USEM [sG or MNL] by the originating agency or if the applicant can hand carry the documents to the USEM [sG or MNL].

I sent an email to the USEM SG asking which method of delivery they expected/desired. The response was to follow the instructions in Packet 3. Since the applicant has not yet received Packet 3 we can not follow those instructions at this point in time. We will have to wait for Packet 3 to arrive just to read the instructions for the last 3 documents that we need to acquire/have sent, whichever one it turns out to be for each document.

I posted the information about the case being sent to the USEM SG because I typed here that I would keep you updated as to the progress and share information as if became available.

Sorry for the late reply. But I've honestly been sending replies and this system keeps on saying "Error".

You should have your interview by now.

CENOMAR is sent directly to USEM. You carry your SG Police and NBI clearance.

I'm hoping to hear that you've had a favourable reply in your interview. Please send me a message if you have any questions about CENOMAR, NBI or Police Clearance.

I would like to help and share what I know.

Yay! I got my visa today! I went to pick up my passport from Aramex, the designated courier. I got the brown A4 size envelope that I'm supposed to handcarry and which will be opened only at the POE.

It really feels so good to have all the anxiety gone! What a relief! The ladies who were with me also got their visas! One has left last week and the other will leave on Sunday. I leave in September because we have to notify the school 3 months before.

I'd like to help those who have questions about the K1 visa process in SG. Just send me a message and I'll reply. It's a miracle I can reply to many today. I always log in, then type my reply. After I click send, I get an error message. It was very frustrating. So now is one of those rare occasions where the system is functioning well.

Salamat sa Diyos means Thank you God! May God bless you, too!

This website has been very helpful. Thank you to all who have posted their interview experiences and K1 process. I look forward to reading how to do the AOS soon.

Thank you everyone! Keep the faith!

Hank...duh! That's what I said.

Anyway, I got my K1 visa today! I picked up my passport from Aramex in Kallang.

The two ladies who were with me have their visas as well. They submitted papers, too and then got a reply. One has left last week. The other is leaving on Sunday. I leave in Sept because of work commitments.

If anyone needs help about the visa process, I can be reached at jecruiz@hotmail.com. I've been replying since day one but the system rejects my reply and says "Error!" when I press send. So now I just want to let everyone know where to reach me.

after 10 working days since NOA2 I tried my luck calling nvc and she said they have just received it yesterday from uscis. she gave me our nvc case number but said that they will notify me if they have sent it to Singapore. now that I have the case number, what's next? can I start working on it? I have read somewhere that CENOMAR from Philippines should be filed online and send directly to USEM, is that true? and how about the police clearance? I hope someone from Singapore can enlighten me on this.

Hi...!

I've been wanting to reply since last month but the system logs me out whenever I press send.

I got my visa today from Aramex in Kallang. I leave in Sept.

• CENOMAR has to be sent to USEM. I went the easiest route but longest waiting time route. Got my fiance's credit card and paid for it because they only accept US, European credit cards. I ask them to snail mail it, with my Reference/Case no on the address. It took a while but it's okay. If you want rush, you have to open an account with FEDEX. They have to block $500 of your credit card as part of their policy but they don't withdraw it. T That was the down side, I didn't have a credit card.
• Police Clearance is from Cantonement. Go in the morning as they only accept applications then.
• NBI Clearance. Go to the Phil Embassy. Apply and bring 2 passport photos. Have yourself finger printed. Get that application and send it to the US via Singpost. Write a letter of authorization. Have someone do this for you while you're in SG

I'd love to help you if I can. Please email me at jecruiz@hotmail.com if you have more questions.

My appointment was at 1:30pm. I came early at about 12:45pm only to be told to wait at the visitor's waiting shed. There was a Filipina who was first in the line. I was the second one.

At 1:25pm, we were called by the security guard to come in. He said he only needed the first 5 people in line. I think we were no more than 10 people in line. So we went in, one by one, through the security check. You have to turn off your handphone and surrender it together with iPad etc. We were able to bring our bags with us. They gave me a number tag in exchange. There's a walkway before entering the main building. Upon entering, the room is on the left and take a queue number from Immigration button. The security guard said press the Non-Immigration button, but the Immigration button clearly states that the K visas are under the Immigration button. So take a queue number from the Immigration button.

Picture a counter with many windows. You know, the one like when you buy tickets to a movie or to the zoo. Interview was going to be conducted over the counter. And the people who are waiting are seated behind you. Practice talking with confidence regardless of the many people who by nature and physical circumstances will eavesdrop on your conversation.

Immigration Window:

Officer will ask and check your documents.

1. Appointment letter

2. Passport

3. NRIC or S-Pass/E-Pass for verification

4. Receipt of Payment of visa at Standard Chartered (I made a copy because we have to surrender the original receipt to them.)

*Make a copy and keep it on file.

5. DS 156.

*Even if they need 2 copies, fill out the second one as well. Do not make a copy of the first one. He doubted my penmanship and said I made copies. A sarcastic remark was thrown my way but then again, I bounced back with a correct answer. I said the form may be copies, (I kept the originals intact just in case I made a mistake and photocopied the blank forms), but I filled out both of them. And it ended with a "You're right" from him.

*If a sarcastic remark is said to you, answer calmly and confidently.

6. DS 156 K

7. 4 passport photos that comply with US requirements. I got mine from at Soo Kee Color at Plaza Singapura Basement 2 for $21. Remember all photos should be the same.

8. Birth certificate. (A copy would suffice but I gave him an original.)

9. Police Certificate Singapore (I gave him the original but I made copies for my file.)

10. Police Certificate Philippines (NBI Clearance). (Our NBI clearance has a 1 year validity. Mine was expiring on the 18th of June. They want a more recent one--one that will not expire in 6 months.)

11. CENOMAR Philippines (I forgot to ask him if he received it. However, he did not say that he didn't receive it yet. So he has it on file already.)

12. 1-134 with fiance's ITR 2012 and supporting documents like bank statements, employment certificate etc. (My fiance receives disability income so I needed copies of those.)

13. My Fiance's divorce decrees that are court certified copies. (He checked my copies but said that I would need court certified copies.) This was not on the list but he looked for them.

14. YOUR bank statements and statement of assets just in case. (I didn't have mine but thankfully, the consul never asked.)

15. Evidence of On-going Relationship: Do not give what your fiance filed earlier because they have that already. I gave my birthday card, a bill of lading, a receipt of an engagement ring. Another example, the lady before me gave 4 recent photos of their trips together AFTER filing the I-129F.

*Make sure you have enough evidence of on-going relationship. I didn't know how to download Skype chats and log so I didn't bring that. Think: emails, photos of trips together, love letters, etc. that you received AFTER filing the I-129F.

He gave me back my X-ray and asked me to sit down and wait for my name to be called.

16. Have you been issued a US visa? Yes, tourist visa.

17. Have you been to the US? Yes.

18. Have you been refused a US visa? Yes.

19. Even if you have pending documents, he will reassure you that you will still have your interview. The officer will give you a list of documents to send back to the embassy.

Consul officer

I was holding a pen and a put in front of me a piece of paper so I could take down notes. What I forgot though was to take his name! I only read Christopher.

*Write this question on top: What can I tell my fiance about my interview today? on your piece of paper.

*Copy his name on your piece of paper. I regret not copying his name. I only read Christopher. If you can help me get his name, that would be great.

1. He will give you a piece of paper to read. It contains the information for your application. Just make sure the info is correct. I had to recheck my passport information, fiance's phone numbers because I don't know them by heart.

*Put the necessary information: your passport number, date of issue, place of issue, expiry date, your fiance's name, his address, his phone numbers, his birthday (well you should know that one) on that piece of paper so that you can easily refer to it.

2. He will give you the DS156K to sign in front of him.

*Remember his name is on that paper. Copy it on your piece of paper.

3. He took my fingerprints on the hi-tech thingy. Listen to his instructions.

Questions:

1. What is your fiance's name?

2. How did you meet?

3. Tell me how did you come to this decision (to be engaged) in so short a time? Go ahead do your best.

*Describe how you met. Point out your fiance's good traits. What made you decide to marry him?

4. What does he do for a living?

· While answering his questions, I noticed my body language. I began to slouch forward to hear him through the window. I straightened up and answered questions while maintaining eye contact.

· My lady friend before me said she had to wear heels today because the counter top was high and she wanted to look tall for the interview. I suggest those who are vertically-challenged to do the same.

· Don't volunteer information. Just answer the question and wait for him to ask you to explain. Sometimes, I found myself giving unnecessary information.

Because I had lacking documents, he gave me a sheet that says under Section 221 (g), so and so, you are ineligible for a visa...and then it has the documents that I need to submit.

He kept on saying "Okay, we're done." But did not say anything if my visa was approved or not.

He asked me to register at their courier's website as soon as I got home. Those were specific instructions. And then to send the lacking papers through the courier. He would review it and then ask for my passport to be sent. I would need to send it through the courier as well.

I read the question on the top of my paper and quickly asked, "What can I tell my fiance about my interview today?"

He told me the status of my case (confidential) and that he will wait for my pending documents.

I thanked him. Walked outside the building. Looked up at the American flag and then the sky and said "Thank you, God!"