Yader&Sarah

Congrats Marm!!!!! finally!!

yay Habibi!!!!

and badgerella too!!

...that you find strength and peace.

Harsh: I recieved a letter from NVC 3 times!!!! with the same message!!! First these people take forever to take your case..then once they do..they send multiple copies of the same information.

I received 3 identical letters from NVC too...the only difference was the date...weird.

O my GOD i got a touch after 173 day without anything, i just now got i touch. I hope this means NOA2.

hang in there habibi!

at least now you know they have your case and are doing something with it!!

Just checking in.

I hate how paranoid this whole process makes you. what I hate more (actually, I'm probably just extremely envious) are the people who just glide through without preparing and are clueless, and get approved no problem.

how does that happen?

my friends and family keep telling me I'm over prepared and freaking out about ridiculous stuff. I can't tell anymore! this is not real world! this is immigration world and it sucks!

thanks all for your advice.

I feel much, much calmer now.

I'm hoping that the second set is just notification that it has been registered. We will just go with the first set in our 'notebook' and stick the others off to the side somewhere (just in case there is a problem).

If the first set was good enough for USCIS then I dont see why they wouldn't be for the consulate.

oh the power of positive thinking...

Ok, so this is probably off topic but.. I have a concern / question..... and it wasnt answered in the last spot I posted it

Re: picture of you and your SO together...

That is the one thing I don't have... We have known each other since late 2006 and finally met on April 2008, however, the whole topic of marriage and spending the rest of our lives together didn't come up until my visit with him. When I was there we spent all of our time alone together and seeing the sites, not once did we think.. gee we better get some proof for the K1 process.. We filed for the K1 about 4 months after I left and upon reading about what we need and looking at the things I have, the picture of the two of us together are not one of them.. providing I have all my ducks in a row and have proof of an on going relationship... will this affect their final decision at the interview?

I am surprised you didnt get an RFE for that but it might be a problem in the interview...but maybe they arent as strict on the photo evidence since your in Canada and its close. Do you have like pictures of him you took and pictures of you he took at like the same spot.....But then again reading what some people say here the interviewer didnt look at the pictures.

pictures are secondary evidence and aren't as important as boarding passes and passport stamps. However, I would make sure you have tons of other stuff. hotel receipts--with both your names on it even..? atm receipts? anything to prove you were there, and then to prove you were together.

And even though they are secondary, if you have a chance, it wouldn't hurt to schedule a trip and take your camera!!

if your parents have agreed to cosign you should not have a problem with either the k-1 or k-3. And they can still be cosigners even if you dont work for an entire year. For example. in 2007 I was a volunteer and made about 2000$, but last year, 2008, I did a part time job and then later in the year started a full time job, which I'm still at. To cover all basese, I am still using my parents as cosigners. They are ok with it, and so I am, and it takes a lot of stress of the financial aspect of the visa.

Also, we applied for a k-1 because:

1)it is faster

2)as said above, we didn't want to spend our first year married apart

3) a long engagement didn't seem so bad (gave skeptical family and friends LOTS of times to come around)

4)my mom would've cried had i gotten married in nicarauga

good luck!

MAliciant, have a great trip!!

good luck!!!

What makes a divorce final varies widely even within the US but if USCIS approved the petition, it would be rare for a Consular officer to question whether a divorce was final.

No judge banged any gavel for either of my divorces.

I think we are also really hung up on what date to say he was divorced. because it is never clearly stated. Just this paper was handed to this person on this day, and this person said this on this day, and agreed to this at this time on this day. Never does it say, and boom, divorce final on this day.

So I'm afraid he's going to get hung up on dates and they are goign to be like, woah, wait a sec, not right, and all hell breaks loose...

Relax. The petition would not be approved without legal divorce papers. The second set are probably a set which indicates the divorce has been officially registered with the government, he was legally divorced before. When the judge knocks the gavel, you are divorced (if they have gavels in Nicaruagua)

Consulates vary, our interview was no questions asked. If your papers are in order and you have a legitimate relationship, don't worry. Check the reviews of the embassy for his country.

Good luck

This is a possibility? I thought the date they were asking for is and when a divorce is official is when it is registered?

They can be two different things? My fiance seems pretty convinced that it was legal in the first set, but I know the way divorce usually works here, is that it is not 'final' until several months later.

I keep trying to calm myself down and think that if USCIS approved us without an RFE or anything, it must be ok. but how do they know what Nicaraguan divorce papers look like? I didn't, my fiance didn't, neither did my laywer, they both look and say vritually the same thing... but I'm sure there is some difference I can't see. I would think that the consulate in Nicaragua would be much more savvy to what nicaraguan divorce papers look like...

My lawyer's office seems to think it wont be a problem because it wasn't at USCIS and that if it is, it was an honest mistake by less than one week, and why would we just not have waited that week. But that isn't enough of an answer for me...at all...I'm going to talk to my lawyer this afternoon.

Thanks for all your input!

Jen,

I was wondering if you are able to successfully talk about Gabriel with your parents. ie. tell a funny story about something he did or said, or mention when something reminds you of him and why, things like that?

Because, my parents have still not met my fiance, even though we have been engaged more a year and a half. They have never been able to make it to visit and he was also denied a tourist visa. But even before we got engaged, I would start incorporating Yader into some of my conversations with my parents and loved ones. Just a little bit at first, and I got uncomfortable looks, and awkward silence, etc.etc. But I kept at it, and little by little, the awkward silences were shorter and the uncomfortable looks were at least less obvious

Knowing that you've been together 3 years, I'm sure you've talked about Gabriel before with your family, but I guess my advice would be, keep doing it. no matter how painful it is. After a year and a half, I can finally have a legitimate conversation about Yader with my mom and she feels like she knows him just a little bit.

on the other hand, there will be people you never convince, and it will always be sad. Just yesterday, my mom mentioned that my great aunt and uncle (who are like grandparents to me) refused to talk about yader or the entire situation (I was completely unaware they were so upset), and I cried for an hour.

But I think that when it's all said and done, no matter how you go about it, secret or no, my mom had the best advice (and she was a major sketic at first!/still is actually....). she said, "you've got to stop trying to convince people, the only way they will come around is by seeing you two love eachother. It may take a year, it may take 5, and it may never happen, but pour your energy into a good relationship, and they'll see that, no matter how long it takes to admit it."

good luck!

I am getting really stressed out about the interview, he (beneficiary) will have it at the Managua Consulate on Feb 13- I plan to go with him, as far as they'll let me. I've posted some earlier topics about a previous marriage/divorce and I won't repost.

I know that I'm letting my mother's 'worrying' genes take over, however, I do have some questions about the interview and hoping to hear from some of you with experience and similar situations.

-How much do they typically ask about a denied tourist visa? (we tried to get one in Oct 07, he was still legally married, and it is marked as such on his application)

-How much do they typically ask about previous marriage and divorce?

-I have been told numerous times that if the USCIS deemed our application as legitimate, it is rare that the consular interview will disagree with this decision and that the interview is basically to confirm the validity of the relationship on a face to face basis--- is this accurate?

-Does anyone know what the denial rate is for K-1s at interview stage?

-Any advice for preparing for the interview in general?

-and lastly, any advice for calming frayed nerves!?

Thanks all--as always I appreciate your support and advice!

It's normal to start getting nervous the closer the interview gets but it sounds like you have nothing to worry about. A denied tourist visa usually has no effect on a k1 visa (Unless there was a specific reason for the denial beyond 'not enough sufficient ties to home country'). My husband was denied a tourist visa prior to our filing of the k1 and we weren't even asked about it. A denied tourist visa is a pretty common thing depending on what country your from.

As far as the previous marriage is concerned as long you have the paperwork to prove it is over and you filed your petition after the divorce was finalized you should be fine.

The talk I gave myself before our interview (my then fiance's interview but we lived together so I was at the interview with him) was we have a legitimate relationship they won't really ask us anything we don't know the answer to. If there's any paperwork they want that we don't have they won't deny us they will give us time to get it.

Best of luck to you

This is my major concern. His lawyer gave him the divorce papers, knowing we were waiting to file. We sped them off to get them translated, and to my lawyer and turned in the K-1. Then 17 days after we received our NOA1 he recieved another set of divorce papers. Neither of us understand what the difference is...he is going to call his lawyer again tomorrow...

...but if we made it past the USCIS stage with just the first set, can they suddenly claim that they aren't enough at the interview stage?

As far as proving relationship we have problem. I'm just really freaked out about these papers. Our lawyer said dont mention the second set unless they ask, and if they do, just say what I said above...that we honestly thought the first set was it (and we did...), but bring the second along just in case.

I am now beyond freaked out and I'm not sure if I'm overreacting or if this is legitimate...and if it is legitimate, what do we/can we do?

ok, my movie is almost over and I've drank the hot chocolate...

I guess the question I am most concerned about is this:

-How likely is it to be denied at the interview?

-And what are the odds that the Consulate will reject evidence that USCIS accepted? (I'm mainly concerned about these !?#%^ divorce papers again...USCIS accpeted them as legit (and as far as we know they are...)).

I am getting really stressed out about the interview, he (beneficiary) will have it at the Managua Consulate on Feb 13- I plan to go with him, as far as they'll let me. I've posted some earlier topics about a previous marriage/divorce and I won't repost.

I know that I'm letting my mother's 'worrying' genes take over, however, I do have some questions about the interview and hoping to hear from some of you with experience and similar situations.

-How much do they typically ask about a denied tourist visa? (we tried to get one in Oct 07, he was still legally married, and it is marked as such on his application)

-How much do they typically ask about previous marriage and divorce?

-I have been told numerous times that if the USCIS deemed our application as legitimate, it is rare that the consular interview will disagree with this decision and that the interview is basically to confirm the validity of the relationship on a face to face basis--- is this accurate?

-Does anyone know what the denial rate is for K-1s at interview stage?

-Any advice for preparing for the interview in general?

-and lastly, any advice for calming frayed nerves!?

Thanks all--as always I appreciate your support and advice!

I'm not sure that I have direct answer for you original quesion and I apologize in advance for the indirect response

...but I can tell you, being a 'crazy person' myself, I had planned to not officially tell anyone that we were engaged until he got here (aside from my parents and some close friends---i REALLY needed/need their support), and it just didn't happen.

Why? Because, although I know I was the favorite topic of family gatherings and high school friend reunions for a loong time, now, that we are within a couple weeks of him finally! getting here (interview Feb 13), after nearly 2 years, people are finally used to the idea and somewhat ready for it. Whereas, if I had just been like 'surprise here he is, and we are getting married in 3 months!' I think that would have been much harder. Just because in that case, I would have been bringing him into a situation that he would not feel welcome, along with the culture shock, missing his family, and language barriers he is already gauranteed to experience.

I'm not saying that everything will be perfect, but as it is, my skeptical family and friends have had over a year to 'get used to the idea' and have witnessed our dedication as they watch us struggle through this K-1 process (I've been giving milestone updates). This has given them the chance accept our relationship as valid on their own terms. Obviously, it is not about them, but they are a part of my life and I would love for them to be a part of my fiance's life as well.

As I said, this does not answer your question. I just thought I would share my own experience of 'deciding to tell or not, ' well, this process makes you feel alone and alienated as it is, and in end when it came to included those who were skeptical (although it was hard), I'm glad I did.

Congrats Miss q !!!!

and Mia & Noa!!

I hope you have a great time together! what perfect timing!

Ok I can finally stop thinking bad thoughts about all you guys you got approved before us......cause its.....Peanut Butter Jelly Time Peanut Butter Jelly time!!!!

I checked yesterday at about 3pm and it just updated the date.....then I got an email at 5:45pm from CRIS saying approval notice sent.....So Chicka Chicka yeah!

Congrats!! (i dont think there is a peanutbutterjellytime specific dance )

I have been watching this post for many months now and I have also been so frustrated at the lack of progress at VSC, so last week I got fed up and pulled the chain on every source I could think of. I wrote a letter to each member of the Senate Judiciary Comm, to the new Sec of State Hillary, both Senators, and my Congressional Rep. In each I stated how SLOWWWWW Vermont was and how this has affected so many people who wait. I stated that I was a Disabled Marine Corps combat vet and that my country at least owed me the fair process that they describe as "first come, first served" which we all know is BS! I also made a petition this past Monday (26th Jan) over the phone for expedited processing (there are several reasons that this can be requested but RARELY granted). Over the last several days I have recieved emails from the offices of 4 of the above mentioned government officials stating that they had numerous complaints about VSC and they would look into the matter. I recieved today at 1:29 EST an email stating that my I-129F was approved and then a second email at 1:44 stating my request for expedited service was denied!! Anyway I have no idea what worked (or if it was simply timing and luck) but I would encourage anyone who is waiting to write to their respective officials!! If nothing else it makes you feel empowered to get your message out. I have had this same petition approved in 2006 (for the same person, her father passed away only 3 weeks after she arrived, I visited her just after the funeral and to make a long story short we decided to wait until our daughter was born and old enough to travel before filing a new petition) The interview process is EASY compared to just the waiting. As most have read, the interviewers job is just to verify everything stated in the I-129. There should be a VERY compelling reason to be denied a visa at interview (other than a police report). I was present at the first interview in Kiev and will be there again as soon as we have a date. The interview lasted about 7-8 minutes and I don't think he even looked at our paperwork. He just asked us how we met and do we still have a relationship and plan to marry. I wish everyone the best of luck!!!

agreed about writing senators and at the least, feeling empowered.

also thanks for the insight about the interview. We scheduled our interview today for Feb 13!! and booked plane tickets..both of ours...knock on wood

congrats to all NOA2, and for those of you still waiting, I"ll say an expedited little prayer tonite

maliciant, are you in missouri? I'm in st louis and haven't had to work for 2 days. It's been great (besides the fact that my first day of work at this new job was monday...). Have gotten lots of things done for the visa!

I read too that you are hand delivering your documents when you fly over for the interview. I'm planning on doing the same...shouldn't be a problem right? that he's doesn't have a copy of the I-134 etc.

I hope this weather warms up!! no flight delays/cancelations!

I'm in missouri, they closed up early tuesday (which actually just meant everyone else left at what is my usual time to leave haha) but so far we've had work, we only get to quit when the courts are closed. Even if work was cancelled I've got a few deadlines to meet (and I get paid extra if I meet them and right now is a great time to have some extra money!) so even if the office was closed, I'd be working. I have a very 'lax' schedule at work in terms of hours worked/schedule but when things have to be done... I work whatever it takes to get them there... that with the fact I'm taking a second two week vacation (only about 5 months after the last one!) makes me kind of want to keep good attendence going... Anyway, today warmed up a lot, and the 10 day forecast looks like it's going to be pretty warm (ie above freezing) for most of the next 10 days, that gives us a pretty good chance of not having any snow on the ground by the time I fly, but even if there is, I think delays due to weather won't be likely.

The I-134 is pretty much one of the most important documents, so far as I've seen in the case of the philippines it's a make or break item, you have to have it, and you have to meet the guidelines, or no visa (sometimes people can make it without meeting the guidelines but no visa until that form has been provided). I imagine if a flight delay kept me from getting there in time to give her the documents, they'd still do the interview but she'd get a white slip detailing what she must provide before they can actually issue the visa/complete the interview. It'd take at least a 24 hour delay but probably even more than that to keep me from being there on time. It looks like most of the NWA flights out of SGF (where I'll fly out of) were cancelled today, we did get a lot of snow last night to add to our existing pile... as long as we don't get any new snow... things will be fine though (I hope). I kind of wish I hadn't looked now, now I'll be worrying about this more (they do show tomorrows flights as 'on schedule' but we'll see how that goes tomorrow).

ha, sorry to make you worry!

If I remember correctly, you posted something a while back about scheduling (difficult) flights. I'm at a loss. I need to schedule the front end of mine, wait for the visa, and then the return along with his arrival. I'm assuming you are doing something similar. how did you go about that? I was hoping to use my frequent fliers, but alas, of course they are black outed at least one day no matter how I swing it... grr....

I'm not sure how it works there but many States here in the U.S. have a nisi (waiting) period after a divorce agreement has been reached and the couple appears before the judge. In Massachusetts, for instance, there is a 30 day wait and then a 90 day nisi period before your decree of absolute is sent out. I went to court in December, received a paper saying everything was in order that looked like my divorce decree in January but my divorce was not truly 'legal' until April... 120 days after we went to court and when it was recorded in the books.

Hopefully these are just documents stating it was filed and you wont have a problem.

good luck

so if that were the case, and you had filed for the K-1 in, say March, and sent all the papers you had to USCIS, do you think they would consider it that you were legally able to marry?

If they didn't, doesn't it seem strange that they would approve it if it would prove to be an issue at the embassy stage?

Someone left the snow machine on here, we have proper ground cover here, seems like we might have had a decent chunk of snow earlier this year but it was gone in two days... this snow... will probably stick around (actually it started off more like hail than snow... just little shards of ice piled up on the ground). I just looked at the 10 day forecast on weather.com and it looks like some warm weather ahead... maybe enough to get rid of this snow, I'm a little afraid that there will be some kind of delay with my flight and I won't make it for the interview (worse, I didn't mail the affidavit of support and docs, as I plan to take the docs with me... anyway, the weather has one week to clean up it's act or I'm going to deliver it a sound beating! As long as we don't get another pile of snow dumped on us all should be well!

maliciant, are you in missouri? I'm in st louis and haven't had to work for 2 days. It's been great (besides the fact that my first day of work at this new job was monday...). Have gotten lots of things done for the visa!

I read too that you are hand delivering your documents when you fly over for the interview. I'm planning on doing the same...shouldn't be a problem right? that he's doesn't have a copy of the I-134 etc.

I hope this weather warms up!! no flight delays/cancelations!

Congrats Rachris and Colinjess!!

woohoo go VSC!!

how are you guys seeing that ur case has gone to NVC or left NVC????

You can call NVC at 603 334-0700.

Click here.

But! as helloworld kindly informed me, k-1s are not entered into the automated system, so you need to talk to a representative. To look up your case number they need, petitioner and beneficiary name and DOB and your USCIS receipt number.

Good luck!