Snaaacks

We had our interview in Bangkok today. We had ALL documents. But they wanted her ORIGINAL Thai birth certificate - not the translated one . So she has to go back to her hometown to get one mailed to the embassy. The embassy kept her passport, so I assume that’s a good sign.

Still, I’m very mad that they made her do this as the list specifically says translated version.

I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one dealing w this. Thanks for all the info here.. we had the same exact experience. We check for the interview spots every day… I can’t believe this is going to drag on through November. Ugh.. more waiting 

I got the FTP email with case number etc!!.. so happy!… can we begin the DS-160 before we have an interview date?… anything else we can do before the embassy contacts us that they officially have our case? (The FTP email says it could take a few weeks before they contact us… we are Bangkok, Thailand embassy btw)

thanks to all for your help! We see light at the end of the tunnel?  

1 hour ago, xcowwyx said:

Hi Sarah, 

 

thank you for your help. 
 

for the Dutch embassy we need to make an appointment through a website and on the embassy page it mentions that you can’t book an appointment until you receive a letter. I think “package 3” also contains a “appointment request page”. So I will be waiting until we receive the package 3 to do the ds-160 since I can’t book it in advance either way.
 

do you think I can still go on vacation? And just submit things while I’m there if we receive anything during that time? 

Is it possible to start the DS-160 ahead of time (meaning, while you’re waiting for a case number)?… or is this dependent on your particular embassy?.. I see on the online DS-160 form, it allows you to save as you go. 
has anyone started their DS-16O before getting a case number?

1 hour ago, IWander said:

The I134 is used for many visa types.  Its not a relevant question for a K1 so don't lose any sleep because it truly won't matter 

Wow I’m so glad you said this! I was a little stressed when I saw people post out this.

feeling happy now

4 hours ago, IWander said:

Do you intend to make a specific limited contribution or will it essentially be "unlimited"?

 

 

Unlimited - in the sense that I don’t have a “specific” limit on how I will support my fiancé. My main concern is, I’ve seen people say that this question is very important - but no one can agree on what is the best answer for avoiding scrutiny. I’d obviously like to answer to avoid as much scrutiny as possible … does anyone have a strong opinion on this one?

thanks in advance

2 hours ago, Bh_sarah said:

You do not need a case number for public inquiries, they ask for your receipt number, that is your WAC number from USCIS.

You also won’t get a welcome letter. You will get an email (if you’re the petitioner) when the case has been shipped to your embassy that resembles a letter, this email is called K1-FTP.

If you get a case number from inquiry, then you can track it on CEAC so you won’t need to keep waiting for this email/you will know when you case got created and what is the status of it before the email.

Thanks so much!

1 hour ago, AnnaDT said:

The phone lines ave been suspended months ago. You can contact them using through NVCResearch@state.gov if your case isn't at NVC yet, or through the public inquiry form here https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/ask-nvc.html

Thanks…but  that public inquiry form asks for a case number - and I don’t even have a case number yet. They said my data has not yet been entered. So do I just sit on my hands at this point and wait for them to email me and/or send the welcome letter?

thanks again!

Does anyone have a definitive answer on what to select here?… I’ve seen some difference of opinion on this one. Any help would be greatly appreciated - ESPECIALLY from people who already successfully passed the interview for the K1 Visa.

(just as a reminder, item 21 asks if you “intend OR do not intend to make specific contributions to the support of the beneficiary”)

thanks again!

On 8/7/2023 at 12:53 PM, FaheemGhaida said:

Has anyone heard or seen if and when they are going to release an updated i134 financial support form- since the one they still have the old one up on the site

Yes! Does anyone have any info on this?… the date on the form says it’s already expired 

On 8/8/2023 at 6:04 AM, AnnaDT said:

After 83 days from our NOA2, today my fiancé received our case number through inquiry. I couldn't be happier, hopefully we will make it for the next shipment dates 🤞

What phone number do I call to make this inquiry?… still haven’t gotten a case number

thanks for the help 

Do you mean call the Bangkok embassy?… and thanks for all this info! 

Do you mean call the Bangkok embassy?… and thanks for all this info!

Wow so that means if we get a case number on Sep 15, we only have 30 days before the whole thing expires - ugh. Which also means if there isn’t a interview date available at the Bangkok embassy within those 30 days, we will need an extension.  Are people routinely asking for extensions these days, and is it a fairly easy process?

Oh great! … yes I’m the petitioner (my fiancé is in Thailand waiting for notice of when to begin the process before the interview)

but as I posted above it’s been over a month and they still haven’t even “entered the data” to create our case number… does anyone know how long that takes?

thanks so much for all this help - it’s way more clear than the USCIS website 

Yes I’m a K1 fiancé visa case. .. Oh wow! So are you saying I don’t have to fill out that I-184 AOS?… I’ll only have to fill out the I-134 and send it to my fiancé after I receive my welcome letter w the case number?

I followed all the links on the USCIS website and it really doesn’t tell you that the K1 process is different

thanks again for this great help 

I received my “approval notice” that has a “notice date” of 06/15/2023… it’s now well over 30 days (today is Aug 8, 2023).. so I emailed for an update and reviewed this response:

”The National Visa Center (NVC) recently received your immigrant visa petition from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Your petition is now waiting for data entry into our systems.

Since your case is not in our systems yet, we cannot make updates.

As soon as your case is in our systems, we will send a Welcome Letter and instructions.”

So how much longer should I expect to wait until I get my welcome letter with the case number?…

(also, am I correct in understanding that I have to wait for this welcome letter/case number before I can pay the fees and submit the affidavit of support?)

thanks in advance for all the help here

1 hour ago, beloved_dingo said:

Agreed with the others, it is not required, just a recommendation. For instance, if your original packet had gotten lost/damaged in the mail, it would be a lot easier to resend if you had a copy. It can also be helpful to keep track of what has already been provided to USCIS, and it doesn't hurt for the beneficiary to have that information as well. But it wasn't a huge mistake and you will be fine. 

 

Out of curiosity, did you include a cover sheet with a list/table of contents of what was included in the packet? Because if you at least have that, then you know what was sent and could provide that information to the beneficiary just for their own information/peace of mind. 

 

The IO will have a copy of everything that was sent, btw. It all gets scanned in. 

Yes I do have the table on contents - thanks for the tip!
 

Btw, at this stage, how long do you think it takes before my fiancé gets an interview date?… is there an average estimate at this stage, or is a complete crapshoot at this point? 

thanks again for your input - it really put my mind at ease 😀 

2 hours ago, IWander said:

What do you need it for?

I thought I was supposed to send all copies of everything I filed with, and including a copy of my I-129f to my fiancé in her country. If it’s just a matter of helping her remember details for her interview, then that’s not a problem at all - but I guess I assumed they were gonna ask for a copy of the I-129f at her interview (wrong assumption?). Sorry if my questions seem ignorant -I was just following a post that said as much.

thanks again for all your helpful replies - I was quite nervous about this 

2 hours ago, powerpuff said:

It’s a recommendation, not a requirement. Its recommended to keep a copy so you can refer back to it and see what you wrote. I don’t think it would make sense to redo one to the best of your memory as it defeats the purpose. Either file FOIA or move forward without it 

Not a requirement? Wow that’s a relief.
 

I thought I was supposed to send all copies of everything I filed with, and including a copy of my I-129f to my fiancé in her country. If it’s just a matter of helping her remember details for her interview, then that’s not a problem at all - but I guess I assumed they were gonna ask for a copy of the I-129f at her interview (wrong assumption?). Sorry if my questions seem ignorant -I was just following a post that said as much.

thanks again for all your helpful replies - I was quite nervous about this 

Just received notice of approval. Will prob receive the letter/packet in a few days . From what I’ve seen online, I’m supposed to have a copy of my original l-129f (I filled it by hand - didn’t use a computer ). I don’t have one! Can I just redo the document by hand to the best of my memory? Anyway, I know this was a huge mistake on my part, but now I’m looking for the best course of action going forward. 
Thanks  in advance for all helpful replies