Dominican Republic: Bringing over children on follow to join

[phd1974 17]

Hi VJers,

This is just a note as of May 2014. I wrote the DR consulate about follow-to-join children and asked them some questions that are not specifically on their web site, so I am putting them here along with the embassy's answer in hopes that it helps others that are planning to do follow-to-join.

Do the children need to be present for the initial interview with my fiance since they are follow-to-join?

No.

Is there anything that I need to bring to the initial interview with my fiance regarding the children IF the children do not need to be there?

Their birth certificates.

(My note: birth certificates should be long-form [in extensa])

I was under the impression that each person, incl. children, need to have the DS-160 and present it at the embassy during the interview. Would we need to present the DS-160 form and/or already have paid for their visa fees for the children during the initial interview, even if the children are "follow-to-join?"

No. They will need to present when they have their interviews.

Once we are married and we are settled in and ready to bring the children over (before the deadline for applying for K-2 visas), is it just a matter of notifying you to get another interview scheduled for the children (and thus being able to do their medical, pay their visa fees, etc.)? How would we need to notify you? E-mail (like this) or phone call or letter?

E-mail. The deadline to process the children is eleven (11) months after the visa of the mother or father is issued. and you will need to get married within 90 days from entering the US for the first time.

(My note: their email address is SantoDomingoVisas@state.gov. In the subject use Case Inquiry #<insert your NVC case number here>

I hope this helps.

[MrTee12 64]

Read the DOM. REP NOA2 Wiki to prepare for your interview.

http://www.visajourn...eiving_the_NOA2

[MrTee12 64]

Thx for the info I will add it to the NOA2 Wiki page.

[joseylolo 2]

What happens if you don't take children's extensiva birth certificate to the initial interview??? We have our interview on Tuesday and I am not sure if we can get our hands on their birth certificates in just one day.

We were not planning on bringing the children until we are settled. Also, what happens if we aren't able to get the children over with us before the 11 months are up? What are our options for after the k1 visa 11 months are up? Does anyone know? Thank you!

Also, I notice there is a order for all the documents they ask you for the day of the interview (at least I thought I read). Does anyone know the order in which they request the documents???

[phd1974 17]

That is what I was told from the embassy. If all goes well with the interview, the worst is that it goes in Administrative Processing until you are able to produce them. The best, they won't say anything about it or you can present the other birth certificate version and they will be ok with it - but like I said, those are the answers that they gave me when I emailed them about it.

If you do not file for them before the time is up, you will have to go through the normal process, starting with filing the appropriate form and sending it in ... wait for NOA1, then NOA2 (or RFEs), then to NVC, then to embassy, then waiting for interview ... with any cost increases that goes with filing that way as opposed to a K2 visa.

I do not think there is a specific order, just make sure you are organized so that when they do ask you for a particular form or document, that you can easily retrieve it. Maybe use tabs or something and put them in alphabetical order? Just a suggestion.

[joseylolo 2]

Thank you very much! I'll let you know what happens on Tuesday

[joseylolo 2]

Thank you very much! I'll let you know what happens on Tuesday

[joseylolo 2]

We called the $7 consulate phone number and they said we didn't need to take them because we weren't planning on taking the children. They were WRONG!!! We decided to call because we literally had one day before the interview. I felt relieved when I called the $7 consulate phone number but the day of the interview I was very disappointed. The consulate officer was very kind and our interview lasted about 6 -7 minutes. He asked for them and we told him we called the $7 phone number and he carried on with the interview. He gave us our green ticket and told us we were technically approved but he needed to see the birth certificates of the two children to ensure they exist. He told us there is no doubt your relationship is real but I do want the birth certificates. He gave us the form to mail the certificates through domex.

The next day we picked up the birth certificates. The day after that we went to la romana to get them legalized and went to the domex office in la romana. The domex employee told is to call within 1-2. Weeks to see of the visa was ready for pick up. Now we wait and see when our status changes from administrative processing to approved. The consulate officer said what we need doesn't usually take a lot of time. He said don't worry everything is good.

[phd1974 17]

We called the $7 consulate phone number and they said we didn't need to take them because we weren't planning on taking the children. They were WRONG!!! We decided to call because we literally had one day before the interview. I felt relieved when I called the $7 consulate phone number but the day of the interview I was very disappointed. The consulate officer was very kind and our interview lasted about 6 -7 minutes. He asked for them and we told him we called the $7 phone number and he carried on with the interview. He gave us our green ticket and told us we were technically approved but he needed to see the birth certificates of the two children to ensure they exist. He told us there is no doubt your relationship is real but I do want the birth certificates. He gave us the form to mail the certificates through domex.

The next day we picked up the birth certificates. The day after that we went to la romana to get them legalized and went to the domex office in la romana. The domex employee told is to call within 1-2. Weeks to see of the visa was ready for pick up. Now we wait and see when our status changes from administrative processing to approved. The consulate officer said what we need doesn't usually take a lot of time. He said don't worry everything is good.

Nice @ getitng approved. Sucks having to wait for a couple of pieces of paper. Congrats!

[phd1974 17]

Hey MrTee12,

You might want to put under the follow-to-join section that you will need the birth certificates of the children at the interview - based on the result of loreina.becerra's interview experience a couple of days ago (see her reply in this thread). Thanks!

[MrTee12 64]

Hey MrTee12,

You might want to put under the follow-to-join section that you will need the birth certificates of the children at the interview - based on the result of loreina.becerra's interview experience a couple of days ago (see her reply in this thread). Thanks!

Thanks, will do.

[haljbr 4]

Hi all.

Maybe its not the same situation, but as I can see you are talking about follow to join case.

My mother applied to me on 2006 as unmarried son of citizen....

I made my interview and got my green card.

When she applied to me she did to my daughter too.

And now I want my daughter como to live with me on USA.

The problem is that I cannot fill her DS-260 form.

At web site says "not applicable". - her status is follow to join

I went to appointment to USCIS and they dont know what to do.

I send emails to NVC and they say to talk to consulate in brazil, and consulate says to contact NVC.

If you could or know anyone else that has the same or had same issue, plesase, reply.

Thank you

[phd1974 17]

Hi all.

Maybe its not the same situation, but as I can see you are talking about follow to join case.

My mother applied to me on 2006 as unmarried son of citizen....

I made my interview and got my green card.

When she applied to me she did to my daughter too.

And now I want my daughter como to live with me on USA.

The problem is that I cannot fill her DS-260 form.

At web site says "not applicable". - her status is follow to join

I went to appointment to USCIS and they dont know what to do.

I send emails to NVC and they say to talk to consulate in brazil, and consulate says to contact NVC.

If you could or know anyone else that has the same or had same issue, plesase, reply.

Thank you

You should start a new topic post for this question so that others who are not going through the Dominican Republic have a greater chance of seeing your question/situation.

This post only is referring to K-1 cases. I assume your case is an I-130 or other form submission. I am not too familiar with anything otehr than K-1, as that is what I have been reading the most on here. Like I said, start a new thread for better response.

I do not know how long a follow-to-join is for I-130, or K-3, but I do know for a K-1, the time limit is 1 year. You would need to research on what the time limit for follow-to-join for your case is - if there is one.

If not, or the time period has expired, you will need to re-file individually for your daughter. Your mom will not be able to file for your daughter (grandmothers cannot file for grandchildren via an I-130). So you will have to file for her.

Alternatively, research on other options that may be available to you, as I stated before, I am not fully versed on a situation like yours.

[kcdiva4sho 2]

For the 1 yr time limit is that 1 yr to file the follow to join paperwork or do the kids need to be actually issued a visa by the 1 yr deadline? I'm in the process of bringing my husband's children. His visa was issued 7/25/13, I mailed the follow to join paperwork 5/5/14.

[phd1974 17]

From their e-mail, you should be ok. I read the e-mail that they sent me as "as long as it is in process" before the deadline.