Made a booboo on our I-129F

[J&C.TX/UK 0]

Hello everybody,

We're total noobs to this site, and unfortunately only found out about it after we had submitted our package!

So we've sent off the I-129F package, almost identical to the ticklist/assembly instructions we've now seen on here, however, I, (John) thought that MY proof had to be taken by myself to the US Embassy in London for the interview later on. So my fiancee, Christi, sent off the package from her home in Texas with dated photographs of my trips to see her in the US last October, January and April, but no boarding passes/luggage labels from my flights to prove I flew from London, so the only boarding pass proof is from her visiting me in the UK in June.

Our evidence of a relationship consisted of:

Annotated and dated photographs from all trips (deliberatley in front of Golden Gate Bridge, Texas landmarks, UK landmarks - 8 pics in total)

Ticket stubs and receipts from activities together (boat rides, sports games) and hotel bills

Her flight info and boarding passes to and from Heathrow, London.

Shame on me, I got it wrong, hands up, I'm a fool, but...

We got the NOA1 that they had received the petition on 15th August 2012.

I have ALL of my boarding passes/receipts/flight itineraries sitting in a folder here in the UK.

My question/thinking is -

Can I post it to her, and she posts it to the USCIS centre with a cover letter detailing our application number and an explanation/apology and ask them to slip it in with our petition file??????

If I post it in the next couple of days, it can be at the USCIS office in 2 weeks. Well before they *should* get close to even picking it up and looking at it to process/approve/deny the application.

Does anybody know/think there might be a risk to this? I.e. it might be refused/they would put it in but it would end up at the back of the queue rather than in the position it's currently sitting in?

We've got very very limited dates if my family are to come over to Texas for the wedding next year and next April is looking best, so I know that's already pushing it with regards to turnaround time for visa approval and I don't want to do anything that might jeapordise/delay the application further, but if we get an RFE for lack of evidence....

Wish we'd found this site sooner!!!!

Thank you in advance for any useful input/thought and advice, sorry for the 'wordiness'...and good vibes to you all.

John and Christi.

[amberlynnloves 125]

Actually that should be sufficient because thats proof with her ticket stubs to London that she went there and you've met each other. I'd certainly hang on to your stuff, maybe even make photocopies so you have them for the interview. But you should be ok. Worst case, you get an RFE (Request for Evidence) and she has to send it in. But you should be fine! Congrats on starting your journey! Hope it goes well.

Edited September 10, 2012 by amberlynnloves

[Darnell 8,479]

Send nothing unasked for - it'll never get to the casefile.

However, if there's an RFE for any reason (5 months down the road)

then send in yer stuff PLUS what the RFE asks for.

Otherwise, be prepared to show all on interview day.

Good Luck !

uhm, can you go over, again, exactly WHAT you submitted that proved you two actually met within 2 years of filing the I-129F?

[Henry&Rebecca 39]

My advice would be for you to do what you propose (post the evidence to your fiancee and have her mail it to USCIS as supporting evidence for her petition... Btw, also include passport stamp photocopies for these trips). Doing this doesn't hurt your petition at all. But be prepared for the seemingly very likely chance that USCIS won't even do anything with this letter, and it'll never get to your case file.

If that's the case, then you will likely get an RFE to submit evidence of meeting, in which case your fiancee will have to submit those things again anyways.

In either case, it doesn't hurt to try... and it also doesn't hurt to plan for the worst.

On a side note, it's highly advisable for you to not make any concrete plans for a wedding so early in the process. NOTHING can predict how long your application can take to be approved, so always keep that in mind before making any commitments.

Edited September 10, 2012 by Henry&Rebecca

[J&C.TX/UK 0]

Send nothing unasked for - it'll never get to the casefile.

However, if there's an RFE for any reason (5 months down the road)

then send in yer stuff PLUS what the RFE asks for.

Otherwise, be prepared to show all on interview day.

Good Luck !

uhm, can you go over, again, exactly WHAT you submitted that proved you two actually met within 2 years of filing the I-129F?

The proof was:

dated/annotated pictures of us together in different areas of the US on different trips (California, Vegas, Texas)

her plane ticket stubs when she came over here a couple months ago

different ticket stubs from sports events and stuff we went to at the time i was there (but they didn't have our names on them, just the dates that corresponded to when i was in the country)

So looking at it now I'm panicking - our evidence basically rides on our photos together and her flight tickets to the UK... No plane tickets from me to prove I went, just the proof 'in the pics'...is this actually enough?!? Getting a sick feeling...

Also - Q to anybody - if we do get an RFE - do we get sent to the back of the pile again or do they honour your position?

Not sure whether i should send in al the extra evidence I've got, or photocopies, or not at all...

Thanks everybody!

(Edited - sp)

Edited September 10, 2012 by J&C.TX/UK

[amberlynnloves 125]

You don't lose your position in line. Its like a holding file...but the advice of "Send it in" isn't good. Because of the chances of getting it actually into your file, is slim to none. Just wait to see what happens. I sent proof of his bus ticket to see me, and all the gas receipts that I spent for driving to him every month.

We got approved. So just hang in there and see if you get an RFE. I doubt you will get one as long as her flights to you that you sent proof of was in the last 2 years of filing your petition. Thats the most important thing.

EDIT: You are NOT required to have visited the USA during your relationship. Please don't think that. You are ONLY required to have MET in person at least once in the last 2 years.

Edited September 10, 2012 by amberlynnloves

[J&C.TX/UK 0]

Phew. Ok thanks amberlynnloves, much appreciated. Once in the last 2 years, that's cool, because we've submitted definite flight proof evidence of that from her trip here in July (when I proposed) and we filed in August. So hopefully they'll ride with that (he says!!)

[Pitaya 2,577]

I agree with Darnell. Send nothing they haven't requested.

Attempting to send in unsolicited supplemental information (i.e., no RFE) after the petition has been accepted by USCIS (NOA1) is a course of action that doesn't have a high success rate. It is akin to locating and matching up two identical needles in a very big haystack. If and when a RFE is received by the petitioner, it is very important to follow the directions exactly, including all USCIS reference notices. In that way, the USCIS can then match up the requested evidence with the specific petition (casefile) under review.

Repeating Darnell's follow-up question: Exactly what evidence did you send in to prove that you have met each other within the two year requirement of the I-129F petition submission?

One follow-up note: you filed at the Lewisville TX lockbox location, not the Texas Service Center.

Good luck on your visa journey.

Edited September 10, 2012 by A&B

[Ryan H 3,819]

Agree with amberlynnloves, Darnell, and A&B. Sending anything to USCIS unsolicited at this juncture is nothing more than an exercise in futility as it is highly unlikely it would ever get matched with the file.

[J&C.TX/UK 0]

Repeating Darnell's follow-up question: Exactly what evidence did you send in to prove that you have met each other within the two year requirement of the I-129F petition submission?

One follow-up note: you filed at the Lewisville TX lockbox location, not the Texas Service Center.

Good luck on your visa journey.

Thanks.

I had a typed A4 page saying when I had flown to the US the 3 times in the past 10 months to visit Christi.

We had photos of us together in front of US landmarks from each trip dated and annotated.

Then her flight tickets to London in June.

And photos from the UK (dated and annotated) with us together in front of UK landmarks and Christi wearing her ring.

Is that 'evidence' enough to them??

Thank you!

[Cori and Rob 55]

There is a chance for RFE if you didn't submit both of your passports with the identification pages and stamps. My fiance and I had an RFE because they said that we didn't submit the ID pages of our passports when we submitted the stamps (we did, but it might have been lost). An RFE is not the end of the world. If you get one, wait until you get the letter, then submit whatever they need along with the letter. Copy everything before you send it. I agree with other posters, sending stuff in now might be useless as it may never be matched up to your original application.

Also, K1's aren't processed at the Texas Service Center, so your application is either in Vermont or California (EAC at the beginning of your receipt means Vermont, WAC means California). California seems to process RFE's pretty quickly (mine was processed in 2 days from the time they received the evidence), but in general, RFE's add about 2-3 weeks to the waiting time.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Thanks.

I had a typed A4 page saying when I had flown to the US the 3 times in the past 10 months to visit Christi.

We had photos of us together in front of US landmarks from each trip dated and annotated.

Then her flight tickets to London in June.

And photos from the UK (dated and annotated) with us together in front of UK landmarks and Christi wearing her ring.

Is that 'evidence' enough to them?? It is difficult to exactly determine "what is enough evidence?" to a USCIS petition adjudicator.

Thank you!

The tried and true evidence suggestions are described in the K-1 visa Guide (accessed at the top of the forum page, under GUIDES). Here is the portion about evidence (emphasis added):

"Documentary Proof of Having Met in Person in the Past Two Years and an Ongoing Relationship:

Use as many of these items are possible. There is no minimum, but the more you can provide the less likely you are that you will receive an RFE. Additionally, please note that providing proof of your ongoing and genuine relationship in this package may benefit you by allowing the consulate to have access to this information prior to them formally contacting the non US Citizen fiance. Many high risk consulates approach cases with a skeptical eye and providing this information early on in the original I-129F package will help them in their preliminary review of your case.

1. Copies of all airline boarding passes, train passes, itineraries, hotel receipts, passport stamps (make sure you can read the dates on the stamps), and other documentary evidence that you have met within the last two years. You may want to highlight or place post-it notes indicating the dates and locations on the copies (to make the adjudication easier) for the person reviewing your file.

2. Color Photo's of you and your fiance(e) together. Make sure you write your names, date, and location on the back of every photo. Provide two to five photo's. If you only have a single copy of the photo, then make a color copy and send that. If it is a digital photo, have it printed at a company such as kodakgallery.com. You can also make duplicates of photo's at your local photo store (Walgreeens, CVS, etc). Place photo's in a plastic bag or photo sheet and label the sheet. Note that you may not receive originals of photo's back.

3. The following items will not typically show proof of having met in the last two years however will show proof of an ongoing relationship: Copies of land line and cell phone bills, appropriate letters and emails, stamps on the letters (to document the date they were sent), and other written documentary proof. Provide a reasonable amount; two to four of each type. Pick a range of dates up to and including the present. You can also include a copy of engagement ring receipt (this is something that is a big optional - do not worry if you do not have a ring yet!)"

Good luck on your visa journey.

[MikeAndIryna 0]

Many of us have just the one plane flight to the country of our fiance', since in many cases, they cannot travel to the USA. You guys should be just fine, so don't panic. I did go back twice after we filed our initial petition, but my (now) wife just took those photos, tickets, etc. with her to the interview as additional proof of our relationship. I was also there for the interview, and they also asked me some questions, but all went well and I am sure you guys will do just fine. Good luck.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

The proof was:

dated/annotated pictures of us together in different areas of the US on different trips (California, Vegas, Texas)

her plane ticket stubs when she came over here a couple months ago

different ticket stubs from sports events and stuff we went to at the time i was there (but they didn't have our names on them, just the dates that corresponded to when i was in the country)

So looking at it now I'm panicking - our evidence basically rides on our photos together and her flight tickets to the UK... No plane tickets from me to prove I went, just the proof 'in the pics'...is this actually enough?!? Getting a sick feeling...

Also - Q to anybody - if we do get an RFE - do we get sent to the back of the pile again or do they honour your position?

Not sure whether i should send in al the extra evidence I've got, or photocopies, or not at all...

Thanks everybody!

(Edited - sp)

You have to mostly prove meeting at least one time in the last 2 years as that is a requirement. Being in love, and calling each other, and Skyping isnt actually a petition requirement in the law. The best proof you sent is her ticket, but a boarding pass to show she actually used the ticket and her passport stamped into UK would be more conclusive. The photos could be 2.5 years old and miss the 2 year cutoff, so photos are generally considered secondary evidence. Event tickets could be picked up off the ground and don't show you or her in the same town or country at the same time. If you sent receipts with your name in her town or state, dated in the last two years... that makes a link. My husband and I each charged something at Harrods the same date, so the two credit card statements showed we were in Harrods at the same time. I highlighted yellow the transactions I wanted them to notice and made a note in red in a blank area "XX in Harrod's London on [date]" and "YY in Harrod's London on [date]"

Do not send anything now. Let me say that again. DO NOT send anything now. It will never make it to your file. IF they don't think you proved meeting in person clearly enough, they will send an RFE asking you to prove you met in the last two years. That means your file has finally made it to an adjudicators desk after months in a dusty storage area. You will not lose your place on his desk. After you hear that your RFE evidence was received, you will likely be approved within 2 weeks. The evidence just has to be routed to the adjudicator who will have your file handy to complete his review and give approval. Maybe he has half a dozen pending and has to get to you, so don't expect next day service, if you follow the logic. But it won't take a super long time.

You might want to creatively re-think how you can show a more conclusive meeting and photocopy all that to send to your fiancé. Then if she does get an RFE, she will have a nice response prepared and can put it in the next day's post to get back on track without further delay.

[Pinkrlion 2,724]

You don't lose your position in line. Its like a holding file...but the advice of "Send it in" isn't good. Because of the chances of getting it actually into your file, is slim to none. Just wait to see what happens. I sent proof of his bus ticket to see me, and all the gas receipts that I spent for driving to him every month.

We got approved. So just hang in there and see if you get an RFE. I doubt you will get one as long as her flights to you that you sent proof of was in the last 2 years of filing your petition. Thats the most important thing.

EDIT: You are NOT required to have visited the USA during your relationship. Please don't think that. You are ONLY required to have MET in person at least once in the last 2 years.

Exactly.