About to file 129 ....

[ILoveTan 0]

Thank you to everyone here for both putting up with my weird personality, big mouth, strange sense of humor AND helping me decide to file without spending MORE MONEY on a lawyer. I feel really confident that with the help of this great group of people, I can do this on my own. YOU ALL DESERVE LOVE AND HAPPINESS AND I WISH YOU ALL SUCCESS AND NOTHING BUT TRUE LOVE THAT LASTS A LIFETIME!

As for the questions.... With the 129, I send photos and proof. Do the photos need to be actual photo photos if this makes sense or can they be color print outs from my digital camera? I think I can have the digital cam shots made into photo photos somewhere in vietnam but not sure.... also, is there a minimum or maximum to send? Obviously if I can do color print outs, I can put more than one on a page... that would save a lot of space and make my application look cleaner, there are just no real specifics about this...

Are copies ok for receipts and things? Black and white or must they be color? I am in Vietnam now, resources are limited and while I speak vietnamese, I am not FLUENT like a native and some things like: Color photocopy from digital image, I just don't know how to say in Vietnamese.

Also, since the 129 does ask about employment but does not ask for proof, what do I say here? Right now, I am currently unemployed.... ugh. Should I say that or would it be better to get a "new job" at least for the time being? This whole financial situation twists my noodle alot.... the main reason I wanted a lawyer but THEY don't really have answers for unusual situations like mine either..... EEEEE. Any thoughts on how to get around this? Just for those of you that don't know: I didn't work for 2007 so I have no tax forms to show. I have $50,000 in savings now. I finished a book project in 2007 and was offered an advance of $100,000 plus royalties on the book which I can take but didn't because they want 80% of my book profits. If I hold out and do my project a bit differently (which takes longer), I can probably keep 80% of my profits.... that is why I was waiting on the deal. Hard to explain. However, if I have to take the money in order to get approved for Tan (my man), I will... I love him that much. I was told $100,000 in savings is enough in lieu of "normal job and tax returns". On the other hand, I dont have that in savings NOW. I can probably get a "normal job" to put on the paperwork if this would be better than saying NO JOB. Any thoughts here? Sorry for the confusion, feel free to email me privately... I could really use advice on this. It is really the only problem of our petition.... I already talked to the consulate about my divorce and they were like SO? As long as you have divorce decree before filing, we don't care where you divorced or why. Okey dokey..... :-)

Thanks everyone

Linda

lindachaidez@yahoo.com

[Krikit 1,165]

It's possible that other countries are different but this is what I did:

1. Sent in two colour pictures printed on one piece of paper off my printer.
2. Receipts were b&w photocopies.
3. As to your employment question.... wouldn't the response be something along the lines of freelance work or writer or some such? I just attached a copy of my résumé, but I was the beneficiary.... not the petitioner.

Congratulations, and good luck.

[StoryAngel 4]

For the photos, as with everything else, a selection showing variety is best. We sent in pictures of us in different places and different times throughout our relationship, plus pictures of us with family/friends to indicate that we'd told people we know about our relationship (to prove it wasn't fake!). I think we sent in 6 pictures, which we printed off from the computer (in colour).

For your employment situation, I think Crikey!'s idea is a good one, but seeing as at this stage you don't need to provide any financial information (that happens later, at interview) it shouldn't matter if you put unemployed. At the petition stage you have to prove you have met your fiance in the last two years and that you're in an ongoing relationship; the financial support question occurs later. One step at a time!

[Zee Bee 61]

Photos are considered secondary evidence. I would include a couple but leave the bulk for the interview. In our case we did not include any pictures besides the passport sized ones.

Our receipts were photocopied, no issues.

You do not need any financial information at this stage. When you fill out the I-134 for the interview that is when you can include all the info about your job situation.

BTW: I don't see on the I-129F where it asks for employment of the petitioner.

[pushbrk 13,176]

Thank you to everyone here for both putting up with my weird personality, big mouth, strange sense of humor AND helping me decide to file without spending MORE MONEY on a lawyer. I feel really confident that with the help of this great group of people, I can do this on my own. YOU ALL DESERVE LOVE AND HAPPINESS AND I WISH YOU ALL SUCCESS AND NOTHING BUT TRUE LOVE THAT LASTS A LIFETIME!

As for the questions.... With the 129, I send photos and proof. Do the photos need to be actual photo photos if this makes sense or can they be color print outs from my digital camera? I think I can have the digital cam shots made into photo photos somewhere in vietnam but not sure.... also, is there a minimum or maximum to send? Obviously if I can do color print outs, I can put more than one on a page... that would save a lot of space and make my application look cleaner, there are just no real specifics about this...

Are copies ok for receipts and things? Black and white or must they be color? I am in Vietnam now, resources are limited and while I speak vietnamese, I am not FLUENT like a native and some things like: Color photocopy from digital image, I just don't know how to say in Vietnamese.

Also, since the 129 does ask about employment but does not ask for proof, what do I say here? Right now, I am currently unemployed.... ugh. Should I say that or would it be better to get a "new job" at least for the time being? This whole financial situation twists my noodle alot.... the main reason I wanted a lawyer but THEY don't really have answers for unusual situations like mine either..... EEEEE. Any thoughts on how to get around this? Just for those of you that don't know: I didn't work for 2007 so I have no tax forms to show. I have $50,000 in savings now. I finished a book project in 2007 and was offered an advance of $100,000 plus royalties on the book which I can take but didn't because they want 80% of my book profits. If I hold out and do my project a bit differently (which takes longer), I can probably keep 80% of my profits.... that is why I was waiting on the deal. Hard to explain. However, if I have to take the money in order to get approved for Tan (my man), I will... I love him that much. I was told $100,000 in savings is enough in lieu of "normal job and tax returns". On the other hand, I dont have that in savings NOW. I can probably get a "normal job" to put on the paperwork if this would be better than saying NO JOB. Any thoughts here? Sorry for the confusion, feel free to email me privately... I could really use advice on this. It is really the only problem of our petition.... I already talked to the consulate about my divorce and they were like SO? As long as you have divorce decree before filing, we don't care where you divorced or why. Okey dokey..... :-)

Thanks everyone

Linda

lindachaidez@yahoo.com

It sounds like rather than being unemployed, you are a self employed author. When the time comes for the affidavit of support, I think you are going to want to show evidence of and advance and publishing contract.

At petition filing time, your pictures and evidence are to show you've met in the past two years, not to prove bona fides ongoing relationship. However, since you've spent so much time together, I would document that as well. It does go to show bona fides which will be the big issue to overcome in your case. Printing pictures and making regular photocopies is fine for the evidence.

[pushbrk 13,176]

Thank you to everyone here for both putting up with my weird personality, big mouth, strange sense of humor AND helping me decide to file without spending MORE MONEY on a lawyer. I feel really confident that with the help of this great group of people, I can do this on my own. YOU ALL DESERVE LOVE AND HAPPINESS AND I WISH YOU ALL SUCCESS AND NOTHING BUT TRUE LOVE THAT LASTS A LIFETIME!

As for the questions.... With the 129, I send photos and proof. Do the photos need to be actual photo photos if this makes sense or can they be color print outs from my digital camera? I think I can have the digital cam shots made into photo photos somewhere in vietnam but not sure.... also, is there a minimum or maximum to send? Obviously if I can do color print outs, I can put more than one on a page... that would save a lot of space and make my application look cleaner, there are just no real specifics about this...

Are copies ok for receipts and things? Black and white or must they be color? I am in Vietnam now, resources are limited and while I speak vietnamese, I am not FLUENT like a native and some things like: Color photocopy from digital image, I just don't know how to say in Vietnamese.

Also, since the 129 does ask about employment but does not ask for proof, what do I say here? Right now, I am currently unemployed.... ugh. Should I say that or would it be better to get a "new job" at least for the time being? This whole financial situation twists my noodle alot.... the main reason I wanted a lawyer but THEY don't really have answers for unusual situations like mine either..... EEEEE. Any thoughts on how to get around this? Just for those of you that don't know: I didn't work for 2007 so I have no tax forms to show. I have $50,000 in savings now. I finished a book project in 2007 and was offered an advance of $100,000 plus royalties on the book which I can take but didn't because they want 80% of my book profits. If I hold out and do my project a bit differently (which takes longer), I can probably keep 80% of my profits.... that is why I was waiting on the deal. Hard to explain. However, if I have to take the money in order to get approved for Tan (my man), I will... I love him that much. I was told $100,000 in savings is enough in lieu of "normal job and tax returns". On the other hand, I dont have that in savings NOW. I can probably get a "normal job" to put on the paperwork if this would be better than saying NO JOB. Any thoughts here? Sorry for the confusion, feel free to email me privately... I could really use advice on this. It is really the only problem of our petition.... I already talked to the consulate about my divorce and they were like SO? As long as you have divorce decree before filing, we don't care where you divorced or why. Okey dokey..... :-)

Thanks everyone

Linda

lindachaidez@yahoo.com

It sounds like rather than being unemployed, you are a self employed author. When the time comes for the affidavit of support, I think you are going to want to show evidence of and advance and publishing contract.

At petition filing time, your pictures and evidence are to show you've met in the past two years, not to prove bona fides ongoing relationship. However, since you've spent so much time together, I would document that as well. It does go to show bona fides which will be the big issue to overcome in your case. Printing pictures and making regular photocopies is fine for the evidence.

[ILoveTan 0]

It sounds like rather than being unemployed, you are a self employed author. When the time comes for the affidavit of support, I think you are going to want to show evidence of and advance and publishing contract.

At petition filing time, your pictures and evidence are to show you've met in the past two years, not to prove bona fides ongoing relationship. However, since you've spent so much time together, I would document that as well. It does go to show bona fides which will be the big issue to overcome in your case. Printing pictures and making regular photocopies is fine for the evidence.

I have receipts from hotels, proof of travel together (plane and train tix), and of course my passport saying how long I was in Vietnam.... but how can I prove (other than pictures and engagement party) that I stayed at the families house for over a month? They (are supposed to but) are not filing with the police because they live in the middle of nowhere and police don't really check out here.... so.... how can I prove that I am here, typing this post right now from their computer?!?!?! hmmmmmmmm

Thanks

Linda (p.s. I have over 900 pictures now)

[payxibka 10,047]

I have receipts from hotels, proof of travel together (plane and train tix), and of course my passport saying how long I was in Vietnam.... but how can I prove (other than pictures and engagement party) that I stayed at the families house for over a month? They (are supposed to but) are not filing with the police because they live in the middle of nowhere and police don't really check out here.... so.... how can I prove that I am here, typing this post right now from their computer?!?!?! hmmmmmmmm

Thanks

Linda (p.s. I have over 900 pictures now)

The only thing you can do is put yourself in the country within the time frame required which is then supported by secondary infornmation.... The USCIS iunderstands this limitation....

[pushbrk 13,176]

I have receipts from hotels, proof of travel together (plane and train tix), and of course my passport saying how long I was in Vietnam.... but how can I prove (other than pictures and engagement party) that I stayed at the families house for over a month? They (are supposed to but) are not filing with the police because they live in the middle of nowhere and police don't really check out here.... so.... how can I prove that I am here, typing this post right now from their computer?!?!?! hmmmmmmmm

Thanks

Linda (p.s. I have over 900 pictures now)

The only thing you can do is put yourself in the country within the time frame required which is then supported by secondary infornmation.... The USCIS iunderstands this limitation....

A few extra pictures with family and an array of the couple in multiple locations and wardrobe is good evidence you've spent quite a bit of time together.

[ILoveTan 0]

A few extra pictures with family and an array of the couple in multiple locations and wardrobe is good evidence you've spent quite a bit of time together.

Well, maybe this is a question for the vietnam section of the forums but: do you think he should file with the police? He thinks he can get a paper stating I was at his house for a month *BUT* the catch is, if he lets the police know, they could force me to go, ask for money... who knows?!?! Not to mention the police hate him because he has been dodging army duties for a while now and dodging being a policeman himself... they want him because his dad was a soldier but Tan himself is not communist, doesn't believe in this system, and certainly doesn't want to work for "that side" if you know what I mean.... so what has more weight: the paper proof at his house for 1 month or the possibility of stirring up a hornets nest with the local police? Any thoughts? Thanx

p.s. (and this probably answers my own question - I have 900 pics, many with the family, in the bed at the house, using the computer, eating on the floor with them all plus travels to 4 different cities in Vietnam and the train tix and plane tix with our name AND even a letter from the hotel manager at one of the hotels we were at for a week stating that we were together 24/7 and they have never seen another foreigner speak vietnamese like me or a couple so much into each other, always hugging, kissing, laughing and we are an example for all those who seek love. How do you like dem apples? :-))

Linda

Edited February 22, 2008 by ILoveTan

[pushbrk 13,176]

A few extra pictures with family and an array of the couple in multiple locations and wardrobe is good evidence you've spent quite a bit of time together.

Well, maybe this is a question for the vietnam section of the forums but: do you think he should file with the police? He thinks he can get a paper stating I was at his house for a month *BUT* the catch is, if he lets the police know, they could force me to go, ask for money... who knows?!?! Not to mention the police hate him because he has been dodging army duties for a while now and dodging being a policeman himself... they want him because his dad was a soldier but Tan himself is not communist, doesn't believe in this system, and certainly doesn't want to work for "that side" if you know what I mean.... so what has more weight: the paper proof at his house for 1 month or the possibility of stirring up a hornets nest with the local police? Any thoughts? Thanx

p.s. (and this probably answers my own question - I have 900 pics, many with the family, in the bed at the house, using the computer, eating on the floor with them all plus travels to 4 different cities in Vietnam and the train tix and plane tix with our name AND even a letter from the hotel manager at one of the hotels we were at for a week stating that we were together 24/7 and they have never seen another foreigner speak vietnamese like me or a couple so much into each other, always hugging, kissing, laughing and we are an example for all those who seek love. How do you like dem apples? :-))

Linda

I don't think you need anything from the police. It's a good thing he never joined the communist party because that would open a whole other can of bad worms. Your pictures sound good. I'd get generous with them by printing 4 to 6 on a full page and half a dozen pages or so. Of course, include those tickets and receipts, particularly those that have both names. I would also write a one page supplimental evolution of relationship for (is it question 18 on the I-129F?) and make sure the facts about your visits are clear. Also make it very clear you speak the local language. All this will smooth the eventual interview. It isn't really needed to get the petition approved. What you're doing is going on record to extinguish some of the red flags in advance.