Kimo3

Post #5 Karee.

What is the wait looking like for an interview at the BKK embassy? I read on their website it's 10-12 weeks. Is this accurate?

Thanks.

Now I feel rather retarded.

There are specific instructions for filling out the I-134F that are provided on their site.

I will type verbatim.

EXECUTION OF AFFIDAVIT

If you are sponsoring more than one alien, you must submit a separate Form I-134 for each alien. Form I-134 must be signed in your full name. (NOTE: Signing Form I-134 is under penalty of perjury under U.S. law) For this reason, it is not necessary to sign Form I-134 before a notary, nor to have your signature notarized after you sign it.

Glad that's cleared up!

Yes its best to get it notarized, good luck with the interview!

Thank you.

I'm hoping it comes rather soon. Our lawyer told me she has already applied for the appointment. The waiting period was advertised as 10-12 weeks out.... and it's only been 3 or 4. The wait begins again I guess.

Two questions here.

With the I-134F form.... when I sign it, do I have to sign it in the presence of somebody to make it official? Something like a notary? Or... is my signature good enough?

How do I perform a proper search of the forums? I see the filters at the bottom and the "Google" type search box at the top right but is there another method for doing an advanced forum search?

Thanks!

I set up for the USCIS email notification.

I received nothing from them the whole time. At the 5 month mark I called and was told to wait another 21 days. I waited the 21 days and called up again to initiate a service request.

That very same day I initiated the service request... the NOA-1 was approved online and updated. The email was sent to me the next day.

Go figure. *My experience anyway*

If your income qualifies then the bank info isn't needed.

So if we make well above the poverty line, the only thing they will need is the last years income tax return filed?

Nice! Glad they were able to give you your NVC case number over the phone. I kept calling the automated line to hear that my packet was not received.

When I got home though... I had a letter waiting that said not only had they received the packet, but had already forwarded it to the embassy. The problem is... my fiancee's address is tough for them to find so she has not yet received her packet 3. I'm hoping this is something the lawyer can put together, as she is going to be helping her fill it out anyway.

My fiancee goes to Bangkok on the 3rd to get the medical done and hopefully the police certificate (crosses fingers).

Good luck!

Best wishes to you Daryl & Jeep!

I just returned home from another trip to Thailand (Rayong) to see my fiancee. Upon my return I found the letter from the NVC telling me that the package was received and will be forwarded to the embassy in BKK. I have not received a reply (email) from the embassy as to whether they have received it yet or not.

So my fiancee is scheduled to go to BKK on the 2nd of March to meet with the lawyer and get the medical exam done and police certificate. She is supposed to help my fiancee fill out the paperwork for the packet 3... so I'm hoping no worries there.

WARNING: Lot of info here. I appreciate anybody who can wade through it though.

I have concerns about the I-134 affidavit of support though and I hope you guys can give me some feedback.

~~~ I was recently laid off from one of my employers (two jobs) and I don't start full time for the other one till tuesday! Even then I will be above the poverty line, I just won't have many paycheck stubs to show.

QUESTION: How many paycheck stubs will they want to see for this? Her interview date has not been set btw. She has yet to get the med exam, police cert and what not. Do I have enough time?

~~~ I have not yet filed my taxes for 2010. I know I am going to owe a little bit of money. The tax statement will show that I made WELL ABOVE the poverty line, but I will more than likely owe a little bit.

~~~ My 2009 tax return shows very little in taxable income... because I was in a combat zone. Problem is... the tax return itself does not show. Don't know why and I wasn't paying attention at the time. I DO however have the W2 and I DO have my deployment orders which show I was deployed for all of 2009. I would be willing to send these in to prove such.

QUESTION: Do I file the 2010 to show well above poverty line (even though I think I'll owe) or do I wait on that and send in the 2009, 2008, 2007 tax returns with the DEP orders showing I was deployed (non-taxable income)? *2008 & 2007 WELL ABOVE poverty line.

~~~ I have a bank statement showing I am in good standing but there isn't a whole lot sitting in savings right now. I have been meaning to sell some high value items that I don't use anymore that would remedy this... but I just haven't done it yet.

QUESTION: Should I sell what I have been meaning to and make the deposits and ask for ANOTHER statement showing a higher balance? How much do they want to see in savings for the I-134?

QUESTION: Is it the embassy personnel (doing the interview) that looks at the I-134 affidavit and other documents she prepares or somebody else prior to?

Thanks for the info.. I know it's over load.

You could be correct rsn. I may have to quit cold turkey. We are going to visit friends in Pattaya soon though. They may know where I can locate some swedish "almost" chewing tobacco.

We'll see.

On the bright side... we'll be going to Koh Larn island.

If it's going to be sweltering hot, where else to be than right there near the beach right? Man do I like this place!

It would seem that I did not plan accordingly. I did not bring enough chewing tobacco with me.

My question is:

Would it be legal to ask my brother to FedEx me a couple rolls of Copenhagen Long Cut tobacco (10 cans). It's not for resale but for personal use.

Is this possible?

I've been scouring the internet trying to locate any shops that might offer something. There are a few "maybes" in Pattaya but that's about it.

Anybody have this done? Using FedEx to have tobacco shipped to you in Thailand? If so, what precautions did you take?

If it's not possible... what's my next option, aside from cold turkey?

Thanks in advance.

Nice Kimo, I went to Rayong about this time last year. Did you go to Koh Samet?

I liked going and buying seafood when the boats come in to the dock and then taking it to one of the little shacks by the beach for a nice breakfast.

Yep. Went to Koh Samet and a few of the other islands around there. Next up is Chang island. Going to spend a week or so unwinding before we head to get the police certification and see about the medical exam.

I still can't get over the food. I've had to keep a little diary (should have done this the first time) of the food I like.

Sawasdee krub from Rayong!

This is exactly what we both needed to ease the tension. Get away from the nonsense whilest we wait for the NVC to do their thing and forward the package to the Embassy.

Even though I need the exercise... I wish I could have brought my motorcycle.

And the food! If there were shops like this back home... walking distance from my house, I'd be in BIG trouble!

Mandatory photo.

and packet will be checked, once again, for additional background checks.

That's what I was looking for. I was asking what the NVC does with the packet. This particular information wasn't available on the NVC website.

Thanks Aztec&Taino!

I'm hoping time doesn't run out because I'm going to be in Thailand for 3 weeks starting on the 4th of February. I will miss the physical mail they send me. I will check in via phone though. I'm hoping the package is forwarded straight to the embassy with no problems.

Now I just have to work on this troublesome I-134.

Great info!

Another question without posting a new topic, sorry.

I made well above the poverty guide lines for 2010, BUT... I might owe the IRS a little bit. How does this effect the process?

Is there a time window for the medical and police certificate for Thai filers? ie: not before the consulate gets the package? No sooner than 2 weeks before interview? etc.

I am about to fly out and we JUST got our NOA-2. Could I take the NOA-2 and get the police cert for my fiancee?

What about the medical? Is there a form the consulate sends her for that or can that be done at certain medical offices regardless?

As the title states. Our petition was approved and sent to the NVC.

I have visited the NVC site and browsed through their FAQs... as well as the FAQs on VJ and done a few searches but I cannot find the details.

What does the NVC do with our petition / package?

During my search... I read that the NVC has actually sent out RFEs to people. So this only makes me more inquisitive.

Thanks for the info.

This is the year that we will all be reunited with our loved ones.

I believe this! Good luck to all in their endeavor!

I called and woke my fiancee up with the good news about the petition approval. She was groggy at first... till I told her it was approved. Talk about waking up at a high rate of speed! She must have done a back-flip out of her bed.

That and I informed her I purchased the tickets to Thailand to fly out on the 3rd of February and stay 3 weeks. The excitement in her voice put me on top of the world!

Congratulations!

Here's the VJ FlowChart for the K1.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

From NOA-2, the package is sent to NVC. You can call them (1-2 weeks) to inquire about your petition and receive your case number. At this time, the petitioner should start the I-134 affidavit of support.

After the NVC is finished doing their thing, they send it to the consulate (embassy). The embassy then sends a check list to the fiancee, which needs to filled out and returned.

Then... the fiancee will get a medical exam and police certificate. This is followed by an interview date. It's at the interview that the actual visa will be granted or denied.

This is from what I've read on the guides and FAQs. If I'm wrong... please somebody correct me.

That's it? Pay for her Medical, police report and consulate fee?

Thank you for the information and the link. I assume the other fees are encountered when we re-enter the US together as a couple... such as AOS and what not.

So.... my next question is....

I'm traveling to Thailand on Feb 3 to stay with her for 3 weeks. I should be able to get the NVC case number by then.

Should we try to get the medical and police certification out of the way while I am there?

Maybe you guys can help me out with this. I've been surfing through the guides and FAQs trying to find a layout of the fees for the various forms that are required when filing for a K1 visa.

There is the I-129F fee... which is paid. I just received the NOA-2 and I'm trying to prepare for the upcoming fees.

I went to the NVC site and I'm not finding a layout of fees for them. I'm not filling an I-130 because we're not related. I know I have to file the I-134 Affidavit of support and USCIS site shows no fee for that.

What fees are associated with the NVC?

What fees are associated with the Embassy and interview?

If there's a page for this on VJ... I apologize I missed it. Could somebody point me in the right direction so I can begin researching?

Thanks!

Congrats Supercool!

Inky: Thanks for the heads up. I called to put in a service request and within an hour the website (NOT the customer service rep) had updated to show I was approved with a date of 1/27/2011.

I will call NVC before I leave for Thailand just to check if it had been sent out earlier and they do in fact have a case number for us.

Hatem: I spoke to tier 1. While they couldn't give me details about the petition (approved or not) she was more than helpful filing the service request. It was AFTER that (same day, about an hour) that I found out the petition was approved.

If you get a tier 1 representative that doesn't want to help... call back after 5-10 minutes and try a different rep. Remember to be respectful and polite as they are the ones who can issue a service request.

Good luck.

I went through Expedia (just as the first trip).

I am flying out of Colorado Springs CO and arriving in BKK. The total cost out the door was 1265 for the round trip using Delta.

I played around with the dates, which is how I found the lower fare. I wanted to leave on the 1st of February but that was 1600. Leaving two days later saves me over 300$.

The only thing I need to secure now... are some good sleep aides. I'm not of the ideal travel size. At 6'3" tall and 245lbs... it's hard to be totally comfortable in those seats for a 10hr flight.

I'm hoping this and the last trip will add up with the rewards points so that next time I can get the two round trip tickets without breaking bank.

3 weeks in Thailand w/ my lady FTW!

Thank you thank you.

Something to remember when you're calling: Every representative is different. Some will help, others are a sham.

If you're having difficulty with one particular tier 1... be polite and call right back 5 minutes later. Different representative this time.

Both times I had tier 1. Both times they were helpful and polite. The second time she was more than willing to file the service request and for some odd reason... it was already approved. She couldn't find this information but it was updated on the USCIS website in a about an hour after the service request. You got me on that one though... it's confusing.

UPDATE:

After Nate's post, I figured I would log into the USCIS site and update to receive text updates.

AND....

The case had been touched... TODAY.

I click on the receipt number to look out of sheer curiosity and BAM! I-129F APPROVED! Mailed out today (yeah... okay )

So the service calls actually work! For those getting close to or beyond their 5 month mark, CALL THEM!

Even though I haven't heard from CSC yet and we're past our 5 month mark (filed service request today), I went ahead and purchased my tickets for Thailand. I really want to see her.

Dropping back to an earlier conversation... is $1265.00 a good price for round trip tickets to BKK? I'm flying out of CO.

Not that I can change it now (dates were not dynamic right now)... I'd like to know for future visits. I have to fly back out when her visa is approved to bring her home and we'll be visiting Thailand after that because she has family there and I like Thailand.