dukeandduchess

You bring this on yourself with the answer to question 1. My advice is to answer with a generic truthful answer. If it's a short visit, say two weeks, simply say "a two week holiday" or something more specific like "going to Disney...etc." if true. For longer visits of more than a month, "visiting family and friends". Saying you're visiting a fiance or spouse raises the red flag of potential immigrant intent. No need to raise that flag.

I'm not really good at being "selectively honest". I just tell the truth and despite being a bit uncomfortable, I don't have any problems. Do I agree that I bring it on myself a bit? sure. But if I tried to skirt the truth I'd turn into a blabbering idiot and they'd probably deny my entry to the US

They never asked for my fiance's letter of intent. If anything, just show proof you had a lawyer help you with the papers and explain that he made the error and submit the new (accurate) letter of intent.

Your fiancee will sign a form that is pretty much the same thing as a letter of intent at her interview. (or at least I had to at the Vancouver Embassy)

Sounds like you're ready to go once you get your packet 3 and fill out some forms. Maybe 2 or 3 months at the most. Don't worry just keep pushing through!

I'll be moving to California (my first warm spring!)

I booked at the start of Sept. My interview was on Oct 7th. They told me 6-8 weeks. A girl I met at the medical booked her appt. after me and she had her interview the same day as I did. So... it really depends. If you e-mail them they are great at emailing you back within 2 business days

I got my packet 3 in June and had my interview in October. I took a long time because I had to get 3 vaccinations (damn you chicken pox!)

He admitted to taking an illegal drug in his medical report but 'forgot' about it when he answered the question.

I would not even try and talk my way out of that one.

OP said "For my fiances medical he checked off the box that he had not misused or abused drugs. He thought that he was answering honestly because he considered abusing drugs as currently using them and relying on them. In the past he tried ecstasy experimentally, once, when he was 17."

My point was it's completely different to ask someone if they've "tried drugs before" or "misused or abused drugs". There's a mile of difference between trying a drug when you're young and being a drug addict. Hence her fiance's confusion and why I think they need to change the question if they don't want people to answer it how it is asked.

It happens when you least expect it

They really need to ask that question in a different way...

Have you ever used drugs? =/= Are you a drug abuser? -- in my mind anyway.

I hope everything works out for you. I'm sure it will be fine.

Once I got engaged I had to suffer through an interrogation every time I went to visit him. I always brought paperwork that showed I had ties to Canada (letter from work, lease, bank statement, return ticket). You may get asked more questions and get a bit of heat, but generally as long as you can prove you won't be staying they will let you go visit.

It always went something like this:

Why are you going to the US? > to see my fiance

When did you get engaged? > (date)

Do you have a ring? > yes

Who is paying for your trip? > I am

Who is paying for your expenses when you're there? > both of us

Who paid for your ticket? > I did

Where do you work? > (job)

Do you have a return ticket? > yes

And then I'd offer them my left arm and it was fine

If you can't afford to visit each other semi-regularly due to expenses it raises a big red flag, in my opinion.

How will you afford AOS, vaccines, travel to the US, wedding, living together, food, kids, emergencies.... etc.

I'm not exactly rolling in money (neither is my fiance) but we made an effort to visit at least every 3-6 mos for 2.5 years. All with school, work, and family commitments. Have to go without sometimes to make things work, but that's just life.

Unfortunately Montreal doesn't take documents via fax, so it would've been mailed in. It seems so silly that the two consulates in Canada have such different procedures sometimes.

Yeah, that's weird. I guess I shouldn't answer questions for Montreal people.

The DS-230 is what you faxed in for packet 3. I brought mine along though, but you don't have to bring that form. You need 2 copies of DS-156 and 1 copy of DS-156K.

1) Something I DO NOT need to bring is my copy of the initial K1 petition packet, correct?

2) I've noticed that some people list things from Packet 3 (namely the 156 and the DS-230)as things they are bringing. Aren't those forms the ones that the embassy already has and that I'll be signing in front of them?

3) The checklist says to bring "the original and one copy" of the forms listed. Does this mean that for, say, the I-134, I have the original, the photocopy, AND a third copy at home?

Thanks!

1) You should bring it, just in case they ask you for something from your petition packet.

2) You DEFINITELY need to bring your DS-156 AND DS-156K. I brought 3 copies of each just in case. One of them (it should say) REQUIRES you to bring *2* copies.

3) I brought Original and photocopy just in case. They didn't keep my copy but I have it on hand just in case.

When I went to my interview, they had a list of everything they wanted and the order they wanted it in. I had all of my stuff in a plastic folder with dividers. Each form they wanted had its own spot. I was probably way over organized and had a million copies of everything. It's not necessary, but the lady kept complimenting my knowledge and organization and told me "better over-prepared than unprepared".

The instructions are on the form.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf

We used multiple co-sponsors. His Mom and Dad (they are divorced) and my fiance. My fiance is below the poverty limit but they accepted his affidavit of support without question. However, I'm not really sure they actually looked at it (or any of them for that fact). His Mom and Dad both have above the poverty guidelines though.

I wouldn't rely on my experience though because I really felt they didn't look too carefully at my paperwork.

We filed in February and renewed my passport in April. I never had any problems, but I used the new passport number on the subsequent documents.

Mine was automatically extended on the day of my interview. To be safe I got them to confirm through email that it would be extended.

I listed all of the dates/length of each trip to the US including a plane transfer on my trip to Australia. I just wanted to make sure nothing could be used against me.

I answered the "how long do you intend to stay in the US?" by saying "Permanently". My visa was approved on friday so I'm assuming they didn't have any issues with that. After all, you are planning to move there and get married right?

Good luck!

Long story short, my effort to prepare everything before we got our NOA2 failed miserably. I received my letter from the consulate on June 27 and had some of my stuff done by then but I didn't realize how many vaccinations I needed (we always thought I had my MMR vaccine) and *shocker* I am not immune to chicken pox. In Canada (or at least what I've been told by everyone Health Unit/Nurse I've spoken to) you can't get more than 1 live virus vaccine each month. So I have been getting my 1 vaccine per month but now I've run out of time. Our NOA2 says it expires on September 29, and I am not allowed to book my Medical until after my last shot (Sept. 6).

I emailed the consulate to see if they could extend my deadline beyond Sept. 29th. Here is my e-mail:

I would like to ask permission to extend my K1 Visa Application. Our application says it expires September 29th, 2011 but I am not sure if I will be able to get all parts of my application finished before then. Completing my application is taking longer than expected because I have had to get 3 vaccinations that are "live viruses" and the Health Unit will only give me one vaccine per month. I am getting my final vaccination on September 6th, 2011 and can only book my medical exam after that date. This is because Woking Medical will only book an appointment once all of the vaccinations have been given.

I am not sure how long it will take for me to get a medical exam booked and I am also unsure how long it will take to schedule my interview at the embassy. I have completed everything else on my application. I would really appreciate if you could let me know if an extension of my K1 Visa application is possible.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

They responded with:

"The current wait time for K visa appointment in Vancouver is about 6-8 weeks. Below is a copy of your Packet 4 letter with information on how to schedule visa appointments."

They then attached my packet 4 letter with instructions on how to book my interview.

Personally, I don't think my e-mail is confusing and I think I make it clear that I haven't had my medical exam. My fiance thinks I should e-mail them again to double check what to do. I feel like they want me to book the appointment so they can automatically extend the deadline.

I was hoping someone else might have experienced something similar and can advise us on the best course of action. I feel weird booking an interview without having my medical.

Thoughts?

K-1 visa does NOT permit working for 90 days. You either need EAD or Green Card to work legally.

Now that's what I thought, originally, but he convinced me otherwise.

Thanks for clearing that up

I've been talking to my fiance (Petitioner) a lot about the cost of applying for things/moving and the topic of working on the K1 came up. I was hoping we could get some clarification from you guys because we're both a bit confused, despite reading multiple information sites.

Our understanding (please correct me if we're wrong):

- the K1 visa permits working for 90 days.

- when you file for AOS, also file for EAD which gives permission to work *after* the 90 days of the K1 visa are over

From what I read, the EAD takes between 60-90 days on average to be approved. So if we apply for AOS/EAD very quickly the EAD might be approved before the 90 day work permission via K1 visa is expired.

It seems pretty risky to get a job without the EAD because if it's not approved within 90 days I would have to quit or work illegally. But we definitely need me to work ASAP (we are using a co-sponsor and have a few thousand dollars of savings so far).

What is the best way to do this?

A) get a job under the K1 and pray the EAD is approved before it expires

B) wait for the EAD and then get a job

I'm not sure what option is best. My fiance thinks A and I think B.

We haven't even received our NOA2 but I'm already lying awake at night trying to plan the un-plannable. Any advice/information is much appreciated!

Thanks so much for reading

Thanks for the replies!

Yes!

Hi Everyone

My fiance (Petitioner) and I received our NOA1 in February and I'm trying to prepare myself for the interview while we wait for our NOA2 (fingers crossed!). I have been doing a lot of research about the medical aspect and had a few questions.

I looked at the list of vaccinations that are required and only have a few of them. I was wondering if I should go get them done before my medical or if not all of them are necessary. I'm Canadian (if that matters).

My other question is in regards to medical history. Over the past 4 years I have had to see a specialist because I started having a lot of pain for no obvious reason. I had a laparoscopy and still did not get a diagnosis. I have had multiple blood and other tests and everything comes back normal. My specialist and I have worked together to find that I just have an ovary that causes pain for no obvious medical reason. She has told me this can happen and has suggested how to deal with my pain. I am going to see my specialist on friday and was wondering if I should get a letter from her detailing what she thinks the problem is and the treatment she has prescribed. The USCIS information site I read states that I should have a letter describing any on-going medical conditions and treatment.

Would a pain condition be substantial reason to deny my visa? Other than having chronic pain, I am in perfect health. I've held a job for 3 years and completed a university degree so it doesn't prevent me from supporting myself. I'm so scared that pursuing my medical treatment might impact our application but everyone tells me the medical is more to weed out those with communicable diseases, STDs, etc.

The USCIS information site also states that you should bring all of your medical records to the Medical Exam. True/False?

Any information or advice would be much appreciated. Thank you so much for reading!

Hello!

We are just beginning a long journey and I wanted some advice on when my fiancee and I should think of applying. I've been reading a lot of information on the website but was hoping for some feedback for our situation.

My fiancee (American) and I (Canadian) both recently graduated university and have been working minimum wage jobs. My fiancee (who would be the applicant) has been accepted to do a teacher training program that will be starting shortly and lasts for one year. I am currently working full-time retail and applying for jobs that are specific to my degree. My fiancee has focused on school and got his job in February right after he graduated and will continue working part-time while he does his one year of teacher training.

My question is: is it pointless to apply for the fiancee visa before he gets a higher paying job?

We have thought about asking his parents to cosponsor but I am worried that the lack of past income on his part would look really bad for us. It is his first job because he has always focused on school and used scholarships to pay for tuition and other expenses. Does the fact that he has a degree and is going back to school count for anything?

Just hoping for some feedback and advice that will help get us ready to apply.

Thank you very much for your time