JoelThai

2 hours ago, Loren Y said:

 Only thing I ever saw on there was we received your petition on 12/20/2017. And on the new website it says they received my petition on 12/26/2017. So who knows why the new site has a different date, but I know a few other people that said the received date is different on each site. But I would rely on the new site, not the old because I never have seen that update even once.

Congratulations! 

Both dates (Received Date and Notice Date) are printed on the I-797C NOA1 notice mailed to petitioners.   

Apparently the old website displays the Received Date and the new website displays the Notice Date, so that is what leads to the confusion.  

My assumption is the the Received Date is the date that USCIS recorded receipt of the I-129F application and the Notice date is the date that the NOA1 was printed for mailing.  I imagine any time between the two dates is used by USCIS for preliminary processing including confirmation of fees are paid and the form is properly signed.

10 hours ago, Shottayut said:

I read somewhere if an applicant that is under a certain age that goes for the medical exam has to go 4 days before the interview does anyone have any info on this

Perhaps this a misunderstanding and is in reference to how TB is tested on children.   The hospital can not do an X-Ray on children, so they need to perform a skin test which requires a return to the hospital after 48 - 72 hours to determine results.   This will require additional time to complete the Medical evaluation, but certainly needs to be started much earlier than 4 days before the interview.

https://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/testing/skintesting.htm

3 minutes ago, BJ & Christine said:

 

 

Medical must done prior to interview. Allow 2 weeks from time medical is done to schedule interview. Give time to send medical to embassy’s.

 

also need nvc number to schedule medical.

Procedures and process can vary by Embassy.   For example, the Bangkok Embassy requires that the Beneficiary pick up the Medical Packet at the Hospital and bring it to the Interview.   Also, timelines can vary by jurisdiction.   What works for the United Kingdom may not be best or appropriate elsewhere.   In Bangkok, the Medical can be done as late as a week before the interview.

And FWIW, if you have income that is significantly about the Poverty Guideline, you could probably skip any documentation of other assets.   It seems (unfortunately) that most people do not have any savings to document, so it would not be unusual to not include it.

16 minutes ago, brener69 said:

That's what I was planning on doing I just didn't know if it would raise any flags or not with the Consulate 

See if you can get the letter from the bank officer without your ex-wifes name on it.  That is all that is required as supporting evidence for the I-134.   You do not need to provide actual bank statements.   If the letter only has your name on it, the Consulate Officer will not beware that it is a joint account.   But if the bank requires the name of both account holders on the letter, I think you will need to include letters from both the old and new accounts with a note of explanation.   Alone, each letter would have a red flag, the first because it is a joint account, and the second because the account is new.

5 minutes ago, EmmNM said:

It shouldn't matter that your ex wife used to be on the account. All that matters is that she is not now. The bank is not going to put her name on the letter. As long as she has been removed from the account.

This is probably even better.   If possible, have her removed from the account.

1 minute ago, brener69 said:

I meet the poverty guidelines I am not worried about that. The issue is it is a joint account with my ex wife that I took over in the divorce. We divorced 4 years ago and I think it would be better to get rid of that one because I am sure that will probably cause some red flags. We have a good relationship and I have no issue with trust or anything like that. 

Seems reasonable.  As mentioned in the instructions for the I-134, before closing the account, as I suggested, get a letter from the officer of the bank stating the following:

(1) Date account opened;
(2) Total amount deposited for the past year; and

(3) Present balance.

Then do the same after the new account is opened.   That way you have evidence of continued holding of the assets.

32 minutes ago, kris&me said:

should not be an issue

have u been asked in an RFE to show bank statements?

if so, just provide what is asked

but usually they do not ask to see these

Evidence of financial support (I-134) it typically requested by the Embassy prior to Interview.   This is what the OP is prepraring.

You will need to do the same for the US Embassy in Ecuador.   See here:  

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/K1/GYQ_Guayaquil.pdf

1 hour ago, brener69 said:

Hello VJ community, I have searched for this answer but have had no luck in finding it. I am needing to switch banks before my finacee's interview and I am wondering if this will create a problem. I can get a letter from the bank as far as deposits go. I have another bank account already but it has been just a secondary spending account and not my main account. I would really appreciate any help on this. 

If your income does not meet the Poverty Guidelines, evidence of bank deposits and other liquid assets are requested to be provided.   One of the items requested for evidence is a letter from the bank showing deposit amounts, date of the account opening, and deposits over the last year.

The reason that the date of account opening is important is that it is used to determine if an account has been newly opened which could be an indication that assets have been "borrowed or loaned" and only held for a short period of time and will be returned after the visa has been issued.

If it is necessary to transfer funds to a new bank, I would first get a letter from the "old" bank documenting the above (date of account opening, current balance, deposits for last 12 months) before closing the account.   After the new account is opened at the new bank, do the same.   This way you are prepared to show that you have held the assets for a reasonable period of time and can explain that the assets have been transferred if it is questioned during the Embassy Interview.

54 minutes ago, Ivan P. Ivanov said:

Hello. 

I would like to ask if its a problem that the filled parts in the letter of intent and the rest of the text are with differents yet similar fonts. I mean there is a little bit of difference but not noticeable.  The problem is that its not Times New Romans

Should not be a problem.   Just be sure that the letter is signed by both the petitioner and beneficiary, or provide 2 separate letters, one from the petitioner, and one from the beneficiary, each individually signed.

Out of curiosity, how did you end up with different fonts on your letter?   Is there a "fillable" pdf form for the letter of intent floating around somewhere,   

32 minutes ago, EmmNM said:

Thanks. So schedule the interview 1st. Then schedule the medical.

It appears so...  The timing is important.  You will want to be sure that your exam is complete and results available prior to the interview.   

"As you receive your appointment date, you must schedule a medical exam in Armenia. Click the “Medical Exam Instructions” button below for a list of designated doctors’ offices in Armenia. Please schedule and attend a medical exam with one of these doctors before your interview"

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/iv-dv-supplemental/YRV-Yerevan.pdf

27 minutes ago, EmmNM said:

Does my fiance have to wait until he gets something from the embassy to schedule his medical? Im not sure what all to do after receiving the noa2.

Generally it is advisable to schedule the Medical exam as close to the interview date as possible.   This is because the Medical Exam is only valid for 6 months only and it is desirable to have the medical exam be valid when filing Adjustment of Status (AOS) after entering the US.  If the medical exam has expired before AOS, a new exam will be required.  So, I suggest you wait until you are sure the Embassy has received your K1 petition and they are ready to schedule your interview.

The following may be helpful:

Instructions for US Embassy in Arminia is here:  https://am.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/fiancee-visa/

This might be useful as well:  http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Armenia&cty=Yerevan

58 minutes ago, EmmNM said:

What is this?

Its displays data from VJ members who maintain their timelines ordered by NOA2 date.    The first portion serves as a method to indicated forward movement of K1 approvals as it displays the 15 most recent K1 approvals (based on VJ members updating their NOA2 date on their timeline.).  There is some inconsistency in the dates entered by VJ members, so the data is not accurate as the old scans, but it is the best tool available at this time.

For example, some members enter the NOA1 date that their petition was received by USCIS, and some enter the date that they received their notice in the mail.   But you can generally guess what they did by comparing their NOA1 date with the date they entered for when they sent the petition.

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/monthly_filers.php?form=1&visa=1&scenter=1&option=3&sortby=2

2 hours ago, TogoAfrica said:

Any December 20 filers with updates? No update? App still says nothing for us....wonder if we should call? Thanks 

 

Use the "new" USCIS website to query about the status of your petition.   All evidence suggest that the "old" website (and thus all of the Phone Apps) is no longer receiving any updates.

The new website which is receiving case updates can be found here:  https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov

2 hours ago, EmmNM said:

Does it notify you if there is an update to your case?

Theoretically yes...   But being that the phone apps use the same data source at the "old" website, it is likely these apps are now useless.    

To enquire about the status of your personal WAC number, only the "new" website is usable.  

https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov

Unfortunately, due to the two phase authentication method being used for the new site (using both a login/password and a per request unique password sent by email and/or SMS) , it is extremely unlikely that the apps can be updated to utilize the "new" website as a source of their data.

3 hours ago, Dnc said:

I noticed on the documentation that they want a police certificate from where she currently resides.  Does that also mean the U.S?

Another suggestion is to contact the Embassy directly and ask....   Please follow up if you get an answer, and/or if you are asked for it during the interview.

I want to agree with what @Alabamak1 says, i.e. it is not needed, as logically there is no reason why they would need it (they should already have access to it), but I do not feel comfortable telling you do not need it without any specific evidence given what the written instructions imply....  

U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez

Paseo de la Victoria #3650
Fracc. Partido Senecú
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico C.P. 32543
Phone: (656) 227-3000

U.S. Citizen Services
From Mexico: 01-800-681-9374
From the United States: 1-844-528-6611

https://mx.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/

12 minutes ago, Alabamak1 said:

I have yet to find a way to find a police certificate in the US. In my time living here and prior years before i did AOS, i have never heard of one either. 

In my jurisdiction, they are available from my Sheriffs office.

http://www.smcsheriff.com/support-services/criminal-records-bureau

"The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office can assist you with obtaining a Police Clearance Letter (which is a letter showing that you have no criminal record with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office). Oftentimes, these are required in order to obtain a government-issued Visa or other document."

FBI Clearance Certificates are also available:

https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks

I had to obtain these one when I requested a 12 month visa as they were required by the Thailand Embassy in Washington DC.

Their requirements that I had to meet:  "Letter of verification stating that the applicant has no criminal record (verification have to valid for not more than three months and must be issued from a state or Federal Bureau of Investigation only. Online criminal record without authorizer’s signature is unacceptable )".  

If I remember correctly, I had to get a set of fingerprints from the local Sheriffs office to compete the FBI Clearance request.

15 minutes ago, Alabamak1 said:

No need of a US police report, since they do an FBI background check

Are you 100% sure they are not required by the US Embassy in Mexico?   That was my first thought as well, but unlike the instructions for the Bangkok Embassy (who I am currently preparing documents for,) the instructions for Mexico do not explicitly state that they are not needed, and in the case of judicial and prison records, the Mexican embassy does state that they are required.

So, I can understand why the original poster is confused as the instructions for the Police Certificate do not explicitly state that they are required, or not required.   Reading the instructions in a general manner would suggest that if she currently is residing in the US, and has been in the US for over 6 months, that they would be required.

Please note that each Embassy may have different requirements.  Just because the Embassy for your Benneficiary does not need it, it does not mean that the Embassy for the OP does not need it.

FWIW, here are the Instructions from the Bangkok Embassy regarding Foreign Police Records where there is an explicitly statement that they are not needed, but again every Embassy may have different requirements:

2 hours ago, Dnc said:

Hi guys,

 

My wife and I will be in Juarez Mexico for our 7/17/2018 appointment.   We are both living in the U.S. and we have the police certificate from Mexico already.  But is there some kind of U.S. police certificate we need to get?   I noticed on the documentation that they want a police certificate from where she currently resides.  Does that also mean the U.S?

 

Let me know your thoughts.

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.

But I recommend you repost this question in the Mexico/Latin America Sub Forum where you may attract the attention of other members with specific experience with the US Embassy in Mexico.   And you may find other useful information there is you have not already looked there.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/96-mexico-latin-south-america/

One more recommendation.... If you complete your Visa Journey Timeline, it will provide useful information that may help others answer questions you may have.  To do so, click on your login name in the upper righthand corner of this page and select "My Timeline".

4 hours ago, Sunnyland said:

I agree with the post above. I would first include how you originally met. For example, If you met online you would say..." We met online on (name of website) in 2015 and then we started talking etc etc and then we met in person for the first time in (place) on (date), etc. Following visits were on.... in (location, country, etc)...."

You word it as you want. The above sample is more or less how we did our letter when we did my K1 like 6 years ago. 

So it gives a general idea of your love story to someone stranger that don't know you. Do NOT make it too long or give too private details. 

 

The current version of the I-129F does not specifically ask for discussion or documentation of how the petitioner and beneficiary first met (if it occurred prior to the 2 year required meeting).   Questions 53 and 54 are specific to providing detail on fulfilling the two year meeting requirement.    Discussion and documentation of first meeting is (currently) usually asked during the Embassy stage of the process, either included with Packet 3 or provided during the interview.

That being said, some petitioners choose to front load (supply information that is not required for I-129F approval, but will later be needed during the embassy stage) their application with documentation that can be reviewed by the Consulate Officer when the application is received at the beneficiaries embassy.

Documentation of meeting during the 2 year window should include date relevant proof which may include (but not limited to) photographs, airplane boarding passes, passport stamps, and hotel reservations.  

For example, in my petition, I included some things which should leave no doubt....  

1) photos of my fiancee and myself holding her immunization book showing her date of immunization that matched the time of my visit with her.  

2) photos of my fiancee and myself standing if from of a movie theater showtime marque listing then current films.   Since movies  typically have a 2 week to 2 month show window, the listing of films provide proof of when the photo of she and I was taken

I also included passport stamps documenting entry and exit of my visit to see her, a dated hotel reservation and supporting photograph of she and I standing in front of the matching hotel signage, and a photograph of she and I standing in front of the airport departure board displaying information of my return flight on the day of my departure.  

2 minutes ago, veeandzack said:

Do you know how come usps is sending an email to your fiancé ? 

Where can I sign up for that 😅

USPS Informed Delivery is the service to sign up to receive daily emails of the contents of your first class mail.

https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action

Posted info for K1 petitioners in error.   I see you are CR1.   Sorry...

I think for Dec 2017 CR1 you can look here...

3 hours ago, Little_Vixen said:

Great work! Unfortunately most can't help you with the checklist here as it's dependant on the embassy. Not all embassies ask the same stuff. Ask in your country specific area and you'll get a lot better answers!

@Tram Le  it is good to be so organized!   Definitely, as @Little_Vixen  states, each embassy has a slightly different take on what they require.   For example, the Embassy in Bangkok does not require a copy of the Petitioners Birth Certificate or Beneficiaries House Hold Registration Card.  

The official Embassy list of documentation for Vietnam is found here:   https://vn.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/required-documents/

I quickly compared it to your check list and it seems to match and you are well prepared.   Good luck!

But I thumbs up  @Little_Vixen 's suggestion to post your list in the Vietnam subfourm to attract any "insider" and "experienced" knowledge from past petitioners and beneficiaries who have processed through Vietnam.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/136-vietnam/

20 hours ago, JoelThai said:

One other note,  technically, vaccinations are not actually required until just prior to AOS (adjustment of status after arrival in the US), but if for no other reason, from a financial perspective, it is highly likely that fees in US will be much more than if performed in the beneficiaries home country.

In another thread on Visa Journey I performed an analysis of the cost difference between obtaining the vaccinations in my fiancees home country vs performing them in the US at my local county Vaccination Clinic.   In short, it would have cost me over $400 more to get them in the US.

1 hour ago, Diane and Chris said:

In the US, you can go to your local public health department to get no cost or low cost vaccines.  

YMMV I guess, but here is my situation....    Here is a comparison of the fees charged by the Santa Clara Public Health Clinic vs the Thai Travel Clinic in Bangkok.  Of course these numbers are relevant to my situation, and I imagine that there are situations where fees are lower in the US, but a little bit of homework could save several hundred dollars.    In the case of my fiancee, living in Thailand, she obtained the first 5 on the list.  Hep A requires 2 shots, Hep B 3, and MMR 2.  

So, if I waited had to have her shots here locally, the total would be ($40 + ($56 x2) + ($63 x 3) + ($81 x 2)  + $62 = $565

vs ($11 + ($42 x2) + ($11 x 3) + ($6 x 2) + $18 =  $159

a savings of $406.

Vaccine Fees                                          Santa Clara Co.  Bangkok

• Flu                                                                         $40.00        $11
• Hepatitis A                                                           $56.00.      $43
• Hepatitis B                                                           $63.00.       $11
• Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR)                    $81.00.        $6
• Tetanus/Diptheria/Pertussis (Tdap)               $62.00         $18
• Varicella                                                              $116.00        $27