I-129F newbie

[Hoa Nguyen 26]

Hi everyone just wanted to introduce myself to everyone here.  I was lucky enough to have time during work transition for vacation.  Spent 3 months in Vietnam and got engaged, you know, the usual...LOL

 

Just sent my I-129F off 2 weeks ago and check was process by USCIS today!  Super nervous about the whole process.  Any advice for dealing with the anxiety?  

 

Also, a lawyer filed on my behalf after like a month of document gathering so I'm not worried about my request getting approved...just anxious is all.  I know it is at least 6 months away but I'm daydreaming about her interview. 

 

 

 

 

[kris&me 572]

i i will  not you  stop thinking about it as that is all we do while going thru this process

but keep busy with some heavy duty work 

talk to each other as much as possible

find a support group of people from her country (there or online)

the process can  be heartbreaking at times so don't take the frustrations out on each other

this is time of dating and fun so keep it light and romantic

answer all her questions and ask your own so you know all u r getting into

and good luck

 

[KULtoATL 1,551]

1 hour ago, Hoa Nguyen said:

Hi everyone just wanted to introduce myself to everyone here.  I was lucky enough to have time during work transition for vacation.  Spent 3 months in Vietnam and got engaged, you know, the usual...LOL

 

Just sent my I-129F off 2 weeks ago and check was process by USCIS today!  Super nervous about the whole process.  Any advice for dealing with the anxiety?  

Answer: Keep yourself informed on USCIS processing times especially for filers from the previous month and your filing month (sometimes the month after yours too of USCIS is delaying in issuing NOA2). However, best not to compare your timeline with others because you'll get stressed and depressed very quickly. Remember, every case is different so sometimes your case may take longer than others for whatever reason. In the meantime, read up on the K-1 stage and what's needed to be done or documents to be gathered. Don't forget to check out info on AOS stage too because she'll need to file her AOS upon marriage. Get familiar with things in advance would help you greatly help you in staying on top of things.

 

Also, a lawyer filed on my behalf after like a month of document gathering so I'm not worried about my request getting approved...just anxious is all.  I know it is at least 6 months away but I'm daydreaming about her interview. 

Answer:  Don't be over-confident simply because you had an attorney filing for you. Attorneys could make mistakes or be ill informed. However, I certainly wish you all the best. 

 

 

 

 

 

[WandY 430]

Agree with KULtoATL. I'm not a fan of using a lawyer for the K-1 because I know what goes on in many law offices - your case is more important to you than to others. Don't hassle your attorney, but don't let him/her get lazy. It's your money. But you'll be OK. My main tips:

-Be patient. The visa journey is excruciatingly slow.

-Don't freak out. If she misses a Skype meeting, don't get jealous, worried, pissed off. Be calm. All is good.

- Look at every single day as a day that moves you closer to being together. I put a big red "X" on each day of the calendar that passed. Seeing a lot of those "X"s made me happy.

- Go to the interview.

- Don't get air tickets until you have interview date.

- Keep your friends and family in the loop. Be excited, be positive.

- Enjoy the process. You'll look back on it and realize it was a beautiful thing. And then you can join us and  help others complete their journey.

 

[Hoa Nguyen 26]

Thanks for the tips everyone.  Me and Tuyền talk/text usually when she is coming off work and I'm coming to work so we usually catch each other at least twice a day.  It does help a ton to just talk about the future.

 

I have been reading pretty much everyone's story for the interview process and their K1 process.  I tripled checked all the documents needed and she says she has all of them for when the time comes.  

 

Pretty much exhausted everything I can do to prepare.  Even my lawyer says to relax and wait LOL.  

 

Its super early but I'm quizzing her on the potential questions they can ask during the interview.  I know it's random but it probably helps to get a feel of the kinda of questions. 

 

From the looks of it.  The Visa approval is almost entirely determined before the interview even happens.  I've been reading the success cases and the interview is a mere formality in most cases.  

 

I'm assuming the majority of cases that don't get approved first time is rejected before the interview even occurs.  I can't tell because there does not seem to be many documented cases of denials on this site as opposed to successes.  

[frontgear 194]

I would strongly suggest that you pick a hobby and wait it out. 

 

Btw, I wouldn't attempt to quiz her on interview questions just yet. She might forget them by then. lol

[poh 125]

Great knowledgeable folks on Visajourney who has gone through the process.  You can get rid of the lawyer and use that money on your fiance(e)  I am sure that same lawyer checks out this site for answers.  

 

 

Edited September 19, 2017 by poh

[AB&T 21]

If I were you, I would start preparing for the next step and try to always be one step ahead... In these cases being proactive is always better. Quizzing about consulate interview is too early for me... You will need to provide financial support information, get vaccinations, police checks, etc.... So understanding/completing those forms and gathering information for the interview are more important for me. I don't want to get caught receiving an approval and then running clueless like a chicken without a head to complete the next step of the process. 

 

We are already waiting 5-7 months to complete this... Wouldn't want to be the one holding up my own application even longer... So if you're clueless on what the next steps are, well you just found out what to research for from now til noa2.

 

FYI... I went to two lawyers before finding out that they were giving me ill-advised information (one even charged me for his "advise"). Decided to apply on my own when I realized how little they knew. 

[Hoa Nguyen 26]

Thanks for the advice.  I have gathered everything that will be required of me for the next steps.  I even used super nice thick stock company logo paper for my check stubs LOL. My fiancée has everything as well except for the police check and her passport, but she said those are ezpz to get.

 

I was skeptical since getting the US passport was not exactly ezpz for me but wasn't hard either it just took a long time.  She said it is a very fast turn around for those documents in Vietnam.  But I am definitely trying to get all my ducks in a row.  

[AB&T 21]

Yup... Police check is easy in VN. Make sure she asks for the right one (there is one specifically for this type of app... Im sure you can Google it). I haven't gotten the paystubs/employment verification letter as I want to provide them with latest info, but I'm filling out the electronic form this weekend so I can sign it as soon as it's needed.

 

We're saving daily screenshots of our text messages on a weekly basis in case proof of ongoing relationship since we submitted the app is needed as well... You can never be too prepared so just keep thinking what might make your app better. God bless you... =)

[Hoa Nguyen 26]

I'm compiling the stubs as I go.  My chat log is A little over a thousand sheets now...on font 8...single spacing...double sided...after 9 months.  I'm not sure how to print all that off lol. I have the means to do it at work but hesitant if that's the best move to bring a stack of papers just on messages.  

 

We text a lot because we obviously work while the other is off or sleeping.  We have call logs so maybe I think that would be better.  

 

Goodluck to you as well.  I hope we will be with our loved ones at the end of this process.