Integrity Legal

Khmer language translation of the video found here: ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K-3 ពី​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា

សួស្ដី! ខ្ញុំ​ឈ្មោះ Benjamin Hart ។​ ខ្ញុំ​គឺ​ជា​មេធាវី និង​ជា​នាយកគ្រប់គ្រង​នៃ​ក្រុមហ៊ុនIntegrity Legal នៅ​ក្នុងទី​ក្រុង​បាងកក​នៃប្រទេស​ថៃ ។

នៅ​ក្នុង​វីដេអូ​ថ្ងៃ​នេះ យើង​នឹង​ពិភាក្សា​ជា​ពិសេស​អំពី​​ទិដ្ឋាការមួយគឺ​ ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K-3 ដែល​ជា​ប្រភេទ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ដ៏គួរអោយ​ចាប់​អារម្មណ៍មួយ ដោយ​​ផ្តោ​ត​ទៅ​លើ​​បរិបទ​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា សំរាប់ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​ខ្មែរ​ដែល​ចង់​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​រៀបអាពាហ៍ពិពាហ៍ជា​មួយ​ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​អាមរិក ។ និយាយ​អោយ​ចំ​ទៅ គឺ​អ្នកដែល​​ត្រូវ​​រៀបអាពាហ៍ពិពាហ៍ជា​មួយ​ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក ដើម្បី​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​សុំទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K-3 ។

ដូច​ដែល​យើងបាន​លើក​ឡើង​ខាង​លើ យើង​ស្ថិត​នៅ​ក្នុង​ទីក្រុង​បាង​កក ។ យើងបាន​រត់ការ​សំណុំរឿង​របស់ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​ថៃជា​ច្រើន ហើយ​ដោយ​សារ​តែ​យើង​ក៏​ស្ថិត​នៅ​​ជិត​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា ដែរ​នោះ ជា​ច្រើន​ឆ្នាំ​កន្លង​មក​នេះយើង​ក៏​បាន​​​រត់​ការអោយសំណុំរឿង​ជាច្រើនរបស់​​ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋខ្មែរ ឬ​សំណុំរឿង​ផ្សេងៗ​ទៀត​ដែល​មាន​ពាក់ព័ន្ធ​នឹង​ជនជាតិ​ខ្មែរ ។ ដូច្នេះ​យើងចង់​​បញ្ជាក់ថា ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K-3 នេះ​ជា​ទិដ្ឋាការ​មួយ​ដ៏​គួរ​អោយ​ចាប់​អារម្មណ៍ ។

យើង​សូមពន្យល់​រៀបរាប់បន្តិច​​ថា​តើ​អ្វីជា​ទិដ្ឋាការប្រភេទ K-3 ។ ទិដ្ឋាការប្រភេទ K-3 ត្រូវ​បាន​បង្កើតឡើង​​ដោយ​យោង​តាម​ប្រការ​មួយ​ចំនួន​នៅក្នុង​ច្បាប់អាយុ​ជីវិត ដែល​ត្រូវ​បាន​បង្កើត​ឡើង​នៅ​ក្នុង​អណត្តិរបស់​ប្រធានាធិបតី Clinton នៅ​ពេល​ដែល​មាន​សំណុំរឿង​ជា​ច្រើន​ដែល​បាន​កកស្ទះ​ ពាក់​ព័ន្ធ​នឹង​ប្រភេទទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្ដី​ប្រពន្ធ គឺ CR-1 និង IR-1 ហើយ​នៅ​ក្នុង​ទំព័រ​របស់​យើង​នេះ​ ក៏​មាន​វីដេអូ​មួយ​ទៀត​ដែរ ដែល​និយាយ​ផ្ដោត​ជា​ពិសេស​ទៅលើប្រភេទ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ CR-1 និង IR-1 នេះនៅ​ក្នុង​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា ។ នៅ​ពេល​នោះ​ ជា​ធម្មតា​វា​ទាម​ទារ​រយៈពេល​ជា​ច្រើន​ឆ្នាំ​ដើម្បី​បញ្ចប់​សំណុំរឿងមួយ ។ ក្រសួង​មាតុភូមិ ធ្វើ​ការ​សំរេ​ច​លើ​ពាក្យ​ធានា​សំរាប់​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​រៀប​អាពាហ៍​ពិពាហ៍ ។ ក្នុង​ពេល​ជាមួយ​គ្នា​នោះដែរ​ វា​ទាម​ទារ​ពេល​ប្រហែល ៦, ៧ ឬ​៨​ខែ ដើម្បី​ទទួល​បាន​ការ​សំរេច​យល់​ព្រម​លើសំណុំបែបបទ​ធានា​សុំ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទគូដណ្ដឹង ។ ដូច្នេះ​ជា​ចុង​ក្រោយ​ អ្វី​ដែល​គេ​​ជួប​ច្រើន គឺ​​ស្ថានភាព​ដែល​សំណុំរឿងគូដណ្ដឹង​ត្រូវ​បាន​ដំណើរ​ការ​លឿន​ជាង​ប្ដីប្រពន្ធ ហើយ​យើង​សូម​បញ្ជាក់​ផងដែរ​ថា​តាម​ផ្លូវ​ច្បាប់ ជាពិសេស​ច្បាប់​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍ ​មិន​មាន​ភាព​ខុស​គ្នា​នោះ​ទេ​រវាង​ប្ដីប្រពន្ធ​ និង​គូដណ្ដឹង ដោយ​តាម​ផ្លូវ​ច្បាប់​សំណុំរឿង​ទាំង​ពីរ​នេះ​ត្រូវ​បាន​ចាត់​ទុក​ថា​ដូចគ្នា ។ បើ​គិត​តាម​ផ្លូវ​​រដ្ឋបាល​វិញ មាន​ការ​​កក​ស្ទះ​សំណុំរឿង​ទិដ្ឋាការ ឬ​សំណុំពាក្យ​ធានា​​ប្រភេទ​រៀបអាពាហ៍ពិពាហ៍ជា​ច្រើន ។ ​ខ្ញុំ​មិន​ដឹង​ថាវា​មក​ពីហេតុ​អ្វី​​ដែរនោះ​ទេ ប្រហែល​ជា​​​​អាច​បណ្ដាល​មក​ពី​ពួក​គេ​ដំណើរ​ការ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K-1បានយ៉ាង​មាន​ប្រសិទ្ធិភាព​ជាង ឬ​មក​ពី​មាន​សំណុំរឿងទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K-1មាន​ចំនួន​តិច​ ប៉ុន្តែនៅ​ពេល​នោះ​វា​ទាម​ទារ​ពេល​ជា​ច្រើន​ឆ្នាំដើម្បី​ទទួល​បាន​ការ​ដំណើរ​ការ​ពាក្យ​សុំ​ធានា​សំរាប់​ការ​រៀបការ​ជាមួយ​ពលរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក ដោយ​ក្នុង​ខណៈពេល​ជាមួយ​គ្នា​នោះ វា​ទាម​ទារ​ពេល​ត្រឹម​តែ​ប៉ុន្មាន​ខែ​ប៉ុណ្ណោះ​សំរាប់​សំណុំរឿង​គូដណ្ដឹង ។ ដូច្នេះហើយ ទើប​ពួក​គេបាន​​បង្កើតទិដ្ឋាការ​​ប្រភេទ K-3 ដោយ​និយាយថា «ប្រសិនបើ​អ្នក​បាន​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​ធានា​​ប្ដី​ឬប្រពន្ធ​របស់​អ្នក​តាម​ប្រភេទទិដ្ឋាការ CR-1 ឬ IR-1ជា​ធម្មតាហើយ អ្នក​អាច​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​មួយ​ទៀត​ ដោយ​សុំទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K-3 វិញ» ។ អ្នក​គ្រាន់​តែ​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​ម្តង​ទៀត​តាម​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K ។ នោះ​​ហើយ​គឺ​ជា​អ្វី​ដែល​ពួក​គេ​បាន​ធ្វើ ។ ពួក​គេ​គ្រាន់​តែទាញ​យក​សំណុំរឿងទិដ្ឋាការរៀបការ​ទាំង​នេះ​ហើយនិយាយ​ថា អូខេ សំណុំរឿង​នេះ​ត្រូវ​បាន​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​ហើយ​ អ្នក​ត្រូវ​បញ្ជាក់​ថា​ពាក្យ​ធានា​របស់​អ្នក​ត្រូវ​បាន​ដាក់តាម​ដំណើរការ​​ដូច​ដែល​គេ​ធ្វើសំរាប់​គូដណ្ដឹង ។ ជា​លទ្ធផល K-3  គឺ​ជា​ពាក្យ​ដែល​ត្រូវ​បាន​គេ​ប្រើ​សំរាប់​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​រៀបការ​ជាមួយ​ពលរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក ប៉ុន្តែតាម​ពិត ​វិធីតាម​ទំលាប់ដែល​​គេត្រូវ​​ធ្វើ​ដើម្បី​នាំអ្នក​ណា​ម្នាក់​មក​កាន់​សហរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិកគឺ​តាម​រយៈទិដ្ឋាការប្រភេទ CR-1 ឬ IR-1 ។ ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 ត្រូវ​បាន​គេ​ប្រើ​ជា​ទូទៅនៅ​ក្នុង​សំណុំរឿង​នេះ ពី​ព្រោះមនុស្ស​ទូទៅ​ស៊ាំនឹង​ការ​រត់​ការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 ដោយ​សារ​តែ​វា​គឺ​ជា​វិធី​ដ៏​មាន​ប្រសិទ្ធភាព​ក្នុង​ការ​នាំយក​ប្ដី​ឬប្រពន្ធ​មក​កាន់​សហរដ្ឋអាមេរិក ។ វា​ជា​រឿង​មួយ​ដ៏​​គួរ​អោយ​ចាប់​អារម្មណ៍​ដែរ​ ដោយ​សារ​តែ​ ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 នៅ​តែ​តំរូវ​អោយ​មាន​ការ​ផ្លាស់​ប្តូរ​ស្ថានភាព​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍​របស់​អ្នក​ទៅ​ជា​អ្នក​រស់នៅ​ជាអចិន្ត្រៃ​យ៍​ដោយ​ស្របច្បាប់ ។ សំរាប់​អ្នក​ដែល​ចង់​ដឹង​អំពី​ដំណើរ​​ការ​ក្នុង​ការ​ផ្លាស់​ប្ដូរស្ថានភាព​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍ សូម​ចូល​ទៅ​មើល​វីដេអូនៅក្នុង​ទំព័រ​នេះផង​ដែរ​ដែល​ពិភាក្សា​ជាពិសេស​អំពី​ដំណើរ​ការ​នៃការ​ផ្លាស់ប្ដូរ​នេះ ប៉ុន្តែអ្វី​ដែល​យើង​នឹង​ពិភាក្សា​នៅ​ថ្ងៃ​នេះគឺ ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 ។ ទោះ​បី​ជា​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទនេះអាច​នឹង​មាន​ប្រយោជន៍​នៅ​ក្នុង​លក្ខខណ្ឌសព្វថ្ងៃ​នេះ ក៏​ប៉ុន្តែ​កាល​ពី​មុនគឺ​មាន​បទបញ្ជា​រដ្ឋបាល​ ដែល​ជា​គោលនយោបាយ​បិទតាម​បែបរដ្ឋបាល ដែល​ត្រូវ​បាន​អនុវត្ត​ដោយ​មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិ ដែល​ជា​ធម្មតា​និយាយថា «ឥឡូវ​មើល ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 ត្រូវ​បាន​បង្កើតឡើង​សំរាប់​ស្ថានភាព​ដែល​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​រៀបការឬ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍ ត្រូវ​បាន​បាត់​នៅ​ក្នុង​គំនរ​ឯកសារ​កក​ស្ទះ​របស់​ស្ថាប័ន USCIS​ ។ តាម​ពិត​ទៅ​ វា​មិនមែន​បាត់​នោះ​ទេ ប៉ុន្តែ​គឺវា​ជាប់ ​នៅ​ក្នុង​គំនរ​ឯកសារ​កក​ស្ទះ​របស់​ស្ថាប័ន USCIS ។ ដូច្នេះហើយ​ ប្រសិន​បើ​យើង​ទទួល​បាន​ពាក្យ​ធានា​សំរាប់​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 មុន យើង​នឹង​ដំណើរ​ការ​ទិដ្ឋាការនេះ​មុន ប៉ុន្តែ​ប្រសិន​បើ​យើង​ទទួល​បាន​ពាក្យ​ធានា​សំរាប់​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍​សំរាប់ប្តីប្រពន្ធ​មុន យើងនឹង​ដំណើរ​ការ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​នេះ​មុន ហើយ​យើង​នឹង​ទុកពាក្យ​សុំ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3ជា​មោឃៈ» ។ នេះ​ជា​រឿង​ដ៏​សំខាន់​ ពី​ព្រោះ​តួនាទី​របស់​មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិក្នុង​ដំណើរ​ការ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍​ មាន​លក្ខណៈ​ខុស​ពី​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K ។ សំរាប់​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K​ មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិ គ្រាន់​តែ​ផ្ញើ​ឯកសារ​សំណុំរឿង​នោះ​ទៅកាន់​ស្ថានទូត​ដែល​ពាក់​ព័ន្ធ ហើយ​ស្ថានទូត​នឹង​ដំណើរ​ការ​សំណុំរឿងនោះ​តាម​ដំណើរការ​របស់​ស្ថានកុងស៊ុល ។ ចំណែកឯក្នុង​សំណុំរឿង​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍​វិញ ដំណើរ​ការ​របស់​មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិមាន​សភាព​យឺតយ៉ាវ ព្រោះមជ្ឈមណ្ឌលទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិត្រូវ​ធ្វើ​ការ​ទទួល​យក​ឯកសារនិង​បញ្ចូល​ពត៌មាន​ ហើយ​ខ្ញុំ​មិន​និយាយ​ថា​មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលនេះ​ធ្វើ​ការ​សំរេច​ចេញ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​នោះ​ទេ ប៉ុន្តែ​ពួក​គេ​ធ្វើ​ការ​ត្រួត​ពិនិត្យ​ដោយ​ល្អិត​ល្អន់ ដើម្បី​ធានា​អោយ​ប្រាកដ​ថា ពួកគេ​មាន​ពត៌មាន​គ្រប់គ្រាន់ដើម្បី​បន្តដំណើរ​ការ និង​ដាក់​ថ្ងៃ​ណាត់​សំភាស ។ ដូច្នេះប្រសិន​បើ​អ្នក​អាច​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​សុំ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 ហើយ​ត្រូវ​បាន​គេ​សំរេច​យល់​ព្រមលើ​ពាក្យ​សុំ នោះទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 នេះ​នៅ​តែ​ដំណើរ​ការ​លឿន​ជាង​ទិដ្ឋាការប្រភេទ​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍ ។ ទោះ​បី​ជា​យ៉ាង​ណា​ក៏​ដោយ ​ខ្ញុំ​នៅ​តែ​យល់​ថា មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិនៅ​តែ​រក្សា​គោលនយោបាយ​បិទតាម​បែប​រដ្ឋបាល ដែល​ពួកគេ​ត្រូវ​ដំណើរ​ការ​សំណុំរឿង​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍​មុន ។ ​ឥឡូវ​នេះ​ ការ​ដំណើរ​ការ​សំណុំរឿង​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍​ជា​ពិសេស​គឺ​សំណុំរឿង​ប្ដីឬ​ប្រពន្ធ​របស់​ពលរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក ត្រូវ​បាន​កាត់​បន្ថយ​យ៉ាង​ច្រើន ។ ស្ថាប័ន USCIS បាន​ចាត់​វិធានការ​សំខាន់ៗជាច្រើន​​ដើម្បី​ធ្វើ​អោយ​និតិវិធី​របស់​ពួកគេ​កាន់​តែ​មាន​ប្រសិទ្ធិភាព ហើយ​ពួកគេ​បាន​ធ្វើ​វា​អោយ​កាន់​តែមាន​ប្រសិទ្ធិភាព​ឡើង ។​ ខ្ញុំ​គិត​ថា​ពួកគេ​មាន​បុគ្គលិក​ច្រើន​ជាង​មុន ហើយ​ក៏មាន​រឿង​ច្រើន​ដែរដែល​ត្រូវ​ដោះ​ស្រាយពាក់​ព័ន្ធ​នឹង​​សំណុំរឿង​ទាំង​នោះ ហើយ​ពួក​គេ​ក៏​មាន​ធនធាន​ជាច្រើន​ដែរ​ដើម្បី​អោយ​សំណុំរឿង​ទាំង​អស់​នោះ​បាន​ដំណើរ​ការ​ទៅមុខ ដែល​ជា​លទ្ធផល គឺ​ខ្ញុំ​មិន​និយាយ​ថា​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 ​ផុត​សម័យលែង​ត្រូវ​បាន​គេ​ប្រើប្រាស់​​នោះ​ទេ ប៉ុន្តែគឺវា​លែង​សូវ​ចាំបាច់​ក្នុង​ការ​ប្រើប្រាស់​ដូច​កាលពីពេល​ដែល​​វា​ត្រូវ​បាន​បង្កើត​ពីដំបូង​នោះ​ទេ ។ ដោយ​សារ​មូលហេតុនេះ​ហើយ ទើប​ខ្ញុំ​គិត​ថា​អ្នក​អាច​នឹង​ឃើញ​សំណុំរឿង​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​K-3​ កាន់​តែ​តិច​ទៅៗដែល​នឹង​ត្រូវ​ដំណើរ​ការ​នៅ​ក្នុង​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា ឬ​ប្រទេស​ផ្សេងៗទៀត ។

Tags: American Marriage Visa, American Visa Cambodia, K-3, K-3 Visa, K3, K3 Visa, US Marriage Visa, US Marriage Visa Cambodia, US Visa Cambodia, USA Visa Cambodia
Posted in US Embassy Cambodia | No Comments »

A frequently asked question from those wishing to sponsor a foreign fiance or spouse for a US Fiance Visa or US Marriage Visa is: do I make enough income to act as a sponsor for my loved one? The answer to this question involves the affidavit of support which is a primary component of the visa application process. When a fiance or spouse visa application is adjudicated by a Consular Officer at a US Embassy or US Consulate overseas part of the application includes either and I-134 or I-864 affidavit of support. This document allows the adjudicating Consular officer to make a determination as to whether or not the US Citizen spouse or fiance has the income necessary to support their fiance or spouse in the United States. This affidavit also acts as a sort of third party beneficiary contract between the American spouse and the United States government in order to make certain that the American spouse pays the US government for any means tested benefits that the foreign spouse may acquire while in the USA.

When determining whether or not an American spouse or fiance can support a foreign spouse or fiance the adjudicating officer will first look to the American’s adjusted annual income on his or her income tax return. In order to meet the minimum eligibility requirements the American spouse or fiance must earn 125% of the federal poverty guidelines for a family of their size. The current federal poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous States as well as Alaska and Hawaii can be found below (as quoted from the official website of Housing and Human Services):

SOURCE: Federal Register, Vol. 78, No. 16, January 24, 2013, pp. 5182-5183

Those wishing to ascertain whether they are eligible to sponsor their foreign fiance or spouse should use the above figures to determine 125% of the poverty guidelines for a family of their size (including the foreign family member(s)). It should be noted that active duty members of the United States Armed Forces must only meet 100% of the federal poverty guidelines in order to be eligible to sponsor a foreign fiance or spouse. Those unable to meet the 125% income level noted above may be able to use assets to offset the difference between their level of income and the 125% requirement. For affidavit of support purposes, a prospective sponsor of a Thai fiancee or wife can make up the difference in income between what is actually earned and what is legally required by providing evidence of assets which equal 5 times the difference between what a prospective sponsor earns and the level required by law. Thus, if a prospective sponsor fall short of the 125% level by 5,000 USD, then the prospective sponsor can show proof of assets in the amount of 25,000 USD in order to overcome the disparity.

It may also be possible to use the income and assets of a joint sponsor if the person petitioning for the foreign national’s visa is unable to overcome the income and asset requirements. It should be noted that only the I-864 affidavit of support (that used in cases involving the application for a CR-1 visa or an IR-1 visa) may utilize a joint sponsor. Those seeking a K-1 visa are not eligible to use a joint sponsor, therefore, only the American Citizen fiance’s income and assets will be adjudicated during the K1 visa application process. In the past, Consular Officers at the US Embassy in Bangkok were known to accept joint sponsors in K-1 visa application adjudications. However, as of the time of this writing that practice has ceased.

Those interested in learning more on these topics are encouraged to click on the following link: Affidavit of Support.

Tags: 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, adjusted annual income, Affidavit of Support, Consular Officer, CR-1 Visa, CR1 Visa, Housing and Human Services, I-134, I-864, IR-1 Visa, IR1 Visa, K-1 Visa, K-1 visa application, K1 Visa, US Consulate, US Embassy, US Fiance Visa, US Marriage Visa, US spouse visa
Posted in Fiance Visa Thailand, IR1 Visa, K-3 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K2 Visa, K2 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa, same sex visa, US Consulate Chiang Mai, US Embassy Thailand, US Visa, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand | No Comments »

Periodically, the administration of this web log post the estimated processing times from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). It should be noted that the following processing time estimates are exxactly that: estimates. Some petitions may process more quickly while other petitions may proccess more slowly. To quote directly from the USCIS official website:

It should be also noted that although these USCIS estimated processing times can provide a general framework for understanding the time frames for petition adjudication by USCIS, these estimates do not necessarily reflect the estimated time frame for the entire US visa process especially if the unique circumstances of a given case requires Consular Processing of a US visa application at a US Embassy or US Consulate abroad.

For a married couple seeking an IR1 visa or a CR1 Visa for a foreign spouse of US Citizen the process begins at the USCIS where the initial petition will be adjudicated. Assuming USCIS approves the initial petition, then the petition will be forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC). NVC will require certain documents before forwarding the application to a US Embassy or Consulate abroad where a foreign spouse must undergo an interview prior to the Consular Officer making a decision regarding visa issuance. In some cases, the Consular Officer may approve the visa application at the interview. Meanwhile, in some circumstances, the officer may deny the application (especially where a ground of inadmissibility is found to exist in the case and under such circumstances the applicant must be granted an I-601 waiver, or something similar, prior to the application receiving further favorable treatment). In some cases, the officer may simply find that some further evidence of the relationship or documentation pertaining to the foreign national is lacking and will thereby deny the application pursuant to section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Under these circumstances, the 221(G) denial may be overcome by presenting further evidence to the Consular Officer and upon their finding that the relevant requirements have been met the application may be approved.

As one can infer from the above example, the USCIS estimateed  processing times may not accurately reflect the total time it may take to obtain a US visa since the process is sometimes more complex than simple USCIS petition approval.

Tags: 221g, American Consulate, American Embassy, American Fiance Visa, American Fiancee Visa, American Marriage Visa, American Visa, American Visa Process, Consular Processing, CR-1 Visa, CR1 Visa, EB-1 visa, EB-2 Visa, EB-3 Visa, EB-5 Visa, EB1 visa, EB2 Visa, EB3 Visa, EB5 Visa, Immigration and Nationality Act, IR-1 Visa, IR1 Visa, K-1 Visa, K-2 Visa, K-3 Visa, K1 Visa, K2 Visa, K3 Visa, L-1 visa, L1 Visa, National Visa Center, NVC, United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, US Consulate, US Embassy, US Fiance Visa, US Fiancee Visa, US Marriage Visa, US Visa, US Visa Process, USA Consulate, USA Embassy, USA Fiance Visa, usa fiancee visa, USA Marriage Visa, USA Visa, USA visa process, USCIS, USCIS Processing, USCIS Processing Time, USCIS Processing Times
Posted in CR1 Visa, EB-1 Visa, EB-2 Visa, EB-3 Visa, EB-4 Visa, EB5 Visa, F1 Visa Thailand, Fiance Visa Thailand, I-601 Waiver, IR1 Visa, J1 visa, J1 Visa Thailand, K-3 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K2 Visa, K2 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa, L1 Visa, same sex visa, US Visa, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand, USCIS, Visa Waiver | No Comments »

The administration of this web log routinely posts the estimated case processing times of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) in order to provide pertinent information to interested parties. The following estimated processing times are quoted directly from the official website of USCIS:

It should be noted that these processing time estimates may not accurately reflect the overall time it takes to process an entire case as further time may be expended processing a case through the National Visa Center (NVC). Furthermore, those awaiting a US visa (such as a K-1 visa or a CR-1 visa) outside of the United States will likely be required to undergo Consular Processing at a US Embassy or US Consulate abroad  before prospective issuance.

For related information please see: K1 visa Thailand.

Tags: CR-1 Visa, CR1 Visa Thailand, IR-1 Visa, IR1 Visa Thailand, K-1 Visa, K-3 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa Thailand, US Fiance Visa, US Marriage Visa, US Visa, US Visa Thailand, USCIS Processing Times
Posted in CR1 Visa, Fiance Visa Thailand, IR1 Visa, K-3 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K2 Visa, K2 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa, L1 Visa, US Visa, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand, USCIS | No Comments »

Those conducting research with regard to United States Family Immigration often look at either the K-1 visa or a CR-1 visa for a recent or prospective spouse. That stated, an acute concern for many American Citizens is the speedy admission of the foreign fiance or spouse to the United States of America. Under many circumstances in places such as the Kingdom of Thailand or the Kingdom of Cambodia, virtually the only means to lawfully bring a Thai or Khmer fiance or spouse to the USA involves a US Marriage Visa (such as the CR-1 visa or the IR-1 visa) or a US fiance visa (officially categorized as a K-1 visa). The question then becomes: which visa can be obtained in a more timely manner?

Currently, it usually takes less time to obtain a K-1 visa compared to a CR-1 visa. That stated, it is this blogger’s opinion that the once large gap separating the processing times of these respective visa categories has closed somewhat, from a practical perspective; and, as a result, it may be best for those researching these issues to ponder the notion of applying for a CR-1 visa or an IR-1 visa from the outset rather than undergoing the K1 visa process. Bearing this in mind, the reader should note that the process is unique to every couple as circumstances tend to dictate the timing of various stages of the process.

Although the K-1 visa does usually result in a foreign fiancee arriving in the United States more quickly than a foreign spouse under the CR-1 visa category, readers should be aware of the fact that CR-1 visa holders are admitted into the United States in Lawful Permanent Resident status. Conversely, those admitted into the United States of America in K-1 visa status must undergo the adjustment of status process in order to obtain their Green Card.

Regardless of the fact that the current USCIS Processing Times note little change in the time it takes to receive adjudication of a K-1 visa petition compared to years past, the plain truth of the matter is that the overall K-1 visa process has lengthened for many in recent months. This increased wait time may be attributable to the fact that the National Visa Center and each and every US Embassy or US Consulate has its own backlog of cases to either process or adjudicate. As the ebb and flow of American immigration continues the consular processing times are likely to increase and/or decrease depending upon the circumstances at the various US Posts abroad. At present, it is difficult to calculate with any specificity what the time frame is for Consular Processing in Asia as many factors must be taken into consideration. It is this blogger’s current opinion that under the totality of the circumstances it may be prudent for prospective family visa petitioners to conduct thorough research into the immigration process before making an irrevocable immigration decision as a visa category that looks more efficient at first glance may, in fact, turn out to be an inefficient travel document if one takes into consideration all of the factors which must be addressed in order to ultimately receive lawful permanent resident status in the U.S.A.

For related information please see: Legal.

Tags: Adjustment of Status, American Embassy Cambodia, American Embassy Thailand, American Fiance Visa, American Fiancee Visa, American Marriage Visa, American Visa Cambodia, American Visa Thailand, Consular Processing, CR-1 Visa, Green Card, IR-1 Visa, K-1 Visa, K-1 Visa Cambodia, K-1 Visa Process, K-1 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa Cambodia, K1 Visa Thailand, National Visa Center, us embassy bangkok, US Embassy Cambodia, US Embassy Phnom Penh, us embassy thailand, US Fiance Visa, US Fiancee Visa, US Marriage Visa, US Visa Cambodia, US Visa Thailand, USCIS Processing Time
Posted in CR1 Visa, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K2 Visa, K2 Visa Thailand, US Visa and Immigration | No Comments »

It recently came to this blogger’s attention that a Congressman from the sovereign State of California has recently introduced legislation which is designed to improve the current American immigration system. It would appear that one of the proposed improvements would also provide immigration benefits to same sex bi-national couples. To quote directly from the Washington Blade at WashingtonBlade.com:

A U.S. House member from California on Thursday introduced family immigration legislation that includes language allowing gay Americans to sponsor their foreign partners for residency in the United States. Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.) introduced the Reuniting Families Act, which has a provision that would protect bi-national same-sex couples as one of its six prongs to keep families together in the country.

Readers of this web log are strongly encouraged to click upon the hyperlinks above to find out further details on this unfolding story.

This blogger personally found it interesting that this bill would also address grievances held by Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) and their families. To quote further from the aforementioned article:

In addition to including UAFA-like language, Honda’s legislation would help shorten the wait times that can keep legal immigrants and their overseas loved ones separated for years. The bill would classify spouses and children of permanent U.S. residents as “immediate relatives” and exempt them from numerical caps on immigration.

It is genuinely unfortunate that some find themselves caught up in the immigration process for substantial periods of time awaiting adjudication of their immigration and visa matters.

Those unfamiliar with the provisions of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), as recently re-introduced in the Federal legislature by Representative Jerrold Nadler, should note that this legislation would circumvent the current provisions of the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA) which currently separates a large number of bi-national couples since the federal government will not recognize same sex unions for purposes of distributing federal benefits. Upon enactment of legislation similar to that noted above, same sex bi-national couples could be eligible to receive American immigration benefits in the form of travel documents such as the K-1 visa (US fiance visa) or the CR-1 visa (US Marriage Visa). Currently same-sex couples cannot obtain these immigration benefits in the same manner as their different-sex counter parts. This is true in spite of the fact that multiple sovereign American States currently solemnize, legalize, and/or recognize same sex marriage or marital unions. As can be gathered from previous postings on this blog, this state of affairs is questionably Constitutional and for that reason there are currently cases arising in the State of California and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts which would overturn at least portions of DOMA.

It is heartening to see more legislators joining the struggle for further equality in America. Readers and proponents of this legislation can, at this time, only hope that further action will be taken in Washington D.C. to see that the current valid grievances of the LGBT community are redressed.

For those interested in learning more about this legislation please check out the official website of Representative Mike Honda.

Tags: Commonwealth of Massachusetts, CR-1 Visa, Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, foreign partner, K-1 Visa, lgbt immigration, lgbt visa, numerical caps on U.S. immigration, Rep. Mike Honda, Representative Jerrold Nadler, Representative Mike Honda, Reuniting Families Act, Same Sex Bi-National Couple, Same Sex Marriage, same sex partner immigration, same sex partner visa, State of California, uafa, Uniting American Families Act, US Fiance Visa, US Marriage Visa
Posted in same sex visa | No Comments »

It recently came to this blogger’s attention that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has recently updated some of the information with regard to that agency’s official fact sheet pertaining to I-864 affidavits of support. To quote directly from the official website of USCIS:

In determining inadmissibility, USCIS defines “public charge”as an individual who is likely to become “primarily dependent on the government for subsistence, as demonstrated by either the receipt of public cash assistance for income maintenance, or institutionalization for long-term care at government expense.” See “Field Guidance on Deportability and Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds,” 64 FR 28689 (May 26, 1999). In determining whether an alien meets this definition for public charge inadmissibility, a number of factors are considered, including age, health, family status, assets, resources, financial status, education, and skills. No single factor, other than the lack of an affidavit of support, if required, will determine whether an individual is a public charge.

Those reading this blog are encouraged to click on the hyperlinks above to read more and gain insight into the issues associated with the I-864 affidavit of support.

It should be noted that the issues associated with the I-864 affidavit of support are significant and should not be overlooked by those seeking immigration benefits. Furthermore, the issues associated with the I-864 affidavit of support pertain not only to USCIS in the United States, but also impact the Consular processing phase of U.S. Immigration process for those who are seeking United States immigrant visas, such as the IR-1 visa and the CR-1 visa, abroad. Meanwhile, seekers of visas such as the K-1 visa (for fiancees of US Citizens) must submit a similar document to a US Embassy or US Consulate abroad in the form of an I-134 affidavit of support. Bearing this in mind, the reader should take note of the fact that the issues surrounding the I-864 affidavit of support are likely to come to the forefront for K-1 visa holders when they eventually apply for adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence.

There was an interesting notation on the aforementioned website:

Note: In general, lawful permanent residents who currently possess a “green card” cannot be denied U.S. citizenship for lawfully receiving any public benefits for which they are eligible.

The reader is encouraged to bear in mind the fact that the above quotation is speaking in generalities, but the issue of naturalization in the context of the affidavit of support may be of interest to Americans thinking about bringing a loved one to the USA. The reason that Americans may find the issue of naturalization interesting when discussing family immigration stems from the fact that upon a foreign spouse’s naturalization to US Citizenship, the encumbrances placed upon the American Citizen within the provisions of the affidavit of support are extinguished as upon becoming a United States Citizen a previous foreign national becomes eligible in their own right for government benefits (where applicable). Therefore, the previous sponsor(s) are no long liable to the United States government should the newly-naturalized citizen take government benefits.

For related information please see: Certificate of Citizenship or Child Citizenship Act.

Tags: Adjustment of Status, American Citizenship, American Fiance Visa, American Marriage Visa, Certificate of Citizenship, Child Citizenship Act, CR-1 Visa, I-134, I-134 affidavit of support, I-864, I-864 affidavit of support, Inadmissibility, IR-1 Visa, K-1 Visa, Naturalization, Naturalized US Citizen, Public Charge, United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, US Citizenship, US Fiance Visa, US Marriage Visa, US Visa, USCIS
Posted in US Visa and Immigration, USCIS | No Comments »

In recent weeks it has come to this blogger’s attention, via organizations such as the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and through the website of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), that the USCIS has made decisions which has lead to a delay in processing a relatively significant number of I-130 petitions for Immediate relative immigration benefits. To quote directly from the official website of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS):

In November 2010, USCIS transferred approximately 36,000 Immediate Relative petitions from our California Service Center to our Texas Service Center. We anticipated that this redistribution of work would result in more timely adjudication of these petitions. Due to a number of unforeseen circumstances at our Texas Service Center, many of these cases have not been processed and are beyond our estimated processing times. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may have caused you and we are making every effort to remedy this situation as soon as possible.

It is easy to lay blame upon people and organizations. Those reading this piece should note that mistakes occur in life. Businesses, individuals, organizations, and governments do make mistakes and playing the “blame game” often yields little in terms of practical solutions. That said, the USCIS is a government entity and should be accountable for their mistakes. Clearly, the USCIS has taken responsibility for this error and has taken measures to rectify the situation. To quote further from the official website of the USCIS:

On Feb. 7, 2011, we implemented a rapid response plan to expedite the adjudication of these petitions. We have transferred a large number of these Immediate Relative petitions back to our California Service Center to take advantage of resources currently available to immediately process these cases. Petitioners will see an action such as an approval, denial or a Request for Evidence (RFE) on their case from our California or Texas Service Centers by the end of February. Additionally, we have briefed the Department of State’s National Visa Center about these cases.

USCIS’s efforts to solve this problem should not be overlooked. For those seeking an Immigrant visa for a foreign spouse, the K-3 visa has been used in the past to obtain an expedited travel document when the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service has a backlog of cases. In recent months, the United States National Visa Centerpiece  has had an “administrative closure” policy regarding those K-3 visa applications that arrive at the NVC with, or after, their I-130 counterparts. There are some who speculate that there might be more K-3 visas issued as a result of the backlog created from the situation note above. At the time of this writing, it remains unclear as to exactly how American Immigration officials will opt to deal with this matter.

For related information please see: USCIS processing time.

Tags: American Visa, CR-1 Visa, I-129f, I-130, Immediate Relative Petition, IR-1 Visa, K-3 Visa, K-3 Visa China, K-3 Visa India, K-3 Visa Japan, K-3 Visa South Korea, K-3 Visa Taiwan, K-3 Visa Thailand, K-3 Visa Vietnam, United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, US Marriage Visa, US Visa, US Visa Cambodia, US Visa China, US Visa India, US Visa Indonesia, US Visa Japan, US Visa Malaysia, US Visa Myanmar, US Visa Singapore, US Visa South Korea, US Visa Taiwan, US Visa Thailand, US Visa Vietnam, USCIS, USCIS Delay, USCIS Error, USCIS News
Posted in USCIS | No Comments »

Those American Citizens with Indian husbands or wives often research issues surrounding the US K-3 marriage visa category in an effort to make informed decisions about American travel documentation. Although the term “K-3 visa” has become a common buzzword used as a colloquial synonym for US Marriage Visa on the World Wide Web, the K-3 category was not always the widely utilized travel document for Indian-American couples reuniting in the United States as the Immigrant visa categories often referred to as CR-1 and/or IR-1 visas were once the only travel documents available to the spouses of American Citizens wishing to take up residence in the USA (note: the IR-1 visa category predates the CR-1 visa category as conditional lawful permanent residence status has not always been imposed upon foreign spouses of US Citizens married less than 2 years).

There was a rather significant backlog of Immigrant visa petitions at the agency now commonly referred to as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) when the K3 visa category was created by Congressional legislation sometimes called the “Life Act” which was signed and executed by President William Jefferson Clinton prior to leaving office toward the end of his term (the K-4 visa, similar to the K2 derivative visa attached to the K1 visa, was a derivative visa category also created by the “Life Act” to be utilized by the children of an Indian K-3 spouse).

Currently, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service does not have the backlog that it once had of Immigrant spousal visa petitions. As a result, the K-3′s utility has been increasingly marginalized as the estimated processing time for CR-1 visa petitions and IR-1 visa petitions has decreased. Relatively recently, the American State Department’s National Visa Center (NVC) promulgated the policy that K-3 visa applications would be administratively closed if and/or when the adjudicated immigrant visa petition arrives at NVC before or with the supplemental K-3 visa petition. This policy has likely lead to some Indian-American married couples to seek Immigrant visa benefits rather than K-3 visa benefits as “administrative closure” precluded further processing of the K-3 visa petition and application.

Those interested in the K3 visa process or the Immigrant visa process are well advised to research all options prior to making any irrevocable decisions. Furthermore, those seeking immigration advice and/or representation should check the credentials of those claiming expertise in American immigration matters as only licensed American attorneys may practice American immigration law pursuant to U.S. law.

Fore related information please see: K3 Visa India or K1 Visa India.

Tags: American Immigration India, American Marriage Visa, K-1 Visa India, K-3 Visa, K-3 Visa India, K1 visa India, K1 Visa Process, K3 Visa, K3 Visa India, K3 Visa Process, US Immigration India, US Marriage Visa, US Visa India, USA Marriage Visa, USA Visa India
Posted in CR1 Visa, IR1 Visa, K1 Visa, K2 Visa, K3 Visa, National Visa Center, US Consulate Chennai, US Consulate Hyderabad, US Consulate Kolkata, US Consulate Mumbai, US Embassy India, US Embassy New Dehli, US State Department, US Visa, US Visa and Immigration, USCIS | No Comments »

Although the topic of K-3 visa applications and “administrative closure” by the United States National Visa Center has been a highly discussed topic in recent postings on this web log it is important to note as it can have a tremendous impact upon the K3 visa process. The K3 visa process is often researched by those United States Citizens wishing to obtain a US Marriage Visa for their Malaysian husband or wife. Although the term “K3 visa” has been used colloquially to describe an American spousal visa on the internet, this is not really the classic method of obtaining marriage visa benefits for the spouse of an American. In reality, submitting the petition to obtain CR1 Visa and/or the IR1 Visa benefits has historically been the commonly followed route to bringing a spouse to the USA.

At one time, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) had such a substantial backlog of marriage visa petitions that the United States Congress and President William Jefferson Clinton enacted legislation commonly referred to as the “Life Act” in an effort to create, among other things, an expedited marriage visa. As a result, the K3 visa category was promulgated. The K4 visa is a derivative visa category intended to be utilized by the children of a K3 visa holder, it is somewhat similar to the K2 visa in the context of the K1 visa process. Approximately ten years after the creation of the K3 visa, USCIS no longer had the processing backlog it once had for marriage visa petitions. This lead to a situation where the National Visa Center was receiving Immigrant visa applications before or with the supplemental K3 application. It would seem that a decision was made to “administratively close” K3 visa applications where the Immigrant visa application arrived before or with the supplemental application. The reason for this policy would seem to be that the K3 visa’s utility is rather negated if the Immigrant visa petition has already been adjudicated.

Those thinking about bringing their Malaysian husband or wife to the USA are well advised to conduct research in an effort to make an informed decision about which type of benefits best suit the needs of the parties. It should also be noted that only a licensed American attorney is qualified to provide US Immigration advice or represent clients before the Department of Homeland Security or its constituent agencies such as USCIS, USCBP, or USICE pursuant to the United States Federal Code. Therefore, those thinking of retaining professional assistance for the immigration process are well advised to check the credentials of anyone claiming expertise in American immigration matters.

For related information please see: K1 Visa Malaysia or K3 Visa Malaysia.

Tags: American Attorney, American Marriage Visa Malaysia, American Visa Malaysia, CR-1 Visa Malaysia, CR1 Visa, CR1 Visa Malaysia, IR-1 Visa, IR-1 Visa Malaysia, IR1 Visa, IR1 Visa Malaysia, K-1 Visa Malaysia, K-2 Visa, K-2 Visa Malaysia, K-3 Visa Malaysia, K-4 visa, K-4 Visa Malaysia, K1 Visa Malaysia, K2 Visa, K2 Visa Malaysia, K3 Visa, K3 Visa Malaysia, K4 Visa, K4 Visa Malaysia, US Marriage Visa, Us Marriage Visa Malaysia, US Visa Malaysia
Posted in CR1 Visa, Department of Homeland Security, IR1 Visa, K1 Visa, K2 Visa, K3 Visa, National Visa Center, US Embassy Kuala Lumpur, US Embassy Malaysia, US State Department, US Visa, US Visa and Immigration, USCBP, USCIS, USICE | No Comments »