Packet 3 question?

[Tom & Lily 15]

Hi everyone I’m new to Visa Journey and am very happy to have found it!  It is comforting and agonizing at the same to read about everyone’s journey.  I am really appreciative of the those members that are investing their time and skills in doing the research and scans so we all have some information that assist in identifying approximately where our packet are at in the process!

 

We filed our I-129F in February (NOA1 10 Feb 17) and are fairly confident (after researching VR) that we will have our NOA2 by mid-May.

 

However, I will travel to China at the end of May (we will not have our packet 3 by the time I travel) and I want to ensure I take any/all documentation that she will require for her interview.  The I-134, Affidavit of support, is the only addition item I think I need (she has a complete I-129F packet); does anyone know of anything else I may need to take?

 

Also I am trying to determine if it would be beneficial for me to try and go with my Fiancée to her interview (we are guessing late July early Aug)?

 

Appreciate any information that you can provide!

[geowrian 22,337]

Hello!

 

It's possible to have your NOA2 by mid-May, but the average is taking 80-120 days. Mid-may is a bit optimistic IMHO, but not unreasonable.

 

Once you get NOA2, it needs to go to NVC (~2 weeks...sometimes only 1, and sometimes 4-6 weeks). Then it needs to go to the embassy. The July-Aug interview timeline sounds reasonable assuming a "typical" timeline. I say that "typical" because there are still a little under 100 Nov. filers still waiting for a NOA2 or RFE. It happens, and you just need to adjust and keep moving forward.

 

If you do happen to have the interview while you are there, I would highly recommend being there. However, whether or not you can actually be at the interview or even the building varies from embassy to embassy. If you cannot be with her, what you can do is hand her your passport and wait outside. The passport is proof that you're there and with her still, which is the closest you can do to actually being there in that case.

 

A copy of the NOA2 is recommended, but I don't believe it's actually required. The embassy should have this already, but if not then having a backup on-hand can avoid a 221g.

[EandH0904 1,184]

I don't know if it's consulate specific but I also took bank statement, paycheck stubs, last three years of taxes, divorce decree, original birth certificate, letter from my employer stating my job position/salary/length of time at company and an updated intent to marry letter

[Tom & Lily 15]

Thanks geowrian, appreciate the feedback. 

I am trying to stay optimistic about the process!

 

[KimchiLumpia 315]

42 minutes ago, Tom & Lily said:

The I-134, Affidavit of support, is the only addition item I think I need (she has a complete I-129F packet); does anyone know of anything else I may need to take?

You will give her your completed, signed and dated I-134 and supporting financial documentation.  Some countries are more stringent when it comes to the requested financial documentation, generally it will include: 3 years tax transcripts, and 1 year bank statements.  Some members have front loaded their applications by submitting previous years W2 forms and a month worth of pay stubs.

You will also give your fiance proof of US domicile: Mortgage or Lease paperwork, utilities bills to your property
  

If you haven't already, read up on VJ's China information section under the "Portals" tab:
http://www.visajourney.com/portals/index.php?country=China

 

Edited May 3, 2017 by KimchiLumpia

[Tom & Lily 15]

Thanks EandH0904; good recommendations.  I have 2016 tax return will pull down 14 and 15.

[Tom & Lily 15]

Thanks KimchiLumpia.  I need to buckle down on the I-134 requirements.  Great information I was thinking more along the lines of the I-864 proof which is not as intrusive of our finances.

[KimchiLumpia 315]

12 minutes ago, Tom & Lily said:

Thanks KimchiLumpia.  I need to buckle down on the I-134 requirements.  Great information I was thinking more along the lines of the I-864 proof which is not as intrusive of our finances.

This is correct thinking.  However, as the VJ Affidavit of Support tips guide states: 

" While there are no specific income requirements listed in the I-134 form directions, you will be judged by the
same criteria as the I-864 form requirements when they are issuing the visa at the foreign US consulate, so
provide financial information for the I-134 with those guidelines in mind."

http://www.visajourney.com/content/support

Some countries are more stringent with what their requested documents.  At my Canadian fiance's interview which I attended, they only asked for 2016 year tax transcripts, no bank statements, no pay stubs, employment verification letter, and didn't even look at my proof of domicile.  Because I have read many other VJ member's experiences in which their countries requested to see EVERYTHING, I got her the ALL the documents to be on the safe side.  

** I forgot to add employment verification letter in my first post to you **

Its better to over prepare than under prepare.  You'll sleep better at night knowing you have all your bases covered.

Edited May 3, 2017 by KimchiLumpia

[dmatosin 0]

Good luck to you Tom, 

 

I think you are overestimating when she will need the documents for her interview. After NO2 it takes about 2 more months (at least) to get the Packet 3. 

 

We filed Dec 1st and our Noa2 was finished on March 7th. Guangzhou received the NVC paperwork on April 3rd. Now its May 4th and still no Packet 3. 

 

I sent an email to Guangzhou consulate inquiring about the case. They responded that its in "pre-interview processing".  Today finally on CEAC site it Shows case has been "Last Updated May 4th", so hopefully this is good news to receive the Packet 3. 

 

[Tom & Lily 15]

Thanks dmatosin, I probably am being optimistic, but that's my personality.  Later works to if it turns out that way; she has mandatory retirement in August.