Do I need a cover letter for the I-129F petition?

[visagreenhorn 4]

If I do need to fill one out that is alright. My girlfriend is also Chinese...so would I have to put her name in both Chinese characters and in pinyin(phonetic Chinese) on the cover letter? I know that on the I-129F petition, I need to put her name in both ways, as it is specified. I would appreciate help with this.

[visagreenhorn 4]

I found this cover letter example and it lists off a bunch of things that I need so mail with the I-129F petition form? Passport style photo of me and my fiance? Birth Certificate/Passport? I really hope I don't have to mail one of these as well...copies maybe?

I-129F Cover Letter

[PETITIONER’S NAME]
[PETITIONER’S ADDRESS]

United States Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[ADDRESS OF FILING LOCATION]

[DATE]

Nature of the submission: I-129F ORIGINAL SUBMISSION

To Whom It May Concern:

Enclosed please find my Form I-129F, Petition for K-1 Fiancé[e] Visa for [bENEFICIARY’S NAME], and supporting documents.

Contents include:

• Payment in the amount of $ [PUT IN CORRECT FEE].
• I-129F
• I-129F Supplement: Part B, Question 18, explanation of meeting in person [ONLY IF USED ADDITIONAL SHEET]
• G-325A and passport style photo (Petitioner)
• G-325A and passport style photo (Beneficiary)
• Birth certificate/US Passport (Petitioner)
• Letter certifying intent to marry (Petitioner and Beneficiary) (I need this?)
• Proof of having met in person in the past two years (isn't this something that my fiance needs to show when applying for the K-1 visa?)
• Proof of ongoing relationship [if including]
  

Copies of documents submitted are exact photocopies of unaltered documents and I understand that I may be required to submit original documents to an Immigration or Consular officer at a later date.

Signed,

[PETITIONERS SIGNATURE]

[Print Name]

[Pitaya 2,577]

You are on the right path. The letter example (from the Guides) is appropriate, as is the rest of the instructions in the step-by-step K-1 visa guide. It is a tried and true guide, that has been successfully used by numerous folks all over the world.

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

For US immigration purposes, and after her subsequent arrival, my wife has used her name in Pinyin (given name first, family name last [Western-style]), only using Chinese characters when specifically requested. Makes more sense since there are likely fewer people in the US that can read and understand Chinese characters than in the PRC.

Good luck.

[Ryan H 3,893]

Letter certifying intent to marry (Petitioner and Beneficiary) (I need this?)

• Proof of having met in person in the past two years (isn't this something that my fiance needs to show when applying for the K-1 visa?)

You both need the intent letter and you must prove that you have met in person at least once in the past two years prior to filing.

You should also include as much evidence as possible when you file because if you wait until the interview to have your fiancée show it to a CO, the CO more often than not will immediately pass it back without so much as a cursory glance at it.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Ryan H makes a very good point. It is recommended for folks going through Guangzhou to "front load" their petition (the method that Ryan H mentions in his posting) for a better chance of visa application approval.

[visagreenhorn 4]

You both need the intent letter and you must prove that you have met in person at least once in the past two years prior to filing.

You should also include as much evidence as possible when you file because if you wait until the interview to have your fiancée show it to a CO, the CO more often than not will immediately pass it back without so much as a cursory glance at it.

Well, I wouldn't need to write a letter about how we met if there is already a section in the I-129F petition that asks you to write about how you met and proof that you have met within the previous 2 years? I need to fill that out AND write a separate letter that tells the same story, with more details added or something? I don't mind providing a handful of photos in the envelope along with the money, petition form and all that. Do I need to also provide passport style photos of me AND her? I only have 2x2 photos of me and she is in China...so can't provide those on my end. Proof of our ongoing relationship would just be daily emails back and forth. As far as the birth cert. or passport...I would just send copies I'm not cool with mailing the originals. Even mailing copies doesn't seem required.

[Ryan H 3,893]

As far as the birth cert. or passport...I would just send copies I'm not cool with mailing the originals. Even mailing copies doesn't seem required.

Yes, only copies are sent to USCIS, never send originals.

The statement I put in bold makes no sense, one of the requirements of filing an I-129F is that you must be a US Citizen and you have to show proof of citizenship.

[visagreenhorn 4]

I just came across this:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1forms

So, I need to fill out an I-134 form I guess. I currently don't make enough money to show that I can support her, but our plan is to get married and both work and live on a shared income. I will go to school to be an insurance salesman soon as well. Would I be able to have my father sign as the sponsor on this form for both me and her? He makes good money, but he wouldn't actually take care of us. I just need it on paper, so that they don't deny us being together. Would this be the only way around this?

Do I need to fill out and mail the G-325A, DS-156K, DS-156, and DS-230 at the same time as the I-129F petition?

[visagreenhorn 4]

Yes, only copies are sent to USCIS, never send originals.

The statement I put in bold makes no sense, one of the requirements of filing an I-129F is that you must be a US Citizen and you have to show proof of citizenship.

I understand that it is listed...but how would they not know whether or not I am a citizen? I have been in this country my whole life and they have my records. Just seems like this country loves to cut down trees for the sake of cutting down trees. I will just send a copy then.

[visagreenhorn 4]

Ok, well I just realized the DS forms are to be filled out by my fiance not me. I guess all the rest I need to fill out.

[Ryan H 3,893]

I just came across this:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1forms

So, I need to fill out an I-134 form I guess. I currently don't make enough money to show that I can support her, but our plan is to get married and both work and live on a shared income. I will go to school to be an insurance salesman soon as well. Would I be able to have my father sign as the sponsor on this form for both me and her? He makes good money, but he wouldn't actually take care of us. I just need it on paper, so that they don't deny us being together. Would this be the only way around this?

On interview day, an I-134 completed by you and an I-134 completed by your father (provided he is willing to fill one out) will need to be submitted (your father is not sponsoring you, he would be your fiancee's joint sponsor {you would be the primary sponsor, regardless of what your income level is}). When going through the Adjustment of Status process, you both would need to complete and submit an I-864 (this is the form that contains the binding contract). This doesn't come until later so don't focus on it too much at this juncture.

I understand that it is listed...but how would they not know whether or not I am a citizen? I have been in this country my whole life and they have my records. Just seems like this country loves to cut down trees for the sake of cutting down trees. I will just send a copy then.

Unless you were naturalized, USCIS will not have a clue who you are. If you were naturalized, the adjudicator who will review your file will not have access to that information hence the requirement to provide proof.

[St&Sv 33]

It definitely seems to me that you are just starting out on your K1 journey, welcome to the club, and as someone else recommended: Read the Guides. Not only the K1 but also the Adjustment of Status (AoS) guides. You'll need to know what is coming up in the future as well, because there is a lot to this process and if you are planning to do it alone then you need to study up. If it feels like too much then get a lawyer but it's a very doable process on its own, which is what many of us do.

Also to answer your question about the passport style photos you will need hers. Also the letter of Intent, one from you and one from her, should be the originals with signatures. She'll also have to sign her G-1145a, which is where the passport photo is needed.

K1 Guide: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

K1 Flowchart: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

Another thing is to look at the comparisons, http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare, and see how much the process will cost in government fees. Though these prices do not reflect mailing documents back and forth, plane ticket to USA, or the things she/he will need to start their life here. Remember to plan it well and everything will go fine.

Best of Luck and Smooth Sailing on your Journey.

[Darnell 8,479]

If I do need to fill one out that is alright. My girlfriend is also Chinese...so would I have to put her name in both Chinese characters and in pinyin(phonetic Chinese) on the cover letter? I know that on the I-129F petition, I need to put her name in both ways, as it is specified. I would appreciate help with this.

I suggest only PIN YIN.

At some point, the bio page of the passport is given over (rather, a copy of it) and her name, in PIN YIN, is on the passport bio page.

[Darnell 8,479]

Well, I wouldn't need to write a letter about how we met if there is already a section in the I-129F petition that asks you to write about how you met and proof that you have met within the previous 2 years? I need to fill that out AND write a separate letter that tells the same story, with more details added or something? I don't mind providing a handful of photos in the envelope along with the money, petition form and all that. Do I need to also provide passport style photos of me AND her? I only have 2x2 photos of me and she is in China...so can't provide those on my end. Proof of our ongoing relationship would just be daily emails back and forth. As far as the birth cert. or passport...I would just send copies I'm not cool with mailing the originals. Even mailing copies doesn't seem required.

I suggest :

1. letter of intent to marry from you

2. letter of intent to marry from her.

3. evolution of relationship letter

then you can 'simply fill out' the details of your last meetup in the I-129F form.

Guangzhou IV is a tough sum-b|tch, IMO (and others), the evolution of relationship letter is a must. It'll get read by a Vice Consul there in the IV Unit before interview day, if'n you include it with the I-129F petition, and that's the point.

You not need to provide proof of 'ongoing relationship' - that's required as part of a spousal visa submittal. However, since it's Guangzhou IV (again, that's one tough sum-b|tch IV Unit) - it's recommended to include it.

You do need to provide proof of meeting and it's 'time' specific - so pay attention to that 2 year span.

This proof can be receipts, passport stamps, photos, newspaper articles about the two of you, etc.

remember - for I-129F submittal - ain't no original document required, except the G-325A - she needs her original signature on that - cannot just sign in China, scan it and email it - must be original signature. For all the rest of it, submit photocopies.

[Darnell 8,479]

I just came across this:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1forms

So, I need to fill out an I-134 form I guess. I currently don't make enough money to show that I can support her, but our plan is to get married and both work and live on a shared income. I will go to school to be an insurance salesman soon as well. Would I be able to have my father sign as the sponsor on this form for both me and her? He makes good money, but he wouldn't actually take care of us. I just need it on paper, so that they don't deny us being together. Would this be the only way around this?

Do I need to fill out and mail the G-325A, DS-156K, DS-156, and DS-230 at the same time as the I-129F petition?

Uhm no.

Congrats on finding the k1 forms section.

Get to the K-1 flowchart in the Guides section - there's a breakdown on which formset to submit, and when.

Massive Hint: I-134 turned in on interview day, never with the I-129F submittal. Study a calendar, plan your stuff based on the K-1 flowchart.

Another massive hint: If'n yer using a handphone or feckless pad to study here at VJ - unplug it, remove the battery, and get to a PC. You miss most stuff on a handphone here - using a PC will give you the 'full experience' and the Guides Section is much easier to use.

Edited August 7, 2013 by Darnell