Amber and Shawn

omgosh we just received our NOA2 in the mail today! It was 3 days sooner than VJ's estimate im shook
NOA1 is on 29th March
NOA2 13th June

omgosh we just received our NOA2 in the mail today! It was 3 days sooner than VJ's estimate im shook
NOA1 is on 29th March
NOA2 13th June

omgosh we just received our NOA2 in the mail today! It was 3 days sooner than VJ's estimate im shook
NOA1 is on 29th March
NOA2 13th June

omgosh we just received our NOA2 in the mail today! It was 3 days sooner than VJ's estimate im shook
NOA1 is on 29th March
NOA2 13th June

omgosh we just received our NOA2 in the mail today! It was 3 days sooner than VJ's estimate im shook
NOA1 is on 29th March
NOA2 13th June

Congrats to all who's got their NOA2
Our NOA1 was on the 25th March been checking every other day.. good luck to the rest of march filers who are still waiting! ☺️

Thank you! Good luck to us March filers ☺️

Congratulations you two!

Our packet was sent on the 23rd March, received our NOA1 on  April 6th

Our packet was sent on the 23rd March, received our NOA1 on  April 6th

Hi all,
 
I wanted to share my quick story and recent updates on the K1 visa process I am going through with my Panamanian fiancee. I used this site quite a bit to gather information so I feel it is prudent to give back to the community and hopefully save some other people from searching for answers. I did not use a lawyer for any of this and simply used my best judgment in gathering resources from the internet. Please be careful with pulling information from potentially unreliable sources (a lot of the YouTube videos I saw were full of fluffy baloney like putting everything in a colorful binder with some silly heart-covered front page, remember these are government employees, any extra work for them is probably annoying) or sources that are outdated. Below is a (hopefully) short summary:
 
-I met my fiance in the United States as she was here under the Au Pair program on a J-1 Visa where she stayed for a year and a half (from November 2016 to June 2018)
-I proposed to her on my second trip to Panama about 4 months after she returned home (proposed early October 2018)
-I submitted the paperwork for the I-129F mid-November 2018 and received the NOA1 about 2 weeks after (late November 2018)
-Just yesterday (April 1st, 2019), I received the NOA2 showing that our request was approved (about 4.5 months total)
 
Hopefully, this gives good hope to those in the middle of waiting for their response. It is literally some of the worst anxiety I have ever experienced in my life and receiving this great news well ahead of time was a major relief.
 
Some notes that I believe helped our case go so quickly and smoothly:
 
-She is from Panama, a country that demonstrates a very low occurrence of visa overstays and fraud (from what research I have done)
-She already spent a year and a half in the US and, despite meeting through Tinder, we had spent plenty of time together face-to-face in the two years prior which continued even after she moved back to Panama
-She did not have any immigration issues between her visit in 2015 as a tourist and her stay as Au Pair; she left on time and did not get in any trouble with the law while here
-We had known each other for about two years by the time I had filed the I-129f paperwork
-Despite me having a criminal record (misdemeanor marijuana possession in 2007, served unsupervised probation successfully), I still had all of the original paperwork which I included in the submission (and made copies for myself to keep), and I wrote a letter specifically describing the circumstances and outcome (because, really, the whole thing was not a big deal)
-Included original documentation to prove legitimacy of the relationship and having seen her in the past two years (boarding passes, hotel reservations, receipts for the necklace and engagement ring, dinner receipts)
-The packet was organized by section with an outline included for easy searching and all papers with photos were labeled with date, location, and names of everyone
-The entire packet was two-hole punched at the top and I used ACCO prong fasteners (apparently, this is how they will file it anyway, it saves them time)
 
One major thing I want to mention is double-check, double-check, double-check your work!
 
I spent about two whole months on this and I am glad I took my time to do it correctly. I gathered documents that I had been collecting for quite some time and information from her and her family. It was very arduous, but it is incredibly important to be accurate in your submission. I probably rewrote parts of the I-129F form 10-15 times because I kept doing it incorrectly or I would later realize that I misinterpreted what was being asked of me (it's not straight-forward in all parts of the form).
 
Another major thing I want to mention is MAKE COPIES OF EVERYTHING BEFORE YOU SEND IT! Your fiance(e) will need to know what's going on and it doesn't hurt to have copies of the exact submission to verify what USCIS and the NVC have.
 
I very well may have overdone it, but I prefer the extra time put forth to getting an RFE or being outright denied.
 
Good luck to everyone else out there and I hope this helps. I was surprised to know that even with declining approvals for I-129F applications in the past two years, some of us can still be lucky to have their process move quicker than the 7+ months that we have been told.
 
-Panamerican

Ok, well...
1st question, I don´t have answer 4 that!
2- No it should not be a trouble, but, try in the meantime of the process spent the more facetime that you can, and take photos of you both together etc...
(Just a question, since when you both are a couple?)
3- Yes, that guy can be  joint or co-sponsor, that wouldn´t be a trouble. The form is going to be filled by both,sponsor and co / joint - sponsor, those are forms I-864 and I-864a. 
4-Yes, joint bank accounts is excellent bonafide marriage evidence, substancial one better said! 
5- Well, even in a temporarily change of address at the same country HAVE to be informed by your US Spouse to USCIS, so when papers are filled is kind of hard changing country because in the forms you set what is your current address and  if you change the country, also changes the consulate that is going to be send your papers after NVC stage, so is better if you moved then to that place and then fill the papers once there instead of filling the papers and then move onto Indonesia! Is my better advise about this. Doing in that way is not going to be a trouble!
6- Income documents are needed after NOA2 (try to be proactive at this time) gathering them and having them IN-HAND after NOA2 arrives...
For the interview also you have to have it, so they are needed at two stages (NVC (National Visa Center stage and Embassy Stage).
 
The order of the process is this:
 
1- Filling the I-130 and sending to USCIS.
2- NOA1 arrives (within 2-3 weeks next to sending I-130 ) (long wait starts).
3-Depending the Service Center NOA2 arrives at between 6-10 months after NOA1, or if you have a trouble at I-130, missing document, a mistake at the I-130 form or in the application you receive a RFE (Request for Evidence) (the slowest Service Center is currently Nebraska NSC).
4- After NOA2 your case is transferred to NVC, then you need Affidavit of support, paying another fees etc.. (this stage takes 1-2 months) (after completed you will receive CC (case completed and ready to transfer to Embassy).
5- Embassy stage, at this stage you´ll need original ones of marriage certificate, birth certificate, and again police records...also medical examination, vaccinate records, fingerprints taken etc.(1 1/2 month lenght) After  completed this, with the interview approval the only thing is pay the Immigration Fee.
6-POE (Port of Entry) Entering U.S with the medical SEALED envelope, and all the other papers, Marriage, birth... etc..... then you will receive a stamp at your passport that serves as Green Card for 1 year! After pay Immigration fee the green card should arrives to mail at the US address that you provide in the next 2-3 weeks.
 
Later another process begins ROC (Remove of conditions, that is going to be your case CR-1 VISA) Less than 2 years married!
The entire AVERAGE time of the full process is currently 1 year, I hope that in your case be less than that right!
 
I hope this serves you!!!! 
 

I actually think that that's fine.
My fiance only sent two paragraphs on one page and it was accepted just find by the USCIS.
 
If you want to see how it looks like, I can send it to you as a private message? But yeah, I don't think it has to be very long to get approved, and it might even be a problem if it's too lengthy.

Sorry to confuse the whole thing even more.
 
Mine was one line. Stating I me her at her sisters house and the year and month. And I received no RFE for it.
It looks like it depends on the person who reviews it. Go with your gut, but also take into consideration that nobody likes to review 3 pages of info.

Interestingly, we sent one in that was very detailed and received an RFE asking for it again. We are positive that it was maybe a little bit "too detailed" and might have confused how we met and what dates we met and for what purposes.
 
What we then did was send in dates and a brief description, for example:
 
"We met for the first time in November 2013 through mutual friends. In August 2015 we traveled together to London England and stayed there for 2 weeks and started our relationship together. In December 2015 I flew to the United States and stayed with her and her family for another 3 months", and so forth.
 
After this, we got approval.

I submitted my documents on Friday morning at Wisma Putra. Here's some information to help others when undergoing this process. If the moderator or main OP can include this info at the first post, it would be helpful for future references.
TIP
Begin applying for the Certificate of Good Conduct before or immediately after submitting the K1 visa package. The process takes 1-2 months.
NOTICE
"Pleased be informed that applications for Certificate of Good Conduct should be made by online only, starting from 1st January 2011. Applications can be made via Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Website www.kln.gov.my under e-Consular
IMPORTANT!

You can no longer submit the printed forms. They will immediately return/reject your application.
You must submit an online application via their website.
Create an account using your passport (Foreigners / P.R.) / NRIC (Malaysians).
Make a note that purpose of the application is for 'U.S. Immigration Visa'
There is a high chance your e-application form will not be able to be printed (their system is faulty).
It is ideal if you submitted your forms in person at Putrajaya.
If you decide to post, ensure that you include a cover letter explaining what the documents are for : submission & the online transaction code).
There is just one computer there for public use at Wisma Putra. You can do last minute application or check your status. The queue is long due to lengthly application process and users who are unfamiliar with computers.
Go early. Bring your PASSPORT and NRIC. No passport, no application.

PROCESS

Line-up outside guardhouse to obtain security passes and a Green Exit Form (to be submitted after). Guards will take your NRIC.
Go into the main building and line up outside the front desk. Here at 8.30, staff will check your forms and give you a number.
Go into the seated waiting room.
Submit documents at Counter 3.
Wait 15-30 minutes.
Counter 4 will call you and provide you with a receipt A4 size.
Ensure you check your status online that it is currently "In Progress"
Wait 1-2 months.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Kementerian Luar Negari
Bahagain Konsular
Wisma Putra, No. 1
Jalan Wisma Putra, Presint 2
62602 Putrajaya
Operation Hours : Mon - Fri (0830 - 1230 / 1330 - 1600)
Notes: Must stand in queue outside building to obtain security passes before entering. They will start handing out passes at 8.20-ish. So it is best to be early.
Contact Personnel
+6 03 8887 4126 - En. Rosfaizi
+6 03 8887 4264 - Pn. Umi (Please avoid this person. Very rude.)
+6 03 8887 4100 - Pn. Maria
+6 03 8887 4159 - Pn. Aniza
+6 03 8887 4275 - Pn. Rostilah
+6 03 8887 4367 - Lobby Counter
Pn. Farrah Ahmad Katran
Assistant Secretary Consular
Mobile : +6 017 349 4644
Tel : +6 03 8887 4270

I filled in there forms with acrobad reader DC and had no issues. here is a link to the download on there websit. if your not already suing it give tha a try.
 
https://get.adobe.com/nl/reader/

I have a nickname that's completely different from my legal name entirely that I use pretty much everywhere, and I always use it in place of my first name. When applying for anything, if there was ever a nickname slot, I always put it in there, too. Here's an example snippet from I-751 on where it asks you for your legal name, and then any nicknames you're known by.

 
If the form never asks for a nickname, just put your legal name. With that said, say several years from now you decide to naturalize as a U.S. citizen, there's a field where you can request to legally change your name at the same time you become a citizen, if you so choose.

me neither honestly haha but im going to fill up the G325A aswell better safe than sorry! They can just toss it away if its not needed instead of getting a RFE (i hope) xD

Lengthier, indeed. At first I thought they were just incorporating the G-325A information into it, but apparently not. The G-325A is still needed according to the USCIS checklist (which is unchanged).
Edit: Or maybe not...? The new I-129F instructions removed the wording to submit the G-325A. But the checklist is unchanged...maybe they just haven't noticed or updated the checklist yet?
 
Changes I've noticed:
Reorganization of the questions all over. I'm assuming this is to make it easier for them to read/process. Part 1 Asking for the petitioner's state of birth. Asking if the petitioner's mailing address is the same as their physical address. Asking for the petitioner's address history. Asking for the petitioner's work history. Asking for information about the petitioner's parent(s). Part 2 Moved requested visa (K-1/K-3) to Part 1. Added question regarding K-3 visa if an I-130 was already filed or not. Asking for the beneficiary's address history. Asking for the beneficiary's work history. Asking for information about the beneficiary's parent(s). It only provides 1 set of questions to list the beneficiary's previous spouse(s). But based on the wording, it sounds like you still need to list all of them, making use of Part 8 (Additional information) sections as needed. It only provides 1 set of questions to list the beneficiary's children. But based on the wording, it sounds like you still need to list all of them, making use of Part 8 (Additional information) sections as needed. Added daytime phone number field for where the beneficiary intends to live. No idea what this means...phone number of who is responsible for that address (i.e. leasing manager, landlord, etc.)? Option to specify N/A for 2 year meeting requirement for spouses (K-3 applicants). Improved wording (IMO) of the 2 year meeting requirements and what evidence to provide. New set of fields for IMB details to be listed. Part 3 Armed Forces address information removed. Criminal activity questions modified. Asks about the petitioner ever being subject to a temporary or temperament restraining order. Now asks the 3 criminal history questions if the petitioner was ever arrested or convicted. Previously, it only asked if you were convicted of those crimes. Added wording that if you said yes to any of those 3 questions, then the petitioner needs to submit certified copies of all court and police records showing the charges and disposition for every arrest or conviction. Added questions for existence of any criminal activities (arrests, charges, etc.) in any country by the petitioner (barring non-DUI/DWI crimes and minor traffic offenses). Part 4 (New): Biographical information about the petitioner I'm assuming this is for analysis only. I wouldn't want to be the person testing this, but I don't think they are legally able to make these questions required. They look like the generic biographical questions used by other government forms so they can run numbers. The wording in the instructions implies they aren't required, but providing it may speed up processing at the biometrics appointment. Personally, i don't know of anybody that was called in for an appointment and to take biometrics to verify the identity of the petitioner, but I guess that's a thing. Part 5 Added questions about the interpreter and/or preparer, if any, used for filling the form. Added additional preparer contact information questions (phone numbers/email). Removed mailing address fields. Petitioner's signature section moved here (was previously in Part 4). Part 6 (New) Interpreter's personal, contact, and certification questions added. Signature of interpreter required. Part 7 (New) Preparer's personal, contact, and certification questions added. Signature of preparer required. NOTE: G-28 is still needed for an attorney to represent you. If you do not provide this, they (still) will not deal with the attorney at all until the completed G-28 form is sent in.  
I'm sure I missed or glanced over things. The most substantial changes in terms of content appears to be regarding criminal activities. The rest is just additional data to send and things moving around.
 
I wonder if they added all the new history fields to help with background checks?

Date it the day you signed it. That's the legal answer.

Another thing to be aware of that is similarly different in the US, are the way dates are requested.  

In the US immigration forms, the dates requested go: month/day/year.  Many countries outside the US use: day/month/year.

Just be aware when filling out forms, that you fill in the dates accordingly as requested.  

The letter of intent is more of a contract / promissory document stating that what you say is true. Your statement and the signature making it legally bonding are what's important.... not the way your name is laid out necessarily. However, most would probably suggest the Family name goes at the back (Hui Ping Lee), just to avoid any confusion, though I'm positive that it would not raise any alarms either way.
 
I think it's personal preference, but most opt for something like Hui (first) Ping (middle). I had a Chinese friend in Highschool who, when he immigrated here was Ho Chun Kit and used Chun (first) Kit (middle) Ho (last).
You could also opt to have first name be Hui-ping with a hyphen as I've seen some people do. Then they don't have a middle name

Write it American-styled for bonus points, but I don't think it'll matter which way it's written.
 
Good luck!