Filing Myself or Professional help

[gc955 2]

Hey Guys

Just joined this site tonight, very good idea for people like myself who don't know much information. I'm in Australia and my Fiance is in the US(nashville). We are wanting to marry in October, What is the general wait times for the I-129F to be approved?

I would just like some feed back from any fellow Aussies or other international people that would be able to help me and guide me. I just need some insight and to find out if she should be filing this I-129F form straight away...

All help would be appreciated...

Many thanks

[TwoCats 55]

Right now, the wait time on the initial petition is 5-6 months. Give it another month at least to get to the embassy after approval, and then at least another 1-2 months for an interview. I wouldn't estimate less than 9 months for the entire process at this point, just to be on the safe side.

Many will tell you though: Don't make any specific plans until you have the visa in hand.

The fact is, the timing of things can change. A lot of people who filed summer of last year were in for a shock when the time it took to get petitions approved shot up from 3 months to 5-6 months. Better safe than sorry either way.

In general, VJ is a 'self petition' site. It gives all the information you need to be able to file yourself. If you have a strait forward case, without any major 'red flags' or issues that may require legal assistance, you should be fine filing yourself. It will save you time and money throughout the process.

Edited February 9, 2011 by TwoCats

[iampatricias 17]

Welcome!

This is a great place for information about how to file and what to expect! Check out the guides for the most comprehensive information about the process. I like this link to keep on track of where I am in the process. Just be aware that to get from step 3 to 4 is what is taking the longest - between 5-7 months these days. Marrying in October seems a tiny bit tight - I wouldn't put money on any plans until I had an interview date with the consulate, and even after the interview, plenty of folks here have had unexpected delays getting a visa in hand.

In any case, the this is a handy place to get informed!

[Barbara J 115]

Hey Guys

Just joined this site tonight, very good idea for people like myself who don't know much information. I'm in Australia and my Fiance is in the US(nashville). We are wanting to marry in October, What is the general wait times for the I-129F to be approved?

I would just like some feed back from any fellow Aussies or other international people that would be able to help me and guide me. I just need some insight and to find out if she should be filing this I-129F form straight away...

All help would be appreciated...

Many thanks

If you haven't started the 129f yet then I would suggest your fiancee get a move one. We filed last Feb, received 9th March approved 22nd June then sent to NVC national visa centre for a case number then on to Australia consulate in Sydney. This took just over a week. Got to Sydney July 15, then I received packet 3 which I had to supply all my info from Aus end did that as soon as I received packet 3 as I had all my information and documents waiting to send. (medical police report copies of birth cert and so on) SYdney consulate wrote back and can grant an interview within 4 weeks I had interview 17th August. Visa was held up as they lost a divorce decree from my now husband so we had to express mail and certify this for them. The they sat on that mail for 1 week til I emailed and complained that I had not heard anything. 1 more email and they were just going through that mail ggrr But I had my visa withing 24 hours lol from that last email. 31st August. Left Sydney 4th September married on the 11th Sept. If they have a good year then yes you could plan your marriage fro Late October. I had planned y wedding but it was only a small affair.

Right now, the wait time on the initial petition is 5-6 months. Give it another month at least to get to the embassy after approval, and then at least another 1-2 months for an interview. I wouldn't estimate less than 9 months for the entire process at this point, just to be on the safe side.

Many will tell you though: Don't make any specific plans until you have the visa in hand.

The fact is, the timing of things can change. A lot of people who filed summer of last year were in for a shock when the time it took to get petitions approved shot up from 3 months to 5-6 months. Better safe than sorry either way.

In general, VJ is a 'self petition' site. It gives all the information you need to be able to file yourself. If you have a strait forward case, without any major 'red flags' or issues that may require legal assistance, you should be fine filing yourself. It will save you time and money throughout the process.

In Sydney once they receive your packet 3 they schedule an interview within 4 weeks. Mine was exactly 3 weeks later

Edited February 9, 2011 by Barbara J

[Barbara J 115]

Hey Guys

Just joined this site tonight, very good idea for people like myself who don't know much information. I'm in Australia and my Fiance is in the US(nashville). We are wanting to marry in October, What is the general wait times for the I-129F to be approved?

I would just like some feed back from any fellow Aussies or other international people that would be able to help me and guide me. I just need some insight and to find out if she should be filing this I-129F form straight away...

All help would be appreciated...

Many thanks

Aussie K1 process - http://www.visajourn...interview-date/

AOS, EAD & AP - the Aussie Way (including document list) - http://www.visajourn...-list-included/

Aussie Chat page - http://www.visajourn...ussie-oi-oi-oi/

Aussie Name Change on Passport Process - http://www.visajourn...change-process/

Check these out from Vanessa she is a fellow Aussie and is great and has helped me a lot since I have been on here. But I never had VJ when I started just did it all myself so good luck and keep us informed ok.

[gc955 2]

Thank you all for your help and Information. I have been on the phone to my fiance and she is going to be applying for the I-129F at the end of the week. I told her that this needs to be done asap.

Thanks Barbara J for those links however they done work when I click them, I would love to see what Vanessa has wrote...

I will deff keep you all posted on how it goes and will post any questions or help that I need, I really appreciate everyones time...

all the best

[luckytxn 2,264]

Do it yourself. Lawyers charge a lot for nothing. You will still have to check the paperwork anyway they fill out. Also takes longer with a lawyer. With this site you can do everything on your own.

Of course that is if it is just a visa with no problems to complicate things.

[gc955 2]

I would just like to confirm. Is it $340 USD cheque that needs to be sent with the I-129F?

[TwoCats 55]

I would just like to confirm. Is it $340 USD cheque that needs to be sent with the I-129F?

Yes.

The current fee is $340 USD.

You can always check the current fee here: http://www.uscis.gov/i-129f

It needs to be sent with the I-129F and all the other supporting documentation.

If you don't know what you need to send, check out the guides or ask!

Edited February 10, 2011 by TwoCats

[gc955 2]

Yes.

The current fee is $340 USD.

You can always check the current fee here: http://www.uscis.gov/i-129f

It needs to be sent with the I-129F and all the other supporting documentation.

If you don't know what you need to send, check out the guides or ask!

Thanks! We are getting all the documentation ready this weekend and sending it Monday. I will ask if I have any other questions, thanks a heap

[Ashley y Diego 3]

Filing the 129f right away is a great idea! Don't rush though, make sure you have everything in order and make a copy before you send it in.

I tried to plan my wedding about the time I filed, and I did have to move it from the date we were originally hoping .. but I was able to get started by doing things that wouldn't matter the date (choosing invitation vendor, designing wedding dress, thinking about guest list, etc.). I also spoke with the vendors that were important to me (spent time choosing favorite locations and contacting representatives there), each time explaining the situation that we are planning for this date but cannot confirm 100% it will be on that date, and asking them to work with me in making plans with the option to move the date back if necessary. People were surprisingly helpful with this.

Best of luck!

[Ashley y Diego 3]

Oh and definitely do it yourself!

[Barbara J 115]

Aussie K1 process - http://www.visajourn...interview-date/

AOS, EAD & AP - the Aussie Way (including document list) - http://www.visajourn...-list-included/

Aussie Chat page - http://www.visajourn...ussie-oi-oi-oi/

Aussie Name Change on Passport Process - http://www.visajourn...change-process/

Check these out from Vanessa she is a fellow Aussie and is great and has helped me a lot since I have been on here. But I never had VJ when I started just did it all myself so good luck and keep us informed ok.

If you can't open the links from the post go to Vanessa and Tony's page and you should be able to get through that way Good luck

Edited February 14, 2011 by Barbara J

[gc955 2]

Hey Guys I have a question

Do i need to send my Passport photo with a Form DS-156?

I was reading it online for the photo requirements but not sure if its needed for this visa... Help please

Thanks

[Kiwifruit 0]

Hey Guys I have a question

Do i need to send my Passport photo with a Form DS-156?

I was reading it online for the photo requirements but not sure if its needed for this visa... Help please

Thanks

DS-156 you fill out online and send/take to Consulate for your interview. I had to do it for my J visa back in 2008.

Seems this foreign fruit is upgrading in the world, J to K LOL!

Hope you are staying dry mate