BenAndNida

As you mentioned, this is the way to proceed, provided that your wife is willing to take your last name as hers also.

Great! Thank you very much for your reply.

Ben

on the work authorization they ask for a I-94 number or alien registration number. we found something that says I-94 and there is a number called a departure number. It has 11 digets. would this be the I-94 number or is it something else? Also my wife is here on a k1 visa. Would she have an alien registration number?

I have the exact same question as this original poster.

My wife's K-3 visa (issued by the Bangkok, Thailand embassy) does not clearly indicate any A-number (alien registration number).

It does have an 8-digit number in the lower right, but it is not preceded by an "A", and it does not indicate alien registration number in any way.

And the I-94 stub in her passport indicates an 11-digit "departure number". So, I think that may be her I-94 number, but that's not completely clear.

Also, as I indicated in a separate thread, the NOA2 for my wife's I-129F indicates an A-number, but I'm not sure that still applies, as we have a K-3 visa, rather than a K-1 visa or CR-1 visa, and the NOA2 indicates: "Approval notice. Valid from 09/01/2008 to 01/02/2009" So, I'm not sure that A-number is still valid or still applies to my wife.

Anybody sure about any of this?

Thanks,

Ben

Hi,

My wife has just recently arrived in the U.S. on a K-3 visa.

Her passport and K-3 visa indicate her last name as her maiden name.

Our plan is to switch to her married name now that she is in the U.S., for consistency sake.

So, on our I-765, when we fill in her name, we are using her new married last name, and indicating her maiden name in the accompany box ("Other names used, including maiden name"). We will also be including a copy of our marriage certificate as evidence of our marriage.

Is this the best way to proceed on the I-765? Any thoughts on this?

Thanks very much,

Ben

Thank you for your replies, but there appears to be a bit of confusion here (for me and many others on the web apparently).

On my wife's K-3 visa (which is very similar to that shown in the photo in the preceding link), there is a red 8-digit number in the lower right of the visa.

However that number is said (by some) to be the "non-immigrant visa number," rather than the "alien registration number."

Also, that number does not have a preceding "A", nor does it indicate "alien registration number" in any way.

So: Are you 100% sure that the red 8-digit number on my wife's visa is her "A-number" or "alien registration number"?

Thanks very much,

Ben

My wife is currently here in the U.S. on a K-3 visa.

How can I find her alien registration number (used for other subsequent immigration documents)?

I notice that she does have an A-number on the NOA2 for her I-129F. However, that document also indicates: "Approval Notice: Valid from 09/03/2008 to 01/02/2009" [so, I don't entirely understand that validity date. I think that may be the window of time for apply for a K-1/K-3 or CR-1 visa, but I'm not completely sure.]

So, is that still my wife's official "alien registration number," even though we have a K-3 visa rather than a K-1 visa, and even though that approval notice has expired?

Thanks very much,

Ben

Here is what my Packet 3 (Rev. 09/08) instructions indicate (verbatim):

"Once you have all the documents in your possession, complete and sign the Checklist and return it with all the required documents listed on the Checklist to the embassy by mail. Please mail to us the original and photocopy of all the documents for yourself and each of your family members... [Etc.]"

So, if a person did exactly what they said (as I did), then I hope you saved *extra copies* because you're going to need them to be admitted to your interview!

Thanks for your excellent and quick reply...

But you know what is so messed up? Those Packet 3 instructions/checklist that you just cited on the U.S. Embassy website are *different* from the instructions that my wife received in mail. (I have a scan of the U.S. Embassy Packet 3 instructions/checklist document that my wife received right here on my PC. The instructions are completely different.)

So, basically, it appears that there are two versions of the Packet 3 instructions, one obsolete and one new-and-improved.

Well... This is just the final unwelcome joke on this 7-month-long journey for me.

Thanks, man.

And *Thank God* I saved copies of everything.

(Except for a couple of the idiotic government forms (e.g., DS-230) that are .pdf files that *can't be saved* and that were lost when my Adobe Acrobat decided to spontaneously auto-update and crash.)

Packet 3 indicates a long checklist of documents that must be sent in to the U.S. Embassy (in duplicate).

We completed that a couple weeks ago.

Now, we have received our Packet 4, which indicates a long checklist of documents that must be brought to the interview.

However, most of these items are documents that we *already sent* to the U.S. Embassy (in duplicate).

e.g., DS-156, DS-157, etc.

Yes, I saved copies. But now I must apparently scan and e-mail them to my wife to print out and bring with her to the interview?

Is it correct that they actually want us to submit a *third copy* of each of these documents in order to be accepted to interview?

(If so, they sure didn't indicate that would be necessary when we submitted out Packet 3 documents. They indicated: You may wish to save a copy of these documents for your own personal records. But they didn't say: Oh, by the way, we are going to want a third copy of each of these documents for your interview. Exception: They did indicate that they wanted to see originals of some documents (e.g., birth certificate) at the interview. But that was all.)

Just seems pretty crazy and contradictory/unexpected to me. (And I bet many people are caught by surprise at this.)

Can anybody else confirm that my reading of this is correct?

Thanks.

Hi guys,

Right now, we have all our documents at the NVC, and we have received mail regarding both the K-3 and CR-1 options.

We strongly desire to pursue the K-3 track, due to any possible slight edge in processing speed. (I would much rather file all of the necessary AOS paperwork when my wife is here. Frankly, I wouldn't mind that at all.) I simply want my wife here ASAP, and she wants to be here ASAP, too.

My main question:

Is it safe to say that if I simply ignore the CR-1 option for now, that is OK?

(e.g., How long is it OK to leave that option in limbo?)

Btw: I notice that if I wanted to pursue the CR-1 option, I would have to pay a $70 fee (Affidavit of Support fee) + a $400 fee (Immigrant Visa processing fee). So, although many people mention that AOS is expensive (at least $1010), the CR-1 option looks to be quite costly too.

Thanks, John! Great information!

Your clarification on Question 8 was especially helpful. I really appreciate it.

Btw: You and Rin look like a really cute couple!

Thanks again!

Hi guys,

I have a few specific questions about how to fill out the I-134, as several of the questions on the form seem to be worded a bit ambiguously.

Question 3. Spouse and children accompanying or following to join person

Since I am in the U.S. (waiting for my wife to arrive), I presume I should leave this Spouse section blank? Or perhaps enter "N/A"?

Question 8. Dependents

I have read a few threads that touch upon this subject. Basically, it appears that you should list your spouse as a dependent here, if you will claim him/her on your income taxes as a dependent.

My situation (probably pretty common): My wife lives in Thailand. We were engaged in February and married in May. I have been supporting her basically since the time we were engaged. So, will I likely be claiming her as a dependent on my 2008 taxes? (That is probably a very simple (quick and easy) tax question, so that is why I am asking it here. Also, I hope others may benefit from this information.)

Question 10. Visa petition (date)

In the case of a K-3 visa, should I list the date my I-130 was submitted or the date my I-129F was submitted? Any ideas?

Question 11. Specific contributions of support

What is the *best/safest* answer to this question?

Maybe: Room and board (permanently)

In my case (probably pretty common): I will, of course, provide room and board plus spending money for my wife. (How much exactly? Who knows?) Should I indicate an additional monthly dollar amount? I would be happy to do so, but then I would be concerned about the need to provide addtional verification/documentation. So, what do you guys think is *best* to provide as an answer to this question?

Thanks very much for your help and suggestions,

Ben

This is great information in this thread. Thanks for posting, guys.

I received a notice in the mail from USCIS dated August 18, 2008, indicating that my I-130 has been approved and forwarded on to the NVC.

And now I have received a second (otherwise identical) notice in the mail from USCIS dated August 26, 2008, indicating that my I-130 has been approved and forwarded on to the NVC.

(No word yet on my I-129F.)

So, as many others have indicated, this process does indeed seem to be quite subject to random irregularities.

Good luck, everybody, in your journey!

Ben

Hi everybody I am in US after 14 months of this journey I had no problem at POE( Atlanta ) except rain and delay on connecting flight. Big relief finaly I am home with my hubby thanks everybody on this journey

After 14 months(!) of patience, you now deserve great joy in your life!

RFE on K3

OMG, I am so sorry...

*Sigh*

Don't be deterred. Just submit whatever evidence is required.

I am glad to hear that, I hope you get approved

Thanks! I think you're up next!

I just checked the online case status of my I-130 and I-129F.

My I-130 online status is listed as last updated (but still pending) as of August 18.

However, I already received official notice in the mail that it was in fact approved on that date.

And I just observed that my I-129F online status is listed as last updated (but still pending) as of August 26.

So, my guess/hope (and I actually don't think it's too implausible) is that it *may* have just been approved, as well.

So, my message to all recent I-130 and I-129F filers to CSC is this:

For whatever reason, CSC seems to be very rapidly processing and approving recently submitted I-130 and I-129F petitions right now.

I don't know why that is, but it seems very auspicious for many of us here.

Good luck to everybody!

(And sorry to all of those who have been waiting much longer. This does seem very unfair to many people, and I don't know why this is happening.)

I think this is a very good sign. I think you will be approved soon.

Good luck, Jackie!

so everybody keep telling me stories of people who did this in less than 6 months... they all seem amazed that it takes that long to get a visa... so anyways... reading on the forms on the uscis we found out that if you want to bring yor spouse on a non immigrant visa to the us you can apply for a k3 visa in the country where you got married after you submit the receipt you get when you file an I-130. so this is ehat we think we're going to do. my BF comes to venezuela, we get married he leaves with marriage certificate, files for an i-130 and then we apply for a K# visa in the us embassy in venezuela which is the way we're supposed to do it according to the life act.... you get a nonimmigrant visa that allows you to be in the us while your i130 is being processed... am i being naive here? is this possible? has any of you tried this and succeeded? or failed?

Sounds like you're describing a basic K-3 visa, which is what this forum is all about.

Most of us are in line for that, and right now, the queue takes about 6-8+ months in most cases, I would say.

You can definitely do all the paperwork yourself (without a lawyer), if you carefully follow all of the instructions.

However, be aware that this entire process is neither quick nor easy. In fact, it is quite a difficult and demanding *journey*. (Hence the very appropriate name of this website (VisaJourney.com).)

At the outset, I was *astounded* that the process is so long and difficult to get one's spouse(!) into the U.S. and I still feel that way.

(e.g., My wife has no interest in U.S. citizenship. Yet we still have to go through hell to merely allow her to visit me here.)

(e.g., Foreign workers can get premium (expedited) processing of their H-1B visas within 15 days(!), but my wife(!) needs to wait in line for 6-8+ months for a K-3 visa. #######???)

If you want your spouse to live with you here in the U.S., you will both need to be very strong and patient.

I have seen where it's happened tho. Only cost $131 to try.

Unfortunately, that is not true.

His wife could be granted a B-2, and she could fly all the way to the U.S., only to be denied entry at her arrival.

Very possible and it has happened to many people.

So, in that case, the cost would be $131 + ~$1500 (plane fare), to say nothing about the disappointment...

Btw: I'm sorry: The whole U.S. visa system is completely absurd, and I feel very sorry for the pain this will cause you and your wife.

(If you want to live together in the U.S., you will both have to be very strong and patient.)

From all that I have read on this issue, it is not likely that her B-2 tourist visa would be granted.

And even if it were, there would also be a strong doubt about whether she would be permitted to enter by U.S. authorities at the port of entry.

In summary: Although it may not be impossible, it is probably highly unlikely in most cases.

If most of us could get B-2 tourist visas to ease the pain of our wait for K-1/K-3 visas, we would have already done so.

That's a unique situation alright. Let's look a little deeper. Do your last three tax returns look good or is it only 2007 and 2005 that look good? Are your YTD 2008 earnings over the 125%? Do you have more than three times the income requirement in assets? For the I-864, you are likely to get by with a single 2007 tax return. If it looks good, no problem.

Yeah, I agree my circumstances are quite unique.

My income and assets should not be a problem. This is just a unique and unexpected timing situation for me.

Oh well, I'll just find a new job at a new company...

Thanks for all of your helpful comments and suggestions (and those of everybody else as well).

It's very poignant to imagine what the visa application process would be like without all of the amazing help and resources found at this site.

I haven't said that and there are potential reasons I can think of, why the K3 is a better path. I already mentioned one. What are your reasons? Knowing them might change my recommendation.

I agree that you haven't, but several others have.

Here is an example of how CR-1 is less optimal for me than K-3, aside from the processing time:

I work as a contract software engineer at a major U.S. company. Due to a contract stipulation that is unique to this company and state, I can only work for one year at a time, and then I must take a mandatory break (during which I cannot work for any competing companies). It just so happens that I am on my required break right now. That would be fine, and no problem, since I am quite used to this cycle for the past 8 years.

However, here is how it impacts my CR-1/K-3 situation:

As far as I can see, the CR-1 process appears to require all employment documents at the front end (i.e., now), which is very inconvenient, as I am not permitted to work now.

In contrast, the K-3 process appears to require all employment documents at the back end (i.e., several months from now), which would be optimal, as I will be back at work then.

So, if I want to follow the CR-1 track, it appears that I will have to immediately locate a new job that does not compete with my usual long-term employer.

So, that is just one example of why CR-1 is much less optimal for me than K-3, aside from any considerations of processing time.

a lot of us here wish they were in ur shoes...do urself a favor and forget about K3....u r lucky enough to get a much superior process waiting for u...good luck!

Thank you for your kind words, but everybody please stop saying the I-130(CR-1) track is superior to I-129F(K-3). For my situation, it is not. (There are several reasons for this.)