Starting From Scratch

[MattV 0]

Hello,

I am starting my journey on getting a K-1 Visa for my fiancee. I live in Maine, she lives in Japan, but she is Burmese. I just moved from Japan, she is there. She has been married before in Japan, but now is divorced.

I'm sure others have asked this question, but I thought I'd start a thread so I can reply with specific questions.

First off........I'M CONFUSED! This is a lot to take in. Second. Congrats to those who have completed the process.

Ok, on then. Please correct me if I am wrong.

So the first thing I will need to do is send in the I-129F

Along with the I-129F should be:

1. Copy of my Birth Certificate, front and back

2. Copies of Evidence that we have met in the last two years.(Pictures and emails I suppose)

3. Original statements from both me and my Fiancee stating that we want to get married, also evidence to prove that we want to get married.

4. Documentation that proves that she is divorced

5. 2 copies of the Biographical information document signed by both her and I. Document G-325A

6. A passport style photographs for both her and I

7. A check for the appropriate money

Does that sound correct, am I missing anything? I don't have any criminal offenses, so documentation for that is not necessary. I thought I read that you need police reports from all countries you have lived in, but I don't see that listed on the uscis site.

One thing that might be a problem is that I am unemployed and have been since the beginning of the year. The G-325A is asking for the latest employment and dates. It has been my choice to be unemployed. I have been travelling and working on farms for free. i also plan to travel the next few months. Does anyone see this as a problem?

thanks in advance

Matt

[AbbynSheryl 0]

hey Matt,

the best thing to do is to read the guide in VJ and follow it

that is exactly i did for my CR1 and i got it done in 4 months

goodluck

abby n sheryl

[MattV 0]

A few more questions.

1. I think at some point I have to submit my last years W-2 forms. Again, my last years earnings were probably enough to support both of us and satisfy the K-1 Visa requirements. At what point is this info given to the goverment.?

2. I will be sending in the I-129F soon. If that is all ok, then it will be sent to the Embassy where my Fiancee is (Japan).

She will have a interview. It looks like my work will be done. I don't have an interview at all. Is that correct. Like I mentioned, I will be travelling the next few months and an interview in the USA would be very hard to make.

thanks again

hey Matt,

the best thing to do is to read the guide in VJ and follow it

that is exactly i did for my CR1 and i got it done in 4 months

goodluck

abby n sheryl

thanks, I will do right now. I wanted to attack this on both ends.

What is a CR1?

Edited July 18, 2009 by MattV

[NatPatBen 3]

As AbbynSheryl suggested, definitely read the guides & see the sample forms. But don't expect the process to take only 4 months or you may be quite disappointed.

Your W2s come in when the beneficiary is interviewed at the US Embassy in her country. You do not have an interview in the USA, but you may want to attend the interview with the beneficiary as that reduces her chances of being denied/blue slipped (told to come back).

Hopefully you have enough assets to satisfy the requirement, since you don't have the income. Read the guides to find out how much you'll need.

[JimVaPhuong 4,864]

So the first thing I will need to do is send in the I-129F

Along with the I-129F should be:

1. Copy of my Birth Certificate, front and back

Yep, presuming that you were born in the US. Otherwise, some other proof of citizenship.

2. Copies of Evidence that we have met in the last two years.(Pictures and emails I suppose)

Pictures, yes. Emails, no. Emails don't prove you've actually met. If anything, they prove the opposite. Pictures are considered secondary evidence - they prove (somewhat) that you met, but don't prove when you met. Copies of airline boarding passes or passport visa stamps are good for establishing the time. If you were living in Japan, then evidence of that fact would be good.

3. Original statements from both me and my Fiancee stating that we want to get married, also evidence to prove that we want to get married.

Signed statements are enough. No other evidence is needed.

4. Documentation that proves that she is divorced

A certified copy of her government issued divorce decree is required, as well as a translation of the decree into English. The translator must certify that they are fluent in both languages, and that the translation is correct.

5. 2 copies of the Biographical information document signed by both her and I. Document G-325A

The form is submitted in quadruplicate, which each copy signed. One set of four copies for you, and one set of four copies for your fiancee.

6. A passport style photographs for both her and I

Yep.

7. A check for the appropriate money

Yep. Currently, $455.

Does that sound correct, am I missing anything? I don't have any criminal offenses, so documentation for that is not necessary. I thought I read that you need police reports from all countries you have lived in, but I don't see that listed on the uscis site.

SHE will need police reports from every country SHE has lived in, including the country she is currently living in. Usually, they want police reports from every country the foreign beneficiary has lived in for more than six months since they were 16 years old. This won't be needed with the I-129F. It's submitted to the consulate after your petition is approved.

One thing that might be a problem is that I am unemployed and have been since the beginning of the year. The G-325A is asking for the latest employment and dates. It has been my choice to be unemployed. I have been travelling and working on farms for free. i also plan to travel the next few months. Does anyone see this as a problem?

It will be a problem when she goes to the interview. You have to submit an affidavit of support. If you don't make enough to clear the minimum (125% of the poverty level for your household size) then you'll need a co-sponsor who can meet the requirements.

1. I think at some point I have to submit my last years W-2 forms. Again, my last years earnings were probably enough to support both of us and satisfy the K-1 Visa requirements. At what point is this info given to the goverment.?

Covered above. You will need to submit a copy of last year's tax return, but your CURRENT income must be enough to qualify. For two people, it's currently $18,212. If you don't make enough, then you'll need a co-sponsor.

2. I will be sending in the I-129F soon. If that is all ok, then it will be sent to the Embassy where my Fiancee is (Japan).

She will have a interview. It looks like my work will be done. I don't have an interview at all. Is that correct. Like I mentioned, I will be travelling the next few months and an interview in the USA would be very hard to make.

Yes.

[brykit 0]

You can also find someone to sponsor her if you don't make the requirements. Concentrate on reading all the information that is available here and from the government sites. Practice filling out every form because you'll be surprised how much information they will want and you may not have all the information available and you'll need to find it. Gather up anything that will prove you have met and that proves your in a relationship. I started keeping a journal and wrote information when I visited my fiance and I keep receipts for everything.