New member with a few K-3 questions

[wenbax 0]

My name is Wendy, and my husband Josh and I part-way through our K-3 process. A co-worker of mine just informed me about this site, and I'm very happy to find a place where I can go for help. Hey, any improvement on USCIS is good enough!

We submitted our I-130 and I-129F in June, and are hoping an approval isn't too far behind the horizon. We've been sitting around twiddling our thumbs figuring there was nothing more to do until our case gets transferred to the visa application phase, but after looking around here I'm thinking we should start being more proactive. We already got his police certificate ordered last week, and he has all of the required vaccinations so that's two big things out of the way.

I see that there is a shortcuts guide for the CR-1/IR-1 applicants. Is there anything like that for the K-3? I read your K-3 guide, and I have a couple of questions.

1. The guide says to start preparing the I-134. Will I get a packet in the mail, or a letter telling me to print one out from the Internet and send it? Will he not need to show it to anyone until his interview date?

2. I don't see any mention in the guide of the DS-156 we have to do online. How do we know when to do this?

3. It is true that the I-134 no longer has to be notarized? Your guide says yes, but I realize that the guide may not be 100% up-to-date. Is there any real benefit to having it done if it isn't required?

4. Will I really only need a couple of paystubs like it says in your guide, or has that changed to six months like on the CR-1?

5. Aside from the DS-156 and the I-134, what other actual forms will we need?

6. How far in advance can we do his medical exam, if we find an "official" practitioner nearby?

I'm sorry if this is too many questions for one post, but since this would answer all of my current concerns, I though maybe I should consolidate rather than make extra posts for people to read.

This process is nuts! The anticipation can sometimes be fun in a twisted sort of way, but most of the time it's just lots of missing each other and complaining about the government and hoping we're lucky enough to be completed quickly. Both petitions have been touched within the last week and they haven't told us we've done anything wrong yet, so I suppose that's a good sign!

[sheila526 2]

My reply is based on my actual experience. Hope it helps

1. The guide says to start preparing the I-134. Will I get a packet in the mail, or a letter telling me to print one out from the Internet and send it? Will he not need to show it to anyone until his interview date?

You can print the fillable versions on the USCIS website. You will bring it on the day of the interview.

2. I don't see any mention in the guide of the DS-156 we have to do online. How do we know when to do this?

They will send him the packet that includes the DS forms (156 and 157). He needs to fill it out and bring on his interview. You can also print the fillabe version on the internet. This will be before the interview (after you got the packet or when the petition reach the embassy.

3. It is true that the I-134 no longer has to be notarized? Your guide says yes, but I realize that the guide may not be 100% up-to-date. Is there any real benefit to having it done if it isn't required?

My husband's I-134 was notarized.

4. Will I really only need a couple of paystubs like it says in your guide, or has that changed to six months like on the CR-1?

I had the current (3 months) paystubs during my interview.

5. Aside from the DS-156 and the I-134, what other actual forms will we need?

6. How far in advance can we do his medical exam, if we find an "official" practitioner nearby?

You will do the medical once you get the packet.

Edited September 13, 2006 by nakashima ayumi

[sheila526 2]

Number 5:

I guess that all you need. DS 156 and 157 will be inlcuded in the packet

[Mew 0]

3. I-134 does need to be notarized - check the instructions on the form.

[sheila526 2]

^I had mine notarized just to be safe (knowing the US Embassy in the Philippines)

[Mew 0]

^I had mine notarized just to be safe (knowing the US Embassy in the Philippines)

As you should. The instructions on the form are pretty straightforward when it comes to having it notarized.