About to start my K-1 Process and so many doubts!!

[rtor1 52]

Hi guys,

I am from Brazil and next june I will start my long K-1 journey and I have some doubts in regards to:

- The Petition and all the docs are always sent to USCIS Dallas or do we need to send and/or do something at my fiancée USCIS local office (Norfolk, VA)?

- How should we organize all the docs, including the proof of our relationship? We need to send different file folders (E.g: Pictures, E-Mails and others). People usually send a box?

- After the Visa is issued I would have 6 months to enter the U.S and 90 days to get married. I was wondering if I wait five months to go would I be able to get married once the K-1 is expired or should I get married while the Visa is still valid?

Thanks for your time!!

[menina 50]

The guides will tell you where to send your petition and documents. Currently it is the Dallas USCIS Lockbox. Nothing goes to the local office. You should send them all together in a single package. When I was preparing our package, I just went in the order of the documents listed on the guide. I also included a cover letter listing what was in my package. I did that more for my own benefit to be sure I hadn't forgotten anything. For proofs, I placed all of the emails together, copies of the photos together, etc. but I didn't use separate folders. Just make sure that as part of the proof you have evidence of having been together in the last 2 years prior to filing such as passport stamps, plane tickets, etc. Don't send a box of evidence. I would recommend that you put as much as you want in a manila envelope. They won't have time to go through so much proof anyways. They just want to see some evidence of a current relationship. As long as you enter the US on your K1 visa before it expires, you are fine as far as using the visa goes, but you need to make sure you marry within 90 days of entering. The K1 automatically expires the moment you enter the US, so once you are here, you need only marry within the 90 days. I recommend not getting too close to the 90 days because you never know when something might go wrong and delay you past the allowed timeframe. Good luck with your process!

[Al422 221]

Everything goes to the Dallas lockbox.

THere are no rules on document organization, so whatever helps them to keep it organized is the best idea. They will discard your binders and put it in their own, but if you organize it for them it has a better chance of staying that way. I suggest paper clipping the check to the front of the first page because that is the first thng they want (big surprise).

The six months and the 90 days are two separate clocks. One has nothing to do with the other. The six month clock starts from the day your visa is issued (but be careful because some consulates start the clock on the day you are medically cleared. which may be weeks earlier than visa issuance date). The 90 day clock starts when you enter the United States regardless of how much time is left on the 6 month clock at that point.

Welcome to Visa Journey, and good luck to you.

BTW read the guides here. Loads of useful knowledge.

[rtor1 52]

Thank you guys,

I have read the guides but I just wanted to make sure I fully got all the steps since there are so many things to be done!!

[Al422 221]

Thank you guys,

I have read the guides but I just wanted to make sure I fully got all the steps since there are so many things to be done!!

No problem Asking questions here is a much better choice than making mistakes at USCIS.

[Lenny&Sanna 114]

Ultimately you want to follow all steps via their site

http://www.uscis.gov/i-129f

Filing Tips (Read entire page as it tells you the order to have all your stuff in)

http://www.uscis.gov/forms-filing-tips