Yardies, at home and a farrin' (Part 3)

[Minfay 0]

The instruction form that is sent out in the packets is for both the K-1 and the K-3 Visa's. That's why you need to do your research and pay attention to what you really need. You have VisaJourney to help you - that's what it's here for. Do not rely on the Embassy.

I guess us "old timers" -- the ones who all filed and had interviews in Summer to the end of 2005 know all this stuff. We had the "luxury" of having people go right before us and tell us what was right and what was wrong. We all did a ton of research and shared openly what we would find out and we sent each other copies of the paperwork from the Embassy -- what we weren't sure of, we did both ways just in case. It's only paper and takes a bit more time to gather. "We" were never quite sure of what "trick" the Embassy was going to try to pull on us so we all went to our interviews 100% prepared -- and we all got approved the first time out.

The "Instruction Sheet" you get from the Embassy (Packet #3) is for all Visa's -- not just the K-1. They never bothered to update it. I brought EVERYTHING with me to the interview -- everything they asked for on the Instruction Sheet JUST IN CASE.

The fee for the K-1 is $100.00 payable at Paymaster before the interview.

The "profile" photos were replaced with "head on" shots the summer of 2005. If you ordered your paperwork from the USCIS (and not just downloaded it) you would have received the revised photo requirement. I did that in March of 2005.

All your forms should be typed -- just to make it easier on the people who are looking over them. Why would you not? Maybe I'm just too ####### but why would you intentionally make it harder for yourself or for the interviewer? Look at the amount of papers these people need to go through -- you might think your handwritting is excellent but to someone else it might be hard to read and that would just give them a reason to give you a hard time.

If it specifically says to put N/A -- do it. If not, use Not Applicable.

I'm sorry if you all think I'm a HUGE B*&$# but it breaks my heart to see some of you not getting approved for things that are really easy to deal with. They never asked for 90% of the paper that I hauled down there but I wasn't going to leave that Embassy without the approval. I worked too hard, lost too much sleep, cried too many nights and missed Roy more than I could ever put into words....this interview was the MOST IMPORTANT thing in my life and I did everything in my power to make sure we got approval.

It's not easy. The Embassy is not fair. But if YOU do everything in YOUR power to give them what they are asking for there is no reason you will not get approved. I'm shutting up now

[brownnskinn 0]

Just droppin in to say hello

Hubby and I spent part of the weekend in Arkansas visiting my mom, and the other part in Oaklahoma City visiting a friend of his and his wife from JA. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Congrats on the recent approvals!!! To those experiencing delays, they feel like huges hurdels, they are only minor set backs.

[brownnskinn 0]

Here is a question what were some of your favorite tourist places in Jamaica?

Jumping off the cliff at Rick's Cafe and seeing the sunset

In need of a real vacation.

[Sonshyne 2]

Best wishes to the Yardies with interviews today

TexasBound 3/13/07

Cambutler 3/13/07

[LovinJA 0]

The instruction form that is sent out in the packets is for both the K-1 and the K-3 Visa's. That's why you need to do your research and pay attention to what you really need. You have VisaJourney to help you - that's what it's here for. Do not rely on the Embassy.

I guess us "old timers" -- the ones who all filed and had interviews in Summer to the end of 2005 know all this stuff. We had the "luxury" of having people go right before us and tell us what was right and what was wrong. We all did a ton of research and shared openly what we would find out and we sent each other copies of the paperwork from the Embassy -- what we weren't sure of, we did both ways just in case. It's only paper and takes a bit more time to gather. "We" were never quite sure of what "trick" the Embassy was going to try to pull on us so we all went to our interviews 100% prepared -- and we all got approved the first time out.

The "Instruction Sheet" you get from the Embassy (Packet #3) is for all Visa's -- not just the K-1. They never bothered to update it. I brought EVERYTHING with me to the interview -- everything they asked for on the Instruction Sheet JUST IN CASE.

The fee for the K-1 is $100.00 payable at Paymaster before the interview.

The "profile" photos were replaced with "head on" shots the summer of 2005. If you ordered your paperwork from the USCIS (and not just downloaded it) you would have received the revised photo requirement. I did that in March of 2005.

All your forms should be typed -- just to make it easier on the people who are looking over them. Why would you not? Maybe I'm just too ####### but why would you intentionally make it harder for yourself or for the interviewer? Look at the amount of papers these people need to go through -- you might think your handwritting is excellent but to someone else it might be hard to read and that would just give them a reason to give you a hard time.

If it specifically says to put N/A -- do it. If not, use Not Applicable.

I'm sorry if you all think I'm a HUGE B*&$# but it breaks my heart to see some of you not getting approved for things that are really easy to deal with. They never asked for 90% of the paper that I hauled down there but I wasn't going to leave that Embassy without the approval. I worked too hard, lost too much sleep, cried too many nights and missed Roy more than I could ever put into words....this interview was the MOST IMPORTANT thing in my life and I did everything in my power to make sure we got approval.

It's not easy. The Embassy is not fair. But if YOU do everything in YOUR power to give them what they are asking for there is no reason you will not get approved. I'm shutting up now

I understand what you are saying, and I don't think anyone disagrees with you. Because we are at the stage of waiting on our interview date, we are panicking.... and yes, we want to have everything perfect.... right down to N/A vs. Not Applicable. I think the "newbies" are going through all of this, and sharing the information we've gathered, so that we will be approved. This is a very important day in ALL of our lives.... we all want to be with our loves. That being said, I think this is a great outlet to vent frustrations, ask questions, share information, and most of all SUPPORT one another. Some of us don't have anyone else to talk to that will offer the support we need. So, in my mind, there is no stupid question, and you can never ask too many times... I plan to have everything they can possibly ask for, but until the minute before I leave my home for the airport, I will be checking and rechecking, and turing to my family here on VJ for support. There is alot of confusion and inconsistancies surrounding this interview.... that is why this forum is so valuable.

I hope the interviews today are going well....

[darlene 0]

Best wishes to the Yardies with interviews today

TexasBound 3/13/07

Cambutler 3/13/07

Thanks. I was trying to figure out the other person (Cambutler) going for the interview.

(fingers crossed)

Do you recall the times of their interviews?

[Minfay 0]

I plan to have everything they can possibly ask for, but until the minute before I leave my home for the airport, I will be checking and rechecking, and turing to my family here on VJ for support. There is alot of confusion and inconsistancies surrounding this interview.... that is why this forum is so valuable.

Absolutely!! Everyone is here to help and support each other.

I personally had no support outside this forum when I was waiting for our interview. Never in a million years would I have gotten through this without everyone here. Squitto started this forum so we would all have a place to gather and share our experiences.

[Shemmy 4]

Best wishes to the Yardies with interviews today

TexasBound 3/13/07

Cambutler 3/13/07

Good luck

Hello VJ family.

[nyseness 0]

Good luck on interviews today!!!

[morantbaygirl 0]

Good luck on interviews today!!!

Ditto!!!! Good Luck.

[brownnskinn 0]

Good luck on interviews today!!!

Ditto!!!! Good Luck.

Ditto.

[Ricardo 0]

I can understand not having what they want, but the misinformation is what is frustrating not knowing WHAT they want. They shouldn't have given my fiance an instruction package saying that he needed $335 or profile shots if they aren't needed or notarized taxes when there really is no such thing. It also clearly and in bold print states on the 156, 157 forms that they can be handwritten or typed and that you SHOULD use N/A for not applicable. When I was filing the 129 they specifically requested handwritten documents. I don't have a problem following directions or jumping through hoops as long as it is clear what hoops I need to jump through. :wacko:

The instruction form that is sent out in the packets is for both the K-1 and the K-3 Visa's. That's why you need to do your research and pay attention to what you really need. You have VisaJourney to help you - that's what it's here for. Do not rely on the Embassy. And yes, they can be handwritten OR typed. The one form just has to have the bar code on it. They just look neater typed so most peoplel type them. It does not matter if you use N/A or NOT APPLICABLE - it's the same damn thing. They are not that picky. When I filed my 129 I typed everything. Where on earth did you read that it had to be handwritten????

As for the different types of pics they used to require profile shots - the form was probably never updated. We took both and gave them what they wanted. They still asked for the incorrect ones because when we came thru the P.O.E. in the U.S. they wanted the OTHER type. So I whipped out my files and handed them over. No big deal. If we hadn't had them, the guy was ready to take more pics at the P.O.E. Even he said how screwed up the Kingston Embassy is

Thanks again for all the advice. That is why I DO come here. I just wish some of you were not so harsh. I am petrified having been going through this process for a year now. Yes, I admit to the mistakes that I have made but there is misleading information out there too. The instructions that I downloaded from the USCIS last year stated that the 129F and the G325 SHOULD be handwritten in black ink, NOT typed. The other forms themselves say to handwrite or type. But the embassy wants everything done on the computer now. Anyway, I am repeating myself. I apologize. But since I have your attention and I am still preparing for and paranoid about the next interview one more question:

My fiance received his letter for the interview today. In it they sent new copies of the DS230 Par I and II, which I have already done on line, but they also sent a blue slip and written in bold letters it said that he had to report to the embassy doctor BEFORE going to a clinic for his medical. Now he has already done his medical at a clinic in Kingston for our last interview and I am hoping that this is not something that has to be done before next week. Every time I start to relax and feel confident they throw something new at us. Any advice would be appreciated.

Good Luck to all with interviews this month!

[brownnskinn 0]

[My fiance received his letter for the interview today. In it they sent new copies of the DS230 Par I and II, which I have already done on line, but they also sent a blue slip and written in bold letters it said that he had to report to the embassy doctor BEFORE going to a clinic for his medical. Now he has already done his medical at a clinic in Kingston for our last interview and I am hoping that this is not something that has to be done before next week. Every time I start to relax and feel confident they throw something new at us. Any advice would be appreciated.

Good Luck to all with interviews this month!

I wish I wish I had an answer

[brownnskinn 0]

If our intention is to have my fiance's children follow him later, what documentation does he have to provide in terms of custody or approval?

In our case. We needed a letter from the absent parent giving permission to trave/ immigrate and make sure your fiance's name is on the birth certificate. We revieved a blue slip because we did not have his name on the birth certifate, they wanted us to bring, pictures of my hubby and his daughter, birth records where his name was listed, and school records, anything showing a father child relationship, well we had none of those. So as soon as our immigration hell is over. I will start over from scratch with a blood test as we have no physical evidence. I hope that helps.

[brownnskinn 0]

[My fiance received his letter for the interview today. In it they sent new copies of the DS230 Par I and II, which I have already done on line, but they also sent a blue slip and written in bold letters it said that he had to report to the embassy doctor BEFORE going to a clinic for his medical. Now he has already done his medical at a clinic in Kingston for our last interview and I am hoping that this is not something that has to be done before next week. Every time I start to relax and feel confident they throw something new at us. Any advice would be appreciated.

Good Luck to all with interviews this month!

I wish I wish I had an answer

Just stay strong, know that nothing worth having comes easy.