Timing and Cost help please

[Narikta 7]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this forum/portal so I'm not sure if these questions have been asked as yet (there's a lot of posts to sift through)?

Our K1/I-129 application was received at the CSC 9th Nov 2011. We're aiming for a July 11th 2012 wedding as it works best for finalising my committments here in AUS, his study and our families. I'm trying to figure out if that is a realisitic date to plan for? We're also trying to get a better idea of final costs so we can plan for this.

If anyone could shine some light on the following, I would be eternally grateful:

1. For those who have their interview dates booked or have had their interviews, is 8 months from the time of filing a safe bet to have the wedding?

2. We've paid for the application, but is there a cost for the actual Visa on the interview day as well?

3. I'm from Melbourne. I'm getting mixed information as to whether you can have the interview at the consulate office in Melbourne, or if all interviews are done at the Sydney Consulate. Does anyone know about this?

4. What is required for proof of financial support? My fiance is a student. I am selling my property here in AUS and will have money from this. Will his parents still have to accept responsibility for my financial support?

Thanks everyone!

K

[Tim/Mav 305]

Rule #1... Never make SOLID Plans without a Visa in Hand.

Your Question #4.... No, if you are the Benificiary it does not matter what you sell and your Income/Assets do not count. Are the Parents obligated ? NO.. The Petitioner has to show this monotary Requirements. The Parents can Co-Sponsor though if this is an issue. (If they are USC's)

[J and S 38]

In addition to what tim/mav wrote...the application fee is NOT the same as the visa fee. So yes, there will be a fee for that. .. which is $350.

And I'll reiterate what he said...it is not safe to make any solid plans. You don't know how long it'll take, if there will be any RFEs or if the USCIS is just plain ol slow, etc.

Other than that...good luck!

Edited December 10, 2011 by J and S

[Tim/Mav 305]

What I wrote was to Help you, Not Hurt You. Read other replies. Hugs

[KLS2010 30]

I did CR-1/IR-1 as opposed to K1 like you - but it took me roughly 9mths from the date we sent the petition (received by USCIS on Dec 1 2010) to the day I landed in the US (24th Aug 2011). Granted K1 are usually approved a little quicker than CR-1/IR-1 and we did have a few hiccups during processing - but at the end of the day I would not recommend making any solid (and probably expensive) wedding plans. There are just no guarantees with the immigration process - your case may take longer than most people's. Or it could possibly take alot less...in which case this could also upset your wedding plans (since you have to marry within 90days on arrival in the US).

Secondly, the fee you have already paid is only for the intial petition. There will be a visa fee that will need to be paid prior to your interview. Also keep in mind that you will have to have a medical (and possible vaccinations if you are missing some and/or not immune) and a police check done. My medical was $338 and the police check in NSW was $175 I think (these vary from state to state).

Interviews for immigrant visas (incluing K1 even though these are technically 'non-immigrant') are only done in Sydney.

Lastly....I'm a little hazy on the support requirements for the K1 (things are done a little differently for CR-1/IR1), but at some stage your fiance will need to show he has the means to support you once you move. If he can't do this on his own, then you will need to find a co-sponsor who is willing help out. His parents are not obligated to help sponsor you. You will have to find someone though because no sponsorship basically means no visa. Hopefully someone with more specific knowledge of the K1 process can help you with that. Another VJ member Vanessa&Tony is very knowledgeable about the K1 process specifically for Australians. Check out the links in their signature.

Also...HERE is a link to the Aussie forum page...lots of info on there and a good place to post questions in order to get Aussie-specific answers.

Good luck with everything. I hope things work out and you can have that July wedding that you want (good choice by the way - my husband and I were married on the 8th lol)

[KLS2010 30]

A new Aussie thread has been started HERE, but still worth a look at the old one for research purposes!

[Touch of Treble 39]

I'm still waiting for my NOA2 so at the same stage as you, but I have done some reading.

1. I set a tentative date 8 months from date of filing and a 2nd one 9 months, and when the NOA 2 arrives, I can sort of firm things up a bit, as venues and family need to have some idea of a wedding date. It is NOT a solid date though.

2. Yes there is the $350 fee, plus $346 for your medical done by Dr Okringal, Port melbourne. You will also need a police report with fingerprints, over $120 but less than $200.00. Also the AOS that needs to be applied for has a cost as well, I think it is $1050, but you don't pay it till you get there and are married.

3. YOUR assests will be taken into consideration if it is ACCESSIBLE CASH.

3. Sydney Embassy processes ALL K1 applications.

4. Jump on to the Canberra Embassy website and look in the link for Immigrant Visa instructions. Within there you will find a prototype 'Packet 3" listing EVRYTHING that a standard application needs. There is also an email address. I have requested information a couple of times from the embassy in Sydney via that email address and the response is speedy and accurate.

Good luck with the waiting.

[Barbara J 115]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this forum/portal so I'm not sure if these questions have been asked as yet (there's a lot of posts to sift through)?

Our K1/I-129 application was received at the CSC 9th Nov 2011. We're aiming for a July 11th 2012 wedding as it works best for finalising my committments here in AUS, his study and our families. I'm trying to figure out if that is a realisitic date to plan for? We're also trying to get a better idea of final costs so we can plan for this.

If anyone could shine some light on the following, I would be eternally grateful:

1. For those who have their interview dates booked or have had their interviews, is 8 months from the time of filing a safe bet to have the wedding?

2. We've paid for the application, but is there a cost for the actual Visa on the interview day as well?

3. I'm from Melbourne. I'm getting mixed information as to whether you can have the interview at the consulate office in Melbourne, or if all interviews are done at the Sydney Consulate. Does anyone know about this?

4. What is required for proof of financial support? My fiance is a student. I am selling my property here in AUS and will have money from this. Will his parents still have to accept responsibility for my financial support?

Thanks everyone!

K

It is hard to say as some applications are taking a long time right now. I have a friend here from home in OZ sent off 129f in June and still no NOA2 approval. In all logistics yes you should be able to set July as a wedding time but the way things are right now who knows how long it will take. We Aussie's usually get approved fairly quickly but this is a major guessing game right now. I would personally make it August to beginning of September which is a nice time of year here depending on where you will be living.

You pay a fee now of $340 for the 129f but you back home will have to pay for medical, police report(140-180) medical(330-390) and all interviews are done in Sydney so there is the flight to there as well. Then when you marry and apply for AOS I-485 another cost of $1070.

Your assets should help with the 134 affidavit if over the poverty guideline but if his parents can co sponsor this is not an obligation to them for always it is just temporary till you arrive i the states and marry. Now if they co sponsor you for the AOS I-864 then yes they are liable for you and that's a different situation

You an get all the info you need by typing on google Sydney US consulate and it will take you to Canberra immigration site and you can find everything you need for when you are approved.

You can also look at Vanessa and Tony from Aus and she has given a detailed list of things you need and to do.