Peterspeak

Visa Journey helped make our dream of emmigration come true, so THANK YOU! Also, to all those working hard against impossible odds.... keep fighting.

My fiance', (now wife of 6 years) emmigrated to the US (Albuquerque, NM) successfully in 2009 from South Korea, where met and lived together for 2 years. Now, we wish to move back to Korea(!) to start an ambitious project in her hometown, near Gwangju. She has decided that U.S. Citizenship is the best choice for convenience of travel and affordability, so she is currently in the midst of doing this. Apparently, she will have to give up her Korean citizenship, which is disappointing. However, the law allows for returning Koreans to have many privaledges similar to citizenship (F-4 visa). I am currently investigating to see what sort of visa I am elligible for, as I would like to run a legitimate business, and potentially non-profit.

Is there a Korean version of VJ (or similar) that can help answer my questions? What other community services are available to us world traveling types seeking visa guidence... Anyone traveling to South America?

Visa Journey helped make our dream of emmigration come true, so THANK YOU! Also, to all those working hard against impossible odds....

keep fighting.

I am the petitioner. My wife, Soyeon and I are in adjustment of Status phase.

We got request for evidence in the mail with 40 days to respond. They are requesting I-864, because we I forgot to file this during the visa process. My parents have already filed this as they are the financial sponsors.

My situation gets complicated because I worked in South Korea last couple of years, and I neglected to file any taxes to the IRS. My logic was that since my folks were the financial sponsors, then immigration wouldn't care about my status, and I could deal with the IRS later.

Talked to an attorney about this, and he thinks I need to hire a CPA, get the earnings statements from South Korea schools, where I worked, and straighten out my taxes for 2006-2008, before I send in I-864.

How can I get earnings statements or another report from Korean tax office? I'm not having any luck with keyword searches. Soyeon is checking on this also, but I wanted to see if there were any wise comments from you all. Remember the clock is ticking... about 35 days to respond!

- Peter

Just wanted to update the latest on Dr. Arnold's:

It's now $30 fee. Dr. L.E. Arnold 4534 Westgate Boulevard, Suite 106, Austin, TX 78745

(512) 444-3131

In our situation we had to get an additional chicken pox vaccination and fax that to their office before they would complete the authorization.

Peter

I just got a return call from Dr. Arnold's office. The fee increase is only for priority mailing. You can still pay $10 for regular mail. FYI.

This FAQ was very helpful to read. We will contact Dr. Arnold in Texas first thing tomorrow morning. When we contacted civil surgeon's office here in Albuquerque, NM, for an appointment, the receptionist informed us that we'd have to pay $500 and have the shots and physical done all over again. After I calmly informed receptionist that Vivi, my fiance was here on a fiance visa from South Korea... and that we were already aware of this misconception that we have to get another physical... in fact, warned about it... etc... receptionist insisted that the law had changed and now we must pay for physical and vaccinations again by civil surgeon here in the US.

I sure hope the law hasn't changed. That would really suck. My concern is that this receptionist was lying on purpose and not misinforming out of ignorance... trying to swindle some hard earned cash out of us. that's probably illegal, but wouldn't surprise me.

Please say it ain't so folks (about the law)... and how about that receptionist? Is this a scam or swindle (I mean within the bigge r scam that immigration already is) ?

We never received RFE. Our I-129 was approved no problems.

However... does it make sense to send my Fiance into the interview with extra evidence to prevent RFE situation? Such as extra photos and more recent updates in our relationship. This RFE... can it refer to something we could get from not supplying enough evidence at the interview?

Fiance will have interview next week in Seoul. Wish us luck!

Peter

Hmm. We considered those comparisons last year before applied for K1. I was asking about the conversation topic N-400. Was there a reference there that I missed?

-P

PETERSPEAK, please read the VISA comparisons on the link below.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=compare

If you haven't been receiving messages by email, ya'll might want to make sure your email notification is on.

-Peter

Call them and ask. 7am-12pm EST Phone number is in Wiki and such. Don't remember it off the top of my head

i have been approved recently and still waiting for the notice and my case number..i've been waiting for a week now,if another more week and no mail yet.I will tell my fiance to contact NVC....

As i have observed it takes a week or 15 days to recieved the mail here in the philippines so nothing to get anxious about...

A note about applying for interview.

Seems to me that it would have been possible to apply for interview date as soon as we got the case number from NVC at the beginning of the month.

Just a heads up to anyone trying to expedite this process.

Peter

Wow. Now that we got the case number from the NVC, things are speeding out of control. We applied for an interview date, and got the reply the next day with March 10 interview date. I had heard that it would take them a few weeks to respond, and that the interview would take place in about a month after that.

We are getting regular email updates now, and preparing for the big date in Seoul next week.

Question: I heard rumor that US immigration may grant recipient the right to work (green card) immediately, upon entering the U.S. with a K1 visa. Can anyone clarify with some details on this?

I may post this question as a separate topic.

THanks everyone who is listening and still cares.

Peter

I'm the petitioner, and I'm currently living in South Korea with my fiance in an apartment we share. We filed last September thru Vermont office, hoping to fly to USA this spring and be married as soon as April '09. Was this (is this still) a realistic expectation?

When we got NOA1, we got a little nervous because they never contacted us directly. No email, letter or phone call. Instead, the I-129 approval was mailed to my parents at their New York address. My folks are listed as the financial supporters. Since then, I've never been contacted directly by CIS. We are anxiously waiting to hear something and get the NOA2, so we can get on with the process.

We assume that they will send the NOA2 to the New York State address. So my folks are standing by... ready to fire off the I-130. My concern is that since most petitioners seem to have been contacted by email, there might be something complicated or problematic about our case.

I know, I know... "Be Patient"

It's my nature to worry, so I'm assuming the worst possible complications at this point. Any guesses as to what's taking so long? What are some of your nightmare scenarios or stories that I can worry over? Please share!

Based on your timeline you should receive your NOA2 (I-797) between 26 Feb & 12 March. This would make your wedding in April 2009 doubtful.

From receiving the NOA2, this will be posted out to the address you (petitioner) put on your I-129F application, your file is sent to NVC which can take 2weeks. NVC then forward your file to the USE in the beneficiaries country this can take days or weeks to arrive and be logged on the system.

So from receiving NOA2 realistically you are looking at at least 1.5-2months before interview.

Sorry this waiting game sucks, and you have all sorts of scenarios going through your head as to why it is taking so long...when in reality it is taking so long because Vermont are very busy.

what are you guys talking about? Is this N-400 something we have to worry about in future?

-Peter

Wow,

I just sent my N-400 package, and it feels great.

I was looking at my timeline and I sent my first package to USCIS (for the finace visa) 4 years to the day.

I just wanted to share this with my Fellow VJer's.

Thanks for the support and advice. I wonder how much $$ we've saved by using VJ and not a lawyer

Good Luck on your Journey.

I get the regular email updates from CIS about policy stuff, but nothing regarding my K1-Visa case status. Maybe I signed up for the wrong email alerts. I don't know.

Anyways, I recalculated the time-line prediction for our case, and it's looking like even if things go smoothly, that Vivi won't have the interview in Seoul until the end of May. How did we miscalculate that date by 3 months!?

Can anyone confirm about this time-line prediction?

Thanx for yr support,

peter

I'm the petitioner, and I'm currently living in South Korea with my fiance in an apartment we share. We filed last September thru Vermont office, hoping to fly to USA this spring and be married as soon as April '09. Was this (is this still) a realistic expectation?

When we got NOA1, we got a little nervous because they never contacted us directly. No email, letter or phone call. Instead, the I-129 approval was mailed to my parents at their New York address. My folks are listed as the financial supporters. Since then, I've never been contacted directly by CIS. We are anxiously waiting to hear something and get the NOA2, so we can get on with the process.

We assume that they will send the NOA2 to the New York State address. So my folks are standing by... ready to fire off the I-130. My concern is that since most petitioners seem to have been contacted by email, there might be something complicated or problematic about our case.

I know, I know... "Be Patient"

It's my nature to worry, so I'm assuming the worst possible complications at this point. Any guesses as to what's taking so long? What are some of your nightmare scenarios or stories that I can worry over? Please share!

Did you sign up for e-mail alerts? If not there is a 100% chance of never getting an e-mail.

Congratulations on NOA2... so what's the next move?

You will file I - 130 ?

How do you get an interview date?

-Peter

I'm a November Filer in Vermont.And we had now our NOA2(we're blessed and Thankful :blush: )even without recieving emails and touches in their website we got our Hardcopy in his mailbox,we used the address of my Fiance's grandparents in our I-129F application:)

Good Luck to you both:)

Mark and Ana

I'm the petitioner, and I'm currently living in South Korea with my fiance in an apartment we share. We filed last September thru Vermont office, hoping to fly to USA this spring and be married as soon as April '09. Was this (is this still) a realistic expectation?

When we got NOA1, we got a little nervous because they never contacted us directly. No email, letter or phone call. Instead, the I-129 approval was mailed to my parents at their New York address. My folks are listed as the financial supporters. Since then, I've never been contacted directly by CIS. We are anxiously waiting to hear something and get the NOA2, so we can get on with the process.

We assume that they will send the NOA2 to the New York State address. So my folks are standing by... ready to fire off the I-130. My concern is that since most petitioners seem to have been contacted by email, there might be something complicated or problematic about our case.

I know, I know... "Be Patient"

It's my nature to worry, so I'm assuming the worst possible complications at this point. Any guesses as to what's taking so long? What are some of your nightmare scenarios or stories that I can worry over? Please share!

Thanks so much! This is very very nice to hear! Thanks again!

YES. Happy Holidays Ya'll.

We (Vivi and Peter) are also looking for encouragement. We filed K1 around August. Actually they sent the NAO1 to my folks' address in USA. We are (and have been last 2 years) in South Korea now, until further notice. I guess CIS doen't send these replies to overseas address?

Sooooooooooooooooo hopefully we get notice real soon, ey? Anybody can confirm this?

My sympathies go out to all those that are totally getting screwed by this process.

Thank You all for all the thoughtful advise about the I-129F. It's packed and ready to go for Monday morning. Quite relieved that we didn't spend our weekend translating receipts and phone bills!

again, photos are secondary evidence. I could put you with anyone at any time with photoshop.

We have a 10 year relationship and have lived together for some of that time as well. I just made a timeline and proved all of our travel together with passport stamps and boarding passes and some photos to support that evidence.

proof that you have been in that Country, passport stamps, itinerary, rental contract you have for living together, bills together.... the paystubs from the same Company are a good idea.

shame Korea does not allow DCF.

good luck

oops forgot to actually answer your question.... you can translate what you need to for the uscis. This link shows you

Passport stamp(s) and work visa will be sufficient. No need to translate any receipts or bills. That would just be overkill. At interview, the time you've lived together will be sufficient evidence of a bona fide ongoing relationship.

Yes, the passport stamps, and Korean work Visa are essential evidence. The photos of us are clearly labeled and in photo bags, ready to go. I found a hotel voucher in English from a May, 2008 trip to Seoul. Should I throw out all the other evidence, like the Korean bank passbook, and phone bill that proves we live together? I would really love to get rid of them.

Hello. Thanks for your concern.

I will include a one page story that includes the dates of our meeting at work, first date, and eventually moving in together, a year and a half later. The photos I will include are quite persuasive.

I want to include the phone bill that lists both our names, but it's in Korea language, which is a completely different alphabet from English. We can translate the relavent portions, or we can try to translate the entire phone bill. Same with bank passbook with transactions. Translating an entire phone bill seems like a real pain in the ###, and I'd like to get clarification if that's necessary.

We are just trying to prove that we've met. That should be simple, right?

You have to show proof you physically met in the last 2 years..if not your petition will be sent back to you and denied... I wrote a timeline story from how we met, where he lived, where I lived, important dates when we said we were a couple, dates when we had "anniversary celebrations", we were together for 3 years prior to meeting in person. Told that we chatted everyday via Yahoo messenger so we knew each other faces even before meeting in person. Told story when we first got our "snail mail" cards, Xmas greeting cards, birthday cards, annivesary cards... Story of how we physically met, date of when we met, how my fiance met my family and how he stayed at our home for his 2 week vacation. How we spent a special vacation together..and how he proposed to get married. Told even how Mama wanted assurance that we will get married, (told her in front of family, Aunt, Uncle, bros and sister). Told date of when he left, plans of where we will live once we get married. Dates are very important. Do not be vague so your petition will be genuine... Get some copies of phone bills with your numbers attached, snail mail envelopes if you sent them, photos together meeting...

I think you are making a fuss over nothing. As mentioned, all you need to do is prove that you met within the last two years. You have a passport stamp, you said you are employed there throw in some pictures and you got it made. My fiancee went in the interview with a MOUNTAIN of evidence and all the CO looked at was a powerpoint presentation I made and printed out. In fact, all she did was skim through the presentation and she asked/commented on a few of the photos. It's really not as hard as it seems.

Hello. Thanks for your concern.

I will include a one page story that includes the dates of our meeting at work, first date, and eventually moving in together, a year and a half later. The photos I will include are quite persuasive.

I want to include the phone bill that lists both our names, but it's in Korea language, which is a completely different alphabet from English. We can translate the relavent portions, or we can try to translate the entire phone bill. Same with bank passbook with transactions. Translating an entire phone bill seems like a real pain in the ###, and I'd like to get clarification if that's necessary.

We are just trying to prove that we've met. That should be simple, right?

You have to show proof you physically met in the last 2 years..if not your petition will be sent back to you and denied... I wrote a timeline story from how we met, where he lived, where I lived, important dates when we said we were a couple, dates when we had "anniversary celebrations", we were together for 3 years prior to meeting in person. Told that we chatted everyday via Yahoo messenger so we knew each other faces even before meeting in person. Told story when we first got our "snail mail" cards, Xmas greeting cards, birthday cards, annivesary cards... Story of how we physically met, date of when we met, how my fiance met my family and how he stayed at our home for his 2 week vacation. How we spent a special vacation together..and how he proposed to get married. Told even how Mama wanted assurance that we will get married, (told her in front of family, Aunt, Uncle, bros and sister). Told date of when he left, plans of where we will live once we get married. Dates are very important. Do not be vague so your petition will be genuine... Get some copies of phone bills with your numbers attached, snail mail envelopes if you sent them, photos together meeting...

So like, what, you actually LIVE with your fiance? I'd say that's evidence enough that you've met. They basicly want to make sure that you have actually met, physicly.. been in the presence of one another. In other words, didn't meet in a chatroom last week and decided to elope to vegas on a whim, if you'll excuse the metaphor. Show pictures of the two of you together, that will help.

Personally i showed credit card transactions that were done in texas to show that i indeed WAS there, pictures, plane tickets, car rental receipt, hotel receipt, and passport stamps.

We are both in our mid thirties, living together in Korean apartment. We want to move to U.S., so we decided K-1 visa was our best option. A very normal situation. However we seem to be lacking any of this normal kind of evidence. We dont stay in hotels, we we don't fly anywhere. Anyways, all these documents are in Korean, and would supposedly require a certified translation. Of course we are sending along several photos of us together. Even one with both our parents being introduced.

But, Do the photos have to include certifiable dates an locations on them? And why do some posts insist that this photo evidence is weak, and we need to have documents?

Thanks for the concern.

Here is a copy of a letter I will attach to a I-129F petition We only started researching this K-1 visa process last week, but would like to send off the package to CIS by Sept. 10, 2008:

I have remained in South Korea continuously from the time my fiancé and I first became acquainted in November of 2006, and therefore, feel our situation is unique. I have included copies of my passport stamps that prove I have been in South Korea since November 2006. They were processed at the immigration office in city of Gwangju, where I have been a resident since my arrival.

Instead of providing evidence that we have met each other in the past two years, I have provided evidence of how we became acquainted. We were both employed by the same employer at the same location at the same time. Copies of our Korean bank passbooks, with the records of deposits from the same employer are a kind of paycheck receipt.

The evidence that we have continued our relationship is that we have lived together in Gwangju, South Korea since April of 2008. I included copies of a telephone bill that includes both our names on the address of the apartment we share.

Since all of our evidence that we know each other is in Korean, we have had to translate it into English

Is it necessary to translate copies of bank passbooks, telephone bills, etc? If so, can you advise the appropriate way to do this? If possible, post a scanned example of this and post it at the gallery. Thank you.