Resending the I129F Package to Fiancee

[thejoz 0]

It's hard enough trying to gauge what the London embassy will even look at, I realize, but I'm going over the entire checklist for the I-129F package...cause VJ's advice is to just resend the entire thing...but there are several things I don't think I need to do.

1. Payment as required by USCIS. Use a personal check so you can track the payment. Money Orders are also accepted.

Obviously this one is a no-brainer, no need to pay what I've already paid!

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.

This is a question mark. I'm not petitioning for anything anymore, the petition has been approved...I really doubt the embassy needs to see this, right?

3. Form I-129F: Petition for Alien Fiance(e) (see example)

Another no brainer!

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.

I can't even find the original of this, but I imagine I typed it up. Is this necessary again?

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)

Redid this one

6. Proof of having met in past two years. (click here for examples)

Already reprinted this, just need the pictures again.

7. G-325A (all four pages) filled out by the US Citizen signed and dated (see example)

Redone already

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.

Question mark 2. Do I really need to provide the embassy with passport pictures of myself? I know she needs to do it for her interview, but what about me? Do they need to see my ugly mug too?

9. G-325A (all four pages) filled out by the foreign fiance(e) signed and dated (see example)

Pretty sure she's already done this.

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.

She's gotta do this already so.

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.

I already have another certified copy ready to go for her, so that's easy.

Sections 12, 13, and 14 are still irrelevant

With all that said, did anyone else omit the things I'm questioning and get past?

...Does it even matter? The London habit seems to be to ignore all this ####### in the first place. Hm.

Just the less I have to do the better really, but if you all think I should make sure to have them anyway, I'll do that. Thanks!

[psiprez 3]

After all you will have been through waiting for the interview time to arrive, do you really want to be cutting corners for the sake of saving a few sheets of copier paper?

What if you just to happen to get the interviewer who wants to see something you didn't supply?

I made an exact duplicate of the original petiton packet before I mailed it off in the first place. All I need to do is hand my fiance the sealed envelope. He is more than happy to carry it all the way to London!

Better safe than sorry.

[weedebz 0]

i also have all original stuff...I'd rather have too much than not take something that knowing my luck would be the one thing they ask for.

I'm stressed out enough without adding any more "what if?"

[*julez* 124]

The US Embassy does not indicate a copy of the I-129f package on the check list of required documents needed to show readiness for the interview.

[snowfrostedlashes 0]

The US Embassy does not indicate a copy of the I-129f package on the check list of required documents needed to show readiness for the interview.

That's what I figured (my way of reassuring myself since Mark didn't copy everything before he sent it >_< ). Mark is bringing me (when he visits) his birth certificate and is going to send me a letter from his employer and the financial stuff they ask for as well as an up-to-date declaration of wanting to marry me still once we get to NOA2 stage so that I'll have them for the interview. In terms of relationship proof I'm going to take our scrapbook which will contain originals of boarding passes and things like that plus photos from when I was out there and then photos from him being here. I might take a couple of more recent e-mails and letters than the copies sent with the original submission.

I figure in the worst case scenario they might possibly mislay the original package documentation when you go for your interview but, provided you take all the things they actually ask for, I don't see how it would result in a negative outcome. I totally understand people taking a copy (if they have one) as a precaution but I would think its main value would be if your submission was somehow lost before receipt of NOA2.

[VanPhoenix 0]

can you believe my husband and I will resend the papers the I 130 package all over again cause our dearst ex lawyer we guess made a mistake and since december 26 that date that he told us that sent our papers we sitll here waiting for the Notification.......

We are in the same boat......... right ? and I guess we will need to pay for the visa also cause we can any anwser from the USCIS......

Good luck for us

[Laura+Tom 2]

Because I compiled the petition and relevant documents myself I made two copies before Tom sent it. I'll just take one of the copies 'just in case'.

Just because London seems to ''ignore all this ####### in the first place'' doesn't mean one of these days they will ask for something you haven't brought with you.

[Rob&Dawn 1]

I'm in agreement with Laura.

I took an entire copy of the I-129F to be on the safe side, didn't have to show it but for peace of mind it was a godsend.

[Marmite Lovers! 0]

I'm in agreement with Laura.

I took an entire copy of the I-129F to be on the safe side, didn't have to show it but for peace of mind it was a godsend.

Same here.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

I know there will be lots of disagreement with me, but I'll put in my two cents worth...

You are done with the I-129f petition. It's approved by the USCIS (part of Dept of Homeland Security).

Embassy and Visa petition is a new game run by a separate agency, the Embassy (part of Dept of State). Their job is to approve the papers you the beneficiary have sent in to them as well as the financials, check your medical and criminal record admissablility, warn you of anything the American could be hiding from you like his prison record and 14 kids, and get an idea of your relationship by chatting with you.

Now if USC had run the whole packet, page for page, through the copy machine before mailing and you had a copy, sure take it to London. But if it's going to cause stress and bother to reconstruct a package you don't need, then I say forget it. It would be better to fret over having the Affidavit of Support perfect because London does look at that and wants it complete. There's at least 350 reports posted of UK interview experiences, and I've never seen one asking for something out of the old petition. People that get delayed either don't have their Affidavit of Support in order; or they are Nigerian, Pakistani, or Indian who were not native born Brits. Those not born in the UK almost always have 4-8 weeks of of AP before they are issued a visa.

So why does VJ tell you to take the entire original petition? I think it's because VJ is covering the whole world and some consulates are very strict and the interview is grueling, especially in countries where there is historically higher visa fraud. I think sending your fiance the original petition is akin to having Cliff's Notes. (Do you have those in the UK? It's for when you didn't read the literary work assigned for class, so you grab a Cliff's Notes for A Tale of Two Cities and study the character names and plot for your test the next day hoping to pass.) Imagine you were a Filapina who had only spent two weeks with your American fiance you've known 3 months, who is 35 years older than you, and your English is limited. You will be facing a tough interview in Manila. So you have the original petition to study (like Cliff's Notes) so you know the name of your fiance's parents, where he works, where he has lived, the full name and birthdate of his children, how you met, the exact dates of things, etc. The copy of the petition isn't really for the Embassy, it's best use is for a study guide.

Did officials at London actually look through anybody's scrapbook of their relationship and discuss it? No. Do they in Manila? Yes

Does London ask to see a new letter of intent? Maybe if your NOA2 expiration has passed 5 months ago and they aren't sure that you two still want to go through with things.

Ok, I'm done.....and it's just an opinion and the reason's why I have that opinion. It's not advice. What one does should always be what they feel confident doing.

Wishing you the best. You're almost done!

[rocks 494]

Did officials at London actually look through anybody's scrapbook of their relationship and discuss it? No. Do they in Manila? Yes

i agree. when i had my interview i took so many heavy things with me including a huge photo album and a copy of the petition. i was quite disappointed (as are others who have written reviews) that they didn't want to see anything as it was so heavy i wanted to feel like i hadn't carried it all that way for nothing! at the end of the interview i asked him if he wanted to see anything else and he said no it was fine but it was a good idea to bring it, just in case. it is good to be prepared but don't go overboard and stress yourself out over it. good luck, i'm sure everything will turn out easier than you thought.

Edited February 5, 2009 by rocks

[*julez* 124]

I, too, personally can see no reason to have a copy of your entire I129f packet with you at the interview. My now-husband didn't bring one for his interview and was approved without incident. I can see keeping one for your own personal records, in case the packet is lost at VSC or CSC, but not for the interview.

[baron555 934]

Why would one want to possibly throw everything to the winds at the last moment in the process by not bringing the other documentation?

They do make backpacks and portable carts if you are too burdened to carry. Just my opinion.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Why would one want to possibly throw everything to the winds at the last moment in the process by not bringing the other documentation?

Because London sends you a list of what to bring to the interview. A copy of the I-129F petition is not on the list. They don't want it. They don't need it.

It is visa journey that says to send your fiance a copy of the I-129F and I don't think even VJ says and take it to the interview. The original poster didn't have an easy copy already made and was seeming somewhat stressed over creating a copy. So some of us said to save the stress because it isn't required or looked at. The long list of things to take to the interview that appear in VJ threads are almost bordering on urban legend in my opinion. London is not like the Philippeans or Nigeria. There is a lot of fear in the hearts of those who haven't been to the interview. Many have commented afterwards "Geez, it was nothing. I don't know why I was so worked up." So my opinion to the original poster is still to save the sress and leave the original petition and scrapbooks at home.

They do make backpacks and portable carts if you are too burdened to carry. Just my opinion.

You can't take a backpack or portable cart in the embassy. They allow small bags and handbags.

[baron555 934]

OK, then maybe I missed the special instructions for the London embassy. Then I'd follow their instructions ( and 10-4 on the no backpacks allowed).