-
Posts
468 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
3
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Partners
Immigration Wiki
Guides
Immigration Forms
Times
Gallery
Store
Blogs
Everything posted by smilingstone
-
Sharing this here as recent changes in visa issuance may be applicable to you (published June 4th, effective June 9th 2025): https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/restricting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-united-states-from-foreign-terrorists-and-other-national-security-and-public-safety-threats/ Sec. 2. Full Suspension of Entry for Nationals of Countries of Identified Concern. The entry into the United States of nationals of the following countries is hereby suspended and limited, as follows, subject to the categorical exceptions and case-by-case waivers described in section 5 of this proclamation: (d) Republic of the Congo (i) According to the Overstay Report, the Republic of the Congo had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 29.63 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 35.14 percent. (ii) The entry into the United States of nationals of the Republic of the Congo as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended. Sec. 3. Partial Suspension of Entry for Nationals of Countries of Identified Concern. (a) Burundi (i) According to the Overstay Report, Burundi had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 15.35 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 17.52 percent. (ii) The entry into the United States of nationals of Burundi as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended. (iii) Consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Burundi to the extent permitted by law. DV visa is not listed on the exceptions.
-
Is this your first meeting? She wants you to pursue an immigrant visa for her, but she's unsure if she will even like being in the US? What happens if you go through all the time and money of a K1 and she decides she doesn't want to live in the US with you? Whatever path you take, it needs to be a commitment, from both parties. Not regarded as something to test the water. If this is going to work, you need to establish a clear plan.
-
Mom flying on tourist visa (into Austin, TX). Proof of funds? Letter?
smilingstone replied to stacyt's topic in Tourist Visas
Does she work? Rent or own property? What can she evidence as reason to return? Any up coming appointments she's scheduled? I imagine if she details a 2 month stay, how this will be funded will be a follow up question. Do you have any specific plans while she's with you? Things to see or do? It's important that she be equipped with this, in case they ask. It's a red flag to visit as a tourist and not have any idea of sights to see. Bank statements would be good, which also double up as proof of address in home country. Good idea to give her a written letter with the address she'll be staying. You may also want to provide your contact number should they need to call you. Of course, perfectly possible she doesn't get any hassle, but it's best to be overprepared and not need it. Just ensure she doesn't put any of these documents in her checked luggage. -
221G K1
smilingstone replied to DonaldB's topic in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports
The colour of the 221g slip will give you an idea of why. Do you know what colour it is? Although this seems pretty self explanatory. In your situation it would perhaps been better to have a joint sponsor. -
I-130 Name Change [merged threads]
smilingstone replied to Ekto Oktan's topic in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures
I think OP is asking about how a USC updates their name after marriage. I understood that you married in Turkey. As I said, I believe a USC updates their name in the US. If the USC starts to use their married name before updating things like their passport and SSN, it may confuse the process when providing those details to USCIS. It seems to me that best approach would be to continue using the maiden name, until they are able to return to the US and make the legal changes. -
I-130 Name Change [merged threads]
smilingstone replied to Ekto Oktan's topic in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures
Are you asking how a US citizen updates their name after marriage? If so, they will need to make the change via local probate court and then update their name on their SSN, passport, etc. They will need to provide copies of the Turkish marriage certificate and any required translations to all of the relevant government agencies. I could be wrong, but I don't think, unlike non-USCs marrying in the US, a USC can start using their married name legally until it's updated in the US. https://www.usa.gov/name-change -
Question about my beneficiary
smilingstone replied to Reddoor's topic in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures
Beneficiary income bares no relevance to K1, unless personal assets are used to self sponsor. -
Arrested for DUI after submitting I-129F
smilingstone replied to mcdoodles's topic in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures
I imagine there would be an RFE once they run their checks and see the charge. If so, depending on the amount of time they give you, they'll have to submit what documents are available to them, and maybe even a letter explaining the timing of the arrest and lack of court docs if it's still pending. -
You don't have a seat infront of you, but in that seat, once in air you will have constant stream of people walking past you to access the toilet, staff attending to people etc. Infront of you is technically the aisle, and it is generally stated that aisles cannot be obstructed at any point. Even if other passengers don't take issue with your stool, then staff might.
-
Literally never encountered it outside of less reputable media sources.
-
Ah, that's a shame, but thanks for sharing. I'll refrain from advising this from now on! It seems complicated because it's lots of little things that seem scattered across different things. I found it helpful to just create lists for each "job" (medical, interview, printing copies, etc) and tick things off gradually. It helps to make it seem more linear, and it helps to be able to visualise your progress by checking things off a list. But you will get there, it will all come together naturally.
-
FYI, I just looked and my NVC letter was dated 24th Sept, and my embassy letter was dated 15th Oct, but I definitely recieved it closer to November. Unsure at what point mine changed to Ready, but just to show that they aren't that timely with letters...
-
You don't need to wait for the letter to schedule with London. The NVC letter you will have already recieved has more information than the letter from the embassy. Mine didn't arrive until after I'd scheduled medical and interview. You only need your LDN number (found on NVC letter) to schedule both. You can schedule your medical without having scheduled your interview, but you need to pay the fee before you can schedule your interview. Docs I took to medical: Birth cert and copy Passport and copy ACRO Police cert and 2 copies ACRO SAR and 2 copies VCU-1 (related to previous conviction) Vaccination record Medical questionnaire (provided by Visa Medicals) GP Letter (relating to history of mental health difficulties) GP Patient Summary Embassy/NVC Confirmation 4 x UK passport photos Docs I took to interview: All of the above, but swapped UK pics for USA sized pics DS-160 confirmation Interview fee payment reciept Interview instructions I-129F application and evidence Further evidence I-134 affadavit of support and 1 copy US tax return and 1 copy
-
K-1 visa questions I need help!!
smilingstone replied to Jess666's topic in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures
Stop taking things literally. I suggest you go back and re-read previous posts here. -
Exactly what happened to me, albeit on my K1. OP, just ensure you leave enough time if you have a commenting flight. Secondary inspection only left me with a short amount of time to get to my gate. I literally had to run. They didn't even question me, I was just kept in a waiting room for a while.
-
K-1 visa questions I need help!!
smilingstone replied to Jess666's topic in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures
Best to assume 12 months for approval only, and then add another 12 to visa in hand. Likely won't be the case, but you need to err on the side of caution. Look up timelines for other Chinese K1s here on VJ to get a better idea. -
K1 RFIE: Two year meeting requirement
smilingstone replied to Violet13's topic in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures
Yes, include the USCs passport stamps, that will help. The rest sounds like what me and my now-husband submitted. My passport stamps were hit and miss, and I neglected to include them, but did include my I94 as I traveled to the US. It doesn't look like there's an equivalent for USCs, and you do not get stamps as it's the EU, so USCs passport stamps are the best thing you have available. Did you include messages? It's a small detail, but we included screenshots of messages that included that days I arrived in US, showing convos about him picking me up, and made a note that our texts paused during this time as we were together. This would also be secondary evidence, but it might help.