FAQ K1

Q:Can I see a flow chart of the entire visa process
A: Yes, click the link below
http://dominicanstotheusa.com/forum/index.php/topic,2311.new.html#new

Q: What is K1?
A: A K1 visa is a Fiancé visa, it is obtained by filing form I-129F, and this visa is issued to people who want to marry in the United States
http://dominicanstotheusa.com/forum/index.php/topic,677.0.html

Q: What is a "certificado de no antecedentes" or "buena conducta"?
A: This is the Police certificate required for your interview, it will indicate to the Embassy if your SO has a police record in the Dominican Republic.
http://dominicanstotheusa.com/forum/index.php/topic,1610.0.html

Q: My Fiancé arrived can he/she get a SS#?
A: Yes, under the law K1 visa holders may immediately obtain a SSN upon entry into the United States
http://dominicanstotheusa.com/forum/index.php/topic,1898.0.html

Q: What if my fiance has a criminal record?
A: All court and police records must be obtained prior to your interview, these are not the same documents as the police certificate listed above, even if you’re SO police certificate has no record, but they were involved in an incident, these records should be obtained prior to your interview, these documents should detail the incident and the outcome of the case.
http://dominicanstotheusa.com/forum/index.php/topic,2260.0.html

Q: Where do I go to get all the documents legalized?
A: All documents including Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates and Divorce Certificates must be stamped by the Junta Central Electoral Nacional, this office is located in the Capital
http://dominicanstotheusa.com/forum/index.php/topic,55.msg880.html#msg880

Q: What is a K2?
A: A K2 visa is a derivative visa of a K1; this means that if you have applied for a K1 fiancé visa, any children of your fiancé may accompany them to the US under a derivative status, you must however apply for their Permanent Residency when you Adjust Status of your Fiancé.
http://dominicanstotheusa.com/forum/index.php/topic,2262.0.html

Q: Medical Exams, everything you ever wanted to know
A: All applicants for K1. K2, K3 K4, CR1 and IR1 visa’s must submit to a medical examination, costs for vaccinations vary by age of applicant. See the link below for current price information
http://dominicanstotheusa.com/forum/index.php/topic,2264.0.html

Q: Vaccinations, where to get them and new costs
A: For CR1 and IR1 applications vaccinations are mandatory in the Dominican Republic, for K visas this is optional, but HIGHLY recommended
http://dominicanstotheusa.com/forum/index.php/topic,2264.0.html
http://dominicanstotheusa.com/forum/index.php/topic,2227.0.html

Q: Do I need copies of the Medical report and Vaccination record?
A: Yes, these will be needed for all types of K visa’s, for K1 visa’s the receipt from the medical exam is sufficient, for K3 visa’s a copy of the report is required. In both cases form I-693A Vaccination record is required to adjust status.

Q: Where do I get all the forms to bring my loved one to the States?
A: Right here at DTTUSA in our Download section or from the USCIS website
http://dominicanstotheusa.com/forum/index.php?action=tpmod;dl
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

Q: Do I need a lawyer?
A: Under most circumstances and if you can follow simple directions, NO. If you have money that you just want to spend, please send a donation to DTTUSA and help keep this site up and running.

Q: What if I or my fiance move?
A: In either case, you must inform the USCIS, the NVC and the US Embassy in SDQ, they do not inform each other, so this responsibility is up to you. During the petition process, a simple phone call or email will suffice, once the visa is issued however specific documentation is required to maintain legal status in the United States
http://dominicanstotheusa.com/forum/index.php?action=tpmod;dl=cat24

Q: My visa was denied, what do I do now?
A: Depending on the reason your visa was denied will determine your course of action.
K1 applicants may apply again, if they believe they have new evidence that will justify the issuance of their visa. It should be noted that a K1 petitioner may also file form I-601, however this form is designed for married people.
K3 applicants may also apply again, pursue their CR visa, or file form I-601 for Grounds of Inadmissibility
CR/IR applicants may also file form I-601 or request an appeal through the court system
http://dominicanstotheusa.com/forum/index.php/topic,66.0.html
http://dominicanstotheusa.com/forum/index.php/topic,1294.0.html

Q: What kind of evidence should I bring to the interview?
A: Everything but the kitchen sink (and some of us have brought that as well)
Things that you bring should include:
Photographs, as many as possible of you together over the years
Phone Bills
Emails or letters
Proof of financial support
Joint accounts (banking or Credit Cards)
Insurance policies
Joint leases or mortgages
For K1 visas (letter of intent to marry from both parties)
Airline tickets
Hotel/Motel receipts
http://www.usemb.gov.do/Consular/ask/have_IV_interview.htm

Q: How should we dress for our interview?
A: Both of you should be dressed as if you are going to a job interview in the US, remember this is the most important day of your life, treat it as such, identifying yourself as a DTTUSA member does not hurt either.

Q: My visa was approved, how long will it take to receive it?
A: The embassy uses a private contractor to deliver your visa (DOMEX) if you wish to pick up your visa from DOMEX’s office you should state this when you pay the fee for delivery, under normal delivery time 1-2 weeks is normal for a DOMEX delivery to most parts of the country.

Q: I have received my interview date, what should I do now?
A: First celebrate, when your done with that it’s time to get busy, prepare all the paperwork you will need for your interview, this will depend on the type of interview and wither you have already submitted this information to the NVC, prepare all your evidence, this should be separated in a flex file for easy retrieval, practice your questions with your SO, remember, most of the paperwork is done, your interview is about the questions they ask.
http://www.usemb.gov.do/Consular/ask/have_IV_interview.htm

Q: Where is the Embassy and where should we stay?
A: César Nicolás Penson and Máximo Gómez
Telephone: (809) 221-2171 | Fax: (809) 685-6959
The building is accessible to the disabled.

Hotels within walking distance to the Embassy:
Courtyard Marriott
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sdqcy-courtyard-santo-domingo/
Hotel Lena and Casino
Aparta Hotel los Jardines.
http://www.jardinesdelteatrord.com/

Q:I have applied for a visa; can I check the status of my case on-line?
A: Yes you can, by registering with the USCIS and entering your case number, emails will be sent to you every time someone works on your case
https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp

Q:What questions will they ask at our interview?
A: The questions they ask pertain to your relationship, they are designed to ensure that you have a valid and ongoing relationship and that there is no visa fraud involved. And yes, in some cases they will ask about your sexual relationship.
http://dominicanstotheusa.com/forum/index.php?action=tpmod;dl=cat24

Q:Do I have to attend the interview?
A: Absolutely, per the Embassy, they strongly recommend that both parties be present, we here at DTTUSA consider it visa suicide if both parties are not in attendance.

Q:Can I get married, if I have already applied for a K1 visa?
A: Yes you can, but you must start the entire process over again and apply for either a K3 or CR visa, by getting married during the waiting period for your interview, it will automatically cancel your K1 petition.
If you have filed an I-129F petition for a K-1 visa for your fiancé(e) and then proceeded to married him/her, the immigrant visa (IV) Unit cannot interview you as if you were still engaged.

From the Embassy:
Now that you are married, you must file an I-130 petition for your spouse (CR-1 visa). As soon as the National Visa Center notifies you that they have received your approved petition from the Department of Homeland Security Service Center, you may contact the call center to request an interview as a married couple. Please visit the following link for information on how to contact the call center: http://www.usemb.gov.do/Consular/iv-s-contact.htm. The Consular Section understands the fact that you have already waited for the K-1 interview and will schedule your interview for a CR-1 visa as soon as possible.

Carefully read the instructions from the National Visa Center regarding preparing for your interview for the CR-1 visa. Although some of the documents required for the CR-1 visa for a spouse are the same as those for the K-1 visa for a fiancé(e), some are different. For example, the interview for a CR-1 visa for your spouse requires an Affidavit of Support, Form 1-864, with supporting documents.

Remember! It is up to you to let us know that the National Visa Center has received an approved CR-1 petition for your spouse.

For more visa related information, please visit our website at: www.usemb.gov.do.

Q:What is visa fraud and what are the consequences?
A: Visa Fraud is any act of falsifying information to the Embassy regarding your relationship or marriage, many many cases in the Dominican Republic are denied everyday as American Citizens have accepted money or other favors to file immigration petitions for Dominican Citizens. Being caught committing visa fraud can mean permanent denial from entry into the United States and major fines or imprisonment for the USC.

Q:I have my interview date, should I make plane reservations?
A: Absolutely NOT, there are many things that can happen at your interview, you may need additional evidence or paperwork, and there may be problems with the delivery of the visa. Only after you physically have your visa in your hand should any reservations be made

Q:How do I contact the Embassy, USCIS and NVC?
A:NVCINQUIRY@state.gov.
National Visa Center (NVC)
603-334-0700
SDO Consulate Information Line
809-221-2171
State Department Visa Information Line
202-663-1541
Visa Specialist – State Department
202-663-1225
Mexico 800 Information Line
877-804-5402

Q:My case was put on Administrative Review (AR) what do I do now?
A: This will be a test of your patience, depending on what you are told by the consular, you may have to wait while they investigate a situation, or you may need to file an I-601, in either case prepare yourself for a 6 month to 2 year wait. You should be aware that if your case is on AR there is no system in place to check on its status, you must wait until you are informed by the Embassy that they are ready to either approve or deny your case.

Q: What can I bring into the Embassy on the day of my interview?
A: No cell phones, cameras, laptop computers, PDA’s, electronics of any kind, you may bring bottled water (Plastic only) and a snack if you feel it necessary.

Q: Should we bring small children with us to the interview
A: This is a personal option, the Embassy recommends that you DO NOT bring infants and small children with you, older children that are also applying for a derivative visa should attend. It should be noted that there are no facilities for small children and the wait times can be long, if you must bring them, include a coloring book or something to keep them occupied.

Q: How can I have the Consulate send me a copy of the appointment package they are sending to my fiancé? I contacted the visa specialist and the Mexico number, but they both stated that this is not possible.

A: We have contacted our call center representative and made sure they know this IS possible. In order to request a duplicate appointment package for K visas, please contact our call center. Persons in the Dominican Republic must purchase a personal identification number (PIN) at any Banco Popular branch (either the equivalent of US$5.25 in Dominican pesos for five minutes, or the equivalent of US$16.00 in Dominican pesos for 15 minutes). The PIN will become active 24 hours after you purchase it. Then call 1-809-200-3232.

Persons in the United States must call 1-877-804-5402, and the call will be charged to their credit card. The Center is staffed with operators Monday through Friday, including most American and Dominican holidays, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.

For appointment packages other than K categories, these appointment packages are sent by the National Visa Center. NVC sends appointment packages to petitioners, applicants, and the attorney or other representative on file (if applicable).

Q: Can the fee bill that I received for the I-864 and DS-230 be paid on-line?
A: Yes
info
http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3906.html
payment site
https://ceac.state.gov/CTRAC/Invoice/signon.aspx

Q: What is the Affidavit of Support?
A: An affidavit of support is a document that tells the USCIS about your finances, we recommend using form I-864, this form can be used for your interview as well as when you adjust status in the United States. It should also be noted that by signing these documents you are committing yourself to supporting your Husband/wife for a period of 40 work quarters or until they become a USC.

Q: What does my income need to be to bring my fiancé to the US?
A: Each year the USCIS publishes a poverty guideline, this guideline determines how much money you have to make in order to support your family. Click the link below for the current guideline.
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-864P.pdf

Q: Do I need to send original, legalized documents to the USCIS or NVC with my I-130, I-129F or any other document?
A: Always, in every case where you submit documents send copies. Only submit original documents if you are specifically requested to do so. All documents that originate in the Dominican Republic must be legalized by the Junta Central Electoral Nacional.
This is a stamp that they place on the document certifying its authenticity.

Q: Do I need to send translations for all documents that are in Spanish to the USCIS and NVC?
A: Yes, All documents that are not in the English language must be translated into English; the only exception to this rule is any document that you are bringing to your interview in Santo Domingo.

Q:Besides getting the documents legalized by the JCE do I need any additional stamps for use in USA?
A: To be completely legal, Yes.
Documents notarized by a Dominican Notary Public for use in the United States can be authenticated by a U.S. Consular Officer after the signature from the Dominican Notary Public is authenticated first by the Attorney General's office (Procuraduría) and then by the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería). After these two offices have authenticated the document, you must then submit the document in person at the U.S. Consulate. A consul can authenticate the office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' signature and seal, so that the document can be used in the United States.

http://www.usemb.gov.do/Consular/ACS/notarial_services-e.htm

Q:How do I select the Choice of Agent?
A: This can be done by email, see link below
http://dominicanstotheusa.com/forum/index.php/topic,2310.0.html