Big age difference

[pushbrk 12,883]

I think we all have to realize when all these different paths were created to get our love ones here we had a full running government. Enough people to do the job. The job market you know has been slammed and first to go will be government.

I think also they in theory probably thought K3 get people here faster but again you have to have people to process these applications. We think ours is the only one but you can see by just this website there are millions of us in the K1 and CR1/IR1 groups.

You know American government unlike many others is always evolving and we do live in a pretty great country that adheres to complaints. So do write your congress people, senators get heard. Enough noise will make someone look into things.

Why aren't we submitting our reviews of the embassies to our State reps, senators and governors? They need to know also. They don't have eyes and ears everywhere. We are the voice they need to hear.. I say let them hear from us whether good, bad or ugly. A review of every embassy just like we post here should go to your state office. That same person you emailed to help when things got logged jammed.

Sending embassy reviews to politicians is fine.

However, what you say we need to realize is simply not reflecting the real facts. Processing of petitions and visas has improved significantly since 2001, when the Life Act was passed. In 2007 and early 2008 alone, USCIS added many thousands of new employees to more efficiently deal with backlogs. This was the justification for more than doubling fees in July of 2007.

K3 stopped being faster in November 2006, when USCIS stopped processing the two petitions separately. My wife and daughter arrived on K3 and K4 visas a few months before that. It saved about six months then, but the time savings went away for two reasons. One, they simply process I-130 much faster now and two, they process the two petitions together. With efficient NVC management by the Petitioner, even a theoretical K3 would save no more than three of four weeks. That's WHY, NVC changed THEIR policy.

[dwheels76 5,468]

I agree Christina! I think we should do this as well!!! Thanks for the suggestion dwheels76!!!

Thank you!

[Iyawo_Omo_Yoruba 31]

Well I see it this way especially reading over and over these reviews where we read "They didn't ask for any evidence and didn't ask any questions or very little questions". So that means a decision was already made before the Beneficiary came to the interview. So how do you combat that.

I State folk need to know what whats happening at all these embassies. It's really not about whats not working its implementing whats already there. Everyone deserves the right to a fair and impartial interview.

It would be soon cool I mean looking just at these boards I am estimating about 3 to 7 people from various embassies with USC's from various states each and every day. We keep them coming start a grass roots. The State Reps will be like "what in the world is happening here". And who knows

I just finished mine, you can read it here. http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/view-dos-cis-reviews.php?entry=9304

[dwheels76 5,468]

Sending embassy reviews to politicians is fine.

However, what you say we need to realize is simply not reflecting the real facts. Processing of petitions and visas has improved significantly since 2001, when the Life Act was passed. In 2007 and early 2008 alone, USCIS added many thousands of new employees to more efficiently deal with backlogs. This was the justification for more than doubling fees in July of 2007.

K3 stopped being faster in November 2006, when USCIS stopped processing the two petitions separately. My wife and daughter arrived on K3 and K4 visas a few months before that. It saved about six months then, but the time savings went away for two reasons. One, they simply process I-130 much faster now and two, they process the two petitions together. With efficient NVC management by the Petitioner, even a theoretical K3 would save no more than three of four weeks. That's WHY, NVC changed THEIR policy.

WOW interesting facts. Sorry if I misspoke. So is it that things go so slowly one, because there's just so many petitions out there. And two, they really are trying to thoroughly check each one and get the bugs out before sending to NVC?

I have to tell you until I started on this website last June I had no idea. I like probably many people thought you get married, fill out an application and your spouse comes home. Like weeks not months or years.

[pushbrk 12,883]

WOW interesting facts. Sorry if I misspoke. So is it that things go so slowly one, because there's just so many petitions out there. And two, they really are trying to thoroughly check each one and get the bugs out before sending to NVC?

I have to tell you until I started on this website last June I had no idea. I like probably many people thought you get married, fill out an application and your spouse comes home. Like weeks not months or years.

Volume is the reason for the petitions sitting for months without any action at all. Once the petitions begin actual processing, it takes from less than an hour to a few days from start to finish. The rest of the time is just waiting your turn. From 4 to 5 years to process an I-130 in 2001 to 4 to 6 months in 2012 or really since about 2005, is already a tremendous improvement over 2001, when the Life Act created the K3.

The K3 though had some other (probably unintended) benefits that are quite helpful to those who do not currently wish to become permanent residents. It is for this reason, I disagree with NVC's new policy. They aren't listening though.

[dwheels76 5,468]

Volume is the reason for the petitions sitting for months without any action at all. Once the petitions begin actual processing, it takes from less than an hour to a few days from start to finish. The rest of the time is just waiting your turn. From 4 to 5 years to process an I-130 in 2001 to 4 to 6 months in 2012 or really since about 2005, is already a tremendous improvement over 2001, when the Life Act created the K3.

The K3 though had some other (probably unintended) benefits that are quite helpful to those who do not currently wish to become permanent residents. It is for this reason, I disagree with NVC's new policy. They aren't listening though.

Fascinating I love this learning the history of this. Man that BIG an improvement in really a short time. Well all I can do is file on Wednesday and pray I get a bored clerk that sees my file and jumps right on it. But if not well waiting I will do and just be that much ready with my husband at interview time.

[ChristinaandVarun 0]

There is a twenty-year age difference between my husband and I. I had my interview in Sydney and was never asked about our age difference.

BUT....there are a couple of differences between our case and yours:

1. I am the wife - my husband is twenty years older than me

2. I am an Australian citizen

You are already thinking about whether your age difference will be an issue at interview - this is a good thing. It means you have time to make sure you have your evidence in order to prove your relationship if asked about it at interview. Much better to be thinking about it now and preparing for it, as opposed to being asked at interview and you had never thought about it before then.

Good luck

Indeed. Thank you for bringing that to my attention because frankly, when you fall in love and live 10,000 miles apart, all you think about is finding a way to be together. I learned about the age difference being a possible deterrant from VJ.

[Iyawo_Omo_Yoruba 31]

Indeed. Thank you for bringing that to my attention because frankly, when you fall in love and live 10,000 miles apart, all you think about is finding a way to be together. I learned about the age difference being a possible deterrant from VJ.

Christina, I am sure my story didn't help you in this stressful time. Please forgive me! But my husband and I were not properly prepared, I see that now. You have time to make the difference for your interview, so you are already ahead of this game in that aspect!

We were naive, thinking how anyone could turn us down when we are so in love, but it doesn't work that way. Live and learn, and then stack the deck in your favor, so to speak!

Best of luck to you!

[Darnell 8,478]

If K3 visas are that rare, why do they still have them going on? Just wondering.

After reading on USCIS and DOS websites, I came to an understanding that the basic purpose of K3 visas was to reduce the separation time between a couple and a spouse could travel and enter the states on a K3 visa and then wait for the approval or apply for AOS. A common belief would be that I-130 is being processed in less time these days than in past but according to my personal experience (my wife called USCIS and was told that they are back logged and still doing petitions from August 2011 for I-130). So they are not doing it in the given 5 months time. People who applied in August are getting NOA2 in late February or early March.

So, why would they keep the K3 option open if they are just going to keep the I-129F petition on a hold till they can approve I-130 and the petitioner/beneficiary has to go for CR1? Why give someone a false hope that by applying for a K3, they could possibly reduce the separation time between a married couple?

Note: I do not mean or intend to contradict or offend anyone. I am just confused and wondering, looking for some answer for peace of my mind.

I sense yer missing the big picture here -

with rare exception ,

the I-129F and the I-130 are put together at USCIS.

The approval dates for both are USUALLY the same day.

Both casefiles then travel together into NVC.

NVC sees the approved I-129F, and administratively closes it, as the BASIS for the I-129F, leading to a K-3 Visa, an un-approved I-130 petition, doesn't exist by the time the two casefiles get into NVC. That I-130 is approved, no need for any movement on an I-129F, it gets administratively closed at NVC.

USCIS doesn't talk about this closing at NVC. At All. As far as USCIS is concerned, the K-3 visa is still a viable option. IF'n you study the last 200 topics in the K-3 forum, you'll get an understanding of WHY.

[tru_loves_journey 117]

I saw this comparison chart, maybe this can help people learn which is best for them http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

[ChristinaandVarun 0]

One thing a friend of mine said to me after my husband was denied, is that when you go for the interview, be yourself, make conversation with the CO like you were old friends seeing each other again. Don't just wait for questions to be asked. He came over on a K-1 and is now married and has been living here for over 2 years, and they have a 10 year difference.

He said it is imperative you are calm, cool and collected for the interview. He and his CO made small talk, and very few questions were even asked about the relationship. He chatted with her for 2 hours, while my husbands interview lasted all of 5 minutes. If you already know the age difference may be an issue, be prepared to dispel that notion immediately upon arrival to the interview. We weren't prepped for the interview, even with having an attorney.

I have read things such as his culture doesn't believe this or that, yet he and I have always made it clear that what we share is uniquely ours and not run by one culture or the other. Love has no boundaries, it doesn't discriminate, it simply exists.

Don't stress it, you have been made aware, gather your wits and understanding and attack it head on when the time comes. You still have time to prepare.

This is good advice Tracyjo...I'm a people person. I just need to get over my nervousness when the time comes, as I will be attending the visa interview with my husband and be myself.

[jaycali 415]

OP, one of the smartest things that anyone on VJ could do is "listen to pushbrk."

I second that.

[jaycali 415]

This is good advice Tracyjo...I'm a people person. I just need to get over my nervousness when the time comes, as I will be attending the visa interview with my husband and be myself.

I haven't had my CR-1 interview yet, but I've been to three different visa interviews before.

Confidence goes a long way.

My best advice: Go in there knowing you'll get approved because your relationship is as real as it gets. With this in mind, just remember to be prepared for any question the CO might have.

Remember; What is obvious to you may not be as obvious to the CO. With this in mind, anyone with a real relationship and a decent knowledge of the English language should be able to answer their questions well.

Edited April 1, 2012 by jaejayC

[ChristinaandVarun 0]

I haven't had my CR-1 interview yet, but I've been to three different visa interviews before.

Confidence goes a long way.

My best advice: Go in there knowing you'll get approved because your relationship is as real as it gets. With this in mind, just remember to be prepared for any question the CO might have.

Remember; What is obvious to you may not be as obvious to the CO. With this in mind, anyone with a real relationship and a decent knowledge of the English language should be able to answer their questions well.

Great advice JaejayC!

[Darnell 8,478]

Submitting reviews of the embassies is a great idea!

We've a section for that, here. When you get a mo, please review ?

This is good advice Tracyjo...I'm a people person. I just need to get over my nervousness when the time comes, as I will be attending the visa interview with my husband and be myself.

are you a 'pyschological' people person? If so, try to get into the head of ANY VO, as a practice-item, understand their POV and limitations and 'skew' on what they will see 'before them' when adjudicating YOUR casefile.