Proposed New Visa Fees!!!! Ouch for those that are waiting!

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[Surf2Salsa]

If you are considering a K-1 petition, think again!!!
Proposed $350 US Dollars fee for the Visa, up from $131!!!!

Unless you have a significant strategic or family related reason, don't file the K-1.
Get married and file the CR-1!!!

http://www.travel.state.gov/news/press/press_4603.html

OUCH!!

[rhenny]

OUCH OUCH OUCH OUCH OUCH is right!

[rhenny]

Go here -

http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail?R=0900006480a6a10b

To voice your opinions about the issue.


Direct from the SOURCE -

When Will the Department of State Implement This Proposed Rule?

The Department intends to implement this proposed rule, and initiate collection of the fees set forth herein, as soon as practicable following the expiration of the 60-day public comment period following this proposed rule's publication in the Federal Register, and after the Department has had the opportunity to fully consider any public comments received and promulgate the associated final regulation.

[mexicana]

So money hungry. This is gonna be insane!

[gigi0908]

wowzerssss!! another reason why NOT to file K-1!! besides the AOS fee's as well, this is crazy !!!!!

[tgood1]

Thats insane!  I would hope they use that money to add more staff and expand the consulates to make the process faster, but I doubt it. I'm sure it will get diverted to something that has nothing to do with visas.

[Frank the Tank]

I think this is a subtle way of trying to eliminate or control the amount of K-1 visas. I would think that the fraud rate for these types of visas would be much higher than K-3, CR-1 and IR-1 visas. If you are serious about bringing your spouse to the US then the message is prove your are serious and marry him or her first. This is just my opinion on this reading between the lines.

[Surf2Salsa]

I think this is a subtle way of trying to eliminate or control the amount of K-1 visas. I would think that the fraud rate for these types of visas would be much higher than K-3, CR-1 and IR-1 visas. If you are serious about bringing your spouse to the US then the message is prove your are serious and marry him or her first. This is just my opinion on this reading between the lines.

Frank, I think the K-3 is obsolete.

[Surf2Salsa]

According to what I have read, the proposed prices reflect what the State Department considers their actual cost to process such Visas. Proposed non-immigrant Visa fees range from $150 to $390 US Dollars with the K-1 being $350. I don't know whether it was approved regulation or written law, but they are authorized to charge for the Visas an amount reflective of their costs. If that's the case, it's going to happen no matter how much we complain.

Point being, forget the K-1 unless you have specific reasons to use it, like family issues,
"Hi Mom, let me introduce you to my new wife! WTF?" 

[MrGompers]

No matter how many replies the govt receives during the public opinion period (60 days?) they will do what they want anyway. Plus who cares about immigrants? Only the immigrants & the people sponsoring them that's who. I bet less than 1% of Americans even know there are different types of visas. The only visa they know of is the plastic one.

The first thing that came to mind when I read this is how the hell is banco popular going to handle a change like this? Especially if the fees vary. They can't even process the fees correctly now, and the fees are the same for everyone $131 + $16. They should just collect the visa fees at the Embassy for now on.

In regards to the K-1 visa I would still use it even if the fee went to $350. Unless I'm misunderstanding something in the K-1 process - using the K-1 visa gives you (U.S. petitioner) a 90 day window of security. If your finace(e) takes off before you file the AOS papers you are not responsible for them. I never filed and was never asked for an I-864 form during the K-1 process. I have to supply that at AOS.

We just heard a story from a guy here whose finacee took off AFTER ONLY 5 DAYS in the USA. Since he's married to her, he's responsible for her financially now. If he had that 90 day window life would be a lot easier for him now. And his fiancee would be subject to arrest & deportation after the 90 day visa expires. Assuming she was caught by ICE.

[twincactus]

No matter how many replies the govt receives during the public opinion period (60 days?) they will do what they want anyway. Plus who cares about immigrants? Only the immigrants & the people sponsoring them that's who. I bet less than 1% of Americans even know there are different types of visas. The only visa they know of is the plastic one.

The first thing that came to mind when I read this is how the hell is banco popular going to handle a change like this? Especially if the fees vary. They can't even process the fees correctly now, and the fees are the same for everyone $131 + $16. They should just collect the visa fees at the Embassy for now on.

In regards to the K-1 visa I would still use it even if the fee went to $350. Unless I'm misunderstanding something in the K-1 process - using the K-1 visa gives you (U.S. petitioner) a 90 day window of security. If your finace(e) takes off before you file the AOS papers you are not responsible for them. I never filed and was never asked for an I-864 form during the K-1 process. I have to supply that at AOS.

We just heard a story from a guy here whose finacee took off AFTER ONLY 5 DAYS in the USA. Since he's married to her, he's responsible for her financially now. If he had that 90 day window life would be a lot easier for him now. And his fiancee would be subject to arrest & deportation after the 90 day visa expires. Assuming she was caught by ICE.

You're making a lot of assumptions that are just not reality.

One, there has been no one I know of been held responsible and asked to pay anything for an immigrant they were married to and then took off - it just doesn't happen. Two, Ice doesn't go after ANY of these people. Many many of our members have tried to get them deported and they just don't do it. The K1 sucks. You'll find out if you haven't already. A divorce in the DR is very easy and cheap and ONLY one party needs to file also.

-Tim

[MrGompers]

No matter how many replies the govt receives during the public opinion period (60 days?) they will do what they want anyway. Plus who cares about immigrants? Only the immigrants & the people sponsoring them that's who. I bet less than 1% of Americans even know there are different types of visas. The only visa they know of is the plastic one.

The first thing that came to mind when I read this is how the hell is banco popular going to handle a change like this? Especially if the fees vary. They can't even process the fees correctly now, and the fees are the same for everyone $131 + $16. They should just collect the visa fees at the Embassy for now on.

In regards to the K-1 visa I would still use it even if the fee went to $350. Unless I'm misunderstanding something in the K-1 process - using the K-1 visa gives you (U.S. petitioner) a 90 day window of security. If your finace(e) takes off before you file the AOS papers you are not responsible for them. I never filed and was never asked for an I-864 form during the K-1 process. I have to supply that at AOS.

We just heard a story from a guy here whose finacee took off AFTER ONLY 5 DAYS in the USA. Since he's married to her, he's responsible for her financially now. If he had that 90 day window life would be a lot easier for him now. And his fiancee would be subject to arrest & deportation after the 90 day visa expires. Assuming she was caught by ICE.

You're making a lot of assumptions that are just not reality.

One, there has been no one I know of been held responsible and asked to pay anything for an immigrant they were married to and then took off - it just doesn't happen. Two, Ice doesn't go after ANY of these people. Many many of our members have tried to get them deported and they just don't do it. The K1 sucks. You'll find out if you haven't already. A divorce in the DR is very easy and cheap and ONLY one party needs to file also.

-Tim

I agree ICE won't track these people down, but if they get arrested for something else, and their immigration status is checked, they will be deported. Sometimes if the crime is petty, (crime against property) the state will reduce and/or drop charges in exchange for deportation. i.e. the illegal immigrant agrees to be deported. I have seen this happen many times with my own eyes in the courtroom. Altho I have not seen a Dominican deported.

As for the govt coming after you for an immigrant that takes off. Unless they actually receive cash benefits - I don't think other govt aid actually counts. I wouldn't be too sure of immunity though.

If you receive a windfall such as an inheritance or lottery winnings the state govt especially will be after you for repayment of benefits (welfare).  I have seen this happen here in Conn. My grandfather passed away the estate went to probate (he didn't have a will) and Conn wanted all the welfare benefits that my uncles received previously (in the 1970's) paid back. The state had a list with dates and dollar amounts. If the state can do that I'm sure the Fed govt can as well.

[twincactus]

The long and short of it is they most likely will not come after you for that. I have been told many times that there has never been a case where they asked for money back, but I cannot verify that. It's just not something I gonna worry about ya know?

-Tim

[angelica]

I also think that the K1 does not offer window of security. If a person is going to leave in 5 days on a CR1, that SAME persoon will leave on day 95 on a K1 ......  NO BENEFIT to a K1 visa......

[twincactus]

It's true, they usually know when to leave with the right papers. They also know how to accuse you of DV to get to stay......


-Tim

[tommybob]

In my opinion the K1 is a very usefull Visa , It at least gives the Gringo or Gringa time to live with their SO for a month or so which is valuable REAL time spent LIVING together ,You get to better  know a person then on Five or eight VACATIONS to The DR , where everything is (lovey dovey) (not real life). Just My humble opinion and was My experience which turned out wonderful. BY reading some recent posts it might have been a good idea for a K1.
Tom

[BanginMa]

just adding this back in since the last page doesn't have the info needed

Immigrant Visas

Fee increase for K visas

Effective Friday June 04, 2010, the application fee for K visas for fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens will be $350, US$140 dollars to be paid at Banco Popular and US$210 to be paid in the Consular Section on the day of the interview.

http://santodomingo.usembassy.gov/k_visa_fee_increase.html

[Surf2Salsa]

And everything else is going up!
Here is the new proposed USCIS fees

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=269d3d5d65919210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

[BanginMa]

And everything else is going up!
Here is the new proposed USCIS fees

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=269d3d5d65919210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

Yes I was just working on that post thank you S2S .. will post shortly

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