U.S. Citizen filing I-129 while living overseas

[Liv&Matt 0]

I am a U.S. Citizen living and working in New Zealand. I've done a lot of reading and am not entirely sure about two things:

1) Payment of fee: I don't have a check book with me for my Bank of America account, and the check or money order must be from a bank in the USA. Can I just send cash in the envelope or is that illegal? (Pretty sure it is.) How can I pay the fee while I'm here?

2) Since I will be mailing from a post shop in New Zealand (not US postal service), do I mail my application to Lewisville instead of Dallas? Just need to be sure.

Thank you!

Liv

[Pitaya 2,576]

~Moved from Introducing our Members to K-1 Process Forum~

~Inquiry about K1 process~

(organizer hat off)

​Make sure you are filling the correct form petition.

Form I-129 = Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker

Form I-129f = Petition for Fiance(e) K-1 visa

Good luck on your visa journey.

Edited June 20, 2014 by A&B

[sweet cakes 326]

I am a U.S. Citizen living and working in New Zealand. I've done a lot of reading and am not entirely sure about two things:

1) Payment of fee: I don't have a check book with me for my Bank of America account, and the check or money order must be from a bank in the USA. Can I just send cash in the envelope or is that illegal? (Pretty sure it is.) How can I pay the fee while I'm here?

2) Since I will be mailing from a post shop in New Zealand (not US postal service), do I mail my application to Lewisville instead of Dallas? Just need to be sure.

Thank you!

Liv

1.) No, cash is not an allowed form of payment to be enclosed in your application. From what I read so far, the payment scheme that seems to work for those sending their application from overseas, is to send the completed petition packet to anybody in US (family or friends), then have them insert a personal check/ money order for the amount of the fee, drawn on a US bank, into the packet and mail it.

Btw, just to verify all your options, not sure about this as well, but have you checked with the US Embassy in New Zealand if they accept DCF (Direct Consular Filing)? I just noticed you mentioned you live and work in NZ.

2.) Check here for the I-129f filing: http://www.uscis.gov/i-129f-addresses

-If you're not using usps, it's indeed Lewisville, TX. Best to have a tracking info to confirm delivery and receipt.

p.s. As advised by A&B, make sure you use the correct (and updated) form when filing. All the best!

[Lainie B 465]

If you are using the New Zealand postal service, use the PO box address, since USPS will be handling it once it reaches the US.

If you are using a courier, use the Lewisville address.

There is no DCF in New Zealand.

You cannot send cash. You'll need to have someone send you your checkbook, or write you a check from their account (it doesn't have to be from your bank account).

[Liv&Matt 0]

Got it, thanks you two! Another idea for payment that I read somewhere, is finding an international bank in the overseas city you're living in (there is an HSBC here!), and getting a money order from them.

[Lainie B 465]

Got it, thanks you two! Another idea for payment that I read somewhere, is finding an international bank in the overseas city you're living in (there is an HSBC here!), and getting a money order from them.

Yes, I've heard of people doing that too, I don't know much about it but I believe that would work.

[Liv&Matt 0]

Thanks everyone Do you think it's okay that I use my mailing address in New Zealand on my I-129F petition (since we are both living here together), or should I put it in care of my parents in Florida? I'd rather have it sent here in NZ, if that's not a problem (or too time-consuming) since my parents wouldn't know what to do with it.

Just trying to do everything right!

[Lainie B 465]

Thanks everyone Do you think it's okay that I use my mailing address in New Zealand on my I-129F petition (since we are both living here together), or should I put it in care of my parents in Florida? I'd rather have it sent here in NZ, if that's not a problem (or too time-consuming) since my parents wouldn't know what to do with it.

Just trying to do everything right!

That will be fine to put the NZ address, and in fact there is a chance it might speed up the petition approval.

The NOA2 (petition approval) will be sent to the address you put down. You will need that for adjustment of status after you marry. The NOA1 (receipt) and the NOA2 are the only things you'll receive at the mailing address you put on the I-129f. After you receive the NOA2, the consulate in NZ will contact you via email.