keelec

I was looking at the K1 processing times listed at the various service centers. It looks like they may be improving, ever so slightly.... I am stunned. Of course, that is everywhere, except California Processing Times (https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/ptimes.jsp?)? CSC - I-129F - Nov 25, 2003 - 5.5 mo NSC - I-129F - Jan 27, 2004 - 3.5 mo TSC - I-129F - Feb 20, 2004 - 2.5 mo VSC - I-129F - Mar 24, 2004 - 1.5 mo MSC - I-129F (K3/4) - Jan 27, 2004 - 3.5 mo Are these dates real? Rumor has it that NVC has also sped up the processing significantly in the last few months... Now 2-4 weeks is not uncommon. It almost makes me want to start the whole process over again ----- Clifford -----

shui niu, I would agree that the decision to get married first or later is a very personal choice. I had anticipated applying for the K1 fiancee visa, then having my fiancee here a few months later. Having her meet my parents. Do some dating and touring together, then assuming everything was peachy, getting married in the USA. Of course, that was nearly a year and a half ago. But, I still want both of us to be sure that everything is right before making the final comittment. As far as better or not???? Speed is about the same. Risk of complications in the processing are about the same. And, I think that overall cost is about the same. The biggest difference seems to be that the K3 visa gives a multiple entry visa. K1 gives a single entry visa. Thus, if she came in on a K3 visa, she could return to China (or travel elsewhere with you) immediately in case the need arises. With K1, she would have to wait for Advanced Parole which can take anywhere from a month to several months to get. I am not sure what is required for work authorization for the two. ----- Clifford ----

Rob, Buried somewhere near the bottom of the Rumpus Room, you will find a post simply named "300".... The message was "ignore this". It only generated over 1000 replies for a total of 70 pages.... THAT IS THE WORST THING TO EVER SAY ON THIS BOARD As far as your plan for a tourist visa..... It is very difficult to obtain once the woman is married to an American Citizen. One of the basic requirements to obtain a tourist visa is to demonstrate "Strong Ties" to China, and absolutely no intention to immigrate to the USA. In theory, business and student visas should be similar. If she is already planning to imigrate to the USA, that would be a problem. It certainly would be even a bigger problem if the CR1/K3 applications are already in process. An entry into the USA while the CR1/K3 are in progress might even cause other issues to occur. On the various forms, there will be questions like "are you married?" Names of spouses, previous trips to the USA, & etc. Those fields will have to be filled out accurately and completely. If you lie about anything, you will be spending many sleepless nights trying to cover your own tracks. A few months ago, a man wrote on the board that his fiancee had lied about being married to someone else on a tourist visa application, then was wondering how to clean that mess up for the K1 visa application. I wonder how the case turned out, but he certainly found himself in a place shoveling dung out of a pit, and the more he shoveled out, the more that was falling back in on top of him. It is possible that you have some other ideas. Perhaps the easiest thing would be to try to have your wife join a tourist or business group for travel on a guided tour, or perhaps to a business meeting or academic conference. I have to warn you to be extremely cautious and don't get either of your hopes up too high. Otherwise, plan on a 6 month to 1 year (or more) wait for her visa. ----- Clifford -----

I am not sure it is the FBI that shrouds everything with secrecy, although I am sure they don't help either. Individual cases are essentially CLASSIFIED as they relate to "Homeland Security". Somewhere I found a link that described the needs to protect the sources of information. I will try to track that down sometime soon. Because of this Homeland Security stuff, the process takes on a life of its own. ----- Clifford ------

That is MONDAY!!!! So, do you think the lines will start forming before midnight????

Well, I definitly don't disagree. BUT, You are asking GZ to be reasonable. Bwahahahahaha! Oh, sorry! But that isn't going to happen! Patrick Yes, there is a difference between the comittment of a marriage and that of an engagement. Yet, both couples should be able to demonstrate a valid relationship. Telephone calls, E-mail, visits, common interests, etc. There are likely as many "marriages of convenience" with the women coming into the USA married as coming in as a K1. GZ has to identify these "false marriages" and block them without overly burdoning those with "real" relationships. If your relationship is REAL, you should be ok. ----- Clifford -----

Mari, Thanks for the warm wishes. Yes, I can vaguely remember your first post.... I sent a reply that you weren't alone, and to try to track down Kim. I think the two of you eventually became good online friends. Anyway, I am glad to hear that your case has been moving along too. ----- Clifford -----

Aw, Heck, I thought I would start a contest to see who could have the longest wait from BCIS approval to P3.... I am at 10 months and counting now.... Mark, why don't you shoot for a year Of course, we have a couple CR-1 applicants on the Candle who have waited for 2 years for their visas ----- Clifford ------

Dave, One other thing to think about. You can approach making contacts in a couple of ways. 1) Make sure as many people as possible know that the "system" is inappropriate. 2) Follow your case, but save "resources" for when you really need them. Apparently the FBI used to be relatively quick with their responses. I had to wait over 2 weeks for a case status update because of the heavy call volume. Perhaps many of the calls are routine status updates from people going through the NVC.... Yet, some are from those that are stuck. Unfortunately, we can't wait forever either.... What did I do as soon as I got a reply from the FBI?.... I called DOS and sent an e-mail to Moscow. Think about things in this prospective. If there are 30,000 K1 and K3 visa applications / year. If each person calls DOS an average of 5 times, that is over 150,000 phone calls for status updates. Think about the load difference if they are 1 minute calls versus 5 minute calls. I noticed last fall when GZ was taking 3-4 months to process the P3 packets, whenever there were any hints about possible changes, suddenly everyone waiting would call GZ for a status update the next day. Of course, a well designed electronic system with e-mail and WWW updates would significantly reduce the call traffic. Anyway, my point is to be conscientious about your use of resources as you may be the one who really needs someone to help you out. ----- Clifford ------

Dean, So, my question is: Should a person filing the I-130 in Vermont also send the I-129F to Missouri, or could they just file the I-130 and save the additional money that would have been sent with the K3 application? ----- Clifford -----

David, Contacting your representatives may have a positive, a negative, or a neutral spin on your application. If you sent your app to California, Texas, or Nebraska, sending a note to the rep before 6 months is over is unlikely to do anything for your applicaton, positive, negative, or otherwise. If, on the otherhand, you have your rep contact GZ too early, it is possible that the consulate could slow down the processing of your case rather than speeding it up. In my case, I was nieve about procedures..... I thought "approved" at BCIS actually meant something so I scheduled a trip to see my honey over Labor Day last year, hoping that everything would be finished at that time. Well, as the app got stuck at NVC for over a month and my trip was rapidly approaching, I talked to a congressman for the first time. A few days later my case moved from NVC to Moscow (perhaps because of the congressman, perhaps it was just time). However, as soon as it arrived in Moscow, it became STUCK for the last 8.5 Months. Yesterday, it finally budged a few hairs forward. I have contacted 2 congressmen and 2 senators. (ok, their aides). Most of them specialized in immigration issues, but seemed to have little knowledge about "the system", and were unable to do anything for my case other than inquire about the current status (which I could easily do). One senator's aide told me that my fiancee's case appeared "odd". She was young. Never married, only had gone to Moscow since meeting me.... The only thing remarkable about the case was being stuck for an endless amount of time. Despite that, she had no real interest in helping. One senator sent a letter to someone high up in DOS where my application was actually stuck. I don't know the effects of that letter. Why did my case get the FBI approval? - It was "time"??? That would be one heck of a coincidence. - The FBI approval wasn't the issue, and the case had already been approved by the FBI. - I made enough inquiries that someone noticed the case was "odd" - My fax to the FBI added stimulis for it to budge. - Somehow there was a transcription error of my finacee's name and it was recorded as Joseph Stalin.... Finally cleared up by my fax to the FBI. - The letter from ONE senator to the secretary of something at DOS actually made a difference. Anyway, if you are "at the end of your rope"... Contact your senators and congressmen. If you are within 10% of the "normal" timeline, it is best not to bother them. The one thing that the senators and congressmen seem unwilling to approach is to FIX THE PROBLEM THAT CAUSED US TO WRITE OR VISIT. Oh, and I have a nice history calendar that one congressman sent me, along with a form letter addressed to "Greetings", explaining how important my issues were without naming the issues. Other people on the Candle on the candle pointed out how fitting of a gift a calendar was for a person stuck in an endless wait. ----- Clifford -----

Irina is supposed to have school until late July, with final exams and practicums coming up soon. I may try to get her interview scheduled for the last week of July, and go and visit her for a week or so before the interview. Hopefully she will be able to come home with me. We'll see if they give any choice for interview dates. ---- Clifford ----

Well, I called the DOS today. As usual, they didn't have much info. However, they did confirm that a "Cable" had in fact been sent to Moscow, but so far no action has been taken on it. I've fired off an e-mail to Moscow.... I wonder if my case will still be under Additional Administrative Processing???? I will try the "normal" chanels first, then start making more phone calls late this week, or next week if I don't hear anything positive. Anyway, I will let you know of any additional progress. ----- Clifford -----

Hmmm, The wonderful efficiency of our government will never cease to amaze me. So they can cash the check within a few days. I assume that some information about the case is entered into the computer at that time. Yet, it takes a whole additional month to mail a computer generated form letter It is also interesting how each service center has very different processing priorities.... And, each consulate also has different methods and priorities.

Alex, I think Carl is right. It will be easiest if the daughter comes with her mother, but in theory, I think she can wait until she is 21 and then follow (with a new application). If she waits, verify that it is 21 and not 18. The K1/K2 visas will be good for 6 months after they are granted, so they can also travel when it is convenient. The two of them could easily wait until June or July before coming. I don't believe that there is any stipulation that the daughter must arrive on the same plane as the mother, and at 16, she should be able to travel alone. I don't know if a late arrival would foul up the AOS. I would assume it would be best for both to be in the USA before filing AOS. One thing to keep in mind. The K1 visa is a single entry visa. It may take up to 6 months before your fiancee will have the ability to return to China. Patrick had a heck of a headache with his wife and stepson. The OF-169 says that the child does not need a passport... WRONG.... GZ apparently does not follow their own instructions, and the child must have a passport. In general, the mother must also have sole custody of the child. Have a wonderful trip to China, and I wish the three of you a successful interview. ----- Clifford -----

Patrick..... Now that I think about it.... This is the first positive news about possible forward progress on my case since I joined the Candle last fall..... If it wasn't so painful, one would have to laugh about the messes our government makes. ------ Clifford ------

Thank you for all of your encouraging words. I will let you know what I find out from my Call to DOS tomorrow morning. Nobody has said which agency has caused my application to be stuck.... Sending a fax to the FBI was a shot in the dark, but they are the only agency that I know for sure has anything to do with the application process. Thus, I can't be certain that contacting them did anything useful (other than eliminating at least one agency from the list). Irina is finishing up her school year in July so I am hoping for a mid-July interview date..... But, the spring is flying by and summer is just around the corner. If we don't get the interview scheduled soon, we'll miss another summer together. ----- Clifford ------

Rob, Here is a thread that showed up a while ago about Texas: http://candleforlove.com/forums/index....6&hl=experiment http://www.ilw.com/lawyers/immigdaily/news...nfopassfsht.pdf If you are filing in Texas, then you definately need to read this carefully and follow up on it if possible as I think it discussed expediting the I-130 processing. Hmmm, it discusses showing up at the Dallas office and having the interview the same day.... Perhaps it doesn't apply if one can't legally show up at the Dallas office (there always has to be a catch somewhere). ----- Clifford ------

David, Ordinarily Texas is a very slow place to file the I-130. However, I just remembered a post a few weeks back: http://candleforlove.com/forums/index....6&hl=experiment http://www.ilw.com/lawyers/immigdaily/news...nfopassfsht.pdf You definately need to read this carefully and follow up on it if possible as I think it discussed expediting the I-130 processing. Hmmm, it discusses showing up at the Dallas office and having the interview the same day.... Perhaps it doesn't apply if one can't legally show up at the Dallas office ----- Clifford ------

Welcome Rob, Ok, for your roadmap.... AVOID ALL POTHOLES.... SOME OF THEM CAN BE VERY DEEP I actually filed K1. I think many things were similar, but there were some subtle differences between K1 and K3. And, of course, that was nearly a year and a half ago. You need to fill out forms I-130, and G-325a for each person in quadruplicate, (followed by I-129F and another set of G325a also for each person in quadruplicate) The I-130 and G-325a gets sent to your service center (is that Vermont???). After you get your reciept (I think), you send the I-129F to Missouri. Follow the instructions for the pictures and etc. I think it is 1 copy for each application. Make sure it is the 3/4 frontal image showing an ear (was that the right ear)? For the fiancee visa, you need a letter describing your intent. I assume it is the same for the K3. Some people write a single, combined letter. Others write individual letters. Include your divorce stuff as well as copies of your marriage documents. Also include a phone bill and a few pictures to show the two of you together. ----------- Ok, ONE BIG POTHOLE:.... Do not put N/A for previous work experience, or for previous husbands or wives. You should put in NONE. Another pothole.... Be consistent with your wife's name. If you use her married name, make sure the maiden name is listed, but be consistant using her married name. ----------- Ok, I believe that I have seen notes of those couples that have sent an I-130 to Vermont have observed their I-130 progressing at about the same pace as the I-129F. In that case, you could consider only filing one without the other and saving $160 something. However, redundancy in your applications may not be a bad idea.... If one gets stuck, perhaps the other one didn't. Everywhere else, the I-130 takes about 2 years..... Oh, with a single notable exception. I think I saw somewhere that Texas was doing some kind of an experiment for expedited I-130 apps. Anyway, I am sure that someone with more current and actual K3 experience will pipe up. ----- Clifford -----

Congratulations P.J. I am glad to hear that you have been making progress forward, and the end will be soon.... I think the list looks good for the P3. Make sure that you use the DS-230 and do not use the OF-230. I think K1 only needs part 1 of the DS-230. On the OF-169, you might write N/A (No convictions or prison terms) N/A (No Military Service) or something to that effect under lines 4 & 5. Send it all back ASAP and best of luck, OH, Double check that you use the exact same spelling of the name on the DS-230 as you used on the I-129F (and see on the GZ docs). I wish you have a speedy P4 processing and interview scheduled. ----- Clifford -----

I got an E-Mail from the FBI today Well, I checked the interview list.... Still no interview scheduled. I tried calling DOS when I saw the e-mail, but they are closed, so I will be calling first thing tomorrow morning. Of course, the FBI got the Fiancee / wife thing mixed up.... But, they are the FBI afterall, you wouldn't think that they could keep the details straight. So, I am just wondering.... Could this possibly be IT? ---- Clifford -----

Wendy, Welcome to the Candle. There are several couples on the Candle that are waiting for their P4 packets. I think Se Lang has been waiting for about a month or so, and a couple others have waited for a while. Perhaps GZ has fallen a bit behind on the processing of the P4 packets and the interviews, but hopefully they will try to push them out very soon. I have seen notes that their interview schedule is full for the next couple of months. The recent Chinese Holiday disrupted things a bit recently, and it is unclear how the call-in center fiasco will affect the K1 & K3 applicants (who normally do not use that center). Best wishes for a speedy and successful interview. ----- Clifford -----

Mari, The NVC number should be on your reciept (which will arrive in about a week or so). A year ago, it was: (603) 334-0700 There is an automated system, but K1 and K3 applicants must talk to a live person (at least that was how it was a year ago). ------ Clifford -----

Throw her back into the pit!!! Ok, I am really glad to hear of the progress.... See, a little patience pays off. ----- Clifford -----