Should we start the K-1 process

[Dimsa 0]

We are already done with the collecting and filling the documents for starting a K-1 process with my girlfriend. Buut there is one problem... We're not sure if we should start the process (send the documents) now or later, because she will be in USA just one and half month more and after that in the end of August she will come to visit me and she will be here (out of USA) 2 months.
We're scared because if we send the docs now, what we will do if she get some notification or something else (for example to have to send some extra documents) from USCIS and she is not there to do that?
We want to start the process now, but we don't know if we should do that now.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Send now. You can visit during the process. See the "Yes You can Visit!" thread pinned at the top of the forum.

Edited July 8, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[Dimsa 0]

Yes, but I won't go there (in USA). She will come here in Europe, and the problem is what if she got some letters or something else (for example to have to send some extra documents again to USCIS) from USCIS till she is out of USA. She will be here 2 months and she won't be able to fill and send them. What if they have some deadline for sending them...

Edited July 8, 2013 by Dimsa

[d3adc0d3 186]

Yes, but I won't go there (in USA). She will come here in Europe, and the problem is what if she got some letters or something else (for example to have to send some extra documents again to USCIS) from USCIS till she is out of USA. She will be here 2 months and she won't be able to fill and send them. What if they have some deadline for sending them...

The visa process will likely take MONTHS of waiting. If she files now, anything she gets in return from filling will either be within the first 4-6 weeks of when you filed, or towards the end of the process (5-8 months down the road).

You have a couple of options if she's going to visit you for extended periods of time:

1. Sign up for electronic notifications here, and when you get something in the mail have a friend or family member who is willing and able to scan and email you the documents they send via mail (in case you get an RFE).
2. Have all your mail forwarded to the location in Europe for the duration of the trip (I would stop forwarding mail 2 weeks prior to returning, so you don't go back and have mail still showing up.
3. Do none of these and just enjoy your stay and address it when it gets back.
4. Avoid travelling for long periods while your application is pending.

People travel abroad regularly when applying for a K1, I'm sure that if there's something going on and you get an electronic notification, such as an RFE you can contact a Tier 2 USCIS officer by calling and get more detailed information if you explain that you're not physically present to get the mail.

Some senior VJ'ers may have more to add (or corrections to my statements above).

Edited July 9, 2013 by d3adc0d3

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yes, but I won't go there (in USA). She will come here in Europe, and the problem is what if she got some letters or something else (for example to have to send some extra documents again to USCIS) from USCIS till she is out of USA. She will be here 2 months and she won't be able to fill and send them. What if they have some deadline for sending them...

You will only get asked for papers in 6 months. If somehow it happens while she is visiting, then you change the ticket and go home to deal with it or you ask family to take care of it for you.

The choice is yours though. You can delay initial sending. Personally I wouldn't.

[TBoneTX 45,550]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to General Immigration Discussion -- OP is contemplating various paths. ***

[Dimsa 0]

Thank you very much

[stevie b 141]

electronic notifications are inconsistent at best

uscis mail will NOT be forwarded to another country

this was recently covered by another member who missed their noa2 due to being outside of the country with mail forwarding in place

enjoy the trip, don't stress, just give uscis a call every ten days or so.. google voice account gets you a phone number and free calls to the US

[Dimsa 0]

electronic notifications are inconsistent at best

uscis mail will NOT be forwarded to another country

this was recently covered by another member who missed their noa2 due to being outside of the country with mail forwarding in place

enjoy the trip, don't stress, just give uscis a call every ten days or so.. google voice account gets you a phone number and free calls to the US

Ok, so we shouldn't forward the mail...

And when we have to give USCIS a call? If we got some notification till she is here in Europe?

[d3adc0d3 186]

Ok, so we shouldn't forward the mail...

And when we have to give USCIS a call? If we got some notification till she is here in Europe?

I'm not sure you'd get much out of a tier 2 officer, you'd have to ask someone who's been through that. I think if you're really worried your best bet is to have a friend or family member check your mail once a week, if you got anything from USCIS they copy/scan the papers and mail/email them to you.

As for the electronic notifications, I'm signed up and I have not (yet) had any real significant inconsistencies -- however I'm early on in the process and maybe when you get that approval and things start to move fast that may change.

Edited July 9, 2013 by d3adc0d3

[Dimsa 0]

Okay, thank you very much!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Make sure someone is checking her mail in the US. That's all; no biggie.

[TigerFlower 61]

Agree with all of the above. I would file now... the wait is agony and you'll be glad you got it done sooner rather than later. File and enjoy the time together!

Edited July 9, 2013 by Tigerflower

[Protocol417 161]

You can also check status on the USCIS website while out of country. So even if the text/email notifications fail, it'll tell you if a decision has been made there.

[stevie b 141]

Ok, so we shouldn't forward the mail...

And when we have to give USCIS a call? If we got some notification till she is here in Europe?

yeah I agree with all the other feedback to have someone watch your mail

the online system is not always accurate or timely

personally, I would still call uscis every two weeks just in case.. rfe's are time sensitive

good luck