Question about frontloading and packaging I-129F

[Lynkali 163]

Hi all, first time posting here but have been browsing for a month or more. I'm just a few days away from sending off our first packet, the I-129F initial petition and I'm getting pretty nervous about doing everything right, like I'm sure we all do!

I'm planning on frontloading all/most of the information about our ongoing relationship, because Mikko and I have met in person 5 times, and THREE of those trips to meet were in the last two years -- so I think it's best to include documentation for all of those meetings in the last two years, which makes for a pretty hefty packet (plane boarding passes, photos of us together, credit card receipts, my roaming cell phone charges from his city, hotel reservations, everything from three different visits!). Once I included all that, I just went ahead and added in a few extra things about how we initially got to know each other and some chats/phone logs, etc from our six-year relationship. Seems easier to get that ALL done now, so we won't have to supplement with more information later.

However, now I worry about presentation and if the USCIS people will not want to look through all of our info.

So my question is: I am planning to make one small plastic folder of just the forms and birth certificate, letters of intent, all the main things, but put ALL of the 'proof' and documentation of our meetings in person into a separate larger folder. I also have written, both on the I-129 form and in the cover letter, a sentence stating that the documentation for visits together is in the larger packet. The larger packet is clearly labeled and has a table of contents so they can glance to where the info they need is.

But is there any reason to make a THIRD packet with only the boarding passes, photos, etc that provide proof of our last meeting (in July 2012) to prove ONLY that? Anyone actually taking time to look through our material will find the info they need (more than they need, I think!), but I just worry that they might not look through the larger packet and think I didn't document the most recent trip, since it's at the end of a long packet? I know USCIS is most concerned right at first with the meeting-in-person requirement, so how can I make that proof obvious, without creating a whole duplicate of our 'ongoing relationship' documentation?

Obviously I think I'm overanalyzing and worrying too much (as I usually do), but when other people frontload the relationship material, do they include the meetings-in-person or keep that separate?

Thanks for any advice!

- Nancy (USA) and Mikko (Finland)

[Bumbero 130]

Your idea for using plastic folders may be a good one, however, they will be thrown out and your file will be placed in a top clip USCIS binder for review. All that effort you are going to make in keeping things seperate will probably make no difference in the long run. It may even confuse the reviewer when he/she looks over your petition. Most posts I've seen say to use paperclips or large clamps to hold your petition together.

A lot of long time members for VJ have said that front loading with an over abundance of material is not needed and could confuse the reviewer. Use of several pieces of evidence from each visit over the span of your relationship might be a better idea. Keep it simple for the petition and save all the proof of ongoing relationship for the CO interview.

Don't over think it, follow the K1 guide here on VJ! Good luck!!

[TBoneTX 43,157]

Your idea for using plastic folders may be a good one, however, they will be thrown out and your file will be placed in a top clip USCIS binder for review. [...] use paperclips or large clamps to hold your petition together.

This is accurate advice.

A lot of long time members for VJ have said that front loading with an over abundance of material is not needed and could confuse the reviewer. Use of several pieces of evidence from each visit over the span of your relationship might be a better idea.

In general, yes, but let's add important clarifications. The amount of front-loading (beyond what USCIS requires) depends on the consulate where the interview will occur. For some consulates, no front-loading is necessary. For others, front-loading is crucial, because the CO can refuse to accept evidence brought to the interview and then claim that the existing evidence is insufficient.

Don't over think it, follow the K1 guide here on VJ!

This, plus read the "Embassy Info" and "Reviews: Embassy" (links atop every VJ page) for YOUR consulate.

[Bumbero 130]

This is accurate advice.In general, yes, but let's add important clarifications. The amount of front-loading (beyond what USCIS requires) depends on the consulate where the interview will occur. For some consulates, no front-loading is necessary. For others, front-loading is crucial, because the CO can refuse to accept evidence brought to the interview and then claim that the existing evidence is insufficient.This, plus read the "Embassy Info" and "Reviews: Embassy" (links atop every VJ page) for YOUR consulate.

Thanks for the clarification!

[Lynkali 163]

Thanks for the advice ... to both of you!

Most posts I've seen say to use paperclips or large clamps to hold your petition together.

I'll try this, I guess ... but some other posts here showed pics of folders and tabs labelled for easy reference, which just seemed perfect to me. Worried about pages falling out and getting lost if it's just a clip!

Use of several pieces of evidence from each visit over the span of your relationship might be a better idea.

That's exactly what I have (a few pieces of evidence from each visit), but with 5 lengthy visits, it does add up to a fair number of pages, there's no way a simple paper clip will suffice!

follow the K1 guide here on VJ! Good luck!!

The K1 guide is a lifesaver and I'm following it to the letter, INCLUDING the part that states "There is no minimum, but the more you can provide the less likely you are that you will receive an RFE" and talks about frontloading proof of ongoing relationship! So, doing that I think won't hurt, based on a month of browsing old posts here ... and it only adds like 3 pages to the entire thing to just include one screenshot of skype call logs and a 3 scanned postcards and packages.

I really don't think I'm going that far overboard, just that there's a TON of proof of us actually having met for lengthy visits in the last two years, which is the most important proof at this stage.

But I guess a heavy duty clip would work .. still think labelled tabs on the pages might be helpful, does anyone disagree?

[aws&ndd 103]

I actually used a few paperclips in my package. I kept similar items together by paperclip, and just had them in order based on the cover letter. I think as long as you have everything in order, you won't need labeled tabs. I never used them. My package altogether was maybe 40 pages.

[Bumbero 130]

I actually used a few paperclips in my package. I kept similar items together by paperclip, and just had them in order based on the cover letter. I think as long as you have everything in order, you won't need labeled tabs. I never used them. My package altogether was maybe 40 pages.

Good luck to you!!

[TigerFlower 61]

I used paper clips with tabs attached to them, to separate each item. I also had a table of content for all of the visits, for we had 5.

[pddp 240]

No need to front-load for Finland. Just make sure that after looking through your evidence, no sane person can legitimately claim that you have NOT met in person over the past 2 years. The minutiae of your relationship is none of the USCIS' concern. And one more thing: DO include copies of ALL pages of BOTH of your passports!

Edited October 15, 2012 by pddp

[elyhim 41]

I used paper clips with tabs attached to them, to separate each item. I also had a table of content for all of the visits, for we had 5.

I frontloaded also and used paperclips with the big clip holding it all with a good cover page for content.

Front load all you want but keep the presentation simple.