Some K-1 Visa questions!!

[Jude and Fiorella 0]

Hello everyone!

First, I'd just like to say congratulations to all the users on here whose visas have been approved

This is my first post. I'm applying for a K-1 visa for my foreign fiancee, and I have some nagging questions:

1) I understand the I-129F should be mailed to the Dallas Lockbox, but what address should I put on my forms as the process location? I live in Pennsylvania, but I don't know where the nearest USCIS process location is. I have documents with the Lockbox address on them...will this be acceptable?

2) I've seen several posts by users telling noobs (like me) to submit four copies for the petitioner and the beneficiary, but I don't know what they're referring to..There's the I-129F (I only send one of these right?) and the G-325A, but what other "forms" are needed? The letters of intent to marry? 4 seemed to be the magic number and as I was sorting out my paperwork, it didnt match up

3) Is the interview always abroad? Is the location based upon I-129F question 20?

4) My fiancee's birth records are in Spanish, and I read that they needn't be translated if the visa is processed at a consulate in a country whose native language is that of the document...so then..will my visa be processed at the consulate in Lima as per I-129F question 20?

If you guys could answer any of these questions, it would help me out TREMENDOUSLY.

Thanks so much for your time, and best of luck to everyone pursuing a love without borders.

[aws&ndd 103]

Ok I will try to answer your questions.

1: The address to use for your letters, like the cover letter and letters of intent, will be the Dallas Lockbox address. Using this address will be just fine.

2: The forms you need are the I-129f and the G-325A for both petitioner and beneficiary. Make sure you fill out both forms completely and especially answer the question about meeting within the last 2 years. Some people just write a little in the box on the form, others like myself write a litte more detailed and attach it as a supplement to the question. With the G-325A forms, you need to include a passport style photo of each the petitioner and beneficiary behind the corresponding forms. You also need to include proof of your US citizenship, proof of being legally free to marry (in case you were married before and are now divorced--may not even apply to your case), two letters of intent to marry, and finally PROOF of having met within the last 2 years. As far as making copies of your I-129f packet, it is advised to make an exact copy of everything you send to USCIS.

3: The interview will ALWAYS take place at the embassy near where the beneficiary lives. There may be a rare case where that doesn't happen, but I'm sure that 99% of the time it is the case.

4: You shouldn't need to translate any records for the interview, however for other processes you may need to have an English translation made. I know in Colombia it is not required to have documents translated to English for the interview. Other consulates may vary with their requirements.

The best advice to give you would be to read the K1 guide, and I think that it may help you a lot. Good luck in your journey!

[Lalo & Susana 50]

1). Send your I-129F packet to the Dallas lockbox. All of my letters had the Dallas lockbox address you have no idea if your going to be sent to Vermont or California.

2). When they talk about 4 copies they are not telling you to submit 4 copies of everything. When you send out your I-129F packet you send one of everything but make 4 copies and keep the copies at your house. You send a copy to your fiance. You keep the copies because although its not common sometimes things get lost.

3) The interview is always abroad. Find out where your Fiance would go in his home country. You can ask others from Peru or email the US Embassy in Peru.

4) Your fiance's birth records are required at the interview stage. It all depends on the US Embassy in Peru if you need to translate his birth certificate. In Chile none of the official documents need to be translated only our relationship evidence. You should ask the US Embassy in Peru. Also find out when the police record expires. Some countries allow the police record to be valid 3-6 months while Chile only allows 2 months.

This is what I sent for my I-129F packet

- Check $340

- I-129F

- G-325-A petitioner & passport photo

- G-325-A beneficiary & passport photo

- US Citizen birth certificate

- Divorce decree (my fiance was married once before)

- Letter of intent to marry from both me and my fiance

- proof of having to met withing the last 2 years (passport stamps, itineraries, bank statements of me in Chile)

- photos of me with my fiance and with his family and him with my family

- proof of ongoing relationship (skype calls, facebook messages & phone calls)

- Mail - my fiance sending me a birthday card and other things of that nature

Hope this helps.

Edited August 3, 2012 by Lalo & Susana

[abner137 48]

Ok I will try to answer your questions.

1: The address to use for your letters, like the cover letter and letters of intent, will be the Dallas Lockbox address. Using this address will be just fine.

2: The forms you need are the I-129f and the G-325A for both petitioner and beneficiary. Make sure you fill out both forms completely and especially answer the question about meeting within the last 2 years. Some people just write a little in the box on the form, others like myself write a litte more detailed and attach it as a supplement to the question. With the G-325A forms, you need to include a passport style photo of each the petitioner and beneficiary behind the corresponding forms. You also need to include proof of your US citizenship, proof of being legally free to marry (in case you were married before and are now divorced--may not even apply to your case), two letters of intent to marry, and finally PROOF of having met within the last 2 years. As far as making copies of your I-129f packet, it is advised to make an exact copy of everything you send to USCIS.

3: The interview will ALWAYS take place at the embassy near where the beneficiary lives. There may be a rare case where that doesn't happen, but I'm sure that 99% of the time it is the case.

4: You shouldn't need to translate any records for the interview, however for other processes you may need to have an English translation made. I know in Colombia it is not required to have documents translated to English for the interview. Other consulates may vary with their requirements.

The best advice to give you would be to read the K1 guide, and I think that it may help you a lot. Good luck in your journey!

:thumbs:

Read the Guides triple check everything and front load with evidence.....IMHO

Good Luck!

[Que Saudade 284]

Do yourself a huge favor and read here before you send your petition off.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

There is great information from this link. There you will find examples of the intent to marry letter. One from you, signed and dated. One from your fiancé, signed and dated.

Your fiancé's K1 interview will be in Lima. Here is the link for some consulate information. Not really needed now, but will be needed.

http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Peru&cty=Lima

Documents will not need translation at the consulate in Lima, but when your fiancé gets here, they will need to get Birth Certificate and any other documents that will be needed to file for Adjustment of Status (once you are married) translated.

Yes, the K1 visa will be issued in Lima. Once again, the first link will give you some great insight into the process that lies ahead of you.

Don't hesitate to ask questions if there isn't anything that you don't understand from the guides and info.

Best wishes

Edited August 3, 2012 by Que Saudade

[Wishin-n-hopin 15]

If you want an accurate list of all the forms and documents that you need to start your I-129F process, go to the top of the page and click on "Guides"....then scroll down to where it says, "Guides if you are engaged". Be sure to read the K-1 Visa Guide and K-1 Visa tips. I printed them out and used them as a checklist when I filed. These will help to answer the majority of your questions. It will likely take you a little while to gather all the supporting documentation. There is also at least one form (I can't remember which one now) that will require your fiancee's signature. My fiance was in Scotland, and I mailed it to him and he mailed it back to me. So...there will be some parts of the "gathering process" that will take a bit of time. Once I had a pretty good understanding of the process and started getting everything together....I would say that it took me about a month. It might take less time....maybe a bit more....depending on how quickly you can get what you need. Don't skip any steps....it will only make the process that much longer. We were approved in a little less than 4 months and we received no RFE's. Best of luck to you!! :-)

[Jude and Fiorella 0]

Thanks to everyone for the answers and the information! You guys are great!

[Mateo&Raquel 28]

The birth certificates need to be original(fiancee) and translated into English with notorized certification..I believe this will mainly be used for stateside, but I will double check to make sure..My fiancee and I both called and asked the embassy this and they said yes, as well as my lawyer. I was told to get three. If you are interested I can give you information on the translation service..it was less than $100 for all three copies. Very vast too. But I want to double check then i will come back. And welcome to the journey.

[Mateo&Raquel 28]

I had 3 translations made of Raquel's birth certificate. I believe you only need 2 though. We sent one in the petition packet and we will need the other for the AOS here in the States. I had 3 made in case we needed an extra..its better to be safe than sorry.

[Jude and Fiorella 0]

Do i really need a notorized translation of her birth certificate?? I read that for the I-129F, i need only send a copy of mine, not hers and that it neednt be translated if processed in a country of the same language...At least thats what tive read/what the guide says.... haha with more information comes more stress i guess. Thanks for the heads up!

[Mateo&Raquel 28]

We sent one translation with our packet, but I believe they will only be used state side. No worries.

[Mateo&Raquel 28]

Jude97, wait...The visa is being made for entry into the US, so yes, for Peru, the birth certificate must be translated and notorized. I was just reading over an email from the paralegal working our case, and she stated that this was the reason for sending one of the translations with our packet. I'm sorry for the confusion.

This is a stressful process, but dont worry, everything will turn out fine. In my opinion, the most stressful part is the waiting, but when you look at the outcome, it is totally worth it all.

[C-ma'am 684]

Jude97, wait...The visa is being made for entry into the US, so yes, for Peru, the birth certificate must be translated and notorized. I was just reading over an email from the paralegal working our case, and she stated that this was the reason for sending one of the translations with our packet. I'm sorry for the confusion.

This is a stressful process, but dont worry, everything will turn out fine. In my opinion, the most stressful part is the waiting, but when you look at the outcome, it is totally worth it all.

I'm afraid this is incorrect.

First of all, a birth certificate from the beneficiary is not needed to file the petition. The only birth certificate going into the petition is the USCs (if you chose to supply it, because you can present copies of all pages of your passport to prove citizenship.. so it's either one of those or both if you want).

NOTHING has to be notarized unless otherwise instructed by USCIS or the Embassy.

Your fiancee, will have to present her own birth certificate at the interview stage, at the Embassy in Peru and it could be presented in Spanish or English without a need for a translation.

For AOS, she will need translations, but if she's proficient in English, she can do those herself .. or have them translated by someone else; however, again, there is NO NEED to notarize the translation.

Edited August 3, 2012 by Celeste & C