Paul & Evelyn

HE GOT IT!!!!!!! OMG THANK YOU

BIG CONGRATS!!!!!

Oh, by the way, I agree with what was said by other posters out here. Theoretically, income alone is enough OR assets alone are enough. But one thing I've learned out here is that the consulates kinda do things a bit differently from place to place, and it would not be a good thing if you came across a consulate at your interview that felt you should have both and you only had one.

Is this really necessary or are bank statements alone ok? If it must be the letter, does it need to be certified and do I need statements as well? Thanks in advance!!!!

There is a reason why the letter is required. If you note from the I-134 instructions, the specification for the bank letter is clear. If the consulate wants to further evaluate your financial situation, the letter may provide them with the kind of information that says you made $500 worth of deposits, or maybe you made $50,000 worth of deposits, during the prior year. I don't think it is conclusive of anything, but it may be to the consulate if they are looking for something to be consistent with and supporting the income claimed on the form. If you are using the new form, neither it nor the bank letter are required to be notarized.

I looked at your timeline. I note that your NOA1 for your I-129F was 10/1/08. Mine was 10/7/08 through the VSC, and my NOA2 was issued on 2/17/09. I was mentally prepared to wait well into March, especially since I was led to believe that it might be as long as April before I got my NOA2. This is where the "randomizer" may enter into play. An immigration lawyer told me that sometimes it's just a matter of whose desk your petition lands on. Take a look at the rest of the K-1 timelines for the VSC, and I think you will see that there are about one third of the K-1's filed around your time that are still awaiting NOA2's. I really understand that this is very frustrating and what I've told you isn't much consolation, but if you didn't make any major mistakes in your petition package, it shouldn't be long now for your NOA2.

ok..ok...ok....calm down folks.....i was just inquiring hehehehe--- i know i have to wait........

I think some people got excited about your post because everyone has to put up with the long wait. It took 4 months 12 days between our NOA1 and NOA2. I doub't if my Congressman would have had much impact to speed things up for me. You may want to read the "Q&A Session with a former USCIS Adjudicator" found in the Guides section of this website. It is a little dated, and a little bit funny, but it gives an interesting perspective of the process from that side of the fence.

I don't know if you're paranoid or not. Only your doctor knows for sure. But for now, let's just say I believe you.

Your recipe for success was written in some of the Zen-like comments made by ‘malapascua', which are right on target. My daddy would remind me of something a little less Zen-like: Pick your battles carefully. This is not a time when you take this person on head-on with restraining orders and the like. This is a time to keep your head down, stay off that person’s radar scope and not let this person have the slightest clue about what you are doing. If this person already knows you are contemplating a K-1, then it’s time for mis-direction and counter-intelligence. Forgive me for adapting an old expression to this situation, but what he don’t know won’t hurt you. If you need advice out here, write directly to some of the members and you will be ok.

Hello everybody Im a bit confused my fiance hired a lawyer to take care of our papers we are at RFE now and we are supposed to include G325a that we forgot BUT nothing says letter of intent to marry!! should we include it even though they didnt ask for it ??

I will not bash your lawyer. That's your job. I was lucky to find a really good immigration lawyer, but I didn't hire him because I'd be broke right now. Instead, folks out here on VJ continue to assist. The Letter of Intent is very important - one now from each of you, and an updated letter from you after the petition is approved and you are prepping for your consulate interview. You already got the straight scoop on the G325A. Good luck and God bless.

Is a dating website, like Match, or Eharmony, etc, considered an "International Marriage Broker"?

From the I-129F Instructions, "The term "international marriage broker" does not include: B. Entities that provide dating services if their principal business is not to provide international dating services between United States citizens or United States residents and foreign nationals and charge comparable rates and offers comparable services to all individuals it serves regardless of the individual's gender or country of citizenship."

I added the bold emphasis. I asked myself the same question when I began this process, and I came up with the same answer. Match, eHarmony, etc., all "charge comparable rates and offers comparable services . . . . . ," so they are not considered a broker. Then I asked an immigration lawyer, and he agreed. I did see some websites that offer names of foreign women at a cost (1 name $xx, 10 names $xxx), so it seems they might fall into the broker category, but I can't say that with any certainty and haven't researched it.

3. some.... it appears consulates in Canada and London for example do.... IDK about Lagos...

She is Nigerian living in Senegal. The Dakar CO will do the interview. Any feedback on Dakar and my question? The bottom line is that this has been an expensive process, which ain't over yet. If I can defer (or eliminate) the cost without risk to the interview results, I would prefer to do so.

It looks like I missed this post earlier, so I started a similar new post today. I got one reply from a trusted source, but I am looking for more. I prefer to have her wait until she gets here for her vaccinations, because I can have them covered under my insurance. It seems you all have answered 2 out of 3 of my questions.

3. Does anyone know if any specific embassies evaluate whether or not the vaccinations have been done that might in any way affect the outcome of the interview or their decision to approve or deny the visa application? It seems like they shouldn't or wouldn't, but it also seems that embassies do things differently from one side of the globe to another. Has anyone experienced something like this?

We are in the home stretch, I hope, and preparing for the K-1 interview. Tying to schedule a medical exam is a challenge, since none of the approved doctors answer their phones. So, Evelyn will schedule in person. Beyond that, I have a few questions:

1. It seems that vaccinations are optional right now in the process, from everything I've read, but they must be done prior to AOS. Is this correct?

2. Is there any advantage (other than cost) to getting the vaccinations as part of the Medical Exam or to wait until after she enters the US? From a cost perspective, it certainly will be cheaper to wait, if I allowed to do so, until after we get married and prior to AOS? After she is covered by my HMO, I can get her vaccinations covered through my HMO before we go through the AOS.

3. I am also asking if the embassies evaluate whether or not the vaccinations have been done in any way that might affect the outcome of the interview or their decision to approve or deny the visa application? It seems like they shouldn't or wouldn't, but it also seems that embassies do things differently from one side of the globe to another.

I think I met a better, more responsible Filipina, and will likely want to petition her instead. I will probably go visit her in Phils in 2 months. . . . . . I do expect RFE initially for an IMBRA waiver, but beyond that, will my new petition be held up? . . . . . .

I am not one to pick apart the things that others say, but there is something disturbing about what you described your plans to be. I totally understand termination the first relationship because of fraud. But you are already anticipating petitioning someone you apparently know very little about, and you are going through an IMBRA agent. That tells me there is a problem with this marriage broker, who may be taking advantage of what seems to be a sense of urgency on your part to find Ms Right. I recommend taking a break from the action and reassess the situation. I think your rapid fire petition plan will create some real red flags for the USCIS or the consulate.

DHL or FEDEX??????????? We need to send documents in days? Any ideas fast fast fast, money no object!

Here is an update on what I used for shipment to Dakar Senegal. I went to a place called the "Postal Center", which serves as a shipping drop-off location for UPS, DHL and FedEx. I specified DHL for my package. The clerk looked at his computer screens for DHL, and was having trouble figuring out the cost and the timeline for delivery to Dakar Senegal. Finally, he got it: 2.7 pounds is rounded up to 3 pounds by DHL and the cost would be $151.92. Ouch!! He then recommended FedEx. I was reluctant, but he said it would get there quicker and cost less - $112.00. Ok, hello FedEx. I completed my transaction at 12:30 PM Friday 3/6/09 in Manchester NH. The package was hand-delivered directly to my fiancée this morning 10:00AM Wed 3/11/09 in Dakar. According to FedEx, it sat in Senegal Customs for 30 minutes on 3/9/09. It would have been delivered yesterday, but that was a holiday in Senegal, so the Delivery Agent was not open for business. I am very pleased!!

Great. Now that you know FedEx is the way to go, you'll save a lot of money taking packages directly to them. The "Postal Center" marks up the shipping fee. That's how they make their money.

That's the funny part of this. Originally I thought I would use FedEx, and the Kinkos/Fedex store (much closer to me than the Postal Center) would charge $108. But I went to the Postal Center with the idea that I would use DHL, because it seemed DHL was better in that part of the world. In fact, the frequency of Fedex routes between Nigeria and Senegal are very limited, while DHL is daily. Combine that with the US Embassy Senegal saying they had used DHL in the past with good results influenced me in that direction. The Postal Center charged $112 for FedEx. I never would have gone to the Postal Center if I had stuck with my original plan to use FedEx. THis whole process has been an amazing learning experience, and not cheap either.

DHL or FEDEX??????????? We need to send documents in days? Any ideas fast fast fast, money no object!

Here is an update on what I used for shipment to Dakar Senegal. I went to a place called the "Postal Center", which serves as a shipping drop-off location for UPS, DHL and FedEx. I specified DHL for my package. The clerk looked at his computer screens for DHL, and was having trouble figuring out the cost and the timeline for delivery to Dakar Senegal. Finally, he got it: 2.7 pounds is rounded up to 3 pounds by DHL and the cost would be $151.92. Ouch!! He then recommended FedEx. I was reluctant, but he said it would get there quicker and cost less - $112.00. Ok, hello FedEx. I completed my transaction at 12:30 PM Friday 3/6/09 in Manchester NH. The package was hand-delivered directly to my fiancée this morning 10:00AM Wed 3/11/09 in Dakar. According to FedEx, it sat in Senegal Customs for 30 minutes on 3/9/09. It would have been delivered yesterday, but that was a holiday in Senegal, so the Delivery Agent was not open for business. I am very pleased!!

I sent SO a list of questions that are on the DS230. One of those questions is his fathers full name. I asked him for this because on the I130 we only put his fathers first and last name and I thought maybe his dad had a middle name. WELL it turns out we used his middle and last name on the I130. So do we just continue to just use his middle and last name or do I use his full name? Our marriage certificate has his dads middle and last name, the birth certificate the Nigerian embassy gave him had his dads middle and last name (wrong date - had his birth date in 2006 instead of 1966 - thankfully the Senegalese marriage offical just whited it out and wrote the correct date). He is going to Nigeria to get his police cert and birth cert, so do I wait to see what his birth cert says?

Hey WhidbeyGirl,

Name fun with Nigerians is nothing new. We had a similar issue with Evelyn. I made sure I had her birth certificate before I started any of the paperwork for the I-129F Petition. When I discovered this, I raised this issue at the intial consult with the immigration lawyer, who advised us that this is not unusual and to make all the names consistent, regardless of the cost. And so we did. If you need details, we can exchange offline. So far, so good. Did the Embassy tell you that you needed the DS-230? I just received Packet 3 for the K-1 visa from the US Consulate-Dakar, and the DS-230 was not included in the package for the K-1. I already sent the completed DS-230 to Evelyn, so she has it if they need it. They have responded quickly to to every email I have ever sent them, and I've sent them quite a few. So, I would recommend that you drop them a quick line and ask for information.

Paul

Make sure not to eat broccoli and cheese before the interview!

Good Luck!

Wow, no broccoli and cheese, eh?? That's potent advice.

I would never plagiarize anyone else's comments out here, so let me give credit to the straight-talking "pushbrk" who commented on my post about "Nigerian Police Certificates. He said that when it comes to fraud the USCIS has four levels:

Low

Medium

High

Lagos (Nigeria)

Considering my fiancée was born there, and just returned from there yesterday, hearing her reports, I completely understand pushbrk's sentiments.

I have recently filed for divorce with my lawyer. My spouse has refused to sign the divorce papers because she has not had conditions removed and received her 10yr card. Her thinking is that if she doesn't sign, she can hold out until her card come in the mail. How likely are we to have another interview? We had our initial interview two summers ago. Last year she received a letter for an extension.

I very, VERY much want a divorce and I was thinking, if I send USCIS a copy of the divorce filing, her point to hold out will become moot. To clarify, I want to send USCIS my filing for divorce so that they will refuse to grant her permanent status. Will this work? Will they refuse her application?

I appreciate your help and for the record I am not a bad person.

Yo Hank Scorpio dude,

I don't consider you a bad person, and others who rush to judgement out here should not do so. But consider this. If she signs the divorce papers, a good divorce lawyer might realize that you are on the hook for spousal support (alimony). Remember, you did file an I-864, Affidavit of Support, when you did did your Adjustment of Status. The following comes directly from the Instructions to the I-864, which I suspect is chipped in stone as part of federal law:

You should probably discuss this with your lawyer before you forge ahead with your divorce. You might be better off remaining married and not worry about whether or not she gets her GC. Food for thought.

In response to my request for Packet 3 information, I received an email from the US Consulate in Dakar Senegal that provided me the details of the forms my fiancée must bring to her interview. I noticed out here on VisaJourney that many consulates require the DS-230, but that is not required by the US Consulate in Dakar Senegal. In fact, there seem to be many slight variations of requirements that the individual consulates have customized to meet their respective local situations. That seems reasonable to me. I also noticed that the old version of the I-134 is required to be notarized, but the new version does not. I sent the new version with all my supporting financial information off to my fiancée before I received the email from the Consulate. The Consulate sent me the old version of the I-134 in the email. In fact, the other forms sent to me (DS-156 and 156K) were all older versions of these forms. So, my question is, are they just not up-to-date on their forms, or can an individual Consulate actually require the applicant to submit a notarized old version of the I-134 as well as other older forms?

Once again, I said it earlier, most lawyers have a "try it and see if it fits" initial consultation, if you are unsure about what you are doing. Most of the posters on this topic agree - here at Visa Journey, we've got you covered. I have never seen such a fabulous support network as this website, all for FREE!! But I did the initial consultation thang, and it was real good for me. If, after you read all that has been said here on this topic, if you still are unsure about whether or not you can go it alone, go see an immigration lawyer for an initial consultation and see if it fits. Prepare everything like you are about to submit it, and let the lawyer look at it. If you get a hard sell from him/her, beat a hasty retreat. I suspect you probably won't need a lawyer, but only you can figure that out.

That's actually good advice. Always good to have a second set of eyes. I wonder what they would charge for that?

Since I won't advertise for anyone out here, I will just say that he is the only immigration law firm in Concord NH and they charge $95. I was actually surpised that Concord NH even had an immigration lawyer, but there are a lot of Canadians here. I was very pleased with the amount of unhurried time I got from this guy (90 min). That is pretty cheap lawyer time, but they make their big money on their full representation retainers.

Thank you for the wonderful support guys. I think Gray and Alla's 'congratulations' was the first we got as a couple and it felt good! It feels strange but comforting finally being around people who understand what we've been going through. And its good feeling like you don't have to justify the realness of the relationship simply because of its online nature or the distance involved.

The baggage tags are something I didn't think about. He was gonna just bring carry on, but maybe checking in something for that is a better idea.

As for proof of past/ongoing relationship, we have letters sent between us from as far back as 2005, years worth of phone call records/bills and skype call records which identify his numbers (when he was in WI and now MD) and my local number there (through skype), stubs of packages I sent to him with a stamp and date on them, recorded video calls which can be screenshotted I think, emails and 5 years worth of chatting on MSN and skype.

I'm a little reluctant to sign the forms and intent letter and all the documentation needed during the trip. I feel like I want to have our own little time out from the world and enjoy it, something just for us. (They could probably power up a whole country from the amount of 'energy' between us when we both finally meet hehe) The amount of red tape they make you go through and having to prove a relationship the way they do kinda goes against how natural a relationship should be, but I suppose that's just how it is. But for that one week, I'd like to not get USCIS involved so it can be as it should be. I would rather pay the postage and wait to send the documents later just so we can enjoy our time together simply for what it is. Maybe I'm being wishful but I'd like to strike a healthy balance if possible.

And after that, the chaos that is a K1 can begin.

I've been seeing trends in the progress forums that show Vermont has been speeding up, so that's good I think.

We'll put up a profile pic of us after our trip come end of March! Best. March. Ever.

When I was in Dakar, I had Evelyn sign the G-325A Biographic Information. After I got back to the USA, I was reviewing the package against other posts out here on VisaJourney, and I realized that I totally spaced out on the relationship letter. So, I emailed it to her, she printed it, signed it and mailed it back to me, regular mail. 17 days later, it finally arrived. I filed my I-129F package that same day (10/3/08), NOA1 on 10/7/08. We got our NOA2 on 2/17/09 with no RFE's. In hindsight, the delay caused by that letter was not a bad thing. You two have known each other for a long time, so I suspect you will have more evidence than we did for the I-129F, and that's good. Gather it all, have your SO sign every thing that needs to be signed whenever you are ready to have it signed, and then ask questions out here, if you have any. It sounds like you have a pretty good handle on this. Good luck.

Once again, I said it earlier, most lawyers have a "try it and see if it fits" initial consultation, if you are unsure about what you are doing. Most of the posters on this topic agree - here at Visa Journey, we've got you covered. I have never seen such a fabulous support network as this website, all for FREE!! But I did the initial consultation thang, and it was real good for me. If, after you read all that has been said here on this topic, if you still are unsure about whether or not you can go it alone, go see an immigration lawyer for an initial consultation and see if it fits. Prepare everything like you are about to submit it, and let the lawyer look at it. If you get a hard sell from him/her, beat a hasty retreat. I suspect you probably won't need a lawyer, but only you can figure that out.

Think I'll do that then. I'll just send her the recent stubs, and a more recently dated letter from my boss. Just to confirm, NOTHING gets sent to the USEM, it all goes to HER, and she presents it during her interview...correct?

This is a great question, because I was asking the same thing back in Oct when I filed my I-129F. I noticed you filed your I-129F on 1/29/09. I presume you already have your NOA1 (please update your timeline). Depending on how fast/slow the CSC can handle your petition, and presuming it goes smoothly (no red flag issues or RFE's), you have another 3-5 months of waiting. My understanding is that the US Consulate wants the most current information. After you get your NOA2, you will have to send your fiancée a copy of the petition package and updated evidence to show your ongoing relationship between your NOA1 and your NOA2, so I would suggest that you wait until then and send it all together. That's what I did. I filed through the VSC, and followed the other K-1 timelines just to see when I would get my NOA2. I got a letter from my bank one week prior to my NOA2. I asked my employer to sit on my employment letter until Feb. I also tacked on my most recent pay stubs. There is no need to rush this right now or stress over it now. Follow all the other K-1 timelines on VisaJourney for those who filed when you did at the CSC, and then kick it up a notch when you get closer to your NOA2.

Hey guys, this is my very first post so I'm a little nervous on the reception. I've been lurking in the forums on and off for some time and have seen such a strong support community here. Its great that something like this exists for such a complicated and nerve racking process (when love should be simple!).

We've been dating online for four years now, well this is the fifth year after meeting in a game back in 2004. Sadly, monetary problems have made it impossible for us to meet till now. Its been tough but rewarding and definitely worth the wait though.

I had my tourist visa denied to go see him during Christmas last year, which was heartbreaking after waiting that long to meet. So rather than try again, he is coming down here for a week (that's all he could get off work). I'm so nervous but exhilarated at the same time. Once our vacation is over, we will go the K1 route.

I do know that some things are needed to prove that we met like boarding passes, itinerary, photos, the stamp on his passport and hotel receipts. Is there anything else?

Thanks in advance guys and we hope to part of this great community.

- Farah (Leo's asleep)

Here is the Table of Contents, Chapter 7, of my I-129F Petition Package to the USCIS. This ought to help you see what you can provide and how to organize it. Do you need all this stuff? The answer is that it's like any other case (civil or criminal) that relies on evidence. You present anything that can prove your case.

7. Proof of US Citizen and Foreign Fiancée Meeting Within the Past Two Years

7.1 Flight Itinerary – United Airlines (operated by South African Airways)

7.2 US Passport Visa Date Stamps by Senegal

7.3 Boarding Passes and Baggage Claim Tickets, South African Airways

7.4 Paid Hotel Hill, Residence Hoteliere Ndiambour, Dakar, Senegal

7.5 American Express Travelers Cheques Purchase Receipt (USA)

7.6 American Express Travelers Cheques Cash Invoices (Senegal)

7.7 Photos of Paul and Evelyn in Dakar, Senegal

If you don't have a scanner hooked up to your computer, go buy one. I have never scanned more stuff in my life for personal business than I have during this process.

I'm running into the same thing with NVC

NOA2 approved 24 Feb -

NVC claims they sent the package to Rio Consulate 26 Feb

So far Rio say they haven't received it. I wanted to change my SO's address

while NVC was processing. I'm starting to believe NVC still sitting on it.

I have worked in State Government for more than 30 years. I have seen some agencies that work well, and others that don't. I have also seen some agencies that parce their work in such a way that some parts of the operation are very slick, while other parts of the operation are bureaucratically inert. In my case, the part of the NVC operation that physically receives and mails the package seemed to work like clockwork. The US Consulate in Dakar confirmed receipt of the package on 2/27/09, which is consistent with a mailing date from the NVC of 2/20/09. The communication end of the NVC seems to be lacking, both verbally and in writing. At least I have confirmed that the package is where it is supposed to be. Good luck with yours.