Just about to start K1....is it really this easy?

[Elora & Rob 15]

Not to sound like a smart ####, but myself and my girlfriend are going to file the I-129F form next month. We have put 90% of what we need together.

We have plenty of proof of relationship, we continue to travel to see one another every 8 weeks, we didn't meet online like many couples on here and I am from the UK which I don't think is a high rick fraud country.

It seems that if you do everything correct and you fill out the required forms quickly it could take less than 6 months to have my visa in hand. My question is....is it really this easy.

If you can read english, follow simple instructions and write a few cheques, its not problem.

Is there anything I need to look out for, anything where I can come unstuck.

Myself and my girlfriend love one another deeply and were ready for marrage. Just want everything to run smoothly.

Thanks.

[Oksana & Max 94]

Well less then 6 month??? It is really optimistic, get ready for more like 8 month wait. Especially there is a wait for interview in London embassy, so good luck on your journey.

However if you feel comfortable with paperwork and everything you should be fine on your own. I did it on my own and already got my NOA2

[MalaysianGirl 26]

It matters not how a couple meets. It matters how the couple continues their relationship.

[Love83 3]

Well, its not as easy as you thought but its a case by case basis and who knows it would be easier for you. Just be patient with this process. You can make it. Good luck to you my friend and wish you all the best.

[Elora & Rob 15]

Sorry I meant 6 months before I get an interview date..

That may have come across the wrong way...what I am trying to say is it all looks very simple if you follow the USCIS intrsuctions and the advice on this forum but perhaps I am overlooking something.

Is there anything in paticular where allot of people come unstuck?

[paojack 41]

It is indeed very easy to fill out the forms if u follow the instructions. The hardest part of this whole thing is the waiting. Good luck!

[zzzlpr 7]

Yes, despite what some people say it is quite simple.

It is just bureaucracy.

There are only 2 major things you need for this process: attention to detail and a real relationship

BTW, proof of relationship is not required when you file your I-129, the requirement at this point is proof that you met in the past 2 years. Sending proof of relationship with this initial filing is clutterg and in some cases might actually create issues.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

The hard part is not knowing what's going on with your file at any given time. We are used to the digital age of instant communication, tracking our online orders from production to delivery, and such. This is a little more like falling in a rabbit hole and not knowing when you'll come back out. And the customer service phone line to the rabbit hole is abysmal.

What I think you should know up front going through London that some people seem to miss--

Proving you are in love isn't necessary. Meeting other than on the internet won't give you a ticket to the fast lane. They really don't care. For the petition show you are 1. free to marry (divorce decrees if applicable), 2. plan to marry in 90 days (letter of intent), and 3. have met in person in the last two years. Skip the love letters, phone logs, facebook status, etc. For the interview, London will not want additional proof of your relationship so don't bother.

If you weren't born in the UK, you could have delays after the interview.

She needs to prove adequate income to support you.

Any drug use, or arrests, or even cautions make for hiccups on your journey.

Timelines change like the weather. Your optimistic 6 months now could be very different down the road. Don't book the caterers yet for a summer wedding.

I thought our petition approval was going to take 2-4 weeks based on the people filing the month before us. It changed to two months. And the people filing the next month waited three months. Not so long ago some people were waiting seven months for petition approval which is only part way to the visa in hand.

You are correct, if you can read and follow directions, it's not that difficult.

Edited December 7, 2011 by Nich-Nick

[Elora & Rob 15]

Nich Nick thanks for the response and to others.

I am British born, british parents no crimincal record no previous marrage. She is the same born in the US to US parents. We are both white (i hate to say it but I imagine it helps).

In terms of proof of meeting at this stage all I need is a couple of photos, boarding passes and some flight & hotel receipts?? When I have the interview in London I need things like phone bills, more pictures than kind of thing??

We have a co sponser which is her mother...but we don't need to fill out the I-134 “Adviant for Support” until my interview in London correct?

[Elora & Rob 15]

This is a guide I have put together. Does this all add up. What am I missing?

What is K1?

A K-1 Visa allows a Non-US Citizen fiancé (Me) engaged to a US Citizen (You) to legally enter the US, Marry and then Adjust Status to become a Legal Permanent Resident.

What is the process?

The process of obtaining a K-1 Visa starts with you filing an "I-129F: Petition for Alien Fiancé" packet with the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). Within a few weeks of sending the documents to The USCIS Dallas Lockbox you will receive notice that that your letter has been opened and is under review. The cost is $340. Around 4-5 months later you will receive a 2nd notification that your application has been approved. You will then need to send me the original copies of everything you filled out. The USCIS who are responsible for processing this petition will forward the petition to the National Visa Centre who then forwards it to the US London consulate. All in all this process takes about 5-6 months, and from there it all moves fairly quickly.

Upon receiving the approved I-129F petition, the US London Consulate will contact me by mail and request certain information be gathered and provided to the US London Consulate. This will include general info such as passport, birth certificate as well as a medical history and police record (Cost $55). I will have to get about 15 different vaccinations during the medical. The cost is $320. I will then be given a date for an actual visa interview in person at the US London consulate for the K-1 Visa. Here I will provide them with the original copies of the I-129F. We will also need to provide the I-134 “Adviant for Support” document which will be filed out by you, and a supporting document by our co-sponsor. A sponsor does not need to be decided until this point. The cost is $340. When the embassy approves the K-1 at the interview, they will issue the visa typically within a week after the interview and return my passport.

Once I receive the K-1 Visa I will enter the US at any time within six months of the visa being issued.

What happens when I arrive in the US?

After arriving in the US I will apply for a Social Security number and then a marriage certificate. We must then get married within 90 days. Next we apply for I-485 “Adjustment of Status” (AOS) to become a Legal Permanent Resident. The cost is $1,070.

Along with the AOS we will send a I-864 which is a more detailed “Advant for Support” document filled out by yourself and our co-sponsor along with a G-325A (Biographical information) for both is us and an I-131 “Application for Travel” which will allow me to leave the US for short periods throughout the next year while the process takes place.

At the same time I will also apply for an I-765 “Employment Authorization Document” (EAD). The EAD card, known popularly as Work Permit, is a document issued by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that provides its holder a legal right to work in the United States of America. A holder can work as long as they carry an unexpired valid EAD and maintain their Legal Status in the US. It will usually take 2-3 months for this to be processed and arrive. An EAD shouldn't be confused with a Greencard (which indicates that its holder is a Legal Permanent Resident of the US. The EAD must be updated annually until a Greencard is issued.

2 months after the application is made a Biometrics examination is arranged for you both to attend. This will takes place at the nearest USCIS biometrics office (California) where you will have you fingerprints and photos taken for an FBI check up.

At some point within the next year you we will receive a letter informing us of an interview date. It will include instructions on what to bring to the interview and any required items you may need to complete beforehand. This will include copies of most the documents we have put together along with evidence of our relationship. This should include photos, joint account, joint lease etc. The interview lasts between 15-30 minutes. Once approved I will be mailed a 10 year "Greencard" within weeks of the interview date.

What we need to do next??

What we need in the I-129F package. Make 4 copies of everything. It should be placed in the order listed.

1. $340 Payment required by the USCIS. Use a personal check so we can track the payment.

2. Cover letter which states everything in the package. Clip a completed G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance. By completing this form and attaching it, USCIS will send you an email and/or text message to alert you when your application was received.

3. I-29F Form

4. Delectation of how we met and how many times we have seen one another in person in the last 2 years.

5. Written statement which declares our intent to marry signed by both of us.

6. Proof of having met in the last 2 years and proof of an ongoing relationship – Dated photos, plane tickets, hotel bills, phone bills, emails, letters, stamps etc

7. G-325A form signed by you. The G-325A is biographical information about me.

8. One passport photo of yourself with full name on the back.

9. G-325A form signed by me.

10. One passport photo of me with full name on the back.

11. Copy of your birth certificate.

12. 2 original copies of everything. One for me and one for you

13. 4 copies of everything

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

In terms of proof of meeting at this stage all I need is a couple of photos, boarding passes and some flight & hotel receipts??

Other ideas: Passport stamps showing you in her country and she in yours. Credit card or ATM receipts from each other's town. Maybe you both have credit card purchases in same store/same day.

When I have the interview in London I need things like phone bills, more pictures than kind of thing??

NONE for interview in London. Quite different from Manila for example.

We have a co sponser which is her mother...but we don't need to fill out the I-134 “Adviant for Support” until my interview in London correct?

Affidavit-take to interview with two proofs of income

[wee carrington 33]

Yeah, just follow the directions and you should be good. But it's not over until it's over right? Nich-Nick is a great guiding hand through the (UK) process.

One slight correction: AOS doesn't give you a 10 year GC it gives you a 2 year GC, you then have to Remove Conditions (I-751) to get the 10 year GC.

Edited December 7, 2011 by Mrs GH

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

My comments below. Can you tell I was a teacher?

You still get an A for reasearching the process fully instead of jumping in with no clue.

This is a guide I have put together. Does this all add up. What am I missing?

What is K1?

A K-1 Visa allows a Non-US Citizen fiancé (Me) engaged to a US Citizen (You) to legally enter the US, Marry and then Adjust Status to become a Legal Permanent Resident.

What is the process?

The process of obtaining a K-1 Visa starts with you filing an "I-129F: Petition for Alien Fiancé" packet with the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). Within a few weeks of sending the documents to The USCIS Dallas Lockbox you will receive notice that that your letter has been opened and is under review. The cost is $340. Around 4-5 months later you will receive a 2nd notification that your application has been approved. You will then need to send me the original copies of everything you filled out. (Not really needed, but a good time to send the I-134 Affidavit of Support) The USCIS who are responsible for processing this petition will forward the petition to the National Visa Centre who then forwards it to the US London consulate. All in all this process takes about 5-6 months, and from there it all moves fairly quickly. (Tip: Call NVC and get the new case number LNDxxxxxxx they will assign so you can book the medical before you even hear from London)

Upon receiving the approved I-129F petition, the US London Consulate will contact me by mail and request certain information (and four application forms mailed in) be gathered and provided to the US London Consulate. This will include general info such as passport, birth certificate as well as a medical history and police record (Cost $55).(Get it all lined up in advance of their notification. Application forms mailed, personal documents taken in hand to interview, medical results are couriered to embassy by the clinic)

I will have to get about 15 different vaccinations during the medical. The cost is $320. (You will need MMRx2, Tdap or Td, and maybe a flu shot if exam is during flu season which ends Mar 31. Get those free from NHS starting now then a shot record to take to your visa medical. Medical is paid in pounds-210)

I will then be given a date for an actual visa interview in person at the US London consulate for the K-1 Visa. Here I will provide them with the original copies of the I-129F. (NO) We will also need to provide the I-134 “Adviant(Affidavit) for Support” document which will be filed out by you, and a supporting document by our co-sponsor. A sponsor does not need to be decided until this point. (You need an I-134 from the sponsor plus her tax return, W2, letter from employer, or payslips in hand at the interview so decide on that much earlier) The cost is $340 (paid in advance over the phone). When the embassy approves the K-1 at the interview, they will issue the visa typically within a week after the interview and return my passport.

Once I receive the K-1 Visa I will enter the US at any time within six months of the visa being issued.

What happens when I arrive in the US?

After arriving in the US I will apply for a Social Security number and then a marriage certificate. We must then get married within 90 days. Next we apply for I-485 “Adjustment of Status” (AOS) to become a Legal Permanent Resident. The cost is $1,070.

Along with the AOS we will send a I-864 which is a more detailed “Advant for Support” document filled out by yourself and our co-sponsor along with a G-325A (Biographical information) for both is us and an I-131 “Application for Travel” which will allow me to leave the US for short periods throughout the next year while the process takes place.

At the same time I will also apply for an I-765 “Employment Authorization Document” (EAD). The EAD card, known popularly as Work Permit, is a document issued by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that provides its holder a legal right to work in the United States of America. A holder can work as long as they carry an unexpired valid EAD (once you get greencard, you can throw away the EAD. Greencard covers everything.) and maintain their Legal Status in the US. It will usually take 2-3 months for this to be processed and arrive. An EAD shouldn't be confused with a Greencard (which indicates that its holder is a Legal Permanent Resident of the US. The EAD must be updated annually until a Greencard is issued. (You won't need to do that. Greencard shouldn't take a year) 2 months after the application is made a Biometrics examination is arranged for you both (the immigrant) to attend. This will takes place at the nearest USCIS biometrics office (California) where you (immigrant) will have you fingerprints and photos taken for an FBI check up.

At some point within the next year you we will receive a letter informing us of an interview date. It will include instructions on what to bring to the interview and any required items you may need to complete beforehand. This will include copies of most the documents we have put together along with evidence of our relationship. This should include photos, joint account, joint lease etc. The interview lasts between 15-30 minutes. Once approved I will be mailed a 10 year (2 year) "Greencard" within weeks of the interview date. (or if you're lucky, your case will be transferred to the California Service Center instead of a local USCIS office. They will mail you a greencard without interview or further evidence.)

Okay, this is getting tedious so I'm stopping here. Use this visa journey guide http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide and read

What we need to do next??

What we need in the I-129F package. Make 4 copies of everything. It should be placed in the order listed.

1. $340 Payment required by the USCIS. Use a personal check so we can track the payment.

2. Cover letter which states everything in the package. Clip a completed G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance. By completing this form and attaching it, USCIS will send you an email and/or text message to alert you when your application was received.

3. I-29F Form

4. Delectation of how we met and how many times we have seen one another in person in the last 2 years.

5. Written statement which declares our intent to marry signed by both of us.

6. Proof of having met in the last 2 years and proof of an ongoing relationship – Dated photos, plane tickets, hotel bills, phone bills, emails, letters, stamps etc

7. G-325A form signed by you. The G-325A is biographical information about me.

8. One passport photo of yourself with full name on the back.

9. G-325A form signed by me.

10. One passport photo of me with full name on the back.

11. Copy of your birth certificate.

12. 2 original copies of everything. One for me and one for you

13. 4 copies of everything

[BobnCherry 10]

Not to sound like a smart ####, but myself and my girlfriend are going to file the I-129F form next month. We have put 90% of what we need together.

We have plenty of proof of relationship, we continue to travel to see one another every 8 weeks, we didn't meet online like many couples on here and I am from the UK which I don't think is a high rick fraud country.

It seems that if you do everything correct and you fill out the required forms quickly it could take less than 6 months to have my visa in hand. My question is....is it really this easy.

If you can read english, follow simple instructions and write a few cheques, its not problem.

Is there anything I need to look out for, anything where I can come unstuck.

Myself and my girlfriend love one another deeply and were ready for marrage. Just want everything to run smoothly.

Thanks.

it took 7 months to get visa in hand we had no RFEs and that was when CSC was running 4 month or less Noa2 YMMV

B&C

[my uk love 0]

When it comes time for your interview, if you need a co-sponsor it is a good idea to bring the co-sponsor form too. London is now asking for them (at least in our case). I do work 2 jobs but are just under the requirement so the IO asked for our co-sponsor. The IO also looked at the photos that were sent with our K1 petition and asked my fiance questions about them.