Chi-town

Does anyone know what fees have to be paid in the foreign country to the US embassy? It looks like $131 for the ds-156, but there's this DS-230 too, and it's not clear if there's a fee to that.

Any day now we'll start getting those Sept noa2's!

Ok, I finally got to a page that helped me. I went to the US Embassy in Bogota page and that gave very good information specific to getting prepared for the interview there. It listed medical exam fees and document delivery fees, and also listed the $131 fee (ds-156). I was worried for a second when I saw on another page that there was a few hundred dollar fee for the ds-230, but that must be for another visa.

I also read that any documents in Spanish or English do not need to be translated. That's a big yay! because I figured that was another expense.

The point being, check YOUR foreign embassy website and look at the instructions for the K1 packet. Here's the Bogota one, just in case you want to see what I'm talking about. http://bogota.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/cons...ctionsfeb09.pdf

I dont think the fees are related to the forms per say. I believe the $131 fee is a "visa production fee".

That is correct, you pay for the visa not the forms. You will also have to shell out for the medical which will run another $100 or so.

Hang tough and best of luck to you!!!

Thanks so much Hkgaur!!!

we going to refile, after all the investigation, is the best option, yea We know we have to wait again 6 months but is more sure that we can get an approval, an appeal is more expensive and can take longer is a huge risk...

Thanks for your comments, you are so sweet, I wish for you the best on your journey, God bless you friend!

Linda

I want the refiling to go as well as possible for you two. As ridiculous as it sounds, if you re-file your application you are going to fall under the IMBRA waiver requirements. This shouldn't be a hurdle for you based on the background of the case. Just make sure you read the filing requirements on this site carefully. You've seen what happens if you take the application process lightly, but now that you have found this site, make use of the information in it. Best of Luck to you both!!!!

Way to go San Diego, I believe the Cali Svc Ctr works better when the chargers win! It's a theory of mine that has yet to be disproven

I wonder if 13 is old enough that they would want her to have her own interview?

In normal circumstance it is not required that they interview 13 year olds, however, with the children residing in a different country having the children at the interview may very well help your cause. Good Luck!

RFE's are typically given once you are about to be adjucated. The person reviewing your case will either decide to approve you or that they need more info to judge your case. You will occasionally get one right when you sent in the packet, but that is for more obvious things like you are missing a form or something. Those are really the only two times someone will look at your information and the rest of the time it is sitting in a box waiting. Its not like they are studying your case for 4 months before they decide you need an RFE.

It takes longer because of the time it takes for them to mail out the RFE, for you to receive it in the mail and then to respond back. Then once they receive it back, the adjucators usually take one day to go through all the RFE's they've gotten back to approve or deny, so depending on who you are working with that time can vary.

As a rule of thumb: RFE's at the beginning of the process do not add more than mailing time to the process, the RFE's that arrive later in the process may actually result in longer processing times because the issue is not completeness of the initial documents, rather, something the adjudicator has found in processing your documents. The goal at this point is to make it into the "box on the shelf" that is something we control. Once there, the goal is to have this box pulled by a diligent adjudicator - something we cannot control. Just keep breathing and should something like an RFE arise, answer it quickly and completely. Meanwhile, we all have weddings to plan

Delivery confirmation of my package to CSC this morning!

Progess!!! Congratulations

Ours was only 30 pages. I feel like everyone else has had much longer applications than we did which makes me paranoid that I didn't put in enough. XD

Interesting.... the passport alone is 24 pages, let alone the g-325 for you and your fiancee, that's 8 more, then the letters of intent, 2 more, 1-129f three more, passport photo of you and your fiancee 2 more.... Did you include proof of having met and included pictures, etc? 30 does seem a little light but if you followed the checklists provided here I'm sure you got it covered.

I didn't include my passport. I have a state certified copy of my birth certificate.

Well that explains everything....

Oh, so -this- is the thread where all the drama goes down. I've been looking for it!

I suggest everyone live and let live. We all have our skeletons in our closets, and none of us is perfect. Except maybe the O.P. That guy is choice. (just kidding)

Judge not, lest ye be judged.

First of all this is a very emotionally demanding process, made even worse by time and distance. For those who are multiple filers because previous attempts at happiness have gone up in flames, good luck this time. If you consider the number of engagements broken in the general populace (where there is not even close to the same demands on the couple) seeing multiple K-1 filings is really not that suprising. To those who have been caught up in the rules and regs designed to protect the ones we love and hope to bring to the US, I also hope you can set aside the frustration and accept the reason these rules are there in the first place. People come to this site for help, not for being judged. If you don't have any advice or support to give, then shut it, your part of the problem not the solution.

Come on, VSC. Cash my check! You know you want toooooooooo!

Ugh, this is destroying my nerves. They have it, I know they have it, but they just wont cash it! I've never been so happy to see $455 leave my bank account in all of my life.

Dont worry too much. with the budget deficits the gov is running now, they need all the cash they can get. It'll be soon!

Hooray!! Package was delivered on Monday and the check cashed today!!! Was very surprised to say the least.

However, I'm trying to figure out how to use the new USCIS website... I have my case number and everything... Does this mark the NOA1? Also, does anytime the "Last Updated" date change mean a touch?

Just trying to figure this stuff out.

Thanks all!

You are correct on both counts. a change in the "last updated" date indicates a touch. The fact that you have your case number means you have the important information from the NOA1 that you need to use the USCIS website. After the initial "touch" you really don't want to see touches on your file until you get close to your projected date. There are very few instances of an unusually rapid approval - and getting early touches can indicate 1) absolutely nothing, but it'll drive you crazy, or 2) of possible RFE, which will also drive you crazy. My point is that this is a process that has a beginning and an end - regardless of the emotional energy you spend on it.

Good Luck to Everyone!!!!

Ours was only 30 pages. I feel like everyone else has had much longer applications than we did which makes me paranoid that I didn't put in enough. XD

Interesting.... the passport alone is 24 pages, let alone the g-325 for you and your fiancee, that's 8 more, then the letters of intent, 2 more, 1-129f three more, passport photo of you and your fiancee 2 more.... Did you include proof of having met and included pictures, etc? 30 does seem a little light but if you followed the checklists provided here I'm sure you got it covered.

so when did you check was cash? before or after you get your NOA1?

I too am at the NOA1 step:

MONDAY

08/24/2009 I-129F mailed

THURSDAY - same week

08/27/2009 I-129F return receipt sent to me, received 08/31/2009.

MONDAY - one week later (I knew it was approved when I saw the check was cleared)

08/31/2009 ck@$455.00 for I-129F petition cashed

WEDNESDAY - 9 days later (NOA1 date was 3 days after I-129F was mailed)

09/02/2009 I-797C, NOA1 hard copy received, dated 08/27/2009

On my timeline my NOA1 date is 08/27/2009

Good luck.

thanks for the info. that helps me alot

If you can't wait to get the actual notice, you can get the case number off of the back of the check once it has been cashed. That is if your bank has check imaging.

Hi all you September filiers, time for the waiting to begin