biggish data

Wonderful NEWS! Embassy is ready to set up our interview date!

Hey everyone. So Friday I got an Email from the US Embassy in Moscow saying they are ready for us to pay the visa fee and schedule an interview date! YAY. I am now writing my continuing support letter, and I was wondering if you all could let me know if it is any good

Dear Sir or Madam:

I, PETITIONER NAME do hereby state that I continue to support the K-1 Visa Process, and I am legally able and willing to marry BENEFICIARY NAME, and intend to do so within 90 days of her arrival into the US using the K-1 visa.

Yours truly,

Print name

6/2/2013

Dear Sir or Madam:

I,BENEFICIARY NAME,I do hereby state that I continue to support the K-1 Visa Process I am legally able and willing to marry PETITIONER NAME, and intend to do so within 90 days of my arrival into the US using the K-1 visa.

Yours truly,

Print name

Let me know if you think it is good

Edited by Baile, 02 June 2013 - 01:38 PM.

Baile

Male

Russia

2013-06-02 13:37:00

do you need a 1040 form?

W-2 sorry

Baile

Male

Russia

2013-06-10 11:52:00

do you need a 1040 form?

I have the W-9

Baile

Male

Russia

2013-06-10 11:28:00

do you need a 1040 form?

If i provide a tax return form , pay stubs(last 7) letter from employer and all of the things from the bank, do i need the 1040 form?

Edited by Baile, 10 June 2013 - 10:51 AM.

Baile

Male

Russia

2013-06-10 10:50:00

I got in touch with USCIS General Support via telephone and navigated through the automated menu options to speak to a representative. I input my receipt number from the acceptance confirmation email when prompted without any issue. Surprisingly, there was minimal hold time and a friendly representative given I called around 1930ET, near close-of-business hours for them.

The representative immediately offered his first name and agent ID number. After answering a few verification questions, I stated my concern of not receiving the I-797C via postal mail... only email. He gave the same responses as testthomas's experience - they can't resend the notice or check to see if the correct mailing address is on file. As to the importance of having the notice, he also said that the I-797C only provides the receipt number and since he was able to locate my case I didn't need the official notice for any other step in the process. The online case status updates in real-time whenever action is taken, he suggested I just keep up with that.

For additional peace of mind, I also downloaded a mobile app called LUD and Status notifier which syncs with USCIS at adjustable intervals. Although I didn't get anything definitive from the call (they very well could have the wrong address on file), I'm satisfied with the consoling responses and am glad to know that the receipt number is indeed active/valid and does lead to my case in their system.

I guess it's back to the hardest part of this whole process - being patient. Nearing two months since petition acceptance date and I miss my woman! :lol:

Thanks all for the responses.

Edited by Saad Ali, 04 October 2012 - 09:58 PM.

Saad Ali

Male

Pakistan

2012-10-04 21:58:00

bump.. still no 797c. I think i'll set an appt to speak to someone.

Saad Ali

Male

Pakistan

2012-10-01 20:15:00

Just an update now that it has been a month since I filed, the I-797C still has not arrived. However, the status on the USCIS has moved from 'Acceptance' to 'Initial Review'.

I hope the official notification hasn't been lost in the mail. If that is the case, how big of a deal is it? I don't want to get to a later stage and find out my fiancee and/or I need to show paperwork we never received.

Can I request another copy?

Thanks all.

Saad Ali

Male

Pakistan

2012-09-10 11:11:00

Thanks a lot everyone. I will try and relax

Saad Ali

Male

Pakistan

2012-08-28 11:07:00

Hello all,

I filed for a K1 Visa on August 10th with G-1145 form attached to receive email notification of receipt. The email came within four days, which was great however I have not recieved the official form I-797 which was supposed to arrive within 7-10 business days (10 days on Aug 24th). I know I'm very early in the process, but want to ensure I'm not missing anything. My questions are:

Will I receive an I-797 at all if attached a G-1145?
If so, does I-797 frequently take longer than 7-10 business days?
Should I update my timeline with NOA1 recevied according to the email date, or should I be waiting for the official form to update VJ timeline?
Others have updated within a few days of filing, should I be worried?

Apologies if this is addressed elsewhere and I have missed it.

Thanks in advance, and Regards.

Saad Ali

Male

Pakistan

2012-08-27 11:08:00

Passport style photo

QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Sep 20 2009, 07:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Stephen + Elisha @ Sep 19 2009, 05:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Sep 19 2009, 05:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Archeon @ Sep 19 2009, 05:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hi everyone,

Just a very quick and easy one...

The instructions for the passport "style" photo on this site designate that the photo must be 2 inch by 2 inch (+ facial size requirements), while on the official forms it doesn't specify the overall dimensions of the photo only the size from chin to hair line.

Today i got a set of English passport photos done, where my head should be approximately the right size, the the picture itself is a rectangle, not a square.

Is this likely to cause problems? I am just trying to avoid any possible slip ups here, as i am also not sure how i would go about getting an american style passport photo done properly over here.

Arch

It is very likely to cause problems and it woul dbe really silly to have many weeks delay over this. Really silly.

Go back, get 2 x 2 photos which meet the specs. They know how to do them. Get about 12 of them as you will need them throughout the process. As long as you do not make major changes to your appearance the ONE rule you CAN ignore is the "taken within 30 days" rule. We used the same passport photo from petition to AOS wihtoput a problem for 3 people (K-1 and two separate k-2s)

Nonsense. The I-129F instructions specify "passport-style." They do not require 2" x 2". Their only concern is with the facial dimensions and the white background. He will need to get 2 x 2 for the visa application after NOA2, but there's no reason to hold up filing the I-129F over this if everything else is in order.

As a matter of fact, I'm positive that Elisha's photo was rectangular. Not square. No RFE.

OK, do what Steve says. I stand corrected. Yes, what I said is nonsense. Nonsense?

FYI, if the adjudicator YOU get for your case decides to send an RFE because the photos are rectangular, instead of square (and yes they DO specify 5cm x 5cm size...deadly close to 2 x 2) then your case will be delayed for many weeks as you go about to get new photos and then send them to your fiancee and then wait while the adjudicator gets back to your case. The adjudicator may be WRONG, and it will not matter to you. YOUR case will be delayed. In this process, if ANYTHING goes wrong, your fault, their fault, the mailman's fault, it is YOUR problem.

How much chance are you willing to take for the cost of new photos? 5%? 10%? 1%? I am not one to deliberately recommend you go against the stated rules and requirements and leave something open to another's judgement if it is avoidable, AND at the same time recommend you do additional, imagined to be beneficial, procedures that do not exist in any rules, handbooks or regulations. You can even take the photos yourself, email them to your fiancee and have her print them and crop them as needed. I would not deliberatley recommend you submit photos that do not meet the stated specifications and leave that door open. "But you suggested violating the 30 day rule" you say. True, except the photos you submit will be submitted to different people along the way. You think the medical exam guys that need 3 photos know which ones you sent to USCIS 6 months before? If it still looks like you...go with it. If you had a beard 6 months ago and shaved it off...get new photos. While the consulate may have your entire file, they do not have the photos, that is why you bring new ones with your application. Do they still look like you?

It is just curious that one that would support the concept of "frontloading" which is unproven and nothing more than someone's imagined safety net for difficult consulates, would deliberately recommend not following printed requirements. Strange duality.

Disregard all I said in this post the above, it is nonsense. I do this to fill time in my otherwise uneventful life.

Quoted from page 3 of the I-129F instructions:

QUOTE

6. What Other Documents Do You Need?
...
B. Give USCIS a passport-style color photograph of yourself and a passport-style color photograph of your fiancé(e), with both photos taken within 30 days of the date of filing this petition. The photos must have a white background, be glossy, un-retouched and not mounted. The dimension of the full frontal facial image of you and your fiancé(e) in separate photos should be about one inch from your chin to the top of your hair. Using a pencil or felt pen, lightly print the name (and Alien Registration Number, if known) on the back of each photograph.

Show us where that says 5 x 5. Show us anywhere where USCIS specifies 2" x 2"/5cm x 5cm for the photos submitted with the I-129F. If you can, I'll happily concede that my earlier advice was incorrect.

Otherwise, though, your long-winded self-justifying screed quoted above has misrepresented USCIS instructions and employed scare tactics simply to try to convince others that your nonsense is not nonsense..

So, Gary, ball's in your court. Show us where USCIS asks for 5 x 5.

Edited by Stephen + Elisha, 20 September 2009 - 08:07 AM.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-20 08:06:00

Passport style photo

QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Sep 19 2009, 05:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Archeon @ Sep 19 2009, 05:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Edited by Stephen + Elisha, 19 September 2009 - 04:56 PM.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-19 16:55:00

Passport style photo

QUOTE (Archeon @ Sep 19 2009, 05:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

USCIS is not terribly picky about this. I've read of numerous people who have submitted non-US-size passport photos and had no problems. As long as it's relatively close, and the facial dimensions are correct, not something to stress about.

That being said, if you find a photographer who is familiar with the requirements for US visa photos, you'll be good to go—the requirements for US visa photos are the same as those for US passports.

Edited by Stephen + Elisha, 19 September 2009 - 04:49 PM.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2009-09-19 16:46:00

Where to send Petition

Yes, the address is correct unless you're planning on using Express Mail or a courier service. In that case, use:

USCIS
Attn: I-129F
2501 South State Highway 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067 (link)

As for the check, it needs to be made out to U.S. Department of Homeland Security, NOT "USCIS" or "DHS." (link)

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2012-01-25 16:09:00

Easy Question on G325A

That is AWESOME. However, can you send me a copy of that in the new format? New format edited 11/12 by USCIS. Your format is 2009. I checked USCIS and it reads, "11/23/10; (06/14/10; 02/19/10 editions also accepted)". 2009 version is not listed.

You're looking at the I-129F form info. The USCIS page for the G-325A says "Edition Date : 08/08/11. Previous editions accepted." The 2009 version is fine for the G-325A.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2012-01-25 15:07:00

Easy Question on G325A

I've prepared a modified version of the G-325A PDF that uses Times New Roman as the input font rather than Courier New. It should give you significantly more room for the information you're trying to enter. See my signature for more information and the link.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2012-01-25 14:42:00

Affidavit of Support

http://www.uscis.gov.../i-864instr.pdf

11 pages

Those are the instructions for the I-864 Affidavit of Support. People going the K-1 route don't use that until it's time to file the I-485 to adjust status (i.e., after the beneficiary receives the K-1 visa, enters the United States, and marries the petitioner within 90 days). The I-134 affidavit of support is used at the consular interview stage.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2012-01-28 00:58:00

confused what to answer q.11 in form I-134 affidavit of support

I followed the VisaJourney example I-134: didn't check either box, and wrote "N/A - K-1 visa process for permanent residence" in the space below. Didn't have any problem. That said, my then-fiancee's interview was in Seoul, South Korea.

Perhaps someone who's had experience with Manila can weigh in as to what they look for on Question 11, as well as whether an I-134 from August will work or not.

Edited by Stephen + Elisha, 28 January 2012 - 01:58 AM.

Stephen + Elisha

Male

South Korea

2012-01-28 01:58:00

My K-1 Sydney Interview Process

Congrats and a BIG thanks for the play by play. Ours is a long ways off but your post helps to make us feel better

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-09 15:47:00

thank you jay-kay,
and yes we are both free to marry-no previous marriages/no criminal records/no children/... a pretty simple petition. yet im FREAKING OUT! thinking about the stuff they could RFE us for.

ok im going to dig up some more hotel receipts, some movie stubs, bank tickets and what not.

*other question*
we are both 21 (but will both be 22 by the time we get approval and he actually can come - assuming the 5-8 month processing time)
is this age an issue at all, in your opinion. does it matter that im in school, do they care or look at money at all right now ( i know affidavit of support isnt sent until later).

*other thought*
he does not speak english (very well) we speak spanish, and although he is learning and will learn better when he is here, obviously i wrote the letter of intent and filled in the g-325a form. they will be able to tell that later (interview when they see that he does not speak english and could not have written letter of intent)- will that be a concern at all, or a reason for them to deny/question. should we have this in spanish, too???

THOUGHTS PLEASE O PLEASE!!!!

You seem to worry just as much as me :rofl:

Listen to these good people, they've done it successfully and are still doing it in some cases, just stay calm :thumbs:

(I'm saying that now but I'll probably start freaking out too XD)

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-10 09:59:00

I agree, "frontloading" the package definitely does not hurt, so long as it is reasonable. Don't want 100 pages of chat logs, or entire family history picture album. Personally, I don't think making a scrapbook to send really helps much. I read on here in the sticky that each person processes like 20-30 packages a day, so I doubt they spend much time looking at more then just a few pictures. I sent six, and hand wrote dates and places on back. I made sure to include one that I took with my phone that had a date stamp on it. She sent one we took of us, with her in a negligee and me shirtless- Something a little personal. And other irrefutable evidence of me having been where she lives like hotel receipts, visa's, my Ethiopian ID card, passport and entry and exit stamps, wedding ring set receipts with address that is local to her.

We are saving some things back for her to bring to interview- A few more pictures, joint US bank account statement that has her name and my address already, western union, new letter of intent, more chat transcripts, etc. Stuff to show continued growth of relationship while waiting for I-129F approval. I would think sending too much at once would give the impression of trying to hard, or compensating. Don't know, could be wrong.

And, almost as important as enough of the right stuff, is making sure it is organized very well. Information means nothing if they don't know what it is, or where to find it. That is something that is regularly beat into my head in the military. Organization. And so far it seems to be working for us- Approved in 51 days, no RFE, and just got my NVC number today- 4 days after USCIS approval!! The VJ cover letter example is a very good start, and then I modified it a bit making everything enclosures, and labeling everything. Real easy to be able to locate everything in the package, and identify what it is. This is all new to me though, so take everything with a grain of salt. I just know it is working for me, so far...... The formatting will be a little off, but here is what I did-

John Doe
1234 Plaid House Rd
Some city, OR 99999

United States Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

USCIS
P.O. Box 660151
Dallas, TX 75266
05/31/2011

Nature of the submission: I-129F ORIGINAL SUBMISSION

To Whom It May Concern:

Enclosed please find my Form I-129F, Petition for K-1 Fiancé Visa for Her Name, and supporting documents.

Enclosures include:

- (1) Payment in the amount of $340
- (2) Adjudication Expedite Request
- (3) I-129F
- (4) G-325A and passport style photo (Petitioner)
- (5) G-325A and passport style photo (Beneficiary)
- (6) Birth certificate (Petitioner)
- (7) Letter certifying intent to marry (Petitioner and Beneficiary)
- (8) Divorce Decree (Petitioner)
- (9) Free to marry certificate (Beneficiary)
- (10) Proof of having met in person in the past two years- Pictures, one date stamped(phone picture)
- (11) Proof of having met in person in the past two years- Copy of Ethiopian Visa
- (12) Proof of having met in person in the past two years- Ethiopian ID Card.
- (13) Proof of having met in person in the past two years- Military orders to Djibouti, Africa
- (14) Proof of having met in person in the past two years- Hotel Receipts
- (15) Proof of having met in person in the past two years- Copy of Ethiopian Visa
- (16) Proof of having met in person in the past two years- Copy of Passport and visa stamps
- (17) Proof of ongoing relationship- excerpts from ooVoo chat
- (18) Proof of ongoing relationship- Wedding ring purchase receipt (Petitioner)
- (19) Proof of ongoing relationship- Engagement Set purchase receipt (Beneficiary)
- (20) G-1145 E-Notification of application and petition

Copies of documents submitted are exact photocopies of unaltered documents and I understand that I may be required to submit original documents to an Immigration or Consular officer at a later date.

Signed,

John Doe

This is brilliant thank you!!

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-09 16:27:00

Well, you don't want to piss them off. That's for sure!

Yeah, I'm really excited since I do have so much proof and I want to share it but thats what I'm afraid of, pissing them off somehow :x How much would too much be? I know about 15 pics, Receipts and iteneraries, and hotels, shared bank accounts, we have proof that we've been living together for a year and he's on my car insurance, we also have letters and packages from before we met and after, emails from a year before we met up until he came to America, etc. I'm not sure if I should add it all :x (Not to hijack the thread, just curious since I'm new to the whole process...) :innocent:

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-09 15:22:00

For pictures I put two on 8.5x11 and printed them out on photo paper I have a total of 10 pictures
I typed up the place and date on mailing labels and stuck them on the pictures
I included copies of 4 emails one birthday card from each
boarding passes, itinerary for me and my dad, passport stamps, phone records,hotel receipts (western union) and the actual receipt from the hotel itself. Birth Certificate, Pay stubs from the last 4 weeks 325A from the both of us passport photo's letter of intent's . I placed post flags on each paper on the bottom and wrote the name of the document on the flag. Anything to make the life of a CO easier and yeah I know I dont need the pay stubs at this stage but I believe in this case more is better than less...So bascially I totally front loaded my application little OCD uhhh yeah

I think thats what I'm going to do too. I will give them so much proof, I still have a LOT of stuff since things relating to Ben I don't ever throw away :lol:

Has there ever been a case where someone has had too much and they would want less, or can you pack it full of things as long as its not like 5 lbs of paper? :rofl:

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-09 14:47:00

Do roommates count towards Household for AOS?

Thank you guys, peace of mind is a beautiful thing

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-11 23:01:00

Do roommates count towards Household for AOS?

Household members are persons that rely/depend on you for support. Roommates are not household members.

Any US citizen or Green Card holder can be a joint sponsor.

OMG, thank you very much I feel much better

So in that case my household would just be myself and Ben, so for the purpose of the AOS I would need 125% of a two person household, right? (I'm just making absolutely sure :bonk:

)

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-11 22:46:00

Do roommates count towards Household for AOS?

I'm not to this point yet but after reading some problems other people are having I'd like to get the answer before I have to worry about it, just for piece of mind. Right now me and Ben are living together in an apt with two of our friends as roommates, do they count towards the household? Would I need to make 125% of the poverty line for a household of 4 people? They aren't my dependents, so do they count just because we all live together?

Also just so I don't ask this later in a different thread, but can the co-sponsor be a non family member? I may see if one of my roommates could co-sponsor for him, especially if they are counting as part of the household, I won't be eligible by myself if they count >.<

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-11 22:27:00

Starting F1 process while fiance is still in the US?

There shouldn't be any problems with sending in the intial petition now while he is still in the US.

We sent in our I-130 about a week after I arrived in the US for a 90-day stay on the VWP.

I'm sure you have your reasons for going K1, but just thought I would mention that, since he is still in the US, you could get married now and file CR-1 instead. Either way, he will still have to come back to Australia, and CR-1 does take a little longer to process, but it is cheaper and allows the beneficiary to work pretty much straight away after entry.

Either way...good luck on starting your journey!

We do like the fact that it's cheaper and it allows him to work right away afterwards. It bothers him a lot to think he might ever be a burden on me even though if its something that can't be helped I'm ok with it. I will admit I don't know much about that visa so I will have to look into it and compare, how long is the wait difference between the two?
The main reason we were going to go the K1 way is because of our families. My dad would definately advise against getting married so fast after being engaged, and his parents would probably be upset too since he would be the first one getting married of his brothers. We did think about getting married legally and just not telling everyone and then having the ceremony later but that makes us both feel a bit awkward...

It is tempting though...so maybe we'll do some research and talk about it. I never knew before coming here there were so many options! Thank you all

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-11 11:27:00

Starting F1 process while fiance is still in the US?

No problems. And it's a K-1 process, not F-1

OMG!!! I'm so dumb XD I'm thinking about WAY too much lately LOL thank you, I'm changing the title now lol

Edit: for some reason it won't let me edit my first post -.-!

Edited by Austramerican, 10 August 2011 - 11:51 AM.

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-10 11:49:00

Starting F1 process while fiance is still in the US?

Ok I managed to find a thread here from 2009 that said it's ok to start the process with him in the country as long as he will be able to be in Australia when it's time for him to be interviewed. So that makes me feel a bit better. And just to make sure they won't look down on us starting an F1 visa process when hes already in the US on a J1 visa right? This won't make them cancel his J1 visa and force him to go back now will it?

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-10 11:24:00

Starting F1 process while fiance is still in the US?

Ben and Brandy here,
We came to this site originally to get some advice on which route we should take, and the knowledge we got led us to realise we would not be able to afford our first choice at this time, so at least we now know which visa we are going for!

Here is a short run down of our story: Ben is 23 from Australia and I am 27 from America. We met online years ago in 2006 on a forum, but didn't start to really get to know and like each other til 2009. I went to Australia for vacation and to meet him in Feb 2010, we exchanged promise rings, and made a promise that we'd be together again. We had grown very close in the year before we met and when we met we just knew even then we wanted to be together forever. But we didn't want to rush into marriage right then since we hadn't ever lived with each other yet and we wanted to be sure our hearts weren't getting ahead of us, so we researched other visas and found that he was eligible for the J1 exchange visa. He arrived in the US in Sept 2010, and he's been living with me ever since. Now we are both absolutely sure we want to get married, and since at the end of Sept his Visa will end, we wanted to figure out which visa would be best for us.

Adjusting his status WOULD have been an ideal way to go, but we don't have enough money for the fees (1500...) and we don't have anyone able or willing to loan it to us. His parents had recommended that he return to Australia, work and save money while the F1 visa is being processed, and then come back with a good sized nest egg so he wouldn't be marrying me with no safety net, which is a pretty smart thing to do. Even though I'll miss him we want to do this right so that we are setting us up to have the best possible future together, as both of our parents' don't want us to have to struggle.

So basically the question I'm asking, is would it be possible for us to get a head start on the F1 visa by starting the process now? Would we be able to send off the first forms right now while he is still in the country? He will be going back to Australia in a little more than a month but since it takes so long, and the part that he will need to do something in Australia wouldn't be for awhile now, right? We can swing the first fee, just not the whole thing right now. If we can get a head start since I know the process is long I would love to do that!

Just for reference we have no previous marriages, no previous kids, no criminal records etc

Thank you in advance and I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, I couldn't find it anywhere >.<

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-10 10:36:00

VISA APPROVED

Congrats!!! :luv:

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-10 17:58:00

You can send the lease with the I-129F if you want, I'm just telling you that all you have to prove at this stage of the process is that you actually met at least once in the past two years

Ok thanks, yeah since we've been living together and seeing each other every day for the past year now, that should definitely count as us having met in the past two years!! Talk about overkill :rofl:

We have met once before he came to live with me, but that was early 2010, and I do have all the documentation from that.

I was told before that pictures were only secondary evidence, so I've only printed out eight of them. My parents and his parents did meet on Memorial day here in the US, so definitely pics from that. Would this be the stage where we can have statements from people that know us or is that also later?

And just so I know later in case I do end up using our joint bank account (because I was also told that bills we share together can be used) would I be able to black out the amounts in the savings or would that look bad?

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-18 18:11:00

I think you're best off with just pictures, itineraries, boarding passes and passport stamps. Once again, having his name on the lease does not necessarily place him with you geographically...you could have signed the lease yourself and then had his name added later, just my 2 cents.

But the lease plus all of his information from his J1 visa placing him in the country and in my address? He is in regular paperwork contact for his J1 visa and has to update his address and jobs with them as soon as they change. For the entire year they have him at the same two addresses as me. Thats not something we can just "do" for the sake of the paperwork, its a vital part of his visa in the US right now.

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-18 17:48:00

Yeah, he's on a J1 visa at the moment, hes been living with me for almost a year now. I know we could get married now and file an AOS but we don't have the money for that right now, so he is going to leave the country at the end of his J1 visa, save up in Australia while the K1 is processing, and then we will get married when he arrives back in the US.

Cool, so I don't need to include that paper atm

We do have LOTS of pictures since we have been living together for almost a year, we do have both our names on our lease as well. Would we save these for the interview then instead of sending it with the I129?

I do also have a lot of itineraries and boarding passes from when I visited him in 2010 and when he came here last year, as well as our passport stamps and his visa, but since we HAVE been living together the lease should also be a good proof that we have met in the past two years too, right?

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-18 16:03:00

As one of the primary evidence of relationship papers I have in my package, I included proof of a joint bank account between Ben and I that has been open since March 2011. It shows that we are in a committed relationship to open a bank account together, but what I'm wondering is while I'm going to be blacking out the account #s and all that, can I also black out the amount of money in it? His car had broken down so we had to pull almost all of the savings we had in there to fix it, so our balance is nearly 0 in that account now. Would blacking out the amount count against us or should we just leave that out of the packet altogether? Thanks in advance!

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-18 15:48:00

Ok, I'll put that one aside for now, since it IS so far off atm :lol:

I do have a question about the G-325A for me the petitioner. My parents are divorced and in late 2008 I broke up with my ex boyfriend and moved out, and to make a long story short, I moved a lot in a short amount of time in 2008-2009, living in a rented room, and then my moms, and then my dads etc. So when it says put where I lived for the past 5 years I don't have enough room on the form for all the addresses...

Also, will this count against me? 2010-2011 have been stable, we moved recently into a bigger place but we had lived a year in our old apt and everything is paid in full. Please help!

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-19 18:40:00

I did the same thing with the scanner. I now have a big file that I'm putting together in preparation for the interview and every document in there has been scanned and is in a folder I made on my computer. I think it's better than a black and white copy. I had a few passport stamps that showed up much better with the color scan print. That is fine.

Thanks a bunch! :thumbs:

This is a ways off yet, but since Ben has a SSN right now with his J1 visa so he can work, would he be able to keep that same number when we file for his SSN and AOS?

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-19 14:49:00

Ryan + Amanda: YES!!! It is stressful XD I am a worrier somewhat anyway so I want to make sure everythings perfect :lol:

Mugumogu: Thank you, I'll keep that in mind! Good to hear someone say it won't hurt. You probably know how I feel having already done it and I'm glad to see it worked out for you

One more question, I didn't use a copier for some things, I scanned them into the computer and printed them out, is this fine? I know the sample cover letter says photocopies, mine are color scans that have been printed. It's probably a stupid question I know but I'm not sure how picky the government is with regards to format of the proof :x

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-19 12:45:00

First of all I will :bonk:

myself right now so no one else has to

I'm putting everything together after making copies of nearly everything I could think of yesterday, and I discovered I made copies of things that weren't required according to the sample cover letters table of contents.
- Payment in the amount of $340 USD
- I-129F
- I-129F Supplement: Part B, Question 18, explanation of meeting in person [ONLY IF USED ADDITIONAL SHEET]
- G-325A and passport style photo (Petitioner)
- G-325A and passport style photo (Beneficiary)
- Birth certificate/US Passport (Petitioner)
- Letter certifying intent to marry (Petitioner and Beneficiary)
- Proof of having met in person in the past two years
- Proof of ongoing relationship [if including]

I have all of this, but I had also made copies of Ben's (the beneficiary's) birth certificate, passport pages, and J1 visa. I also made a copy of my Social Security card just in case I needed it :bonk:

and its been printed out on the same page as my passport and passport stamps.

So my question is, is it ok to send them even if they aren't required? I -know- they aren't required, I just want to make sure it won't hurt to send it. I don't like just doing the minimum, and I haven't overstacked this thing.

For proof of having met in person in the last two years I have my itinerary, boarding passes, hotel reservation and visa from my trip to Australia in 2010, as well as his itinerary, J1 visa, certificate of eligibility for J1 visa, and a copy of our lease for the apt we share.

For proof of ongoing relationship we have our joint bank account, our joint car insurance, a few cards and letters, and 20 pictures, 4 per page. I'm getting a head start on filing the K1 while he is still living here with me (his visa expires at the end of Sept) so we really don't have the traditional phone bills and emails that couples who are living apart would have, so I tried to include some birthday cards and more pictures

So, thoughts? Suggestions? More bonks? :help:

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-19 12:05:00

NOA1,NOA2, NOA2.5, etc

Alright check this out...
Star Trekking ahead

NOA1: You'vre engaged onto a voyage ahead and henceforth it feels like you're on Starship Voyager on their way to the Alpha Quadrant, mission is on its way...
RFE(and the process towards it): You were on your way to the alpha quadrant and suddenly... Delta Quadrant, now you have no idea where you're at and its a struggle to GTF out, no hope in sight and then all of a suddent... The Borg (RFE) have arrived... and you're like "Why me? #######?" (because you forgot to enter the proper coordinates)
NOA2: congratulations you have fought off the Borg (thanks Seven of Nine) and have found your way back through a wormhole from the Delta Quadrant to the Alpha Quadrant.

chhatc

I <3 you lol that was awesome!~

Austramerican

Female

Australia

2011-08-19 18:33:00