maxbertha

Thank you duke and gary for your help. I will send a fax to the embassy to request for the extension of the validity of the approval notice that was sent by the USCIS. Better to send a fax than just talking to an agent at the embassy.

If you do not apply for a visa at the consulate by the expiration date OR receive an extension the approved petition expires and you start over. SOME consulates extend petitions in 4 month ncrements automatically, SOME do not and you must request the extension. A consulate is nt required to grant an extension but most will. Check with the consulate website for deatils or call the consular visa section.

So this means that I have to e-mail USCIS or NVC?

They automatically extended mine for me but I emailed them and made sure they gave me a straight answer about it before I stopped worrying.

Hi. Can someone help me understand the significance of the validity date in the USCIS I-797 Approval Notice? The petition is for K1 fiance visa. I received an approval notice from USCIS for K1 visa and it has a validity date until Jan. 2012. What does this mean? Does the validity date mean that my petition will be terminated or expired in Jan. 2012? Does it mean that if I do not get an approved visa by Jan. 2012 I have to refile the K1 visa all over again from scratch to USCIS? Thanks.

Thanks Penguin and Canada wife. This is really a big help. AOS filing is being rushed now. I guess it is safer to file for advance parole together with AOS, even if K3 is multiple entry, just in case the K3 visa expires and the adjustment is not yet complete. Better be safe than sorry.

Thank you again.

I agree, the I-94 is the more important document as that is what the CBP will look at. File AOS as soon as you can to prevent any confusion or issues with validity of status in the country for the K3 holder

Good luck

I think you are referring to K1 (fiancee). K3 is spouse, already married.

K3 visa holder is supposed to apply for AOS to get their green card after marriage.

Hi guys. I just want to ask regarding filing for extension of stay. The K3 visa expires in 2011 but the authorized stay stamp on I-94 indicates 2012, which date should be followed? Is there need to file for extension of stay when the K3 visa expires in 2011 or there is no need because the authorized stay is until 2012? The adjustment of status has not been filed yet. I just want to know and make sure if K3 visa holder will still be legally staying once the K3 visa expires in 2011. i hope someone can clarify. Thanks in advance.

Hello. I need help with my I-130 Direct Consular Filing at the US Embassy, Manila. I filed my I-130 petition last July 16, 2010 at the US Embassy, Manila. I received a letter from the US Embassy saying that my petition was approved last Aug. 13, 2010. The details of the letter is displayed below:

The visa petition you filed has been approved. The beneficiary for whom you filed has been giventhe appropriate classification. Note the approval gives no assurance that the beneficiary will automatically be found eligible for a visa issuance. ETC....

1. X PETITION TO CLASSIFY THE BENFICIARY AS AN IMMEDIATE RELATIVE OF A UNITED STATES CITIZEN HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE UNITED STATES CONSULATE AT MANILA, PHILIPPINES. THIS COMPLETES ALL ACTION BY THE SERVICE ON THE PETITION. THE UNITED STATES CONSULATE, WHICH IS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WILL CONTACT THE BENEFICIARY AND GIVE INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT GETTING A VISA. QUESTIONS ABOUT GETTING A VISA SHOULD BE MADE TO THE IMMIGRANT VISA SECTION, U.S. EMBASSY, MANILA, PHILIPPINES.

Is this letter the NOA Notice of Approval already? Will I be receiving the packet 3 after this? The packet 3 only contains personal cover sheet for DS230, DS 230 part 1 signed and part 2 unsigned, 2 Visa photographs and DS 2001 signed. And I will send it to:

Consular Section

Immigrant VISA Unit

American Embassy Manila

1201 Roxas Boulevard

0930 Ermita, Manila

Can I send the packet 3 even if the US Embassy have not sent the packet 3 to me yet?

Thank you so much.

Hello. I need help with my I-130 Direct Consular Filing at the US Embassy, Manila. I filed my I-130 petition last July 16, 2010 at the US Embassy, Manila. I received a letter from the US Embassy saying that my petition was approved last Aug. 13, 2010. The details of the letter is displayed below:

The visa petition you filed has been approved. The beneficiary for whom you filed has been giventhe appropriate classification. Note the approval gives no assurance that the beneficiary will automatically be found eligible for a visa issuance. ETC....

1. X PETITION TO CLASSIFY THE BENFICIARY AS AN IMMEDIATE RELATIVE OF A UNITED STATES CITIZEN HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE UNITED STATES CONSULATE AT MANILA, PHILIPPINES. THIS COMPLETES ALL ACTION BY THE SERVICE ON THE PETITION. THE UNITED STATES CONSULATE, WHICH IS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WILL CONTACT THE BENEFICIARY AND GIVE INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT GETTING A VISA. QUESTIONS ABOUT GETTING A VISA SHOULD BE MADE TO THE IMMIGRANT VISA SECTION, U.S. EMBASSY, MANILA, PHILIPPINES.

Is this letter the NOA Notice of Approval already? Will I be receiving the packet 3 after this? The packet 3 only contains personal cover sheet for DS230, DS 230 part 1 signed and part 2 unsigned, 2 Visa photographs and DS 2001 signed. And I will send it to:

Consular Section

Immigrant VISA Unit

American Embassy Manila

1201 Roxas Boulevard

0930 Ermita, Manila

Can I send the packet 3 even if the US Embassy have not sent the packet 3 to me yet?

Thank you so much.

As you didn't set a timeline I don't know where you are exactly in the process. But to share my experience, I had the same question and I just waited the P3 of the embassy where they stated that I should fill a DS-156 and NOT the DS-160. So I would suggest you wait your P3 or P4 and read what they want.

Good luck with your journey

Thanks for the reply Bruno. The thing is they don't send a P3 here in Manila anymore. They just send a letter.

Hi guys. I'm a little confuse what forms to use for the US Embassy Interview. The travel.state.gov FAQ website states that:

"When I apply for a nonimmigrant visa using the online DS-160, are additional forms required?

No, with two exceptions. When applying at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate that is using the new DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, you will use only one (1) form. For Embassies and Consulates that have converted to this new process, the DS-160 has replaced all of the following forms: DS-156, DS-157, DS-158, and DS-3032, which are no longer necessary.

NOTE: The exceptions are Fiancé(e) Visas (K-1/2) which still require use of the forms DS-156 and DS-156K, and the Treaty Trader/Treaty Investor visa "

I called the Visa Information number of the US Embassy, Manila and the person who answered said that the forms that are needed for K1/2 visa are DS 157, DS 156 and DS 156K and NOT the DS160. She also said that these forms (DS157 and DS156) are also the forms needed to be filled up for K3/4 visa. She even gave me the link where i could check the requirements for interview for K1/2 and K3/4. I checked the link and it is new edition (july 2010) cause it reflects the new visa fee which is $350.

Does this mean that for K1/2 visa the forms needed are DS 160, DS 156 and DS 156K? As stated in the travel.state.gov FAQ website

or use the old forms DS157, DS156 and DS156K? As told by the US Embassy visa information representative?

Adding to my confusion is that a friend said that she went to the US Embassy for her K3 visa interview and she used just the DS160 and no other additional form. This is conflicting with the link for K3/4 interview preparation in the US Embassy website and with what the US Embassy information representative said to me.

I don't know what forms to fill out for K1/2. Is it DS160 only, or DS160 with DS156 and DS156k, or DS157 DS156 and DS156K?

Help.

I have been married for more than 2 years now. My CR-1 visa was issued just this August 2010. I would like to ask what will be the next step once I go to the US? When will I receive my green card? And should I still file for adjustment of status or lift I should just file for lifting of my conditional status to permanent resident? Please help. Thank you

Hi guys. A friend went to US using 10 year multiple entry B1/B2 visa. She found a job there and she was issued an H1B1 visa for 3 years. She left the US before her H1B1 visa expired. My question is, can she still use her 10 year multiple entry B1/B2 visa to go back to the US as tourist? Is her 10 yr B1/B2 visa still valid? I hope someone can help. Thanks.

Somebody, help. The filing address is confusing. Filing for I-130 and AOS. K3 is filing for I-485 and the K4 is filing I-130 together with I-485. Im confused because in I-130 instruction it says that "if I-130 is being filed with I-485, the 2 petitions should be filed in this address USCIS P.O. Box 805887 Chicago, IL 60680-4107." But then in I-485 instruction it says that "spouse, parent, unmarried child under 21 of a US citizen with an approved or concurrently filed Form I-130 should file the petition at USCIS P.O. Box 805887 Chicago, IL 60680-4120." There are 2 different filing addresses for filing I-130 concurrently with I-485 written on the I-130 and I-485 forms. What address should the K4 file the I-130 and I-485? Is it at USCIS P.O. Box 805887 Chicago, IL 60680-4107 as written in I-130 instruction or at USCIS P.O. Box 805887 Chicago, IL 60680-4120 as written in I-485 instruction?

As for K3, should I-485 be filed at USCIS P.O. Box 805887 Chicago, IL 60680-4120 as written in I-485 instruction? K3 is filing with K4.

Thank you Payxibka for your reply.

I have another question regarding filing of I-130 and AOS. K3 is filing for I-485 and the K4 is filing I-130 together with I-485. Im confused because in I-130 instruction it says that "if I-130 is being filed with I-485, the 2 petitions should be filed in this address USCIS P.O. Box 805887 Chicago, IL 60680-4107." But then in I-485 instruction it says that "spouse, parent, unmarried child under 21 of a US citizen with an approved or concurrently filed Form I-130 should file the petition at USCIS P.O. Box 805887 Chicago, IL 60680-4120." There are 2 different filing addresses for filing I-130 concurrently with I-485 written on the I-130 and I-485 forms. What address should the K4 file the I-130 and I-485? Is it at USCIS P.O. Box 805887 Chicago, IL 60680-4107 as written in I-130 instruction or at USCIS P.O. Box 805887 Chicago, IL 60680-4120 as written in I-485 instruction?

As for K3 should I-485 be filed at USCIS P.O. Box 805887 Chicago, IL 60680-4120 as written in I-485 instruction? K3 is filing with K4.

Hi. An I-130 petition was not filed for K4 child when the K3 petition was filed for the mother. K4 is now in US and will adjust status. I read that in order to apply for AOS of K4, an I-130 should be filed as well. I-130 and AOS for K4 will be filed at the same time. My question is, since K4 is also submitting I-130 form, does K4 need to pay the fee for I-130 petition? Or K4 needs to pay for the AOS fee only? Thanks.

Hi.

I've been in the US twice on a tourist visa. We did not get married because my annulment is beiing processed. During my third visit (now) I learned that my annulment was granted. Instead of returning to the Philippines I thougt it would be better for me to get married here to save some money for teh fare of my child. So I do not have any intention to commit any immigration fraud.

Hi Im Marie please help me.

I have a boyfriend who is a US Citizen. In March 2009, I came to the US on a tourist's visa. I left my 13 year old son in the Phils. I was given 6 months to stay. My boyfriend and I would get married this coming August. My questions are:

1. After we get married, should my husband file an I-130 petition for me and my son OR I can proceed directly to apply for adjustment of status without filing the I-130 anymore?

2. If I can proceed directly to apply for adjustment of status, when can I bring my child to the US? Should I wait until I receive my greencard?

Thank you very much in advance for whatever information you can share to me.