k1CsUser

Hi There.

I petitioned for my uncle and aunt to visit me in the US for 3-4 weeks. Reason: I asked them to stand godparents to my child. I submitted all necessary evidence of financial support such as I 134, bank statement, employment verification, assets info, sworn statement that they won't become public charge or stay in the US illegally etc ... They provided proof of "strong ties to home country" in shape of real estate ownership proof (2 properties), land ownership, stable job for my aunt and self employment proof for my uncle. In addition, they have family and social ties, which were explained. Their visa got denied due to "lack and/or insufficient financial ties to home country".

I feel this is simply a bad call on the part of the interviewing officer. I mean how much more proof of ties to home country do they need? In addition, I have a history of inviting someone and having them return to their home country on time. I sent a request to clarify but got no answer from the embassy. I contacted our senator's office to see if they can get a response from them. I was told that the final say is at the consulate, which I already knew.

I was just wondering if:

1) was the denial justified?

2) me contacting the senator .. at all helpful?

3) since there isn't a limit on tourist visa applications per person, senator's office recommended that we get an official denial reason (by the way - my relatives were not given an official denial slip), apply again and this time supplement the application with a support/guarantee packet from the senator's office. good suggestion or not so much??

My wife and I have our AOS Interview tomorrow. Her English is improving (only been in the states for 4.5 months), but it is far from fluent. She understands and can communicate. We didn't book an interpreter for our interview tomorrow b/c of (1) InfoPass officer told us that this should not be necessary unless they suspect anything and would require us to separate for the interview and (2) my friend went through this twice and always spoke on behalf of his wifes.

Do you guys think I need to find an 'emergency interpreter' or we'll be ok?

Hi All.

My wife and I have our Adjustment of Status interview scheduled in one month. We received our interview notice listing all the documents we need to provide to the officers at the interview UNLESS ALREADY SUBMITTED. This is my question .... When I filed the I-485/765, I included everything they are asking for now with the petitions. Is it a good idea to get all that paperwork together again, or previous submissions are sufficient?? Also, my wife's English is not at the point where she can fluently converse, but it is getting there. They ask to arrange for translators if needed. Am I a valid translator, or should we get a third party booked as well??

Thanks for suggestions.

Hi Guys.

I was wondering if you could give me some feedback/answer a question.

I assembled our AOS packet today, waiting for one more document - an IRS transcript for 2008 (my copy was kept at the embassy during my then fiancee's interview). I have the following:

1) Forms: I 485, I 765, G 325A, I 864 + 2 Photographs

2) Supporting Docs:

a) copy of I-94

B) copy of K 1 in her passport

c) copy of my passport ID page, her passport ID page

d) copy of my birth certificate, her birth certificate + certified translation

e) 2006, 2007 Copy of Tax Refunds, bank statement, employment verification - IN SUPPORT OF I 864

f) copy of my naturalization certificate (I am not a native born USC)

g) copy of approval notice for I 129, copy of the marriage certificate (certified)

h) copy of the vaccination documentation worksheet (got that from her medical before the K1 interview)

3) Filing fee of $1,010

My fiancee (now wife) entered the US on May 3rd. We got married 2 weeks after that. We are now ready to file the packet. Is this enough time for us to send the packet and get an NOA?? Am I just freaking out for no good reason, thinking that we might not get NOA 1 before I-94 expires?

Please give your feedback, hopefully you'll tell me that I'm just panicking ;-)

Hi All.

2 Quick Questions:

1) My fiancee (now wife), entered the United States on May 3rd of this year. We are making progress towards gathering documentation (ID card, SSN, bank accounts etc), so we haven't filed the AoS stuff yet. I wanted to wait until she gets her SSN before we file. Is there a benefit to filing early within the 90 day period of K1 or there is not difference? I'll probably file as soon as SSN arrives in the mail.

2) We got her medical exam done in the home country, and the US Embassy certified doctor issued the vaccination form to her, which was placed in the sealled envelope and turned over to US Border Control at the POE. If there is anything missing, I assume the USCIS will tell us to get the required vaccinations before her AoS interview, right??

Let me know please.

Hi All.

So my fiancee and I got married yesterday. She would like to assume my last name, but we are confused. We live in the State of Washington, and it appears from reading some stuff that name changes are not required by law? How is this possible? In what name do we now get the ID + SS cards for her? What about all the AoS related paperwork - shall we use her maiden name for "family name" or now my last name and include the maiden name under "known by other names"??

Please help. Thanks.

Hi All.

My fiancee (now wife) and I are preparing documents to do her adjustment of status. I had a question regarding vaccinations. When she was preping for the interview and had her medical exam, the clinic did not ask her to get any vaccinations done. Instead, she was given a form listing all of her shots and the x-rays, and was instructed to present them at the interview.

My questions are: 1) do we need to get all missing vaccinations (if any) done before the interview for adjustment of status, and 2) are the x-rays presented to the officer at USCIS conducting the AoS interview?

Thanks for the help.

Hi All.

Just wanted to share the interview experience that my fiancee and I had.

[1]

Arrived at the embassy. The guard directed us to the consular section. Security Checks.

[2]

We were called to a window for paperwork collection. The lady (local staff) asked for: DS 156, DS 156k, DS 230, Financial Documents (I 134 + Bank Statement + Employment Statement + 1040 or W2), Police Certificates, Birth Certificate and Passports (both my fiancee's and my).

[3]

We were asked to wait for fingerprinting. Got called pretty quickly. A gentleman (local staff) was done with fingerprinting within 2 minutes. We were asked to wait again.

[4]

Interview:

We went up to the window together. The CO asked us to identify ourselves. He then asked my fiancee to sign the sworn statement in DS 156K and DS 230. Both were in duplicates. After that he spoke to me in English checking if it is alright to ask me questions. I said yes. He asked my fiancee to step out. Questions ranged from "How did you meet?" to "Did you stay together prior to the interview? Did you have breakfast together? What did you have?". He then asked my fiancee to come back in, and me to step out. Same questions were asked of her. After he was done, I was called back to the window. He gave us a "white slip" which basically states when and where to pick up her passport and the visa packet. They asked my fiancee to come in a week to pick it up. I asked if everything was in order, and the CO's answer was "Oh yeah. Good luck and have a nice day".

The CO spoke all languages common to the country fluently, without a translator. He spoke English to me b/c he "prefers to speak to nationals in the national language". He spoke Armenian to my fiancee.

[5]

Comments:

- Local staff is very rude (being originally from there, I kind of expected this)

- COs/Americans are customer service oriented, which was pleasant to deal with

- The process (time between us walking into the embassy to being done) was about 45 minutes. No wait time at all.

- We were not asked for any proof of bonafide relationship (no emails, phone bills, even photos). Maybe because I travelled there for the interview, and the CO chose to cross examine us, who knows ...

- I 134 new form vs old form ... I had the new form, notarized but they did not care.

Overall, a very nice process at the embassy. My fiancee will pick up her passport and visa packet on Monday. I do not anticipate any issues at that stage.

This website has been very helpful and I wish all the best of luck. I am sure I will be coming back here for AOS as well as to help others with what I can.

Good luck.

Hi there i was interviewed April 3 i was with my 2 kids during that time,i probably seen you there...I am really sorry to hear bout what happened to your passport,

but in my experience i was asked by the filipina interviewer for all the emails,photos with me and my fiance but not the phone bills,letter of intend to marry,

and other stuff that i brought with me just affidavit of support,tax return of my fiance,my birthcertificate and kids birthcert. as well,pics.of me and my fiance and emails thats all they asked,

and during my interview i wasnt expected for the few questions that the consul asked because its all bout my ex american bf who is residing here when and why did we broke up blah blah.

I was thinking that they probably asked that question because me and my ex had a daughter but she's living with her dad here in phil.but atleast i answered

all his questions bout it,and it was followed by the questions bout my fiance and after that he just told me that my visa was approved and i said thankyou sir.I am so glad that i passed

that interview,i been so stress preparing all of my documents and now im sick..

Note: I agree that this website is been very helpful and thanks VJ and for the few members here who answered my questions before my interview goodluck to everyone....

What do you mean about my passport? I think you might be confusing me with someone else ;-) My fiancee and I were not interviewed in Philipines, but in Armenia ;-). I am happy for you and the result of your interview!! Best of luck with the rest of this process, totally kills the romance.

Hi All.

This is a stupid question, but just need a confirmation.

My fiancee and I will be traveling together from her country of residence to Seattle, WA. However, it is not a direct flight, so there is a connection at a different US port prior to arriving in Seattle.

Will her I 94 stamp be issued in the first point of entry into the United States? Is that a problem? Do they usually allow USC to go through customs/immigration with their fiancees or will I have to go back into the USC line at the airport?

Thanks.

Hi All.

Just wanted to share the interview experience that my fiancee and I had.

[1]

Arrived at the embassy. The guard directed us to the consular section. Security Checks.

[2]

We were called to a window for paperwork collection. The lady (local staff) asked for: DS 156, DS 156k, DS 230, Financial Documents (I 134 + Bank Statement + Employment Statement + 1040 or W2), Police Certificates, Birth Certificate and Passports (both my fiancee's and my).

[3]

We were asked to wait for fingerprinting. Got called pretty quickly. A gentleman (local staff) was done with fingerprinting within 2 minutes. We were asked to wait again.

[4]

Interview:

We went up to the window together. The CO asked us to identify ourselves. He then asked my fiancee to sign the sworn statement in DS 156K and DS 230. Both were in duplicates. After that he spoke to me in English checking if it is alright to ask me questions. I said yes. He asked my fiancee to step out. Questions ranged from "How did you meet?" to "Did you stay together prior to the interview? Did you have breakfast together? What did you have?". He then asked my fiancee to come back in, and me to step out. Same questions were asked of her. After he was done, I was called back to the window. He gave us a "white slip" which basically states when and where to pick up her passport and the visa packet. They asked my fiancee to come in a week to pick it up. I asked if everything was in order, and the CO's answer was "Oh yeah. Good luck and have a nice day".

The CO spoke all languages common to the country fluently, without a translator. He spoke English to me b/c he "prefers to speak to nationals in the national language". He spoke Armenian to my fiancee.

[5]

Comments:

- Local staff is very rude (being originally from there, I kind of expected this)

- COs/Americans are customer service oriented, which was pleasant to deal with

- The process (time between us walking into the embassy to being done) was about 45 minutes. No wait time at all.

- We were not asked for any proof of bonafide relationship (no emails, phone bills, even photos). Maybe because I travelled there for the interview, and the CO chose to cross examine us, who knows ...

- I 134 new form vs old form ... I had the new form, notarized but they did not care.

Overall, a very nice process at the embassy. My fiancee will pick up her passport and visa packet on Monday. I do not anticipate any issues at that stage.

This website has been very helpful and I wish all the best of luck. I am sure I will be coming back here for AOS as well as to help others with what I can.

Good luck.

Hi All.

Just double checking if all looks good to you guys. We have our K1 interview at the end of this month. We have the followig:

Forms:

• DS 156 - in duplicate
• DS 156K - in duplicate
• DS 230 - in duplicate

Financials:

• Bank Statement
• Employment Letter
• 2008 Tax Returns / W2
• I 134 - notarized, original [i understand that the new forms don't need to be notarized, but embassy asked for a notarized copy]

Documents:

• Payment
• Passport + copy
• Birth Certificate + copy + translation
• Police Clearance + copy + translation
• Certificate of non-marriage [this cracks me up]

Proof of Bonafide:

• Video/Pics of Engagement
• Eng-ment Ring; Certificate of Ownership + Receipt
• Random pics of us together, with family, friends etc
• Customs declarations with dates and content of gift packages I sent to her for various occassions
• Emails: including a sample with the packet (3 from each month for past 2 years); rest are available too
• Phone Records: LOTS and LOTS of original phone cards, phone statements from a traditional phone company, online-rechargable phone card

Let me know if all looks good. I am not sure about the item in bold. The new I134s don't need to be notarized (2 page forms). They asked for a notarized one. I went ahead and filled it out and had it notarized anyway, just in case. Is this okay?

We can't wait. Too anxious ;-) It is her birthday a few days prior to the interview. She doesn't know, but I am flying out to be with her for the birthday and interview. Can only imagine her reaction once I get there ;-) He he.

Do you read the VJ HOMEPAGE? http://visajourney.com/forums/index.php?act=home

At the top of the homepage it tells you that the new I-134 does not need to be notarized.

http://www.visajourney.com/news/2009/02/24...ary-not-needed/

Just an FYI .. we got a set of instructions from the embassy, which clearly state that they want "notarized, original I - 134 from the petitioner". None of the banks would notarize them for me, since as you say there is no spot for the notary. However, I got them notarized at a public notary anyway, just to make sure we follow their instructions.

Hi All!

The medical exam section of the invitation letter my fiancee got in her email, states that "The results of the examination should be presented to the Consular Section".

Well, she had her medical yesterday. She was given a sealed envelop with x-rays, and instructed to give that to the border patrol agents once she arrives in the US (like they know how to read those). She was told that the results of the medical exam (passed) will be delivered to the consulate by the medical office.

Is this typical? Shall we confirm this?

Thanks for the replies.

Hi 412.

I have a question for you: how did you record country of residence/birth for your fiancee? Prednistrovye is not technically a country (just like Abkhazia, S.Ossetia, Nagorno Karabakh aren't). However, they have not been under their parent - SSRs since 90s, in some cases earlier.

The rules for police certificates say to get one from "every place lived since age of 16". For Armenians living in Nagorno Karabakh, it is naiive to assume that they will get any sort of documentation from Azerbaijan. Thus, all police certificates are requested from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which then requests them from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD).

Since your fiancee has a Russian passport, I would assume she needs to get a police certificate from Russia. She is a national/citizen of Russia who resides in this territory. I don't think Moldova will give you a certificate of this type. I know Azeris won't to Armenians.

The State Department is well aware of how messed up the former USSR is, when it comes to unrecognized republics. Good luck.

As a US citizen, you have a right to go into the embassy, regardless.

I was not sure about this part. It was my understanding that as a US citizens I am allowed to enter the embassy. Just wanted a confirmation.

As they say, you won't be able to attend the interview. But you will be able to wait in the embassy. (however, everyone else, friends, family, etc.. will not be allowed in)

Yep, this part makes sense. I don't have any illusions about being there during the interview itself. Just want to help her out while she waits. From personal experience (I am not a native born US citizen], waiting before they call you up there sucks.

Thanks a lot.

Excuse the stupid question ...

On the embassy website, under the non-immigrant visa section, they post the following:

"At the interview, only the applicant will be allowed into the building unless the applicant is a minor (age under 18) accompanied by a parent or legal guardian or a disabled applicant accompanied by an assistant. Relatives, friends, employers, lawyers etc. (including U.S. citizens) will not be allowed to be present during the interview process."

I am reading this as "US citizen petitioners are not allowed at the interview". Can I at least accompany my fiancee to the waiting room and sit with her as she waits? I made arrangements to be there as moral support, since waiting is nervwrecking.

Hi all. I really need some advice ...

The electronic DS 156 form for my finacee was filled out by our lawyer. I don't know what to do about the following error:

1) Passport Number - in my fiancee's passport it is 0xxxxxxx, but in the print out of DS 156 it is xxxxxxx, basically missing 0. Is this an error?

Can I filled out another DS 156 online, and supply both the original submission (with the error) and the new submission, highlighting where the error was?

Please help, not sure what to do!!!

And while you are at it, get a complete copy of your file from this ####### so you can file for your AOS when she arrives without his unnecessary services. It is a common practice of these liars and thieves to not give you a copy because they intend to jack you up double or triple what you paid them for the I-129f to do the AOS for you. They will give you BS that they cannot give you your file. YES they can. Put the state BAR associations number in your cell phone and if they so much as hestate or say "um, ah..." when you ask for your file, pull out your cell phone and call the state BAR association from their office, do not hang up the phone until they produce the copies and put them in your hand. These slimy jerks have done nothing for you but slow down your case, your fiancee should be here, married and have her green card by now. Attorneys slow down cases by minimum 8 weeks from what you can do yourself.

Hi Gary and Alla.

Thank you for your reply, it is appreciated. I contacted the consulate and they told me to simply fill out another e-form and print it out. From what I understand, the information actually is not submitted online. It is stored in the barcode which is printed. Only when the barcode is scanned, it becomes a part of their system. Thus, theoretically, when an error is made on that form, one could re-submit it as often as he/she likes. I wanted to post this, just in case someone else is having the same question. It freaked me out at first, to be honest.

Hi all. I really need some advice ...

The electronic DS 156 form for my finacee was filled out by our lawyer. I don't know what to do about the following error:

1) Passport Number - in my fiancee's passport it is 0xxxxxxx, but in the print out of DS 156 it is xxxxxxx, basically missing 0. Is this an error?

Can I filled out another DS 156 online, and supply both the original submission (with the error) and the new submission, highlighting where the error was?

Please help, not sure what to do!!!

an approx date is fine, i can't see them forcing you to go on that date! lol

I know ... they clearly state not to make travel arrangements, yet ask for a date ... I really hope this is not a problem.

The DS-156 is used for multiple visas. You can answer "Upon visa approval", or "NA K-1 visa" or give the approximate date you plan to leave. "March 10, pending visa approval"

So my attorney providing a date (April 15th), and then me including a separate sheet of paper with the printout stating that "our travel plans are not finalized, but we are targeting the month of April, upon visa approval" is sufficient?

The form was submitted via their electronic system with a specific date, so I am concerned about that.

an approx date is fine, i can't see them forcing you to go on that date! lol

I know ... they clearly state not to make travel arrangements, yet ask for a date ... I really hope this is not a problem.

Hello.

We are preparing for the interview scheduled for end of March.

Question # 22 (when do you intend to arrive in the united states? (please provide a specific date if known) is a bit confusing. Am I correct in assuming that this date is only an approximation and not a hard date? Please advise, a bit nervous here since we already submitted the form, but now the date might change for us.

Hello Everyone.

Our case was sent out to the appropriate embassy location on 20-Jan-2009. Today is 02-Feb-2009 [Ttl Business Days = 8]. I am wondering what's the average processing time at the embassy? Is it reasonable to have my attorney contact the embassy to see if they received the documents and mailed them to my fiancee?

Thanks.

I also communicate with my fiancee using pre-paid phone cards. True, sometime it is not possible to get phone logs from those cards. That's the down side. I also save all my original cards, even from before we got engaged. I asked my attorney, and she said it is not a problem, they appreciate that phone cards do happen.

For my peace of mind, however, I purchased a re-chargeable phone card which allows me to track purchase history as well as call logs. I have records that are consistent for the past two months, and some print outs from early months too. This option is certainly more expensive, so I understand why you use pre-paids. I also, try to call at least once or twice a month using AT&T or something, for shorter conversations.

Good luck.

If they are not easily read in English then you can translate some of them and sign off on the translation as stated in the GUIDES/FAQ

They are easily read in English, in my opinion. We would basically phonetically spell words out. Thanks for your feedback, it's appreciated it.

yeah you can use them as long as you both speak the same language

Good luck

Yes, we both speak the same languages, so there is no problem there. Plus, if I understand correctly, both the native language and English are acceptable at the counsular interview stage. Thanks for you feedback!

yeah you can use them as long as you both speak the same language

Good luck

Yes, we both speak the same languages, so there is no problem there. Plus, if I understand correctly, both the native language and English are acceptable at the counsular interview stage. Thanks for you feedback!

Hi all.

I have a quick question. My fiancee and I both speak our native language, as well as two foreign languages fluently. We communicate in whichever language comes out ;-)

However, our emails (not all, but most) use English letters, yet they are not in English. We would write in our native language using English letters. This way, it is easier to write emails since we are both not familiar with keyboard layouts in the proper language.

Is this a problem? We can still use those emails to support our case at the interview?