How soon is TOO SOON?

[DaRoq 36]

Would applying for a K-1 visa after only knowing each other 7 months and 1 visit be TOO SOON in the eyes of the USCIS? Has anyone here applied within the same time frame and been approved? While I don't want to make a mistake by being impatient, I would also rather not delay starting the process any longer than necessary.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

Not too son, many have gotten it with less time before filing, but another visit or two during the process would help.

[NC&LEYTE 1]

We have a similar time frame. We are almost ready for her interview we chat everyday and we have discussed many topic. We are both close in age she is 35 and I am 41 which I think is a plus. But only you and her can deside when you are ready this jounney will take at least 6 months and up to 1 year. I suggest that you are both honest and realistic with each other and have some money set aside as the visa medical and plane ticket are expensive. But to answer your question so far we have had no problems with the government so far. I wish you the best of luck to the both of you!!!!!

Would applying for a K-1 visa after only knowing each other 7 months and 1 visit be TOO SOON in the eyes of the USCIS? Has anyone here applied within the same time frame and been approved? While I don't want to make a mistake by being impatient, I would also rather not delay starting the process any longer than necessary.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[YourHumboldtBud 2]

When they interview your fiancee, they will be looking to see that the relationship is genuine and that s/he won't become a public charge. There is no better way that I can think of to prove it to them than by being there for the actual interview itself.

Our relationship began December 2011. My second visit to PI to see my fiancee was when she went in for her medical/interview(August 24/September 10 2012) and she left with me to fly back to CA 2 weeks after(September 26 2012) the Interview/Visa Approval.

Make sure to document everything. Phone calls, internet conversations, letters, money remittance, ticket stubs, receipts and recent pictures(make sure they are on different date(s), locations that show the 2 of you together)

Anything that you put down in paper which you turn in during the K-1 Process is fair game for interview questions, so make sure you know the matching answers pertaining to either of you and you should be ok.

[Tintin and Mike 127]

It's not a matter of how soon but is it a bonafide relationship and it's really what you want.

Good luck!

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Would applying for a K-1 visa after only knowing each other 7 months and 1 visit be TOO SOON in the eyes of the USCIS? Has anyone here applied within the same time frame and been approved? While I don't want to make a mistake by being impatient, I would also rather not delay starting the process any longer than necessary.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Almost my exact time frame. We have been happily married a year next month and she has her green card. As long has your relationship is real, you have proof and, you meet the income guidelines, you are both free to marry, etc you will have no problems. Everybody including me over stressed about the task ahead of you. I have never heard of a case in which both parties meet the guidelines and followed the rules, and where turned down. Take it serious, dot your I's and cross your T's but don't feel like your in a court case because your not.. This is an administrative process much like applying for a gun permit or car loan. If you fill out the right paper work correctly , pass the background check/credit report, and meet the requirements you will be approved. Also you don't need to send 100 pictures, a 10 page narrative on how you met, and 10 lbs of proof at any stage of the process, I am of the opinion it slows it down. My sweet landed in the USA a little under 5 months from the time we filed the K-1.

As you start your Journey I would also caution you this. Be careful of the answers you get here. Some people will drift in here that are fairly new to this, and sometimes, people give out bad info. I don't think it's on purpose but the guess, although they sound like experts. Look at the majority of the answers, research and make sure before you move forward. A lot of us that are further along in the process tend to stop osting after we settle into our new life, and often times the so called experts are newbies.

There is one more experienced poster in here that is very active, "Hank" I have never seen him miss on an answer. I think he has most of his info on cut and paste, because he answers the same questions over and over, but what you get from him is always dead on accurate. Heck I have even been technically wrong on a point once or twice, so like I said pay attention. I just don't post that often in here anymore.

Good luck. It will be over before you know it.. So Yes get your K-1 moving now.

On edit I see someone has already told you more than 1 visit will help. If you have the time and money by all means go it will not hurt. However going to the interview or making multiple trips will not affect the outcome of your K-1 in anyway other than helping you get to know your future wife better. The Legal requirement is to have met in person 1 time jn the past two years. That's it. Your not going to get bonus points for multiple trips. If you are like me and in a job that makes it hard for you to take long periods off for travel, then 1 times all you need.

Edited October 27, 2012 by Run Herschel Run

[John&Juvy 36]

Time frame was 2 months with us. Luckily we never had a problem.

[Hank_ 9,174]

There is nothing wrong with that time frame, they only look to make sure the relationship is real and no fraud. After that all is good!

[We Are The Art 46]

There is one more experienced poster in here that is very active, "Hank" I have never seen him miss on an answer. I think he has most of his info on cut and paste, because he answers the same questions over and over, but what you get from him is always dead on accurate. Heck I have even been technically wrong on a point once or twice, so like I said pay attention. I just don't post that often in here anymore.

I couldn't agree more, Hank is always spot on and is always very gracious with his time and efforts. He is a true credit to VJ and many have benifited from his expertise. There are several others on VJ who are equally as informative and gracious and the VJ community is an invaluable resource for all.

[Dolly&Dan 11]

I met my fiance in Jan and went to visit her in May. We submitted our I-129F the first week of June. We just received our visa today 138 days from filing to visa in hand. The entire process went extremely smooth and never was the length of relationship or the fact I only visited her once a issue. What is important is you meet the requirements to file. Meeting the requirements is all that is necessary to file. Then just make sure to submit the necessary forms, documents , and proof that is in the instructions. I personally know many couples who have filed. Alot had even shorter relationships than mine and yours. None had a problem at all. The shortest was my brother. While we were on vacation a few years ago he met a girl in the Phil and filed the I-129F as soon as he got back to the USA. None including my brother had any issues at all. Very smooth process for all because they followed the instructions and made sure everything was done correctly.To answer your question you can fiile and will have no problem on the length of your relationship or the fact you only met once . If you have the time to meet more than once it certainly woukd be recommended but like myself alot of us cant get the time off work to do so.

Edited October 27, 2012 by Dolly&Dan

[DaRoq 36]

Thanks, everyone. Your valuable feedback and stories have inspired me to push forward with my plan.

Btw, our relationship is new and we haven't met in person yet. Personally, I don't like to play around and am ready to take the leap as early as January, but she is under contract in Kuwait until next April 2013. So my plan is to visit her for 3 weeks after she returns home, formally propose and complete any required documents before I leave. That way I can send off the package the following Monday.

Anyway, I'm thankful that this forum exists to help guide me along the way. I'm confident that all will work out for the best...

[Hank_ 9,174]

make sure to tell her to get a Police Certificate before she returns home from Kuwait.

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/19452/public/Revised%20K1%20Instruction%20Packet%20_3__rtf2_005.pdf

[DaRoq 36]

make sure to tell her to get a Police Certificate before she returns home from Kuwait.

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/19452/public/Revised%20K1%20Instruction%20Packet%20_3__rtf2_005.pdf

Thanks for the link, Hank_. I navigated to the Kuwait Reciprocity Schedule page at travel.state.gov and found what I'm looking for. Here's the country-specific info for obtaining police records in Kuwait:

Police Records

Available only to those residing in Kuwait; certificates are not available for applicants applying outside Kuwait.

A police certificate, or 'Good Conduct Certificate,' can be obtained from the Ministry of Interior, General Department for Criminal Evidence, Department of Identification and Automated Search located in the Farwaniya-Dhajeej area, Airport Road 55, opposite the Kuwait Airways main building. Phone: 2434-6101. Fax: 2434-5790.

Each applicant must provide the following:

- A letter from the US Embassy*

- One recent front-view color photograph

- Passport and one photocopy

- Kuwaiti Civil Identification Card and one photocopy

*To obtain a letter from the Embassy, please send an e-mail to Kuwaitiv@state.gov and mention the case number in the subject line.

The process to obtain a police certificate takes 1 to 2 weeks.

I'm confused about what "case number" is being referred to. Is that the case number that got her entry into the country?

[Hank_ 9,174]

Ah.... they want a case number to issue a police certificate? Oh well. That is the MNL # you will get after the petition is approved and forwarded to NVC.

You may want to check on this but I believe Kuwait is one of the countries that will not issue a police certificate unless you are IN country, so if your fiance is back in the Phils before you get the MNL # the embassy knows you can not get a police certificate. I am sure others that have dealt with Kuwait will chime in if I am wrong.