K-1 visa questions

[yeye 0]

Hello All,

I have few questions, hope somebody can answer.

1) I am unclear on the process after I-129F is approved and sent to consulate. Can somebody detail the process from there?

2) I read packet 3 and packet 4 are sent by consulate. Can somebody detail what forms are part of the packets and where they can be downloaded from for New Delhi, India consulate?

3) Does I-129F approval expire after certain time period?

4) Is there a time limit to send the packet 3 and packet 4 to consulate?

5) I understand that you have to get married in US with this visa. But is it ok to get religious marriage ceremony done in India and then get legally married in US? I just want to get a feel of what people do.

6) When the fiance goes for interview, is the marriage date have to be fixed?

Thanks in advance.

[reeses16 8]

Hi, I can answer a few of your questions:

1) I am unclear on the process after I-129F is approved and sent to consulate. Can somebody detail the process from there?

Once its sent to the consulate, they will mail your fiance their interview date, with additional paperwork, and directions to complete the medical exam and get the police report.

3) Does I-129F approval expire after certain time period?

6 months, it can be extended if you request it.

5) I understand that you have to get married in US with this visa. But is it ok to get religious marriage ceremony done in India and then get legally married in US? I just want to get a feel of what people do.

A religious ceremony is a legal marriage. Is it not? I wouldn't do it. We just did it all in the US.

6) When the fiance goes for interview, is the marriage date have to be fixed?

Nope. You can just say you're waiting until you have the visa before picking a date.

Thanks in advance.

[Zee Bee 61]

Hello All,

I have few questions, hope somebody can answer.

1) I am unclear on the process after I-129F is approved and sent to consulate. Can somebody detail the process from there? Approved at CSC/VSC then to NVC then to consulate. Then the consulate will contact the beneficiary.

2) I read packet 3 and packet 4 are sent by consulate. Can somebody detail what forms are part of the packets and where they can be downloaded from for New Delhi, India consulate? Packet 3 includes info on the medical, getting police certificates and other details. The forms needed are DS 230, DS 156, DS 156K and DS 157. These may or may not be included because they are available online. Petitioner needs to send a notarized I-134 to beneficiary for the interview. Packet 4 is just the interview appointment letter.

3) Does I-129F approval expire after certain time period? The validity period for the I-129F is 4 months once it is approved but most consulates will extend it if it is needed.

4) Is there a time limit to send the packet 3 and packet 4 to consulate? If there is it will be noted on the packet 3.

5) I understand that you have to get married in US with this visa. But is it ok to get religious marriage ceremony done in India and then get legally married in US? I just want to get a feel of what people do. Some people do the religious/traditional ceremony abroad and then do the legal ceremony in the US. Some don't. Its up to you.

6) When the fiance goes for interview, is the marriage date have to be fixed? No.

Thanks in advance.

Edited March 7, 2008 by ZeeNusah

[MarkNAshley 0]

You can have a religious ceremony anywhere you wish, there can just be no signing of a marriage license. We had a religious ceremony and have had no problems.

[yeye 0]

Thankyou for replying to these questions.

Still not sure about questions 2, 4, 5 and 6. For 6, I have seen somebody in VJ forum got questioned because their marriage date was not fixed.

Could others please answer them?

Thanks

Hello All,

I have few questions, hope somebody can answer.

1) I am unclear on the process after I-129F is approved and sent to consulate. Can somebody detail the process from there?

2) I read packet 3 and packet 4 are sent by consulate. Can somebody detail what forms are part of the packets and where they can be downloaded from for New Delhi, India consulate?

3) Does I-129F approval expire after certain time period?

4) Is there a time limit to send the packet 3 and packet 4 to consulate?

5) I understand that you have to get married in US with this visa. But is it ok to get religious marriage ceremony done in India and then get legally married in US? I just want to get a feel of what people do.

6) When the fiance goes for interview, is the marriage date have to be fixed?

Thanks in advance.

[David_n_Amber 3]

2) packet 4 is just a letter saying when and where your interview is

3) no

4) no, do it ASAP though.. the longer you take, the longer you have to wait for interview date

5) ONLY if you do the marriage in india BEFORE coming into the USA.. otherwise you have to wait until you get Advance Parole in order to go back to india

6)no, you can get married anytime within the 3 month period

[bakofoil 27]

Re Q3 and the post above.

There IS a time limit on an approved I-129F. Your NOA2 is valid for four months following approval. The NOA2 has an expiry date see here. However, as others have said, an extension can be granted by the consulate.

Q4) I would imagine this all depends on your NOA2 expiry date and whether or not you have informed the consulate that you require an extension. There is no reason why, if you need to delay things a little, you can't return Packet 3 and request a later interview date in a covering letter. The consulate will advise you if they need Packet 3 to be updated if there is an extended delay.

It is worth bearing in mind here that following interview approval, the visa does not expire for six months which affords you more time if required.

Q6) The marriage should take place within 90 days of entering the US on a K1 visa. The marriage date does not need to be fixed. Take an updated letter of intent to marry (like the one used in the I-129F petition) from beneficiary and petitioner with you to the interview.

Edited March 8, 2008 by babblesgirl

[Zee Bee 61]

Thankyou for replying to these questions.

Still not sure about questions 2, 4, 5 and 6. For 6, I have seen somebody in VJ forum got questioned because their marriage date was not fixed.

Could others please answer them?

Thanks

One thing to keep in mind is that every consulate is different. If you want consulate specific answers then you may want to post in the regional forum appropriate to your consulate.

2. The forms can be downloaded from the consulate website or here: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html . Sometimes the consulate will include them in packet 3 but not always. You can also check with your particular consulate because sometimes you can send in the forms before physically getting packet 3 to get the interview date sooner. I outlined the forms needed in my previous post.

4. There is no time limit. Some people send the packets as soon as or before they get packet 3. Some people take some time to keep in line with their plans. Like I said before, if there is a time limit it will be stated in packet 3. In our packet 3 it just said "return the forms as soon as you have completed the checklist" or something like that. You may want to check with people who have gone through your particular consulate to see what the wording is.

5. Like I said before, some people do and others don't. Its up to you on what you want to do. Some people will do a ceremony in the beneficiary's country for the benefit of family there. The only thing is that you do not get legally married and then enter the US.

6. You do not need to have a date. There is no requirement to have a date. If you feel like you should have one then go ahead and have a date. No one is going to follow up on it.