JohnandMyrein

Really? We're in the process of filling out the DS156, DS156K, and the DS157 I thought all were still necessary for the K1 Visa? Did you have this confirmed from the Embassy in Manila?

I said the DS-160 is NOT needed just to be clear.

Hello All,

When we scheduled our K1 interview I neglected to ask the US consulate representative if we should send the DS-230 form in right away or just take it with us to the interview? They won't be sending a check list or letter she just referred us to the link with the interview directions....BTW...the DS-160 is not needed for the K1 visa I got solid clarification on that. Anyway...replies will be appreciated. Thank you and God Bless!

Thank you very much! I will let her know today when I talk to her. One less thing to worry about. She is worried most about the medical. Thanks again for your replies. God Bless!

Hello all,

My Fiancee does not have any documentation about previous vaccinations. How much of a problem is that going to be? Thank you.

No you don't. I called the embassy a week after NVC said they had sent our package. I wasn't expecting to be able to set a date and was only hoping to find out if the package was received. Based on advice gotten on VJ, when the call center staffer asked if the beneficiary had received notice to schedule the interview, I replied yes even though she had not. Was very surprised when the next response was when would we like to schedule the interview and were given a range of dates.

Good luck!

Thank you! We have our appointment set!

Hello All,

Do I have to wait for my Fiancee to get an appointment letter from the US Consulate in Manila before scheduling for an interview? At this point I know that the Embassy has received our case....

Thanks!

i see ur timeline is it true? havent got in NVC yet???

Yep, we are still stuck at USCIS even though we approved on May 5th. Apparently, their supervisors pull a "lucky file" and use it for thier quality assurance in making sure the employees are doing thier job. What is frustrating is that we have to pay the price for thier internal process. According to what I have been told this usually only takes a month but it has been well over a month for us so far. I guess that's what they mean by extended. We are both very frustrated by it. Good luck to you!

It takes some time for the file to get from the service center to the NVC, and for the NVC to get it into their system. It's not instantaneous. Patience in this process is a virtue - just be glad you've gotten over that big hurdle of the NOA2. Things speed up from here on out.

Yea, the USCIS has had my approved petition for well over a month in what they call "extended quality assurance review". It really sucks when you get your hopes up that your petition is going to moving along and then it is held captive. I've had to get my congresswoman involved at this point. My NOA2 Notice said it was forwarded to the listed consulate as well....

Hello All,

Does anyone know how many days we need between the medical and interview? We are trying to work out the schedule so that we save as much money on hotels ect. as possible. Thank you.

From reports by VJ members on a thread in the Philippines forum, it appears that the DS-156, DS-156K, and DS-157 are still required for K-1 visas at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. The new DS-160 is not required for K-1 visas.

If you look at the DS-160 announcement on the U.S. Embassy Manila web site, you will notice a link ("Frequently Asked Questions") to the Department of State web site toward the bottom of the announcement. Click on "Frequently Asked Questions" and then read question #13. Question #13 explains that K-1 visas are an exception to the new DS-160.

U.S. Embassy Manila DS-160 announcement: click here.

Department of State: "Frequently Asked Questions" about the DS-160: Click here.

Philippines forum thread which discusses K-1 visas and the new DS-160: Click here.

Thanks for the Clarification!

at the present time, the DS-157 is a required form in Manila.

Well, just for good measure we will fill out all of them and she can bring them to the interview. Thanks for the input.

That's what I was thinking, too. This certainly is not the norm.

It may not hurt you to contact your congressman, see if they can figure out why your file was pulled and if there's anything they can do to get it going on it's way. Possibly not, but it's worth a shot.

I just called my congresswoman and sent her staff a letter for inquiring on my behalf. Wish me luck!

Hello All,

Our petition has been approved since May 5th but is being held "captive" at the USCIS because it is under going an extended Quality Assurance Review. Does anyone know what this means and how long it will take? I spent alot of time putting the petition together and it was very well organized exactly as described in the visa journey guide....Thanks!

OMG!!! I hope this will be over for you soon..

Cheryl

Yea, we do too. It is very annoying when the brakes are put on....

I can't wait to be where you are!

You don't want to be where I am! My file is being held for extended Quality Assurance at the USCIS even though it was approved on May 5th. There is no telling how long it will be until they send it to the NVC....But thanks anyway!

I understand that technically she is allowed to enter the US. However, I have heard that it can be very difficult crossing the border with an CR1 in process.

As for the visa itself, I have a huge packet put together, all I need now is a copy of my marriage certificate, and it will be ready to go.

I put her on the plane today, and It felt like my insides were being ripped out. I can't help but feel a little angry at the process itself. I wish there were some way to speed it up. Its like you said JohnandMyrein, the hardest part is just wanting to hold the other person and not being able to. I just can't believe that after 6 months of finding a job and saving, I still have another 6 months or so to go.

I know the pain will dull a bit, but it feels so fresh, and so impossible now. I just know I have to some how keep on going. It is the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life, and I would do anything to be with her again.

Hello John,

You will need to file the DS-156 and DS-156K, not the DS 157.

Ok, Great! That's what we thought but we just wanted to make sure. Thank you!

Hello,

Does anyone know if the DS-160 replaces the DS-156,Ds-156F and DS-157 Forms now for the consulate in Manila? Or do we still need to bring them to the interview? Thanks!

John

Hello everyone. I'm new to the Immigration scene after just filing my I-129F fiance petition last week. Just wanted to get a head start on the I-134 (I'm an organized freak!). I had a question regarding the Personal Property question on #7. Pretty dumb question but just wanted to make sure, PERSONAL PROPERTY means STUFF I OWN, UNDER MY NAME, correct? I don't have any property under my name officially and I live at home with my parents, so I guess my answer is $0, correct? Can anyone provide more information that I could have missed besides the usual, car, home, etc.? Also, how much far back of Tax info (1040 & W2's) should I provide as evidence of support and send to my fiancee? Thanks for all the help and info to everyone.

Hi there...You will need at least 125% of the Poverty level as your annual income. Here is a link to the poverty guidelines http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf If you don't have that much income you will need assets. See the I-134 Instructions found here http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-134instr.pdf You will see some of the requirements in the instructions. Because your consulate is in the Phil, you will need three years of tax returns or a letter explaining why you don't have a tax return for that year. It is a good idea to have about 3 to 6 months worth of paystubs also. If you don't have enough income you can have a sponsor if needed. Don't take a chance on your future if you don't have to. The more supporting documentation you have the better. Hope that helps. Best of Luck!

I read the poverty guidelines..thanks I understand that..so what about the bank statement..how true that I needed to ahave at least USD10,000 in my bank account is that necessary?

The statement from the bank is simply a letter from an officer at your bank that says "yes this person has a bank account here acct# XXXXX. The total deposits for the past year are XXXXXX. The current balance is XXXXXX.

This information took me awhile to find...

You've located the Poverty Guidelines now here is the I-134 instructions...

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-134instr.pdf

You may need three years of tax returns depending on which consulate it is. Hope that helps!

Best of Luck!

John

Yes, but if you are required to submit three years tax returns, you should submit the two you have and a letter of explanation as to why you did not submit a tax return for 2007. Always send a letter explaining why a tax return is not available for submission.

In general it seems like you have sufficient evidence for the rest of it and will not have a problem as long as that evidence of current income is at or above 125% of the poverty threshold.

Good luck.

Thanks for the reply. I will include the notarized statement that I prepared. My income is above 125% of the poverty level so I should be good. Thank you.

I just stay in daily contact using the phone and internet. It is very difficult at times when you want to hold the person you love and cannot. The upside is that it seems to strengthen the bond we have and we definitely learn to communicate well because that is all we have to go on. Best of Luck! Your not Alone!

You should always check the updates link here;

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=6d42dd1d5fd37210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=6d42dd1d5fd37210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

Just in case. Best of Luck!

Different consulate so this is for the sake of comparison:

For my I-134 I sent two years tax returns, letter of employment, recent pay stubs and bank statements (6 months each). It is the current income that is most relevant.

When you get to AOS and file the I-864 you are required to report the past three years income (and then you have the option of sending tax records for one or three years).

Ok, Thank you.

I have a letter from my employer, a letter from my bank, a statement from my 401k, an estimate on the approximate value of some property that I own, 2009 tax return, 2008 tax return and recent paystubs. I even have two performance reviews from my employer but I don't know how relevant those are. Shouldn't I be good to go?

Hello all,

I will be asked for three years of tax returns when providing proof of support and I only have two. I have plenty of income for 2009 and I will have plenty for 2010 (God willing). I had no income in 2007 and very little for 2008. The reason is because I was living off of a non-taxable divorce settlement during 2007 and 2008. I have a notarized letter stating the reason for not having a 2007 tax return. My question is should I send this letter with the I-134 or should I just send the two years I have and hope for the best. I don't want to get into a situation where I have to become a tax attorney to prove my case when it really isn't that relavant since I meet the income requirements. Any advice you might have will be appreciated. Thank you!