Leonidus

Getting the medical exams done early is something we are considering. It would just mean flying to another city altogether because there are no consulate sanctioned doctors where we live. Worst comes to worst we will just have to eat the cost, but its just depressing because if they had scheduled the interview just a few days after all of this would be avoidable. Do you get the feeling that someone is testing you? That they make it hard just to see what you will do. :bonk:

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to say that this forum has been a godsend on our visa journey! My fiancé and I keep running into little road blocks and it is hard to know what to do. Here’s our latest dilemma.

We just received the date for our interview for March 15th.. This date was much sooner than we expected, despite our having made preparations well in advance.

The problem with this date is that here in Brazil it coincides with Carnival, the biggest street party in the world and the most expensive holiday. This presents a number of complications. We live in another city entirely, and need to fly to Rio de Janeiro for the medical examinations and interview. Not only are flights and hotels10-15 times more expensive, but it will be much more difficult to set up an appointment for the exams.

For this reason, we were thinking of changing the dates. But yesterday, as I was working on the I-134 forms, I noticed at the top of the form that it expires at the end of March. Other forms have a similar date. Considering I had my cosponsor sign and bring it from the US, there would be no way for me to get another set of forms sent in time for the interview, if it was scheduled soon after.

Does the documents still “count” if they are signed before the expiration date, but submitted after they expire?

Any advice on calling up the consulate and explaining the situation?

Thanks guys. We are on the last big hurdle and your help would be much appreciated!

Leonidus

So check this out...

I call USCIS today and finally get through to customer service. Immediately the lady on the phone says, "I see on my computer that you are applying for an I29-F and that you were approved a week ago." So I get all excited, but then she starts asking me all these questions about the case as if she didn't just tell me the status. Then she says that I need to call back in one month to submit an official inquiry into the case, and that she can't give me any information at this time.

So am I approved, am I not approved. USCIS is sending me mixed messages!

Thank you for the response, all of you. I appreciate Gary's perspective about keeping busy and working with the goal in mind. I am filing without a lawyer and can certainly attest to the need for self-organization and staying motivated. I don't think he meant to trivialize those of us who are having to wait longer.

In my case, I can look at the whole process with a bit less emotion because I live with my fiancee in her country of origin (Brazil) and have for the last three years. While this certainly complicates the job of preparing for a US arrival, and establishing work and educational opportunities, it does allow us to be together from the beginning and work through the process a bit more calmly.

I will remain persistent -- keep checking the site and keep calling -- until this dang matter is finally resolved.

Cheers yall!

July filers of the world unite!

I tried calling multiple times but couldn't figure out how to get a hold of customer service. I imagine they might

be out for the holiday.

Hi everyone,

It has been five months since my fiancee and I sent in our K-1 packet to the Vermont Service Center (submission date July 28th). To be honest, we are getting rather nervous about the lack of response. Every time I log into the case status website and see that bubble cemented to `Initial Review`, I want to scream. It feels like being stuck in some sort of bureaucratic purgatory, waiting for some higher power to descend from the sky and hand me a cookie.

Considering that we have now exceeded the standard processing time, would it be wise to contact USCIS to see what is going on?

Anyone else out there who submitted to the Vermont center in July and are still waiting for a response?

It's hard to know what to do with yourself when there is nothing you actually can do to speed the process along.

Thanks,

Leonidus

Thanks so much for the info!!!

Now I'm off to fill out the forms.

Hi guys!

I need your help to fill out the DS 230i form. I'm divorced and I have doubts about how to answer some of the questions, for instance:

Q2. Should I mention my married name since I don't use it anymore?

Q14 to Q18 . Should I answer these ones about my ex husband? If I don't, should I write NONE or N/A?

I know my questions might be silly but I am already exhausted with all these forms to fill out and I can't find any step by step sample which explain those details about the divorced status.

I do appreciate your attention!

thanks

Hi guys!

I need your help to fill out the DS 230i form. I'm divorced and I have doubts about how to answer some of the questions, for instance:

Q2. Should I mention my married name since I don't use it anymore?

Q14 to Q18 . Should I answer these ones about my ex husband? If I don't, should I write NONE or N/A?

I know my questions might be silly but I am already exhausted with all these forms to fill out and I can't find any step by step sample which explain those details about the divorced status.

I do appreciate your attention!

thanks

Hmmmm....interesting option. I will definitely check that out and contact Marina-Del. Obrigado!

Thanks guys! Just to clarify, we're not both USC. She is full on Brazilian. I am the only one with dual citizenship.

The Direct Consular Filing sounds interesting. If I read it correctly, it is a way expedite the speed in which a beneficiary can enter the United States, by filing through a local consulate instead of a US Service Center. I suppose I qualify because I live abroad???

I have a couple of other friends who live here and who successfully applied for the k-1 visa. This option was never mentioned, which makes me skeptical that it is possible where I live.

Needless to say, it's worth looking into. I'll have to call the consulate up and get some feedback from them.

- Thanks,

Leo

Howdy folks,

Just a quick question from cyberspace.

I currently live in Brazil with my fiancee and we are considering a move to the United States next year. I have both Brazilian and American citizenship having attained the former last year. Does anyone know if this effects the k-1 visa application in any way? Does the U.S. recognize marriages in other countries if the American holds citizenship in that particular country?

Also curious...I was reading on a friends website that you have to apply for the k-1 visa within two years of meeting your fiancee. Just to clarify, does this mean you can only apply after being in the relationship for two years, or before? Logically, after makes much more sense.

Thanks for any input you can offer!!!

Leo