K1 visa, just starting.

[JohnC811 4]

I would have to agree that lawyers are a waste of time if your case is straightforward and simple as it seems yours is. You will need the money for the other things that will come next AOS is apx $1100 for the fees .... If it is any kind of indication I have at least $5,0000 spent so far and she is here we have AOS to do yet. The money was spent on fees, airfares, hotel and medical exam expenses this is not including what she spent R$3500 0r $2000 USD so save your money the instructions here are accurate and will save you $$$$

[Ron and Rhea 42]

John, thanks friend...will heed.

Hey all, let me ask you guys this, on the example forms section, it looks like they have examples put it the blanks, and you can change it to your own info, so its a fillable form. And could my fiance fill them out and email or forward them to me, so I can print them, or me do the same for her?

[Tahoma 2,292]

John, thanks friend...will heed.

Hey all, let me ask you guys this, on the example forms section, it looks like they have examples put it the blanks, and you can change it to your own info, so its a fillable form. And could my fiance fill them out and email or forward them to me, so I can print them, or me do the same for her?

Your fiancée will have to send you originals because original signatures are required. It's the same when you send your fiancée your I-134. It is a signed document, so it is required to be the original. Use Fed Ex or another carrier. Never send your documents through the Post Office.

For your I-129F packet that you will send to the USCIS, she will need to send you:

> An original G-325A.

> An original letter of intent to marry.

> A couple of her passport photos.

> Proof of annulment, proof of death of a spouse, proof of a name change...if any of these apply.

Those are the things I remember. If I missed anything, others will chime in.

[Ron and Rhea 42]

Oh ok Tahoma...I am waiting for her to get up as its like 430am there..so we can go over the new game plan...

[Brit Abroad 166]

If you're going to fill in forms and print them out, it's better to do it from the USCIS.gov website, as they have the latest versions of forms. Being a government department, forms change all the time.

One thing worth remembering: Make sure you make three copies of your entire packet. One for yourself, one for your lady, and one as a file copy. As you go through each of the immigration stages (Adjustment of Status once you are married, Removal of Conditions after 2 years as a green card holder, Citizenship) you will need to keep the NOAs as they are required as part of the next packet. Embassies can lose paperwork, so the file copy is your backstop if, for any reason, the original goes astray.

Something that helps a few people along the way: Have a planner (of sorts). Note down what needs doing and try to put them in order. The guides here will give you good instructions, but if you have a dated planner, you know when things are coming up - like the police report, CENOMAR, the medical, the interview, gathering of ongoing relationship evidence, picking up her SSN on arrival, AoS/EAD/AP (more acronyms to become familiar with!).

Perhaps the one thing we forget in our excitement to get through this process as soon as possible, is that your lady will miss a great many things about home once she arrives in America. It's all go-go-go until she gets here and then it's a big anticlimax where she is in a new place with new customs and everything seems overwhelming. Make sure your fiancee spends time with her loved ones, takes lots of photos, familiarises her friends and family with some sort of online video call system (Skype, Yahoo, MSN .. whatever floats her boat) and builds a lot of memories to bring with her. Those are the things that will give her comfort when she's stuck at home, unable to work, until her EAD or Green card come through. Have her go through her beloved possessions to determine what she wants to gift to others as a memento and what she chooses to bring to build her new home. It'll keep her busy, at the least.

Wishing you a speedy journey.

Edited August 19, 2011 by Brit Abroad

[Tahoma 2,292]

Make sure you make three copies of your entire packet. One for yourself, one for your lady, and one as a file copy.

Embassies can lose paperwork...

^^^ :thumbs: Agreed.

It happened to us.

[Ron and Rhea 42]

If you're going to fill in forms and print them out, it's better to do it from the USCIS.gov website, as they have the latest versions of forms. Being a government department, forms change all the time.

One thing worth remembering: Make sure you make three copies of your entire packet. One for yourself, one for your lady, and one as a file copy. As you go through each of the immigration stages (Adjustment of Status once you are married, Removal of Conditions after 2 years as a green card holder, Citizenship) you will need to keep the NOAs as they are required as part of the next packet. Embassies can lose paperwork, so the file copy is your backstop if, for any reason, the original goes astray.

Something that helps a few people along the way: Have a planner (of sorts). Note down what needs doing and try to put them in order. The guides here will give you good instructions, but if you have a dated planner, you know when things are coming up - like the police report, CENOMAR, the medical, the interview, gathering of ongoing relationship evidence, picking up her SSN on arrival, AoS/EAD/AP (more acronyms to become familiar with!).

Perhaps the one thing we forget in our excitement to get through this process as soon as possible, is that your lady will miss a great many things about home once she arrives in America. It's all go-go-go until she gets here and then it's a big anticlimax where she is in a new place with new customs and everything seems overwhelming. Make sure your fiancee spends time with her loved ones, takes lots of photos, familiarises her friends and family with some sort of online video call system (Skype, Yahoo, MSN .. whatever floats her boat) and builds a lot of memories to bring with her. Those are the things that will give her comfort when she's stuck at home, unable to work, until her EAD or Green card come through. Have her go through her beloved possessions to determine what she wants to gift to others as a memento and what she chooses to bring to build her new home. It'll keep her busy, at the least.

Wishing you a speedy journey.

Wow, such helpful info...I appreciate it so much. 3 copies, a date planner is a great idea as well...I know what you're saying about my g/f missing her family and friends. I've been down this road before, a long time ago. My first marriage, (and only unit I marry Diana), was to a Filipina, we were married 30 years, so I know how this move can affect relationships on her side. Needless to say I know lots and lots of Filipino's here in Md and I know Filipino culture very well....

[FannyJason 0]

Hey all, new here. My fiance and I are just starting the F1 visa journey, should be fun...not, lol. I am American, she is Filipina. We've known each other for going on 2 years. We've met in person twice, once in May in Manila and in July in Bangkok. I've met her family and we are very much in love.

She has never been married, no kids, no criminal record. I am divorced, with 3 grown kids, no criminal record.

I interviewed several immigration lawyers, I live in the DC/Balt area. I have chosen Matthew Glinsmann of Gaithersburg. His firm is high recommended. I had an initial meeting and went over all particulars. Got a good vibe from him, the only thing is the fees..the seem high, but maybe not. He charges a little over 4k to secure the F1 visa, then more if we do the green card once here.

I don't mind paying for excellent service, but man, that seems a lot, but is it worth it? Do we need to go this route? Any advise would be helpful.

F1 OR K1?

Lawyers are for troubles.

[Ron and Rhea 42]

F1 OR K1?

Lawyers are for troubles.

Yea they already got me on that..I keep saying F1..its a K1...and there are no troubles in our deal.

[Ron and Rhea 42]

Plus to follow up on my previous post..I work for the Airlines, so I fly for free or deep discounts, so my fiance will get same benefits when we marry...so she can fly back home several times a year if she wants.

[TiklingGuy 211]

Plus to follow up on my previous post..I work for the Airlines, so I fly for free or deep discounts, so my fiance will get same benefits when we marry...so she can fly back home several times a year if she wants.

Just make sure her AOS is done or have an AP before she takes advantage of those cheap fares.

[Ron and Rhea 42]

Just make sure her AOS is done or have an AP before she takes advantage of those cheap fares.

Oh yea for sure....

[Mandy_Amro 3]

Hi! You don’t need a lawyer unless your case has huge red flags. You seem to have sufficient intelligence to fill out and compile all the necessary documents. It’s pretty straight forward. Follow the K1 guide on this site. It’s very helpful. http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide Good luck to you both! Save the $4000 and have a special wedding.

[Ron and Rhea 42]

Hi! You don't need a lawyer unless your case has huge red flags. You seem to have sufficient intelligence to fill out and compile all the necessary documents. It's pretty straight forward. Follow the K1 guide on this site. It's very helpful. http://www.visajourn...content/k1guide Good luck to you both! Save the $4000 and have a special wedding.

Hey Mandy, yes thats what we thought too...As I said before, my fiance has way more intelligence than me, and also as another poster reflected, better looking too, haha.

[Ron and Rhea 42]

Update: Talked with g/f and she totally agrees to save the money for more important things...pretty much anything other than lining the pockets of a lawyer. So we are steaming ahead on our own, and with the help of my new friends on VJ....She is sending me her docs on monday, via FedEx...luckily I can send things to her, and anyone else, via Fed Ex, with a 75% discount as I work for the airlines and its an agreement our company has with Fed Ex.