Consulate requiring guarantee money?

[Other 0]

So I just got a message from my fiancee and she visited the consultate in Turkey. They told her she needed $5000 in her bank account as a guarantee to get the visa otherwise they won't give one. I don't understand this especially since she is coming here to live off of what I make not off what she has in the bank. Has anyone run into this before?

Other

[Otto 83]

That is news if it is a fact - not heard of this for K-visa.

[rooster 1]

So I just got a message from my fiancee and she visited the consultate in Turkey. They told her she needed $5000 in her bank account as a guarantee to get the visa otherwise they won't give one. I don't understand this especially since she is coming here to live off of what I make not off what she has in the bank. Has anyone run into this before?

Other

RED FLAG!!! RED FLAG!!!

Something is NOT right about this. I would find out the name of the official that told her this and verify the information. Then proceed to report that individual to the USCIS. Unless there is something I am unaware of, there has never been that kind of requirement.

[payxibka 10,047]

So I just got a message from my fiancee and she visited the consultate in Turkey. They told her she needed $5000 in her bank account as a guarantee to get the visa otherwise they won't give one. I don't understand this especially since she is coming here to live off of what I make not off what she has in the bank. Has anyone run into this before?

Other

that is why an I-134 is supplied by the USC.... No financial information from the alien is needed....

[Other 0]

So I just got a message from my fiancee and she visited the consultate in Turkey. They told her she needed $5000 in her bank account as a guarantee to get the visa otherwise they won't give one. I don't understand this especially since she is coming here to live off of what I make not off what she has in the bank. Has anyone run into this before?

Other

RED FLAG!!! RED FLAG!!!

Something is NOT right about this. I would find out the name of the official that told her this and verify the information. Then proceed to report that individual to the USCIS. Unless there is something I am unaware of, there has never been that kind of requirement.

Maybe the consulate was thinking of a different visa and not a K1/K3 visa. It makes sense if you are trying to come to America on a different visa.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

So I just got a message from my fiancee and she visited the consultate in Turkey. They told her she needed $5000 in her bank account as a guarantee to get the visa otherwise they won't give one. I don't understand this especially since she is coming here to live off of what I make not off what she has in the bank. Has anyone run into this before?

Other

RED FLAG!!! RED FLAG!!!

Something is NOT right about this. I would find out the name of the official that told her this and verify the information. Then proceed to report that individual to the USCIS. Unless there is something I am unaware of, there has never been that kind of requirement.

WTH?

Yah - I am going through that embassy and they are not asking for that.

Smells like a scam!!!!

Yikes! DO NOT SEND THE MONEY without contacting the embassy yourself - they are pretty fast with email replies.

Edited April 24, 2009 by Bobby_Umit

[TBoneTX 46,334]

Then proceed to report that individual to the USCIS.

Consular personnel, including natives who are called Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs), are employees of the Department of State, not of USCIS (DHS). Call the DOS Visa line and ask for direction on how to report or gain further insight into this fishy-sounding statement.

[rooster 1]

So I just got a message from my fiancee and she visited the consultate in Turkey. They told her she needed $5000 in her bank account as a guarantee to get the visa otherwise they won't give one. I don't understand this especially since she is coming here to live off of what I make not off what she has in the bank. Has anyone run into this before?

Other

RED FLAG!!! RED FLAG!!!

Something is NOT right about this. I would find out the name of the official that told her this and verify the information. Then proceed to report that individual to the USCIS. Unless there is something I am unaware of, there has never been that kind of requirement.

Maybe the consulate was thinking of a different visa and not a K1/K3 visa. It makes sense if you are trying to come to America on a different visa.

Thats why I said verify the information. It is possible that there was some sort of misunderstanding. But there have also been cases where bribes have been solicited although this is rare.

[Otto 83]

Maybe the consulate was thinking of a different visa and not a K1/K3 visa. It makes sense if you are trying to come to America on a different visa.

This is the most likely reason - perhaps something is/was lost in translation as they say.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Maybe the consulate was thinking of a different visa and not a K1/K3 visa. It makes sense if you are trying to come to America on a different visa.

This is the most likely reason - perhaps something is/was lost in translation as they say.

Maybe - but the packet is pretty clear what is in it.

Also, the OP said she visited the consulate? Do you mean she went to the Istanbul consulate? or the Ankara embassy?

If she went to the consulate, then they probably are giving the wrong info (they don't know about the package).

Edited April 24, 2009 by Bobby_Umit

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Just talked to my buddy (Turkish National) and he said sometimes they will ask for a large bank account to process "visitors" and "student" visas for people.

So they may be mistaken. as Karin and Otto pointed out.

Edited April 24, 2009 by Bobby_Umit

[Other 0]

Just talked to my buddy (Turkish National) and he said sometimes they will ask for a large bank account to process "visitors" and "student" visas for people.

So they may be mistaken. as Karin and Otto pointed out.

Yeah thats exactly what I was thinking.

Now I just have to translate what I'm thinking into Turkish and text message it to her.

Other

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Just talked to my buddy (Turkish National) and he said sometimes they will ask for a large bank account to process "visitors" and "student" visas for people.

So they may be mistaken. as Karin and Otto pointed out.

Yeah thats exactly what I was thinking.

Now I just have to translate what I'm thinking into Turkish and text message it to her.

Other

Find out if she went to the consulate or the embassy.

[norrin 3]

souns like they want a bribe

[Other 0]

Find out if she went to the consulate or the embassy.

US Ankara Consulate is what she said, and probably was whatever was listed on the paperwork which is the Embassy. I won't talk with her again until later this afternoon. She is working and probably crying at the same time.

There is nothing I can do about it now. I gave her everything I had and she is supposed to take care of the stuff she needs per the documentation on the Embassy website. She just needs to submit it and get an interview date.

Other