ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

If you're going to fill in forms and print them out, it's better to do it from the USCIS.gov website, as they have the latest versions of forms. Being a government department, forms change all the time. :)

One thing worth remembering: Make sure you make three copies of your entire packet. One for yourself, one for your lady, and one as a file copy. As you go through each of the immigration stages (Adjustment of Status once you are married, Removal of Conditions after 2 years as a green card holder, Citizenship) you will need to keep the NOAs as they are required as part of the next packet. Embassies can lose paperwork, so the file copy is your backstop if, for any reason, the original goes astray.

Something that helps a few people along the way: Have a planner (of sorts). Note down what needs doing and try to put them in order. The guides here will give you good instructions, but if you have a dated planner, you know when things are coming up - like the police report, CENOMAR, the medical, the interview, gathering of ongoing relationship evidence, picking up her SSN on arrival, AoS/EAD/AP (more acronyms to become familiar with!).

Perhaps the one thing we forget in our excitement to get through this process as soon as possible, is that your lady will miss a great many things about home once she arrives in America. It's all go-go-go until she gets here and then it's a big anticlimax where she is in a new place with new customs and everything seems overwhelming. Make sure your fiancee spends time with her loved ones, takes lots of photos, familiarises her friends and family with some sort of online video call system (Skype, Yahoo, MSN .. whatever floats her boat) and builds a lot of memories to bring with her. Those are the things that will give her comfort when she's stuck at home, unable to work, until her EAD or Green card come through. Have her go through her beloved possessions to determine what she wants to gift to others as a memento and what she chooses to bring to build her new home. It'll keep her busy, at the least.

Wishing you a speedy journey. :)


Wow, such helpful info...I appreciate it so much. 3 copies, a date planner is a great idea as well...I know what you're saying about my g/f missing her family and friends. I've been down this road before, a long time ago. My first marriage, (and only unit I marry Diana), was to a Filipina, we were married 30 years, so I know how this move can affect relationships on her side. Needless to say I know lots and lots of Filipino's here in Md and I know Filipino culture very well....
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-19 16:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.
Oh ok Tahoma...I am waiting for her to get up as its like 430am there..so we can go over the new game plan...
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-19 15:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.
John, thanks friend...will heed.

Hey all, let me ask you guys this, on the example forms section, it looks like they have examples put it the blanks, and you can change it to your own info, so its a fillable form. And could my fiance fill them out and email or forward them to me, so I can print them, or me do the same for her?
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-19 15:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

Please do not hire the lawyer... my fiance did (now my husband) and truthfully... we can do it on our own... but for him that time, he just wanna make sure... 4K for a K-1 is quite pricey... we did pay for around like that also but its a package up to my citizenship... We already sent our change of status and I have proven to my husband that we do not need the lawyer coz basically what she did... was sent the package... and she did not even do a good job during our K-1 process, she was asking a lot of documents that was not necessary, made my husband print a lot of stuff that she (the lawyer) did not sent to me and missed a lot of information on the affidavit of support that I have to point out... i wasn't impress!


Oh ok, thanks for the info...I have given this link to my fiance and hopefully she will read and click link and be happy to do this, lol

WE wish you all the best!! <3 you both will succeed !!


aww, thanks

Hi jetdoc...welcome to VJ... :star:

Chinook and I are K-1erz too.

Thanks to Chinook, we successfully completed the K-1 fiancée visa process, the adjustment of status process, and the removal of conditions process without using an attorney.

Before we started the K-1 process, I consulted with a well-regarded immigration attorney here in Seattle. He quoted me $1500 to complete the K-1 fiancée visa process. The quote didn't include adjusting status or removing conditions.

Chinook found VJ and convinced me that we could do this ourselves. And she was right. I now realize that an attorney would not only have been an unnecessary expense, but they also would have slowed down the process. Brit Abroad said it best! :thumbs:

Save your bank for the wedding and the honeymoon.


Great post and thanks so much...you guys have given me so much confidence to do this on our own, with all the support from you guys.
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-19 14:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

I'm divorced too, but just include a copy of your divorce decree with your package and that's all that is needed. Be sue to include ALL the pages. I submitted my papers in May and the they got them 5/12/2011. I was just approved last week, so it was right at 90 days.

My girl is from Manila too. I was there in late April of this year and really enjoyed myself.

good luck,

Jim


Hold on, it took you 90 days? Am I reading that right Jim? Wow we were there around the same time, I was there in May, had a blast...then we just got back from Bangkok, had a super blast there. 90 days, really? She used the Manila consulate then..?
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-19 13:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

Yeah... lots of us do this ourselves. Use the 129F instructions from the USCIS website. If you read them carefully and ask VisaJourney when you need advise, you will have very few problems (if any) doing this on your own.

You can also refer to the GUIDES section on the top menu, as needed.

Good luck! It's not a difficult process... just kind of long. :)


Thanks, will do...what is also comforting is you guys that seem to be done come back to help....kewl
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-19 13:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

You're very welcome. Read the guides on here...you can't go wrong. They're given step by step and it's really not hard...you just have to be super organized and triple check everything. You can do it all yourself...K-1, AOS, ROC...all of it. If you need any kind of help, just ask on here :D


Thanks, will do..thats the advise from everyone on here....why make a lawyer even more rich..? hahah
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-19 10:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

Oh my goodness, no no no nooooo, don't pay an attorney. You can do it yourself...most of us on Visa Journey did and we made out superfine. NO ONE knows you or your information better than yourself. Plus, I can't tell you how many people have used immigration attorneys and received an RFE! No way. You're smart...you can handle it. :thumbs: :thumbs:


Thank you so much...really.
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-19 10:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

AOS means Adjustment Of Status and yeah it is for the Green Card. After your fiancee enters US, and you get married within 90 days of entry, you apply for AOS so she can get her conditional Permanent Resident status.

Good Luck on your journey.

BTW, we also did K-1... our whole process from filing to interview took just 5 months (and we did it all by ourselves)... so even without a lawyer, depending on the Service Center handling your case, the process can take as short as 5 months! :yes: :yes:

Good Luck again!


Oh ok...she lives in Manila, and I live in the DC area. Thanks for the info.
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-19 10:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

We finally made it without any lawyers though;-) :thumbs: My Ex-fiance (now my hubby) found this site and we both working together and study the guide as mentioned here in VJ. Get familiarize with the guide and surely you can do it too! :thumbs:

Also during our next stop which is our AOS journey we both accustomed with the entire process and less stressed as we finally made the first journey with flying colors!!! :thumbs:

Good Luck and welcome to VJ!


So you're here now? I have to look up the acronyms, not sure what AOS is, greencard?
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-19 10:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

Holy Mole! That is no small sum. Your effort to acquire the information and gather docs, you might as well fill in the blanks yourself. You'll feel better for having done it yourself. That is cash better saved and spent on your wedding, the honeymoon, airline tickets and the visa process.

VJ is more than a website...its a community, you will get lots of help here.


Hey Marine, Semper Fi....yea its a lot of 'chedda', no doubt. Good points for sure...I am finding out this site is not just a site, it IS a community of people who are trying to do the same thing. Seems like a lot of good folks on here.
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-19 07:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

My wife smarter also and better looking.


Too funny, the better looking part was given, lol
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-19 07:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

When I started the process, it looked really complicated and I looked at lawyers too. After a week of looking at this site and the forms, I decided to try myself. You are going to spend about $2000 for fees anyway, so it is not cheap. I'm with everyone else, no lawyer needed unless you have some issues like a record or something.

I was just approved, so I know it works.

Good luck,
Jim


Hey Jim, good point. There is no record for either of us, I have a divorce, that is it.

Can I ask, from start to finish, how long was your process, since your fiance is Filipina, (mine lives in Manila), thx.

You can do this yourself, just follow the directions here and read the instructions fro USCIS, you do not need to pay an attorney for K!. Keep three copies one for each of you and an extra for them in case they loose everything. Good luck,


Thanks bigdog, will heed your advise.
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-19 07:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

Hmmm .... the same advice I give to everyone else:-

You're going to PAY this guy to fill in a form with information that YOU provide, he'll give it back to you to check he hasn't made any mistakes. Then he'll ask YOU to go and get all the paperwork he needs to send as supporting evidence, photocopy it, mail your forms in and bill you mightily for the privilege.

You do the work, he sits back and counts his pot of gold. Don't fall for it, you can easily do this process with your fiancee, the same as the rest of us. The Guides section at the top of the page will walk you through it, and if you have questions, ask 'em here and you'll be bombarded with advice. :)


A great response, thanks 'BA'....I can see, you guys on here will help us along the way, and very fast responses. I actually mentioned to the lawyer I had found a site that seemed to be helpful if we did this on our own, visajourney...(I was a lurker for a while before joining recently)...when I mentioned the name of this site he just sorta did a, 'hmm'..and kept going, lol
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-19 06:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

Wow 4k..? Definitely a rip off, you can definitely do it yourself, this website is all you need. Your right save that money for your wedding. Having a lawyer speeds up nothing. Check out the k1 visa guide on here. Gather everything they require and send it off. Your pockets will be happier in the end that you didn't choose the lawyer route. Lawyers will say anything to get your $$. Plus any questions you have ppl on this site are willing to answer... Free of charge! Lol... Wish u guys the best! Good luck with your journey!


Akaitay, no it was over 4k, about 4600.00 and then if we wanted to do the greencard when she gets here the total for both would be over 8k...I was like, hmmmm, let me sleep on it.

But the advise I've been given here from you guys, why blow all that money for no reason...? We will for sure use you guys for help...you've already helped, thanks. And yes, 4k more for our wedding, haha
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-18 23:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

You can do this yourself. Follow the directions on VJ and USCIS web site. Save the money you wold pay for an attorney.


Thanks....!!
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-18 23:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

I recommend downloading all the forms from USCIS and Embassy websites since the forms usually have expiration date printed on them. Forms on VJ might be of an expired version since they're meant to be used as examples.


Thanks P.A.T...will do. I really do not understand how the lawyer made it seem like it would be better to use him, I guess its his job.
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-18 19:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

Oh, cool! Yep, I live in Manassas :)


I live on the Eastern Shore, but work at BWI airport.
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-18 19:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

You should be able to do it on your own. Paperwork is relatively easy, nothing that you can't do by yourself. Honestly, lawyers are just a waste of money and time when your case is straight forward. There are guides on top of the page that you should study before you file and if you have any questions you can always ask here. Good luck!


I was thinking that, and this site was recommended...I mean, if he were charging 1000 or so, not bad, but over 4000 is kinda expensive...we could use that for our wedding.

I will ask here and tell my fiance about this place.

Go to Regional Discussion --> Philippines :) Using a lawyer will not expedite the process, approval time depends on work load of the Service Center the US and the Embassy abroad. All the forms are available on www.uscis.gov and the US Embassy website in the Phillipines, you could fill them all out right now if you REALLY wanted and send in when the time comes.


Ok, will check it out, thanks. It looks like the forms links on here are fillable, that is so helpful. Thanks for your advise.
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-18 19:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

I did that too, don't feel bad! :lol: Good luck on your K1! I'm also starting the process soon :luv:


Thanks, I see you're NOVA, I live in the DC/Balt area.
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-18 18:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.
BTW, I saw an Asian forum but not Filipino, am I missing it? The lawyer said he can't get it done quicker on the surface, but did say that he is proactive on forms to file and will request them in advance and they know what errors that are committed usually. He said the whole process can be done in 6 months if everything goes as planned and from when the forms are first filed.

Not sure if any of this was BS

Edited by jetdoc3037, 18 August 2011 - 06:30 PM.

Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-18 18:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

I think you mean the K-1 visa....not F-1 :)


Haha, yes I continually call it an F-1 visa for some reason.
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-18 18:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.

If you can follow directions, you can do it yourself. Only reason to have a lawyer would be if you had some issues (criminal convictions, etc) or you absolutely hate filling out paperwork. Follow the K1 guide on this site and join the Filipino regional forum, that should take care of any questions you might have during the process.


Thank you P.A.T..we both are very good at such tasks and both intelligent, (she is way smarter than me truth be told)...Thanks for the tip on the Filipino regional, I will go there now.
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-18 17:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa, just starting.
Hey all, new here. My fiance and I are just starting the F1 visa journey, should be fun...not, lol. I am American, she is Filipina. We've known each other for going on 2 years. We've met in person twice, once in May in Manila and in July in Bangkok. I've met her family and we are very much in love.

She has never been married, no kids, no criminal record. I am divorced, with 3 grown kids, no criminal record.

I interviewed several immigration lawyers, I live in the DC/Balt area. I have chosen Matthew Glinsmann of Gaithersburg. His firm is high recommended. I had an initial meeting and went over all particulars. Got a good vibe from him, the only thing is the fees..the seem high, but maybe not. He charges a little over 4k to secure the F1 visa, then more if we do the green card once here.

I don't mind paying for excellent service, but man, that seems a lot, but is it worth it? Do we need to go this route? Any advise would be helpful.
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-18 17:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG35A..??
Meant 325A
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-22 09:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG35A..??

The more professional it looks the better it goes. My opinion


Got your PM...this is what I was sorta asking...good point. Its just you can't save the fillable forms it says, but as long as I don't totally reboot laptop the forms stay, so I will wait for the info and type the rest in.

Thanks
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-22 09:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG35A..??
Finished up the G35A and the 129F, I filled them out on my laptop and printed, looks so much better. My question is on each of those forms there are one or two spots I have to get answers to, ie: call moms and ask her the birth place of my father, etc.

I wonder if it would be better to just wait to print up the entire letter with typed info, or to print and just hand write in the dates for those few blocks?
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-22 08:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHey guys
Appreciate all help, you all don't know how much. I will have to decide on which way to go...I know the intent is to see if someone has been bringing in a lot of wives in a short time? I'd hate to sorta waste a 129F as I know you only have a few of them to use.
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-22 14:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHey guys
Thanks RK...you guys are great and yes that is how we are approaching it.

JimVaPhuong, thanks for the very helpful info, however, as it was sooo long ago, I have no idea if it were the 129F or a 130, again, over 31 years ago, I was but like 19 yrs old...I mean we married in the Philippines, I remember going to Manila once or twice to do paperwork..... She arrived a few months after me to the states, however I do not even recall her doing any paperwork in Cali to get her green card, but she had one until she became a citizen a few years later.....

So, now I have to figure out if it were a 129F or 130...hmmm
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-22 10:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHey guys

You are welcome. Just wait until witing for your NOA2 [NOA2 = VJ-speak typically describing Form I-797 indicating I-129F petition approval); the passing months will feel like millions of years (OK, slight exaggeration--maybe only thousands of years :yes: )! -RK


I can imagine....its so difficult not being with her as it is....at least we are down to this part, hopefully the last 6 months or so, till she is here. I hope.
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-22 07:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHey guys

just sharing our experience. i hope u can get something from it. my fiance had filed a CR1 before for his ex-wife. we are all from the phils. after 13 years and 8 months of marriage...they filed for divorce. after more than 2 years of being single again, we met. and he filed for a k1 for me. we hired an agency and there were a lot of mistakes. among those was they forgot to answer question no. 11 in the 129f form. so, we got an rfe for that. what the agency did...they just checked the box "yes" and sent it back. that was a bad move. we realized we should had sent supporting documents for our answer. so for that we had a 2nd rfe " IMBRA RFE" due to the fact that the USCIS didn't know whether or not the previous petition was for spousal or fiance. what we did... we researched and studied what would be our next course of action be. we really didn't know what to do. we thought that was our last chance with the USCIS.so, we made a waiver for IMBRA...inspite that my fiance didn't file for K1 before. there is a limitation for the number of K1 petition a USC can file in his lifetime.this is the one that is covered by the IMBRA law. it was the advice of everyone, that eventhough we're not covered... we should make a waiver. so, that's what we did. we also sent the NOA2 of his exwife, the divorce decree again, the letter from NVC for his exwife. Thank God...my fiance still kept these through the years. now, we made everything on our own and then, we let the agency review it for any suggestions from them. but the agency said...everything looks good. and to God be the glory... our petition got approved.
now, as we looked back, we cud say, we should have sent the supporting documents along with that 1st rfe. we wouldn't have had received the 2nd rfe. there's nothing wrong to be overkill. as long as we're always prepared and ready.
hope our experience could help you somehow. by the way... my fiance is not from the service. but nevertheless... it's a the same process, right?


Thanks Rene, there is no way I will be able to get the A# and such, as my X wouldn't even have that info. I won't ask her because she will know why and I know for a fact she will not know, so I won't bother....I will have to go with what others have said, 'unknown'

and by the way for the A#... my fiance went to hi ex-wife's house to ask for it. even she forgot her A#. so what we did, we put "lost/unknown" in the box.


That is what I will do...do you think the year or the month/year would help, or just unknown/lost..?
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-21 20:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHey guys

Thank you so much RK...its not lying, its saying the truth. And it was a million years ago, (ok 31, seems like a million).


I do know the paperwork was done July/Aug 1980, I wonder if I should put that in there with the unknown for the A#
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-21 20:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHey guys
Thank you so much RK...its not lying, its saying the truth. And it was a million years ago, (ok 31, seems like a million).
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-21 19:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHey guys

You did the paperwork though?

If it were me, I would just put as much info as you can remember. They are looking mostly for people that have filed many times recently.

Hopefully someone that has been in your shoes before will chime in.


Scott, man that was like in 1980...I know we married July 22, 1980, and she came out Dec 1980...and A# and such, no idea. Thanks for helping me.
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-21 18:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHey guys

It also says according to your quote " alien fiance or husband/wife"

You probably don't have all the info, but you would have 2 know about when & where you filed.

If the military took care of the visa, then there is something you should be able to get by using the FOIA. I take it you don't talk to your ex at all?

I don't know how the immigration process was back in the 1980s, so I can really comment on how you would go about getting the info now.


You're right....I know when we were married, and she flew out a few months later...I do talk to her, often, but I can assure you, she will not help at all, lol. The military didn't take care of the visa...
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-21 17:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHey guys

Did you bring your ex-wife to the US? If so then you filed for her and then the answer would be yes and you need 2 put the info. If you guys just married and lived outside the US then your answer would be no.


Yes she flew here a few months after I did...it was in 1980, how on earth would I find that info out.Its says, "alien fiance'....she wasn't my fiance, does that matter? I was active duty military then too.

Edited by jetdoc3037, 21 August 2011 - 05:39 PM.

Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-21 17:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHey guys
Of course my fiance is done with her forms and all the things she needs...lol...I am filling out the 129F...I was married to a Filipina, we are divorced, (actually the official papers were due in the mail last week now they said this week coming up)...so I can't put that date in yet, section 9, however in section 11, Have you ever filed for this or any other alien fiancé(e) or husband/wife before? if so, If "Yes," give name of all aliens, place and date of filing,A# and result. Now my X wife and I married in Olongapo City, but we were married in the Philippines, so this is a NO...? I hope so because I would have NO way of knowing the, 'if yes' question...it was so long ago.
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-21 17:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLetter of intent

No because the petition is not staying at Dallas. Its going to either CSC or VSC. Do not bother putting an address on the letter.


ok, thanks
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-22 20:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLetter of intent
For letter of intent, we are both wondering is it the Dallas lockbox addy to use? USCIS service center address. I live in Maryland, if that makes a difference.
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-22 19:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG325A

@jetdoc,

Nope, that was not a dumb question at all. Many similar and other questions have been asked about that place on form G-325A. Many of us--including myself--have asked such, at first seemingly trivial questions. We are still asking. And I know I myself still have a TON to yet learn!! But I figure when it comes down to doing the best one can to pursue a future together with a wonderful person and/or striving to live as good and fulfilled life as possible, then there is very little that is actually "trivial" in this pursuit. The existence of the VJ site, the many questions (and the nature thereof) posed by other VJ members, and the helpfulness of so many here, seems to indicate the existence of some core truth to this claim. Ron, may all continue to go well with you--and also your fiancee, of course--in your own pursuit(s) during your own visa journey and beyond. --RK


RK, you're a kind soul and may your Karma be bright.
Ron and RheaMalePhilippines2011-08-22 22:48:00