UnhappyVictimAmer

Yes i was tired from standing outside and when i got inside, the locket 5 had not open yet. When it opened, i thought she would call us, so i was waiting for half hour until i think that i need to stand and go there by myself without waiting she asked me to do so. How was your POE experience anyway?

Our POE was Atlanta and it wasn't very nice to go through. It seemed like there were a thousand armed immigration officers and we still had to wait in line to see one. There's no water available anywhere and we didn't have any in our carry ons, also the airline would not sell bottles to us. No liquids allowed in carry ons. After seeing an officer to check our papers we were personally escorted by an armed guard into an office where there were three others waiting for entry approval and processing. This took about 40 minutes and we still had to catch another plane to go to our final destination. She was approved and processed without any problems and we went to get our baggage to check it onto the next flight. Make sure you have an address to give to immigration. The man in front of us didn't have one and it caused problems. There was no help available at the baggage claim area which was huge and totally confusing. No signs anywhere. There was one security guard in the whole place. And because we were delayed by immigration, everyone had already taken their bags so our bags were left there unattended. We also had oversize baggage that was no where to be found. Couldn't find anyone to ask where it was. It was delayed by customs not communicating with the airlines what they were doing. They took apart all our bags and searched them behind closed doors. We just flew all this way through all kinds of security and scanners and NOW they decided to open everything up before our next local flight? The airlines, the security guard, and the airport staff were all giving us confusing and wrong info and had us running back and forth from one side of the building to the other to find our bags. Had to pull our four bags that we found with us everywhere. I thought our other bags were stolen. Then a customs agent comes out and says the bags are getting processed to our next flight. We then had to go through all the scanners and security again one more time and then find our next flights gate. Finally we found a store that had water for sale and we began to celebrate. Atlanta and the whole system sucks but we made it somehow. It won't be that bad for you if you don't have much baggage and you don't have a connecting flight within two hours.

Got the Embassy about 6.15 am. Already many people there. Long line. The first guard checks the passport wether the pic on it same with our real face or not. Second guard checks our appointment email.

Enter the embassy finally. They checked our bag. Electronic stuffs were taken by the guards and they gave us a number paper for taking back them when we gonna leave the embassy.

Fiance visa goes to the room which has short stair, or in front of locket 3 where another people submit their papers (i saw tourist visa applicant queue in cashier outside). If you see the locket 5 opens, just stand in front of it, otherwise the lady thinks there is not applicant. They didnt call you, but u have to stand in front of the locket by ourselves. They checked my papers. I forgot to attach the copy of my birth certificate (i attach the original one), so she asked me to copy it at Locket 6. The fee of the copy for one single paper is Rp 9.000 or around US$1 (Expensive). I gave the copy to the lady in Locket 5. She asked wether is it okay that she took the original copy of my fiance's divorce paper?. I said, just take it.

She asked me to pay the fee at locket 6 then back to her and gave her the receipt. The fee is Rp 3.150.000

She said i have problem with my passport name. It was not exactly same as in petition. I show her an email from embassy that they told me it was okay, then why now it become problem?. She seemed didn't wanna take my reason. She asked me to just have interview but i need to make a correction for my passport name. She put a yellow paper on my passport page 4 with a correction name requirement. I wonder, did the email responder educated enough about what they doing?.

She asked me to wait then. One word for the lady; sour. She was nice to another applicants who went there with their US Citizen (Should we always count on US Citizen to make them respect us?).

I waited for about 20 minutes before having the finger prints. The CR1 applicant who came one hour later than me was called before me. I was dissapointed but i think that passport name made them to delay my interview. Ten minutes after the CR1 applicant finished her interview, they called me for interview.

The interviewer is a Chinese woman. She asked me to make an oath by raising my right hand. She is nicer than the lady at Locket 5. Then she asked some questions:

1. When i met my fiance?

2. Where did i meet my fiance?

3. Did he married before?

4. Does he has any kid?

5. When he divorce?

6. Where is he come originally?

7. Where does he stay now? Oh, that city? It's beautiful city, she said.

8. What does he do for a living?

9. How many times he visit you?

10. How long he stay here for every visit?

11. Where is the place of his divorce take place?

She questioning me while she was typing on her keyboard and checking my papers. She didnt even take a look at the huge file of proof of ongoing relationship. Even our pics.

"Everything is okay with the petition, but we need you to correct your name on passport. Have it same like on the petition. Drop your passport with correction name at Friday or Monday then we gonna issue your visa" she said. She gave me a paper called Requesting for Further Information and the mark on it is "Passport Correction Name".

I left Embassy at 10.00 am.

I am still not relieve until i get the visa but that was pretty good.

Tomorrow i will go to Embassy again to drop my passport with the Correction Name. The immigration put a note on Endorsement Page about Additional Name as the Embassy requested.

You must have been standing outside for a long time waiting to get in since they open at 8 am. Speaking of waiting, you still have to take the plane trip and then wait for immigration to approve you when you get to the U.S. at your POE. Good luck and congrats!

No. They wanted a permission form from immigration before they would let me leave. From my experience Indonesian immigration does whatever they want, they don't follow ANY rules even the ones posted on the wall inside immigration offices or written in their policy by their government on their own websites, or the policy written inside any resident control books. These guys were completely out of line and either stupid beyond belief or intentionally harassing a foreigner from the USA.

WOW. We are trying to digest this - were they asking for a permission from your "sponsor" to leave like they do in the mideast?

That is correct. It was like a staging area and then after going through all that customs security and waiting for immigration, we then had to go through security AGAIN to get to our gate. There was a 45 minute delay with some of our bags that added to it all. Shoes off twice. Once in Tokyo and again in Atlanta to fly to Daytona. We never left any terminal since departing Indonesia but still had to go through full security again and again.

Yes the DCF is really fast in Indonesia. Our interview was scheduled within a few days after I sent them an email saying our paperwork was completed. It was all the flying that we didn't like. Two of the worse airports in the world, smoke filled hot and poor service. The pilots seem to be only able to fly by sight because one time during the rain I noticed the whole plane was tipping back and forth and going up and down wandering like the pilot didn't know how to fly by using the instruments which is scary.

Yes our

akte perkawinan was asked for. I think only one. They will want to see the original book with a copy of it. We had some of it translated but the lady took that and gave it back to us without reading it. Make sure you have original documents, birth certificates, divorce, marriage, passport, with a copy. They didn't care to see the xray, only the exam paperwork in the sealed envelope from the doctor. My wife speaks english but the consulate officer during the interview switched languages a few times during the interview so yes they will speak Indonesian.

I completely came over prepared with too many documents that they never asked for.

The embassy is a confusing maze. You'll see. Good luck!

i understand, He was let off the plane in a staging area for customs, there often is no place to buy food or water, it is simply a gate, a hallway, a baggage claim and then long lines for customs, PDX(portland OR, my home city/airport) looks like that too at the POE

Anyway congratz!! wow, i should have done DCF man that is amazingly fast!

Did you need to give them your akte perkawinan? did you give both suami and istri copies?of just one?

also how is the embassy? is it easy do you think for a non english speaking indonesian to navigate it?

Here's my review of the consulate in Jakarta Indonesia,

"I really can't complain too much because of the small amount of time it took from Directly filing the I-130 petition to getting the visa. (about 4 weeks) The system is NOT set up for people that live outside of Jakarta though. We flew back and forth 850 miles SIX times and it's impossible in Jakarta with all the grid lock traffic to make any early morning appointments. We over prepared our documents and took along way too much. Again, we can't complain however it was not a flawless process."

Besides being harassed by Indonesian Immigration before departing the country, we also had a slight problem in Singapore before boarding our Delta flight to the U.S. The customs agent at the transfer desk requested a brown bag from my wife. We were confused and he finally said he wanted to see her immigration folder that the Jakarta embassy gave her with her visa. Then he asked if we opened it or tampered with it and of course we said no but he found some places on the envelope that looked like it was tampered with! I said that's the way the embassy gave it to us. The envelope had a messed up side that was white and not brown for some reason but it was not opened. He agreed and approved her to continue the trip.

The POE point of entry was Atlanta. Everything went smooth there with immigration. We were thirsty though. You can't take liquids on the plane and Atlanta didn't have any water available until after you cleared immigration AND customs. So we could have used some water and help with our baggage at the Atlanta baggage claim area and customs area. No one around except one security guard. So I hope you are in good shape like us or you will faint from exhaustion because it's a lot of walking.

She got her social security card already. Ten days. Still waiting for the actual green card.

We are happy and loving it here in the USA

After receiving her visa everything seemed to be going OK until minutes before boarding the plane. The Indonesian immigration detained us and harassed us saying that I needed a permission form to leave. They brought us to an office and told us to sit down and wait, three different times we were told to sit down. We waited over an hour with no explanation. They would not take bribes and they said there were no fees or fines that I could pay. Waiting and waiting, I got up and went to the door and saw the same men just standing around not working on anything. I motioned for them to come and read something. I had a residence visa and the control book clearly reads that all that is required to leave the country is to turn in the control book to them. This was written in Indonesian and English. I told the first man earlier that I had no intentions on returning and that they could take my visa book. Then they stopped talking to me and demanded that my wife hand write a letter saying that I will not enter the country again with my visa book. This conversation went on for another hour and she was told to rewrite it three more times because the man kept making changes to it. They made HER sign it not me but not until they fumbled around their offices for a tax stamp for 45 minutes. Then they wanted copies of all passports and marriage certificates. At first the head officer said that I couldn't leave today and that I needed to go talk to the city immigration office that would open up two days later on Monday and that it would take a week or longer to get permission.

We boarded the plane just minutes before taking off.

This took place at the airport in the city of Medan, the worse airport I have ever been to in my life.

I think you should request that your case be expedited due to their error. If the case is now moved to the London embassy call them and tell them you want your case expedited because of an NVC error.

Here's the thing about the medical exam. Each embassy has their own list of authorized doctors that they will accept the exam results and paperwork from. They are usually local doctors offices near the embassy. It's possible that a letter of acceptance from the Dublin embassy stating the facts might be acceptable but probably not.

Yes, there will be a problem. At least one complete tax return or tax return transcript is required. She can order the tax transcript but since it's not time for the affidavit of support yet, I would wait and get a complete copy of the full 2010 tax return.

You keep using terms like "using" and "relying on" with regard to the affidavit. The key is to accurately complete the affidavit and properly document both the income and assets, then let the Consular officer "rely on" what they decide to rely on. I've given you some information about what they are unlikely to "rely on" which is the equity in an elderly parent's primary residence.

OK get the house out of your head already. Yes it is time because I'm filing DCF and all is to be completed now. Is there any evidence/examples of anyone being rejected because their joint sponsor didn't include a 1099 form with a copy of their tax record and had no intentions on using income listed on the tax record, only cash assets that are verified more than 10 times the 125% poverty guidelines.

Last names being different doesn't matter, as she wouldn't even need to be a relative to co-sponsor.

It doesn't matter whether she puts her house or investments on the form, whatever assets put her over the 125% poverty line times 5, though some embassies do not like taking a sponsor's only house, as it is their home, especially in the current economic climate. Should she be called upon as a co-sponsor, ie to pay the government money, all her assets are on the line, no matter what she put on the form. Getting the house appraised should not be difficult- if she cannot organise it, you may be able to look at Yellow Pages online, find an assessor and make the phone call. For the investments, her bank/ investment firm should be able to send out a letter stating current assets.

I've got all the assets in order with supporting documents for the joint sponsor except those attachment forms that go with the copy of the tax returns. I've struggled to get my mom to get copies of her last tax returns from her accountant she finally managed to get them but now I realize that they did not include the attached forms like 1099's etc. She is collecting social security and my deceased dad's pension but Since we are only relying on her assets and not her income, is there going to be a problem when we go for the interview if we don't show those forms and instead show just the tax returns?

I filed my original in october and i was and am still able to view the status as initial review. I cancelled this petition to file a new petition direct through the embassy and the USCIS still shows the same status so either there's a long delay to change what's available to us on their website or the USCIS is taking a long time.

Sorry, your question seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle.

An approved petition is valid for four months. A US consulate has the authority to extend the approval in four month increments, and they'll often do so automatically. They usually won't extend the approval more than one year beyond the date it was originally approved.

Once a petition is submitted to USCIS, unless an RFE is issued at some point, no further action is required from the petitioner. If USCIS approves it then it will go to NVC, and ultimately to the consulate. In that case, she would need to know the consulate's case number (assigned by NVC) in order to find out if the petition has expired. If the petitioner withdrew the petition before it was approved then it's not likely either one of you would be able to find out anything about it.

Common sense is that you don't grant someone a k1 visa when they are on their second different petitioner within one year. I think that was the concern. Also wouldn't homeland security red flag the whole thing when they see someone getting petitioned by two different people? How did the second petition get to interview so quick? If the first petition was from six months earlier and made it to nvc then it sounds like the second petition was filed at close to the same time right? Why was an interview appointment even made for the second petition or were they using the appointment from the first petitioner? omg!

I recently withdrew my first petition because I found out that I qualified to file direct through the embassy. After emailing and calling the USCIS several times, I determined that the only way to make sure that it would get cancelled was to send in a request in writing. I even questioned what address to send it to and was told over the phone to use the address on the acceptance form. Hopefully the USCIS won't drag their feet too long or we might have the same problem when we go for the interview. If anyone knows more info on this help us out.

I bet you do both your I864 and your co-sponsors I864 to play safe.

Actually I'm going to have my mom file joint sponsor since money with her is not the issue. I can't find any benefit of having her to file co sponsor. It would be easier to file joint. She was remarried and she would have to dig up documents showing her relationship to me which while it's not impossible, it would be a challenge to guide her.

After we gave the lady all of our original documents in Toronto(BC, marriage license, etc), we got a piece of paper that says (I've streamlined this), "YOUR IMMIGRANT PETITION (I-130) HAS BEEN ACCEPTED - WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? and it goes on to say, I am the beneficiary....your I-130 will be sent to Montreal for further processing. DHS must check it's data base then DHS will advise Montreal within 2-3 weeks after filing if there is any objection. If no objection, the I-130 petition will be approved in Montreal to then apply for a Visa. Montreal will create a IV case file 2-3 weeks after receiving your I-130. The package you will receive will have a step-by-step process to follow. Return the DS 230 part 1 asap. Then onto photos and medical evidence. Then interview."

I have a receipt that she stapled on this piece of paper with a receipt # for the filing fee ($355) but that's it. The only thing I take from this is that we have all of our documents in order but we still aren't really approved in any shape or form, because Montreal is the one making the decision, not Toronto...all they do is just take scans of the original documents so we didn't have to mail them.

So....is this still the NOA1? I am so confused!!!

You are lucky they didn't make you fly to Montreal to file. In my case I had to fly 850 miles. You should call Montreal and at least find out if your case was received. Yes it sounds like you are still at the NOA1 (received, accepted)level because the embassy that you gave your paper work to does not process any I-130 applications but they were allowed to accept the application. If you visit the embassy's website in Montreal it gives a long timeline of 6 to 12 months so they must be very busy. Note that the fee is now $420. Go here for their detailed process, http://www.consular.canada.usembassy.gov/immigration_usa_relative.asp

Good luck.

I'm still trying to decide which is best. I will need my mom to help sponsor my wife because I'm unemployed even though my tax return shows well above the guidelines. I filed DCF and am currently living in my wife's country with her. I guess a co sponsor combines income to meet the guidelines and has to be related and living at the same place. A joint sponsor doesn't need to be related but must meet the guidelines on their own right? Anyone have any experience with either of these?

Husband (USC) and I sent our I-130 to Toronto embassy on Sept. 12. We had our first appointment with them on November 19, where they "approved" our I-130, to be sent off to the Montreal embassy where we are now waiting for the official approval. So, does that mean that our first appt in Toronto was our NOA1??? Or would the package from Montreal be the NOA1?

Also, the paper they handed us that explained (barely) the next steps said we should be receiving the package from Montreal in 4-6 weeks. It is now going on 9 weeks. I know a lot of holidays fell in between. I'm trying not to think about it too much because I know it can take a while, but what is a realistic timeline at this point to be looking at? I can be patient if I kinda know what to expect, LOL

Thanks!

They usually get approved that day or very soon. If they stamped it approved and signed off on your documents in front of you then it's basically approved and they are checking things out. NOA1 is notice of acceptance. NOA2 is approved. Neither take place when you file direct at your embassy that is authorized to handle these. Are you sure that you gave them your correct contact information? Visit the embassy's website online and find out their phone number and what hours/days they answer inquiries and call them. If there are many others that filed along with you then it's going to take some time. Ask them when you call about how long it's been taking them. Make sure you call the embassy that is authorized to handle immigration that is closest to you and ask if they have your case. Good luck and keep us updated

Jakarta Embassy ROCKS!! Awesome people there to say the least. The I-130 petition is paid for and approved!

My original petition filed with USCIS was cancelled via email, phone, and in writing. Anyone else cancelling, you should probably send it in writing to the address on the receipt I-797 form if you want to make sure it's cancelled. No refunding your money back either.

You have to be residing in Jakarta for 6 months before you can do a DCF at the embassy. If you are flying there how do you meet that requirement ?

Unfortunately the closest U.S. embassy that processes visas is in Jakarta. I arrived here on a sponsored visa in July ...the end of June and got married and have been living here since then with my wife. I got my KITAS resident permission card in November giving me permission to stay one year.

I hope I qualify. I called and talked to someone at the embassy and they wanted to make sure I had my KITAS card and I said that I did. I've been here almost 7 months.

ok - i'm officially confused -

you were supposed to include a regular photocopy of the CERTIFIED divorce decree, with the I-130 submittal.

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Going Forward, you can file DCF I-130 with USEmbassy-Jakarta 6 months after yer arrival date.

You are correct. I called to make sure. Thanks!

I have been here more than six months and I do qualify to file DCF. We will be going for the CR-1 which is the conditional green card issued to alien spouses that have not been married more than 2 years. Am I right?

I spent hours researching document delivery options. I ended up visiting the state website to get my divorce decree and from there I was directed to www.vitelchek.com They can get certified documents like divorce decrees and mail them to you at any address worldwide charged to a credit card.

I decided to use the U.S. postal system for mailing documents from my mom. Here's how. I set up an account and linked my credit card.

I ordered free supplies like 10 Express Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes, with label forms, with customs forms, then large denomination stamps with face values of $5.00 (not free) and had them all delivered to my address which is her address also. By using the flat rate envelope I will know the exact postage each time of $29.95. So six $5 stamps will work. After she receives this I can call her and ask her to send me a document and fill out the forms, put six stamps on and then I'll call to have it picked up a day in advance, and she doesn't have to leave the house.

Once you apply for DCF the consulate at which you applied will send your new application for the USCIS to approve who will then cancel your pending application. I know this because my husband did DCF in Dec 2009 whilst we had a pending application at USCIS. The process is definitely faster as we have already received our package. I hope you get through soon.

Do you mean your husband did DCF in Dec 2010?

Thanks for the info and GOOD luck!! Keep in touch.

You mean DCF, moving this to the DCF forum.

Note most consulates require 6 months residency by US citizen in their consular district before filing a petition there. Your timeline shows 3 months at USCIS, filing DCF will cost you the filing fee and probably save you a month or so is all.

I guess I don't know how to get my timeline right. I've been here over six months and I qualify. The issue that I'm trying to bring up is how to cancel a petition because I'm sure this won't be the first time this will ever happen. I filed with the USCIS back in October.

Looks like process could take 8 to 10 months or more. I will have a chance of getting it done sooner by filing DFC. I am confident that the Jakarta Embassy can complete it quicker.

I'm cancelling my I-130 petition via email notice to the USCIS California Service Center. The embassy said an email or phone call was all that was needed to cancel. I will then be filing my I-130 DFC through the embassy here. I will fly to the Jakarta embassy Friday to file. Any comments are welcome.

usps.com - use yer credit card - do whatever you want, print the labels you need.

are you filing the I-130 via DCF, by any chance ?

OK thanks I'll check it out. I want to file it DCF but I don't know how to cancel my petition filed in the U.S. or how long that will take.

OK thanks guys...I guess I'll just leave it out without an explanation. @meb5 yeah there's a lot of bribing going on over here as a normal everyday way of business. For some reason when they see me the rates go up all the time

Hi! I filed in October and have a priority date of OCT 21st. Waiting for NOA2.

I'm a U.S. citizen that married an Indonesian. We both are living in Indonesia during the CR-1 process however I filed the petition with USCIS because I basically didn't know what I was doing. Just tried to get things moving without using an attorney. So I may have messed up and caused us to wait longer but I hope it will happen before summer.

Oh yeah I DID talk to an attorney AFTER I sent the petition on the phone for a free consultation. He asked me if my wife had her biometrics done and if I filed the I-485 at the same time as the I-130. After a few weeks of scrambling to get that done I found this forum and found out that this attorney was giving me wrong information. I would like to cancel my filing in the U.S. and file direct with this embassy but I don't know how to do it or how long it will take to cancel so I'm letting it ride.

Good luck to all you filers! We are headed to Florida when our day comes. We'd love to meet all you people someday!