Questions: K-1 Application Submission

[Judy1389 0]

Hi all,

 

My fiancé and I are just kicking off the K-1 visa process. He's Scottish, I'm the U.S. citizen, and we've been dating over six years. I lived in the UK for the past 10yrs, but relocated back to the USA in July for further education (while he remains in Scotland ). Our plan is to file for the K-1 visa now, marry in USA once it's approved and have him relocate to Boston with me.

 

I have a few random questions (and profuse apologies if these are straightforward, but I've combed through the website and couldn't find recent answers, and having spent the last 6hrs finishing off the I-129F, I'm at my wits end!!!).

All that being said, my first random question:

– I'm sure this is a pretty #### retentive question, but I'm not entirely sure which address to use for the header for the Cover Letter / Letter of Intent to Marry. Based on the templates from this website, the suggested header shows:

               United States Department of Homeland Security
               U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
               [ADDRESS OF FILING LOCATION]

Now, I've read that all apps go to TX Lockbox for processing, but surely the address of the filing location would be the Service Centre that our petition is ultimately sent to? I'm based in Boston, MA, so if that's the case, would I be noting the address of the Vermont Service Centre (rather than the Dallas Lockbox facility)?

 

Second random question:

– does it make any difference if I send the petition to the Dallas lockbox vs. the Lewisville address? (tempted to use DHL/FedEx rather than USPS to get it there faster)

 

Third question:

– Is my fiancé's most recent I-94 something I should print-off and add to the application? (I've already input the details into the actual application, but is that enough?)

 

Fourth:

– In supplying evidence of our intent to marry, is supplying a Save the Date (wedding is currently slated for May 2018) a good idea or a bad idea? I'd hope that it's far enough in the future that it wouldn't do any harm (and perhaps even expedite processing?), but I don't want to be penalised for picking a date already!

 

Final (not urgent!) question:

– After we get married, we want to go on a honeymoon straight after … I'm pretty sure I've read that travel outside the U.S. is forbidden, but are domestic flights okay? If so, is it safe to we file for our AOS after these (domestic) flights, or is it best to file ASAP (or does it not even matter)?

 

 

Thanks so much in advance for any and all advice. This community has been a godsend for getting this far!

 

Judy

Edited August 20, 2017 by Judy1389

[Dutchster 1,106]

1 hour ago, Judy1389 said:

All that being said, my first random question:

– I'm sure this is a pretty #### retentive question, but I'm not entirely sure which address to use for the header for the Cover Letter / Letter of Intent to Marry. Based on the templates from this website, the suggested header shows:

               United States Department of Homeland Security
               U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
               [ADDRESS OF FILING LOCATION]

Now, I've read that all apps go to TX Lockbox for processing, but surely the address of the filing location would be the Service Centre that our petition is ultimately sent to? I'm based in Boston, MA, so if that's the case, would I be noting the address of the Vermont Service Centre (rather than the Dallas Lockbox facility)? You don't really have to address them but if so, the lockbox - at least that's what I did. California Service Center processes the I-129F's currently, once in a while a few get transferred or processed at Texas Service Center. 

 

Second random question:

– does it make any difference if I send the petition to the Dallas lockbox vs. the Lewisville address? (tempted to use DHL/FedEx rather than USPS to get it there faster) You have to send it the the address provided on the USCIS website for I-129F petitions, which is Dallas if you send your petition with USPS. If you send it with couriers like FedEx, DHL or anything, then Lewisville. No differences though.

Third question:

– Is my fiancé's most recent I-94 something I should print-off and add to the application? (I've already input the details into the actual application, but is that enough?) You can if you want to, to show extra proof of him entering the country to visit you together with boarding passes but not necessary to add. He can find his entry information if you google 'I-94 online'

 

Fourth:

– In supplying evidence of our intent to marry, is supplying a Save the Date (wedding is currently slated for May 2018) a good idea or a bad idea? I'd hope that it's far enough in the future that it wouldn't do any harm (and perhaps even expedite processing?), but I don't want to be penalised for picking a date already! It's never a good plan to plan a date for your wedding as the USCIS and the I-129F - K1 process are very unreliable. Anything can happen, from delays due request for evidences to administrative processing, lost documents, delayed medical exam etc etc. It's better to await the I-129F process first. Then see if you can plan a little.

 

Final (not urgent!) question:

– After we get married, we want to go on a honeymoon straight after … I'm pretty sure I've read that travel outside the U.S. is forbidden, but are domestic flights okay? If so, is it safe to we file for our AOS after these (domestic) flights, or is it best to file ASAP (or does it not even matter)? Domestic flights should be okay, but it's always safer to be in the process already so he can carry his Notice of Action 1 to show his legal presence in the US, IF border security asks for it. I seen people successfully travel domestically before doing AOS, though. 

 

Edited August 20, 2017 by Dutchster
typo

[KULtoATL 1,551]

1) Just use one of the TX addresses, whichever you end up addressing your petition to. 

 

2) Lewisville is for shipping services that require signature as mails go directly to the mailroom. 

 

3) Items 37 and 38 are unrelated. Unless he's currently in the US, his I-94 info does not need to be entered into Item 38. I-94 printout however can still be attached to show his entries into and exits from the US in the past and/or to visit you.

 

4) Save the date card can be added as evidence of relationship if you so want to however it won't expedite your case processing.

 

5) Domestic flights are OK generally. Best to file before the I-94 expiry to avoid being out of status.

Edited August 20, 2017 by KULtoATL

[geowrian 22,335]

5) If you're still within the 90 days of legal status, domestic flights are perfectly fine. After that, there is always a slight chance that you will be asked to show status / authorized stay. The NOA1 from the I-485 is proof of authorized stay.

[JFH 12,189]

The only caution I would advise with domestic flights is this - due to mechanical issues or medical emergencies flights can be diverted. Now, if you are flying from Boston to Miami and you are diverted to Atlanta that's no problem. But if you are flying to Alaska and have to make an emergency landing in Canada and wait for a replacement aircraft this would be a problem. 

 

 

[TheSkywalkers 143]

6 hours ago, Judy1389 said:

my first random question:

– I'm sure this is a pretty #### retentive question, but I'm not entirely sure which address to use for the header for the Cover Letter / Letter of Intent to Marry. Based on the templates from this website, the suggested header shows:

               United States Department of Homeland Security
               U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
               [ADDRESS OF FILING LOCATION]

Now, I've read that all apps go to TX Lockbox for processing, but surely the address of the filing location would be the Service Centre that our petition is ultimately sent to? I'm based in Boston, MA, so if that's the case, would I be noting the address of the Vermont Service Centre (rather than the Dallas Lockbox facility)?

Use whatever TX lockbox address you are sending the petition to.

 

6 hours ago, Judy1389 said:

Second random question:

– does it make any difference if I send the petition to the Dallas lockbox vs. the Lewisville address? (tempted to use DHL/FedEx rather than USPS to get it there faster)

Not really. We used USPS before and our packet got to the lockbox within 1 business day. Sent it on a Friday, they got it Monday.

6 hours ago, Judy1389 said:

Third question:

– Is my fiancé's most recent I-94 something I should print-off and add to the application? (I've already input the details into the actual application, but is that enough?)

You don't need to print the i-94, however, there is a part in the newly updated I-129F form that asks about the foreigner's last trip to the US (if any) and one of the info that needs to be provided are on his i-94.

6 hours ago, Judy1389 said:

Fourth:

– In supplying evidence of our intent to marry, is supplying a Save the Date (wedding is currently slated for May 2018) a good idea or a bad idea? I'd hope that it's far enough in the future that it wouldn't do any harm (and perhaps even expedite processing?), but I don't want to be penalised for picking a date already!

You are fine. We did the same too. In the part where a supplement explanation is required, we mentioned that we are possibly getting married on March or April 2017, before my husband (then fiance) turns 30. They did not ask anything about it at all. Not during the interview and not even at the POE.

6 hours ago, Judy1389 said:

Final (not urgent!) question:

– After we get married, we want to go on a honeymoon straight after … I'm pretty sure I've read that travel outside the U.S. is forbidden, but are domestic flights okay? If so, is it safe to we file for our AOS after these (domestic) flights, or is it best to file ASAP (or does it not even matter)?

There isn't a deadline for AOS. You can file it even after 2yrs of being married. Some couples couldn't file right away due to financial concerns. The only disadvantage of not filing for it ASAP is that the alien couldn't work, he couldn't reenter the US if he decides to leave and he will not be issued government-issued IDs such as Driver's License. But as long as you get married within 90 days upon arrival in the US, you are good to go. Domestic flights are okay.

 

Good luck and Godbless you!

Edited August 20, 2017 by TheSkywalkers

[geowrian 22,335]

5 hours ago, TheSkywalkers said:

There isn't a deadline for AOS. You can file it even after 2yrs of being married. Some couples couldn't file right away due to financial concerns. The only disadvantage of not filing for it ASAP is that the alien couldn't work, he couldn't reenter the US if he decides to leave and he will not be issued government-issued IDs such as Driver's License. But as long as you get married within 90 days upon arrival in the US, you are good to go.

True, there is no deadline to file AOS. However, I wouldn't say those are the "only" disadvantages...being out of status and deportable is pretty significant as well.

[Judy1389 0]

All,

 

Thank you SO much for the thorough answers – incredibly helpful (and also reassuring to see how some of your apps turned out, reading your signatures!) 

 

I-129F is officially completed – I'll be posting it first thing in the morning.

 

Wish us luck!

[geowrian 22,335]

Good luck!