khtak716

Hi jgschuck,
 
I found a map of what the US considers high fraud countries for visas (K1/K3):  http://mypathtocitizenship.com/which-countries-are-on-the-uscis-high-fraud-list/
 
Pretty much if you aren't from Europe, Australia, Canada, etc... you're country may be on that list.  Check out the embassy's page for Brazil.  Ours had this lovely fraud warning on it:  https://algiers.usembassy.gov/marriage_fraud.html
 
Also, if your country is one with a high denial rate of travel visas or that require a visa at all to come to the US, you will be under greater scrutiny.
 
I did a lot of searching on YouTube and I found this one on front loading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdsYFykFAo4.  To note, I did not use his services and am not promoting this particular person, because I fully believe we are all capable of putting these packages together ourselves.  But this was one that helped me realize that I needed to front load my packet.
 
You can do a Google search on 'front load K1 visa petition' to find lots of sites talking about it.  The main thing is the be very good at documenting, filling out the forms, signing them, explaining any details that need further explanation in Attachments.  You can get Requests for Evidence (RFEs) for missing things and not filling in things completely, which delay your case, so just taking the time on getting the petition completed to the best of your ability and proofreading it is most important.
 
I also was selective in what content I shared.  I copied screenshots, Skype shots of me with my fiance and his family/friends, with conversations about us that showed we were a real couple. I wrote details about each screenshot. I took several weekends to compile this.  I know I went overboard, but in my case, we wanted to circumvent any flags.  My fiance had a very successful interview as a result of that front-loading, I believe.  We also provided a ton more info in our 2nd packet, that he brought to the embassy, to show a continuing relationship and extra financial details that the minimum. 
 
As for your other question on the passport - scanned all pages, inserted them into a word file and decreased the size of the pages that were blank; only making the biometrics page and any pages with stamps from our vacations bigger (for readability).  This brought it down to 8 pages.  You want to show the whole thing so there is no doubt that all the pages come for the passport you are presenting.  If I'm remembering correctly, for the petition, you have to show the US Passport as a requirement, so make sure all pages can be read easily.  I also provided my fiance's passport, to show the stamps for our vacation in another country; so that one I got down to 4 pages (making blank pages smaller than on mine) - you can work with it.
 
You will need a LOT of ink for this process, especially if you front load and put pictures/screenshots in documents.  I also included physical photos.  If you don't have a home printer with a scanner, you might want to get one
 
Oh, and we did sign all the forms.  Be sure to use black, not blue, ink.  Also, I used to live in Colombia, and if Brazil is similar, it can be very costly to send mail; you must use FedEx/UPS/DHL or some other courier service to ensure mail arrives.  You will need 'wet' signatures on the Proof of Intent to Marry and the G-325A from your fiance.
 
For some of your other questions:
do the passport pictures need to be signed on the back? Or just labeld "Photo of _*name*" ? I wrote in pencil on the back of mine my name, my fiance's name, anyone else's name in the photos (if you have many people you can say 'fiance's family, friends, etc.) and the location we were at (country, city, sometimes location like restaurant, airbnb, Vacation in Country, etc.).  I did this because of some research that said to do it or suggested it (sorry I don't remember). will we be looked down upon if we include more than say, 10 pictures? Not at all.  The VisaCoach guy gives recommendations on the types of photos to take - happy, showing background scenery, family, places visited, wearing different clothing/taken on different days/different places - if you had the date embedded on the photo, that is good, but if not, be sure to add it to the back).  I also included many photos in the screenshots/posts from FB, IMs, etc. are text screenshots important to include? Oh yes.  I think you want to ensure  you show a pattern of how much you communicate, how public your relationship is.  If you are front-loading a petition because your country is considered high fraud, I suggest showing things that indicate your fiance's friends and family (and yours) know about you two; how you communicate, how often, the quality of communications. does my entire passport need to be scanned? meaning - every single page? Yes; as above, scan and reduce the size to get each page into a Word file - make sure biometrics and passport stamps for travel are easy to read. Best luck to you and if you have any questions, feel free to contact me.  I can only speak to what I've researched and done, but I'd be happy to let you know what I did, in our case.
 

Hi jgschuck,
 
I just wanted to share that if your fiance is coming from a country that has a higher denial rate (you can look up statistics) and/or if you have any 'red flags' in your relationship such as age differences, differences in religion, few vacation time together or whatever the case may be, you may want to 'front load' your application with extra details that support the case for your relationship. This is not for USCIS, but for the embassy review.
 
I found one person online called the VisaCoach, or something similar, who talked about this issue of 'front-loading'.  You could look into and see if you want to go in that direction.  I feel it is better to over rather than under-document, to alleviate any questions prior to getting to the interview stage.
 
We 'front loaded' our application with lots of information, because my fiance is from a country with a higher denial rate, we've been solely long-distance with only 2 vacations together, etc. USCIS will look for what is required, and nothing more; however, the embassy will review this packet in full; so it is good to front load in certain cases, such as ours.
 
Best luck to you all!!
 
Here is what we provided (from our cover letter on the I-129F):
- Payment in the amount of $340.00 (check #XYZ)
- G-1145 (e-Notification of Application/Petition acceptance) – 1 Page
- I-129F (Petition for K-1 Fiancé Visa) – 6 Pages
  o    I-129F Attachment, with explanations on the following questions – 9 Pages:
        §  Part 1: XYZ
        §  Part 2: 34.a Explanation of Meeting in Person
        §  Proof of XYZ
- G-325A and passport-style photo (Petitioner) – 1 Page
- G-325A and passport-style photo (Beneficiary) – 1 Page
- Birth Certificate (Petitioner) – 3 Pages
- U.S. Passport with stamps to/from Vacation/Travel visa (Petitioner) – 8 Pages
- Letters of intent to marry (Petitioner & Beneficiary)
- Proof of having met in person in the past two years
  o    23 vacation photos
  o    Plane boarding passes, vacation receipts with photos, apartment rental (Airbnb) – 14 Pages
  o    Travel itineraries (Petitioner and Beneficiary); Airbnb confirmation receipt – 6 Pages
  o    Passport pages showing visa stamps (Beneficiary) – 4 Page
- Proof of wedding plans – 24 Pages
  o    Evidence of wedding plans: wedding officiant contract/deposit/emails, emails with caterer, rental quotes, reception invitation sample
- Additional proof of relationship (including ongoing relationship)
  o    Confirmed tickets for upcoming vacation together; invitation letter, receipt from visa service, visa stamp for vacation; engagement ring receipt, Proof of Income – 7 Pages
  o    Correspondence samples (email, Skype, Facebook) – 62 Pages
  o    17 Photos taken during Skype sessions, including family & friends

Just a note that we finally got the visa/passport back!  It took 10 days, and the US Embassy never updated the status on ustraveldocs that it was being sent to the courier.  My fiance did write the courier (VFS Global) for a second time on Sunday, and they finally replied that they had the passport.  Moments later, the status was changed from 'no status' to 'ready for pickup'.  My fiance was able to travel to Algiers and get it, today.  
 
Today marks 56 days of waiting to pick up the visa/passport after written approval at the interview, when they told us it would take 10-15 days.  Incredible!  But we are thankful to finally have the visa in hand!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry for the late reply, thank God everything went good for me and my fiance, it went from "Ready" to "AP' to "ISSUED" within ours, got our visa in hand on 1/12/2017 and my fiances(now wife is in the states with me, hope yours is going good!

Hi CY & Evy,
 
Everything I'm reading says it's find to change jobs, just provide that info at the interview, when you submit the I-134 affidavit of support.  You actually are not required to show financial support for the I-129F (some people choose to add info to 'front load' the application with details that may be asked at the embassy; but it is not required, and you may actually increase your pay getting a new job.  I even read that some folks lost jobs during the petition process, but as long as you show you have one or a co-sponsor by the interview that even shouldn't cause a denial.  I think you will be fine.
 
Good luck!!
 
 

Hi RonisCruz,
 
We are in the same situation.  My fiance's K1 visa was approved on Nov 28, 2016 at his interview, and he was told 10 business days to get the visa issued.  However, CEAC showed READY until Jan 8, 2017, when it finally changed to Administrative Processing (AP) and to a Nonimmigrant Visa.  That was 41 days of waiting, after an approved interview.  And we're still waiting.  We thought the status would change to ISSUED within 24-48 hours, based on other posts.  But it is still in AP (praying it will change any day now).
 
As for tracking the passport on ustraveldocs, I don't think that you will be able to track it until it shows as ISSUED.  Ours still shows no status there, too.  I believe that once the embassy issues the visa, they then have to deliver the passport to the courier for your embassy, and that is when the tracking of the passport should be available online.  So I wouldn't worry that you aren't seeing that status yet.  
 
Just to note, from what I've read when your status does change to AP, the CEAC message that shows isn't really for the type of AP that an approved visa goes through but for those issued a 221-g form at the interview for missing docs or more background checks needed; it doesn't apply to those who were approved (Message reads:  "Your visa case is currently undergoing necessary administrative processing. This processing can take several weeks. Please follow any instructions provided by the Consular Officer at the time of your interview. If further information is needed, you will be contacted. If your visa application is approved, it will be processed and mailed/available within two business days.")  So don't worry about this message.  If you see the status change to AP, you are closer to getting the visa ISSUED.  
 
It seems there are several people going through this kind of delay right now.  I read somewhere that the embassies get very busy at the end of the year and first couple of weeks in January, with the holiday season.  Keep us posted on the updates.  Good luck to you all!!

Congrats !!

Just a note that we finally got the visa/passport back!  It took 10 days, and the US Embassy never updated the status on ustraveldocs that it was being sent to the courier.  My fiance did write the courier (VFS Global) for a second time on Sunday, and they finally replied that they had the passport.  Moments later, the status was changed from 'no status' to 'ready for pickup'.  My fiance was able to travel to Algiers and get it, today.  
 
Today marks 56 days of waiting to pick up the visa/passport after written approval at the interview, when they told us it would take 10-15 days.  Incredible!  But we are thankful to finally have the visa in hand!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, redone1... and good luck on your AOS!!

Though it isn't requested, my understanding is that proofs that can be validated, such as boarding passes and stamps in passports hold a heavier weight than documents such as itineraries (though I think those are still good to show).  I scanned my fiance's passport pages and inserted them into a Word doc, then scaled the images down to 4 pages - you could probably get it to 2.  Just that little extra bit of info shows proof that can be validated vs. things like emails and IMs or even itineraries which could be forged and are not something that can be easily validated.  When I say 'validated' what I mean is that for the interview, any official documents you provided copies of in the I-129F must be submitted (or may be requested during review) - a boarding pass and a passport can then be validated against the copies that were provided, whereas emails, itineraries and the like are only ever 'copies'.

Khtak716
 
Thanks for the input.. 
 
Ameen to the prayers.. Yes I assume they're doing some background checks.
 
It's definately frustrating but all we can do now is be patient. All the best to you too ?. Will keep you posted.

As some of you may know, our visa journey hasn't gone very well since the embassy received our case from the NVC. After 2 interview appointments (December and January), my fiancé was given a one year ban and ruled inadmissible but eligible for a waiver. Since the consulate told him he had to wait a year, instead of getting a lawyer right away I planned a visit (february) so we could regroup and just hired a lawyer earlier this month. I figured we had time to kill. Our lawyer contacted the embassy recently and was informed that his one ban has now expired and if the waiver is approved they will continue on with the process and he can then re-do his medical.
While this is finally some good news for us, we feel frustrated at the fact that when we emailed them in prior months they never told us they were lifting the ban early. So I wasted a few months sitting around for nothing.
I only post this because waivers and bans are not discussed much and I thought maybe there are others out there that could benefit from my mistake. FILE YOUR WAIVER ASAP! It's amazing what the embassy will tell a lawyer, yet neglect to inform the beneficiary/petitioner themselves.
Another thing this process has taught me is don't be afraid or too proud to ask for help when you truly need it. So with that please pray for us and our lawyer! Hopefully she will put together one heck of a waiver packet and we will have one more hurdle cleared.
Thank you! Best of Luck to you all! I pray for all of us everyday!

In the end as soulstriker says it doesn't really matter as they will route it where it needs to be.
The instructions are pretty clear and if you plan to send certified mail that would be USPS therefore you should use the Dallas Texas address.
Once they get your file they will strip out your check and forward your case to CSC (Cali service center)
Don't forget to enclose the new payment and use NEW form that is on the uscis.gov site
Also enclose the form to allow them to send you text/email updates.
 
Good luck
Fill out your VJ timeline once you get your NOA 1 notice of action I-797C
There is a January thread here you can follow as well.
 
Jim

Hi lollu,
 
The NVC will send a letter that states they've forwarded your packet to the embassy. If you filled out form g1145 (request to be notified electronically), when you submitted the petition, they should have emailed you. In our case they emailed and also mailed a letter (but they mailed it a week after the date on the letter itself, then it took a few days to arrive.  This letter gives your case number for the embassy.  You can get the same information by calling the NVC and giving them your WAC# from the NOA1, then asking for your case number. Also, you can ask if they have your email on file.
 
The embassy should have emailed you (if you filled out the g1145) instructions on what to provide for the interview, such as these I found, below (may be out-of-date):
Instructions from US embassy in New Delhi: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/india/521916/K1 pkt info/K1 pkt 4 July.pdf Instructions for embassy in Mumbai:  http://photos.state.gov/libraries/mumbai/1057584/senkx/BMB IV Packet 4 for Ks January 2015 Revision_001.pdf If they did not, you can ask the NVC how to obtain these; they can give you the correct email or phone number of the embassy to let them know you didn't receive written instructions.
 
The letter they send you (or should have sent you) will state exactly what is needed for that embassy, but the ones I attached will give you a good idea.  
 
You will need to send your fiance originals of documents you submitted with the I-129F petition (official documentation such as birth certificates and copies of signed forms, as well as evidence such as boarding passes and receipts, from the first petition; I believe he will need the NOA2 - I gave my fiance all the notices we'd received, as well, though that may not be mandatory. You will also need to provide a new letter of intent from both you and him (reaffirmation), recently signed and dated.  
 
You can download tax transcripts from the IRS site (it's good to give extra evidence of financial support), but the I-134 instructions https://www.uscis.gov/system/files_force/files/form/i-134instr.pdf? show that you must provide the following financial evidence:
 
Submit in duplicate evidence of income and resources, as appropriate:
A. Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institutions with deposits, identifying the following details regarding the account:
    (1) Date account opened;
    (2) Total amount deposited for the past year; and
    (3) Present balance.
B. Statement(s) from your employer on business stationery showing:
    (1) Date and nature of employment;
    (2) Salary paid; and
    (3) Whether the position is temporary or permanent.
C. If self-employed:
    (1) Copy of last income tax return filed; or
    (2) Report of commercial rating concern.
D. List containing serial numbers and denominations of bonds and name of record owner(s). [this is only if you have any, of course]
 
This is our Table of Contents for the packet that my fiance took to the embassy (made generic, to share here).  We made a correction to his G-235A, but it is not a required document for us to both resubmit, since the embassy has the original, singed version(s) from the petition:
 
DS-160 Confirmation – [Beneficiary] - your fiance will need to fill this out online before he can schedule the interview.

Passport – [Beneficiary]

Original Birth Certificate with translation – [Beneficiary]

Certified Police/Court Certificate with translation – [Beneficiary]

Certified Military Records with translation– [Beneficiary]

Two 2 x 2 in. Photographs – [Beneficiary]

Certified Certificate of No Marriage with translation – [Beneficiary]

Termination of Prior Marriage (Certificate of Absolute Divorce) – Petitioner’s and/or Beneficiary’s, if applicable

Evidence of Support – [Petitioner – required]

·         Form I-134 Affidavit of Support

·         Job Letter ([Company Name])

·         Bank Letter ([Bank Name])

·         [Additional evidence such as W-2s, Job Offer Letters, Paystubs, tax transcripts – list]

Medical Examination – [Beneficiary]

·         Medical Packet ([Name of Clinic])

·         International Certificate of Vaccination booklet

Notification Letters (K-1 Visa)

·         Form 1-797C, Notice of Action (WAC#) – [MM/DD/YY]

·         Form 1-797, Notice of Action (Approval Notice with envelope) – [MM/DD/YY]

·         National Visa Center (Case Number# notification) – [MM/DD/YY]

Evidence of Relationship (since [Month, Year] when I-129F packet for K-1 Visa Petition was submitted)

·         Fiancée Letter of Intent (Reaffirmation) – [Petitioner]

·         Fiancé Letter of Intent (Reaffirmation) – [Beneficiary]

·         Evidence of vacation together in ([Country, Date Range])

o    Examples:  Photos together in [City, Country] ([XY] photos in album), Boarding Passes, travel items/receipts, updated Passport Pages, airline online check-in, itineraries

Communications since [Month, Year]

·         Example:  Selected Communications (Facebook, IM, Skype), Skype Screenshots,  Logs [Date Range], Monthly Statements/Current Subscription, Phone Call Screenshots ([Viber], Cell Phone)

·         Additional Wedding Details

o    Examples:  Emails with wedding officiant, Wedding Ceremony Script

·         Other Financial Evidence – [Petitioner]

o    Examples: Money Transfers, Life Insurance / Retirement Beneficiary designations, property titles / values

·         Original Documents (copies previously submitted in the I-129F K-1 Visa Petition packet submitted [Month, Year])

o    Certificate of Absolute Divorce [for Petitioner/Beneficiary, as applicable]

o    Birth Certificate – [Petitioner]

o    Boarding Passes, Travel Receipts & Items

o    Photos

o    Wedding Ring Receipt

 
Best wishes to you!!

Hi Adenicole,
 
It is hard to say, because people do get both approvals or denials, or can got into administrative processing (221g for missing evidence or background check issues), at the interview.  There are no guarantees.
 
Just make sure you double-check all the requested information and that you have everything as it should be, plus ensure you show additional proof of your ongoing relationship (with any new physical evidence such as boarding passes, plane ticket info, photos, etc., or additional communications/IMs, phone records, signed reaffirmation of being free and able to marry in 90 days letters, etc.).
 
If you have all that and your vaccinations and medical done, you are meeting the requirements you need to show.  But now you need to show sincerity about your relationship and the questions they ask, at the interview.  Channel any nervousness into energy that keeps you positive in your interview.  Some people get very tough interviewers, while others are nice.  Some people get 4 questions, some get 30 minutes of questioning.  I'd recommend checking out the Nigerian embassy forum to see if you can find others who have interviewed there and what kinds of questions they were asked and their reviews of the embassy.  
 
My fiance and I found lists of questions online, compiled them, and went over them. It was more a practice to cover any questions that could possibly come up, so he would feel more confident in the interview.  But of course we know each other so well, so it came easy for him.  The reason you want to go to the USA, if asked, is always to marry your fiance(e).. sometimes they ask questions to trip you up - maybe you also want to get good work and provide for your family, or whatnot, but I've heard of people being denied for answering that simple question incorrectly.
 
I don't want you to fear the interview.  Remember that you've been preliminary approved, gotten through the NVC background screening, and if you've shown good evidence in the first petition and in the documents you bring to the embassy to support your relationship, then there will be less you have to 'prove'.   
 
I posted the questions we got on our timeline.  You can also see others who interviewed at the Nigerian embassy on this page: http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Nigeria&cty=Lagos (on the right hand side) and see if they left reviews.
 
I found this posting of an interview in Nigeria. It was for a spousal visa, not a K1, so some different questions; but it gives a very thorough review:
Good luck to you!

Requirements may differ, at different embassies, but for the embassy at Sydney, it is saying you must have the original.
 
Also, the I-129F instructions (https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf) sate that copies, not originals, are needed, but you may be required to provide originals at any time. In terms of the birth certificate it says "If you were born in the United States, submit a copy, front and back, of your birth certificate."
 
Per the form I linked at the top of the page (instructions in the letter from the embassy in Sydney, for things you must bring to the interview), you will need an original (and a copy) of your fiance's and your birth certificate.  Your fiance or you should have the letter/email of instructions from the embassy, which might be more updated that the one I linked above.  The one I linked says you must bring:
BIRTH CERTIFICATE(S)
Birth certificate issued by the Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages for each applicant.  Original and one copy.
 
Our embassy instructions for Algeria were worded differently, but had the same requirement: "original birth certificate of each person named in the applications is required".
 
To note, this birth certificate must be an official copy from vital records, not one that says it is for 'Medical and Health use only.' Your fiance should have supplied them a copy of his official birth certificate for the I-129F petition, so he should send you the original of that (plus any originals of other official or singed copies of documents or evidence that he provided in the petition). I'm pretty sure your fiance must have the correct kind of birth certificate, or you would have gotten an RFE during the USCIS review, but just make sure.
 
Best wishes!!!

Hi jgschuck,
 
I found a map of what the US considers high fraud countries for visas (K1/K3):  http://mypathtocitizenship.com/which-countries-are-on-the-uscis-high-fraud-list/
 
Pretty much if you aren't from Europe, Australia, Canada, etc... you're country may be on that list.  Check out the embassy's page for Brazil.  Ours had this lovely fraud warning on it:  https://algiers.usembassy.gov/marriage_fraud.html
 
Also, if your country is one with a high denial rate of travel visas or that require a visa at all to come to the US, you will be under greater scrutiny.
 
I did a lot of searching on YouTube and I found this one on front loading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdsYFykFAo4.  To note, I did not use his services and am not promoting this particular person, because I fully believe we are all capable of putting these packages together ourselves.  But this was one that helped me realize that I needed to front load my packet.
 
You can do a Google search on 'front load K1 visa petition' to find lots of sites talking about it.  The main thing is the be very good at documenting, filling out the forms, signing them, explaining any details that need further explanation in Attachments.  You can get Requests for Evidence (RFEs) for missing things and not filling in things completely, which delay your case, so just taking the time on getting the petition completed to the best of your ability and proofreading it is most important.
 
I also was selective in what content I shared.  I copied screenshots, Skype shots of me with my fiance and his family/friends, with conversations about us that showed we were a real couple. I wrote details about each screenshot. I took several weekends to compile this.  I know I went overboard, but in my case, we wanted to circumvent any flags.  My fiance had a very successful interview as a result of that front-loading, I believe.  We also provided a ton more info in our 2nd packet, that he brought to the embassy, to show a continuing relationship and extra financial details that the minimum. 
 
As for your other question on the passport - scanned all pages, inserted them into a word file and decreased the size of the pages that were blank; only making the biometrics page and any pages with stamps from our vacations bigger (for readability).  This brought it down to 8 pages.  You want to show the whole thing so there is no doubt that all the pages come for the passport you are presenting.  If I'm remembering correctly, for the petition, you have to show the US Passport as a requirement, so make sure all pages can be read easily.  I also provided my fiance's passport, to show the stamps for our vacation in another country; so that one I got down to 4 pages (making blank pages smaller than on mine) - you can work with it.
 
You will need a LOT of ink for this process, especially if you front load and put pictures/screenshots in documents.  I also included physical photos.  If you don't have a home printer with a scanner, you might want to get one
 
Oh, and we did sign all the forms.  Be sure to use black, not blue, ink.  Also, I used to live in Colombia, and if Brazil is similar, it can be very costly to send mail; you must use FedEx/UPS/DHL or some other courier service to ensure mail arrives.  You will need 'wet' signatures on the Proof of Intent to Marry and the G-325A from your fiance.
 
For some of your other questions:
do the passport pictures need to be signed on the back? Or just labeld "Photo of _*name*" ? I wrote in pencil on the back of mine my name, my fiance's name, anyone else's name in the photos (if you have many people you can say 'fiance's family, friends, etc.) and the location we were at (country, city, sometimes location like restaurant, airbnb, Vacation in Country, etc.).  I did this because of some research that said to do it or suggested it (sorry I don't remember). will we be looked down upon if we include more than say, 10 pictures? Not at all.  The VisaCoach guy gives recommendations on the types of photos to take - happy, showing background scenery, family, places visited, wearing different clothing/taken on different days/different places - if you had the date embedded on the photo, that is good, but if not, be sure to add it to the back).  I also included many photos in the screenshots/posts from FB, IMs, etc. are text screenshots important to include? Oh yes.  I think you want to ensure  you show a pattern of how much you communicate, how public your relationship is.  If you are front-loading a petition because your country is considered high fraud, I suggest showing things that indicate your fiance's friends and family (and yours) know about you two; how you communicate, how often, the quality of communications. does my entire passport need to be scanned? meaning - every single page? Yes; as above, scan and reduce the size to get each page into a Word file - make sure biometrics and passport stamps for travel are easy to read. Best luck to you and if you have any questions, feel free to contact me.  I can only speak to what I've researched and done, but I'd be happy to let you know what I did, in our case.
 

Hi jgschuck,
 
I just wanted to share that if your fiance is coming from a country that has a higher denial rate (you can look up statistics) and/or if you have any 'red flags' in your relationship such as age differences, differences in religion, few vacation time together or whatever the case may be, you may want to 'front load' your application with extra details that support the case for your relationship. This is not for USCIS, but for the embassy review.
 
I found one person online called the VisaCoach, or something similar, who talked about this issue of 'front-loading'.  You could look into and see if you want to go in that direction.  I feel it is better to over rather than under-document, to alleviate any questions prior to getting to the interview stage.
 
We 'front loaded' our application with lots of information, because my fiance is from a country with a higher denial rate, we've been solely long-distance with only 2 vacations together, etc. USCIS will look for what is required, and nothing more; however, the embassy will review this packet in full; so it is good to front load in certain cases, such as ours.
 
Best luck to you all!!
 
Here is what we provided (from our cover letter on the I-129F):
- Payment in the amount of $340.00 (check #XYZ)
- G-1145 (e-Notification of Application/Petition acceptance) – 1 Page
- I-129F (Petition for K-1 Fiancé Visa) – 6 Pages
  o    I-129F Attachment, with explanations on the following questions – 9 Pages:
        §  Part 1: XYZ
        §  Part 2: 34.a Explanation of Meeting in Person
        §  Proof of XYZ
- G-325A and passport-style photo (Petitioner) – 1 Page
- G-325A and passport-style photo (Beneficiary) – 1 Page
- Birth Certificate (Petitioner) – 3 Pages
- U.S. Passport with stamps to/from Vacation/Travel visa (Petitioner) – 8 Pages
- Letters of intent to marry (Petitioner & Beneficiary)
- Proof of having met in person in the past two years
  o    23 vacation photos
  o    Plane boarding passes, vacation receipts with photos, apartment rental (Airbnb) – 14 Pages
  o    Travel itineraries (Petitioner and Beneficiary); Airbnb confirmation receipt – 6 Pages
  o    Passport pages showing visa stamps (Beneficiary) – 4 Page
- Proof of wedding plans – 24 Pages
  o    Evidence of wedding plans: wedding officiant contract/deposit/emails, emails with caterer, rental quotes, reception invitation sample
- Additional proof of relationship (including ongoing relationship)
  o    Confirmed tickets for upcoming vacation together; invitation letter, receipt from visa service, visa stamp for vacation; engagement ring receipt, Proof of Income – 7 Pages
  o    Correspondence samples (email, Skype, Facebook) – 62 Pages
  o    17 Photos taken during Skype sessions, including family & friends

Hi SAM JBI,
 
Thank you so much!  I want to report that our visa status went to ISSUED today!  I believe 100% without contacting my Congressman's office, this would not have happened.  We have to wait through the weekend for the courier service to notify us of when it is ready to pick up (my fiance's passport is not yet trackable on the ustraveldocs.gov site).
 
Feel free to contact me via the email for any specifics about your case.  I'm not sure what state the petitioner is from, in your case.  As the U.S. petitioner, I did a Google search for my state and "Congressman's Office".  I got the nearest office's website for my voting district, which is in Raleigh NC (http://holding.house.gov/).  If you all are out of Dallas, Texas (per your profile), I looked up and saw several congressmen.  You will either have to know the voting district for the petitioner or call one of the offices and they can tell you which congressman serves your district.  I found these, as examples:
 
 
 

Hi All,
 
Another update - we contacted our Congressman's office today, as I mentioned in the previous post.  We already have an answer!  We sent in the form and evidence the office requested at 10:26am via email.  By 11:40am we got this response:
 
"Good news – the consular officer got back to me and said the visa is approved (there were unforeseen additional administrative issues) and your fiancé should have passport/visa in hand within 10 days, if not sooner. Please let me know when he receives it, or if he doesn’t have it in 10 days, also please let me know and I’ll get back in touch with our liaison in Algiers."
 
I can't speak to other Congressman's offices, but the lady I worked with at this one was so helpful and friendly.  I wish I had known to do it, sooner (although I don't suggest people take this option unless something seems to be going wrong, as in our case).  
 
Maybe you all can try to do the same and see if you can get additional information on your cases.  We may still have a couple of weeks to go, but at least we know better where we stand, now.
 
Take care!