2020 Procedure Details

[annierob 194]

Hello everyone,

 

I've been carefully reviewing online comments on how to properly file the I-129F form, and of course, details change year over year.

 

For 2020, is anyone able to confirm these details?

 

• Intention to Marry Within 90 Days of Entry:
  • The official instructions on the Style Sheet from the government states: "Submit evidence that you and your fiancé(e) intend to marry
    within 90 days of your fiancé(e)’s entry as a K-1 nonimmigrant. Evidence of your intention to marry may include
    statements of intent to marry signed by both you and your fiancé(e)."
  • It is not clear whether this means we each need a statement, or if we both need to put our statements on one letter then both sign that letter.

 

• Photographs:
  • The official instructions on the Style Sheet from the government states: "You must submit one color passport-style photograph of yourself and one color passport-style photograph of the beneficiary taken within 30 days of filing this petition. The photos must have a white to off-white background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, and be unmounted and unretouched. The color passport-style photos must be 2 by 2 inches. The photos must be in color with full face, frontal view on a white to off-white background. Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from top of hair to bottom of chin, and eye height is between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from bottom of photo. Your head must be bare unless you are wearing headwear as required by a religious denomination of which you are a member. Using a pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name and A-Number (if any) on the back of the photo."
  • I carefully read through the form, the Style Sheet and the checklist (https://www.uscis.gov/i-129f), and cannot find the information asking to include the photographs in plastic bags. I'm assuming that previously, it was specifically asked to: "Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of (insert foreign fiance name). Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding I-129F."
  • Should I be including the photos in plastic bags, even if it is not requested anywhere?

 

• Evidence for Petitions to Classify a Fiancé(e) as a K-1 Nonimmigrant
  • In-Person Meeting. Submit evidence that you and your fiancé(e) met in person during the 2-year period immediately before you filed this petition. Evidence of this meeting may include, but is not limited to, a written statement from you and/or your fiancé(e) stating the circumstances of your meeting, a copy of airline tickets, passport pages, or other evidence.
  • Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of documents requested, unless the Instructions specifically state that you must submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at the time of filing or at any time during processing of an application, petition, or request. If USCIS requests an original document from you, it will be returned to you after USCIS determines it no longer needs your original.
  • I am currently putting together the evidence, and I have a few questions:
    • It states that I need photocopies. Most of my evidence is on my phone (email, text messages, confirmations in apps, etc.), and have started to layout the evidence like in the attached image. Will this be accepted as proof? Or should I print out everything and photocopy what is printed? I feel so uptight about these things, but if they're asking for photocopies, I'm assuming that's exactly the type of document they want?

 

Appreciate all your time and answers. I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of what is needed, but the instructions these points stated above are not quite clear.

 

Edited February 1, 2020 by annierob

[Crazy Cat 39,257]

Have you read the K-1 guides here on VJ?

 

[annierob 194]

1 minute ago, missileman said:

Have you read the K-1 guides here on VJ?

 

I have! But the last update was: Last Updated November 24, 2019

 

I took note of EVERTYTHING, and that's why I'm asking these questions above as I'm counter-verifying with the information from the government. And some things are absolutely not mentioned.

[Mike E 11,723]

Each partner signs their own statement. Originals are not required. The foreign partner can take photo on a phone and sent it electronically. You then just print it out.  
 

Plastic bag for photo is fine.  Daiso, and crafts stores like Michaels have little plastic bags that are good for this.  
 

Printing a screen shot and photo copying it makes no sense.  Keep in mind that the technology for the print side of a modern photo copier is the same as the technology for a modern printer. 
 

Thinking back to my I-129F, I scanned most of my originals and assembled them into one pdf and printed it out.  

[annierob 194]

3 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Each partner signs their own statement. Originals are not required. The foreign partner can take photo on a phone and sent it electronically. You then just print it out.  
 

Plastic bag for photo is fine.  Daiso, and crafts stores like Michaels have little plastic bags that are good for this.  
 

Printing a screen shot and photo copying it makes no sense.  Keep in mind that the technology for the print side of a modern photo copier is the same as the technology for a modern printer. 
 

Thinking back to my I-129F, I scanned most of my originals and assembled them into one pdf and printed it out.  

Thank you Mike!

 

That's what I was assuming, as I thought it was a little ridiculous to have photocopies. That's a statement that's actually a little dated and hope they update it for the next form. Technology has advanced so much, scans and print-outs are more precise (and legible) than photocopies.

 

For the plastic bags, I have a feeling it was asked prior. But for the new forms, it doesn't mention it. To be safe, I think I'll just put in plastic bags.