Tom and Milaren

THANKS to everyone. Very helpful. My fiance works 7 days a work about 14 hours a day so I am trying to accomplish this. If it falls apart while we are in PI we go K1. I'm hoping that "special processing fees" if needed can clear any requirements I dont know about - such as the form (ty greenbaum).

I burst into tears as not only could I never see my friends or finish my building in the USA, I couldn't even return to collect my belongings. The embassy official said to me 'You're not a bad person, you haven't done anything wrong!', in response to me being upset, as if that was some consolation. It was merely ironic as yes I'm not a bad person, nor have I done anything wrong but I can never return to the USA without significant effort and expense. My life has literally been turned upside down and I don't think it's fair. I pay way more taxes than the average American but I can't even visit.

Attorney?

Hi - I'm new here and excited to join this Forum.

I am hoping to find someone with experience getting a marriage license in the Philippines. My fiance is 24 and has her parent's approval. We are having a civil ceremony. My fiance's mom says we will need to go to some type of class but she does not know the requirements. The US Embassy and Philippine Gvt sites do not mention anything but I found the following on a Philippine Bridal website:

"You and your husband-to-be will also be required by the civil registrar to attend a city-required family planning seminar. You can check your municipality for the schedule. Such seminars are usually given in the city hall. After the seminar, you will be given a certificate of attendance, which you will present when you claim your marriage license. "

Is this correct?

Thank you!

I was able to open a bank account as soon as I had my social security card. I just went in with my passport, social security card and proof I was here legally. All banks are different I guess but I think you just have to prove legal status.

I also got my drivers license in NH. I just needed copies of my paperwork and to take my tests again. The only problem is standing in line at the DMV for 3hours because they don't do appointments.

I did all this on a J1 visa so K1 shouldn't be too different, especially if you have NOAs and a SS card.

I think CA law is more strict on DL. I imagine it was part of an effort to make it difficult for illegal aliens to get a DL. From the CA DMV website:

"The California driver license and ID card have been declared as primary identification documents in this state by the California legislature. State law requires every applicant for an original California identification (ID) card and driver license to show verification of birth date and proof of legal presence within the United States to help safeguard the accuracy and integrity of departmental documents."

Here is the interesting thing - had there been 60 or more days remaining on the I-94, my wife could have gotten the ID card (or DL) but it would have expired on the date the I-94 expired.

I mention this for any other K1 visa holders coming to California.

the k-1 visa is not enough.

most places have other id requirements -

usually - the validity or duration of the 'id' must be at least 6 months.

did you guys get the SSN thing yet?

the bank requirements come in sideways because of the Patriot Act, but the bank officers aren't known for correct interpretation of the regs.

Yes, have SSN. Expecting EAD in late December to early January, but no bank account to deposit funds - seems to be a Catch 22. I'm assuming I can't add her to my account without the required id.

Here is the situation: My K1 fiancee arrived in US 10/6 so technically her visa expires 1/6/10. We were married 10/15.

We went to California DMV this week to get an identity card, but they would not give her one because she did not have 60 days remaining on her visa. DMV says she will have to wait until she has her GC to apply for an identity card or driver's license.

Today she went to open a bank account but they would not open one unless she has a DL or GC. Does this sound correct? She does not have a PRC driver's license.

So she can't drive or open a bank account until she has a GC?

I'm working to complete the various AOS forms and I find it very aggravating that I have to duplicate information we submitted as part of the K1 process. The vaccination certification is a good example. My fiancee had the vaccinations in China and that information was submitted to the Embassy. We have to go to a local Civil Surgeon to certify she received the proper vaccinations. That will not be covered by health insurance. Also the Affidavit of Support duplicates information previously submitted. And they charge me $1010 for the privilege!

I'll play the game to receive the imprimatur of the good folks at homeland security but I'm grinding a lot of enamel off my teeth.

Please read the pinned topic at the the top of the page from my meetings and correspndence with a USCIS director. The issue of vaccinations is covered. There is a Dr. Arnold in Texas, civil surgeon that will update anything for you for $30. Search around the site here, he is mentioned often enough. You can have any needed vaccines at the local health department. Check that pinned topic.

Sorry, the pinned topic is in the K-1 forum.

THANK YOU! I had not seen this. One more question for you. The person at the SS office said we did not need any additional EAD once the SS card was issued. Any idea if this correct?

I'm working to complete the various AOS forms and I find it very aggravating that I have to duplicate information we submitted as part of the K1 process. The vaccination certification is a good example. My fiancee had the vaccinations in China and that information was submitted to the Embassy. We have to go to a local Civil Surgeon to certify she received the proper vaccinations. That will not be covered by health insurance. Also the Affidavit of Support duplicates information previously submitted. And they charge me $1010 for the privilege!

I'll play the game to receive the imprimatur of the good folks at homeland security but I'm grinding a lot of enamel off my teeth.

Hey, I was rely on VJ so much before the P2. However, after P2, I feel so uncomfortable because there is no more related timeline for me.....

I saw several big consulate's timeline, but no China....Hope there could be one.

Thank you a lot:)

Hi ahululovesjohn,

Timelines can differ significantly. Did you look at the timeline/statistic page and view "similar timelines?" Another way to compare is to look for the time it has been taking for the step of the process you are in.

I was taking about 2 months for the GZ Embassy to receive documents from the US. The Embassy says this is due to agreements with PRC concerning processing of official documents, but VJ members say it is because the GZ Embassy is understaffed. Hope this helps.

I visited her in May of 2009 and it was the best two weeks of our lives.

Glad to be here!

Tom

Welcome and congratulations! Your words gave me goose bumps as I thought of my first trip to China when I first met my fiancee. You have a lot of knowledgeable members who have navigated the visa process. The journey is long - the reward is sweet.

Pushbrk, you say to save the evidence of a bona fide relationship for the interview. By leaving that out of the i-129f, I don't run the risk of getting a RFE?

No, because there is no requirement to provide evidence of a bona fide relationship in an I-129F filing. The only required evidence is that of having met in the past two years, you being a US Citizen and both of you being free to marry. Bona fides are dealt with at the visa interview. If there are red flags to address, then add some evidence of bona fides to address those specific red flags. Regardless, I-129F petitions don't get RFE's for evidence of bona fides because no such evidence is "required".

Copies of all pages of passports is overkill except in the case of a USC using it instead of a birth certificate to show evidence of citizenship. No copies of any pages of the foreigner's passport are needed unless they are needed as evidence of meeting in person. Consular officers will look at the actual passport during the interview if they want to.

See the guides and follow them. That's what they are provide for.

I agree with this. You prove the relationship at the interview. At that time bring everything you have. I have a list of what we had available if you want to see it. How much of it you need to provide depends on the interviewer.

Good luck!!

Hi VJers,

So my wife and I are doing preparation work for her interview and one of the documentations that we are bringing is our chat logs both in MSN and Skype. Here's the issue:

1) For Skype, since I have 4.1 it doesn't give you the chat logs in a special window, but rather inline from the chat window. So what I have done is make the chat window display all our chats from the beginning and copy/pasted to a Word doc. My wife is insisting that this will not work, that it has to be within the specific "Skype History" window and screen captured instead of copy/pasted. She is also insisting that despite all the chat entries has my name on it, the call entries only say "Call to <my wife> " instead of "Call from <me> to <wife>", and that this will be a problem.

2) For MSN, same deal, since I don't use MSN but rather Trillian, my logs are not in the same format as MSN - not in a special history window but a txt file with all the time/dates and participants clearly marked.

She is adamant that the Consulate General will reject these documents because they are not in the "correct format" and I feel that's extremely unfair given that there are different software available and people can't control how the software renders the actually recorded content.

What do you guys think?

Here is what I did on my Mac. Click on your wife's account and go into "Call History." This shows the date, time , and length of the call. I did screen prints for all calls so it was within the Skype window. The interviewer did not look at this documentation so I can't say it was accepted, but it offers the best possible proof. It shows all calls, even those of 00:00 duration because the connection did not go through. The cut and paste to Word is not as good. I would do everything possible to have it acceptable.

The "Call History" is different than the "Chat History." The "Call History" is a summary.

Joyce had her interview in GZ this morning. The Consulate Officer looked at the pictures and asked some of the basic questions. Cloud 9!! We filed in California last November.

YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi gang, I am new at all of this but have been told by people this is where to find out the best answers.

#1, I have a fiance from Anshan China she is 45 and I am 59, does age difference make a difference, as we are so much in love?

#2, I have been trying to teach her as much english as possible, and she goes to english classes every Thursday after work and on Saturdays and Sundays. She still has a hard time understaing. At the interview, i am sure they want them to communicate in english, but if they don't understand something, will they explain in chinese or is that a red flag?

#3, I have been talking threw the computer for over 1 year to my fiance and seeing her on the webcam and writing and learning on the computer while we see each other, this is every morning and every night for over 1 year. I am not good at the computers, just on and off and a few other things. I just found out how to save our conversation on line, is this a problem with the time gap between now and when we started talking on the computer, as I don't have copys of those talks. I have all phone records also

#4, I have been to China to see my fiance 4 times in the last 10 months with the last trip for 2 weeks on april 13 and coming home on april the 30th. I have copys of all airline tickets etc. We have many pictures with us and her family, our engagement dinner at her brothers home, pictures in 10 different citys, pictures of her son with us at times, will I need more then 1 picture of each?

#5 I filed for a K2 for her son that is 20, he turned 20 on April 13, will they interview him too?

#6, is there anyone who is out there that can tell me what I am missing and should have and bring to her interview.

#7, Is there any chinese lady out there that has been threw GZ that is willing to email and talk to my fiance, as many things I just can't get threw to her, her english is still poor, even after 15 months of being together.

My Finance's interview is 8/6 so I can help you with some of this. Others will add to my reply.

1. Won't make a difference.

2. I'm told there are interpreters in the interview so she will be able to communicate. I'm not sure how the officer views this.

4. You have what you have. I used a calling card for the 1st 6 months only to find out the call records are not available. I wrote a letter explaining this but I doubt it will be considered. I have records of our daily Skype sessions for the subsequent months.

5. Make a duplicates set of everything, pictures, documents, etc in case you need it. I also have a scanned version of everything.

6. I think so.

7. I'm sure you will get many volunteers. If not I will speak with my Fiancee.

More information - You'll have to prove you live in the US. I provided a copy of my apartment lease, utility bills and drivers license. This is in additional to my tax returns, W2's and verification of employment. You'll need to provide a copy of your passport showing the entry and departure stamps. Provide originals (if possible) of EVERY receipt or any record of travel that you have. I provided boarding passes, luggage stickers, booking confirmations, flight payment receipts, E-tickets, receipts for items bought at the airport. EVERYTHING.

My fiancee has her divorce record, but she still needs to provide an official certification that she is not currently married. She is getting this today.

We've accumulated so many documents that I've lost track. I'm hoping to assemble a list so others can begin preparing before they receive package 4.

Good luck to you.

Hi everyone,

We are considering the option of hiring a lawyer to help us with the AOS process as we really don't have much time and energy to deal with it. The problem is that I was shocked when I asked today for a quote to a couple of them and they wanted to charge me $1500 and $1800 (not including the USCIS fees!!!).

Is it normal? How much did you pay for your lawyer if you used one?

Thanks!

I paid $1,500 for K1 and K3. At the time I knew nothing about the K1 process and requirements. I did not find VJ until after the petition had been filed.

After reading VJ, I am NOT going to pay for AOS. All the information I need is here on VJ. I agree with Abby's comment. However if you have the $1,500 and do not want to hassle with it, go for the attorney. You'll gather all the information and documents they need and they will complete the form(s). Seems to me that once you gather the information/documents completing the forms is the easy part.

By the way, you will deal with a paralegal.

Good luck!

When MY ATTORNEY was preparing the I-129f, I provided pictures, emails, and phone records. I knew nothing about the process so I did not keep copies.

I now realize that my fiancee will need these documents for the K1 interview (were waiting of Pkg 4). I can print pictures and emails, but they won't be an exact duplicate of what was included with the I-129. Would this matter?

I have a BIG problem with phone records because I have changed cell phone providers. I don't have copies of the call records and I assume if I call the company they won't have the information or will refuse to provide it.

My Fiancee is in China. She called the phone company to get a record of incoming calls, but the phone company can't or won't provide it.

Any suggestions?

I realize now that MY ATTORNEY has done nothing but fill-in the blanks on the forms. My knowledge of the process, time limes, and documentation needs, have come from VJ.

if you already sent in those evidence then it will be inside with your file in China so don't worry about it. what you can do it print CURRENT phone records and emails and bring them to the interview. you don't need to bring an exact duplicate of whatever you sent to the interview because it's not needed, GUZ wants to see on going relationship evidence, so whatever you sent to USCIS a long time ago will not matter much, they want to see what have you two been doing after the I-129F was filed. so bring the current stuff and don't think too much about the old stuff that was sent to USCIS. if you have some newer pics, bring those too, also if you haven't already, you should write and Evolution of Relationship letter, this will help you alot.

Good Luck!

Wow!! Thanks for the input. The letter will tie it all together. Would my fiancee present the letter during the interview?

When MY ATTORNEY was preparing the I-129f, I provided pictures, emails, and phone records. I knew nothing about the process so I did not keep copies.

I now realize that my fiancee will need these documents for the K1 interview (were waiting of Pkg 4). I can print pictures and emails, but they won't be an exact duplicate of what was included with the I-129. Would this matter?

I have a BIG problem with phone records because I have changed cell phone providers. I don't have copies of the call records and I assume if I call the company they won't have the information or will refuse to provide it.

My Fiancee is in China. She called the phone company to get a record of incoming calls, but the phone company can't or won't provide it.

Any suggestions?

I realize now that MY ATTORNEY has done nothing but fill-in the blanks on the forms. My knowledge of the process, time limes, and documentation needs, have come from VJ.

It's best if you provide a duplicate of the I-129 package. However, if you don't have it then you still need to send your fiancee other proof. That would be expected anyway to prove that you're still in a relationship since you've sent in your K1 documents.

At my husband's interview we took gifts, my ring, postcards, letters, and pictures that we had accumulated since the I-129. Do you have anything like that that she can take with her?

Yes!! We have everything after the I-129 was submitted - photos from my visit at Spring Festival, emails, daily Skype records, travel receipts, etc. Lots of documentation.

When MY ATTORNEY was preparing the I-129f, I provided pictures, emails, and phone records. I knew nothing about the process so I did not keep copies.

I now realize that my fiancee will need these documents for the K1 interview (were waiting of Pkg 4). I can print pictures and emails, but they won't be an exact duplicate of what was included with the I-129. Would this matter?

I have a BIG problem with phone records because I have changed cell phone providers. I don't have copies of the call records and I assume if I call the company they won't have the information or will refuse to provide it.

My Fiancee is in China. She called the phone company to get a record of incoming calls, but the phone company can't or won't provide it.

Any suggestions?

I realize now that MY ATTORNEY has done nothing but fill-in the blanks on the forms. My knowledge of the process, time limes, and documentation needs, have come from VJ.

We just sent back pack 3 yesterday the 18th may my best guess is that we will get interview mid July.

the cheapest air tickets I have found are with SINGAPORE AIRLINES Hong Kong to San Francisco $518.84 and they are the same price all year not going up and down like all other airlines don't fly to Los angles it cost more from sfo to Tulsa $149.20 American Airlines.Total HKG to TUL $668.04 EACH.

this way I will have to book 2 different tickets and it is saving me about $1500.00 going this way for the 3 of us.

After you reach USA you can fly about any where for about $150.00. JUST BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR CONNECTION TIMMING IN SFO.

You aren't going there for the interview?

I was going to mention the Singapore Airlines deal. $1k is also good. I fly Cathay Pacific out of SFO and pay $1,200. That is direct to HK then train to GZ cuz the lay-over is like 10 hours. A friend flys Singapore Air often and says the service is good. Cathay Pacific is always excellent.

I might be going during this time period cuz I can tell my Fiancee is having mild freak-out.

It might be different, depending on which consulate you're going through, but I would think the most intimate parts of the conversation are exactly what you would WANT to let the consulate see. These are the things that demonstrate a genuine relationship. Given a choice between including parts of conversation where we were talking about food, or a really mushy conversation where we talk about how much we're in love, I'd include the mushy one.

I agree... if they want emails they are getting some with "Rated R" content. For the initial application I printed a few emails from each week. My fiancee thinks she needs to print every email so that is what she is going to do (born in the year of the Ox).

My fiancee said "Many of your emails are nasty." "The consulate will think you are sex crazy." A few of my emails might have been Rated R. Oh well..... I did not plan it, but I think a couple would not speak about such things unless they had a "bona-fide" relationship.

I figure these are adults doing the interviewing so they have probably seen it all before.

Hi everyone,

I heard this place was one of the greatest alternatives in getting a lawyer.

Well just so you could know more about me a bit, here's a summary of my case.

If anyone can help throughout the whole process, I will appreciate it greatly.

<snip>

I hired an attorney but so far all the firm has done is complete the forms. A friend who did his own said the various government agencies will contact you if something is missing.

This website is aptly named because it is a journey to navigate through the immigration/visa maze.

Best of luck to you and congratulations!!

What i did was, highlighted as many calls as would fit on the screen, pressed "apple + shift + 3" (dumps a screenshot on your desktop), then cropped that screenshot in photoshop to take out the useless bits. Rinse and repeat, i went as far back as october. Then printed it all out. Had like 5 pages.

I'm using "Grab" which is probably equivalent to this. What a hassle.

I have seen another time line even faster than this. Each step was one week apart!! The guy has not idea why it is going so fast other than a good attorney. My time line seems to fit the "average."

Congrats dude!!!!

Congratulations!! The journey is long but the reward is sweet!