Bambi & João

Have most countries been giving you an idea of when to expect your visa after the interview? My fiancee and I really hope we can get it within 10 days so he can fly out of the 6th. I actually have a long weekend off of work so that would be so perfect. I just wonder if they will actually tell us when so we know for sure that it's safe to book the trip. Of course, most curious about Brazil but i know there are just a few of us who are going through Rio de Janeiro so in general are they telling you and how long is it averaging? I know recently I've seen people post that they hope they'll get their visas by a certain date so it has me a little curious.

Well VJers, I am happy and sad. I feel silly even feeling a little bit negative but such as life.

GOOD NEWS: We finally got our interview date today!

BAD NEWS: It's not until January 23, 2014!!

Apparently the embassy in Vancouver is really backlogged which is why our date is so far away. Obviously I am quite upset with this as our goal was to be together for Christmas and that isn't going to happen. I know that this will all end in a happy result, but it's hard to feel happy knowing we are still far from done.

On the upside, at least we know what we are facing, but it's still hard!

Happy to hear you got your interview but I'm sorry that you have to wait! Since you don't have to have a visa to visit the USA from Canada, can't you still spend the holiday together? I'm not sure how far apart you are. For some countries, a visa i an absolute necessity. I had to have a visa to even visit Brazil but I know when I go to Canada, I am able to enter the country with just a passport? Of course, sometimes cost can be part of teh issue. It cost me over $1000 for every flight to Brazil so with expenses from Christmas, the wedding, and then we have to do the AOS, my fiancee had asked if the visa were delayed could I come be with him for Christmas. Unfortunately, I wouldn't have been able to. Still hoping all goes through as planned. The good news is you'll be together for Valentines Day, right?? My fiancee's birthday is February 13. I was with him in Brazil for his birthday and Valentines Day last year. I'm excited that this year we'll be together again.

What did you all pay for the courrier fee to get your visa delivered especially if you are in Brazil but really we just want an idea. I know it's probably going to be different everywhere but my fiancee isn't sure how much money to take. He doesn't want to carry alot of unnecessary money if possible because he has to commute through a part of town that he said is not safe. Since he intends to leave and be there very early, he told me to ask around and see what people paid?

He did finally receive packet 4 today! :-) We are ready to go! If all goes as planned, he will have his last students on December 5 and fly out on December 6! Now we pray!

I'm the American but both my fiancee and I have thought of a few things. My fiancee is not here yet but will be in about a month if all goes well. We were talking the other day and he was saying that he will need a state ID card, Since he is from Rio de Janeiro, he has never needed to drive so he has no license. I'd eventually like him to learn but for now we can get by. Until he gets a license, will he be allowed to get some sort of state ID card? I live in Michigan. He likes to go to the gym so I want to add him to my membership but the gym requires us to prove that we live in the same household for a discounted price. Will his K1 Visa have my address as his address of residence on it? If he can get an ID card, how soon will he be allowed to do so?

My other question is about travel. Once we are married and we get the adjustment of status, I know that he will be able to travel back to Brazil to see family. I have started to wonder if I will have trouble traveling to Brazil once I am married to a Brazilian Citizen? Will they stop me from going to Brazil with him for fear that he will try to smuggle me in? I have a 10 year visa that says I can go into the country for up to 90 days at a time but no more than 6 months out of the year. It has about 9 years left on it. Will I have to replace the visa at full cost once we are married to change my name?

wow by the way, our interview is on the same day!! Good luck for US!! Fingers crossed

Hello, he will receive packet 4 in the mail soon, yes. I received packet 3 (email) on Oct 31st, and packet 4 came in the mail a week later, on Nov 8th. Packet 4 is just basically the same thing as packet 3...it's a letter showing your interview date, some info on medical examination (nothing you dont know already) and some links for further information. On the letter it says "This letter must be presented upon your arrival at this office on the appointment date."

Good luck on the interview!!

Thanks you! Hopefully he gets his papers soon then! My email came on October 31, too. The part that confused me was that it came to me and not him. Good luck at your interview. Post and let me know how it goes. I hope you're both approved. My fiancee is hoping to be here for Christmas!! I hope we can make it happen!

We already have the other info and the crazy thing is they said he does NOT need my divorce decree. He has it just in case but they said it isn't necessary. He has the original and a simple copy of both of our birth certificates, my divorce decree... We have gone over the paperwork multiple times. He had his medical today and has his info from the police so he is 100% ready! We were just concerned because we never got anything in the mail. 2 weeks and 5 days til the interview!!!!The embassy has answered EVERY question except the one about the letter. I'm going to assume it is all good. He's going to book his flight as soon as we get teh final approval and have an estimated date of the visa's arrival! I'm excited that we should be together for Christmas!! :-)

Thank you!!! Maybe we can both stop worrying now! :-)

Medical done!! Fiancee said it went GREAT!! Now, I am only confused as to why he has received nothing in the mail. I got the email confirming the interview that tells him to print it and send bring it to the interview? Could this be all he is going to get? Maybe they have decided to start on saving postage? I don't know. I did start another thread because of it. Rio no longer does packet 3. I am wondering if the close to do packet 4 by email since I had been in contact with them asking questions before the date was confirmed?

I've contacted the embassy MULTIPLE times. I know Brazil doesn't send packet 3 so I pretty much received that when I got the email but is this also considered packet 4? I keep hearing that he has to take the letter that he receives to the interview but he has not received one piece of mail since I sent out the petition in May. They even sent the email to me. The embassy has been good about responding and answering my questions but they are ignoring the question about whether this is packet 4? I've known since October 31 that his interview is scheduled for November 27. Has anyone else NOT received a letter in the mail and had an interview? It DOES say to print a copy of the email and take to the interview but with others saying that they got a letter, I m slightly concerned. He has less than three weeks. Why is the embassy ignoring only that question?

Here is the email. My case number was in the subject line so when I print it, it will show up!

Dear Sir or Madam,

This email is to confirm your immigrant visa interview scheduled for November 27th at 7:15 at the U.S. Consulate Rio de Janeiro. The Consulate is conveniently located at the following address: Av. Presidente Wilson 147 – Centro.

Instructions for Fiancée Applicants (IMPORTANT)

You are required to present all the following documents at your visa interview to insure that your process will be analyzed by the Consular Officer. Any missing document may delay the issuance of your immigrant visa for several months.

Fiancée visas require:

Passport (with at least 8 months of validity remaining)
Fee
Photo
Medical Exam (submit to the doctor your Interview Confirmation Letter)
DS-230 (fill out just part I)
DS-160 – your interview will be rescheduled if you fill out the form incorrectly and/or incomplete
Police Certificate from the Federal Police
Police Certificate from the “Secretaria de Segurança Pública”
Sworn Statement
Poverty Guildelines
Form I-134 - Instructions
Proof of Relationship between American citizen and fiancée

We can no longer accept the fee payment through credit cards. Therefore, on the day of interview, all K visa applicants must be prepared to pay the US$ 240.00 visa fee at the consulate cashier in dollars or the equivalent in Reais in cash.

In the event of an emergency, appointments may be rescheduled by e-mailing immigrationrio@state.gov. Unfortunately, due to advance scheduling, please note that you may be rescheduled 30 to 60 days from your initial appointment. As many immigrant visa files include documents with validity expiration dates, including the I-129F visa petition, please be sure to check validity dates on all documents before coming to your rescheduled appointment.

Please visit our webpage for complete information: http://brazil.usembassy.gov/interview/forms-for-fiancee-visas.html

Please print this e-mail and bring along with the documents on the day of your interview.

IMPORTANT: Cameras, laptops, cellular phones and baggage are not allowed into the Consulate building.
The Consulate does not have luggage storage compartments.

Regards,

Esta é uma confirmação de sua entrevista para visto de imigrante marcada para o dia 27 de novembro às 7:15 no Consulado Americano do Rio de Janeiro. Para sua conveniência, nosso endereço é: Av. Presidente Wilson 147 – Centro.

Instruções para requerentes de vistos de noivos(as) (IMPORTANTE)

Você deverá apresentar os seguintes documentos na sua entrevista de visto para que seu processo seja apreciado pelo Oficial Consular. A falta de algum documento poderá atrasar a emissão do seu visto por vários meses.

Para os vistos de noivo(a) será necessário:

Passaporte (com no mínimo 8 meses de validade)

Taxa

Foto (frontal, com as orelhas aparentes)

Exame Medico (apresente ao médico sua Carta de Confirmação de Entrevista)

DS-230 (preencher somente parte I)
DS-160 – caso não apresente o formulário preenchido corretamente, sua entrevista será remarcada

Atestado de Bons Antecedentes da Polícia Federal

Atestado de Bons Antecedentes da Secretaria de Segurança Pública

Declaração Juramentada
Renda Minima
Formulário I-134 - Instructions
Prova de relacionamento entre o cidadão americano e o noivo(a)

Não podemos mais aceitar o pagamento da taxa através do cartão de crédito. Portanto, no dia da entrevista, todos os candidatos para vistos K, deverão estar preparados para o pagamento de US$ 240.00 em dólares ou o equivalente em reais em dinheiro diretamente no caixa do consulado.

Em caso de emergência, as entrevistas podem ser remarcadas por correio eletrônico: Immigrationrio@state.gov . Infelizmente, devido ao processo de agendamento, a entrevista poderá a ser remarcava de 30 a 60 dias após a sua data original. Uma vez que muitos documentos necessários para o visto de imigrante possuem data de expiração, por favor, não esqueça de verificar a validade dos mesmos, caso sua entrevista seja remarcada.

Favor acessar a nossa pagina na internet: http://portuguese.brazil.usembassy.gov/pt/fiancee2.html

Por favor, imprima esse e-mail e traga com os documentos no dia da sua entrevista.

IMPORTANTE: Não é permitida a entrada de Notebooks, câmeras fotográficas,
Tablets, celulares e bolsas de viagem no interior do Consulado.
O Consulado Não dispõe de serviço de guarda-volumes.

Atenciosamente,



Immigrant Visa Unit
United States Consulate General
Rio de Janeiro - RJ -Brazil

I'm with you!!! My fiancée is doing the same thing! He's sent me a fee updates! He said the doctor rocks! He was on his way to get the x ray!!! Soon were gonna be with our loved ones and the stress of the visa will be a memory that was totally worth it!!!!

*a few updates

Posting from my phone and can't type!

Aww so many are leaving for the US already. Wishing you all the best of luck for your trips. The waiting is just about over. Congrats !!

My co-sponsor has finally sent of paperwork to my fiance and once he gets it, then it's going to be express posted to me. I also got the last of my childrens vaccinations today $146 for one needle. I have emailed the medica centre to send out my results and packet 3 should be sent in by end of next week. I'm hoping to leave for US on 19th Dec to spend Christmas with my fiance and our new family

I had to get a co-sponsor for my fiancee because with my kids from a previous marriage, it made my income lower than the amount required but my brother offered. My fiancee has all of his information ready to take to his interview as well as mine. Has anyone had a co-sponsor and been approved on the day of the interview? I'm hoping that it doesn't cause a delay.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Three weeks from today is my fiancee's interview!! I'm so ready for him!! :-)

Mail stinks! I went FedEx.... too bad he doesn't need them!

That's great you were able to find the documents. Just to clarify, my understanding is that they will be ok with a copy of your birth certificate, but they want an original and a copy of your (petitoner's) divorce decree, which it sounds like you have now sent. You'll need to get him the I-134 and supporting financial information as well, but that can be scanned. Don't forget it include a copy of your W-2(s) if you are using a copy of your 2012 tax return, since you probably don't have time to get a tax transcript.

The embassy just responded to my that I sent last week. Of course, I already sent my fiancee all of the information. It seems he will have more than necessary. Oh well, too much is better than not enough! Here is the reply:

"Dear sir or madam,

For the fiancée visa interview only the applicant`s documents are required, except for the financial information you mentioned, this must be provided by you as you said.

Regards,

Immigrant Visa Unit

United States Consulate General

Rio de Janeiro - RJ -Brazil

GM"

I found all of my info! My divorce decree, my birth certificate, I uploaded the original petition for him, we did the DS 160 online, he has his police certificates and all of his information. He ran out of ink as I was sending docs over Skype last night so he bought more today. The embassy said that a simple copy of divorce decree and birth certificate will do! All he has left to do is print out the rest of the info tonight, go to his doctor Friday, get approved and COME TO MICHIGAN!!!! If everything goes well, we will book the ticket the day of the interview. He hopes to fly out before December 10. Anyone in Brazil? How many days until your visa was delivered after the interview? I hear it usually takes 10 days or less so it should be possible. Worst case scenario, we pay a small fee to reschedule the flight? I'm excited!! 23 days until his interview and we are READY! Now how did you guys get those countdowns into your signatures? I want one!!

Can anyone give us ideas of questions they asked? I found a list and he was able to answer them all? Just curious if you were asked anything different? He pretty much knows my entire life history. He was even worried about knowing my siblings and their kids birthdays. I doubt they will ask those questions. I do have children(although 2 are over 18 they get mad when I call them children) from a previous marriage and he knows their ages, birthdays, and he talks to them regularly on Skype. We even have movie nights (over Skype) with the family so he can answer most everything about them. The kids love him!

After tearing my house apart and cleaning EVERYTHING today, I finally found them....only after getting frustrated and giving up I remembered that I stuck them in an envelope and put them in the safe in case I needed them! I scanned them and I am sending him a copy over Skype. Monday morning I am going to try to get the originals in the mail. I am going to see what is the best way to ensure he gets them by November 27. I have little faith in the mail between here and Brazil due to previously lost packages and letters! I am also sending my birth certificate that was with them. Is there anything else you suggest I send? I'm praying that we can spend Christmas TOGETHER instead of over Skype like before!

I asked almost the very same question today. Did they need the original? I don't think I have time to get mine to my fiancee in Rio de Janeiro. It has me worried. To make it worse, I think I sent the original for my petition to the USCIS because I cannot find it anywhere so I have to find a way to take a day off of work to get it and hope to get it to him in time for his interview.

Thanks!!! I'm going crazy here. I've tore my house apart looking for them as well as my birth certificate! I'm wondering if I sent the originals with my petition because I can't find them. The papers require a roadtrip because my ex is a couple of hours away so this gets even trickier! I'm going to try to replace them and get them to him on time. I hope that I can make it!

According to the info on here as well as the info in the email that I received, the following is a list of things my fiancee brings to his interview. I am working on preparing all docs as quickly as possible but we have attempted FOUR times to send mail between the USA and Brazil. Two times they were insured because I sent him a gift. He only received his letter ONE of those four times. I wish I had known this when i was in Brazil in August, I would have taken the docs then but I did my research after the fact. OOPS. Anyway, when I filed at the USCIS, I had to send a divorce decree (I have been married) as well as birth certificate along with a ton of other things identifying myself. I am confused as to whether he needs my divorce papers and birth certificate again for his interview. The USCIS had them and approved it so are they just looking to see his documents? He was never married so it would not apply to him. The interview came up much quicker than expected and since they want originals, getting them to him is not likely and I really don't trust the mail. If he shows up with all of his documents, will he still be ale to be approved since I did send all of the info when I sent the petition? Looking at teh list is says to send him:

- USC's latest federal income taxes,
- USC's proof of current job and
- USC's proof of citizenship or greencard

This makes me think that those are the items that they want from me, the USC (United States Citizen). Has anyone had their interview and been approved without these documents? What did you take?

You should bring your packet 4 of documents to the Consulate in Rio on the day of the interview.

You can find all of the forms and instructions for every type of visa in this page:
http://brazil.usembassy.gov/ins-forms.html (english)
http://portuguese.brazil.usembassy.gov/pt/package.html (portuguese)

Instructions for the K-1 visa:
http://brazil.usembassy.gov/interview/forms-for-fiancee-visas.html (english)
http://portuguese.brazil.usembassy.gov/pt/fiancee2.html (portuguese)

PDF document with detailed information for the K-1 visa:
http://photos.state.gov/libraries/brazil/571295/pdfs/Inst_amp_Interv-letter-Fiancee-Eng-Sept12.pdf (english)
http://photos.state.gov/libraries/brazil/571295/pdfs/Instr_amp_Carta-Entrev-Noiva-Port-Sept12.pdf (portuguese)

List of documents for the K-1 Fiance(e) Visa:

1- Two front view photos (name printed behind) (these passport pictures needs to show the ears;
2- Passport (at least eight months validity remaining);
3- Visa fee paid at the Consulate on the day of the interview;
4- Form DS-230 part 1(duly completed and signed) (All K visas);
5- Two forms DS-156 (electronically filled out with bar code and signed);
6- Form DS-156K;
7- Form DS-157 (for those over 16 years old);
9- Sworn Statement (avaliable on the website);
10- Birth certificate and copy (even if previously married);
11- Divorce decree and copy (if applicable)
12- Death certificate and copy (if applicable)
13- Military service and copy (if applicable)
14- Police Certificate and copy (Secretaria de Segurança Pública)
15- Police Certificate and copy (Polícia Federal)
16- Police Certificate from other countries and copy (if applicable)
17- Affidavit of Support
- Form I-134 signed
- USC's latest federal income taxes,
- USC's proof of current job and
- USC's proof of citizenship or greencard
18- Medical Exam (sealed)
19- Complete Court Records, judicial situation, including processes in Brazil and in the U.S. (if applicable) with a simple copy
20- USCIS/DHS processes/records (e.g. deportation proceedings, voluntarily removal, change of visa category processes, petitions or hearings before immigration judges, asylum papers, etc.) with a simple copy.

I am sorry that was a stupid question but I did read the guidelines and am still confused. I asked the embassy and they sent me a link and it says "required for visa" but his interview info says he needs evidence of relationship for the interview. Then it says that some things even if submitted to the USCIS at the time of filing will need to be brought to the interview. It really doesn't answer my question because it doesn't mention which things. I would rather be safe than sorry and bring more than the required amount of info than not enough. I DO NOT want his visa delayed. I just thought that maybe some of you who had already been to the interview might be able to answer the question. We seriously spent 4 hours last night on Skype organizing his things. He so nervous right now because we went over the same things multiple times. I have a feeling we will be doing the same thing for the next 27 days.

Did the embassy require anyone to take pictures to the interview? The instructions suggest that he take some evidence of the relationship. Of course, with Skype we have no phone bills. We use Whatsapp and iMessage on our iPhones and Skype for communication. That's much better than the phone. We did some screen shots of ourselves chatting on Skype. He could make them sick with the million heart emojis that I send on whatsapp or iMessage. should he take some photos? Maybe some of the thousands we took together? If so, would a computer print work or should he actually have them printed? What would you do? How many pictures would you take?

Thank you so much!!!!! I didn't see that coming! I REALLY thought it was going to be the 2014 before we could be together!! I'm It everything goes as planned, I could get my wish and have my fiancee with me in time for Christmas!!!! We will be booking the ticket as soon as he has the visa in his hands!!!

Rio sends no packet 3. It comes in as packet 4. It said ready at NVC last week. Got email today!

I AM IN SHOCK!!!!! November 27!!! A girl who was 2 weeks AHEAD is December 17 in Rio! I was seriously expecting Janiary!!!! Happy though!!!!

The embassy replied and said he can do the form over but didn't answer which name.