tayurshu

Hi everyone!

At the last minute my SO stepped in and did the purchase for me.

The guys are Cabelas knew what was going on but didn't mind - she gifted it to me which is completely legal.

In all it took 20 minutes and I zeroed in the rifle yesterday in time for hunting tomorrow.

Happy thanksgiving!!!!!

WI there is no restriction on ownership.

For concealed carry you must be a resident of the state for a permit to be issued.

I have no idea about the laws, but unless I am 100% certain about the legal issues, I would always go with the conservative decision and NOT do something that might get you into trouble. In other words, since there seems to be uncertainty, do not get a gun, unless new information appears that completely clarifies the entire issue.

There's no uncertainty. I am exempt as I have a valid hunting license. The ATF and FBI are very clear: if I am a non-immigrant alien (such as a K1 entry prior to AOS), then I am not prohibited from buying or owning a firearm if I have a valid hunting licence.

I don't know why that's ambiguous.

Oh, and will report results.

Don't forget.... There is nothing stopping your FIL to be from buying a firearm for you as a "Welcome To The Family" gift (As noted on the 4473 instruction page)...... Just Sayin'.....

As long as you have the (y)(2) exemption of the Hunting Permit you are all good.

Hey TheCaptain,

Thanks so much for the really informative post (both above). Really appreciate it.

Yes, I thought I would be easily deniable once my AOS is in and Jan 21 (90 days from Oct 24) passes until I get my GC. Timing is just easy at the moment especially as it's season.

I wouldn't ask my FIL to do that - straw purchasing a firearm is a felony (as you incorrectly give info on the 4473). Although 'gifting' would be a grey area, haha. Wouldn't want to test that, particularly with the immigration issues a firearm charge will have!

Thanks so much again and I too think it'll be a case of go and test it out, see what happens Having the FBI sheet with me will help a lot!

Cool. I say purchase today then. 'Ware the snow.

Plan is to purchase first thing tomorrow and zero the sight in at the local rifle range.

Gun Deer season ends this weekend in WI and the soon-to-be father-in-law has bought me a hunting stand. Looks like some Black Friday hunting coming up!

Ya, the i-94 governs your period of authorized stay, not the visa.

You chase a ssn yet? If no, do today, as i think you having a ssn might actually help.

Ahhhh I see, thanks for that!

Yes, my SSN/card arrived last week. As a side note that was a really painless experience (i expected far worse). The woman knew K1's were valid for SSN and it took a 15 minute wait, 5 minutes at the window and it arrived 5 business days later.

The SSN, according to Form 4473, does help. It would probably also help the FFL in being an advocate when doing the NICS check.

You have to wait until you get your green card to buy a firearm.

That's not the case, according to the ATF itself and the FBI (as linked in my original post).

"Q3. May a nonimmigrant alien who has been admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant alien visa purchase or possess a firearm in the U.S.?

A3. An alien admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa is not prohibited from purchasing, receiving, or possessing a firearm if the alien falls within one of the following exceptions: (1) is in possession of a hunting license or permit lawfully issued by the Federal Government, a State, or local government, or an Indian tribe federally recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which is valid and unexpired; (2) was admitted to the United States for lawful hunting or sporting purposes; (3) has received a waiver from the prohibition from the Attorney General of the United States; (4) is an official representative of a foreign government who is accredited to the United States Government or the Government’s mission to an international organization having its headquarters in the United States; (5) is en route to or from another country to which that alien is accredited; (6) is an official of a foreign government or a distinguished foreign visitor who has been so designated by the Department of State; or (7) is a foreign law enforcement officer of a friendly foreign government entering the United States on official law enforcement business."

SOURCE: https://www.atf.gov/file/61841/download

The Green Card requirement is a huge misconception due to the above exemption categories.

Darnell: My apologies, Form 4473 asks whether admitted under a valid non-immigrant visa, not currently holding a valid one. So really you could be out of status lol.

I've been researching the gun ownership/purchasing laws for non-immigrant aliens. It seems ATF/FBI have loosened the requirements in recent years.

The only way a non-resident alien (such as me on a K1 visa) is able to obtain a firearm is to fall into an exemption (such as owning a hunting licence). I obtained my WI hunting licence a few weeks ago.

The FBI have a 'cheat sheet' for FFL's processing alien's ATF 4473 (the form required for all gun purchases): https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/nics/federal-firearms-licensees/ffl-tip-sheet-for-non-u.s.-citizens-purchasing-firearms-1

Requirements:

- Valid #A or I-94 (printout acceptable) - I have.

- Valid Visa - I have.

- Exemption - WI hunting licence, I have.

So my understanding is that I would turn up to the store with my visa, passport, hunting licence (also official proof of residency in WI) and I would be OK.

Just asking for any advice that you all may have. I will print off that FBI tip sheet to take with me in case some education may be required.

Went to Cabela's today. They knew the process very well.

So this evening I purchased a hunting licence (non-reaident) for Wisconsin and shall return to purchase a firearm.

That's how to do it for K-1 visa holders before you get a green card.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you don't need either insurance documentation or bank account statements to send in your AOS documents.

These are only required if you are selected for interview.

For the photos, we just printed them off and put them in a plastic sleeve. It was just 4 photos of us to prove we had met (let alone spent 8 month pretty much living together!).

I doubt you'll get a photo of the whole packet due to privacy.

But try this YouTube video:

There seems to be a fair amount of incorrect knowledge with CBP officers.

Like rejecting K1 entry when the visa is valid but the petition date is expired (what I'll be doing upon POE in a few weeks). I've sourced confirmation in writing from the Sydney Consulate that I am fine to enter and the NOA-2 date does not mean anything. Taking that email with me just in case!

I'm pleased to hear you have fixed it up AND that your attorney was able to give solid and accurate advice.

I may be travelling on parole so this is a good post. Thank you!

You will not be "in trouble" for leaving him. You will be in trouble if you stay with him. Abuse, physically and psychologically will happen.

Get out.

There have been plenty of great posts here and I implore you to pack your things, get everything you need (including your immigration papers) and either attend a police station or one of the many shelters listed in this thread.

Look after yourself first. Get to a safe place - these places are experts, have seen your situation before and CAN AND WILL HELP.

Please, look after yourself. And keep us updated if you can. We are all thinking of you.

The 2015 argument is valid, but don't forget we did everything on paper!

Thank you

My soon-to-be-wife, the USC, has decided to keep her last name (for a while, she is finishing off her last year of postgrad). No biggie for me.

I was wondering if lodging my (as the husband and K1 alien) AOS papers with her maiden name that she has decided to keep will result in any problems with processing? Of course we will have the marriage certificate going with AOS with her maiden name on it, but does USCIS frown upon a USC wife not changing her name?

I could be just thinking up silly things here, but I really appreciate all of your advice/reassurance.

Thanks!

No problems!

I was losing it after the Consulate here told me twice I was approved.. Then required an I-129F extension (because during the outage the original petition expired). Finally, about 8 weeks after I should have received my visa it was sent.

Then the courier left it outside my apartment! AHHH. Frantic calls to get it picked back up and taken to the depot.

After hours of making sure it was safe, went to the depot. They didn't have it (tracking said it was there). Took another half an hour for them to find it.

When I got that package in my hands, nothing was leaving my dead lifeless kung-fu grip on it. Got a cab home. Told the driver to lock the doors and wind the windows up! haha!

Your visa is about to be printed.

When it goes back to AP they're waiting for your doc. They received your document and then it changed to "READY".

Then you've gone back to AP while your bios are checked for a final time at Department of State/FBI etc etc.

It's come back clear and approved to print. That is when it says "ISSUED".

Congratulations, your visa is about to be printed!

By all means, you can file a complaint, but where will it get you?

DO NOT MAKE TRAVEL PLANS UNTIL YOU RECEIVE YOUR VISA AND PASSPORT.

That's it. Everyone is told it. That's what you'll be told when they respond to your complaint. They'll say that "Visa approvals can be delayed and conditions can change. For this reason, we advise against making any travel plans until you receive your visa."

For example, my visa was approved for printing the day the recent global shutdown occurred. I had to wait 5 weeks after the shut down to get my visa. I didn't book flights because I WAITED until I had my visa and passport back, because that's what the Consulate said.

In my opinion, there's nothing to complain about except the fact you ignored very clear advice.

You have satisfied the requirement of the I-129F: having met in the previous two years. That's why your petition was approved.

Now, you must convince the Consulate/Embassy that you are in a genuine, ongoing relationship. You can do this in a number of ways:

- Screenshots of FaceTime/Skype records

- Screenshots of text messages

- Letters you have sent each other

- Any money transfers that may have occurred to assist each other

He does not need to be there.

I'd suggest getting a blood serology done to detect immunity to her required vaccinations.

That can then be presented for the medical.

I'm going to support 80% of the posters here.

Why on earth would you allow someone to emotionally blackmail you like this? Really, why?

Take a step back when you met her. If she told you when you met "a condition of me staying with you if we get married is that you will be financially responsible for my family to come to the United States", would you have gone through with the relationship?

This kind of thing REEKS of emotional blackmail. She's used you for a visa, she's using you to bring her family to the United States. Any normal, team-like relationship/marriage would have sat down together and discussed options. Not said "sponsor or i'll divorce you".

Why are you staying with her? Do you not think she'll do this with other things? Loans, other finances, other family members?

I'm not in a position to weigh-in on your relationship, but if I were in your position, I would be already filing for the divorce she's holding you to ransom over.

Don't pay anyone for help, we're not professionals and there is a wealth of information here already! All free

1) As KayDeeCee posted, follow the instructions. K-1 I-129F petitions get sent to the Texas lockbox. From there, it will be registered and sent to the California Service Centre. All you do is send your completed package to the USCIS Texas Lockbox.

2) I'm the foreign beneficiary. My USC fiancée filed the I-129F. To help out, I sent:

- My boarding passes for my trips to the USA (proof of meeting in the last two years)

- Photos of us together (to supplement her photos and our time together here in Australia)

- Passport photos

- Letter of Intent.

I mailed these over via courier to her.

Eric Bana

Yes, take the extension letter with you to the interview.

Our I-129F expired during the visa shutdown recently and we had to email a copy of it to the Sydney consulate as I had already had my interview.