Help requested from Knowledgable VJ Members!

[GJen 9]

I've done my homework and read through manuals. I've just got to fill in some forms(that were already filled out, but then G had a change of date and we've got to make sure we're submitting factual information!), and print off a few things, but I've basically got it all loosely together. Well, really loose. I was wondering if you had a suggestion on how to assemble the pictures. I have them on an SD card, but I went and had them printed off. There's about 18 that span over my 3 trips to Venezuela. Should I glue them two to a sheet on write on the sheet? Should I print them off on photo paper and type up a caption?

Also, what about mailing off the package. Once I've got the I-129F itself assembled, how should I package it (I'm planning USPS w/ tracking, etc, but I'm referring to the actual packaging of the I-129F "package".)

Thank you.

Edited May 12, 2010 by Captain Ewok
edited to remove tos violations

[brightskte 18]

I wrote the captions on the back of mine and put then in a plastic sandwich bag. I then paper-clipped the bag to the section of my petition labeled "Proof of having met & of ongoing relationship".

As for assembly, I paper-clipped each section together and then bound them with an ACCO clip. I put a cover page on the front as well as a table of contents and then I made an additional cover page for my evidence. After the clipping and binding was done I just put it in a USPS flat rate envelope and sent it on it's way. Took 3 days to get there and a little over a month for my NOA2. Those were fast times for VSC, very fast times.

There have been a few threads about this since I started my journey, so maybe if you searched you could find what others have said about it.

Good luck!

Edited May 11, 2010 by Kayla*Mathew

[GJen 9]

(Hullo Push - watcha doink? you gonna blow a diatribe on how to use the search engine on VJ? )

Hey, nowwww! lol

In my defense, I tried!! I searched pictures and saw a couple things saying either way as far as the pictures! Most of the topics were talking about passport pictures. Anyway, I think he's a fairly logical guy and I'm obviously very analytical.. so I thought he might put me back into proportion and just make my mind up for me!

As for the packaging, I had already posted a thread on it and no one really answered. I thought, "Hey, pushbrk would probably know"! Not only that, I think people gravitate towards his witty/not-so-nice posts and that might help drum up some traffic and get my question answered!

There's a method to my madness!!

[GJen 9]

I wrote the captions on the back of mine and put then in a plastic sandwich bag. I then paper-clipped the bag to the section of my petition labeled "Proof of having met & of ongoing relationship".

As for assembly, I paper-clipped each section together and then bound them with an ACCO clip. I put a cover page on the front as well as a table of contents and then I made an additional cover page for my evidence. After the clipping and binding was done I just put it in a USPS flat rate envelope and sent it on it's way. Took 3 days to get there and a little over a month for my NOA2. Those were fast times for VSC, very fast times.

There have been a few threads about this since I started my journey, so maybe if you searched you could find what others have said about it.

Good luck!

I dunno about fast times for VSC, I'm envisioning it like a supermarket with registers- a sign saying "This Register(speedy NOA2) is for people with 20 items or less(petitioner's whose beneficiaries are anywhere other than Latin America)! lol

[brightskte 18]

This process is easy for no one. There is no speedy lane. There were couples from my month who were married and together long before Mathew and I knew his interview date. There were only two Montreal couples in September for VSC and we were the last two to interview. Of course we were a lucky group, no denials but there were a few from hard consulates as well in there. I don't think anyone has an easy time. We all have to wait. Sure, there's more scrutiny for other countries but we all wait the same, and we all miss our SOs.

I took the liberty of searching. Try using the word "assembling" and quite a few things come up. See the last post here. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/202140-how-to-organize-the-evidence-for-the-k-1-package/page__p__3049714__hl__assembling__fromsearch__1entry3049714

Edited May 11, 2010 by Kayla*Mathew

[Darnell 8,478]

yup - 'assembling', 'assemble' 'acco' - those terms bring up mucho gold.

[GJen 9]

This process is easy for no one. There is no speedy lane. There were couples from my month who were married and together long before Mathew and I knew his interview date. There were only two Montreal couples in September for VSC and we were the last two to interview. Of course we were a lucky group, no denials but there were a few from hard consulates as well in there. I don't think anyone has an easy time. We all have to wait. Sure, there's more scrutiny for other countries but we all wait the same, and we all miss our SOs.

I took the liberty of searching. Try using the word "assembling" and quite a few things come up. See the last post here. http://www.visajourn...1entry3049714

I'm sorry. I hope I didn't offend you. I guess G's past experience with being rejected a tourist visa has left me a little jaded! But I am supposed to be rejoicing when others rejoice! So..I'm very happy(and just a tiny bit envious ) that you guys are almost there! I hope you're getting excited about the wedding planning and that everything falls exactly into place!

Edited May 11, 2010 by GJen

[pushbrk 12,906]

So a couple months(or maybe even years) ago you had quite a time laying in to my posts! Now I'm back and you're silent.

While you don't always uphold the friendliest of tactics, I do trust that you have a wealth of knowledge!

I've done my homework and read through manuals. (Maybe that's why my posts aren't as fun for you anymore! haha) I've just got to fill in some forms(that were already filled out, but then G had a change of date and we've got to make sure we're submitting factual information!), and print off a few things, but I've basically got it all loosely together. Well, really loose. I was wondering if you had a suggestion on how to assemble the pictures. I have them on an SD card, but I went and had them printed off. There's about 18 that span over my 3 trips to Venezuela. Should I glue them two to a sheet on write on the sheet? Should I print them off on photo paper and type up a caption?

Also, what about mailing off the package. Once I've got the I-129F itself assembled, how should I package it (I'm planning USPS w/ tracking, etc, but I'm referring to the actual packaging of the I-129F "package".)

Thank you.

I would make color copies of the photos on plain paper, as many per sheet as will fit. Use a paper clip or binder clip to keep the papers in order. They won't get shuffled inside the Priority Mail envelope provided in the correct size by USPS free.

List the items in a cover letter and build the stack in the order mentioned in the list.

[GJen 9]

I would make color copies of the photos on plain paper, as many per sheet as will fit. Use a paper clip or binder clip to keep the papers in order. They won't get shuffled inside the Priority Mail envelope provided in the correct size by USPS free.

List the items in a cover letter and build the stack in the order mentioned in the list.

Thank you!!!!

[Brad and Vika 129]

Sorry to be a contrarian, but I think folks sometimes go a little crazy-retentive with the advice and prep. I sent the entire package with one big clip, check on top. No cover letter. A dozen or so pics in hard copy. Everything worked fine.

Try to relax a little. The visa you are chasing now is different than a tourist visa, especially for some one his age. If I remember your earlier posts, you had tougher stuff to work through than this at home. Best of luck to you!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

USCIS package assembly instructions: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=ff053d146a7ee010VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

BUT when you get to the AOS stage, THIS is what you need to look at: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=72a927c382f39110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD because here it says "Use paperclips when attaching supporting personal documents to forms (do NOT use “ACCO” fasteners; staples are acceptable when attaching fees)."

[S & M 0]

I've done my homework and read through manuals. I've just got to fill in some forms(that were already filled out, but then G had a change of date and we've got to make sure we're submitting factual information!), and print off a few things, but I've basically got it all loosely together. Well, really loose. I was wondering if you had a suggestion on how to assemble the pictures. I have them on an SD card, but I went and had them printed off. There's about 18 that span over my 3 trips to Venezuela. Should I glue them two to a sheet on write on the sheet? Should I print them off on photo paper and type up a caption?

Also, what about mailing off the package. Once I've got the I-129F itself assembled, how should I package it (I'm planning USPS w/ tracking, etc, but I'm referring to the actual packaging of the I-129F "package".)

Thank you.

You had excellent responses so far. Here is my personal experience.

1) When I filed the 129F for my fiancee, I glued / stapled 2 pictures to a 8.5 x 11 paper, with captions when the picture was taken [date, location, and event].

I also selected pictures that included other friends. I included their names in the caption, and as much as possible I tried to create a story through the pictures. For example, as part of the package, you have to write down how you met, and describe the times that you met face-to-face. Include a few pictures (and caption) that captured those events.

2) I included separators / tabs to make it easier for the officer to organize the package. I tried to imagine on how I would ask a secretary to organize the package for me.

Don't know if it helped, but during the AOS interview the officer said several times "you were organized, you did the right way". Doing the K-1 visa route was longer, but the best way.

Good luck,

Samuel

[Liz_Allan 0]

Don't know if it helped, but during the AOS interview the officer said several times "you were organized, you did the right way". Doing the K-1 visa route was longer, but the best way.

Good luck,

Samuel

Congrats on that organized package. Must have been something pretty nice if the IO complimented you. I'm quite sure they have a lot of cases come through, yours must have stood out or they wouldn't have mentioned it.

Can you please explain what you mean by "doing the k-1 visa route was longer"?

Longer than what?? LOL.... I guess I just didn't think about there being any other route to go besides I-129F to K1 to wedding in USA.

Curious as to what else you were considering doing?

[GJen 9]

Congrats on that organized package. Must have been something pretty nice if the IO complimented you. I'm quite sure they have a lot of cases come through, yours must have stood out or they wouldn't have mentioned it.

Can you please explain what you mean by "doing the k-1 visa route was longer"?

Longer than what?? LOL.... I guess I just didn't think about there being any other route to go besides I-129F to K1 to wedding in USA.

Curious as to what else you were considering doing?

I'm curious, too!

[S & M 0]

Congrats on that organized package. Must have been something pretty nice if the IO complimented you. I'm quite sure they have a lot of cases come through, yours must have stood out or they wouldn't have mentioned it.

Can you please explain what you mean by "doing the k-1 visa route was longer"?

Longer than what?? LOL.... I guess I just didn't think about there being any other route to go besides I-129F to K1 to wedding in USA.

Curious as to what else you were considering doing?

In my case, I met my now wife here in the States, and she went back to Brazil because the visa stay was expiring. She had tried to stay in the US, but the USCIS didn't approve in time for her to stay.

We had consulted a lawyer could help us get the greencard faster if she came to the States legally through any other visa (ie, student or visitor visa), and file for Adjustment of Status after getting married here. That's a 2-3 month timeframe.

Comparing to the K-1 Visa, you have to add another 6 months (to file 129F up to getting the visa). {Total of 9-10 months}

That's what the IO was referring to the K1 process being a longer process.

Samuel