RapidVisa Blog

RapidVisa is a Better Business Bureau Accredited Business with an A+ Rating.  This means RapidVisa is recognized to have the highest level of business practices. Please read the business practices below for a further explanation.

Customers will soon start using the online Electronic Immigration System (ELIS) to pay the $165 USCIS Immigrant Fee after they receive their immigrant visa package from the Department of State and before they depart for the United States. USCIS ELIS is easy to use and provides direct access to case status updates. New immigrants will also use USCIS ELIS to file future applications and petitions when they become available in the system.

The poverty guidelines are the other version of the federal poverty measure. They, too, are issued every year, generally in the winter, but by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in the Federal Register. The guidelines are a simplification of the poverty thresholds created for administrative use, such as determining financial eligibility for certain federal programs. They are adjusted for families of different sizes and by geographic location (with different guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia; Alaska; and Hawaii).

Starting on Monday, May 6, 2013, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) USCIS will Require Individuals to Submit Biometric Data when appearing at USCIS offices. The USCIS will implement a program called Customer Identity Verification (CIV) in its field offices that will now be require individuals to submit fingerprints and photographs, when appearing at USCIS offices for interviews or to receive evidence of an immigration benefit.

To increase efficiency, reduce operating costs and streamline the admission process, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is automating Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record process.  CBP will no longer require international non-immigrant visitors to fill out a paper Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record upon arrival to the U.S. by air or sea. The traveler will be provided with a CBP admission stamp on their travel. 

ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. ESTA is an online, automated application system developed by the United States government to pre-screen travelers before they are permitted to board an airplane or ship bound for the United States. Starting on January 12, 2009, any person entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is required to hold an approved ESTA Travel Authorization.

To petition your fiancé to come to the U.S. in order to get married, the United States citizen must file a K-1 Fiancé Visa petition with the USCIS. This is done by completing the I-129F petition package and mailing the completed I-129F petition package along with supporting documents and a check to the Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $340.

If you have friends, family or a loved one living in the Philippines you will probably find it necessary to send mail or packages to them. There are few things that you will need to know and consider before sending mail and packages to the Philippines.

Like any other international shipments made outside the U.S., shipping a package to the Philippines may make it subject to Philippine Customs examination. You will want to check whether duties and taxes will need to be paid. And you may be required to fill out customs forms to list the contents and value of your shipment.

If you are submitting an immigration-related petition or an application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you will most likely need to pay processing fees that may include filing, biometrics or other fees. This article provides some guidelines and instructions for paying fees to the USCIS with a check.

If a U.S. citizen plans to marry a foreign citizen, the most important advice we can offer is to begin the preparations early to bring the new fiance(e) or spouse to the United States. Depending on the circumstances, processing time can take as long as several months.  The preparation and timeline is even more critical when children will accompany or follow-to-join the principal visa holder in the United States.

There are multiple ways to transfer money or funds from the United States to the Philippines. There are several things that you should look for when sending. First and foremost, you want to use a service that is safe and secure. The process should be convenient and fast without costing too much. Look for competitive fees as sending money internationally can be very expensive. You will also want to look for favorable exchange rates as all money transfers are subject to these rates.

The intention of a tourist or travel visa is a temporary visit for a specified amount of time. If you want to get married during your visit then return home before your visa expires that may be legal, but a travel visa should not be used with the intention of entering the United States to marry, stay permanently and adjust status. Using the K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa avoids all of the problems noted above, and is the most appropriate way for a foreign fiancé(e) to come to the U.S. to marry. 

U.S. citizens may petition their fiancé(e) or spouse to join them in the United States. In some cases, the fiancé(e) or spouse may have children that will accompany or join-to-follow them. Many couples often ask if they are able to take their children out of the Philippines and what is required to do so.

Obtaining an employment verification letter from the US citizen sponsor’s current employer is highly recommended when providing evidence and proof of income for your Affidavit of Support. 

CBP is experiencing a delay in processing foreign visitors’ travel information into the I-94 database. This does not affect the majority of foreign travelers visiting for business or leisure and will not affect any visitor’s record of departure.Foreign visitors to the U.S. who need to prove their legal-visitor status—to employers, schools/universities or government agencies--during their first two months in the U.S. may need information in addition to the Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record that they received from Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Currently, CBP is exploring automating the Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record to allow for the collection of arrival/departure information electronically, which would streamline the arrival and inspection process for travelers. CBP is coordinating with other agency stakeholders and considering rulemaking. CBP has successfully automated other paper forms familiar to the traveling public. For example, by automating the Form I-94W—the Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure...

The Affidavit of Support is legally required for the petitioning sponsor for many family-based and some employment based immigrants to show the intending immigrant will have adequate means of support, when planning to immigrate to the U.S. The purpose of the process is to prove that the intending immigrant has adequate means of financial support and is unlikely to become a public charge. 

As “petitioning sponsor” this means you have filed an immigrant petition, which has been approved by USCIS. You have paid your Affidavit of Support processing fee and you have been contacted by the Department of State, National Visa Center (NVC) with instructions. You are ready for the next step in the immigration process, which is submit the I-864 Affidavit of Support and required supporting documents for the purpose of sponsoring the intending immigrant. 

The Affidavit of Support is a legal contract between you (the petitioner for an immigrant visa applicant) and the US Government. It ensures that the visa applicant has adequate means of financial support and is unlikely to become a public charge after entering the US.

In sponsoring your family member to visit the U.S. for a short period of time, either you as the sponsor or the visa applicant must show sufficient income or adequate financial means to support the applicant while in the U.S.

A medical examination is required for all immigrant visas and some non-immigrant visas, as well as for refugees and adjustment of status applicants. The purpose of the medical exam is to determine if you have any health conditions that need attention prior to immigrating.

Below you will find a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the medical examination that will be required.

Under U.S. immigration law, ALL applicants for immigrant visas are required to undergo and complete a medical examination, regardless of age. The medical examination findings by a panel physician are binding on the consular officer and used to determine eligibility to receive a visa. 

It is important that you must have completed your medical examination when you come to the Embassy for your visa interview. Otherwise, your visa application will be refused or you may be asked to return for another appointment. The medical examination results are delivered directly to the Embassy. 

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which relates to the immigration, temporary admission, naturalization, and removal of foreigners, mandates that all immigrants and refugees migrating to the United States undergo an overseas medical screening examination performed by panel physicians.

This article is part 3 of a 5-part series and will cover the entry and exit requirements for U.S. citizens visiting the Philippines as a tourist. This article looks at the requirements for extending your stay, in the Philippines, beyond 59 days.

This article is a compilation of Dos and Don’ts for fiancé(e) and spousal visa petitions. Follow these tips to avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary delays. Nobody can really move your petition along any quicker but there are steps you can take to ensure you have the best chance at getting your fiancé(e) or spouse to the U.S.

The process of getting your fiancé(e) or spouse to the United States can be very complex and stressful. It can also be a very emotional time. Because of this it is imperative that you do everything possible to avoid costly mistakes and subsequent delays with your K-1 Fiancé(e) or IR-1/CR-1 Spousal Visa petition.

If your stay will take you beyond the initial 21 days, you can visit a local immigration office and apply for an extension of 38 days taking your total stay, in the Philippines, to 59 days. This extension is not a visa and is referred to as a visa waiver. 

This article will cover the entry and exit requirements for U.S. citizens visiting the Philippines as a tourist. This article covers quite a bit of information so it has been written in a five-part series with the first part covering the initial requirements to enter and exit the Philippines without extending or requiring a waiver.

Now that you have gotten married you will turn your focus to getting your foreign spouse to the United States. This step can be very time consuming, frustrating and expensive as the process and documents can be very complex and confusing.

It finally snowed in Manitou Springs...

...maybe a white Christmas? 

For the next few weeks the RapidVisa will be pulling double duty! When we finish answering your questions on the phone or via email, we get busy trolling the streets of Manila for the location of our NEW PHILIPPINES OFFICE. 

Many organizations provide free immigration help to indigent individuals in immigration removal proceedings.  Most only serve aliens. 

If you need legal advice but can't afford an attorney, these agencies may be able to help.  The Department of Justice maintains a list of free legal service providers by state.  To find a provider in your area go here:

Department of Justice Legal Orientation and Pro Bono Program

To check out RapidVisa or any company on the web we suggest the following:

1. Do a search at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. All legitimate businesses will trademark their business name. You can do a name search here:
United States Patent and Trademark Office  (http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/index.jsp)
Remember to search the company name, not the domain name. In this case search RapidVisa, not RapidVisa.com

Never do business with an online company that is not registered with the trademark office. This is a huge warning sign that may indicate they don't want the government looking into their business.

Chinese birth certificates are available in the form of notarial certificts (Chu Sheng Gong Zheng Shu or Chu Sheng Zheng Ming Shu).

While some notarial birth certificates will list stepparents or adoptive parents along with natural parents, this is not always the case. In some cases, the certificates will list only the natural parents, covering up an adoption.

Divorce was recognized in the Philippines between March 11, 1917 and August 29, 1950; since the latter date, courts have been empowered to grant legal separation (annulment) but not divorce.  Even during the period of legal recognition, divorces were rare in the Philippines because of limited legal grounds for granting divorces. Certified copies of the divorce certificate can be obtained from the appropriate court.  

International travelers who are seeking to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are now subject to enhanced security requirements and will be required to pay an administrative fee. All eligible travelers who wish to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program must apply for authorization and then pay the fee using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization Web Site.

We are proud to announce that RapidVisa is now "A" rated with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).  Click on the image above to see our BBB listing at BBB.org.

The Department of State today announced the introduction of a redesigned Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). The CRBA is an official record confirming that a child born overseas to a U.S. citizen parent acquired U.S. citizenship at birth. The redesigned document has state-of-the-art security features that make it extremely resistant to alterations or forgery.

You are required to attach a copy of your most recent tax return to your I-134 or I-864 Affidavit of Support.  Opitionally, you can include your last 3 tax returns.  If you don't have copies of your tax return, you can get free transcripts from the IRS at the link below...

Need a Copy of Your Tax Return Information?

There are many reasons why a person may be ineligible to enter the United States. The legal descriptions are complicated and lengthy, but we have listed the most common reasons for denial below.

In a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Boston today, Aftab Ali, aka Aftab Ali Khan, 28, formerly of Watertown, Mass., was charged with immigration fraud and making false statements.

The USCIS today announced a redesigned Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550) with new security features aimed at reducing fraud.  USCIS began using redesigned certificates at all offices today, and the agency anticipates that over 600,000 new citizens will receive the enhanced certificate over the next year.

In 2008, households headed by persons naturalized in the 1980s had a higher median income than those headed by persons naturalizing later (see Table 2). Median incomes of families headed by naturalized citizens show a similar pattern.

Persons naturalized in the 1980s were more likely to hold a college degree than those naturalized in the 1990s or 2000–2008. Over 40 percent of all natural-ized citizens from each naturalization period had a high school education or less in 2008.

The number of persons naturalizing in the United States increased from 2.1 million during the 1980s to 5.0 million during the 1990s and 6.1 million during 2000–2008.

The median number of years spent in LPR status by all persons naturalizing ranges from seven to nine years across naturalization periods (see Table 1). Asian-born immigrants naturalizing in the 1980s and African-born immigrants naturalizing in 2000–2008 spent the least time as LPRs (6 years). Persons born in North America naturalizing in the 1980s and 2000–2008 spent the most time in LPR status (11 years).

If you are the beneficiary applicant for a K-1 Faincée Visa or K-3 Spousal visa you must provide the U.S. embassy with a police report from all countries you have lived or worked in since age 16.  Many people travel to Hong Kong for work and therefore will need a Hong Kong police clearance.  The following are the instructions for obtaining the HK police clearance:

 

The issuance of Certificates of No Criminal Conviction is a charged service provided by the Hong Kong Police Force which is solely in connection with a person's application for a visa to visit or reside in another country, or for adoption of children. Applications for the Certificate for any other purposes will not be accepted.

Don't do it unless you have a very good reason!  This will void your K-1 petition and you will have to start all over and file a K-3 petition.  It is not possible to "change" a K-1 to a K-3.

The K visa statistics are out for 2009.  K-1 Fiance visas continue the downward trend that started in 2006 after a record year of 32,900 in 2005.  K-3 Spousal visas are about the same as last year but have been trending down since the peak of 17,864 in 2004.

The following 36 countries are currently on the list of Visa Waiver countries.  Citizens of these countries don't need a visa to visit the United States:

The New York Times has a very nice interactive map application on their web site that shows you where immigrants have settled in the United States.  They call it their Immigration Explorer.  You can select a foreign country and the map will graphically show you where those people have settled in the U.S. since 1880.

You don't pay custom duties on any household items you have owned for more than a year.  However, you cannot bring drugs or firearms.  Additionally, the amount of tobacco, liquor and wine you can bring without paying taxes is limited

Check out this worksheet used by the USCIS in their marriage fraud interviews.  This is not the form used in the K1 or K3 visa interview.  It is used when a person is referred to what is commonly called the "Stokes Interview".  It also covers I-140, I-129 and I-360 petitions.  The questions that apply to marriages are:

Yes, headgear can be worn in the passport photo if the person wears it for religious reasons, and normally wears it everyday. Here is what the USCIS says:

Unless worn daily for religious reasons, all hats or headgear should be removed for the photo. A signed statement from the applicant must be submitted with the application verifying the item is worn daily for religious reasons. In all cases, no item or attire should cover or otherwise obscure any part of the face.

As a permanent resident or conditional permanent resident you can travel outside the United States for up to 6 months without loosing your green card. Staying outside the United States for more than 6 months, but less than one year will subject you to additional questioning when you return to the United States but you are not required to have a Reentry Permit and shouldn't have any problems getting back in.

This is a common question. The answer is no. There is no gray area in the law. This is one of the most stubborn myths surrounding U.S. immigration. The reason so many people believe this can be done is because some people get away with it. Many people feel very passionately that this is a perfectly acceptable method of bringing a fiance or spouse to the United States. When you come to the U.S. with a tourist visa, or on the visa waiver program, you are telling the U.S. government that you are coming for a visit and will be leaving when your tourist visa expires. If you stay beyond the expiration of your visa, you are out of status and subject to arrest and deportation. Filing for an adjustment of status (green card) does not change your status in any way and does not allow you to stay in the U.S. while waiting for your green card. Just getting married to a U.S. citizen gives you no rights at all as far as staying in the U.S. is concerned. If you have a valid visa that allows you to stay in the U.S. and does...

The USCIS has redesigned the Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card, commonly called the Green Card, for the second time in less than 6 years.

In November of 2004, the green card was redesigned to replace the old Department of Justice and Immigration and Naturalization Service references with the new Department of Homeland Security branding.

We have helped people from all over the United States bring their fiance to the U.S. from many countries all over the world. Many people are understandably worried that something may cause them to be denied.

The USCIS released it Naturalization numbers today for 2009. Naturalization is what they call becoming a U.S. citizen. There are several paths to citizenship, but generally a person needs to be a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) for 5 years to apply for citizenship. A notable exception is that spouses of U.S. citizens need only to hold a green card for 3 years before applying for citizenship.

The final two defendants pleaded guilty Monday to charges in a Columbus-based marriage fraud scheme.

Social Security numbers are used for a variety of purposes such as for the individual’s taxpayer i.d. number, for bank and other financial accounts, and as Social Security and Medicare account numbers.

Anyone in the U.S. can get a Social Security card. There are basically three kinds of cards

Also known as Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record. The Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection official at the port-of-entry gives foreign visitors (all non-U.S. citizens) an Arrival-Departure Record, (a small white card) when they enter the United States.

Well here is another case of somebody sending in a Petition for Alien Fiance with no supporting documents. The I-129F instructions are very clear on what supporting documents you must attach to your petition. Here is a shortened version of what you find on pages 2 & 3 of the I-129F instructions:

Your health does not come into question at all in the petition process

K-1 Petitions

In general, if you were admitted as a non-immigrant, can apply to extend your stay in that nonimmigrant category or change to another nonimmigrant category. However, there are a number of requirements.

An opinion regarding a point of law from the Office of Visa Services in the Department of State, Washington, D.C. This opinion would be in answer to a question from an embassy or consulate about interpretation of immigration law or in response to a request of review of the legal correctness of a visa refusal of an applicant or his/her representative.

Some very interesting data coming out of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security today. They have completed their “Estimates of Unauthorized Immigrant Population Residing in the United States: January 2009” In other words, they counted up all the illegal aliens. Actually they did some sampling and estimated then number of illegal aliens.

The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time. Each country has its own citizenship laws based on its own policy.  Persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice. For example, a child born in a foreign country to U.S. citizen parents may be both a U.S. citizen and a citizen of the country of birth.

Permission to enter and/or remain in the U.S. and extensions of stay in this country are granted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If you came to the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa, and you want to extend your stay in the U.S., then you must ask for permission from DHS’s United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before your authorized stay expires. If you have a date on your Form I-94, you should apply for your extension of stay with USCIS well in advance of its expiration.

For family based visas, a petition is filed either by a U.S. citizen or U.S. lawful permanent resident relative. Immediate Relatives Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens (IR): These types of immigrant visas are based on a close family relationship with a U.S. citizen, including spouses, children, and parents. Limited Family-Based Immigrants involve specific, more distant, family relationships with a U.S. citizen and some specified relationships with a Lawful Permanent Resident.


 

ICE is a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  It was established in 2003 after the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Prior to 2003, many of the functions of ICE were performed by elements within United States Customs Service (Treasury), Immigration and Naturalization Service (Justice) and Federal Protective Service

The USCIS is embarking on an enterprise-wide “Transformation Program” that will transition the agency from a fragmented, form-centric, and paper-based operational environment to a centralized, person-centric, consolidated environment utilizing electronic adjudication.

A major immigration law enacted on November 6, 1986, to gain control over legal immigration. It provided for the legalization of certain long-term undocumented aliens and agricultural workers, increased border enforcement, and made it unlawful to hire undocumented workers. It also required that U.S. employers verify the identity and work authorization status of all persons they hire.

Office established in the U.S. Department of Justice by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 to provide remedies for immigration-related discrimination related to employer sanctions and employment verification. The office provides a mechanism for dealing with discriminatory employment practices, including hiring and discharge from employment based on citizenship status or national origin.

A Permanent Resident is a person who has been granted permanent resident status in the United States and has (or is waiting for) a Permanent Resident Card.

Physical presence in the United States is an important eligibility requirement. Most naturalization applicants must spend a specified amount of time in the United States in order to meet the physical presence requirement for naturalization. Except in a few cases, time spent outside of the United States, even brief trips to Canada and Mexico, does not count toward your “physical presence.”

Social Security numbers are used for a variety of purposes such as for the individual’s taxpayer i.d. number, for bank and other financial accounts, and as Social Security and Medicare account numbers.

A U.S. National is a person who, because of his or her birth in American Samoa or on Swains Island, owes permanent allegiance to the United States, and who may naturalize based on residence in an outlying possession of the United States. 

A - Diplomat, Foreign Government Official B-1 - Visitor's Visa (Business) B-2 - Visitor's Visa (pleasure, tourism) C - Aliens in Transit Visa D - Crewman E-1 - Treaty Trader E-2 - Treaty Investor F-1 - Foreign Student visa F-2 - Foreign Student Dependent G - International Organization Employee H-1B - Work Permit, Temporary Worker H4 - Dependant of H-1B holder I - Foreign Information Media (Journalist) J-1 - Exchange Visitor/Scholar/Doctor J2 - Dependant of J-1 holder K-1 - Fiance of U.S. Citizen K-2 -  Children of K-1 holder K-3 - Spouse of U.S. Citizen K-4 - Children of K-3 holder L-1 - Intra-Company Transferee L-2 - Dependant of L-2 holder M - Vocational Student N - Parents of certain Special Immigrants O - Aliens of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics P-1 - Renowned artists, entertainers and athletes coming for internationally recognized or culturally...