zeroland

OK, I checked, and yes, we have a reciept number. So I guess we will sit tight and see what happens next. And if need be, we can use that number to check on the status of our application, right?

Well. we did get a form or piece of paper that the woman said was the receipt to show that we had applied for a card. I will check it when I get home to see if there is a reference number on it...And thanks for the responses. For some reason I thought that since we were filing for a replacement card, that we didn't need to wait the 2 weeks...

I see that you are so nervous that you did a double-post!!! Relax....Take some deep breaths. He'll get approved, and you'll be fine...

Hello everyone, I just want to share that I am a nervous reck, the k-1 visa interview is on march 5th and I will not be able to go because of work. I am so scared, what if he gets denied that will be so disappointing. I just hope that all the paperwork was done correctly and that nothing is missing.

Hey those of you who have gone through this already, how did you handle it? I am a little uncertain about the I-134. I sent my information but I also put my mother as the co-sponsor. Do you think that will be an issue?

I sent proof of our relationship. I sent pictures, flight tickets, letters, & hotel reservations. I hope it will be enough.

I think I am not going to get any sleep the night before. His interview is at 6am.

Need some encouragement please. Will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys.

It sounds like you need to relax at least as much as he does, ha ha. Seriously, you've done everything you could, he has all of his paperwork. Just try to hang in there. I have heard it said that unless you are a criminal or attempting fraud, that most people get through the interview just fine. I'm sure he will, too! Try to relax, and think positive. Praying doesn't hurt, either, ha ha. I bet that soon you will both be celebrating...

"Since you arrived on a K-1, immigration won't do anuthing for you. Plan on a return visit in a couple weeks."

I don't quite get your point. Would you mind expanding on this? Do you mean that we should have just waited the 2 weeks? Or that we will have to re-apply regardless? I took it to mean that they would need to hear from immigration before they could issue the replacement card. Is there more to it than that?

First, a little background. My fiancee Ruth (from Mexico) stayed in the States for about 10 months back in the 1990's. She was issued a Social Security card at that time ( I assume it must have been "not work-authorized"), but lost the card at some point. She entered the U.S. on February 27th on her K-1, and today, the 29th, we went to the SSA office to apply for a replacement SS card. The woman who waited on us took a little time, and then asked a co-worker a question or two. Eventually she told us "Since you entered the country less than 10 days ago, this will have to be handled by immigration. You should hear something within 3 weeks." Ruth asked her if it will be the same number, and the answer was yes. The woman also said that she was going to have Ruth fill out some other form "just in case." It basically just asked for biographical information like birth date, place of birth, parents names, whether or not she has ever gotten a SS card before, what the number was, and whether she was work-authorized (she's not, at this point.) Anyway, I had read here on VJ not to try to apply for a card before 2 weeks after entering the country. But I also had read that once you have a SSN, that it is "yours for life." So I thought that maybe it was O.K. to apply for a replacement card before the two weeks. But if you think about it, if we had waited 2 weeks after entering to apply for a card, and then it took 2-3 weeks to show up, that would be 4 to 5 weeks. This woman is telling us that we "should hear something within 3 weeks." So I guess it's more or less a wash. Just passing along the story, for what it's worth..

My papers arrived to Juarez today according to the DHL trick. Should only be a month or so left to go. Now do I just sit tight and wait for packet 3 to come in the mail or do I call the U.S. embassy in Juarez in a couple days?

Up to you if you want to spend like 20 on the embassy call. I waited and got the packet few weeks after. Just have everything ready before it arrives.

Agreed. With us, it took about a month or a little less for me (the USC) to get the packet, and my fiancee got hers a week after that. As Julio said, just have everything ready so there is no delay once you do get it.

Is there anyone out there that could help me? I don't want to have made it this far and now get rejected cause we were not prepared. Could someone please answer my 3 questions if you know the answer to them. thanks!

Don't worry about the gap. Just get together as much proof as is reasonable. They understand that you have to stop at some point. But if there is time, a few more "snail-mail" letter won't hurt. And yes, phone logs from calling cards are another piece of the puzzle. If you have them, why not include them? You are basically trying to show a preponderance of evidence. Within reason, the more angles you can cover to show that you know each other and are staying in touch with each other, the better.

And SnowyTater, you definitely have time to send some more letters back and forth...

Hey everyone!

I am putting together the evidence for the I-129F that we have met in the last 2 years and also some proof of an ongoing relationship. The emails and letters we have written each other are for the most part in Spanish. Must they be translated so that the adjudicator can read what they say, or isn't a translation necessary? I am able to translate them, but I don't know if they accept that. What did you guys do?

Thanks so much for all your help. Once I'm a pro at this, and I am able to answer people's questions- I will help people just as much as you all are helping me!

Thanks,

Caity

You have already gotten some good responses to your question...I just thought I'd add that since you will be filing in California, that they have people there that can read Spanish. So it is O.K. to send in some un-translated Spanish e-mails. You don't need a lot....just some from different time frames, if possible. Follow the guides and you should be fine, and don't be afraid to ask more questions if you feel you need to. VJ people are the best when it comes to giving advice! jajajaja

Hey folks,

I'm trying to finish my fiance's G-325A form- and on the question that says "Last occupation abroad"- should I include his current job in Mexico? It's not abroad for him, but it's abroad from the US. Does that make sense? I just dont' want to screw anything up on this form!

Thanks for your help!

Yeah, I am thinking they mean "abroad" as it relates to the U.S. I would put it in there.

bumping for a response

I used the same set of evidence, but had of course the 2 photos of each person (my fiancee's and her kids)

To CDJ K1/K3 Filers: Upon arriving to the USA, when can you legally work? I heard that it takes up to 3 months after filing for AOS but I also heard that you can get the authorization stamp at the port of entry? Can somebody clarify?

This gets asked a lot...The way I have heard it, only JFK airport in New York SOMETIMES will stamp your visa for the 90 day work authorization. But then you'd still have to stop working until your actual EAD showed up. So for all practical purposes, your best bet is to marry as quickly as possible, and then file the whole AOS/EAD/AP package. I have seen some people say 2-3 months after filing, or also 45 to 90 days, is what you can expect for the turn around time on the EAD. Have you looked under the guides? There is an explanation there....We are getting close to doing this ourselves, hopefully within a few weeks.

Yeah it's tough...I hope you hear something soon. Would e-mailing the embassy do any good?

On the DS-157, do they call the beneficiary's last two employers?

I was looking over the forms, and I asked my fiance if he has their phone numbers and he only has one of them.

My opinion only,...but frankly, I don't think they have the time or manpower to do much of that. If the person was "borderline" or somehow suspicious, MAYBE they'd check their references...I don't think you have much to worry about.

I guess most of the June filers have their visas now?

Well, we just got ours a week ago...But I guess we must be towards the end of the line for filers from June of '07....

Conratz...you must be thrilled!!!

Yesterday I posted an informal review that Ruth did from her adventures in Juarez. Today I posted the more "official" version, fit for public consumption. Enjoy!

-Dan

I just posted Ruth's actual review from her trip to Juarez...so you get 2 for the price of one. That first one was just pasted together from e-mails she sent me. This one is more for "public consumption." Hope it's helpful to some of you...

Puerto Vallarta? It is supposed to be really nice...

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are going to have a big religious ceremony in Mexico this summer (we just had a quick civil ceremony here in the U.S.) So we are looking at honeymoon destinations in Mexico. We really wanted to go to Cancun, but its hurricane season during August, so we are trying to decide where to go.

Do any of you recommend any nice beaches?

Yeah, calling the NVC is one way to do it. I think you could also call the Dept. of State. In our case, it took 5 weeks before NVC had the new number to give us. So you might just have to wait a bit more....BTW, the "official" take is that is COULD take up to 90 days to get the new case number. But I think that is just to provide cover for them if things happen to take a while. Most people seem to have it within 30-45 days. Plus, it seems to get to the NVC a lot faster from Vermont than from Cali.

B)-->

BTW, I posted a review of Juarez (of sorts). I made it from 2 e-mails that Ruth sent me during the process, so it's not an actual review per se, but it does give some idea of what can happen there. Let's just say that we are very glad that is behind us now...

Is it 2 separate and totally different passport-sized photos or can it be 2 identical copies?

Oh, I'm not sure about the answer to that... let's wait for someone else to respond...

2 identical copies is fine

Hi Dan!!!!

Congratulations you guys did it!!!

Lucci

Thank You, Thank You...Thank You Everyone. What a huge relief!!! We couldn't have done it without all of your help and support, and this awesome VJ site...

Another "Juarez" couple on their way....Ruth was approved for her visa Tuesday, Feb. 13th...

yay, congratulations! give us a review when you get a chance. =o)

Hhhmmm. that was supposed to be "Wednesday", the 13th. Anyway, Ruth said she will write a review...it'll probably take a few days to get around to it, though

Another "Juarez" couple on their way....Ruth was approved for her visa Wednesday, Feb. 13th...