davidpipgras

Greetings!

I am asking this for a friend and would really appreciate some input:

He came to the US from El Salvador on a work permit. During the original time frame, he was married to a US Citizen, but unfortunately she passed away from Cancer before they could apply for a green card, etc. He was issues a 'parole' to go visit home for a short time, and returned legally to the US, and has since renewed the work permit. He has been here legally since 2001. He has recently re-married to a US citizen (for five years now), and a couple of years ago, they hired and paid an immigration company/lawyer to file documents for them, but said person took their money ($3000+) and vanished without filing anything -- this came as a surprise when they went to renew the work permit. They have been married for 5+ years now, living together, and wanted to start the process again, so I offered to ask the question here, since Visa Journey members have helped me and my wife in our journey (we are at the Citizenship process now--yay!).

So the question is:  Can he apply for citizenship with only a work permit, having lived and worked legally in the US since 2001, despite having a Permanent Residence Card (green card)?  Or, does he HAVE to apply for a green card and follow the process, despite having lived/worked in the US for 21 years and being married to a US Citizen for 5+ years?

Knowledgeable advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave

Greetings Everyone!

My wife and I recently completed the K1 process and first Adjustment of Status (now waiting on the removal of restrictions), and we wish to thank EVERYONE here at Visa Journey for all the amazing and wonderful advise that was shared --- all of which made our process that much easier.

I am posting to ask if anyone is familiar with the process for getting a VISA for relatives of a permanent resident?

Long story short: We would like to invite my wife's parents, sister, and niece to come and VISIT us here in the states. We are NOT seeking immigration at this time, just to come to visit for a short time and return. Everything we have found is for immigration -- and this is not the desired path (maybe down the road, but not now). I know they can file for a tourist visa, etc. but is there any benefit/way to "sponsor" them as a citizen (me) and perm resident alien (green card) holder (her)?

Any information would be appreciated.

Oh, and it would be from Bulgaria to the US for a visit.

Thanks!

Dave

Greetings! I have an urgent question for all of you out there regarding K2 visas, and despite reading what I could find here on VJ as well as the DOJ, USCIS, and half a billion different random sites for "K2" searches, we are still very confused as every other site seems to say something different....

Background (sorry, have not updated our info her as it has been a mad house lately):

My Bulgarian fiancee and I are going through the process now and our steps so far are this:

10/06/14 - Submitted application to Texas Box

10/09/14 - Texas received (per return receipt & Electronic Notification)

10/10/14 - Received Return Receipt from package

10/15/14 - USCIS received package and cashed check

11/13/14 - Received NOA and RFE (missed checkbox on application)

11/14/14 - Sent back RFE with supporting documents, etc.

11/14/14 - Received electronic notice of Approval for I-129F

12/13/14 - Fiance (BG) received letter of information, etc.

12/20/14 - Received paper NOA for Approval of I-129F dated 12/05/14

01/14/15 - Fiancee passed medical screen

01/27/15 - Interview at Sofia (Yay! -- Freaked out -- Yay!)

Now, the question is: She has a daughter who is 14 right now, and we added her to the 1-129F and the DS-160 application as instructed to do (both here and via the form instructions, etc.) By doing this, she can qualify for a "K2" visa based upon the approved K1 visa for her mother...

So far, so good...

Now, here is where the problem comes in:

Different sites and even different people here, have provided conflicting information....

As she is listed on the DS-160, and only 14, do we need to fill out a separate DS-160 for her as well? The State department site that is often linked to only says this is needed for a "K3/K4" visa, or for a 'child' over 21, or for a child who will travel to US *AFTER* one year.

Some people say a separate form is required for the child, some say not. Some say that an additional visa fee will be required, some do not, or do not say anything in regards to a K2 visa (only K3/K4, which is not our case).

So, my question is: Does anyone know absolutely FOR SURE if an additional form and/or fee is required for a 14 year old child if she is listed on her mother's DS-160?

And yes, all approvals for sole parent responsibility and for child's travel are signed and notarized, etc. It is just this question that is totally confusing me and driving me mad.

HELP!!!

Thanks,

Dave

I filled out the forms, even when I had to repeat the same information over and over, just to keep it simple and have everything complete. Just my opinion, but your choice....

Hi Newbie... a little late, but will give you my perspective...

We (my fiancé and I) are going through the process now. I consulted with others and even talked to lawyers, etc. Basically, as noted, unless your case is really, really complicated, you do not need a lawyer. You can do virtually all the steps by yourself and save anywhere from $3000 to $10,000 or more by not having a lawyer. Using all the fine folks here on VJ, we have completed the process up to the consulate interview (next week) ourselves, and it was processed rather quickly and without any problems (the only issue was I missed a checkbox on one of the forms and it was immediately corrected and completed without issues).

The people I have spoken with who have hired lawyers have pretty much all regretted the unnecessary expense. Take that for what it is worth, but for my own example, I am glad I opted to follow the steps on VJ, document the heck out of everything and save the money... you will need it for all the fees....

--Dave

Each is approved individually... however, I believe there ARE cases of decisions being made before the interview even happens... We were denied a visa after a couple of questions that had NOTHING to do with intent to return to the country, even though we provided more than enough proof of such.