Neonred

Same person that received the NOA1

Castaway

What are you going to do about the K-1 you have in progress? Are you going to give up on it? Or can you put it on hold? Or will you just wait and do K-3 later? Any idea?

Not sure where you are getting that info. The affidavit of support (I-134) clearly states

"if self employed:

1. Copy of last income tax return filed; or

2. Report of commercial rating concern."

This is copied directly off the instructions from this form. I have it here in front of me now. How can you get 3 years from that??

Since Japan asks for I-134, you only need your last income tax return filed, not last three.

I-134 asks only for last income tax return filed.....not last three, and really only if you are self employed.

OK Slim, which way did you end up sending them? Sure hope they get there quickly which ever way they go.

Golfnut

After she arrives please let us know how it went entering through Atlanta. We will be returning through Atlanta next month and I'm curious about what to expect.

"As I understand there is usually an interview with USCIS when a 129F form is filed."

NO. You send in the paperwork and wait for the NOA1 and NOA2 and then letter from NVC.

Yes, fiance's birth certificate will be needed at the interview but not for I-129f submission. I sent mine USPS, I think it was priority mail with delivery confermation. They gave me tracking number and after 2 days I was able to see online when it was delivered. Less expensive than Fedex or UPS and very easy.

Yes, I have thought about it. What did you do about having your visa registered when you stayed in an apartment? When I stay with my girl in her town we go to the local OVIR office and they take care of it, but it can be a nightmare if you don't know someone there or have some contact person in OVIR. I met a guy from California at the OVIR office and he was on his third day trying to get his visa registered and we walked in and found our "contact" person and were out of there in less than 30 minutes.

Thanks Slim. There are probably better air fares to Moscow but this work well for me because it is all Delta with just one reasonable layover in Atlanta of a few hours. I've seen better prices but usually you have to spend a night in NYC or some other high priced city and then the price for a hotel eats up the savings on the air ticket. Once I get on the plane I just want to get there or home fast. I'm still searching for a "reasonable" hotel in Moscow that's not too far from the embassy.

Yes Slim you better get on it quick. I have sent a few cards over using regular mail and some took a month while others took a few weeks. I have sent two DHL envelopes and even those took more than a week. Funny thing is that DHL guaranteed 3 or 4 day delivery on their website. When I called them and complained and asked what good was the guarantee the did send me a refund of the entire amount....for both envelopes.

If you start the fiance visa process now you will be able to get her here at least 7 months sooner than if you wait until you get married and then file K-3. That is assuming K-1 and K-3 processing takes the same amount of time. For many I have been told K-3 actually was longer, but you should check the timelines. If you start immediately you could have her here pemanently before September, depending on the wait time for the interview at her embassy

No.

Not necessary and will not change the time frame for processing.

Thanks Slim. My round trip from Florida was $745 on Delta. I avoid NYC and fly through Atlanta. The killer is the hotel bill in Moscow.

I enjoy spending time in Moscow, but this time it will be a short stay there and then on to her city. Sounds like I will have a few hours to kill while she is in her interview so I will have to find the cafe near the embassy that someone talked about a while back. I'll try to report back with the details after the interview. In the mean time I need to lay off the caffeine and start looking for that valium...LOL

Well Castaway, at least you will be there for the spring, summer and fall and not for a harsh winter.

Good luck to you and keep all your friends here in the states informed about your life in Russia.

Thanks for resurrecting that. It will come in handy in a few weeks.

WOW...now our names are in RED...we are next! Now I am starting to get nervous. I'll be leaving here on the 15th to meet up with her in Moscow the day before the interview. I know it is probably pointless and I thought I could talk my way out of going, but I DID promise her sometime back that I would be there for her and I have to keep my promise. I'll spend a few weeks with her in preperation for our return, then... USA here we come.

Hi Castaway

Veta has her interview next month, and that is just about 6 months since filing at Texas. Unfortunately it looks like the process isn't getting any quicker. I wish you good luck. Drop me a line if you have any questions.

Another fine example of a lawyers screw up costing you time AND money. Does this answer the often asked question of "should I use a lawyer?"

My girl ordered her police record on Monday and, with the help of a little extra money, was told it would be ready on Wednesday. I hope this will be a valid document!

My bank gave me the exact same info last week. They told me they could not provide me with the total amount deposited last year but assured me it should be fine. They suggested my monthly statements for the total deposited for the year.

Can't help you with the pay stub question as I am self employed, but I would guess 5 or 6 should be fine.

You only need the one I-134. In the middle of the first page it asks for the "Name of the spouse and children accompanying or following to join person" Add the childs name there and that is all.

My pictures were digital. I went to Wal-Mart and printed them out and wrote the place and the date on the back of each picture. I sent in 5 pictures and they were fine.

I did also have copies of plane tickets and visas and hotel receipts.