Liz_Allan

SO happy to report we received the Visa APPROVAL today!

Waited several hours at the embassy before our time, saw a lot of people who did NOT have their documents needed and were denied (or told to come back).

Thanks to VJ for preparing us VERY well we had more than we were asked for!

Thanks especially to FrancElsie and all the VETERAN Ticans!!

Allan will follow after tying up some loose ends, Liz will return in a few days. Passport/Visa pick up is later this week.

Will post a review of the embassy when Liz returns home to USA.

Yippeeee!!! :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

INTERVIEW today!!

Approval Today!!

THANK GOD!!

Interview in Costa Rica, sorry no time to post more, please see the timeline/signature for more details.

More when Liz gets back to USA.

Praying blessings and favor on everyone one else!

5 Months and about 2 weeks (?) I think since NOA1.

Congrats, glad you are all done and now in each others' arms!!

One quick question.....

When you went to the interview, you took the $350 fee for the K-1 visa...

What other expenses did you have while you were there at the embassy, if any?

We want to be sure to bring enough $$, just in case there are any additional expenses.

I have read somewhere that others have had to re-do their passport pics while there, maybe there is something else that we're not aware of that could come up?

Thanks so much for the detailed review, great job!

They wouldn't need to consider you as part of your father's household if you are not currently a dependent.

That's great, thanks for the insight.

I do make enough now with the new job to qualify on my own to bring my fiance here, I just don't have the tax returns to prove it yet so we're bringing dad as a co-sponsor just as added "insurance" to be sure we don't have to come back later with those same documents.

Would hate to be given a note to come back with those when we can bring them in the first place.

We'll be living in my parent's garage apartment until we can save up enough $ to get our own place. The sooner the better but if we have to delay it for a month or so until we can get the AOS filed after the wedding, then we'll do that!

Thanks for the advice, it is really a big deal to hear from you!

I go by the I-864 instructions when listing dependents. Accordingly, a spouse is shown as part of the household size regardless of whether they work. What you do about this on the I-134 isn't critical but I assure you the Consular officer will consider the spouse in the household size regardless of whether they are listed as a dependent on the affidavit. I say list her.

Thanks!

We'll be sure to put her on the list. There isn't room for me on the list but since I'm filling out my own I-134 and have a job, will be bringing the employment letter and pay check stubs and my tax transcripts, I think they won't be upset and like you said, they'll consider me part of the list anyway.

One parent, not both, can act as a cosponsor. When asked about the people dependent, answer truthfully in the present tense. The sponsor states only their own personal income and then provides the complete tax return and pay stubs to document it. Sounds like, Dad is the go to guy on this as he has the qualifying employment income.

Thanks!!!

So does Dad put mom as a dependent? She already has her own income but is self employed. They filed joint taxes and we obviously have all the transcripts, just want to be sure to fill out the form right.

I've seen other posts on VJ that say to NOT put the spouse/joint tax filer as a dependent if they are employed. Just so confusing as we don't have an exact format for this situation so we want to be sure to fill it out right.

Thanks, Pushbrk!

I just realized we posted this question to the wrong forum..... if one of the moderators could go delete the identical question I posted in K-1 forum, I'd appreciate it. I just don't know how to delete it or I'd do it myself.

Now for the question-

My parents are helping as cosponsors because my income is right on the border of qualifying and I have not been at my job long enough to have the tax forms to sponsor my K-1 visa fiance on my own. We are filing in San Jose, Costa Rica.

My mom & dad file taxes as married, with a joint return.

My dad has the largest part of the income (more than 66% of the total income). Dad's income alone is more than sufficient to be a co-sponsor but we've read of others who were given a RFE because the joint tax filer (spouse) did not fill out an I-134 form also, so we decided it would probably be wisest to have mom fill out a I-134 also in case we need it.

Our question has to do with #8 on the form.

Who do we put as dependents?? Do we put the same dependents on BOTH forms (filling out separate I-134 forms for both of them)?? Or do we just put the dependents on Dad's form and none on mom's, since he has the much larger income?

2009 tax form lists myself (I was in college and they claimed me as their dependent) plus my sister (16 yrs old). 2009 form also lists mom & dad as having the joint income wiht mom self-employed for her portion so it's on a totally different line of the form.

Added complication is that they have adopted my little brother now, he is not on the 2009 tax form but his adoption is final so he will be a 2010 dependent on tax forms.

Should they have it like this

Option A

1. Sister (wholly dependent)

2. Brother (wholly dependent)

or

Option B

1. Sister (partially dependent)

2. Brother (partially dependent)

or

should they just list my sister, since my brother is not on the 2009 tax forms? They do have an adoption decree that they could show if needed.

or should they also list me, even though I'm filling out a separate I-134 form? I was on the 2009 form is the only reason why we thought I might need to be on there. I did file my own taxes, they were just not enough to qualify on my own as I was in college full time. I'm working full time now so the income has gone way up, but not on the job long enough to have filed a tax form to report that income. I do have an employment letter.

This is our last document to get together, we have everything else and we just realized it's a little more complicated than we thought since they file jointly.

Input please?

My parents are helping as cosponsors because my income is right on the border of qualifying and I have not been at my job long enough to have the tax forms to sponsor my K-1 visa fiance on my own.

My mom & dad file as married, joint return.

My dad has the largest part of the income (more than 66% of the total income). Dad's income alone is sufficient to sponsor but we've read of others who were given a RFE because the joint tax filer (spouse) did not fill out an I-134 form also, so we decided it would probably be wisest to have mom fill out a I-134 also.

Our question has to do with #8 on the form.

Who do we put as dependents?? Do we put the same dependents on BOTH forms (filling out separate I-134 forms for both of them)??

2009 tax form lists myself (I am in college and they claimed me as their dependent) plus my sister (16 yrs old).

2009 form also lists mom & dad as having the joint income.

Added complication is that they have adopted my little brother now, he is not on the 2009 tax form but his adoption is final so he will be a 2010 dependent on tax forms.

Should they have it like this

1. Sister (wholly dependent)

2. Brother (wholly dependent)

or

1. Sister (partially dependent)

2. Brother (partially dependent)

or should they just list my sister, since my brother is not on the 2009 tax forms?

or should they also list me, even though I'm filling out a separate I-134 form? I was on the 2009 form is the only reason why we thought I might need to be on there. I did file my own taxes, they were just not enough to qualify on my own as I was in college full time. I'm working full time now so the income has gone way up, but not on the job enough to have filed a tax form to report that income. I do have an employment letter.

This is our last document to get together, we have everything else and we just realized it's a little more complicated than we thought.

Input please?

Hi, Can he check in the Embassy or Consulate of Honduras here in Costa Rica, and if they do, check their time frames and see if they work fore you guys.

Wow that would have been a good thing.... except the USA embassy in Honduras is supposed to authenticate it, so don't know if that would help.

Does make me think a little though.... wonder if he can call the Costa Rican US embassy and ask for their advice?

When we began this process, we did not realize the police report might expire before the interview.

Now we have the information on what we will need to bring to the interview and (surprise) the police report needs to be apostilled or taken to the US embassy of where that police report was generated.

If you have never lived away from your own country then this is not a problem. But Allan was a student at a school in Honduras for over a year. He had obtained a copy of the police report earlier this year when he turned in all his final books and checked out in January, but we did NOT know about the paper needing to be apostilled when he got it. He has since returned to Costa Rica and is working there now.

SO, since Allan lived in Honduras for a while when he was in school, he will need to find a way to get that document authenticated/apostilled.

It's a HUGE long bus ride back to Honduras from Costa Rica and we don't want Allan to take that ride if he doesn't have to. It's not like he would be riding down to the next state- imagine that you have to take a bus ride across half of the USA to get this paper that you already have, but didn't realize you needed to have some governmental official stamp that it was a legitimate paper.

Has ANYONE had experience with this?

Please share your thoughts and any similar situations so we can make a wise decision. Unfortunately he will NOT have any time off available so he can't just take off work, he'll have to resign his job and give notice, then ride across half of Central America to get the paper.

Ideas, please?? Thanks a ton in advance for the help.

Sorry I'm not sure exactly which forum to post this in, maybe Latin American forum would be best but not sure.

Because they tend to look at the previous year's taxes rather than the current situation, it would probably be better to bring the cosponsorship documents with in case they reject the current situation (even with employment offer letters and pay stubs).

ETA: However, that said, if they hold off on filing for the AOS until they have filed for tax year 2010 (in 2011, as early as possible), they might be able to squeak by the AOS without having to get a joint sponsor. But given the amount is barely over the 125% poverty line to begin with, and not working a full year, they will quite possibly still need a joint sponsor at AOS.

Hi K & L

Thanks for the info. Mom of Liz here, we're brushing up on all our documents for the interview and had another thought...

Wondering if you have an opinion as to if it will be enough for her dad to just use his income as co-sponsor for the interview or do we need to look for more co-sponsors?

Dad (Co-Sponsor) personal income $48,800 with total of 6 dependents (if we count Dad, Mom, younger sister, younger brother, Liz and Allan.)

So it would appear Dad's income alone is over the 125% guidelines. Adding Liz's income would push it over the top a bit more of course, depending on if they take her employment letter as evidence or if they want to use just the previous year's tax returns while she was a college student. Now that she's employed full time she'll make more but won't have tax statements until next year of course.

Liz and Mom are only partially dependant on dad, not sure how they guage partial dependent but I do have my own income of about $15K annually working part time.

I can come up with bank statements for my income but as I'm self employed (transcription) there is NO W-2 to show.

We do have tax transcripts and our copies of our e-filed taxes as well as W-2 forms, plus Dad's employment letter has been requested so we will have that also.

ANYONE who has an idea or opinion on this, please feel free to reply. Just trying to "dot our I's and Cross our T's" before they get to the interview in San Jose.

Yayyyyy!!!!!!!!! Got an email today that says our approval notice has been sent!!!!!!!!! Thank you everybody who encouraged me! Now it's almost time to party!!!!!

Don't know if it helped, but during the AOS interview the officer said several times "you were organized, you did the right way". Doing the K-1 visa route was longer, but the best way.

Good luck,

Samuel

Congrats on that organized package. Must have been something pretty nice if the IO complimented you. I'm quite sure they have a lot of cases come through, yours must have stood out or they wouldn't have mentioned it.

Can you please explain what you mean by "doing the k-1 visa route was longer"?

Longer than what?? LOL.... I guess I just didn't think about there being any other route to go besides I-129F to K1 to wedding in USA.

Curious as to what else you were considering doing?

No such luck here.

Looks like they're still trying to work out the kinks in the problem.

I will wait until later tonight, hopefully won't be so many folks who are trying to check by then.

In San Jose, your fiance (or you, which is my suggestion) will call to set your own appointment. Generally the earliest would be within two weeks of picking up the packet, but you can push it out a bit more. They are pretty accomodating.

Make sure they have a good phone number for him b/c that is how they will advise him to come and get the packet. When they call, they will set a time for him to come pick it up. Everything that needs to be done can easily be done within two weeks or less.

Where are you flying from? I am within range of NYC, so I can fly direct with Continental and Taca. Will you be bringing your fiance back with you?

TRY NOT TO STRESS!!! It will all work out and, after all this waiting for the 3-5 minute interview you will likely have, you will laugh about it one day!

Thank you so much! (Mom of the bride/petitioner here with another question.) Gee you guys & gals are very patient, hope we can pass along the same sort of help later to someone else.

Liz got a great new job, it will be a LOT more money. SO, in light of that income, I'm wondering if I (self employed & no W-2s) even should be sending in my support, since she has her dad as co-sponsor for Affadavit of Support type document?

Income figures:

Liz(Petitioner) 2009 income $4,690

(College student, W-2s available from 2009)

Her NEW Job is $20,000 annually.

Dad (Co-Sponsor) personal income $48,800

(W-2s available from 2009)

Combined total for 2009 (without mom) $53,490

(2010 projections with income from new job $68,800)

Total household size- 6 (including beneficiary)

100% of Poverty guidelines $29,530

125% of poverty guidelines $36,912

150% of poverty guidelines $44,295

SO based on poverty guidelines, to me it does NOT look like they (daughter & fiance) will even need my income since they will have dad as co-sponsor. They will live in the garage apartment rent free anyway until they can afford their own place, but I don't even know that they *need* a cosponsor, we're just being extra careful as she only just started the job.

What do you experienced folks think? Are they likely to be denied based simply on the newness of the job, as long as she has an employer letter?

Do you think we need to do anything extra (other than what you've already advised)?

Should I leave off my income, as it is a bit more complicated with all the bank statements needed and etc?

As far as POE, we are thinking Denver as he had a bad experience in Houston over the holidays when he was entering on a Religous worker visa (preaching here at 2 venues in Dec/Jan). That ICE/Customs/Officer fellow seemed to be angry before he even asked questions and when he (the officer) called me to ask on the Visa, he was extra gruff, insinuating that he was not here to preach/religious duties. We breathed a big sigh of relief when he was allowed in but now we're kinda wondering about other POEs as they might just be easier.

So since the Denver POE looks good and the fares through Frontier seem to be good, Denver might be where they enter. Flying to the next airport after Denver, but POE would be Denver.

Thank you so much for the input, it is so VERY helpful!!

got an email and text today

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

HOORAYYY!

Congratulations!

:dance: :dance:

We were approved too! :D :D

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! THEY'RE ALL COMING SOON!!!!!!!!

Big Congratulations to you, too!

We are right behind you so have been watching your progress. Sure is nice to have "buddies" on the journey.

Hey!!! A Feb filer was approved today! I hope this means the rest of us can start to move on ....

WOOHOOOO!!

Doing the happy dance for SOMEBODY!!

Wish it had been us, but ANY February date is good with us!

I know how you feel, Liz! I don't think there's a rhyme or reason so I'm trying not to think about that. Easier said than done though!

HAHAHAHA!!

YEAH, sure.... no reason...just trying not to think about it.... LOL

SO, in SPITE of "trying not to think about it", I've noticed that the only VJ folks from Feb 2010 VSC I-129f filers *who have posted* that they have received their NOA2 are all Cubanos!! LOL.... SO, since I have NOTHING ELSE to do with my time (yeah, right!) I'm thinking up silly reasons why these folks are blessed enough to have their approval already!

Maybe they all sent a few really nice Cuban cigars along with their application (DRAT, if I'd just thought of that we could have sent some awesome Costa Rican coffee!! I PROMISE that would have given all of VSC enough energy to process everyone's file in RECORD TIME!! HAHA)

Then again, maybe those files went to the "only active" staff member at VSC and all the others have been on vacation?? Maybe that's the staffer who picked up some coffee on the way to work last week? LOL

OR, maybe the Cubanos are just organized enough to get on VJ here and post that they have been approved and others who were approved but have not updated are either not organized or are so busy out gathering documents for their K1 interview process that they do not have time to get online! Once again, maybe it's the coffee?? Cuban coffee is great too, from what I hear.

***JUST JOKING FOLKS, I KNOW there's no conspiracy and no way to predict who will be approved next. I'm just bored to tears and wonder why our file doesn't even show a TOUCH since we received our NOA1.*********

Back to bed with me, I'm supposed to be tucked in as I have a bit of a stomach virus. Just had to check the timelines one more time.

We just keep on reminding ourselves that there DOESN'T have to be any reason why one person gets their approval when the next might not, or even why the timing of some petitions is approved when others are not even touched.

Would LOVE to be able to predict a timeline but we know better!!!

All,

For those of you stuck in the same boat as me -- the all-consuming nervousness of the K-1 visa process -- statistics is on our side! While no one can guarantee us a successful interview with immediate visa approval, worldwide, they are approving 95% of K-1 petitions: http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/FY2009NIVWorkloadbyVisaCategory.pdf

If I'm reading this correctly, 95% of petitions are initially approved. Adding in the "Waived / Overcome" column, there is a 99.37% approval rating. There are similar statistics from the Department of State in recent years:

2008 -- http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/FY2008.pdf

2007 -- http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/FY2007.pdf

The State Department website also has many other statistic one can sort through, including information by country: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/statistics/statistics_4582.html

While this does not quiet the butterflies in my stomach and heart, it does give my logical brain some relief.

Hope this helps you guys, too!

Blue

Hi Blue

Thanks for this info, it's very nice to have some statistical reassurance!

Hi liz

my advice would be to make sure you include enough documents to support your parents income.

Id be sure to include the following for all the co-sponsors:

letter from your employers stating time with the company, job title, salary, full time status, etc..

Pay stubs for the last 3 months

bank account statements for last 3 months

tax returns for past 2 years

statements for savings or stock values if you have them

Again just make sure you have enough proof and you should be good

We have those things except the stock values. Do you really think those are needed since their income is well above the guidelines?

Also, do you think I should use my mom as another co-sponsor or is that too much info to give them?

I just don't want to go down with too little info. At the same time, I don't want to go down and give them too much.

Thanks so much for the input, we'll for sure have all the info, not sure about the stock stuff but will have to talk to my dad about that.

While finances were not an issue for me (been on my own working for a while), I tend to feel that the straight numbers should not be an issue for you. I would not turn down a career opportunity (internship) because you are worried about numbers. The Embassy is reasonable and will understand that you are a student, so obviously the majority of the income will not be yours. If anything, they may want to speak with your father via phone just to confirm he understands his commitment. Having parental sponsors is very common!

Thank you so much, it really helps to know that you have been there at that embassy. I know the different embassies vary in what they might think is acceptable so that's why I posted to the regional forum. Thanks also for the thoughts on the numbers.

Dad is planning on completing that joint sponsor form (I forget the number right now, maybe something about 325a??). Do you think he needs to have anything else filled out/notarized, etc before I leave? I would hate to have the interview and realize I needed something else.

From experience (we were the last interview of the day and overheard almost every single one before ours), focus on proving the validity of your relationship over finances.

Thanks for this, I hadn't thought about it, but my mom is working on a photo book with pictures of us together so I can take it with me. This will include (among other photos) the newspaper announcement of our engagement, the church bulletin where he preached which announced our engagement, about 2 dozen photos of him and I together while he was here, photos of events with all my family who met him over the holidays, etc.

Do you think that type of evidence, along with transcripts of our Skype conversations, emails we've sent and letters I've mailed him thru the postal mail will be enough to convince them if I am there in person at the interview, also? If not, what else can we use? I guess my mom could write him a letter, too, they have a really good relationship and she does that anyway with emailing him.

We do have a ring, it is not a big flashy engagement ring as we're missionaries & just don't have the desire to buy a diamond ring. Plus I'm sorry to say I lost the receipt before I realized I needed to keep it. But I wear it all the time, that is my engagement ring. Just don't have a receipt.

Any other tips on proving our relationship is valid?

Both of you will be there, right? That is KEY in San Jose.

YES, definitely I will be there!!!! Did you have any options as far as your appointment date? Meaning, did they set your appointment date REALLY SOON after they received your packet? I'm wondering how much time I'll have to get a ticket and arrive there, as there are not a lot of flights from my area to San Jose. Have to be sure to plan ahead as much as we can. I'd hoped to fly Frontier but their seasonal flights to San Jose ends in August so since I don't know when we will have the interview, obviously it's too soon to buy the ticket.

Any flight or airline recommendations?

Thanks sooo much for all the help you have both given me, I'm feeling a little better now.

I apologize in advance if this is the wrong forum for these questions, just didn't know where else to post it.

Did I post in the wrong forum? Sorry if I did. Please let me know what other forum I should post at if this is the wrong one?

Thanks!

We’re writing to talk about a concern in hopes that you veterans can give us some advice. We are currently waiting on NOA2 for our K-1 (I-129F) application.

I understand that I can have a co-sponsor to help us with the income levels required for approval. What I do not quite understand is how “picky” are the Officers about which party in the application makes the majority of the income?? I am a college student and therefore don’t make much money. My dad is very happy to be a co-sponsor with me, but I’m getting nervous about if we will likely be approved or not since I am not the one with the main income on this petition.

Here are our figures, please give us your best idea of whether you think we’ll be approved. The new job I’m currently doing is permanent part time employment and I’m sure I’ll have a job for a long time (even if I am beginning to hate it).

I have been offered an opportunity to take a paid internship job, but that job will NOT be a permanent one. It does appeal to me, however, because it is in my career field and is a great opportunity. IF I take this internship job, my 2010 income will likely be the same as or maybe even lower than my 2009 income, another thing that concerns me. We are SURE (both myself and my mom/dad) that my fiancé will NEVER become a public charge, but convincing the interviewing officer of that fact is what we are concerned about.

IF we look at the sheer numbers alone, my dad’s income is more than sufficient to qualify for approval. What concerns us is we don’t know how “particular” or “picky” the interviewing officer will likely be. Yes we do have tax transcripts ready for both my income and my parent’s income (with my mom’s income showing there also). If you look at the figures below, you can see my dad's income alone is enough to follow the letter of the law, but we know that a lot of the process is up to the officers, if they do not believe it will work out income-wise, then they have the authority to deny the application. We WILL be married no matter what happens at that interview, we'd just like someone else's experienced opinion of how likely we are to be approved.

We are interviewing in Costa Rica and our POE will likely be Denver, Atlanta or Chicago. (We’re avoiding Houston & the very grumpy officer who was there when my fiancé came for a visit in December. )

Added to our confusion is the fact that my mom & dad have joint income taxes, but my mom is self employed so we had planned on just having my dad (the largest income) as the co-sponsor. We’re also thinking ahead beyond the interview to the AOS process once we are married. From reading on the boards, we think we understand that the income requirement for AOS application is a bit higher, so that adds to the concern.

Below are the income figures, please give us your best advice.

Do you think we even need another co-sponsor in addition to my dad?

Do you think (from personal experience or other cases you’ve known) I would be “shooting myself in the foot” if I were to take this internship, knowing it is not a permanent job and I could be showing less income once we get to AOS if I am not able to find another similarly paid job? I do have part time jobs but nothing that will show a W-2 if I drop the new job.

How picky do you think the interviewing officer will be, considering the primary income for support is not mine but my dad’s income? Of course we’ll have all the necessary paperwork, but my dad won’t be going to the interview, it will be just me & my fiancé.

If you think we need to have additional income over and above my dad's, would we be best served to add my mom (spouse of co-sponsor) as another sponsor for the K-1 interview process or is that not possible? (confused about that too)

Am I worrying about nothing? (not uncommon but since this is so new, I don’t even know how concerned we should be) Maybe we’re thinking too much? Typical of both mom & myself sometimes, lots of us women tend to do that.

Income figures:

My (Petitioner) 2009 income $4,690

(College student, W-2s available from 2009, new job since 2009 is $11,900 annually)

Dad (Co-Sponsor) personal income $48,800

(W-2s available from 2009)

Combined total (without Co-Sponsor’s spouse) $53,490

(with income from my new job $60,700)

Mom’s (Spouse of Co-Sponsor) income $17,800

(Self Employed, no W-2s but we could possibly add her income into the figures)

Total household size- 6 (including beneficiary)

100% of Poverty guidelines $29,530

125% of poverty guidelines $36,912

150% of poverty guidelines $44,295

Our plans are to live in my parent's garage apartment until we can save enough to get our own place, we can live there as long as we want. (A blessing, we know.) My fiance is bilingual and has done lots of work in Costa Rica as a call center representative so we're sure he can get a job here once his EAD/green card is approved as there are jobs posted every day in our area for bilingual call center reps. We just don't know what that income would be so we're not even counting on that.

I apologize in advance if this is the wrong forum for these questions, just didn't know where else to post it.

Please let me know what you think and I appreciate ALL the time you’ve taken to read and to respond.

Hey guys!

I see some of u have being touched..

Not me.. ...feeling soooo rejected!!!

OK, I understand how to know when our file has been touched, but how do you know when someone else's file has been touched?

Do they tell you in a status update, do you see some place where that info is online?

Magic 8 ball?

Clue me in please?