Travel Agency for the K1 Visa

[Calypso 464]

Hello everyone! Please share your thoughts to my concern.

My fiance (he resides in Santa Monica, CA) submitted the I-129F on May 29, 2009 and received the NOA1 on the 1st of June. Since then, we have been waiting for the NOA2. Apparently, we are under California Service Center. We have taken the services of a travel agency here in Cebu since April beginning with my passport.

Just today, I spoke with the manager of the travel agency. Her words were more or less like these:

"I am only worried because those fiancees who were in the similiar batch as yours are now about to leave the country. Do you remember me telling you before that once you have the receipt number which starts with WAC, you must give it to me? I could have begun making a constant follow up at the INS and helped you move faster."

Now, I am wondering. Do you think she's bluffing because she wants money or she is actually credible? Could she possibly make a follow up at the INS for the NOA2 to arrive sooner than usual? We have paid 25% of the required package fee for the K1 visa assistance two months ago and my fiance seems reluctant about paying more unless the NOA2 arrives.

Perhaps some of you here may help to enlighten me. I'll appreciate your responses.

ARIADNE

[imaisha 0]

Well I'd be skeptical first because it hasn't been called the INS for over 6 years now. It's called USCIS.

Second reason I'd be concerned is that they're flat out lying. No one with an NOA1 date in June is leaving the country now. Well, they might be leaving the country, but not with their K-1 visas...

[Bobby+Umit 161]

A travel agency - in a "different country" - is going to make an US government agency do things faster for a US visa?

Hmm - ok... You might as well toss your money in the ocean for all the good it will do, imo.

We have paid 25% of the required package fee for the K1 visa assistance two months ago and my fiance seems reluctant about paying more unless the NOA2 arrives

What do you mean by this? You paid a travel agency to fill out your K-1 info?

[Calypso 464]

A travel agency - in a "different country" - is going to make an US government agency do things faster for a US visa?

Hmm - ok... You might as well toss your money in the ocean for all the good it will do, imo.

We have paid 25% of the required package fee for the K1 visa assistance two months ago and my fiance seems reluctant about paying more unless the NOA2 arrives

What do you mean by this? You paid a travel agency to fill out your K-1 info?

The agency quoted a specific amount for the assistance set which includes gathering my forms for me (red ribbon birth certificate, NBI clearance, airline tickets to Manila, visa fee, etc.) It's mostly for the common requirements of the NOA2.

[sera77 35]

Hello everyone! Please share your thoughts to my concern.

My fiance (he resides in Santa Monica, CA) submitted the I-129F on May 29, 2009 and received the NOA1 on the 1st of June. Since then, we have been waiting for the NOA2. Apparently, we are under California Service Center. We have taken the services of a travel agency here in Cebu since April beginning with my passport.

Just today, I spoke with the manager of the travel agency. Her words were more or less like these:

"I am only worried because those fiancees who were in the similiar batch as yours are now about to leave the country. Do you remember me telling you before that once you have the receipt number which starts with WAC, you must give it to me? I could have begun making a constant follow up at the INS and helped you move faster."

Now, I am wondering. Do you think she's bluffing because she wants money or she is actually credible? Could she possibly make a follow up at the INS for the NOA2 to arrive sooner than usual? We have paid 25% of the required package fee for the K1 visa assistance two months ago and my fiance seems reluctant about paying more unless the NOA2 arrives.

------------------

Total bluff from the manager. There is NOTHING anyone can do to speed up the time between noa1 and noa2 unless

1. you are able to get a military expedite as a member of the armed forces or

2. you are out of processing time (more than 6 months) and you start contacting your political representatives to see if they are willing to contact uscis and put pressure on them.

She's out for your money and frankly since she's lied to your face about this I would be extremely skeptical about anything she has to say, especially anything that involves more money.

Perhaps she wants your noa1 number in order to keep track online at the uscis site herself of when you are approved and thereby have yet more info on when to start pushing your buttons for more cash.

Keep track of this yourself by going to the uscis site and checking online status of your own case as time goes by. It's easy to do, just follow the instructions.

Good luck!

S.

[Brian&Naty 0]

Hello everyone! Please share your thoughts to my concern.

My fiance (he resides in Santa Monica, CA) submitted the I-129F on May 29, 2009 and received the NOA1 on the 1st of June. Since then, we have been waiting for the NOA2. Apparently, we are under California Service Center. We have taken the services of a travel agency here in Cebu since April beginning with my passport.

Just today, I spoke with the manager of the travel agency. Her words were more or less like these:

"I am only worried because those fiancees who were in the similiar batch as yours are now about to leave the country. Do you remember me telling you before that once you have the receipt number which starts with WAC, you must give it to me? I could have begun making a constant follow up at the INS and helped you move faster."

Now, I am wondering. Do you think she's bluffing because she wants money or she is actually credible? Could she possibly make a follow up at the INS for the NOA2 to arrive sooner than usual? We have paid 25% of the required package fee for the K1 visa assistance two months ago and my fiance seems reluctant about paying more unless the NOA2 arrives.

Perhaps some of you here may help to enlighten me. I'll appreciate your responses.

WHOA!!!. I did the entire process myself with the the great guides and support I found here on VJ. Everyone has their hand out with claims they can move mountains for you. Fact is, the process is the process and it moves along under the direction of the Consulate, not a travel agent. be wary of these people looking to make a quick buck.

ARIADNE

[MikenKyhen 0]

Can't say as I blame your fiance. I wouldn't pay another dime for this so called Visa assistance..from a travel agency? TOTAL SCAM!!!

[Nahum and Stacey 0]

Hello everyone! Please share your thoughts to my concern.

My fiance (he resides in Santa Monica, CA) submitted the I-129F on May 29, 2009 and received the NOA1 on the 1st of June. Since then, we have been waiting for the NOA2. Apparently, we are under California Service Center. We have taken the services of a travel agency here in Cebu since April beginning with my passport.

Just today, I spoke with the manager of the travel agency. Her words were more or less like these:

"I am only worried because those fiancees who were in the similiar batch as yours are now about to leave the country. Do you remember me telling you before that once you have the receipt number which starts with WAC, you must give it to me? I could have begun making a constant follow up at the INS and helped you move faster."

Now, I am wondering. Do you think she's bluffing because she wants money or she is actually credible? Could she possibly make a follow up at the INS for the NOA2 to arrive sooner than usual? We have paid 25% of the required package fee for the K1 visa assistance two months ago and my fiance seems reluctant about paying more unless the NOA2 arrives.

Perhaps some of you here may help to enlighten me. I'll appreciate your responses.

ARIADNE

Ariadne,

You and your Fiance and do this entire process yourselves. It may be a good idea to direct your Fiance to this site also so that you both can learn more about the process. Check the timeline lists and you will get an idea about the time it may take to get your NOA2.

I personally would not give this travel agency any more of my money. Read the K1 forum and I am sure it will be an education.

[Zen Den 18]

the agency is totally lying...once you have the NOA1 (receipt of application) all you can do is wait for the application process to be completed and appproved (NOA2) NO travel agency in the philippines has authorization to expedite anything on your behalf... (can you imagine if every agency has, everyone would just be processing through them) you should ask for a refund from them since they are misrepresenting themselves...also i noticed that your fiancee got a red ribbon birth certificate (which she probably got from malacanang?) which is not even the correct requirement (it's the NSO released birth cert that is required)

if you read the instructions from USCIS, it says do not purchase any airline tickets until after your application has been approved/visa issued because it could pose problems with dates chosen for departure etc, and the possibility that the processing of your application might take a lot longer than usual for one reason or another, and that purchasing a ticket does not affect the speed of application processing (the USCIS doesn't care ifyou've already spent thousands of dollars for tickets/hotel)

get rid of that agency right away before they get anymore money from you