Front-loading - is it ever a bad thing?

[paciencia y fe 2]

Hi all,

Sooo...i have a tendency to worry over everything and over-prepare. I have tons of evidence documents that i could include with the 129-F package...but I'm wondering if it's ever TOO much?? Could it backfire and annoy folks, or make it take longer for them to go through my package? Should i try to show restraint and save some for the embassy interview?

Any and all thoughts are appreciated, thanks!

Karen

[WelshDave86 0]

Hi all,

Sooo...i have a tendency to worry over everything and over-prepare. I have tons of evidence documents that i could include with the 129-F package...but I'm wondering if it's ever TOO much?? Could it backfire and annoy folks, or make it take longer for them to go through my package? Should i try to show restraint and save some for the embassy interview?

Any and all thoughts are appreciated, thanks!

Karen

From my own experience and even more so what I've read on here, just make sure you organize all of your evidence etc in clear sections (we put cover letters detailing what was inside each folder on the insider cover) and place post its where needed.

The agents in the centers have a checklist of information that they need to find so if its easy to look through they most likely won't need to look at the other "extra" evidence - but better to have it in there in any case I'd say! Just so long as the forms are all filled in correctly and quadruple checked you should be fine!

Good Luck!

[KMack 0]

Hi all,

Sooo...i have a tendency to worry over everything and over-prepare. I have tons of evidence documents that i could include with the 129-F package...but I'm wondering if it's ever TOO much?? Could it backfire and annoy folks, or make it take longer for them to go through my package? Should i try to show restraint and save some for the embassy interview?

Any and all thoughts are appreciated, thanks!

Karen

Hey,

When me and my hubby were filing 129-F package, I was worrying about everything too. I submitted everything VJ suggested (check out K1guide) and made sure package is perfect. However, submit just reasonable amount of documents. I submitted just around 10-12 pics for example, 5-6 emails.. then on interview, you can bring some more...and for sure updated documents with the copy of 129F you sent them.

I hope this helps.

Good luck guys!

Kat

[FinnLove 0]

I'm the front-load queen! I sent exhibits in binders! However, USCIS sent my photo book (a very thin fancy book done at a camera store-not a photo "album"!) back the same day they got my package. Now they have zero pictures of my hubby and me. They apparently kept all the binders, which were about 10x times bigger than the photo book!

[paciencia y fe 2]

thanks all! these are the kinds of things i was thinking about (again, my plan is to send these in the I-129f package), please let me know what you think...

Evidence:

- passport pages with stamps (do i need to copy the whole passport including my ID page? i am sending a birth cert for proof of citizenship)

- boarding passes for almost all trips to visit him and a couple for trips taken together

- select hotel receipts/confirmations (how many?)

- Skype Out call logs

- Regular Skype logs (like for the video chats)

- Screenshots of email inbox listing all our emails (wasn't going to print out individual emails at this point, should i?)

- Photos (I just ordered a selection of 60 pics over 6 visits. I'm guessing I should pare that down. :-))

- select cell phone bills (to show the bazillion text messages we send, how many months should i send?)

other things i'm thinking about:

- select tickets, like for national parks we went to

- receipts from ATM & shops, movie theaters in his town, or from our travels

- Skype purchase history?

- credit card statements (highlighting travel expenses?)

- receipts from spanish classes (to show my commitment to learning my fiance's language?)

- photocopies of some handwritten notes & an anniversary card Jose wrote to me?

Hope to hear your thoughts, thanks!

karen

[FinnLove 0]

thanks all! these are the kinds of things i was thinking about (again, my plan is to send these in the I-129f package), please let me know what you think...

Evidence:

- passport pages with stamps (do i need to copy the whole passport including my ID page? i am sending a birth cert for proof of citizenship)

- boarding passes for almost all trips to visit him and a couple for trips taken together

- select hotel receipts/confirmations (how many?)

- Skype Out call logs

- Regular Skype logs (like for the video chats)

- Screenshots of email inbox listing all our emails (wasn't going to print out individual emails at this point, should i?)

- Photos (I just ordered a selection of 60 pics over 6 visits. I'm guessing I should pare that down. :-))

- select cell phone bills (to show the bazillion text messages we send, how many months should i send?)

other things i'm thinking about:

- select tickets, like for national parks we went to

- receipts from ATM & shops, movie theaters in his town, or from our travels

- Skype purchase history?

- credit card statements (highlighting travel expenses?)

- receipts from spanish classes (to show my commitment to learning my fiance's language?)

- photocopies of some handwritten notes & an anniversary card Jose wrote to me?

Hope to hear your thoughts, thanks!

karen

Looks good to me!!! THe one thing I didn't add was proof I'm taking Finnish classes. Aren't we cool to try to learn their language?? Unfortunately Finnish is the 2nd hardest language to learn! Others will tell you that you don't have to send any of that, but if you made the decision to front-load then go for it! I did the same thing. I had letters we sent in the 80s/90s to show we've known each other 21 years. It was a blast photocopying and reading all of them, even if they were boring and platonic! ha! I actually put in every receipt ever from our trips. I did print out emails (they were all in one of my binders) but didn't add Skype. Good luck! You should be right behind me (though I'm an I-130 gal!)!

[Anh map 2,098]

Brother T-Bone is going to weigh in soon I'm sure with lots of specific info regarding Ecuador.

Front loading has been recommended by immigration attorneys (including one posting here on VJ as ellis-island). It allows the CO at the consulate to have more background prior to the interview.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Personally, I went "bare bones" and just sent in what the 129-F instructions tell us to, and the petition was approved the same week.

At embassy interview, fiancee can come "loaded for bear" with 10 Lbs of supportive evidence in her bag.

Just stick to what the USCIS requirements are, hand that over at the embassy, and fiancee can hold onto more numerous and detailed evidences that can save the day, if needed.

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

Personally, I went "bare bones" and just sent in what the 129-F instructions tell us to, and the petition was approved the same week.

At embassy interview, fiancee can come "loaded for bear" with 10 Lbs of supportive evidence in her bag.

Just stick to what the USCIS requirements are, hand that over at the embassy, and fiancee can hold onto more numerous and detailed evidences that can save the day, if needed.

That's all well and good --- front-loading is really not intended for the USCIS stage, but to get As much evidence as possible to the consulate from the get-go.

TBoneTX will advise a HEAVILY front-loaded I-129F package, from (painful) personal experience with the notoriously difficult Guayaquil consulate in Ecuador.

[Dakine 26]

Hi all,

Sooo...i have a tendency to worry over everything and over-prepare. I have tons of evidence documents that i could include with the 129-F package...but I'm wondering if it's ever TOO much?? Could it backfire and annoy folks, or make it take longer for them to go through my package? Should i try to show restraint and save some for the embassy interview?

Any and all thoughts are appreciated, thanks!

Karen

I say it depends on how you front load.

I'd put all the pertnient documents and information in the front and evidence of bonafides in the back. That way the person reviewing the initial petition won't have to wade thru a bunch of paperwork that doesn't apply to approving the initial petition if they don't want to.

At the same time the COs will at least see it all and "maybe" it will be a plus!

I think front loading is the thing to do now no matter what country is involved. I'd even put 3 years tax transcripts and the I-134 right before evidence of bonafides with captioned pictures also.

Be SURE and have 2 copies of EVERYTHING.

MORE AMMO THE BETTER!

Edited August 23, 2009 by Haole

[Matt & Bing 56]

I think the biggest variable is what consulate your interview will be at. In my case, I suppiled only what was necessary to get the petition approved. I did however, go to my fiancee's interview which virtually guaranteed our approval.

[BrianandMerne 3]

Front loading or skimpily attaching with evidence I believe isn't the deal breaker here. It is attaching the right article and answering the inquiries on the petition paper correctly and the biographic information sheet. Add to these providing proof sufficient to declare that your fiance/e and you have met in person within two years of filing the I-129F.

I am sure you have what it all needs right there

[Ellie-and-David 38]

I think the biggest variable is what consulate your interview will be at. In my case, I suppiled only what was necessary to get the petition approved. I did however, go to my fiancee's interview which virtually guaranteed our approval.

Agreed. And if you perceive your case to have any potential red flags (previous petitions, limited visits, a large age difference, previous marriages to petitioners from the same country, family ties) front loading is beneficial.

But dont go over board. You wont be thanked for it, and more often than not, that evidence is not what they are looking at. Your list looks very reasonable to me.

[Westindy 0]

I just gave them what they ask for nothing more nothing less. Our petition was approved.

[reeses16 8]

Karen, what to include is a matter of personal preference. I just sent the basics with the I-129F...at they really just want to confirm that you are eligible to apply for a K1- (1) you have met in the last 2 years and (2) you are free to marry. 60 photos are way to many in my opinion. We only sent 6 or 8. Instead select a few photos over time....show you with different hairstyles different places etc.

At the I-129F phase, the officer is really just looking to confirm and few facts anything else, is just extra....extra time searching to find the relevant things. Now when you (or your fiancee) has the interview, definitely bring everything with you, all 60 photos, every chat email, screen shot etc. When my hubby had his interview he took a small binder with newly updated evidence of a relationship and forms he was required to bring to the interview, and he had a larger binder with every e-mail, card, photo etc. They were only interested in the e-mails. But had they asked for additional proof it was on hand.

Its really up to you to decide. But if you choose to front load, be sure to clearly label each section and each piece of evidence.