KimchiLumpia

14 minutes ago, Danni_xo said:

@KimchiLumpia This is so helpful! One more question, do you know how many weeks it took for your fiance to get the report?

She has no criminal record, and got the police certificate same day with-in a few minutes.  

10 minutes ago, Danni_xo said:

Hi @KimchiLumpia it's your Vancouver friend here again  Did you go to RCMP or VPD/New West Police Department to get the police report? Google only suggested VPD/NWPD if you want to obtain a police report not the RCMP...

Hey Hey!

My fiance got her police certificate from the RCMP in Coquitlam: 
2986 Guildford Way, Coquitlam, BC V3B 7Y5

Show them the picture below, and they will know which police certificate to give you:

Make sure to ask for two certified copies.  The Embassy in Montreal requested and kept one, and we kept the other.  

We did not use a lawyer either, and got approved for my fiance's K1 Visa last month.

With that being said, our case was very easy: never married previously, no dependents, no criminal records, plenty of in-person meetings with proof, plenty of finances, and a low immigration risk country in Canada.

I think using a lawyer for immigration would be akin to using a CPA to file your US taxes.  If you have one job, not many assets or dependents: filing your taxes on your own is pretty easy.  Conversely, if you own a business, have employees, have rental properties, a house, an ex-spouse - it would be wise to use a CPA.

If you would consider your relationship with your fiance pretty straight forward, by all means, you can do it on your own.
 

There is a Philippines section here on VJ that would be better suited for your post in tagalog:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/129-philippines/

Hope you find your question answered there and good luck!

On 5/15/2017 at 4:37 PM, britishandusa said:

For original statements between my fiance and me: does it have to be written or can it be typed?

If you are referring to the letter of intents, it shouldn't matter if its hand written or typed.  As long as there is one each from both of you, legible, signed, and dated - you should be good to go.

However, in my opinion, I would type it out and sign and date it following the VJ example in "example forms section":
http://www.visajourney.com/content/examples/

Thousands of VJ users (including myself) followed the VJ example forms with success.  

The problem with hand written statements is that it may not be legible.  Not everyone has perfect penmanship.  

On 5/15/2017 at 3:19 PM, Edson76 said:

I am the beneficiary of my USC husband and I would like to know about getting the police certificates , we just had our I-130 approval last May 9 and received the NOA2 receipt in the mail on May 12. I read that NVC needs police certificates (photocopy) and the consulate/embassy (originals) who will do the interview:

 

1.) In Canada -  Can I just go to my local RCMP here in town and ask for a police certificates ? or do I need to provide the one with digitized fingerprint ?
Reading other VJ Canada member's posts, getting a Canadian police certificate can vary from province and area.  My Canadian fiance lives in Vancouver/New Westminster BC, and picked up the police certificate from her local RCMP.  We asked for and were given 2 certified police certificates with the raised RCMP seal on them.  During my fiance's interview in Montreal, they asked for originals and not photocopies of her police certificate.  Keep this in mind.
 

2.) In Hongkong - I already know how to get police clearance in Hongkong but Hongkong will only send the payment receipts to the applicant. they will send it directly to the immigration. Do I need to request two police clearances ? One in my Chosen embassy and One in NVC? Please enlighten me with these. Thank you.
Not sure about this one.

 

Hello VJ people!

So here's my question and/or concern..last week on the 28th of April we got our case number for the NVC. I checked since the first day and of course it says the first thing that we could expect which is "at NVC". I heard that normally once you get your case number it just takes a couple of days to leave but mine has been there at that point longer than a week..should I get concerned? I got already my DS-160 as it is free and I was expecting my case to leave this week already but clearly I did NOT apply for interview or medical as I am gonna wait clearly until I get my package 3. 

So..how long normally it stays in the NVC? and what can be delaying the case to be sent? 

Thank you!

You are checking your status using your NVC# at the CEAC website link below correct?
https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx

According to the VJ Madrid Consulate information page, "There is about 1 week from when the consulate received the packet from NVC to when the forms are received by the beneficiary."
http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Spain&cty=Madrid

It also takes 3-5 business days for the Consulate to receive your case from the NVC.

Chances are, your case will at the Madrid Consulate sometime this week.  If not, I would contact the Madrid Consulate.

 

thanks for the answer, whit 3 depends I'll need  20,400 for the interview but for the green card is 25,500 thas only 500 leess that what i make last year, do you think I'll have any problems on the interview? and whit the money on my saving account for the green card works? thanks for the answer 

I'll try to get a co-sponsor for the green card my concern is right now on the interview whit the money I make last year

According to the numbers and with what you are saying, your income should qualify you during both the K1 Visa process as well as the adjustment of status process - granted you are not living in Alaska or Hawaii.

However, keep in mind that each country is different.  Some countries are extremely stringent when it comes to granting Visas.  If it were just about the numbers, robots would be adjudicating cases and there would be no need for interviews.  Because humans are involved, each consulate officer that reviews cases will have their own judgements to make based on their experiences.

If you decide to go without a co-sponsor, you should make sure you bring as much evidence to support the amount of income you make:

• Last 3 years tax transcripts
• 2016 W2's
• 1 month pay stubs
• Last 1 year bank statements 
• Employer verification letter stating your position, your hire on date, your hire on date salary, your current salary, state full or part-time employment, and your standing with the company.

The burden is on you to prove that your finance will not become a public charge.

Personally, if my finances are that close to the poverty limits, I would get a co-sponsor.  I also tend to over prepare, so I don't have to worry about things.  I'm also the type of person that goes to the airport 2 hours before their flight so I don't stress about missing the plane. 

2 hours ago, daclip said:

Hello, I have a question about I 134 I make last year around 26k and have 2 depends so whit my fiance is 3 do I need to find a co-sponsor for interview or should be fine is really hard for me get a co-sponsor? This year I will make little more than 26k because I have a raised last month on my job and I have around 15k on my saving accounts, thanks 

Refer to the USCIS poverty guidelines here:

https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p

During the K1 Visa process , you will need make above 100% the guideline for your 3 dependents to have your fiance's K1 Visa approved.

During the green card/adustment of status process, you will need to make above 125% the guidelines for your 3 dependents to have your fiance's green card approved.  

Keep in mind however, some embassy's are tougher than others.  In some cases, the consular officer reviewing cases will want the petitioner to make above 125% the guidelines during the K1 Visa process - since your finance will eventually transitioning to the green card anyway.

Personally, if you have any doubt or the slightest question regarding your finances and ability to meet the support guidelines - its best to have a co-sponsor. 

2 hours ago, carloolive said:

looking advice  

 

once my fiancee fills out her i-134 affidavit form can see print it off and then sign it...to them scan it back into the computer to email me to print off. Or does she need to sign and post it to me? 

 

Also all other requirements for evidence can just be scanned to me by email yeah? 

 

Thanks  

The debate about the I-134 requiring a "wet" hand written signature vs. a copied signature is ongoing on VJ.  Some members have submitted a copied I-134 with a copied signature and have had no issue.  Some members have done the same with copied signatures, and had problems.  

I'm sure this debate will continue on VJ forever.  

Its all up to you and your comfort level.  

I know this for sure, they will 100% accept a completed I-134 with a "wet" hand written signature.  This is what I provided for my fiance because I felt more comfortable with her going to the interview with an original vs. a copy. 
 

12 minutes ago, Tom & Lily said:

Thanks KimchiLumpia.  I need to buckle down on the I-134 requirements.  Great information I was thinking more along the lines of the I-864 proof which is not as intrusive of our finances.

This is correct thinking.  However, as the VJ Affidavit of Support tips guide states: 

" While there are no specific income requirements listed in the I-134 form directions, you will be judged by the
same criteria as the I-864 form requirements when they are issuing the visa at the foreign US consulate, so
provide financial information for the I-134 with those guidelines in mind."

http://www.visajourney.com/content/support

Some countries are more stringent with what their requested documents.  At my Canadian fiance's interview which I attended, they only asked for 2016 year tax transcripts, no bank statements, no pay stubs, employment verification letter, and didn't even look at my proof of domicile.  Because I have read many other VJ member's experiences in which their countries requested to see EVERYTHING, I got her the ALL the documents to be on the safe side.  

** I forgot to add employment verification letter in my first post to you **

Its better to over prepare than under prepare.  You'll sleep better at night knowing you have all your bases covered.

42 minutes ago, Tom & Lily said:

The I-134, Affidavit of support, is the only addition item I think I need (she has a complete I-129F packet); does anyone know of anything else I may need to take?

You will give her your completed, signed and dated I-134 and supporting financial documentation.  Some countries are more stringent when it comes to the requested financial documentation, generally it will include: 3 years tax transcripts, and 1 year bank statements.  Some members have front loaded their applications by submitting previous years W2 forms and a month worth of pay stubs.

You will also give your fiance proof of US domicile: Mortgage or Lease paperwork, utilities bills to your property
  

If you haven't already, read up on VJ's China information section under the "Portals" tab:
http://www.visajourney.com/portals/index.php?country=China

20 minutes ago, alexo said:

My fiance would have her interview at the embassy in Seoul, Korea. I hope you can help since you've got Kimchi in your name I also love lumpias. Delicious!  

According to the US Embassy S. Korea website, your fiance will receive packet 3 via email with instructions to proceed.  If its anything like the process in Canada, you will submit the requested packet 3 documents via email, and they will return your email with packet 4 instructions on scheduling your medical and interview.

Here is the link to the US Embassy S. Korea website:
https://kr.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/fiancee-visa/the-interview/

And if you haven't already, VJ has a "S. Korea" portals page that has a lot of beneficial information for S. Korean K1 Visa applicants:

http://www.visajourney.com/portals/index.php?country=South+Korea

And here is VJ's S. Korean Consulate information.  It has the packet 3 and 4 information steps laid out by other VJ members:

http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=South Korea&cty=Seoul

And yes...my fiance is the Kimchi and I'm the Lumpia...hahaha...although I'm a bigger fan of Korean BBQ than the Kimchi!

hahaha good luck!

My fiance has a similar combo name with a hyphen separating her 2 first names.  She even has this hyphenated name in her Canadian passport.

When we submitted her written paperwork, we added the hyphen.  In all correspondence received by the USCIS and NVC, the hyphen was not in her name either.  

Also, when filling out the DS160, it did not allow "symbols" like hyphens to be entered.  Only letters.

We had no issues, and her Visa was approved.  
 

12 hours ago, alexo said:

After NOA2, about when and who is the packet 3 mailed to? After NOA2, it seems like much of the work now has to be done on the beneficiary's side, so does packet 3 get mailed to them or the petitioner? Also, does the packet 3 get mailed after the chosen embassy receives the case from NVC, or when they send it to them? Is it by e-mail or physical mail? Some have told me about an e-packet 3 which basically an e-mail version.

 

NOA2 says, "The notification letter will provide you with a unique number for your case...." does the packet 3 come along with this or is the packet 3 received later?

As another VJ member has stated, after the NOA2 is received - the next process regarding the "packet 3" is different for every country. 

Some countries allow you to download your packet 3 on their US embassy website.

Because you have made no mention of your foreign fiance's country, the members here cannot give you specific advice to your case.  

According to the US Embassy in Casablanca, the K1 Visa fee is paid at the consulate the day of the interview:
https://ma.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/fiancee-visa/the-interview/

If you haven't already, make sure to be familiar with the Morocco portal here on VJ, as well as specific information regarding the US Embassy in Casablanca:
http://www.visajourney.com/portals/index.php?country=Morocco
http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Morocco&cty=Casablanca

Welcome to the VJ forums. 

1 hour ago, estebanlars said:

The idea is for her to be in the US until she receives the invitation to the interview.  The thing is since she gets notified that she has to complete the forms untill she gets the interview there is approximately more than a month of wait.  I was wondering if she could present the forms to the US embassy while she is in the US and await the interview in the US without being in Argentina (she can even have someone mail the forms from Argentina, or maybe prepare them from beforehand and leave them ready?.

I have never read on VJ that it matters where documentation was mailed from.  As long as the requested documentation is current and doesn't have an expiration date, it should not matter where the packet 3 documentation is mailed from.

For example, some consulates require the police certificates to be current with-in a certain amount of time of your petition.  And is some cases, these police documents can only be requested in-person. You would have to research the US Embassy in Argentina's information regarding the packet 3 documents requested.

You can find that information here:
https://ar.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee/fiancee/
https://ar.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2016/12/K1-K3-Instructions-packet.pdf
 

10 minutes ago, estebanlars said:

Hey, how are you? Good news I just received the NOA1. I have a quick question. My fiance (alien) will be visiting me in the US with a tourist visa while we wait for the K1 visa. When she receives the letter from the US embassy (she will receive to the argentine address, but it is possible that she will be in the US at the moment), can she send the US embassy forms while in the US or does she have to be in Argentina (her home country)?

At this point, there isn't much to do now.  How long will your fiance be in the US?  It may be 4-6 months until her I-129F petition is reviewed by the USCIS.  Longer if you receive an RFE.  

Another bit of advice to go along what others have said.  I've read accounts of many VJ members that set their wedding date, booked their weddings, gave the security deposit for the venue, bought airline tickets, reserved hotels, and invited family - Planning everything based on the VJ timeline when they should "expect" to receive their Visa.  Only to be blindsided and disappointed by a longer Visa process then they expected.  

My fiance received her Visa in hand 5 months and 2 weeks from mailing in our I-129F petition.  Some VJ members have waited 10+ months before getting their Visa in hand.  Don't rely on the VJ timeframe.

Get your K1 Visa in hand first, then start making definitive plans! 

Good luck on your visa journey!  

7 hours ago, MsJo said:

I emailed the consulate in Montreal this morning asking for clarification on the email they sent me last week. I wanted to know if I'd have to resend my packet 3 email or not. A couple hours later, they replied with my packet 4 email! Medical is now being scheduled, interview is scheduled and I'm getting VERY nervous/excited! 

Awesome news!  You're on your way!

My fiance received her Visa in hand about a week after her interview.  This part of the process goes very fast!  

Good luck and congrats again!

30 minutes ago, freshheir said:

I got an email from the Consulate when they sent it, from Canada Post when they received it, a tracking number to eagerly anticipate its arrival, and an email when it was ready. 

 

The postal lady in my town teased me for being there within 15 minutes of it being registered into their system as available.

Ahhh....excellent.  My fiance just received here email Thursday and just told me last night.  Perhaps they process them in batches.

Good luck for the rest of your visa journey!

1 hour ago, MsJo said:

Here is a screenshot of the email I received. I'm not sure if it means they haven't gotten our case yet (though I checked a thousand times and our case said "Ready") or if they are actually waiting to send the hard copy of the packet 3 letter. 

This is truly odd.  I followed many Canadian K1 Visa filers here on VJ before me, and have never heard of this happening.  The day our CEAC status showed "Ready", my fiance and I downloaded the online packet 3 information, emailed the 3 requested documents, and received our packet 4 email with no problems.  My fiance did not receive her paper packet 3 in the mail for 2 weeks after we sent our emailed packet 3 documents.

The question remains: will you have to resend the packet 3 information again once you receive the paper packet 3?  Or, will they just process the packet 3 email you have already sent, and will receive a packet 4 email once they have processed it?

I'd recommend posting your situation in the Canada sub-forum:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/93-canada/
 

10 hours ago, freshheir said:

Anyway I was able to calm myself saying that when I get my visa, the petition expiry is stamped on it as well and I could see for myself if it had been re-validated on its own accord. I got the visa SO QUICKLY. Interview Wednesday. Sent out Thursday afternoon. Received today (Friday morning). 

 

Wow! You did receive your Visa super fast.  My Canadian fiance had her K1 Visa interview last week with an approval, and have not yet received her Visa.  

Her CEAC status changed from "AP" to "Issued" just yesterday though.

Did you get an email from the Montreal Consulate telling you that it was delivered and available for pickup?  

3 minutes ago, SirCamoflage said:

Got it!  Thank you.  Bummer is, I already paid for the hotel in this post that says the hotel I booked was horrendous.  Fabulous!

As long as you get approved, it will be the greatest hotel stay ever! haha good luck