heathius

About the only thing they will do to help is to delay your K-1 interview if you can prove that your fiance can't fly due to the pregnancy. I use the word "delay", because they will not reschedule it earlier due to pregnancy. I haven't heard of anyone getting anything scheduled earlier due to pregnancy.

Looks pretty good to me, although I can't completely verify the contents list because that varies a bit with each case.

You may want to include your email address as well in the contact info.

Yes, but they may very well be asked for it. So, be prepared to prove it. They probably won't have any trouble, but they shouldn't be surprised or upset if someone questions it.

Again, I'm not trying to be negative, but if this was the proper way to do the process then everyone would do it like this. This could raise some questions, and it is a risk unless it is absolutely clear that there was no intent.

Not to sound negative, but that sounds like intent to marry on a tourist visa. You knew each other for a long time, and then discussed getting married and going the K-1 route but decided against it.

You can file for adjustment of status, but you will have to prove that you had no intention of getting married while on the tourist visa. Could be difficult in your case.

Check out the AOS guide. It will fill you in on the whole process.

My wife enrolled in school while on a K-1 before we filed for AOS. It should be no problem for you. If you can't find the right classification on the school application form, then you should talk to a school advisor to find out what status to put on your application form (some schools have a special application process for pending immigration cases).

The school will most likely want to see proof of immigration status upon enrolling. They will classify it as out-of-state tuition to start with. They will change it to in-state tuition once you establish residency in the state you are living in (has nothing to do with permanent resident or green card status). Most states require you to live there for one year, and maybe get some additional items like a driver's license to establish state residency. You should check with your state government to get their requirements for establishing residency. In-state tuition is much cheaper, so it is worth looking into ASAP.

Sent package on 4/3, and it arrived in Chicago on 4/5. Hopefully we will get the NOA this week.

Go here and create a case status portfolio with your case number:

https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp

Once you create a portfolio it will give you the option to recieve emails or not.

Sorry, browser got stuck and it posted twice.

Some of it you may need, some you may not. I would keep everything just to be on the safe side, because as we've all discovered with this process you just never know.

Some of the main items (birth certificate, etc) you will need again. You may also be able to reuse some other items such as tax returns, pay stubs, and employment letters for the I-864. Just keep everything for couple of years just to be on the safe side.

Some of it you may need, some you may not. I would keep everything just to be on the safe side, because as we've all discovered with this process you just never know.

Some of the main items (birth certificate, etc) you will need again. You may also be able to reuse some other items such as tax returns, pay stubs, and employment letters for the I-864. Just keep everything for couple of years just to be on the safe side.

Should be fine as long as it's obvious what you are redacting. Leave the string that says "Account #:" visible so that it's obvious what the information was. Shouldn't be a problem any way, but you don't want to leave the door open for any unwanted questioning.

With the packets it's usually best just to follow their instructions. The forms vary widely from place to place, so just complete and return what they give you according to the instructions. Best to avoid any trouble/confusion.

We changed our address also. I called the USCIS to ask about this. They said that if you change address before filing the AOS papers, then all you need to do is send an AR-11 to USCIS with 10 days of moving. If you file for AOS before moving, then you have to call USCIS to report the address change (and you may need to complete an AR-11 also).

Hopefully you already know your new address. If so, just send the AR-11 now and put your new address on all of your AOS forms when you file next week. That is the easiest.

You will need all shots listed on the I-693A form (if you don't have them already). You will need to show proof of all previous vaccinations that you've had, otherwise they will probably make you get them again.

You need to call some USCIS registered civil surgeons near you and ask about the cost. Since this is done through private doctors, they can pretty much charge whatever they want (there is no government set cost). So, make sure to shop around for the best deal, and choose a doctor you are comfortable with.

Excellent news!! Congrats on that milestone!

To the second poster... It arrives by standard EMS.

You should file at the main Chicago lockbox address. Only a few people in Texas and OK are supposed to file in an alternate location.

After you file in Chicago, your case will be forwarded from Chicago to your local USCIS office in Florida.

Success!

We received our K-1 visa in Guangzhou on 12/19. Feels good to be done with this part of the process. Entry planned for 1/12 at SFO.

We were a bit surprised with the content of the interview.

They didn't ask any questions about our relationship at all. Perhaps this is because we live together currently, so maybe they figured it was a waste of time. Instead, they chose to key on the tax return.

Since we live in China, I earned a Chinese salary for much of the 2005 tax year, which was below the support guidelines. Early in 2006, my company decided to give me a US level salary which is easily over the support guideline. Since my most recent tax return is for 2005, it shows none of my new salary level. To supplement I also supplied 2 employer letters, pay stubs, and a bank statement with my salary deposits highlighted to show that I make enough to easily satisfy the requirement. One of the employment letters was to show that my company will continue my employment in the US once we move back.

The visa officer pointed out that the tax return showed insufficient funds, but after presenting the remaining support evidence the visa officer was then satisfied with our evidence. However, there was a guy standing behind the visa officer during the entire interview (supervisor perhaps?). From the moment the tax return was presented, the guy repeatedly told the visa officer to deny the visa. Finally there was a deadlock between the visa officer and this guy regarding whether the visa should be granted. The visa officer finally got tired of listening to him yapping, and pulled the guy aside and had a conference with him for about 10-15 minutes. After the conference, the visa officer returned and said that the visa would be granted. The guy was noticably frustrated by her decision to grant the visa.

Not sure what that was all about. We are still kind of amazed that they were this critical of the tax return. Strange series of events.

Anyhow, we are extremely happy that we can put the interview behind us. Just wanted to share our interview experience in hopes that someone will benefit.

For which country? For some countries, secure mail is not available at all.

Example... China. They will only deliver visas within Guangdong province. If you live in any other province, you have to go to Guangzhou and pick it up in person (or remain in Guangzhou after your interview until the visa is ready to be picked-up).

This is also a good service by mail that is fast:

http://www.visarite.com/China_visa.htm

You can get it in 1 day if you need it that fast. Send them your passport, application and the fee and they'll return your passport with the visa in it via FedEx. You will need to pay for the FedEx fee, but no big deal.

Prepare to spend about 9 months for the process, give or take. Although I say this not knowing anything about your case. If your case is more complicated or if you run into any issues (criminal convictions, filed other K-1 petitions in the past, etc) it could take a bit longer. For normal cases, plan on 9 months. Have a look at the timelines and search for other people that are going through the China consulate. This will give you a good idea about how long each step will be.

I wish you good luck!

I concur. Medicals in China are US$ 130. Don't risk getting botched results over a small pay dispute.

After you get the medical results, it may be benefitial to report this doctor. Maybe someone will investigate.

Jasal,

Just a word of warning... Don't count on the US consulate in China helping you by phone either. The help center in China is only trained to read what is on their computer screens. Aside from telling you the official status of your case, they won't help you in any way.

And to make it more rediculous, the help center has been "outsourced". They are located in some other part of China (Chengdu I think), and they have no direct connection to Guangzhou. To top it off, it is a toll phone number which must be prepaid before you can call them. The toll is expensive (equiv to US$34 /hour).

Things like stocks and bonds are only supplementary to salary related income. If the sponsor has no steady salary income that is over the set poverty level, then stock and bonds won't help much.

If the bond has a very high monatery value, then you might have an arguement. But, they are really looking for steady salary income as the primary source of support.

I don't have any advice on what else to do, other than try to find another suitible sponsor or have the petitioner try to find a decent job. These rules are in place to keep the fiance from becoming a public charge. If the petitioner doesn't have a steady job and can't find a co-sponsor, then the fiance is of high risk to become a public charge.

Gees. And everyone wonders why the process sucks.