Panic panic...I have a feeling we're missing something out

[jojo_gee 8]

Hey all,

I'm totally brand new on this forum and the more posts I read, the more I feel that we're not doing this thing right.

My fiance lives in the US and I'm in the UK. He sent off I-129F on May 16th and received confirmation. But that's all he did. He never put in any proof like photos, phone bills and never filled out that G form thingy I read someone go on about. I am now waiting to hear from the US Embassy in London (which I don't expect before end of August). I've heard folk say that I can phone and ask them to send me forms to fill it out before I get my visa package. It's all rather confusing I know but I get a horrible feeling that we're missing out loads of stuff. Is there anything I should do in preparation before I hear from them? I have a record of all my innoculations but that's it. All these forms that we can download before hand and what not are freaking me out. I don't want to be surrounded with more paper than I have to. Can someone please put my weary mind at ease and calm me down!!!

thank you folks. XXXX

[Jenni and Bo 0]

Hey Hun,

Welcome to VJ first off...I know it seems like SO much info, but if you have the time to look through it, you'll find what you need

hmm, seems you may have missed a few things...there is a whole package you have to send with the initial I-129F form...you can look at the guides tab to see what all should be in it. If you have already gotten your NOA1, then you will most likely be getting an RFE - request for additional evidence, when they go to process your file...which, if you sent in May probably won't be until August at least. The process is likely to take at least 6 months from the time you received the first notice. Do you know which service centre your fiance sent it to? California or Vermont?

You won't have to worry about your medical and things until you recieve your 2nd notice, which will be August at the earliest (longer maybe with the RFE)

Honestly, the best thing to do is go to the "guides" tab, and read everything about the K-1 visa, and see what you may have missed and what you can expect. This site helped my fiance and I out tons when preping our paperwork! Don't be afraid to ask more questions if there is something you don't understand. People on here are very knowledgeable and super nice!

Good Luck!

<3 Jen

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Hi and welcome.

I'm sorry that you didn't find VJ sooner....it seems you have missed a number of documents.

Have a look at the K1 Guides here Did he send in all that is on that list of what to send with the inital petition?

If not you will either A ) Have the entire petition sent back to yout fiance or B ) Will receive several RFE's (Request further evidence) and will have to send in what they are requesting.

Best of luck to you!

Edited July 7, 2008 by ~Laura and Nick~

[Carlawarla 1]

Hey all,

I'm totally brand new on this forum and the more posts I read, the more I feel that we're not doing this thing right.

My fiance lives in the US and I'm in the UK. He sent off I-129F on May 16th and received confirmation. But that's all he did. He never put in any proof like photos, phone bills and never filled out that G form thingy I read someone go on about. I am now waiting to hear from the US Embassy in London (which I don't expect before end of August). I've heard folk say that I can phone and ask them to send me forms to fill it out before I get my visa package. It's all rather confusing I know but I get a horrible feeling that we're missing out loads of stuff. Is there anything I should do in preparation before I hear from them? I have a record of all my innoculations but that's it. All these forms that we can download before hand and what not are freaking me out. I don't want to be surrounded with more paper than I have to. Can someone please put my weary mind at ease and calm me down!!!

thank you folks. XXXX

Well, first off, welcome to VJ! If he sent in the I-129F on May 16th, you won't be looking at getting anything from anyone until maybe at the end of the year if you're the beneficiary! Well, that's not true. If what he sent in, was what you said he sent in, then he'll be getting an RFE from the USCIS. Take a look at what is primary and secondary evidence as well. The only proof you need to send in with the very first paperwork is only that you've met within the last two years. Period. Pictures are considered secondary evidence. The interview at the Embassy is when you'd bring lots of papers to prove on-going relationship. As the petitioner, your fiance needed to send in more paperwork than he did, yes. Tell him to come join us here on VJ, and then he might have a better understanding of what's needed to get you two through this. You don't get any paperwork from anyone until closer to the end of your journey. You probably won't be looking at going for an interview for quite some time, and probably not until the new year.

[jojo_gee 8]

Thanks for all your feedback folks. Now I'm really starting to freak!!

I have read soooo much information on K1 visas and to be honest it was like going round in circles so that's why I wanted to speak to real people and get their opinions and honest answers.

I have just spoken with my fiance in San Francisco and he says that he sent off the I-129F and received confirmation and therefore feels like there shouldn't be any further problems and it's also been over 3 months now so if there was a problem, wouldn't they have noticed by now??

He sent with it - $455, his birth certificate, a copy of his passport, social security number and all my contact details and story of how we met. He hasn't heard anything about any requests for secondary evidence (I forget the proper terminology!) We are obviously still in the very early stages but it has been over 3 months now and I am getting nervous. I'm also getting sick of people asking me when I'm going and boy does it suck not knowing. I just checked our online status and all it says is - case received and pending.

Any other helpful knowledge would be greatly appreciated. Maybe we are doing the right thing but I'm just getting scared that I'll still be in the UK come Christmas. Not what I had planned.

thank you for your time and help. jojo and naphtali XXX

[KimandRuss 0]

He sent with it - $455, his birth certificate, a copy of his passport, social security number and all my contact details and story of how we met.

If he didn't fill out the biographical forms for each of you then he will get an RFE. You can save time now by filling them out and having them ready. Each is 4 different pages (filling in one will duplicate the others for you) you need to send all 4 pages and each needs to have original signature. You also need to include one passport photo (2x2) of each of you with the forms.

You should also each fill out a letter of intent (see example in example forms link above) both with original signatures.

Also, you mentioned he sent copies of his passport and noted how and when you met but any further evidence of you meeting within the last two years will be needed.

It's all in the GUIDES. You should probably read through them in case I missed anything.

Gather all of this now (you will need to send him the originals) and have it ready to go for when he gets the RFE.

[Gemmie 142]

I have just spoken with my fiance in San Francisco and he says that he sent off the I-129F and received confirmation and therefore feels like there shouldn't be any further problems and it's also been over 3 months now so if there was a problem, wouldn't they have noticed by now??

They give confirmation that they *recieved* your packet and then they basically put it into storage for 3-6 months until someone is ready to look at it.

I'm sorry to say it sounds like you'll definitely get a RFE, though as Kim said you can get all of the remaining packet ready while you're waiting.. your letters of intent, your meeting evidence, your G325A's... the moment you get the RFE you can send it off. DO NOT send it before as it will do nothing to your case. Remember it's all put into storage and won't be noticed or connected with your case. Luckily, it only takes a short while after recieving the RFE for your case to be approved once you send all your documents in as it stays at the top of the pile.

Be prepared to not make it there by Christmas as there's a whole other process to do after being approved. You can start by gathering what's needed such as your police certificate and vaccination records. Once you're approved, you need to have a medical examination and interview. You MIGHT make it by Christmas, though don't put your heart into that as London sometimes takes a few months.

Basically, read the guides.

Good luck...

Edited August 23, 2008 by Gemmie

[pushbrk 14,560]

He sent with it - $455, his birth certificate, a copy of his passport, social security number and all my contact details and story of how we met.

If he didn't fill out the biographical forms for each of you then he will get an RFE. You can save time now by filling them out and having them ready. Each is 4 different pages (filling in one will duplicate the others for you) you need to send all 4 pages and each needs to have original signature. You also need to include one passport photo (2x2) of each of you with the forms.

You should also each fill out a letter of intent (see example in example forms link above) both with original signatures.

Also, you mentioned he sent copies of his passport and noted how and when you met but any further evidence of you meeting within the last two years will be needed.

It's all in the GUIDES. You should probably read through them in case I missed anything.

Gather all of this now (you will need to send him the originals) and have it ready to go for when he gets the RFE.

Please note "when" not "if" he gets the RFE. Filling the G325a online will autofill all four pages. Be sure to sign them all and send the passport photos and letter of intent now, so he'll be able to turn them around ASAP. That way, his failure to follow the instructions will cost you only two or three weeks.

[jojo_gee 8]

Wow, thank you so much to everyone. Myself and Naphtali had a meeting the other day and we managed to get everything sorted. He called the USCIS and they said that it will not have made any difference that these forms are late. I have now sent him my G-325A, my letter of intent, my phone bills, photos, passport photos. I also put in a copy of my birth certificate and my passport...maybe I didn't need to but we decided to get as much stuff as possible anyway.

I think it was Kim who said that all I needed to send him was my G-325A coz that's all that matters at this stage but I reckon he'll panic and send everything he can.

Should we send it all in asap or should we actually wait for them to send the (very definite!) RFE?

I am no longer telling people anything regarding when I may be going coz I don't wanna think about it. He has talked about coming over in October to visit but I don't know how the UK immigration people work and will he get in alright? I can't imagine doing it the other way with me going to the States and possibly getting refused entry, that would kill me.

While I'm on the subject of asking you guys questions...when I finally get the all clear to go, should I fly into JFK just to get a work permit? I don't know if that's a certainty or is it way more complex. I'd like to be working straight away but I often hear that the only thing to do is get married asap after arrival to allow a quick work permit or fly into JFK. I just wanna know what the chances are of getting one that way.

I really appreciate all your help by the way, you definitely make things look easy.

JoJo & Naphtali XXX

[Devkpaik 1]

Wow, thank you so much to everyone. Myself and Naphtali had a meeting the other day and we managed to get everything sorted. He called the USCIS and they said that it will not have made any difference that these forms are late. I have now sent him my G-325A, my letter of intent, my phone bills, photos, passport photos. I also put in a copy of my birth certificate and my passport...maybe I didn't need to but we decided to get as much stuff as possible anyway.

I think it was Kim who said that all I needed to send him was my G-325A coz that's all that matters at this stage but I reckon he'll panic and send everything he can.

Should we send it all in asap or should we actually wait for them to send the (very definite!) RFE?

I am no longer telling people anything regarding when I may be going coz I don't wanna think about it. He has talked about coming over in October to visit but I don't know how the UK immigration people work and will he get in alright? I can't imagine doing it the other way with me going to the States and possibly getting refused entry, that would kill me.

While I'm on the subject of asking you guys questions...when I finally get the all clear to go, should I fly into JFK just to get a work permit? I don't know if that's a certainty or is it way more complex. I'd like to be working straight away but I often hear that the only thing to do is get married asap after arrival to allow a quick work permit or fly into JFK. I just wanna know what the chances are of getting one that way.

I really appreciate all your help by the way, you definitely make things look easy.

JoJo & Naphtali XXX

You need to send them everything that is required to send them. So checking the guides that someone on here posted will help you to see what your fiance needs to provide. Don't send it now, as it will probably just get tossed out. Wait until you get an RFE, which I'm sorry to say, but you will.

About your fiance getting into the UK. If he is the petitioner, then there's no difference for him being allowed entry into the UK. For you, you might get turned down at the POE.

Yea, about telling people when you'll be going, it's really hard to estimate as every case is different.

Especially with the impending RFE, this will only slow things down unfortunately.

Good luck

[KimandRuss 0]

Do not send anything now..it will never find your file.

Wait for the RFE and have it ready to go with the letter you must return with it. Note that it is a response to an RFE for I129f on the outside of the envelope. I forget the exact wording but it's in instructions somewhere.

I also mentioned the letter of intent with original signature from both of you.

Wow, thank you so much to everyone. Myself and Naphtali had a meeting the other day and we managed to get everything sorted. He called the USCIS and they said that it will not have made any difference that these forms are late. I have now sent him my G-325A, my letter of intent, my phone bills, photos, passport photos. I also put in a copy of my birth certificate and my passport...maybe I didn't need to but we decided to get as much stuff as possible anyway.

I think it was Kim who said that all I needed to send him was my G-325A coz that's all that matters at this stage but I reckon he'll panic and send everything he can.

Should we send it all in asap or should we actually wait for them to send the (very definite!) RFE?

I am no longer telling people anything regarding when I may be going coz I don't wanna think about it. He has talked about coming over in October to visit but I don't know how the UK immigration people work and will he get in alright? I can't imagine doing it the other way with me going to the States and possibly getting refused entry, that would kill me.

While I'm on the subject of asking you guys questions...when I finally get the all clear to go, should I fly into JFK just to get a work permit? I don't know if that's a certainty or is it way more complex. I'd like to be working straight away but I often hear that the only thing to do is get married asap after arrival to allow a quick work permit or fly into JFK. I just wanna know what the chances are of getting one that way.

I really appreciate all your help by the way, you definitely make things look easy.

JoJo & Naphtali XXX

[KimandRuss 0]

Oh and regarding the EAD (work permit). JFK routinely gives the work stamp. There are other POE's that will as well (there is a list going somewhere on the boards if you search for it). What you must remember is that the stamp you would get at the POE is only valid for as long as your I-94 (90 days from entry). Most Companies will require an EAD from the DHS to work. It's quite likely there will be a period of time you will not be authorized, therefore, may have to stop working until you receive EAD after you marry and adjust. Right now EAD and AP are taking 2-3 months from filing for AOS.

If you're just wanting to pick up a job for a couple of months as you wait that's one thing but if you have a carreer you plan on getting back into in the States you're probably best to wait for EAD after adjustment and simply enjoy your time together while you wait.

[alyandjeff 0]

Thanks for all your feedback folks. Now I'm really starting to freak!!

I have read soooo much information on K1 visas and to be honest it was like going round in circles so that's why I wanted to speak to real people and get their opinions and honest answers.

I have just spoken with my fiance in San Francisco and he says that he sent off the I-129F and received confirmation and therefore feels like there shouldn't be any further problems and it's also been over 3 months now so if there was a problem, wouldn't they have noticed by now??

He sent with it - $455, his birth certificate, a copy of his passport, social security number and all my contact details and story of how we met. He hasn't heard anything about any requests for secondary evidence (I forget the proper terminology!) We are obviously still in the very early stages but it has been over 3 months now and I am getting nervous. I'm also getting sick of people asking me when I'm going and boy does it suck not knowing. I just checked our online status and all it says is - case received and pending.

Any other helpful knowledge would be greatly appreciated. Maybe we are doing the right thing but I'm just getting scared that I'll still be in the UK come Christmas. Not what I had planned.

thank you for your time and help. jojo and naphtali XXX

hi jojo.

you were not the only couple to not send everything they needed we also forgot to send in all four copies of the G325a and we still waiting for a RFE, we filled end of may 08 and had are NOA1 back on 6th june so hope it not to many days now to wait for RFE. I just hope they send back the G325a copy i send so i can re-do the imformation as it was last time.

so do not worry, all will sort it self out,

good luck

alyson