About to begin the Journey - I-129F questions

[jlhlj58 0]

First, I am a relatively new member on VisaJourney. I am preparing to file the I-129F for my Philippino fiancée. This site has been very very helpful. I have by now reviewed hundreds of postings and I am really impressed by the members’ contributions. I hope that I will be able to contribute something useful along the way.

In the way of background, my fiancée and I met on line on May 3, 2006, and soon after began our “long distance” relationship. I am a single father of a 9 yr old son, which limited my ability to travel to the Philippines to meet my fiancée, but in July, 2007, I was finally able to make the trip. (I hadn’t been on a plane or more than 5 hours away from home in 27 years haha) Due to my job and my son, I was only able to be away for 11 days, so my fiancée and I were only together for 9 days. Although it was a short period of time, every minute was quality, and it only took a few hours to confirm our faith in each other and what we had been feeling for each other during our 14 months of extensive webcam chat, telephone calls, and e-mails and letters.

Ok. Now for my I-129F issues.

Mechanical assembly:

I assume from reading many posts about assembly of the I-129F that two-hole punching at the top of the I-129F and supporting documents, and fastening them together with ACCO fasteners is the preferred method of assembly. This is suggested by following statement from the USCIS ‘tips on assembly’: b. Use ACCO fasteners to hold together thick or bulky applications or petitions. Two-hole punching the top of the material for easy placement in the file is appreciated. I use the word “suggested” because this ‘tip’ is not really clear. And the last sentence “Two-hole punching the top of the material for easy placement in the file is appreciated“ ‘suggests’ that “the file ” being referred to is their (USCIS/Embassy) own filing system – i.e. that they use a two-hole top-of-the page filing system in the processing of our petitions.

Am I correct in my assumption about this method of assembly ? Is this the right way to go ? I would really like to benefit from other Vjers’ knowledge about this. It seems that there should be a uniform or at least a “preferred” method method of assembling the petition which USCIS would communicate to the public, as it seems this would make their job processing the petitions easier. But there is not.

Photographs:

I am having some difficulty in deciding how to submit the photographs which make up part of the evidence of “Proof of Meeting”.

I have 8 photographs that I intend to use as part of our “Proof”. I first had the photographs printed out at my local Wal-Mart by using their online photo service at walmart.com. Undecided on what size to use, I had the photographs printed in both 8x10 and 5x7 sizes. I then learned that I could e-mail the photographs to my local UPS store and have them printed out in 8x10 size but centered on high quality 8 ½ x 11 copy paper instead of on photo paper. I did this also. The photographs can be attached to the rest of the I-129F, along with the G-325A, etc., just like any other 8 ½ x 11 form or document. It makes for a much neater and easier to assemble petition and eliminates the need for the plastic bag or photo sheets, and with the pictures on regular paper, all of this contributes to decreasing the thickness of the I-129F petition. Other than the difference in regular paper v. photo paper, there is absolutely no difference in the image quality. And further, going this route simplifies the use of the larger 8x10 image size which would make the identification of the petitioner and fiancée being together in the photograph easier for the examiner, especially with semi-distant shots, of which I have 2. Still further, in the same process, the identification, location, date, etc. that is typically written on the back of the photographs can be printed or otherwise endorsed on the front of the photo, either directly within the image or in one of the margins. It seems like this also would ease the work of the examiner by not having to remove photos from photo sheets, etc. And, this process is a lot less expensive than Wal-Mart’s photographs.

Maybe this is a form-over-substance issue and to an extent involves the definition of what a photograph is, but I know the government sometimes is very very much form-over-substance. I want to go with the UPS version on regular paper, because it makes the whole petition more uniform, easier to tab with smaller, more secure tabs, easier (it would seem) for the examiner to deal with, and less cumbersome. But I also know that the conventional way – using regular photographs, is how it has been done so far by the vast majority of VJers who ultimately get their petitions approved and visas granted. I know the worst that can happen is an RFE or return of the petition to start over, but just like anyone else already on or about to begin this journey, my fiancée and I don’t want any delays once we begin the ‘final countdown’. I would hate to get RFE’d because I didn’t submit actual “photographs” (in the conventional meaning of the word).

I sure hope that my post gets some feedback on this issue.

Copies of Documents:

I have 8 documents that I intend to submit as proof of our meeting. As with the photographs, my local UPS Store has an excellent color scanning service that is immensely better that using either a regular black and white copier or trying to do it at home. The documents/evidence are also printed out in color on 8 ½ x 11 paper. You can also have smaller evidence such as receipts and plane ticket stubs enlarged for easier reading, and like with the photographs discussed above, you can have printed with the color copy or otherwise endorse onto the copy identifying remarks or explanations as to what the document/evidence is and its relevance.

Is there any one who has tried this before ?

Relative to documentary “Proof of Meeting”, one such proof that I intend to use is my US Passport showing the Philippine visa endorsements page which documents my dates of arrival in and departure from the Philippines. These visa endorsements (the only ones in my passport) appear on page 9 of my passport. My question here is - Should I also copy the first 8 pages of my passport ?

Beneficiary’s Birth Certificate:

In a way, I am embarrassed to inquire about this, but I also want to make sure I am not overlooking something obvious.

I have read and re-read (about 250 times) the instructions for the I-129F petition, as well as reviewing all the forms, etc., also a couple hundred times. I understand very well that a required document for the petitioner is a copy of the petitioner’s birth certificate. However, nowhere in the instructions or any of the forms do I find it stated that the beneficiary’s birth certificate is required to be filed with the I-129F petition and supporting documents and forms.

Nevertheless, from time to time I come across a post that makes reference to the requirement that the beneficiary’s birth certificate be included with the initial I-129F filing. (the most recent being a post on Sept. 27, 2007, at 10:58 p.m. - see http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...9066&st=0#)

Can anyone give a “Final Answer” to this question. I think I have a good grasp of reading and interpreting government documents and I can’t see where the beneficiary’s birth certificate is required for the I-129F. But on the other hand, I am afraid that I might be overlooking something very obvious about a requirement for the beneficiary’s birth certificate and I don’t want to feel really stupid a few weeks from now.

“Copies of any evidence you wish to submit to establish your mutual intent”:

The I-129F instructions at 5.B. state the requirement of “original statements [of intent to marry] from you and your fiancé(e)” and then ‘invites’ the petitioner to submit “Copies of any evidence you wish to submit to establish your mutual intent”.

I have read many posts on VisaJourney that say that this type of evidence is not important in the initial I-129F filing, that its importance does not come into play until the Visa interview. And I understand reasons for this school of thought. Nevertheless, this language is in the instructions so I am not going chance underestimating the importance of such evidence and ignore the ‘invitation’ to give them some proof of our mutual intent, especially since I have plenty. Haha. But I also want to avoid bulking up the petition, so I am going to be selective about what evidence to use. My best evidence to establish mutual intent here is 17 months of phone bills showing almost daily contact and 17 months of 17 months of Western Union receipts showing bi-monthly remittances to my fiancée.

I would like to hear from VJers as to what evidence they have provided to satisfy the “Copies of any evidence you wish to submit to establish your mutual intent” language that appears in the I-129F instructions. And I would also be interested in more discussion as to why some VJers think this language is not important in the I-129F initial filing. This is opinion is very prevalent among VisaJourney members.

Well, I hope this post is not so long that it discourages responses. I really look forward to any replies and hope I can learn more from the collective wisdom of VisaJourney members. While each of our experiences that brought us here to VisaJourney are unique, each of our paths cross at this juncture and become common to all.

I hope also that in the coming weeks and months I can be a useful member of VisaJourney.

Congratulations to all who have successfully completed the Visa Journey, and best of luck to those who are still on their Journey, and to those who, like me and my fiancée, are about to embark on it.

Lee and Mayet

[RandyandRina 2]

Hello,

It seems to me that you have everything set and ready to go. As long as you read the GUIDES here on VJ, all you need is to sit and relax and wait for the APPROVAL notices. Here are some key points, and all answers to you questions are on these links:

Step-by-Step Guide on How to File for a K-1 Visa for your Foreign Fiance(e)

K1 Process Flowchart

FIANCE VISA: TIPS ON THE FORMS AND DOCUMENTS

Good luck on your journey!

One last thing, please do not forget so your next questions or concerns will be best replied to by our very knowledgeable VJers based from that information

Edited October 28, 2007 by RandyandRina

[Trusting Him 0]

My first piece of advice to you...keep your posts waaaaayyyyy shorter and secondly, this process is so crazy and complicated, I wouldn't sweat the small things like what kind of paper to submit your photos on. They won't send you and RFE for not having printed pixs on the right kind of paper.

Just follow the directions and you'll be fine. We just made photocopies of our pix and printed out a few letters and emails...and wambam thank maa'm...approved!

Good Luck

[Dakine 26]

My best evidence to establish mutual intent here is 17 months of phone bills showing almost daily contact and 17 months of 17 months of Western Union receipts showing bi-monthly remittances to my fiancée.

Save all that for the USEM interview when you have to prove you have a bonafide relationship.

Send a couple emails and pictures . You only have to prove you have met in person in the last 2 years.

If you want to add to the evidence after you get service center approval plan on making another trip.

They most ALWAYS ask the beneficiary "How many times you met"?

Not mandatory but no doubt helps.

9 days isn't much time to get to know a person anyway!

[EnS 0]

Regarding photos:

A friend of mine who has been through this two years ago told me not to put too many photos into the package as they will end up very heavy. Her case back then was that her package was too heavy and it was sitting at the customs forever on its way to the consulate until they called to complain.

What we did was organizing our pics by different visits on Office Word document (4 - 6 pics per page), then print out the documents. We have 7 visits totally to each other and so it was 7 letter-sized papers but all together about 40 photos. This way it is way lighter than sending 40 original photos. Also on each word document, you can add caption for each pic. For each paper, we add title too about who visit whom, where and when.

We had every document in our package either on A4 size or letter size, including our passport photos - we put them in a small ziplock bag and staple the bag to a letter-sized paper. It helped us to stay organized and hopefully helps the officer too when browsing our documents.

Good luck on your preparation!

[Fandango 1,439]

The 17 mos of sending your fiancee Western Union payments could be misconstrued.

I'd leave that out of the pkg.

[JenT 0]

My first piece of advice to you...keep your posts waaaaayyyyy shorter ...

Agree....

You do not need a copy of the beneficiary's birth certificate when filing a I-129F.

[pushbrk 12,824]

The 17 mos of sending your fiancee Western Union payments could be misconstrued.

I'd leave that out of the pkg.

Yes, leave it out now and no need to ever mention it.

[sunandmoon 450]

F pa

The 17 mos of sending your fiancee Western Union payments could be misconstrued.

I'd leave that out of the pkg.

I agree. including money remittances from before you have met your fiance could be misconstrued. once approved, your entire I-129f packet will forwared to the Embassy in Manila. If the CO notices all remittances, it might subject your fiancee to more intense questioning to make sure the relationship is genuine.

[mox 298]

I agree. including money remittances from before you have met your fiance could be misconstrued. once approved, your entire I-129f packet will forwared to the Embassy in Manila. If the CO notices all remittances, it might subject your fiancee to more intense questioning to make sure the relationship is genuine.

Agreed. Getting men to send them money before they've ever met is a huge scammer tactic. And while your SO obviously isn't a scammer, it'll probably make USCIS scrutinize your relationship harder than is necessary.

OTOH, what are people's thoughts about using Western Union receipts as evidence of an ongoing relationship at the consulate? That is, including receipts from *after* they've physically met at the interview? Does this strengthen the perception of a commitment or weaken it? I can see both sides.

[Jasman0717 9]

I followed the guide here on VJ including the ACCO fasteners and also dividers between each section and was approved in about two weeks.

[sunandmoon 450]

I agree. including money remittances from before you have met your fiance could be misconstrued. once approved, your entire I-129f packet will forwared to the Embassy in Manila. If the CO notices all remittances, it might subject your fiancee to more intense questioning to make sure the relationship is genuine.

Agreed. Getting men to send them money before they've ever met is a huge scammer tactic. And while your SO obviously isn't a scammer, it'll probably make USCIS scrutinize your relationship harder than is necessary.

OTOH, what are people's thoughts about using Western Union receipts as evidence of an ongoing relationship at the consulate? That is, including receipts from *after* they've physically met at the interview? Does this strengthen the perception of a commitment or weaken it? I can see both sides.

I would think that should be ok. I sent my wife a couple of money remittance receipts from after we had met and were engaged to use as evidence if need be.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

My first piece of advice to you...keep your posts waaaaayyyyy shorter ...

Agree....

You do not need a copy of the beneficiary's birth certificate when filing a I-129F.

Actually I have read on here that some people have gotten an RFE for not having the beneficiary's birth certificate in the initial package, even though it doesn't ask for it. I'm putting mine in anyway, just in case.