JoelThai

1 minute ago, Nairus said:

How do I schedule a date for the interview in Nigeria?

Should I schedule the interview now?

How soon should I schedule the medical exam and obtain a police report?

 

Unfortunately most of us paying attention to this thread are likely not to have specific information to Nigeria/Lagos Embassy, but I do have the following suggestions...

I recommend that you review (and possibly repost this question) in the Africa Sub-fourm where there are VJ members who may be familiar with the specific demands/requirements of the Embassy in Nigeria.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/89-africa-sub-saharan/

Using the VJ search tool may also reveal previous discusions relevant to your questions.

The official K1 page for the Nigerian embassy can be found here which may help answer these questions as well.

https://ng.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/fiancee-visa/

Hope that helps at least a little...

6 minutes ago, Nairus said:

Hello Everyone,

I am so excited. I received my case & invoice numbers today. However, I am clueless as to what the next step should be.

 

I am currently in Nigeria at the moment visiting my fiance. Is there something I should be doing while I am here.

 

We are both praying that my fiance gets an interview date before I return to the States.

 

What can I do at this point to get the ball rolling fast?

 

Pls help...🙏🙏🙏🙏

This will give you a general idea of what you should be preparing for:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration/nonimmigrant-visa-for-a-fiance-k-1.html#5

31 minutes ago, Joulie & Victor said:

Thank you!!! where do you download it from? please send me the link.

Here is the US DOS DS-160 Instruction page which includes the link to the online DS-160 form.  

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/forms/ds-160-online-nonimmigrant-visa-application.html

Before beginning, I recommend reviewing the following official DS-160 resources:

1) How to complete the DS-160 application;  https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/Common/Instructions.aspx

2) A sample form can be reviewed here:  https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/PDF-other/DS-160_Example.pdf

3) The DS-160 FAQ has many answers to  common questions:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/forms/ds-160-online-nonimmigrant-visa-application/ds-160-faqs.html

Read instructions carefully.  Best of luck.

8 hours ago, Hello729 said:

Thanks @Greenbaum!  This is what we are thinking:  the petitioner would complete the ds-160, and then print it out.  After that, the petitioner would copy the bar code page and mail to the beneficiary to take it to the interviewing embassy.  Do you think this would work?  

Yes this will work.     The petitioner may fill in the DS-160, but the beneficiary must perform the final electronic submission.   Both the Petitioner and the Beneficiary are able to access the form using the Application ID and answers to the security questions.   The DS-160 may be printed prior to submission for personal records (a hard copy is not required or asked for by the Embassy or anyone else.).  Once the DS-160 is electronically submitted, the application contents will no longer be accessible to either the beneficiary or petitioner.   Post submission, only the submission confirmation page with barcode will be accessible to the beneficiary and petitioner.   Typically the Embassy will ask for a copy of the submission confirmation barcode page as you mention.    

If the beneficiary has no practical way of printing the confirmation page, the petitioner will be able to access it and print it after submission of the form by the beneficiary by accessing the DS-160 with the application id and answers to the security questions.    This is exactly what I will also be doing for the reason stated above.

37 minutes ago, Joulie & Victor said:

Question. Is the form D-160 accessable to both of us? I thought we can save and go back to when you are ready to submit it. I was thinking(as a petitioner) I’d log in and start filling out the form and save it for him. And when he’s ready to print it out he can login and sign it and print it. I’m not familiar with the form since I’m not there yet. But just preparing myself. Do you think that’s possible? Because I won’t be there physically to assist him. My other option is to do video chat and guide him through it. 

Yes, the DS-160 can be accessed by both the Petitioner and the Beneficiary.   You will both need to know the Application ID number and answers to the security questions.   The application will remain "active" for 30 days, but can also be "downloaded" and then "uploaded" at a later date.

Everything you state above is correct.

11 hours ago, jakejon said:

Don’t want to be disrespectful and want this thread to be used to best effect if possible! 

Preparing for Packet 3 is an important step.   While you and I may be well prepared for Packet 3, for those who are not, this is an excellent time for them to be working on meeting its requirements.   We need to keep in mind that not everyone here are VJ veterans and they may ask questions in the "wrong" place, but that being said, if we are able to help them, regardless of where they ask for help, then we should.   

I believe this thread is "used to the best possible effect" by helping people who need assistance.    Yes, ideally most answers can be found using the search function of VJ, but many have difficulty doing so.   Personally I am a search ninja, but I know most are not.     @Greenbaum should be commended on his efforts to help people who ask for his help with Packet 3, in this thread or any thread.    

6 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

I'm trying to figure out why HE must print it for YOU? From what I see you seem to be able to handle the workings of a computer.

Here is one possible scenario why he may wish to print it....    It may just be easier for them to do it this way, even though it may seem more complicated to us because we are not knowledgeable of the details of the individuals circumstances.

In my situation my beneficiary has access to a Chromebook Laptop I left with her, but no convenient way to print hard copies.   Because her computer experience is limited and prone to errors, our plan is that I (the petitioner) will prepare the DS-160 (as permitted), but my beneficiary will perform the electronic submission (as required).   After the form is summited, the confirmation page can later be accessed by either the petitioner (me) and/or the beneficiary (her) at a later time.    

In my case, my beneficiary does not have easy access to a printer, so I will be printing the confirmation page and also assembling most of the Packet 3 documentation (we already have 95% complete and in my possession).  She will then forward everything to the Embassy and I will know everything is in proper order.  

@George & Roth may be able to chime in here and offer advice.   He is the local Cambodia expert!

7 hours ago, Little_Vixen said:

I'm preparing the package for the embassy right now and Im working on the affidavit of support. I have the signed I-134 an all the documents that go with it. But I also have a complete tax return. What pages of the tax return do I need for this? Do I need to submit the whole thing? That's like a hundred pages...

You may wish to download the Tax Transcript online which is acceptable for the I-134 and include everything that is included on the transcript.   It can be accessed here:   https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

Good luck!

On 6/6/2018 at 6:22 AM, JoelThai said:

We were provided with a receipt for the 100 baht processing fee and a "PICK UP FORM" stating that our certificate is due to be mailed by July 18th (six weeks from today).

Following up....   My Fiancée's Police Certificate arrived in the mail today to our Thailand address.   The certificate was mailed on July 17th and arrived on July 19th (Thai time).   So 43 days for standard processing service.

On 7/3/2018 at 1:49 AM, JoelThai said:

 

The relevant sections of the Instructions from the US Embassy in Mexico are below:

 

Judicial and Prison Records:  Persons who have been arrested for any reason in any country (including the United States) or who have any judicial/prison record must present copies of ALL documents related to the case, even if there was an amnesty or other act of clemency or even if the person was found innocent or the charges were dropped.

 

Police Certificate: An applicant must present a police certificate, if obtainable, from his or her country of current residence and country of nationality, if residence in such country exceeds six months.  Police certificates are required from countries of previous residence, if residence there was for more than one year.  

https://mx.usembassy.gov/visas/instructions-for-immigrant-visa-applicants/

 

Without having direct experience with the Embassy in Mexico, I would say you would only need a US Police Certificate for your wife if she has resided in the US for more than one year, or has been previously arrested in the United States.

 

@Dnc

After further research, it appears police certificates from the US are not required.

Note: Present and former residents of the United States do NOT need to submit any U.S. police certificates.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/collect-and-submit-forms-and-documents-to-the-nvc/step-5-collect-supporting-documents.html

43 minutes ago, ITMFA said:

Specific questions: Is there any reason why I can't start my DS-160 right away? And if I get police certificates now will they still be valid by the time I go to my interview several months from now? Also - if I'm living in Canada right now, where can I apply to get a US police certificate, or do I even need one? I lived in the US as a student from 2008-2016. Thanks! 

1) You can start your DS-160.   The site will keep it "alive" for 30 days, and the 30 days will be renewed each time you access it.   It is also possible to download the semi-completed form and upload it back at a later date.   But it is probably best not to submit it too soon (in case information changes because once it is submitted, changes can not be made).  I suggest waiting for your NVC case number before submission.

2) You can start to request your police certificates now.  The DOS (Department of State) will consider them valid as long as they are less than 12 months old.

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Supplemental/RGA - Riga.pdf

3) Apparently a police certificate is not necessary from the US.  See this thread...  

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/510066-police-certificate-from-the-us/

Also see:

"Note: Present and former residents of the United States do NOT need to submit any U.S. police certificates."

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/collect-and-submit-forms-and-documents-to-the-nvc/step-5-collect-supporting-documents.html

7 minutes ago, rrobin0609 said:

 

1) Calling isn't going to make it move any faster out of there and to the embassy

Yes!   You (and I) can spend our time much for productively getting our Packet 3 documentation in order for the interview and fully understanding  what to do once we are notified of the BKN number from the NVC.    That being said, if you are well prepared, there are some tasks that can not be started until the BKN number is known, so there is possibly some value in having early access to it.  But in reality, the end result is the possibility of maybe shaving off a week from the total process time.

My packet 3 is complete pending a few tasks that will require the NVC Case Id.   Once I have the Case ID I can complete the remaining tasks in a day or two.   For the Bangkok Embassy, it is possible to "jump the gun" and request permission to send Packet 3 (before they send the Packet 3 Request notice) once the NVC states the case is "ready".  That can shave a week or more off the process.

Short of calling the NVC to ping for the BKN number (or waiting for the letter to arrive in the mail from the NVC), is there any better method to know when to call or retrieve the BKN and Invoice numbers?

...

The VJ K1 flowchart states the following:

"Two weeks after you receive the NOA2 you can contact the NVC to see if they have received your approved I-129F. You can contact them at 603 334-0700. Their homepage is here. Welcome to the US Department of State! Things move much faster now :)."   http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

I also understand that eventually the NVC will send a letter:

"The NVC will mail you a letter when it sends your fiancé(e) case to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Once you receive this letter, inform your fiancé(e) to take the below-listed actions to apply for a K-1 visa and prepare for the interview."

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration/nonimmigrant-visa-for-a-fiance-k-1.html

6 minutes ago, kennharv said:

Yep.  It's confusing.  Congratulations!!!

The "trick" is to compare the number of days between the timeline "sent date" and "NOA1 date" and you can make a pretty good guess whether the NOA1 Notice or Received date was entered in the members timeline.  (Both dates appear on the NOA1 form letter).   If the gap is 2 or 3 days, the member probably entered the Received date.   If it is closer to a week, then it is likely the Notice date (per VJ site instructions).    If the gap is greater than a week, then it is likely that the VJ member entered the day they physically received the NOA1 in their USPS mailbox.  

2 hours ago, kennharv said:

I ran the scans but it looks like only the January 2nd approval can be substantiated. I think it is a matter what date is being used as NOA1 in people's timeline.  I can verify specific cases if someone want to message me with a case number.

The issue is that the Visa Journey instructions state to use the NOA1 Notice date on the timeline, but the scans are using (out of necesity) the NOA1 received date.

You can see the instructions when editing your time line by clicking on the link "Help finding your NOA1 date"

http://www.visajourney.com/images/noa-date.jpg

Yes, I received approval today with my timeline for NOA1 indicating Jan 02 (Notice date) as instructed by the VJ instructions.  My received date was Dec 28th.

But, I do consider myself a December filer, as I filed (i.e. sent) my petition on Dec 26, 2017.

For those of us who now have just received approval of your I-129f petition , do we still have any use for the USCIS status pages:

https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do. (old)

https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov (new)

Will they update as the petition moves through the NVC?

My understanding is they once we have our case number from the NVC, we will be mostly interested in tracking our progress here:

https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx

Is that correct?   Thank in advance!

On 7/8/2018 at 1:39 PM, JoelThai said:

 

I think Donald Trump sent my Adjudicator to Chaing Rai Thailand to help rescue the unfortunate kids stuck in the cave....    

Hopefully the kids will be out soon.

 

@Naes   As you saw in the December 2017 K1 thread, my I-129F was approved.  I am so happy.  No drama.   No RFE.   No Silent NOA2.   I received the Text message and Email from USCIS stating the case was updated.   It is almost too good to be true.  Everything is working like it is supposed to.

And the kids stuck in the cave in Thailand have all been rescued!   It is a good day.

Thank you for your support along the way as well.   See you in Cali.  

3 hours ago, Heidi888 said:

Im wondering if we are sending enough proof, re photos. We have only visited each other once in our relationship.

 

Note that the I-129F does not specifcally require proof of "ongoing relationship", but specifically for proof that you have met physically  in-person during the 24 months prior to submission of the I-129F.   For "young" relationships, that may be one and the same.   But having date related evidence showing that you are together is what the USCIS needs to see.  This may include Visa stamps, Flight Itineraries and boarding passes, hotel reservations, photos posing in front of a movie theatre marquee listing recent films, etc.

As for documentation of the "ongoing relationship", this will become the focus of the Embassy review of the case which will occur after NOA2.  During this phase, the Consulate Officer will be looking for evidence that your relationship has been maintained possibly before and definately during the time from submission of the I-129F until the actual interview with the beneficiary.   This can include similar documentation as above if additional physical visits have been made, but can also include phone call logs, chat logs, copies of mailings, etc.  Basically evidence that the petitioner and beneficiary are maintaining frequent contact as would be expected with any modern real relationship. 

Additionally, an explanation of how you met (a popular question to be asked during the interview) and how the relationship developed (timeline) will likely help the interviewing officer to determine the validity of the relationship.

Documentation of the "ongoing relationship" is typically requested during submission of "Packet 3" paperwork (birth certificate, police clearance, single status, etc) and/or delivered during the actual interview appearance.  (See your embassy instructions for specific information on what and when they want this information)

That being said, some petetioners choose to "front load" the I-129f with information beyond proof of meeting in the prior 24 months, such as including the 'story of how we met" and other details of the relationship that help establish the relationship as real and may even date back prior to the 24 month in-person meeting.   But, what is important for the I-129F is evidence that you have met in the prior 24 months.   For example, if it has been 25 months since you were last physically present together, that is not good enough to meet the requirements of the I-129F.  You will need to met again.

To satisfy the I-129f requirement, you could have met the first time yesterday and submit your I-129f tomorrow and be approved (if all other conditions are also met).   But, that does not necessary mean that the Visa will be issued as you like will need to satisfy the consular with proof of an ongoing relationship, although that proof may be collected during the lengthy wait for NOA2 and be enough to satisfy the Consulate Officer.    At the current rate of processing, I am sure there are couples who have met in the US, gotten married, and then divorced in less time than it takes to process a K1.  

6 hours ago, Loren Y said:

My fiancee in Thailand keeps listening to her friends over there how she is never going to get a visa, it is impossible, you should go work in New Zealand with me, etc. etc. I tell her not to listen to all her " Friends",

Same here....  I am constantly telling my fiancee to "Not listen to the stupid people."    Also I tell her to be careful what she tells to the "stupid people" because it will only create gossip and problems for her later on.  

I try to manage her expectations with respect to the K1 timeline and keep her updated on our progress.   But, her "stupid" friends and family (there are some smart ones fortunately) cast doubt because the process takes so long....  and they claim that I must be lying to her because "nothing takes this long".   But even before we applied, I had a pretty good idea how long this would take and set her expectations early on, so she has been pretty understanding and patient.    And, as far as improving her English skills, she now has a strong understand of what "Need to wait" means.     

43 minutes ago, C&AH said:

Quite honestly, I don't want to talk to anyone about this (fellow VJers excepted because you understand). 

 

The last thing I need right now is negativity.  It is difficult enough as it is. Most people who share opinions are usually those who have no clue what they are talking about and will offer those opinions without being asked.

I have supportive friends and family who I trust and can talk openly with about this long difficult process.  But I know others who could not handle the responsibility of giving me the moral support that I need for this decision in my life, so I know it is best for me to keep them in the dark.   I have not shut them entirely out of my life, but I do avoid this discussion.   They will eventually know after my fiancee is with me in the US, but right now there is nothing they can do to help me, so they will need to wait to know...

1 minute ago, Naes said:

Welcome back! I have 2 more weeks left till poe!

 

 I saw how far it is right now... it would be nice to see your waaaay before your 30 day deadline please! (For uscis sake too 

I think Donald Trump sent my Adjudicator to Chaing Rai Thailand to help rescue the unfortunate kids stuck in the cave....    

Hopefully the kids will be out soon.

3 minutes ago, Naes said:

No problem. That example may be the old version but the info and questions are same (even though question numbers might have changed)

Good Luck!

 

@JoelThaiPlease get that noa2 already  I was stalking you today...

Hello @Naes !  I am back from Bangkok now and still waiting.   ...   USCIS is just beginning to approach my date so hopefully soon.  A little luck and I will know something next week.   Another Bangkok petitioner who is about a week ahead of me just got his NOA2 in the mail yesterday, so I am optimistic.   But I am giving them another 30 days before all hell breaks out.  

14 minutes ago, aeroth88 said:

"I have submitted a visa petition(s) to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on behalf of the following persons. (If none, write “None” in the space for name below.)"

 

Are we supposed to write the name of the beneficiary of this AOS or is that a given, and they're asking about petitions filed on behalf of someone else?

And for question 26.a/ 26.b I entered the beneficiaries first name and for 27 the relationship is Fiancee or Fiance as appropriate.   

The rational is that the I-129f is a Visa Petition that was submitted to USCIS for my beneficiary.