rue2you

I am not sure if all go this way but I wish they did for everyones sake.

We arrived at 11:00am for our 11:15 appt.

Called us back at 11:45.

The nice lady swore my wife and I in. We had our newborn son of 5 weeks with us as well. I was going to act as interpreter for my wife, which the officer did not really like but said since we had our newborn with us she would allow it.

She asked to see my wifes passport and a copy of my sons birth certificate. Ask how we met, I answered. They ask my wife if that was her signature on the I-485 and ask her address. Approved. Congratulations!! All of about 10-15 minutes.

My wife did her medical in Costa Rica before getting her K-3. We also did medical here. We had our medical packet with us which they did not ask for and I didn't remember to bring it up. Oh well I guess.

Easy Easy Easy!!

Good luck to those of you waiting and thanks to all of those for the help!!

Well I figured out the problem........it is my fault. I did not complete a "seperate" I-485 for my step daughter. I called and that is wha they told me. So...........I will send in a complete packet for my step daughter with the $600 fee. I'm not sure if they will accept this as it is not with my wife's. If not it will be $930. So dumb of me. Screwed!!

Oh well..........life goes on.

Thanks for all the help!

They cashed my check today. I knew they would. Now I will have to figure out to straighten out the issue with my step daughter. I attached all her items as well......such as photos and what not.

I'm just glad they accepted it.

We shall see.

Thanks for all the help.........

I sent them all in the same package as one.

I think they are going to reject it again because my check has not cleared the bank yet. I sent my package back to them with the stated fee's on the rejection letter.....even though I know it is incorrect fee's. I just wanted to get the process going.

I am sure I will get something in the mail today or tomorrow.

I will post what I learn........

Thanks as always.

I have the same basic scenario. My step-daughter is 7. I mailed everything in for both. I sent in ONE I-485, TWO G-325, TWO Medicals, plus passports birth certificates.

Anyways. It was all sent together with one check for $1610.00. It stated that the amount was incorrect and that the fee's are $930 plus the $80 for fingerprints.

Maybe I screwed up on the papers I sent in? I thought it was correct.

Any idears?

7 years old

My first submittal was rejected due to check amount is incorrect. I submitted $1010.00 for my wife and $600.00 for my step-daughter. This was my understanding as being the correct amount. My rejection notice only states $930.00 plus $80 for fingerprints.

Plus when they send it all back......it comes back in small packets stapled together in random order....kinda weird.

They received and rejected all in the same day.

Any ideas?

Thanks..........

Yes. Parent can sign. Good luck.

The embassy in Costa Rica is AWESOME. Once your paperwork arrives there it will fly by.

Buenas suerte.....

Stupid question..

I'm filing I-130 for my wife and Kids, do I include G-325a for the kids? who signs Kid's G-325a if submitted?

Thanks

Omar

We had our interview and we were approved. My wife will pick up her daughters and her passports tomorrow with their VISA'S.

We arrived at 11:50am for our 12pm to 1:30pm interview.

They call us up at 12:05pm. They asked for all our papers, one by one. The lady actually forgot to ask for my wife's birth certificate and her police report, she had to call us back up to request those items. The only financial support docs they wanted from me was 2007 tax return and bank statements, and she really didn't have to have those she said but she would take them. She would have wanted W-2's but I am selft employed.

They told us to have a seat after getting all our docs they needed. There was about 10 people there for interview items. Only 4 for actual interviews the remainders were there picking up packet 3's.

We were the first one's called up for the docs but second to last to get interviewed. The first lady who was interviewed was alone her husband was in US. The interviews were held right there in the lobby basically. The beneficiary/petioners were standing at the glass windows. He ask her alot of questions about how they met and asked for several items to provide proof of relationship. She was approved. The second person was a boy/man seeking a visa to live with her father in the US. He was denied, they wanted other documentation, not sure exactly what but you can tell he was disappoinated.

They finally called us up after waiting 1 hour and a half. They ask if I spoke spanish and if she spoke english. I said yes spanish but not completely and my wife speaks even less english. No problem he would talk in both spanish and english. He told me to have a seat so he could speak with my wife. He ask about her current job and was particularly interested in her past job with Johnson n Johnsonl. He ask her how we met, if she met my parents, yes she had, if she had ever been to the US, no she hadn't, if she would be working in the US, no she wouldn't, if she knew I was previously divorced, yes she did twice, what my job was, how old was my son and that was about it. He told her to have and seat and ask me to come up. He ask me where my wife worked, I told him, he asked about previous job, I told him, he ask about other previous job, he was getting to the Johnson n Johnson job, kinda weird but that was where he was going. He ask me how old my son was and what he thought about me getting married.....again, I told him he was good with it, he is 18 and will be going to college. He ask if I wanted more kids, I said yes, he said I was brave. He ask how we met I told him through a mutual friend. He said I know you brought alot of evidence to prove your relationship so I guess I will look at some photos of your wedding. He said I don't need to see the photos because I can tell a couples relationship in about the first 45 seconds, he said I have been doing this along time and I can tell when people have a REAL relationship. He asked my step daughter if she wanted to live in the US and she shook her head furiously and he laughed. He asked my wife if she wanted to live in the US and she said yes. He asked where she would be living and she said with my husband. He asked her where in the US and she said Texas and he said where in Texas and she told him the city......I guess he wanted to check and make sure she knew where I lived. He said congratulations your VISA has been approved. Good luck with your new life in the US. Please have a seat and you will be called up for instructions on how to pick up your visa tomorrow.

The whole interview took about 15-20 minutes. We took a seat and they called us up about 5 minutes later. The lady told my wife to come back tomorrow and pick up your passports with visas at 3pm.

Overall: The people at the embassy in Costa Rica were extremely friendly and thorough. I told them we waited 7 months for VSC to approve our application and after they did it took about 1 week to get to Costa Rica and 2 weeks later we were approved. He said yes he knew and they prided themselves on being quick and precise at processing the visas once they receive the paperwork.

A+ for the US Embassy in Costa Rica. From application in the US to receiving the visa was about 8 months to the day.

I am so excited!!! As is my wife and her daughter!! I will return to the US tomorrow and will go back on Oct 30 to return with wife and step daughter on Nov 2.

Thank you Visa Journey!!

Good luck to all those who are waiting!! It's worth the wait!!!

Today is our interview. They said show up between 12pm and 1:30pm. I am sure we will be there nice and early.

Talk about mixed emotions......nervous, excited, scared.......hopeful!!

Wish us luck!!

I will post a complete update and review after we finish!!

I just got off the phone with the Consulate in Costa Rica to schedule my wifes interview. They wanted to make it for tomorrow, but my wife is still waiting for her birth certificate and plus I wanted to be there. The interview is set for October 21, 2008 between 12:00pm and 1:30pm.

I asked about the I-134 vs the I-864. They told me I did not need either of the two, but I just needed bank statements and income tax returns. And she said important to bring documents supporting relationship, pictures among other things.

The clockis ticking and I'm ready....I think to complete this porition of the process.

Wish us LUCK!!

The packet 3 does not specify if they want the DS 134 or the DS 864. Which do they want? I have both filled out and ready to go but would like to know what they expect.

Also.......I am self employed. I have my copies of 3 years tax returns ready to go. For the 134 they mention something about bank statement or document from bank. Is this needed if self employed and with 3 years tax returns? I had the 134 notarized by a notary public person....is this sufficient?

I looked for all these answers here on VJ but was not able to find them:(

Thanks for any insight.

PS........I am calling tomorrow for my interview date.......I believe they will schedule it for next week as Costa Rica seems to be fast track:)

I go with STUPID

Good luck

Has anyone here had the same case with mine? The embassy approved my visa yet is not issuing it because the I-797B NOA has no petitioner's name. But the USCIS approved it, and yet both the receipt of notification and I-129 have the petitioner's name. *sigh* My lawyer has already requested a corrected copy, and, at this time, I'm still waiting for the hard copy to arrive. It's just so strange. It's as though the one who encoded the NOA was either drunk or just stupid and didn't know what petitioner means.

I like your style!! I would say yes.

Hello guys just wanna ask if someone knows if our expenses and fee's Tax deductible? such as the medical exam or the Adjustment of status fee.

Congratulations!!

Buckle up. The ride is fast from here on out. I mean fast.

Good luck!!

My wife has all that covered...maybe not the phone bills but she has an ongoing book that details our entire relationship from day one....photo's...story....all the visits....plane ticket stubs....all that good stuff. I was more concerned about their legal forms more than anything.

Thanks................

Okay thanks to all.

I will have her get her xrays tomorrow just to have them for when she comes to the US as I am sure they were cheaper to get there than here.

So I guess we are ready to set up our interview date. Costa Rica consulate has been extremely nice and they move quickly!!

My wife finished her medical today with her attending her doctors appointment. No vaccinations were needed for either her or my step daughter. The odd thing is that she was given a small sealed envelope with no x rays. Are you suppose to have your x rays when attending your interview?

Okay so I want to bounce this off everyone. If you will humor me please.

I-230 for wife and stepdaughter ready

I-864 ready

I-134 ( I did both just in case to cover all ends)

Medical----done

Police------done

am I missing anything???

How or can I get a copy of the required medical form for Costa Rica along with a list of doctors to expedite this and not have to wait to pick up the packet 3.

I called the Consulate in Costa Rica and they said if you have everything ready they will just set the interview appointment and that's that.

I would like to expedite if possible.........getting anxious now I guess.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks..................Shawn

did you guys get this after emailing NVC the COA??

PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS AUTOMATED NOTIFICATION

Please be advised that, as of April 4th, 2008, our office revised our

guidelines for communication between the National Visa Center and the

public. We are now required to verify case specific information each

time we receive an inquiry.

According to U.S. law, the National Visa Center is only permitted to

discuss details of a visa case with authorized representatives and when

provided with all of the following information:

* NVC case number or CIS receipt number

* Petitioner's name and date of birth

* Beneficiary's name and date of birth

* Your full name

If you are the legal representative, and your G-28, Notice of Entry of

Appearance as Attorney or Representative, is not on file at the NVC,

please include a copy of your signed G-28 showing that you are the legal

representative as well as the following information:

* NVC case number or CIS receipt number

* Petitioner's name and date of birth or Beneficiary's name and

date of birth

* Attorney's law firm name

* Attorney's law firm address

* Your full name

If you are corresponding regarding an I-140 petition you must provide

the following information:

* NVC case number or CIS receipt number

* Name of the petitioning company

* Beneficiary's name and date of birth

* Your full name

If you are the petitioner, principal applicant or legal representative,

please notify the National Visa Center with any changes to your mailing

address, email address or phone numbers.

Please include this required information on all future inquiries

directed to the NVC. If this information has not been submitted with

your inquiry it will be requested.

Please do not respond to this inquiry.

Thank you,

National Visa Center

We got the same exact response today after sending DS 2032......agent of choice.

All P3's are 80%+ (maybe more) the same....

what about packet 4? I can't find anything on that?

I think my wife will be picking up her packet 3 from the embassy in Costa Rica on Friday. She received a phone call today and ask her to come in Friday at noon.

I suspect that is what this is for.......not 100% sure though.

Any info on what to expect in this packet 3 or just the usual suspect items??

Question: My wife in Costa Rica just got a call from the US Embassy and they scheduled her for an appointment this Friday. They said they have all her stuff and they will give her the instructions for the remaining paperwork. They said all the paperwork in the US is good. I don't even have a case number from the NVC. What is going on? Is this normal? Any info is greatly appreciated.

I have seen this from Chile also. I believe you are on a FAST TRACK of some sort. I had the Chile Embassy call me in the States and ask a couple questions, then tell me they were scheduling the interview for the spouse in Santiago. Then they called her! That was in (2003). Some Embassies are better than others and enjoy good relations with their host countries.

Sit back and enjoy your good fortunes and congratulations!

FASTTRACK!!

Sounds good!! I'm excited.

I wonder how quick it can go from here? WOW

They did not say it was an interview, only that all the paperwork in the US was good and they set an appointment for this Friday to give her additional paperwork. Sounds weird, but stranger things have probably happend. Another odd thing is that NVC still has not received the case and it has been about two weeks. I know it can take longer but other recent cases have been two weeks or less.

Maybe I'll send an email to NVC or call later tonight or I could just wait until Friday.

Well maybe in CR they make an appointment for P3.

Maybe so. I think they do this becuase the postal system really lacks. Is the P3 ready before the NVC assigns me a number? I thought VSC would email my package to NVC. How would the embassy have paperwork if it were sent to NVC? Alot of questions, weird!!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining I just want to make sure I stay on top of things. I knew things would move quicker now.....but wow!! Maybe they will just set up the appointment and give us the visa............cool!! Sounds too good to be true.

Embassies can't possibly call before there's a case number. Only a live person at NVC can give you a K3 case number. You must be calling the automated system.

Yes I'm calling the automated system because it says all operators are busy. I have entered my EAC # for my I-129F and I-130. Both say not found in system.

All I know is that it was weird. I was actually talking to my wife on the phone about her birth certificate and she put my on hold. When she came back she said it was the embassy and they scheduled her to go in on Friday.

I'm kinda lost now. Not sure what to do. I believe on her end all she needs is her birth certificate. Aside from that, we have all other documetation on standy ready to go. So from that standpoint were okay. Or they can just give us the visa........that would be okay also.

I-130 case numbers tend to lag behind. Sometimes it's difficult to get through but the case number isn't nearly as important and the appointment.

Okay. So I just got through with NVC. "Bill" told me my NVC case number. He said that the embassy is probably processing her K-3 visa, he has my CR-1 on file at NVC. He said he recommends not paying any fee's right now but to do nothing until my wife goes to the embassy becuase she could easily be here in the US on the K-3 visa before NVC processes my paperwork. Not sure how that is but whatever. He said obviously the embassy already has my file.

It all sounds good, at least on the she could be here part. Guess we are waitin til Friday.

I agree with Bill. It takes at least 6 weeks to go through all the NVC steps for an I-130. I assume you filed the K3 with speed, not expense or working soon as your priority.

Yes. K3 was filed for speed. Bud I didn't think it would blast through like that. Just relieved and happy now that I'm out of the VSC dungeon.

Not too worried about the money situation and she won't work so yea just getting here is good for me.

She is going to the embassy this Friday. What do you think in your opinion will occur and how long before she gets her real appointment in your opinion?