Craig_Karina

Hi all, Just got married last week on the 24th. Also, just sent off AOS & EAD package on the 27th.

Does anyone know what is needed to get my fiance her California Identification card? I forgot to ask the Judge that married us on how to change her last name to mine. How do we go about that as well?

Thanks!

I thought she has been your "wife" since the 24th. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Regards,

Craig

Hi Craig,

Thanks for your quick reply. In her country, which is pakistan, there is a field that they ask for husband's name. If she married, she had to fill this one. I didnt put my marriage date because of privacy reason. Let me know if m still not cleared.

Asmo

Asmo,

Yes, I think you are perfectly clear now. I don't understand why your marriage date is "private"...but, if you say it is, I respect your decision. Did your wife fill out the application for her Visa? If so, did she put your "full name" in the correct places?

Best Wishes,

Craig

Hi All,

I have filed for I130 and I129 and waiting for NOA2 for my wife. Question I have she just got new passport in her country and My LAST name was not listed in her passport (as a husband) only my first and middle name was listed. You guys think it might be a problem?. What should I do..should I tell her to correct this. By doing that she has to get new passport which is so much hassle. I just want my whole process to go smoothly....Please advise....

Thanks

Asmo

Hello ASMO,

First, your timeline does not indicate the date of your marriage.

Second, why would your name be listed at all on HER passport? I just renewed my US Passport and my wife's name is

NOWHERE on MY PASSPORT. Passports are for only one individual. My wife's Colombian passport is just for her.

Am I missing something in your question?

Regards and Best Wishes,

Craig

What if you want to give money to your fiance living in a different country, how would you be able to prove that? For example like cash$. I know that if you go through western union you can keep receipt records but I'm talking about cash here $$$$. I like to give cash and not pay a %fee through a middle man.... Any suggestion????

Thanks

Hello....let me see if I have this straight. You are from New York and you want to give CASH to your fiance living in a different country...say Vietnam. How do you prove this? When you find a way to prove that you gave cash to her, please post the results as I am sure many people on here would like to know how this is done! With cash, there is no way to prove it.

Hi....

You probably could have saved yourself some time and aggravation by sending BOTH petitions to CSC at the same time. This has been discussed "ad nauseum" on the forum for the past weeks. If you sent a Money Order, you are best advised to wait for your NOA-1 because it will have your assigned case number on it. This is why the recommendation has been to send a check. Once the check is cashed, you can get your case number from the back of the check. It is a 13 digit number that starts with three letters...such as WAC...then 10 numbers. Example: WAC1234567890

You should probably check what the fee is for sending the I-129f will be now too. I filed those for my wife separately but a month or so ago. Our fees were $190 for the I-130 and $170 for the I-129f....Total $360.00

Good luck on your Visa Journey,

Thanks everyone. One more question though, how do you get notified of the NOA1 electronically? I registered on the USCIS website but it asked to put in a case registration number to ad a case to my file. Will I just have to wait for the snail mail to know it has been received and get my case registration number? Or will I get an email since I registered. Thanks again

Wow, you've been a member for two months and missed every discussion on these issues. There must have been a dozen threads where people were advised to send a personal check and at least that many where instructions on how to file the I-129F without the paper NOA1 were discussed. In each of those threads, enclosing a copy of the cancelled check instead of waiting was mentioned. For about three weeks we really have been talking a lot about filing both petitions together directly with CSC or VSC.

I don't see a solution for you except to wait. While you're waiting, you might want to read some more threads and be darn certain you actually want to file an I-129F to start the K3 process.

And, you cannot be notified of the NOA-1 electronically. You must HAVE YOUR CASE NUMBER in order to sign up for electronic e-mail notifications in the future. Another good reason for sending a CHECK instead of a Money Order. And, you can't have "registered" on the USCIS website UNLESS you have your CASE NUMBER from the back of the check or NOA-1!

Hi....

You probably could have saved yourself some time and aggravation by sending BOTH petitions to CSC at the same time. This has been discussed "ad nauseum" on the forum for the past weeks. If you sent a Money Order, you are best advised to wait for your NOA-1 because it will have your assigned case number on it. This is why the recommendation has been to send a check. Once the check is cashed, you can get your case number from the back of the check. It is a 13 digit number that starts with three letters...such as WAC...then 10 numbers. Example: WAC1234567890

You should probably check what the fee is for sending the I-129f will be now too. I filed those for my wife separately but a month or so ago. Our fees were $190 for the I-130 and $170 for the I-129f....Total $360.00

Good luck on your Visa Journey,

Hi Brad & ????

First...CONGRATULATIONS on your recent wedding!!!! Bogota is a nice place and I am sure your wife took you to all the sights...Monsurrate, Bolivar Square, Zona Rosa and so forth.

Second...you should read the guides and FAQs and please us all by filling out your timeline. And, your personal data does not give much information about who you are, where you are from, etc.

Third...the advice you get here is FREE...and worth exactly what you are paying for it. But, there are many helpful people on this site...just be careful of the advice. It may or may not be correct as things do change. I think by reading your post that you have filed your I-130 and paid $190 to TSC. Have you gotten your NOA-1 yet? Or...have you looked to see if your check has been cashed? (If so, you can get your case number from the back of it. Typically, WACxxxxxxxxxx) Since you sent your "petition" to the Texas Service Center, it will be transferred to the California Service Center in a few weeks. And, yes...NOW you can file both "petitions" at the same time. This has been discussed on here a lot recently AND there are numerous posts on the subject. IF I were you, and filing my I-129F for my K-3 wife, I would send it directly to the California Service Center...(or the one who services your case from the State of Georgia. I did NOT bother to look this up for you.) to save time. You will need to include a cover letter identifying your case number from the I-130 "petition."

Last...As a final mention, it is important to use the correct terminology on this site. I know you are a "newbie" and we all have a learning curve. Help us to help you...there are a great number of really fine people here on VisaJourney. We all want our spouses with us in the shortest amount of time...but, be prepared...your waiting time will be about the same as the rest of us who filed earlier...about 6 months. (Assuming no RFEs "Requests For Evidence" are sent out to you.)

Again, Congratulations and Best Wishes!!

Sincerely,

HI....

I am glad to report that my wife and I have not had any fights rduring this process. I am a little impatient...but, SHE reminds me always..."Paciencia Craig, paciencia." And, I accept that because there really is not anything that I can do about it. And, she has mentioned that during this time it allows us to become closer through e-mails, phone calls and visits. I am going to see her in just 39 days, 4 hours and 48 minutes!!!

Something that I do to make her feel loved and appreciated is: Every Monday, I send out a "Paquete del Amor" which contains a pair of new high-heel shoes, a new dress, candy, a love card from Hallmark, lipstick, perfume...a catalog from VS...anything I can think of during the week to make her happy. As a result, she is very happy to hear me when I call...her voice is trembling with excitement. ( Note: She does NOT get all these things in every package...just a few. And, sometimes I will tell her to pick out a special present from VS...and I have not been disappointed!!! ) It is all in the way you treat a woman...treat her nicely and she will reciprocate.

Good luck...suggest that you respectfully tell your wife that she is the one who must be patient in this case. Surely she must realize that you cannot afford to be spending months with her and not taking care of things back here in the USA. If her life with you is important...she will understand.

Best Wishes,

Hey ColombianoGringo!!!!

I cannot predict what is going to happen with your stuff....just know that mine are ending up at the CSC. I'm in Florida and I filed the "old way" and look how things turned out. I wonder if the Texas Service Center will forward your forms to the CSC too???

Best Wishes,

Hi VJers,

Today we received an e-mail from USCIS advising to check the status of our case online. That was exciting. BUT, the end result was that our case has been transferred to the CSC for further processing. We did things the "old way"...sent our I-130 to Texas...subsequently transferred to CSC and they sent us the I-797 (NOA1) which I attached to our I-129F package and sent it to Chicago Lockbox. They received our package, cashed the check and three weeks later notify us that the case is transferred to CSC? This seems like a rather circuituous route for BOTH of our petitions to end up at the same place! Am I missing something here?

I-130 to Texas...transferred to CSC. I-129F to Chicago...transferred to CSC. I guess the good news is that BOTH will be at the same place? The bad news must be that IF I had sent BOTH to the same place AT THE VERY BEGINNING...we would be weeks ahead of the game! I feel like I wasted a lot of time.

Conclusion I've drawn: IF you are going the K-3 route, it is probably better that you file BOTH petitions AT THE SAME TIME AND AT THE SAME SERVICE CENTER. That way they won't be floating all over the USA!!

Best wishes to all...I'm venting. But, hope this helps someone else.

Hello Cebu2Florida,

Hola...and welcome to VJ. I hope that you find the site useful and informative. Karina & I are going the K-3 Visa route and applied the "old" way...but very recently. That is: I filed the I-130 package first...waited for the NOA1 (I-797C) and attached a copy of it to the I-129f paperwork that was sent to Chicago. The time frame between the two was minimal...maybe 2 weeks? (Check my timeline) So...we have both going at this time and we received our first "touch" on the I-129f filing on 7/25/07. My research indicated that the K-3 Visa was a "better visa" for our situation. I think that one of the advantages to the K-3 Visa is that upon entry into the United States, it is not necessary to adjust status. And, I seem to recall that it comes with the "Green Card" at the end. A few more advantages too...I recall. Cost?? Do we really care about the cost? What is a few extra dollars when it comes to bringing our wife to our side?

You will have to make your own decisions for your own reasons on which way to do your process. What is "right" for one couple is not exactly right for all. There have been posts about how to file joint petitions on this site...I've read them and I think "pushbrk" has the information. Maybe you can PM him directly for more information. He seems to be very knowledgeable about the processes. And, he doesn't mince words! He just tells it like it is. Do not be afraid to ask for help, when needed. Everyone here has an opinion!!!

Please help all of us by keeping your timeline up to date. The more people we have doing this...the more accurate it becomes!

Sincere Best Wishes,

July 25, 2007: Case Touched

I agree with pushbrk...FTI...Follow The Instructions: If you are asked for something, provide it. If you are not asked...don't provide. I suggest that you follow pushbrk's advice...the information that he provides is RIGHT ON THE MONEY 99.9% of the time!!

Good Luck!

Hi TTownfire,

Hi and welcome to VJ!! Hope you enjoy the site. You will find very good information here...but it is worth exactly what you are paying for it. Mostly it is good advice and given to help you and others here. But, remember it is not legal advice...only opinions from people on here. That said....my advice is:

1) Fill out your timeline so you can help us to track your progress in real time. I see you just signed up recently so maybe this is on your "to do" list. The timelines help everyone to get a grasp on where you are and to answer your questions accurately.

2) Today is the 26th...tomorrow is the 27th. IF I were you, I'd attach the $170.00 check dated for the 27th and send it on its way. You package should be postmarked tomorrow...so what is the worst that can happen? They send you a note and ask for a little more money. Not a big deal!

Good Luck on your Visa Journey!!!

Sincerely,

Hi Billy and Lesly,

That is really, really GREAT!!!! Congratulations!!!! I see from your timeline that from the first day you mailed your papers on 1/30 to your interview today...the time frame was just a few days short of 6 months. I assume the VISA will be picked up later today or tomorrow at the embassy.

You could do everyone a favor by writing an "Embassy Review"...telling of your arrival times, line status, windows, observations, etc. Also, maybe recall some of the questions you were asked in the 10 minute interview? There seem to be many on this site who are "stressing out" over this interview process. But, from my observations...it seems to be a fairly simple and straightforward.

Again, CONGRATULATIONS and Best Wishes to both of you. May you be blessed with happiness and success in your future.

Sincerely,

Thanks everybody for the good wishes....im hoping that the process goes by faster then the pregnancy so that i could put her in my insurance...if im not mistaken, the whole process takes 6-7 months but she might arrive here before then...we'll have o wait and see..but i am extremely excited!!!!!!!!!

Hi Byron,

Even if you get your GF/Fiancee' to the USA...AND if you marry her before the baby is born...you health insurance will NOT cover any event or "pre-existing condition." Insurance companies are not in the practice or business of providing coverage for "retroactive" events. Think of it this way...you are not going to get automobile insurance to cover an accident that you had last month with your car.

Insurance companies are not interested in "buying a claim" that for sure must be paid. Once she is your wife and added to your health insurance plan and you begin paying additional premium for her coverages...then claims after that will be paid according to the terms of the policy. For example, if a person has diabetes as a "pre-existing condition," they are not going to get coverage for their insulin. Diabetes will be excluded. However, if the same person is injured in an automobile accident, those injuries would be covered. Consequently, if your (then) wife gets pregnant AFTER you are married for your second child...then, you will have coverage for maternity.

Sincerely...and many good wishes!!! I am very happy for you.

Craig

Hola Byron!!

Congratulations!!!! WOW...you sure on a WILD roller coaster ride!!!! Are you having fun?

Now that your baby is PREGNANT....have you thought about where the baby will be born?

Since this event is not covered on any insurance plan, it might be less expensive for her to have the baby in Colombia. But, that means leaving her in Bogota until the birth...and for some time afterwards. Or, if she comes to the US before the birth of the baby...the costs of having a baby here are really pretty expensive....and it will all be coming out of your pocket. That...plus the costs of your wedding, Immigration petition for Leidy, Examinations for Immigration, Maternity visits to the doctors in Bogota, administration of the needed shots/vaccinations for your fiance to come on the K1 Visa, etc.

I agree with the person who posted..."should have gotten married first." But, now that is another matter.

Also, have you thought about the fact that...well, I think you have lots of things to think about. Final thing...I think you need not worry about what your future mother-in-law is doing in Canada. You are applying to bring YOUR fiance to the USA for marriage. If you are asked for information, give it. But, don't volunteer it. (As an aside...it could be brought up by USCIS that it appears that "Her Family/Leidy" are attempting to leave Colombia by all possible means...possibly raising a red flag. Just a thought.)

Sincere Best Wishes, Think positive thoughts

Hello Byron,

I hope this note finds you less frustrated and more patient. Please realize that this system is set up so that YOU can do all the filing of papers yourself. You do not need a lawyer...they have no "special hotlines or connections." The paperwork she/he sends for you gets put in the system the same as if you sent it. If you choose to hire a lawyer...then, you should be willing to do things the way they are done in her/his office. You are paying them to do what you chose not to do. Every time you contact her/him, the "Money Meter" starts and you pay more $$$$$$$$$$$$$

IF you want things done a specific way...the best way to accomplish this goal is to do them yourself.

Wow...you met in February? And, you have "about 150" phone calling cards. You must spend a lot of time on the phone with Leidy. I am married to my wife and my $10 phone calling card lasts me a week or more. We talk about 10 minutes each day and "see" each other on MSN Messenger almost every night for 30 - 45 minutes. I call my wife daily to tell her that I love her, miss her...ask about her day/family/work, etc. (IF something is REALLY REALLY IMPORTANT, she will call me!!! NOTE: She's called me twice.) And, we discuss any "important stuff" if necessary by e-mails. She is busy and I am busy...there isn't much that I have to say that cannot be said in 10 minutes. Oh...and I send her a couple of "Te Quiero Mucho" text messages to her phone every day.

With regard to your "Contact Your Congressman/Senator" comment: I can see it now..."OK folks we are going to convene a Congressional Subcommittee to investigate why it takes 6 months to process an individual's Immigration paperwork." With all those people running around doing their

"investigation"...is service going to improve??? I doubt it. I agree with others on this site...IF your paperwork is taking longer "on average" than others shown in the timelines, MAYBE a call or letter to your congressman might help. Maybe just a call to the Service Center will suffice?

We are ALL in this process together...and, we would ALL like to have our wives/SOs at our side quickly. But, there are folks who got into the system before you and I...and there will be others after us as well. As my wife Karina says, "Paciencia Craig, Paciencia!!"

Good luck with your process.

Sincerely,

7/4/2007: Sent I-129F pcaket to Chicago

7/14/2007: Received NOA1 from Chicago (I-797C) dated 7/12/2007 Wow...pretty fast!!

Hola Nydia,

Yours post was very good and I think you have some good points. There are many people on VJ who want to help everyone in this process. From what I read in your posting, you are in the final phases of waiting for an interview with the Embassy in Bogota. This is very good. In my opinion, your case seems to be in line with the timelines of many others on the site. You are in the home stretch!!!

Most of the VJer's are very helpful and provide good information. While it would be nice to answer in Spanish, the greater number of us are American men who have married/engaged with a Colombiana. Not too many are American women who have married with a Colombiano. So, we answer in our language because most/all of us understand English. Entiendo? Espero tu eres tomando clases de ingles en escuela o universidad.

I can read Spanish, I can understand Spanish when Karina speaks to me and I can speak Spanish with some limitations. (Using the correct tense and words in the correct order are my problem.) And, I can write in Spanish without misspelling any words.

A suggestion that I make to you is to use a "traductor" such as Google to translate English into Spanish and vice versa. They are not perfect but you can get a general sense of what is being said and discussed. Just "Cut & Paste" the words into Google and VOILA....English to Spanish!!

Good Luck at your interview!!!

Hola Byron-Leidy,

Great Post!!! And, we would ALL like to know this process to expedite this process to a very short period. BUT, the reality of it is that we are all in the same boat...and our applications get processed in (more or less) the same period of time. Currently about 6 - 7 months. Those with RFE's may take a little longer. All other things being equal, we are treated equally by the USCIS. There are no "special favors" or whatever to expedite the process. It is simply a game of waiting...and waiting...and waiting. My wife uses the term frequently, "PACIENCIA, Craig, PACIENCIA!!"

On the bright side, I have found that by communicating with my wife via e-mails and MSN Messenger that it has allowed me to "see" more about who she is and why I love her so much. For example: Recently I sent her some money for a new dress and shoes to wear when I make my next visit to Bucaramanga in September. In a very sweet e-mail to me, she explained that she gave some of the money to her father who was in a difficult moment. So, I saw a very generous and unselfish side to the woman I love very much. Instead of buying a dress and shoes...she gave help and assistance. I was quite impressed with my wife!! I am very proud of her.

We are relatively "new" members of the VJer's and I spend a lot of time "looking and lurking" through the postings about the process. I have great respect for many of the "old timers" who give help, assistance and good answers to the postings. I recommend that you "relaje" about the process and allow things to proceed at their own pace. You are very early in the process (As are we!) and the best thing to do is listen to the advice you receive from others on this site. Believe me...IF there were a way to expedite the process to 1.5 months...we'd all be aware of it!!!! My wife would tell you, "PACIENCIA Byron, PACIENCIA!"

Sincere regards,

Hi Byron-Leidy,

My situation is similar to yours...I have quite a few used calling cards in my "pile of stuff" for the interview. But, I do not think the embassy is going to ask for them...they are more interested in seeing the proof of an ongoing relationship in photo format. With the "stuff" that you will accumulate over time, you should have sufficient "evidence" by the time of your interview in Bogota. Save EVERYTHING!! Even if they did ask for "phone records"...I'd show them my calling cards and say, "Who do you think I would be calling in Colombia?" I found that calling cards are the best option for me...and the least expensive. I call my wife 2 times every day and we talk for 5 - 10 minutes...the cards last about a week or two. Also, we do a lot of online chatting on MSN Messenger. You could print out the logs...BUT mine would take a small wagon to cart them into the Embassy!! I think a few of these showing various dates/times in your relationship would suffice. And....you may never even get asked for them. Some people I've spoken with have said the interview was VERY EASY and SIMPLE. Just walk up to the window hand in hand (or whatever) with your stuff...act like two people who are madly in love (because you ARE IN LOVE) ...present your photos, answer a couple of simple questions and APROBADO!!!!! When you are at the Embassy, your Visa Journey is nearly over!!!!

Sincere Best Wishes,

OK, my question here is this. i have read in some forums that phone records is a great way to show proof of relationship..my situatin is different...i buy calling cards because it is way more economical...i have kept all the used calling cards since we met about 5 months ago...will this be sufficient to them??

Hello studentinlove!!!!

Save EVERYTHING you have to show your relationship....EVERYTHING. Save photos, e-mails, plane ticket stubs, passport stamps, dirty napkins from restaurants, etc. These things that you are asking about are FAR, FAR, FAR down in the process. You are not going to have to show much of this stuff until the interview in Bogota...and then, maybe you will not even be asked for it.

Good Luck,

Hello (again)

You should only translate "official" documents relevant in your case. These things in Spanish are something that you bring to the interview in Bogota...not something that you need now. And, you may never be asked for them. Keep it Simple. And, the people at the embassy do speak Spanish...so quit worrying over nothing. You will drive yourself crazy.

Regards,

Hi and welcome to the VJ'rs!!!

1) Please fill out your timeline...it helps us to understand where you are in the process so we can better help you. And, ultimately it helps us and those who come after you!!

2) I agree with TonyS...it does not have to be a litany of everything and everywhere you went together. A paragraph should suffice. We put two pages of photos with inscriptions beneath them about when, where, who, what, why and how. Also, I felt that it was important NOT to just show photos of just US...the photos included family members, friends and in front of signs in Colombia that showed where we visited!! The photos with family are particularly important...they show that it is not just you and your fiance/wife...but a family joining together.

3) Have you read the "GUIDES" section at the top of the page? It provides a lot of help for everyone and details the process.

4) Join the "Colombia Club" forum and you will see information specific to us with Colombianas in our lives. (Colombianos too)

Sincerely,