JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2019 ARGENTINA K1 INTERVIEWS

[Fer Schvarztman 217]

11 hours ago, Fe.Ta said:

Thank you all for your input. There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of posts about Argentina. Do any of you know whether the interview can be conducted in Spanish. And, if it can, would this affect the chances of getting approved?

In my experience it was in spanish, the consul didn't give me the option to choose language, he only asked me if I do speak in english and said yes (have in mind I communicated with the embassy through mail in english, and when I deliverd my packet3 in person at the embassy I also spoke in english to the embassy employees, so they already knew I was good at speaking in english) I've seen other cases in visa journey the consul asked if beneficiary wants to go through the process in spanish or english. It's a pitty the Argentinians who has passed through the interview stoped helping.on this group, Im the only one trying to help with my experience.

 

I don't think it could be aproblem if you communicate in spanish, one of you two should know the others language, if not it could become a red flag. But try to have an explanation if the consul asks something about the language regarding how the beneficiary is going to be able to adapt and work in the American culture not speaking in english. Remember they look for red flags, you have to work on the packet 3 and interview to erase any of possible red flags. 

Some of this are: 

1. The beneficiary could become a public charge: You erase this red flag with an affidavit of suport over 125% over poverty line, if you don't meet this need, you should have a co-sponsor that can support the beneficiary for 10 years.

 

2. Religion: If the beneficiary's religion is way different from the petitioners. Showing proof of both sides of the family supporting the couple helps erasing this redflag

 

3.Age difference: If the age gap is 10 or more years, this could be a red flag of sex trafficking or human trafficking.

 

4. Any police or criminal record could be a red flag.

 

Also, would the beneficiary’s unemployment status due to waiting on the visa (we decided for him to stop the job search due to our plans) be an issue for approval?

No, it's not Im unenployed and was no issue, but once again you need to have an explanation. When I completed DS-160 form I was asked about my job, added unemployed and a box opened to give an explanation. In my case I explained with my fiance we decided me not to work to enjoy my country, my sister's pregnancy, and I got a family inheritance  that gave me economical peace of mind, Im not rich, but give me the chance to choose not to work. If you send him money through western union periodicaly this helps as a proof of relationship and economical support.

It's not going to be an issue, if you give a good explanation why, and beneficiary must be ready to be asked about this or what he does for a living, just in case. In my experience I prepaired myself for this, and the consul didn't ask anything about this, and was no issue. But tried to give a good, short explanation od DS160

Good luck! Where's your fiance from? 😘😘

Edited March 26, 2019 by Fernanda R Sanz

[andreaam 514]

12 hours ago, Fe.Ta said:

Thank you all for your input. There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of posts about Argentina. Do any of you know whether the interview can be conducted in Spanish. And, if it can, would this affect the chances of getting approved?

 

Also, would the beneficiary’s unemployment status due to waiting on the visa (we decided for him to stop the job search due to our plans) be an issue for approval?

Hello there! as @Fernanda R Sanz wrote above I don't think it will be a problem if you speak in spanish but make sure to prove your fiance speaks english somehow. 

I read in a lot of cases they ask you what leanguage you prefer, but again this depends on the person since every interview is different from everyone

I'm unemployed too. I'm an recent graduated architect and I didn't want to look for a job since I didn't know when I was going to be leaving. I do freelance graphic works and I also teach computer courses. I wrote this activities when I was filing DS160 to let them know I'm not employed but I'm doing something just in case this was going to be a question in the interview

Where is your fiance from?? I'm from Cordoba

[andreaam 514]

@Fernanda R Sanz any news about the birth certificate??

 

[Fer Schvarztman 217]

14 minutes ago, andreaam said:

@Fernanda R Sanz any news about the birth certificate??

 

Yeah, the embassy answered the email I sent on friday, letting them know I sent the acta to the CAS, asked how I was going to be notified about the approval confirmation and how long it was going to take. 

They replyed yesterday, which was pretty fast in deed: They said the CAS takes 2 business days to send the acta to the embassy, and if everything is ok, they will take 15 business days to process and issue the visa on my passport. Hope tomorrow or on thursday we'll get the approval confirmation. 

We still have to wait, but keep my faith everything will go just fine 😌

Edited March 26, 2019 by Fernanda R Sanz

[andreaam 514]

I did my police certificate here in Cordoba yesterday. I'm going to write down how I did it just in case anyone from Cordoba too needs information.

I went to www.dnrec.jus.gov.ar  and tried to do it online. I wasn't able to do it because my finger prints were never taken

In the same website I clicked TRAMITES PARTICULARES, Certificado de Antecedentes Penales ----- INICIA TU TRÁMITE ------ TRAMITE PRESENCIAL

In the page that opens I chose Argentina---Cordoba----Cordoba and the I picked the option ------ Delegación UER Ministerio de Justicia de la Pcia. de Córdoba (COR) in Rosario de Santa Fe 254, Barrio Centro

Then you continue clicking in SIGUIENTE ----- then chose the option to pay $180 pesos to have it in 24 hs 

A new page will open where you will complete all your personal information. When you are done, print that form with a copy of your DNI because you will need it for the appointent

To pay the fee you can chose to pay through RAPIPAGO or PAGOMISCUENTAS (save the receipt to take it to the appointment)

You have to had a CIDI account (CIUDADANO DIGITAL) to make an appointment and then you can go to ------turnero.cba.gov.ar/turnos-----

In the TURNERO page, click in RESERVAR TURNOS ONLINE ------- then SEARCH: CERTIFICADO ANTECEDENTES PENALES REINCIDENCIA and chose your date

That's it. I hope it works!

[andreaam 514]

2 minutes ago, Fernanda R Sanz said:

Yeah, the embassy answered the email I sent on friday, letting them know I sent the acta to the CAS, asked how I was going to be notified about the approval confirmation and hoe long it was going ti take. 

They replyed yesterday, which was pretty fast in deed: They said the CAS takes 2 bussiness days to send the acta to the embassy, and if everything is ok, they will take 15 bussiness days to process and issue the visa on my passport. Hope tomorrow or on thursday get an approval confirmation. 

We still have to wait, but keep my faith everything will go just fine 😌

Great!! It will be okay. You will have news soon I'm sure! 

They are answering the emails pretty fast. I sent one on friday asking if I need to bring copies of the Evidence of Support to the interview and they answered yesterday saying is not necesary since I'll be submitting all of that in packet 3. We decided anyway to make copies of the most importart parts of our Evidence and take it just in case

I'm going to print my passport photos this afternoon and I'll probably be sending Packet 3 through DHL on Wenesday

@Fernanda R Sanz I did a cover letter for Packet 3 - more like a INDICE - I read you did one too. That was the front of your package or it was something else??

[Fer Schvarztman 217]

@andreaam yes I added a table of contents, "indice". Placed it inside the packet on the inside folder pocket on the front, on the "tapa" of the folder. 

 

On the outside I did the same We've  done for the I129F petition: Added a picture of my fiance and I in Playa del Carmen in our last meet in person with the title "Packet 3 for U.S Embassy in Argentina", under it "K1 Fiance Visa"; the Picture and under it: Petitioner: my fiance's name, under it, beneficiary: my name. On the "lomo" of the folder added: K1 Visa, my BSN#, and the DS160 case# the picture it is not a must, but I'm a little corny, hahaha!, you can just add a title and the case and bns number. 😊

Edited March 26, 2019 by Fernanda R Sanz

[andreaam 514]

10 minutes ago, Fernanda R Sanz said:

@andreaam yes I added a table of contents, "indice". Placed it inside the packet on the inside folder pocket on the front, on the "tapa" of the folder. 

 

On the outside I did the same We've  done for the I129F petition: Added a picture of my fiance and I in Playa del Carmen in our last meet in person with the title "Packet 3 for U.S Embassy in Argentina", under it "K1 Fiance Visa"; the Picture and under it: Petitioner: my fiance's name, under it, beneficiary: my name. On the "lomo" of the folder added: K1 Visa, my BSN#, and the DS160 case# the picture it is not a must, but I'm a little corny, hahaha!, you can just add a title and the case and bns number. 😊

What kind of folder?? with Folios or Encuadernado?? for I129F we sent everything in an envelope haha

And for Packet 3 I organized everything inside in different packets but I don't know how to close everything together

[Fer Schvarztman 217]

4 minutes ago, andreaam said:

What kind of folder?? with Folios or Encuadernado?? for I129F we sent everything in an envelope haha

And for Packet 3 I organized everything inside in different packets but I don't know how to close everything together

Our packets where very thick, because was hard to summurise 8years of relationship so I used a big binder for the I129F and a "bibliorato" for the packet 3. I used plastic sleaves "folios" to protect papers from any wather damage, anf used "separadores" with tabs, so the consul could have an easy way to go back and forth with the different sections. I think you organized it really good, there is no specific way to do it, just place yourself in the consul shoose, like someone that has no idea about you guys, and your story and should understand and have a friendly relationship with the paperwork 

[andreaam 514]

6 minutes ago, Fernanda R Sanz said:

Our packets where very thick, because was hard to summurise 8years of relationship so I used a big binder for the I129F and a "bibliorato" for the packet 3. I used plastic sleaves "folios" to protect papers from any wather damage, anf used "separadores" with tabs, so the consul could have an easy way to go back and forth with the different sections. I think you organized it really good, there is no specific way to do it, just place yourself in the consul shoose, like someone that has no idea about you guys, and your story and should understand and have a friendly relationship with the paperwork 

Yes, ours I129F was really thick too but we never thought about a folder. We put everything together and also used tabs for the different groups

I have to be clever on how to send it so is not difficult fro dhl.

Thank you for your help! I really appreciate it!

[Javier Mera 217]

3 hours ago, Fernanda R Sanz said:

Thanks @andreaam for tagging me. @Javier Mera they only suggest not investing money on the wedding until you get a notification of approval, because you may loose money. In our case we added as Andreaam said the wedding rings purchase, I bought a dress not expensive and added pictures, Im a graphic designer so I design the wedding invitations and through email with my fiance we started talking what to wear, trying to arrange our parents flights to the wedding, looking for airb&b for accomodation, etc. I print that out. 

 

Also if you talked about the wedding in your on going communications, add that too. It helps erasing any incosistency on your case if all the proof are connected. Not a must, but worked for me. Add the reservation, in you have a receipt too. I created a tab called wedding plans. My paket3 was devided in beneficiary docs, petitioner docs, evidence of financial income and resourses (sponsor and co-sponsor affidavits), proof of relationship (here added the pictures and proof of meeting in person, social media interactions), on going communucation tab, presents to one another (if you have sent presents and letters through currier), and wedding plans. I add this just to help you organize all the paperwork, I had in mind a person was going to review all the case and tried to make it easy for the consul. 

Where is your fiance from? Im curious, hope you don't feel Im asking something too personal. 

 

Your are all doing good! Keep it up your are really close 😊 

Yeah my worry with reserving was that I may lose the money if worse case scenario it had to be cancelled. But they were nice enough to delay the payment of the wedding to be right after her interview date so thankfully that was covered haha. So I do have an email with that confirming the reservation and I guess it would be fine for her to take to the interview. Maybe not include it in the packet but at least have it with her if they ask for wedding plans. 

 

We might do the tabs on the binder / folder too. That's how I originally organized the petition when I sent the 129f information.

 

You are good with the question haha. She's in the Alto Palermo area. Are you also in BsAs?

[Fer Schvarztman 217]

@Javier Mera I live in Buenos Aires too, but not in Capital City. I'm from Banfield, an English town from the south buenos Aires province area. 😊

Hehehehe, I try to help you guys with information I had to search myself on the web, because didn't have Argentinian peeps to ask to. 😊

[Fe.Ta 874]

7 hours ago, Fernanda R Sanz said:

Good luck! Where's your fiance from? 😘😘

Thank you for being so responsive and being proactive in providing more information about those of us that are dealing with the American embassy in Argentina.  Even though I am not concerned about the USA side, the uncertainty of how things are managed in Argentina is worrisome.

 

I am glad the actual language in which the interview is conducted does not affect the chances of approval.  Even though he does not speak English, he is working on learning some as he is there and we plan on him attending actual registered courses in the USA.  Plus, we CAN communicate in a shared language because I am bilingual (fluently) in Spanish and English and my native language is Spanish anyways.   Additionally, we can address the concern of "survival" during the acclimation period in USA by explaining that we will be living in a area where there is a high percent of Hispanics and Spanish is spoken as often as English.  Even though we will be waiting on the green card before he can actually work, we already have contacts with jobs available for him (without a language barrier) for when all the green card paperwork is ready.  Would this be helpful to have within the packet or at least have in his mind in case this is brought up as question?

 

I have covered all of the items listed above and I know for us they do not apply as red flags.  Thank goodness!  However, I was comforted to know that the unemployment question or concern can be addressed in the following packet and it does not affect approval as long as I can show I can economically support him, a brief explanation to why (our shared decision for example) he is unemployed, etc. 

 

I've read from other of your responses that you know about some rejected cases.  Do you have any additional information as to why they may have been rejected?  Do you know if this tends to happen more based upon the actual documentation or is it more about the conversation part of the interview?

 

Sorry for the long post, I am just trying to process my nerves! 🤣

 

He is from Buenos Aires.

[Fe.Ta 874]

7 hours ago, andreaam said:

Hello there! as @Fernanda R Sanz wrote above I don't think it will be a problem if you speak in spanish but make sure to prove your fiance speaks english somehow. 

I read in a lot of cases they ask you what leanguage you prefer, but again this depends on the person since every interview is different from everyone

I'm unemployed too. I'm an recent graduated architect and I didn't want to look for a job since I didn't know when I was going to be leaving. I do freelance graphic works and I also teach computer courses. I wrote this activities when I was filing DS160 to let them know I'm not employed but I'm doing something just in case this was going to be a question in the interview

Where is your fiance from?? I'm from Cordoba

Thank you for your response!  Would showing that he is trying to learn some English while he is there with using such things as Duolingo, etc. be sufficient?  Based on other responses, I am also thinking it should be OK as long as we can prove that part of our plans while we are waiting for the green card is for him to enroll in English classes once he is in USA.  Plus, we will be living in a Hispanic-centered area where Spanish is spoken as often as English.

So, as long as we explain it in the DS160, plus prep him to be ready to answer this question in case it comes up, we should have no issues as them considering unemployment a red flag?  It was our mutual decision to have him not continue to look for a job because of not knowing how things would play out, plus we thought it would be unfair to take a job from a local that had no plans of leaving and needed it either to sustain himself/herself and a family.  If we list enough activities and reasons, plus show I've sent money, do you think this would work for our benefit?

He is from Buenos Aires.

 

Sorry for the long post.  I appreciate your input and support!  I hope yours continues to work through with flying colors!

[andreaam 514]

15 hours ago, Fe.Ta said:

Thank you for your response!  Would showing that he is trying to learn some English while he is there with using such things as Duolingo, etc. be sufficient?  Based on other responses, I am also thinking it should be OK as long as we can prove that part of our plans while we are waiting for the green card is for him to enroll in English classes once he is in USA.  Plus, we will be living in a Hispanic-centered area where Spanish is spoken as often as English.

So, as long as we explain it in the DS160, plus prep him to be ready to answer this question in case it comes up, we should have no issues as them considering unemployment a red flag?  It was our mutual decision to have him not continue to look for a job because of not knowing how things would play out, plus we thought it would be unfair to take a job from a local that had no plans of leaving and needed it either to sustain himself/herself and a family.  If we list enough activities and reasons, plus show I've sent money, do you think this would work for our benefit?

He is from Buenos Aires.

 

Sorry for the long post.  I appreciate your input and support!  I hope yours continues to work through with flying colors!

I think if you show proof the he is learning english is completly fine. I consider myself fluent in english but I'm learning all the time new things, so I don't think the lenguage will be a problem if you proof you are willing to learn.

If you put documents that proof you sent money to him it would defnitily work on your benefit because it proofs the relationship.

According to the job question, he can work when he receives his Employment Authorazation or EAD. This takes between 4 - 6 months and green cards is about 12 - 18 months

Regarding the rejected cases, I didn't have my interview yet (is scheduled for april 25th) so I don't have any experience on that. @Fernanda R Sanz wrote that she saw rejected cases but she doesn't know why