Letter of Intent question

[Ray-J 2]

On the advice of Gary and others, I didn't mention the pregnancy at the petition filing stage. Now that we have our NOA2 and are preparing all the documentation for the interview, I'm wondering if this would work for my letter of intent to marry:

I, Raymond Jornd, do hereby state that I am still legally able and willing to marry Amy R. Antonio, and intend to do so within 90 days of her arrival into the US using the K-1 visa. Presuming Amy’s visa is approved, we expect an entry date of November 11, 2011. Our wedding date is set for January 7, 2012. At the time of the writing of this letter, Amy is currently pregnant with our first child. We are planning to have the birth take place in the Metro Manila area in Mid-October. We will submit papers for a CRBA as soon as all supporting documentation can be secured.

I look forward to any and all suggestions. Thanks in advance.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Didn't you already submit a letter of intent to marry when you filed the I-129F? You don't need to write another one.

[Robby999 1,024]

A current updated Letter of Intent could not hurt! Many people prepare a new letter of intent just for the interview to reaffirm their intentions of marriage. Might even help since she is pregnant now!

Edited August 22, 2011 by Robby999

[Ray-J 2]

Didn't you already submit a letter of intent to marry when you filed the I-129F? You don't need to write another one.

Yes, I did submit one when I filed. According to the guides on here, another one is needed for the embassy. In addition, the guides do say to make a duplicate copy of the petition packet for the interview.

A current updated Letter of Intent could not hurt! Many people prepare a new letter of intent just for the interview to reaffirm their intentions of marriage. Might even help since she is pregnant now!

She was pregnant when we filed. We found out a few days before Valentine's Day. Our filing date is in early April.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Yes, I did submit one when I filed. According to the guides on here, another one is needed for the embassy. In addition, the guides do say to make a duplicate copy of the petition packet for the interview.

I would suggest you write what you wrote before. With regards to you wedding date, all you have to say is something such as, "we have scheduled our wedding for January 7, 2012." Leave out the sentence on the POE and leave out 'assuming Amy's visa is approved.' Just like before, her pregnancy does not need to be mentioned in this letter.

[Anh map 2,098]

Simply use the same letter as submitted with the petition. Change the date and state that you reaffirm your intention to marry..... No need for entry date, and so on.

[Ray-J 2]

I would suggest you write what you wrote before. With regards to you wedding date, all you have to say is something such as, "we have scheduled our wedding for January 7, 2012." Leave out the sentence on the POE and leave out 'assuming Amy's visa is approved.' Just like before, her pregnancy does not need to be mentioned in this letter.

Okay, thanks for the input. However, perhaps the fact that her interview will most likely take place after our daughter is born would change your view on mentioning the pregnancy. No child was mentioned in the original petition since there weren't any born at that time. You do make sense on leaving out the POE info, though. What are your thoughts on the pregnancy issue now?

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Okay, thanks for the input. However, perhaps the fact that her interview will most likely take place after our daughter is born would change your view on mentioning the pregnancy. No child was mentioned in the original petition since there weren't any born at that time. You do make sense on leaving out the POE info, though. What are your thoughts on the pregnancy issue now?

The purpose of the updated letter of intent is to demonstrate to the consulate that you, the petitioner, still intend to marry your fiancee. It has nothing to do with whether you intend or have already begun to raise a family. CO's usually don't even ask for an updated letter of intent unless they perceive the relationship has been rocky. In that case they want some confirmation that the petitioner isn't planning to back out after the beneficiary arrives in the US.

The child will be a separate issue. You don't have to tell the consulate that you intend to file a CRBA. In all likelihood, they'll insist on it. They often won't issue the K1 visa until the CRBA has been approved. I've seen several cases here on VJ where the K1 was held up until the CRBA process was completed, included a couple of cases at the consulate in Manila. You should start the CRBA process as soon as the baby is born.

[Ryan H 3,812]

What are your thoughts on the pregnancy issue now?

Unchanged

[Ray-J 2]

The purpose of the updated letter of intent is to demonstrate to the consulate that you, the petitioner, still intend to marry your fiancee. It has nothing to do with whether you intend or have already begun to raise a family. CO's usually don't even ask for an updated letter of intent unless they perceive the relationship has been rocky. In that case they want some confirmation that the petitioner isn't planning to back out after the beneficiary arrives in the US.

The child will be a separate issue. You don't have to tell the consulate that you intend to file a CRBA. In all likelihood, they'll insist on it. They often won't issue the K1 visa until the CRBA has been approved. I've seen several cases here on VJ where the K1 was held up until the CRBA process was completed, included a couple of cases at the consulate in Manila. You should start the CRBA process as soon as the baby is born.

Thanks, Jim. That is some good insight. I wasn't aware of the embassy placing any hold on the visa process for CRBA. It's a good thing I filled out (as much as possible) and printed the CRBA forms and checklist last night. I guess my concern is with the fact that the I-129F listed no children and we show up at the interview listing our newborn daughter on the I-134. I don't want to look like we were hold back any information.

[bigdog 376]

On the advice of Gary and others, I didn't mention the pregnancy at the petition filing stage. Now that we have our NOA2 and are preparing all the documentation for the interview, I'm wondering if this would work for my letter of intent to marry:

I, Raymond Jornd, do hereby state that I am still legally able and willing to marry Amy R. Antonio, and intend to do so within 90 days of her arrival into the US using the K-1 visa. Presuming Amy's visa is approved, we expect an entry date of November 11, 2011. Our wedding date is set for January 7, 2012. At the time of the writing of this letter, Amy is currently pregnant with our first child. We are planning to have the birth take place in the Metro Manila area in Mid-October. We will submit papers for a CRBA as soon as all supporting documentation can be secured.

I look forward to any and all suggestions. Thanks in advance.

Use same letter , leave out what if's and POE stuff.

[Enigma11561 336]

I, Raymond Jornd, do hereby state that I am still legally able and willing to marry Amy R. Antonio, and intend to do so within 90 days of her arrival into the US using the K-1 visa.

That's all you really need.The more you add, the more you open up yourself to questions. Keep it simple.

[Ray-J 2]

I, Raymond Jornd, do hereby state that I am still legally able and willing to marry Amy R. Antonio, and intend to do so within 90 days of her arrival into the US using the K-1 visa.

That's all you really need.The more you add, the more you open up yourself to questions. Keep it simple.

So, you don't think that there won't be any questions when we (yes, I said we. I'll be there with her for the interview.) show up to the interview with either a baby or a CRBA application?

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

So, you don't think that there won't be any questions when we (yes, I said we. I'll be there with her for the interview.) show up to the interview with either a baby or a CRBA application?

If you both show up at the interview and she's either pregnant or holding a newborn baby then the first question they're going to ask to you is "Is it yours?". If you answer "yes" then they're going to tell you to file the CRBA. Whether you file the CRBA first or have the K1 interview first, they're probably going to issue a blue slip telling her to come back with the approved CRBA. The only time it won't be an issue is if you happen to get the CRBA approved before the K1 interview.

As to your other question, there would have been no need to list anything on the I-129F petition. The consulate will look at the dates and realize there was no child yet when the I-129F was filed. This situation is not at all unusual. They see it every day.

[Ray-J 2]

If you both show up at the interview and she's either pregnant or holding a newborn baby then the first question they're going to ask to you is "Is it yours?". If you answer "yes" then they're going to tell you to file the CRBA. Whether you file the CRBA first or have the K1 interview first, they're probably going to issue a blue slip telling her to come back with the approved CRBA. The only time it won't be an issue is if you happen to get the CRBA approved before the K1 interview.

As to your other question, there would have been no need to list anything on the I-129F petition. The consulate will look at the dates and realize there was no child yet when the I-129F was filed. This situation is not at all unusual. They see it every day.

Jim,

Your answer does answer some concerns I had. I was going to ask about what if our interview date is near the end of the K1 window (as in a few days before the expiration date), but I'm sure they would easily be able to issue an extension at the interview due to the CRBA. Right? Since I'm planning on being present, would I even need the letter of intent at all or would they require this for their files anyway?