K1 Fiancee Visa and K3 Marriage Visa Immigration News

Why Manila is great for K1 Fiancee Visas

2009-05-07T16:08:00.000-07:00

In my practice as a K1 visa lawyer I have often heard that manila can be one of the hardest embassy's to work with and get a K1 visa from. A few years ago I would agree that would have been the case. Currently though the embassy there has instituted changes that have made the process faster, more consistent and in terms of my legal practice have decreased the amount of issues we have at that post.
The biggest change that I noted came around about 1 year ago when they did away with the packet 4 interview scheduling. They still send packet 4 out but now after the embassy sends packet 3 out with the instructions, forms and materials list and the client is able to gather all those documents then you can call and schedule the interview yourself. This change alone has knocked 3 months off the standard wait time at the Manila embassy for both K1, K3 and CR1 visas.
The other change I've noticed is in the interview itself. The feedback that I have received from my K1 visa clients is that the questions are focused more on the paperwork and initial evidence received and less on the relationship. I.e. do the paperwork right and follow instructions and you are well on your way to getting your visa. When clients have a hard time typically occurs when they forgot paperwork at home or contradict (lie) at the embassy. This is bad and can result in extra evidence needed to be submitted.
Overall I really enjoy working with clients with fiancees' and spouses in the Philippines and find that those tend to be the smoothest, quickest and most predictable events that I advise on. This is a big change from a few years ago and a great change indeed for those with loved ones aboard.

K1 visa Warning

2006-10-25T13:02:00.000-07:00

Although this is quite rare it should serve as a warning to those engaged in long distance overseas relationships. K1 fiancee visa clients should really take their time before sending money to their new love. Look for the warning signs noted in this article and be aware. I'll see if I can dig up a few other articles that talk about K1 visa fraud and oversea romance problems.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/10/25/BAG78LVGRI1.DTL

K1 Visa Scam

2006-07-05T15:18:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick story about what got IMBRA started in the first place:

http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/06302006news39936.cfm

In my practice at www.k1visalaw.com , I hear about stories like these too often. People trying to game the system, take advantage of both sponsor and fiancee alike and end up costing thousands of truly loving couples untold time and money. I'm glad that they were caught and will spend time in prison. Hopefully USCIS and ICE continues to focus on the fraudulent rings of K1 and K3 visas and will speed up the process for the legit couples.

Requests coming out

2006-07-05T15:11:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd give a quick update to those affected by the IMBRA recall and RFE. All 4 service centers have started to send out the requests for more information letters (RFE's). Its a 3 page letter asking about your previous criminal history and whether you met through an international marriage broker. Note: BE CAREFUL on how you answer the marriage broker question and be sure to read THEIR definition as it may differ from what you think it means. Also, read their instructions carefully and make sure you totally comply or your risk further delay. Otherwise, its good news to see USCIS moving and the letters coming out. With a 10,000+ application backlog it will still take awhile to get fully back to speed. No news yet on the court efforts to stop IMBRA and its effect on the finacee visa.

USCIS issues new I-129F for K1 visas and K3 visas

2006-06-15T10:53:00.000-07:00

Good news to those who have been waiting for some action at USCIS after the IMBRA shutdown. Today USCIS issued the new I-129F form for fiancee visa's (k1 visas). You can find the new form here: http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/I-129F.pdf I'm glad to see things are moving again at USCIS. With a 10,000 file backlog its not clear how long it will take to get all this cleared out, but things are moving. Also you can view the PR notice the USCIS sent out awhile back regarding the process: http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/statements/imbra_061306pn.pdf

K1 Visa Recall and its effects

2006-06-02T11:39:00.000-07:00

Well I'm not surprised that this happend, but on May 6th the U.S. State Department issued a recall of all approved K1 visa whose NOA date was on or after March 6, 2006. This will delay all approvals and likely throw the entire process in a slight case of choas for awhile. For those approved I would suspect that it will add 1-2 months of delay before the interviews can be scheduled. For those that applied but have not been approved, I think another 2-3 months on top of their old wait times will likely be the case.
Here is a link to the DOS notice regarding the recall of the K1 fiancee visa's: http://travel.state.gov/visa/laws/telegrams/telegrams_2927.html

Now the good news; the USCIS has finally started to move. They have a draft of the new I-129F form that all new pets. will have to use when filing for their K1 fiancee visa. Here's a link: http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/pra/i-129f-draft.pdf NOTE THIS IS A DRAFT do not rely on this form. I would suspect that this will be approved within the next 30 days and things will slowly get back on track.
One can note all the extra questions on criminal background. If you find any of these apply to you, then it is probably a good idea to start getting those records ready.

Return to Sender: New K1 fiancee visa law takes effect

2006-03-03T12:33:00.000-08:00

Here's an quick release on a new law that effects the K1 fiancee visa program and folks who meet through marriage brokers. This take is from a fellow K1 visa lawyer: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/2/prweb348998.htm

While this law doesn't effect the majority of my K1 clients it does provide pause as to the future of this successful program. I hope that congress doesn't build on this law and make it more difficult for citizens to meet and marry foreign nationals. We'll have to see what shakes out, I do know that other K1 lawyers and those who do it themselves need to be informed of this change.

Good Valentine K1 Fiancee Visa story

2006-02-23T17:25:00.000-08:00

In my practice at http://www.k1visalaw.com I hear all the pre-wedding issues, visa's, waivers, interview prep,etc. After the visa is issued I don't always expect to hear how the clients made out she got into the U.S. In the media we usually only hear about how the K1 is a scam (see yesterday's post) or some evil portion of the sex slave business. So today I thought it would be nice to bring you something from about a week ago to show how the K1 works out 95% of the time. Good for them: So Keiko Arakane, 29, an account manager from Tokyo, and her sweetheart, Steve Wozniak, also 29, a Navy electronics technician aboard the submarine Los Angeles, showed up at the second-floor office of Hawaii Civil Marriages' Kakaako location during lunch yesterday to say their "I dos," sans rings. http://starbulletin.com/2006/02/15/news/story03.html

Off on trip, I'll try to update when I get back.

Differing viewpoints on the K1 fiancee visa

2006-02-22T10:34:00.000-08:00

From a newsletter:

When I heard “fianceé visa,” I was immediately skeptical. But the story sounded plausible. Since Abby is a nice kid, I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. But before long, my suspicions were confirmed. http://www.vdare.com/guzzardi/fiancee.htm

I thought today it would be good to show some examples of alternative views on the K1. It also goes to show that everyone, clients, attornies, agencys need to be careful to make sure what we do is for legimate love and not something unethical. I apprciate this guys candor and can't say that some of his thoughts concern me as well during my practice.

New Bloging tool

2006-02-21T20:05:00.000-08:00

Found this and thought it would be handy. Email me for the html...although not immigration related thought I'd share the love.

New Test

2006-02-21T19:58:00.000-08:00

Just checking here had some technical problems

K1 Visa Promotion

2006-02-21T15:31:00.000-08:00

First I should note that I am an attorney who specializes in K1 fiancee visas. And as a shameless plug that will appear from time to time, here is my website where you can find information on my practice. http://www.k1visalaw.com You wont see this much, but I do need to pay the bills :)

On to some visa news:

1. For those of you new to the process you should know that some changes in the K1 visa law are going to take effect shortly. The two major changes are that marriage brokers will have a new level of disclosure required for their K1 Fiancee visa clients. Also the number of K1 visas that a U.S. Citizen is allow to apply for has been limited. Here is an excellent summary of the new law: Mail Order Bride: International Dating is about to change

More to follow on this K1 fiancee visa development

First Edition

2006-02-21T15:11:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the K1/K3 immigration blog. I hope this site provides a resource to those looking to enter the U.S. either through marriage or a fiancee.