Preparing for packet 3 (Argentina) -- not yet approved.

[d3adc0d3 186]

Hi all.

Due to the train-wreck of a mail system in Argentina, I'm trying to understand what I need to send to my fiance in advance for his packet 3 preparations. This way if it gets "lost" I'll have time to get them again and send them.

According to this from the embassy page:
http://photos.state.gov/libraries/48675/CONS-IV/IV%20Appointment%20packet.pdf

and this from VJ:
http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Argentina&cty=Buenos%20Aires

He'll need to send these:

• EVIDENCE OF RELATIONSHIP
• Two DS-156
• DS-157
• DS-156K
• Valid passport and all previous passports
• BIRTH CERTIFICATE
• DIVORCE DECREE
• POLICE CERTIFICATE
• MILITARY RECORD
• 4 2x2 inches PHOTOGRAPHS
• I-134 and evidence of support
• PHYSICAL EXAMINATION (Copy of the envelope)

Regarding #6, #7 & #9:

• Do they need the US Citizen's? Do I mail him and original or can he print out a PDF scan?
• Do they need the original of his documents, or does he mail them a copy?

Regarding #11:

• What "evidence" do I need to prepare?

Is there anything else that I should send which needs to be the US Citizens's documents and should I send originals or email him PDF scans to print?

[C-ma'am 684]

The packet 3 on the US Embassy website used to be WAY out of date. I've never had issues sending or receiving mail in Argentina, so I wouldn't worry much about that.

Your fiance will need the I-134 with its original signature and all supporting financial evidence (Copies: IRS transcripts, latest W2s and 1099s) and updated Intent to Marry letter with your original signature.

That's it

EDIT: If you are divorced, include a certified copy of your divorce decree. Nothing else is needed from you. Everything else, he would have to present, because it's all about his information.

Edited July 13, 2013 by Celeste & C

[d3adc0d3 186]

Okay, so lets see if I got it right:

1. Original Divorce Decree with seal from court.
2. I-134, with original signature and the following evidence
   • Previous years' tax returns (I don't have my W-2s anymore, I lost a lot of paperwork in a flood this last spring) -- I only have PDF copies, will that be ok?
   • Letter from Employer
   • Recent Pay stubs (I can provide all of these from when I got hired 3+ years ago) -- I have PDF copies, will that work?
3. Letter of Intent with Original signature.

I've had issues sending him things in the past, letters and packages got sent to the wrong houses, or never got delivered.

[C-ma'am 684]

Okay, so lets see if I got it right:

1. Original Divorce Decree with seal from court.
2. I-134, with original signature and the following evidence
   • Previous years' tax returns (I don't have my W-2s anymore, I lost a lot of paperwork in a flood this last spring) -- I only have PDF copies, will that be ok?
   • Letter from Employer
   • Recent Pay stubs (I can provide all of these from when I got hired 3+ years ago) -- I have PDF copies, will that work?
3. Letter of Intent with Original signature.

I've had issues sending him things in the past, letters and packages got sent to the wrong houses, or never got delivered.

Sounds about right to me. I'm moving your post to the Regional forum because the question is country specific. I just looked into my old files and the latest K1 packet copy I kept was from Feb 2012. Check the last page on the one that you have, it might be newer than the one I have, if it isn't let me know and I'll attach this copy I have.

[d3adc0d3 186]

Will the copies of those documents I indicated work?

[C-ma'am 684]

Yes

[d3adc0d3 186]

Thank you! Huge help.

[C-ma'am 684]

You are most welcome.

For my interview, my husband (then fiance) sent me all the financial evidence in PDF and I printed it in Argentina. They accepted everything I gave them.

Did you check the date on that packet 3 you downloaded? Do you want to have a copy of this one I have, to compare?

[d3adc0d3 186]

Hi!

This is the K1/K3 Packet 3 which is dated July 2013. Looks like they JUST updated it.

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/48675/CONS-IV/K1%20K3%20Instructions%20Packet.pdf

For future use.

[d3adc0d3 186]

I'll gather everything I'll need to send physical copies of and just email him the rest. That way he can just print it when he's ready. I was going to send him the papers and a care package. I hope both get to him. Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it.

How was the embassy interview and all? Were you there?

I won't be able to go to it -- I have two little ones and finding sitters and affording the $1300 for a round trip flight is just beyond my capabilities, at the moment. My car recently blew a Head Gasket so that mechanic bill ate my savings up. :c

[C-ma'am 684]

Oh good! They have an updated version, then. I'll go ahead and delete these I have, because they are just way out of date.

The interviews in Argentina are pretty painless. I'm yet to read of a denial on VJ. I am the beneficiary, though My husband is the USC and he was unable to be present at the interview due to work. Argentina is a breeze compared to other embassies and it's really unnecessary for the USC to be present; so, you shouldn't worry about being there and save the money you would spend on a ticket.

The instructions on the packet are very clear and he shouldn't have a problem, just be sure to use the checklist provided so, when the time comes, he sends everything as requested. Don't fret if he forgets to include a document, because the embassy will let him know if something is missing, at the time they email him with the date of the interview; and he will have a chance to present it that day.

Where in Argentina is your fiance from?

[d3adc0d3 186]

Awesome! I'm so relieved. :3 I haven't seen him since January so I'm going nuts without him. :c

He's from Buenos Aires, Longchamps. He lived in BA, Lanus for a while, but he hasn't been there since he was a boy.

When I visited we stayed in uppity Palermo... it was gorgeous. We plan on retiring early in Argentina once my children are grown ( They're tweens so it'll go too fast ). The people are so warm and friendly and the lifestyle is so much more laid back than here. I miss that... where everyone is home by 9pm on the weekdays to be with family.

Where are you from? Where is your fiance from? Your English is excellent!

[C-ma'am 684]

I am from La Plata, capital of Buenos Aires province. My husband is American. We've been married for a little over a year.

I was wondering where your fiance was from because of the issue, you mentioned, with mail. I know that for some outside of the big cities, mail can be a challenge.

Thank you for the compliment! I'm fully bilingual.

Good luck to y'all! Just remember.. Do not stress about those things you cannot control

[ds10 0]

Hi to you both,

I hope you still get this messages some months later! My fiance and I are currently in the process of gathering our embassy packet paperwork. The Military Service record is taking FOREVER (he submitted the request over 45 days now)...so this is the last document we are waiting on!

Did either of you have any experience in obtaining military records? Any advice you may have would be much appreciated!

Thank you!

[d3adc0d3 186]

When I requested my records it took 4 months, but I'm not active duty so I wasn't in a rush (I'm the USC). You can contact your local congressman and see if they can push for it to be expedited, if it's the USC iwth the records, otherwise I have no idea for the ARC.