Initial I-129F Package Questions!

[molly_ 1]

Hello! I'm in the process of filing for my fiance's K-1 Visa, and I'm pretty much finished assembling the initial I-129F package. I tend to worry though, so there are a few things I didn't see in the FAQ that I'd really like answered for peace of mind. I have to get all of this done before Tuesday, as I'm leaving to go visit my fiance for the summer and sending the package from there (since I still need him to sign some things and get a passport photo). I'm from the US and he's a British citizen.

I would truly appreciate any information or reassurance that could bring me peace of mind. I'm only 20, so this is just about the most stressful thing I've ever had to do. Worth it though, and honestly pretty exciting as well.

- As for proof of ongoing relationship-- I provided pictures from January 2010 up to October 2010. I've got 5 total, but even though he visited me in November-December and April-May, we didn't take a whole lot of pictures. I've got the names, date and location on the backs of each one and I've signed them all and dated my signature. Is that going to be enough?

- I wasn't sure how else to go about this, but I took a screenshot of a call log from my online T-Mobile bill and printed it out. I had long-distance calls to his number that added up to kind of a lot of money, so I circled the dates, number and total cost of the bill. There aren't a lot of minutes or even calls made, however- I only call him when it's important because of the expenses.

- I've got a copy of the e-Ticket for my initial flight to England in January 2010, when we met in person. On the same page, I've copied two train stubs from the same trip.

- I've got a receipt for the ticket for my fiance's last visit over here this past April.

- I've got a copy of my passport pages with all of the relevant stamps.

- I've got several screenshots of Facebook messages logs showing a lot of messages sent between us- one page shows messages from April-May 2010, the other shows messages from December 2010 to June 2011. However, I've blacked out with marker the subjects and content of the messages and added a note that personal message content was available upon request. I've also got a sample of messages between us where we talk about me visiting over the summer. I realize printing out Facebook messages as proof looks a little juvenile, but it's how we communicate day to day when we're not able to Skype. Texting would be expensive and we don't generally e-mail each other.

...and that's really all I've got. Are they going to hound me for more information, or should I be alright? I gave a pretty good description of how and when we met in person and each time we've met since, including dates of travel and locations and all. I'm fairly confident that my forms are all okay, too.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

In the initial petition, you do not have to prove ongoing relationship. You are going through a low-fraud consulate, so you do not need to front load your petition with anything other than what's necessary.

Ongoing relationship proof comes at the interview (and I believe I've read it's rarely asked for even then in London).

What you need to do is prove that you've met in person in the last two years, so the pictures are good. Pictures are secondary evidence. The e-tickets, passport pages, receipts for tickets - those are primary evidence and are necessary to include.

Again, in the initial petition, I wouldn't include phone logs or Facebook messages. Not necessary.

USCIS doesn't need proof of an ongoing relationship. They care about proof of meeting. Save everything else for the interview stage.

There's no harm in sending everything you've listed there, but it likely will not be looked at. If it gives you peace of mind though, by all means, include it all!

Edited June 12, 2011 by Coconuts

[molly_ 1]

Oh, that's good to know. Thanks for the quick response. I read in the VJ Step-by-Step guide that proof of an ongoing relationship was optional in the I-129F, but could help with a consulate's preliminary review of the case. Should I take all of that stuff out, then, or would it not do any harm by staying in there?

And if I'm going to be in the UK when I get my first (and possibly even second? not getting my hopes up) NOA, should I prepare more forms and things to bring with me? Or will I not need to worry about it until after August?

ALSO, do I need a copy of my fiance's passport stamps as well?

I'm fully aware I'm asking a million questions.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Oh, that's good to know. Thanks for the quick response. I read in the VJ Step-by-Step guide that proof of an ongoing relationship was optional in the I-129F, but could help with a consulate's preliminary review of the case. Should I take all of that stuff out, then, or would it not do any harm by staying in there?

And if I'm going to be in the UK when I get my first (and possibly even second? not getting my hopes up) NOA, should I prepare more forms and things to bring with me? Or will I not need to worry about it until after August?

ALSO, do I need a copy of my fiance's passport stamps as well?

I'm fully aware I'm asking a million questions.

It won't do any harm keeping it in. If you've already included it, no need to take it out, was just letting you know that you have more than necessary! Which isn't a bad thing.

A good idea would be, near the end of your trip, fill out the I-134 and gather the supporting evidence. Sign it and date it and send it back with your fiance as well as an updated letter of intent (if London requires that, I'm not sure - hopefully someone from the UK can answer that)

Copies of your fiance's passport won't hurt. All it does is prove that you've visited each other and that's never bad.

[molly_ 1]

Great! Sounds like I'm probably not going to have much of a problem initially, then. Hopefully. Thanks a lot.

[Ryan H 3,810]

OP: If you want to ensure that a CO sees your evidence, then the best time to include is when you file the petition with USCIS. This way, it becomes part of the file that a CO sees prior to the interview. As Coconuts said, evidence is rarely asked for at the interview by a CO, and that is not limited to London.

IMO, the interview is not the time to be submitting new evidence, I'm not suggesting going to the Embassy or Consulate empty handed, far from it. I'm only syaing the best time to submit evidence is with the initial filing of the petition.

[aguilayserpiente 2]

OP: If you want to ensure that a CO sees your evidence, then the best time to include is when you file the petition with USCIS. This way, it becomes part of the file that a CO sees prior to the interview. As Coconuts said, evidence is rarely asked for at the interview by a CO, and that is not limited to London.

IMO, the interview is not the time to be submitting new evidence, I'm not suggesting going to the Embassy or Consulate empty handed, far from it. I'm only syaing the best time to submit evidence is with the initial filing of the petition.

This is wise advice and exactly what VJ recommends- getting as much supporting information in the hands of the consular officer well in advance of the intervew: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide . That means including the information needed to support your petition with the initial submission. I don't know why when addressing the OP's question, the same people say the same thing- include less. Pack as much info as you can with your I-129F so USCIS gets it into the hands of the consular officer. Good luck!

[Penny Lane 8,159]

OP: If you want to ensure that a CO sees your evidence, then the best time to include is when you file the petition with USCIS. This way, it becomes part of the file that a CO sees prior to the interview. As Coconuts said, evidence is rarely asked for at the interview by a CO, and that is not limited to London.

IMO, the interview is not the time to be submitting new evidence, I'm not suggesting going to the Embassy or Consulate empty handed, far from it. I'm only syaing the best time to submit evidence is with the initial filing of the petition.

Does a USCIS employee really look through evidence of an ongoing relationship for a low fraud country, though? I'm honestly curious. It's not one of the requirements for the initial filing.

[Ryan H 3,810]

Does a USCIS employee really look through evidence of an ongoing relationship for a low fraud country, though? I'm honestly curious. It's not one of the requirements for the initial filing.

Evidence of an ongoing relationship is also not required for an initial filing if someone is going to interview in Lagos or Casablanca either. Just because it's not a requirement doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.

Furthermore, just because a country (such as the UK) has lower incidences of fraud doesn't mean a petitioner should hold back on the evidence. This is just one person's opinion.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Evidence of an ongoing relationship is also not required for an initial filing if someone is going to interview in Lagos or Casablanca either. Just because it's not a requirement doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.

Furthermore, just because a country (such as the UK) has lower incidences of fraud doesn't mean a petitioner should hold back on the evidence. This is just one person's opinion.

Doesn't really answer my question. I'm wondering if a USCIS employee actually looks at the whole package or if they simply have a checklist of what's necessary and look through that.

Nobody suggested holding back evidence. There's no harm in including it, I'm simply wondering if it'll actually get looked at in the initial stage.

[aguilayserpiente 2]

Doesn't really answer my question. I'm wondering if a USCIS employee actually looks at the whole package or if they simply have a checklist of what's necessary and look through that.

Nobody suggested holding back evidence. There's no harm in including it, I'm simply wondering if it'll actually get looked at in the initial stage.

I appreciate your question. The better approach advocated here is to pack the I-129F with information so the consular office receives it prior to any interview. Based on the horror stories in this website, any opportunity to educate a consular officer should be taken. The presumption of fraud attaches to all K1 visa petitions.

[Lynn n Sam 57]

We just filed on 6/8/11 for our I-129F and our attorney had us include a lot of documentation. They wanted 30-50 pictures, a letter from Clergy as proof of wedding plans, letters from friends or family that explained our relationship and future plans that we discussed with them along with all of the other required documentation. It was a lot of stuff! Now, we're just counting the days....

[Andie 147]

Sounds like you have lots of evidence of meeting... if you have any, boarding passes are better evidence than copy of your e-ticket as they prove that you did actually travel. Also dont forget to keep a copy of everything you send. Best of luck with your journey.

[Tanoushka 7]

We put proof of ongoing relationship right at the beginning.

Everything gets transferred to the CO anyway at the interview stage and they do look into it.

Some people get RFEs for not proving they met.

However like someone said before, London is low-fraud and quite an easy embassy

[molly_ 1]

Thanks, everyone! I left the Facebook messages and call logs in there. Hopefully it'll be good enough. As for the eTicket, it -is- a boarding pass, though it says eTicket on top. For my fiance's ticket, I only have the receipt/itinerary you print out after purchasing the ticket from Continental. Still, I think the passport stamps will say enough anyway.

@Lynn- That's a lot more than I even have available. 30-50 pictures? Damn. You'll certainly be covered, then.