I-129F

[nkkst2 0]

So my fiance is getting ready to send in the I-129 petition.... we were just making sure we have everything ready.

What is the difference between the cover letter and the table of contents?

I see that in the cover letter you write where your sending it and address etc and then you write everything that is inside....

for the table contents do you still have to write all the addresses... or just write like page numbers and whatnot.

does anyone have a sample table of contents they could send?

what is the recommended way to send the package? in a binder? folder? stapled? paper clipped?

please advise... your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Also... with the proof of relationship... he will be sending in his phone bills... should I send him some of my phone bills for him to send in as well... as well as cards that he has given me... or can he just give cards I have given him?

[YuAndDan 153]

Cover letter can contain the table of contents. SEE: http://www.visajourney.com/examples/Cover_..._for_I-129F.doc

NO STAPLES, NO BINDER. Paper Clip, or 2 hole punch at the top and use an ACCO fastener.

Note: From many posts I have seen that K-3 may save you about 30 days as compared to CR-1 visa.

Do you wish to be able to work shortly after entering the USA, then consider just doing the CR-1 visa, the CR-1 visa gets a green-card upon entry to the USA allowing work, K-3 does NOT.

Also CR-1 can save you $$$$, K-Visas have to adjust status and pay $1010 to get a green-card, CR-1 does not, CR-1 pays $475 to NVC for Visa and green card vs K-3 paying $131 NVC +$1010 USCIS for visa and green-card.

Again if considering K-3 think carefully about it. CR-1 and K-3 tend to take about the same time, K-3 may save you about a month, however the K-3 has the added pain of adjustment of status, and it NOT a work authorized visa, so also has the added period of limbo waiting for EAD to be able to do things like take a job, get SSN, etc...

For the most part CR-1 tends to take a bit longer than K-3 to get if you prepare for NVC when they request I-864 fee, and Visa fee, as well as documents requested by NVC. In many cases the CR-1 petition reaches the consulate just before K-3 interview, which causes K-3 to get dropped and the interview becomes a CR-1 visa interview.

K-3:

I-130: $355

I-129F: NONE

Consulate: $131

AOS: $1010

($1496)

CR-1

I-130: $355

NVC I-864: $70

NVC Visa fee: $400 ($355+$45)

($825)

I see many posts from K-3 holders stating, "Wow this sucks, I am stuck at home because I don't have EAD, DL, etc, or I am having hard time getting added to bank accounts because of NO SSN." K-3 has a 90 day or longer period of limbo while waiting for EAD or Green-card.

K-3 was developed at a time when CR-1 was taking much longer that today, NVC has greatly streamlined the CR-1 process to the point where K-3 becomes irrelevant.

[Frenchwife 1]

Not sure why YuandDan gets into the discussion of K3 vs CR1

you seem to be a plain K1 case sending its I129F as first form

so K3 vs CR1 is not your dilemma

Getting married first and sending I130 for K3 or CR1 is probably not a good option for you.

K1 tend to be quicker than K3/IR1

To send my form I used a zip for frozen food.

I indexed all the attachments with post its

and tabbed them in the cover letter/table of contents

about the 2 holes I don't think it is a good idea. It degrades your document by eventually removing key pieces of info.

no stapple, no stapple...

sure no big stapple, but some documents are originally stappled

also I decided to stapple I129F first and second page because they are so easy to get lost.

[YuAndDan 153]

Not sure why YuandDan gets into the discussion of K3 vs CR1

you seem to be a plain K1 case sending its I129F as first form

so K3 vs CR1 is not your dilemma

Getting married first and sending I130 for K3 or CR1 is probably not a good option for you.

K1 tend to be quicker than K3/IR1

To send my form I used a zip for frozen food.

I indexed all the attachments with post its

and tabbed them in the cover letter/table of contents

about the 2 holes I don't think it is a good idea. It degrades your document by eventually removing key pieces of info.

no stapple, no stapple...

sure no big stapple, but some documents are originally stappled

also I decided to stapple I129F first and second page because they are so easy to get lost.

This was posted to the K-3 forum, the assumption is K-3 for a spouse.

Thanks for pointing out "Fiancee"

Moving this to the correct forum.

[nkkst2 0]

Cover letter can contain the table of contents. SEE: http://www.visajourney.com/examples/Cover_..._for_I-129F.doc

NO STAPLES, NO BINDER. Paper Clip, or 2 hole punch at the top and use an ACCO fastener.

Note: From many posts I have seen that K-3 may save you about 30 days as compared to CR-1 visa.

Do you wish to be able to work shortly after entering the USA, then consider just doing the CR-1 visa, the CR-1 visa gets a green-card upon entry to the USA allowing work, K-3 does NOT.

Also CR-1 can save you $$$$, K-Visas have to adjust status and pay $1010 to get a green-card, CR-1 does not, CR-1 pays $475 to NVC for Visa and green card vs K-3 paying $131 NVC +$1010 USCIS for visa and green-card.

Again if considering K-3 think carefully about it. CR-1 and K-3 tend to take about the same time, K-3 may save you about a month, however the K-3 has the added pain of adjustment of status, and it NOT a work authorized visa, so also has the added period of limbo waiting for EAD to be able to do things like take a job, get SSN, etc...

For the most part CR-1 tends to take a bit longer than K-3 to get if you prepare for NVC when they request I-864 fee, and Visa fee, as well as documents requested by NVC. In many cases the CR-1 petition reaches the consulate just before K-3 interview, which causes K-3 to get dropped and the interview becomes a CR-1 visa interview.

K-3:

I-130: $355

I-129F: NONE

Consulate: $131

AOS: $1010

($1496)

CR-1

I-130: $355

NVC I-864: $70

NVC Visa fee: $400 ($355+$45)

($825)

I see many posts from K-3 holders stating, "Wow this sucks, I am stuck at home because I don't have EAD, DL, etc, or I am having hard time getting added to bank accounts because of NO SSN." K-3 has a 90 day or longer period of limbo while waiting for EAD or Green-card.

K-3 was developed at a time when CR-1 was taking much longer that today, NVC has greatly streamlined the CR-1 process to the point where K-3 becomes irrelevant.

Thanks for all that information... I am sorry I was not clear that it was for the K-1 visa... soo knowing this does it just make sense to still go ahead with the K-1... we are not married yet but once we are approved, will get married in a civil ceremony.

Any suggestions now knowing the true case?

Not sure why YuandDan gets into the discussion of K3 vs CR1

you seem to be a plain K1 case sending its I129F as first form

so K3 vs CR1 is not your dilemma

Getting married first and sending I130 for K3 or CR1 is probably not a good option for you.

K1 tend to be quicker than K3/IR1

To send my form I used a zip for frozen food.

I indexed all the attachments with post its

and tabbed them in the cover letter/table of contents

about the 2 holes I don't think it is a good idea. It degrades your document by eventually removing key pieces of info.

no stapple, no stapple...

sure no big stapple, but some documents are originally stappled

also I decided to stapple I129F first and second page because they are so easy to get lost.

thanks for the response... soo cover letter is the same thing as the table of contents?

[KGSodie 0]

For our K-1 petition, I supplied a cover sheet that was, effectively (and as YuAndDan pointed out) a table of contents.

I'm sure there are examples here on VJ, but here's a link to my own document.

Good luck!

[Frenchwife 1]

yes, K1 is your option I think

are you abroad or in the states?

about K1 tips, like how much to provide as proof of relationship i am not a specialist but you may look around in the forum

maybe a tip is to provide key information but not overwhelmingly too much and bulky

imagine you were the guy having to look at all

you may keep some info for the interview instead of providing it with form.

Phone bills are good

pictures

also affidavits from people who know you documenting thir knowledge of your relationship

last big tip

read all 3 times again and again

make 1 scanned copy

make 2 hard copies one for each

Edited December 23, 2008 by Frenchwife