My story- just beginning...

[jpcanon 0]

Hello to everyone! Well, here goes nothing: I met a girl from Colombia online about 9 months ago. Long story short, we met in Miami in June of this year, as she HAD (key word), a tourist visa. Then in July, she came to New York and then to my home in California. At the end of August, I went to visit her in Colombia for a week, and had a great time meeting her family, including her son, and got engaged. I suggested she try to get a tourist visa for her son to be able to travel to U.S., so she got an appointment for Oct. 30th in Bogota. When she went there, they denied her request for her son's visa, which we figured would probably happen. But, they actually took her visa away- I am not sure what happened, but they did- we had no idea that would be a possibility : ( Anyway, I am actually here in Colombia now for a few days, and she had plans to fly back to California with me on Nov. 9th. We were thinking about getting married back here in U.S. and then petitioning for her son. But, now that isn't going to happen, because she cannot travel back to U.S. I guess i have to start the K1 process, when i get back.... just looking for any advice- one thing I heard was to maybe use another address instead of filing in my area (Los Angeles) like Virginia or something, because L.A. can take much longer due to many Mexican immigrants applying for various visas in this area- not sure if true or not....

Anyway, thanks for any info, especially regarding the fact she will be coming from Colombia (if that makes a difference?)

Joe

[pushbrk 12,898]

Hello to everyone! Well, here goes nothing: I met a girl from Colombia online about 9 months ago. Long story short, we met in Miami in June of this year, as she HAD (key word), a tourist visa. Then in July, she came to New York and then to my home in California. At the end of August, I went to visit her in Colombia for a week, and had a great time meeting her family, including her son, and got engaged. I suggested she try to get a tourist visa for her son to be able to travel to U.S., so she got an appointment for Oct. 30th in Bogota. When she went there, they denied her request for her son's visa, which we figured would probably happen. But, they actually took her visa away- I am not sure what happened, but they did- we had no idea that would be a possibility : ( Anyway, I am actually here in Colombia now for a few days, and she had plans to fly back to California with me on Nov. 9th. We were thinking about getting married back here in U.S. and then petitioning for her son. But, now that isn't going to happen, because she cannot travel back to U.S. I guess i have to start the K1 process, when i get back.... just looking for any advice- one thing I heard was to maybe use another address instead of filing in my area (Los Angeles) like Virginia or something, because L.A. can take much longer due to many Mexican immigrants applying for various visas in this area- not sure if true or not....

Anyway, thanks for any info, especially regarding the fact she will be coming from Colombia (if that makes a difference?)

Joe

I'd start by studying the K1 Guide here, then file with the appropriate service center. California is currently processing as fast or faster than Vermont anyway. If she had come and married you with the intent to stay, that would have been visa fraud anyway. She probably would have been deported and face a 10 year to lifetime ban from US entry. So it's good you didn't try that.

[jpcanon 0]

Hello to everyone! Well, here goes nothing: I met a girl from Colombia online about 9 months ago. Long story short, we met in Miami in June of this year, as she HAD (key word), a tourist visa. Then in July, she came to New York and then to my home in California. At the end of August, I went to visit her in Colombia for a week, and had a great time meeting her family, including her son, and got engaged. I suggested she try to get a tourist visa for her son to be able to travel to U.S., so she got an appointment for Oct. 30th in Bogota. When she went there, they denied her request for her son's visa, which we figured would probably happen. But, they actually took her visa away- I am not sure what happened, but they did- we had no idea that would be a possibility : ( Anyway, I am actually here in Colombia now for a few days, and she had plans to fly back to California with me on Nov. 9th. We were thinking about getting married back here in U.S. and then petitioning for her son. But, now that isn't going to happen, because she cannot travel back to U.S. I guess i have to start the K1 process, when i get back.... just looking for any advice- one thing I heard was to maybe use another address instead of filing in my area (Los Angeles) like Virginia or something, because L.A. can take much longer due to many Mexican immigrants applying for various visas in this area- not sure if true or not....

Anyway, thanks for any info, especially regarding the fact she will be coming from Colombia (if that makes a difference?)

Joe

I'd start by studying the K1 Guide here, then file with the appropriate service center. California is currently processing as fast or faster than Vermont anyway. If she had come and married you with the intent to stay, that would have been visa fraud anyway. She probably would have been deported and face a 10 year to lifetime ban from US entry. So it's good you didn't try that.

[jpcanon 0]

Hello to everyone! Well, here goes nothing: I met a girl from Colombia online about 9 months ago. Long story short, we met in Miami in June of this year, as she HAD (key word), a tourist visa. Then in July, she came to New York and then to my home in California. At the end of August, I went to visit her in Colombia for a week, and had a great time meeting her family, including her son, and got engaged. I suggested she try to get a tourist visa for her son to be able to travel to U.S., so she got an appointment for Oct. 30th in Bogota. When she went there, they denied her request for her son's visa, which we figured would probably happen. But, they actually took her visa away- I am not sure what happened, but they did- we had no idea that would be a possibility : ( Anyway, I am actually here in Colombia now for a few days, and she had plans to fly back to California with me on Nov. 9th. We were thinking about getting married back here in U.S. and then petitioning for her son. But, now that isn't going to happen, because she cannot travel back to U.S. I guess i have to start the K1 process, when i get back.... just looking for any advice- one thing I heard was to maybe use another address instead of filing in my area (Los Angeles) like Virginia or something, because L.A. can take much longer due to many Mexican immigrants applying for various visas in this area- not sure if true or not....

Anyway, thanks for any info, especially regarding the fact she will be coming from Colombia (if that makes a difference?)

Joe

I'd start by studying the K1 Guide here, then file with the appropriate service center. California is currently processing as fast or faster than Vermont anyway. If she had come and married you with the intent to stay, that would have been visa fraud anyway. She probably would have been deported and face a 10 year to lifetime ban from US entry. So it's good you didn't try that.

Ahhh, good point- i don't want to screw up by submitting to a center outside my area....

[HappyDancer 7]

Good luck on your journey Joe. Better start the soonest possible time and get all the paperworks and documents under lock and key. Take care!

Re the different address to use in the application, I am not so sure. I see the point in your inquiry but I am not very comfortable answering your question. Anybody there? What are your thoughts?

[jpcanon 0]

Oops, i have to figure out how to post properly! Thanks for the tip on using the visa center in my area- will do that...

[maliciant 7]

For the k-1 visa you will need a few original documents from here, some American Style passport photo's (there is a pdf file around here saying exactly what that is), the G325 forms filled out with her original signature, and recommended by this site a letter of intent to marry with an original signature. That'll save you some postage when you get home and the time it takes to be shipped. The k-1 guides on this site will give you all the information you need, I just point out that one part because it's easier and faster to take care of those docs while you are there instead of having them sent to you after you go home.

[Carlawarla 1]

Good luck on your journey Joe. Better start the soonest possible time and get all the paperworks and documents under lock and key. Take care!

Re the different address to use in the application, I am not so sure. I see the point in your inquiry but I am not very comfortable answering your question. Anybody there? What are your thoughts?

Your application has to be sent to the Centre depending on where you live. Each Service Centre has specific States that it accepts. The OP is in California, and his application will go there.

[pushbrk 12,898]

Good luck on your journey Joe. Better start the soonest possible time and get all the paperworks and documents under lock and key. Take care!

Re the different address to use in the application, I am not so sure. I see the point in your inquiry but I am not very comfortable answering your question. Anybody there? What are your thoughts?

Your application has to be sent to the Centre depending on where you live. Each Service Centre has specific States that it accepts. The OP is in California, and his application will go there.

Petitions are sent to service centers. Visa applications come later and for most K1's are carried to an Embassy or Consulate.

[jpcanon 0]

I will make sure to post a timeline of events- seems like that is the norm on the site! As I said, I am in Colombia now, until Sunday, then head back home to Cali- as in California! I have to study and print the k1 forms and see if there are some things I or she can do while I am actually still here for the next few days, like have her sign some of the paperwork, or something????

Thanks much,

Joe

[himher 634]

I wouldnt worry about the processing time, our K visa went through California from Houston (where the local offices also have looooooong lines of people from south of the border) our timeline was about average - a little over 200 days from the date we mailed the application until the interview date at the embassy, and 178 days from filing to approval.

The trouble with using a different address is that your address goes on the I129F, the G325A (address history) and on the DS-156 visa application that your fiance will file (Section 24 - US address and telephone where your fiance will be staying in the US). The address is also on the I134F, tax returns, W2's that are submitted to the embassy at interview. A misrepresentation like that builds throughout the process and may come back to haunt you. Unraveling a potential discrepency is likely not going to be worth it.

[pushbrk 12,898]

I will make sure to post a timeline of events- seems like that is the norm on the site! As I said, I am in Colombia now, until Sunday, then head back home to Cali- as in California! I have to study and print the k1 forms and see if there are some things I or she can do while I am actually still here for the next few days, like have her sign some of the paperwork, or something????

Thanks much,

Joe

Download and fill out the G325a and have her sign all four copies. Then make sure you have all the information you need to file the I-129F. Bring back a few passport pictures of her. Get copies of any divorce decrees etc. Keep boarding passes and receipts from your travel.

[jpcanon 0]

Just got back from Colombia (Pereira) Sunday night. Thanks for the tips- my fiance signed the325A forms and also got a passport style photo from her. Filled out the I-129F and sentthe packet in today fed ex since no mail today. Turns out the CA. service center in Laguna Niguel is about 20 minutes from me! So, now I guess my "journey" begins.....

Joe

[maliciant 7]

Welcome to the "fun" part of the process.

Edited November 12, 2008 by maliciant

[KimandRuss 0]

Welcome to VJ and good luck.

It would serve you well to study the GUIDES, FAQ and the rest of the information on this website to familiarize yourself with the process as you wait. Being informed and prepared as best you can will make the process as smooth as possible.