Robor007

Does anyone have concrete, actual experience of them asking for the additional pages of the G325A form? I met with a lawyer last week, and she told me in regards to the G325A all I needed to send was the first page of the G325A for my fiance and I, and to staple our passport-style photo onto our respective forms. She said that's how she sends her applications, and it has never been a problem in her practice.

Everything I've read said no staples - either paste them or use a paperclip. Same goes for putting together multiple pages. Paperclip them rather than staple them. Is that incorrect?

Maybe the CSC is using the method that Southpark reported Family Guy uses to get ideas for episodes?

If you're not a fan of Southpark, it was a tank full of manatees that bumped up several 'idea balls' to give the Family Guy writers episode ideas.

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR TIMELINE

Not gonna happen

Why is it so difficult to fill out a timeline? I'm a pretty new member and even I know that the timelines help everyone. IMO, if you don't fill out your timeline you're just being lazy and selfish and don't deserve answers to 'how long does...' questions.

So daisy, IIRC your fiancee has a timeline so you don't want to fill out your own. I don't see how the two are related but if you're too lazy to fill out your timeline in this profile why not just use his instead? Problem solved.

Seeing all this movement from CSC DEFINATELY gives me hope and a brighter outlook. WTG GUYS!!!

Ditto that. I'm hoping to file in mid-October (possibly earlier) and wasn't looking forward to 4 months processing time in CSC. Hopefully everyone who's been waiting in the backlog will get their approvals and the CSC will get quicker processing the petitions.

Good luck all!

I'd have them redone. If you don't you're going to wonder. Better safe than sorry.

Congrats! Hopefully this is a sign of things to come!

Arnold & Joan... Looks like you did a double copy/paste there. Might want to edit your post.

IMBRA is definitely lengthening the processing time of K-1 and K-3 visas. There's a huge backlog of petitions now and adding a step to an already long process is only going to make it take longer.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each process. I would recommend looking at the differences between the processes and choose the one that best suits you and your fiancee.

i have a question, what is an IMBRA-RFE. i see that RFEW stands for Request For Evidence, what is the other term?

thanks.

International Marriage Broker Regulation Act

Direct link to ask a question

I asked 2 questions myself.

I think everyone should realize that vartan's frustration is with process in general rather than their own process and they have every right to complain. It is extremely unnacceptable that the CSC is so backlogged and behind. Why are Texas and Nebraska cases being forwarded to California if they're already swamped? Who made that decision? It's like a city having a traffic problem and solving it by closing roads.

And I don't care if the IMBRA is a good law or not, if the USCIS wasn't prepared to handle the additional check they shouldn't have put it into effect yet. Period. IMO, heads need to roll at USCIS but since we're talking about the US Gov't and not the private sector you know that's not going to happen.

Please understand that I do realize the frustration, and I'm not here to attack anyone who is going through a difficult situation that I very much understand! With that said, Congress implemented the IMBRA law. USCIS did not have a choice to implement or not to implement. Actually USCIS did not implement it when they were supposed to, which is the whole cause of problems now (they had to RFE everyone because they had not issued new forms when they were supposed to). I agree that Members of Congress could try to educate themselves more on the process as a whole, and that would be good for everyone. I, too, am frustrated that legally bringing a spouse to the States is such a difficult process. It just seems that there is some misdirected anger and frustration at people that can't do anything about it.

I don't think you're attacking anyone, I think you're just stating the 'black and white' letter of the law. My point is, it's very obvious that someone screwed up. IMO, 1) they should acknowledge the mistake 2) they should apologize for the mistake 3) they should be held responsible for this mistake and 4) measures should be taken ASAP to resolve the mistake. I don't see any of those happening, especially given the '25th anniversary celebration memo' released recently.

I have a deal for everyone though: I work for a U.S. Congressman, and I will discuss this process with him when I get a chance and see if he is willing to hold some hearings or otherwise tackle the problem.

That's good to hear and thank you! Maybe they can get some attention paid to the problem and do something about it because I doubt a few hundred people posting on a message board are going to get anything done other than relieve stress.

I think everyone should realize that vartan's frustration is with process in general rather than their own process and they have every right to complain. It is extremely unnacceptable that the CSC is so backlogged and behind. Why are Texas and Nebraska cases being forwarded to California if they're already swamped? Who made that decision? It's like a city having a traffic problem and solving it by closing roads.

And I don't care if the IMBRA is a good law or not, if the USCIS wasn't prepared to handle the additional check they shouldn't have put it into effect yet. Period. IMO, heads need to roll at USCIS but since we're talking about the US Gov't and not the private sector you know that's not going to happen.

Well it seems that it's just too risky to go with the K1 when we only have five months. Looks like I'm gonna have to get married soon then! The K3 process is very similar, correct? When already married - the K3 is the fastest option ?

Thanks.

I'm far from an expert but as I understand it if you're married the K-3 and CR-1 are your options to petition your spouse. The K-3 is faster than the CR-1 but the CR-1 is easier once your spouse is here in the US.

I know what you mean. I don't think close friends or even family can identify with those of us in long distance relationships like this. They don't understand the emotion, stress, and frustration of being in love and being apart and they definitely don't understand the difficulty of the visa process. I sure didn't know how long and complicated it was to be a US citizen and marry a foreign citizen. When I do talk about it with family or friends I've actually had a few tell me to give her up and find someone local - like that helps.

I still spend time with my family and friends but my fiancee is always on my mind. It doesn't matter where I'm at or what I'm doing. It's most difficult when I'm alone and we're out of communication. I'm new to this and it's only been 7 weeks since we've seen each other. I see others with several times that and more. I hope we're able to make it through the long process. It is really difficult but I just look forward to the next time we can be together and eventually be together for good.

Hang in there and good luck!

Shoot, 7 weeks is easy! Some are 8 months on here. I will be at 5 months when I finally see him next month.

I see in your timeline you are waiting to file until she returns. Can't you start it now, since it takes so long?

Yep, our 7 weeks isn't that long compared to some on here. That's why I mentioned that I see other members here with several times that. But my point is it seems longer to me and if it's this bad at 7 weeks, how is it going to be if we're ever apart for 6 months or more? The thought of that... I really respect those on this forum that have the strength and love in their relationships to endure the time apart. I hope we are able to withstand it as well. I think the reason it seems longer to me is she works on a cruise ship where the internet access is very slow and expensive. We could still use it to chat but there's no webcam so I couldn't see her anyway. The main problem is when the ship is at sea there's no cell signal so we can't SMS or call each other. Well, depending on where the ship is she can sometimes call out using a 'sea card' that's about $20 per hour. But it's difficult for her to use it because there isn't always a signal and when there is it's very busy. I can call the ship by calling a number in Miami that forwards to the ship but the line isn't always up and when it is it's *VERY* busy - sometimes takes an hour of machine gun dialing to get through. Also, she's got a cabinmate so I can only call her when the girl in the bunk below isn't there sleeping.

But it's not all bad news. When she's in a US port we can call each other cell to cell unlimited (I got her a Cingular cell contract because my work phone is a Cingular plan). And she does have free wireless access 1 day per week at a library in port. So we can talk quite a bit but no amount of time on the phone can replace being together in person. That said, her ship will arrive in Ft. Lauderdale at the beginning of October so I will be able to go see her there. Her visa should allow her to stay here up to 29 days before she has to return to the Philippines. I'll pick her up and bring her back to my place to meet my friends and family and see the area. Four weeks together!

Unfortunately, I can not submit my K-1 petition right now because she is currently married to a US citizen. I know that sounds bad but it's not as bad as it sounds. It's a real long story that I don't mind telling but just doesn't belong in this thread. I posted it in another thread a while back. They are currently in process of the divorce and should be finished up in a few months. I'll petition her after that. So not only do I have to wait for the long K-1 process (through the CSC), I have to wait for her divorce to finalize before I can even start it. I envy everyone in the K-1 waiting process now.

To anyone offended... Don't take it the wrong way. The US sure isn't perfect but it's still my country and I love it here!

Yes, let's not start a politically charged debate . You and I were merely submitting into eveidence two other recent examples of our beloved government's record of issuing fluff and pulling PR stunts that are not founded on reality.

(And for the record I am a veteran who served my country honorably and I love it here enough to subject the love of my life to it in the near future. )

Exactly. I definitely didn't mean to steer it towards a poliitcal debate. That's why I added the 'disclaimer' to my 2nd post. I haven't seen a lot of the outside world but I think it's safe to say the US is one of if not the best places to live. Not perfect, but nowhere is. I just wish I was able to subject the love of my life to it in the much more near future!

What a joke. That 'celebration memo' reminds me of Bush congratulating his cronies on the great job they did in New Orleans after Katrina.

Or his speech touting victory in Iraq. It all starts at the top...

Hehehe... You mean, 'Mission Accomplished!' ??? Don't get me started....

To anyone offended... Don't take it the wrong way. The US sure isn't perfect but it's still my country and I love it here!

Congrats on some good news!

What a joke. That 'celebration memo' reminds me of Bush congratulating his cronies on the great job they did in New Orleans after Katrina.

Also, I find it hard to explain our situation to my friends. Most think I'm making this whole engagement up, or even making Hector up, or even worse, critize the seriousness and realness (is that a word?) of our relationship.

I've become extremely antisocial. I'm at the point where I don't really care what anyone thinks.

I know what you mean. I don't think close friends or even family can identify with those of us in long distance relationships like this. They don't understand the emotion, stress, and frustration of being in love and being apart and they definitely don't understand the difficulty of the visa process. I sure didn't know how long and complicated it was to be a US citizen and marry a foreign citizen. When I do talk about it with family or friends I've actually had a few tell me to give her up and find someone local - like that helps.

I still spend time with my family and friends but my fiancee is always on my mind. It doesn't matter where I'm at or what I'm doing. It's most difficult when I'm alone and we're out of communication. I'm new to this and it's only been 7 weeks since we've seen each other. I see others with several times that and more. I hope we're able to make it through the long process. It is really difficult but I just look forward to the next time we can be together and eventually be together for good.

Hang in there and good luck!

You are right Billy it has been done that way, but in alot more cases the foriegn national was deported with little or no chance to return.

Again, this whole thing smacks of visa fraud and it drives me crazy, because it is prime example of why I am sitting here chatting on this board rather than spending time with my Fiancee/wife who by all rights should not have to wait 6 to 9 months for visa approval.

I think that just about sums up the thoughts of every person apart from the one they love because of this process. It's sad, but the process is there because of people trying to do something like the OP describes. Just unfair that a couple in a real, loving relationship has to jump through hoops to be together.

if a lady marries someone else other then the petitioner while she is in the US on a k-1 visa can she stay and file her AOS or must she return to her country of origin?

Sam

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I'm 99.9% sure the person being petitioned can ONLY marry the petitoner.

It's all good!! thanks!!

Glad to help!

Congrats to you both.

I wish I lived in a state going through the VSC instead of CSC.

Test

I can't figure it out, how about a little help?

I'm not sure if this will work for you or not. Can't hurt to try... Link to avatar page

Congratulations, and good luck with the interview!

Congrats to you both and best of luck on a smooth and quick process!