For Cap'n Ewok - revising guides

[TBoneTX 45,309]

Cap'n.:

Read the suggestion in post #19 here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...15&start=15

I (for one) am getting tired of batting my head against the wall in advising caution. It has been proven over & over that the I-129F & I-130 packages often have impact at the consular stage -- beyond USCIS itself. I suggest that the guides be revised to reflect this, please, si man.

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

Cap'n.:

Read the suggestion in post #19 here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...15&start=15

I (for one) am getting tired of batting my head against the wall in advising caution. It has been proven over & over that the I-129F & I-130 packages often have impact at the consular stage -- beyond USCIS itself. I suggest that the guides be revised to reflect this, please, si man.

I'd like to lend my support to this sound suggestion. Too many people here assume that their experience is universally valid. In many cases, that experience came at consulates that are not known for putting people through the wringer. Then, when others pipe up and advise caution, these posters retort that "I'm advising exactly what the guides say!" I think a simple statement to the effect of "K-1 filers are advised to research the consulate that will be handling their visa interview and issuance prior to filing the I-129F to determine whether additional evidence of bona fide relationship is recommended to mitigate red flags at the interview stage."

An excellent article on this topic from the highly regarded immigration attorney Marc Ellis can be found at http://www.ilw.com/articles/2006,0323-ellis.shtm.

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

The guides for a K1 currently recommend to send with the I-129F:

Documentary Proof of Having Met in Person in the Past Two Years and an Ongoing Relationship:

Use as many of these items are possible. There is no minimum,

but the more you can provide the less likely you are that you will receive an RFE.

1. Copies of all airline boarding passes, train passes, itineraries, hotel receipts, passport stamps (make sure you can read the dates on the stamps), and other documentary evidence that you have met within the last two years. You may want to highlight or place post-it notes indicating the dates and locations on the copies (to make the adjudication easier) for the person reviewing your file.

2. Color Photo's of you and your fiance(e) together. Make sure you write your names, date, and location on the back of every photo. Provide two to five photo's. If you only have a single copy of the photo, then make a color copy and send that. If it is a digital photo, have it printed at a company such as kodakgallery.com. You can also make duplicates of photo's at your local photo store (Walgreeens, CVS, etc). Place photo's in a plastic bag or photo sheet and label the sheet. Note that you may not receive originals of photo's back.

3. The following items will not typically show proof of having met in the last two years however will show proof of an ongoing relationship: Copies of phone bills, cell phone bills, emails (you can edit personal info with a marker), letters (edit personal info also), stamps on the letters (to document the date they were sent), and other written documentary proof. Provide a reasonable amount; two to four of each type. Pick a range of dates up to and including the present. You can also include a copy of engagement ring receipt (this is something that is a big optional - do not worry if you do not have a ring yet!)

I suppose we can elaborate on item #3... as well as to emphasize the fact that this can potentially reduce issues later at the consulate.

[TBoneTX 45,309]

I suppose we can elaborate on item #3... as well as to emphasize the fact that this can potentially reduce issues later at the consulate.

Si, man... and add a boldface caution, to the effect of: "If you are in doubt regarding what to expect, it is prudent to prepare for the worst possible consular outcome that has been mentioned by others who have gone before you." That's the general idea, anyway.

[rebeccajo 14]

Maybe if people weren't so busy watching their timelines and instead were reading ahead and learning, they wouldn't have the problem.

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

I added this:

Additionally, please note that providing proof of your ongoing and genuine relationship in this package may benefit you by allowing the consulate to have access to this information prior to them formally contacting the non US Citizen fiance. Many high risk consulates approach cases with a skeptical eye and providing this information early on in the original I-129F package will help them in their preliminary review of your case.

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

I added this:

Additionally, please note that providing proof of your ongoing and genuine relationship in this package may benefit you by allowing the consulate to have access to this information prior to them formally contacting the non US Citizen fiance. Many high risk consulates approach cases with a skeptical eye and providing this information early on in the original I-129F package will help them in their preliminary review of your case.

Thanks Ewok. This looks good. I still wouldn't mind seeing a statement advising people to research their eventual consulate prior to filing the I-129F and to prepare the package accordingly.

Then again, I suppose if they aren't inclined to do their homework in this process, then no amount of hand-holding is going to disabuse them of that fundamental laziness.

[TBoneTX 45,309]

Good addition, Cap'n, si man.

Maybe if people weren't so busy watching their timelines and instead were reading ahead and learning, they wouldn't have the problem.

Very true. Perhaps the added text in the Guide will help at least a few who are not fundamentally lazy, zzz man.

[rebeccajo 14]

Good addition, Cap'n, si man.

Maybe if people weren't so busy watching their timelines and instead were reading ahead and learning, they wouldn't have the problem.

Very true. Perhaps the added text in the Guide will help at least a few who are not fundamentally lazy, zzz man.

TBone - I luv ya and I know you learned stuff the hard way - but I can kinda remember a certain guy who spent a whole lot of time trying to move his case through the service center when he could have been reading up on his consulate......

soooooooooooo........i'm hoping you're advising others from your bitter yet wiser pill of experience?

ie - some peeps are fundamentally lazy and then others just get distracted. Those of us who have been down a bumpy road can help them if we can figure out a way to get them to listen.........

Edited September 29, 2009 by rebeccajo

[TBoneTX 45,309]

TBone - I luv ya and I know you learned stuff the hard way - but I can kinda remember a certain guy who spent a whole lot of time trying to move his case through the service center when he could have been reading up on his consulate......

I was reading about the consulate, the whole time. There was no clue of what was to come, and I was one of the earliest of many who got hosed (some worse than me -- no one can approach what happened to PDXBicycleBoy). ...I was going to add the foregoing sentences to my message above, but I took them out, in order to avoid diluting two good messages from others with griping that exhaustively appears elsewhere.

[rebeccajo 14]

TBone - I luv ya and I know you learned stuff the hard way - but I can kinda remember a certain guy who spent a whole lot of time trying to move his case through the service center when he could have been reading up on his consulate......

I was reading about the consulate, the whole time. There was no clue of what was to come, and I was one of the earliest of many who got hosed (some worse than me -- no one can approach what happened to PDXBicycleBoy). ...I was going to add the foregoing sentences to my message above, but I took them out, in order to avoid diluting two good messages from others with griping that exhaustively appears elsewhere.

OK. Wasn't looking to pick a fight.

[TBoneTX 45,309]

OK. Wasn't looking to pick a fight.

Didn't think that you were, no man!