jm&mcs

When I had an expedite request in for my step-daughter, this is what happened. I sent the request to the NVC. NVC receives the request and forwards it to the embassy for their consideration. Once the embassy decides, they notify the NVC. At this point, I believe the NVC sends the paperwork to the embassy and the embassy will contact you. We had no paperwork at the NVC since it got lost in the express mail. We were in the process of replacing everything when the expedite situation came up. We were in Peru at the time. I did call the embassy once NVC said it was out of their hands. The lady at the embassy said they would contact us, but that was not possible since the only paperwork they had contained my US contact information and I was in Peru for another month and a half. It all got worked out. At the interview, the chief consular officer told me how it would normally work for an expedite.

So you need to wait to hear what the embassy's decision is on your expedite. You can call the NVC in about a week and they should know what is up.

Card received today, November 18. I hope the rest of the May filers get some good news very soon.

Card Production was ordered on Nov. 10. With me being significantly older than my husband, I figured we would be called for an interview. I guess we sent all the right things to the USCIS. I am very happy!! Thank you VJ for all your help.

IF someone could please add us to the lists.

I've been very busy and out of the country.

Thank you.

Sent I-751 5/15/10

NOA 1 5/17/10

Service Request 7/27/10 (Never received a response)

Received Bio letter 8/2/10

Bio Appointment 8/26/10

My husband's passport and DNI are checked each time he gets on an airplane in Peru. They put the information into a computer. My husband told me that his brother was having some sort of a problem with the support of his child. I'm not sure what happened, but he did say if they checked his brother's DNI they would take him away when he traveled. So he only traveled by launcha, I believe, so that he wouldn't have to show his DNI and have it checked.

I got my birth certificate, certificate of being single, baptismal certificate (for the church wedding), and domicile statement all in the US before I went. Sent my single certificate and domicile to one consulate and birth certificate to another. You have to send the certificates to be legalized to the consulate that has jurisdiction over where the official document originated. I had my documents translated here by a company. But found out later that you can have anyone that is fluent translate and then get a notorized statement that the person certifies it is an accurate translation and they are fluent in English and Spanish. The baptismal certificate was translated by a person at the church it came from. But then again, the church wedding isn't legal.

I got my blood test in Peru. Apparently we paid a few extra soles and the results were delivered to the house the same day. I don't know where your fiance is. We did this in Iquitos. The blood tests were very inexpensive.

Since I asked to find out everything I needed before I got there, I thought we were all set. When we went to the office of where is the person that does the civil service to set everything up, there were more papers. I have no idea what they were. I couldn't believe it after I asked for a complete list to start with. But we were in Peru. They would say we need a paper and it is X soles. So I paid it and got it. And then more papers. I don't know how many. But it was all done in one visit. Don't forget the testigos' DNI's.

It all worked out very well. They moved the ceremony to a nice location. The boss of the registration of marriages did the service herself. She even brought me some flowers to hold.

Can you do it in a week? I would say yes if you have everything ahead of time. It is probably more work and time to get American documents legalized in Peru. Get your blood test as soon as you get off the airplane. Make sure your fiance has everything reserved for the day you plan to have your civil service.

Good luck/

Jaime,

I had the same problem last year trying to e-file for the first time.

I used the Tax Cut software. Called H&R Block who couldn't solve the problem.

A call to the IRS found the solution. They said he had no income last year with his SSN.

Somewhere in the e-file part, it should ask about last year's AGI (adjusted Gross Income) and how you filed last year.

I ended up with this:

I indicated that we did not file together last year. I don't remember if it said single or what, but use separate.

Then I was able to put in an AGI for me and one for Manuel.

I put the total AGI from last year as my AGI.

I put zero (0) for Manuel.

The IRS accepted the return with no problems.

After another conversation with IRS at an office, they really don't connect the ITIN with the SSN.

Hope this helps.

Joanne

My husband's interview was in Lima and I attended the interview. He signed some papers and then I left and he was questioned. Then I was called in and he left. I know he would not have been approved if I was not there. We have a large age difference with my husband being younger. I know of couples that were interviewed together in Lima. I would personally recommend your husband attend.

My stepdaughter had an interview 1 year after her father. She was getting a CR-2 visa, not a K-2. But every person getting a visa in Lima is required to go to an interview. She was required to be at the interview. They asked her a few questions. She is 9 years old. The CO commented that she had no problem with our relationship. She wanted to be sure of the child and her father's relationiship because they did not live together at the time. It was really quite easy.

I paid my husband's $70 fee for the I-864EZ and then sent in his I-864. We were delaying my step-daughter for we didn't know how long at the time. I enclosed a note that said to continue with his papers and I would resume the other when I could. Well, when it came time to do the step-daughter, I could pay her fees online. And her I-864 was shown as paid. You only have to pay the one $70 I-864 fee for the related cases. A nice surprise.

When I was at the interview for my step-daughter, the CO asked for a W-2 which I didn't have. So she had us fill out an I-864A and that solved the problem. Just put your income on the I-864 and your husband's on the I-864A. Additionally, you can also send in your W-2's with the transcripts.

Good luck with everything.

All of my and my husbands documents were from Iquitos.

We had to have the birth and marriage certificates legalized at RENEIC. Yes, it is more than a nightmare!!!

Make sure the signatures are good and the correct person is signing. I'd go to the municipality and tell them it is for RENEIC. It is the embassy that requires the RENEIC. So that is what I sent to the NVC for my husband. My step-daughter's papers never went through NVC, but the embassy said they had to be RENEICed. For the 17 soles I'd do it just to be sure.

The I-130 is valid for 1 year. But if you contact NVC, it will be extended for one year from the date you contact them. In my step-daughter's case, NAO2 was received in Feb. 2008. The only thing I did at NVC was the choice of agent. I contacted them occasionally to be sure her file remained active. Due to the post office losing the papers and later an expedite situation, NVC never received another paper from me before her case was completed and sent to the embassy in June 2009. There was never a problem. Just keep in touch with the NVC.

I think it depends on the situation.

My husbnd's interview was at the Lima embassy. I went with him. We went in together and read and signed papers. Then I was asked to leave. He was questioned quite a long time. Then he left and I was called in. I got a lecture. In the end, he got the visa. Had I not been there, no visa would have been issued. That is a fact. The CO's mind was made up. Something about one of three statements I made changed her mind.

Always tell the truth. We did and that is why we got the visa.

I've taken American and LAN. I like LAN for their on time performance, but I don't like 8+ hours on the plane. American has it's issues, but they have always gotten me on another plane. Not always the fastest though. Due to some delays, my luggage has not always arrived with me, but it was always delivered quickly. American does pay the airport tax in Lima. I have a frequent flyer account with American and accrue miles on both airlines. Just can't upgrade on LAN with AA miles. Sure would be nice on that long flight.

LAN lost a bag on my last trip home and said to make a claim at my final destination. I didn't like how they handled it in LA, but the bag was delivered.

As for immigration, Miami was a nightmare when my husband entered. The gates were closed due to a storm and there were tons of new immigrants to be processed. Since Miami is AA in reality, they can make changes easily, but the luggage is another issue. In LA with my stepdaughter, it was a breeze. And I just walk to the appropriate terminal and check into the next airline. Good exercise after a long sit.

Good luck whatever you decide.

You don't need to have them translated. And they don't need to go to Exterior Relations.

Just get the certificates and relax.

I got married in Iquitos 2 years ago. I needed certified copies of my birth certifcate and the letter that I was single, certificado soltera I think. You can get that letter from the county clerk where you live. I then had to send the documents to the Peru consulate that is responsible for where the documents are from. I live in AZ so one went to California. My birth certificate is from New Jersey and it went there. Each one cost $30 and you send return envelope and postage. I also needed a domicile statement, so I sent a letter and a copy of my driver´s license. It cost $1. I had everything translated into English before I left. I did not need an apostile from the Secretary of State.

Once I was in Peru, I needed more papers. I really couldn´t tell you what all of them were, but it seemed like it never ended. And you need to put something in the newspaper. You need a blood test. I know that each municipality has their own different requirements. And they needed to be issued -- the certified copies -- within the 90 days. I believe I got my US papers in mid-April and had everything in time to leave early June for an early July wedding.

Besides the paperwork, it was a nice time with a civil service in the morning and a church service in the evening. And the cost of a wedding in Peru can´t be beat.

Good luck with what ever you decide.

Last year I sent three things USPS Express Mail to NVC and had no problem except arrivng in 2 days instead of one.

This year I sent one package USPS to NVC and they LOST the package. It's been 4 weeks and nowhere to be found.

The mailman said that FEDEX handles the air for USPS.

I would not reccommend USPS or FEDEX.

And if you use UPS, go to the UPS location where you would pickup stuff.

Another person told me if you use the UPS store, and if there is a problem, UPS won't help you. It is the store's problem.

I'm resending from out of the country next week. And I'm going to use DHL. It's too bad they don't do domestic.

They did a good job getting the documents here in the first place.

Yes, I know that I am able to attend the interview. I was at my husband's and there was no problems.

I don't know if we can return after our 2 month vacation there.

We tried to have the interview fall within the two month period, but USPS Express Mail LOST our papers. We are very disappointed, but trying to plan ahead if we are not there.

So again I ask if anyone has any ideas.

My step-daughter will have her interview in a couple of months. Any ideas of additional evidence to take to the interview for the step-daughter? Her father will have been a resident for one year at the time of the interview. At this point, we don't know if I (the petitioner) or her father (CR-2) can attend the interview. It is very possible she attends with her mother. We will be leaving soon to visit and want to bring along anything appropriate.

Thank you for ANY ideas.

I completed the CR-1 process a year ago for my husband but I am looking for current info for my step-daughter. We sent everything to the NVC so that my step-daughter should have her interview while we were in Peru from late May until mid-July. Unfortunately, the USPS lost our express mail package. We will be resending the info from Peru on May 25th. It should arrive at NVC on the 28th based on another package we received from Peru.

1. About how long has it taken from the time NVC receives it until it is in the system?

2. If everything is in order, how long before the case is complete?

3. How are you notified of the interview? This is critical as we will be in the jungle without communication and I need to make some sort of plan to get word to us.

4. I imagine her interview would be scheduled after we leave. Is it possible to ask for an earlier interview? We would like to be at the interview and if possible bring her back with us to start school at the beginning of the year. She is 9 years old. After having the summer off, it would be difficult to take a week or more off of school at the beginning of the year for the medical, interview and flight back not to mention the expense after a 2 month vacation.

5. If her interview is after we are back in the US, can her mother take her to her interview?

6. Her father has a CR-1 visa. If she enters after our 2nd anniversry, will she get an IR-2 or will she get a CR-2 because her father has a CR-1?

Thank you for any replies in advance.

Joanne

Once you have a successful interview, they will take the passport.

When you pick up the passport, it will have the visa affixed to one of the pages. Then it is stamped upon entry to the United States.

I have some questions regarding the Lima interview process . I was hoping that some one could help us. My wife has her interview on the 12 th of May. I want to make sure I have this all straight.

She just recieved her packet a couple and I dont know exactly whats in it or what it says and she is kind of confused about what is going to happen and what to do. My wife has her medical examination on the 6th of May

#1... Do we have to pay more money at the time of the interview?

There is no extra money to pay to the embassy for the interview.

#2... I heard some where that you had to pay DHL for shippijng the passport prior to going to the

interview and that you have to bring a prepaid envelope or some thing to the interview. If this

is true how does one go about doing that?

You pay for the shipping AFTER the interview is successful. You don't need anything to have it mailed.

#3...What paper work or additional forms need to be filled out?

She will sign part 2 of the DS-230 and get fingerprints.

#4...What paper work or papers or evidence should we bring with us to the interview?

Bring the letter with the interview information and the medical exam results. We brought copies of the paperwork we sent in. In addition, we brought evidence of photos, emails, phone logs, trips made to Peru, family affidavits. For us the only thing they looked at were the photos, but we had a very different interview.

#5... Is there any thing you think we should know about this process to help things along?

Just be organized and try to relax as much as possible. And be prepared for any red-flags you may have.

I hope I am not missing any thing else and thank you for you help.

Good luck!

You have a year. And if you need more time just call before the year is up. Each contact adds one year from the date of contact.

For my husband's DS-230 we put:

Branch: Army

Rank/Position: Sargeant

Dates of Service: 01/01/2005 to 12/30/2006

Military Specialty/Occupation: N/A

We had no problems with this.