NOTE:
For an overview of the entire K-1 Visa process, please see the K-1
Flowchart.
Download
the Following Forms:
1.
I-129F
2. G-325a
3.
G-1145 (optional)
The above forms can be filled out on your computer and printed.
Make sure you sign and date them as required. Anything you cannot fit by
typing, you can handwrite (very neatly) in black ink in the blank instead.
You should always verify the current forms at www.uscis.gov.
Assembling the I-129F Package: Checklist
Forms and Documents (follow these
assembly instructions. All supporting documents must be in English or be
translated as noted here.):
| 1. |
Payment
as required by USCIS.
Use a personal check so you can track the payment. Money Orders are also accepted. |
| 2. |
Cover Letter
(see
example). Should include a description of what your are
petitioning for (I-129F), a table of contents (list everything
in the packet). If you need additional room to explain your
case, attach a separate sheet (list the attachment on the cover
sheet). Make sure to sign and date the cover sheet. |
| 3. |
Form I-129F:
Petition for Alien Fiance(e) (see
example) |
| 4. |
Declaration
of how you met in person in the last two years. This should
be a single typed page attachment regarding question 18 of the I-129F.
Make sure to sign and date it. |
| 5. |
Original statements (from both the US Citizen and foreign fiance)
certifying an intent to marry within 90 days of entering the
US on a valid K-1. (see
example) |
| 6. |
Proof of
having met in past two years. (click here
for examples) |
| 7. |
G-325A
filled out by the US Citizen signed and dated
(see
example). |
| 8. |
One passport-type
photo (see specification)
of the US Citizen. Write the full name of the US citizen on
the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of
<Insert US Citizen's Name>".
Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding
G-325a. |
| 9. |
G-325A
filled out by the foreign fiance(e) signed
and dated (see
example). |
| 10. |
One passport-type
photo (see specification)
of the foreign fiance(e). Write the full name of the foreign
fiance(e) on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the
bag "Photo of (insert foreign fiance(e)
name) ". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and
place behind the corresponding G-325a. |
| 11. |
Copy of
the Birth certificate (front and back) for the US Citizen or
a copy of ALL pages of the US Citizen's passport issued with a validity of at least 5 years or
a copy of the US Citizen's naturalization certificate (front and back). This is used to establish
citizenship. |
| 12. |
Copy of
final Divorce Decree(s) or Certificate(s) for the US Citizen and/or
foreign fiance(e) if either has been previously married. If the previous marriage of the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) ended due to the death of their spouse then include a Copy of
Death Certificate(s) documenting that fact. |
| 13. |
Proof of Legal Name Change if either the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) is using a name other than that shown on the relevant documents. You must give USCIS copies of the legal documents that made the change, such as a marriage certificate, adoption decree or court order. |
| 14. |
In regards to Section C Question 2, if applicable provide certified copies of all court and police records showing the charges and dispositions for any specified conviction(s) (in accordance with the IMBRA). See section 9 of the I-129f instructions for more information. |
|
Documentary
Proof of Having Met in Person in the Past Two Years and an Ongoing Relationship:
Use
as many of these items are possible. There is no minimum,
but the more you can provide the less likely you are that you will receive
an RFE. Additionally, please note that providing proof of your ongoing and genuine relationship in this package may benefit you by allowing the consulate to have access to this information prior to them formally contacting the non US Citizen fiance. Many high risk consulates approach cases with a skeptical eye and providing this information early on in the original I-129F package will help them in their preliminary review of your case.
| 1. |
Copies
of all airline boarding passes, train passes, itineraries, hotel
receipts, passport stamps (make sure you can read the dates
on the stamps), and other documentary evidence that you have
met within the last two years. You may want to highlight or
place post-it notes indicating the dates and locations on the
copies (to make the adjudication easier) for the person reviewing
your file. |
| 2. |
Color Photo's
of you and your fiance(e) together. Make sure you write your names, date,
and location on the back of every photo. Provide two to five
photo's. If you only have a single copy of the photo, then make
a color copy and send that. If it is a digital photo, have it
printed at a company such as kodakgallery.com.
You can also make duplicates of photo's at your local photo
store (Walgreeens, CVS, etc). Place photo's in a plastic bag
or photo sheet and label the sheet. Note that you may not receive
originals of photo's back. |
| 3. |
The following items will not typically show proof of having met in the last two years however will show proof of an ongoing relationship: Copies
of phone bills, cell phone bills, emails (you can edit personal
info with a marker), letters (edit personal info also),
stamps on the letters (to document the date they were sent),
and other written documentary proof. Provide a reasonable amount;
two to four of each type. Pick a range of dates up to and including
the present. You can also include a copy of
engagement ring receipt (this is something that is a big
optional - do not worry if you do not have a ring yet!) |
|
Attach "E-Notification" Form (Optional)
Clip a completed G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, to the first page of your application (on top of the cover page). By completing this form and attaching it, USCIS will send you an email and/or text message to alert you when your application was received.
Mail the I-129F Package to the USCIS
You should mail the completed form(s) to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox. Mail the package with return receipt
requested / delivery confirmation. Send via USPS.
IMPORTANT!
Make TWO copies of the entire package
before you send it in. This includes the money orders too. You want to
have a perfect replica of the package you are sending in. All Forms that you submit must be originals with original signatures. Supporting Evidence that you submit may be photocopies. Retain ALL original supporting Evidence since the USCIS has the right to check them by issuing an RFE (Request
For Evidence). If you receive an RFE, follow the direction exactly,
and make two copies of what you sent back. During any future interviews the USCIS may also want to examine the original supporting evidence.
Create a VJ Timeline
|
Estimate processing time and approval date: Creating a VJ Timeline will allow you to track your case and will generate an estimated approval date for your petition. You can always gain access to many other tools to help you plan how long your Visa Journey will take!
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What to
send to your fiance(e) once the I-129F is approved (Receive NOA2):
| 1. |
A copy
of the entire I-129f package (that you made when you sent
the petition in) and a copy of information that you sent
back due to an RFE (if you received one). |
| 2. |
Send all
originals of the documentary proof that you submitted for the
I-129F to your fiance(e) for their interview at the embassy.
|
| 3. |
Send an
original letter affirming your desire to marry your fiance(e)
and your continued support of the K-1 Visa. Sign and date the
form. This will be similar to the letter you provided with the
I-129F, but dated much closer to the interview (it will
have most likely been several months since you submitted your
I-129F). |
| 4. |
I-134
Affidavit of Support form. Ensure it is signed, with all required supporting evidence. Begin
collecting the required information ahead of time, as it can
often take several weeks to collect it all. |
| 5. |
You will
likely need at a minimum (for the above form) two to
three of your most recent pay stubs and a signed letter from
your employer listing you job title, start date, your salary,
and the status (full-time) of your position. Begin collecting
these ASAP after your NOA2 arrives. You will also probably want
to include other evidence such as your banking information and
other assets as required by the I-134. Specifically you
will need at least 2 of the 4 options mentioned in Section II-Supporting
Evidence of the I-134. See this FAQ for more tips and ueful information on the Affidavit of Support Form. |
| 6. |
A copy
of the NOA2 that you received in the mail. |
| 7. |
Proof of your ongoing relationship. This needs to be taken to the interview! Include photos, travel documents, emails, etc from between the time you filed and present (NOA1 date-now).
Examples: Copies
of phone bills, cell phone bills, emails (you can edit personal
info with a marker), letters (edit personal info also),
stamps on the letters (to document the date they were sent),
and other written documentary proof. Provide a reasonable amount;
two to four of each type. Pick a range of dates up to and including
the present. You can also include a copy of
engagement ring receipt (this is something that is a big
optional - do not worry if you do not have a ring yet!) |
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NOTE: Tip Regarding Vaccination Records
The K-1/2 beneficiary will be required by the embassy to have a "medical" done prior to the visa interview. Part of this interview will require that previous vaccinations are documented and potentially additional required vaccinations performed. Once this is complete the doctor will note this on a DS-3025 form that will be sent to the embassy. During the medical appointment request an official copy of the vaccination records from the physician (or a copy of the completed DS-3025 if they will give it to you) as this will be helpful to have on hand in the future (specifically it can be helpful when filing for Adjustment of Status if your DS-3025 form is not available).
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