I-129F/K1 Packet Info Question

[Novembro 1,763]

Hello all,

I have a question that, to me, seems very stupid but bear with me. I submitted my completed I-129F form awhile ago and received confirmation of USCIS receiving it. I now need to submit the packet of evidence (everything we've managed to gather). Now, will USCIS make me start the entire process over, even though they say they have not even gotten to my month of application yet, or do you think they would attach the evidence packet (plus the G-325A) to my original application? I really get the feeling they will make me restart the application process because they seem to like to do things the hard way, but I will hold out hope.

A little background about the two of us, I am an American citizen and my fiance is a British citizen. I started this process with little help and have kind of been blundering through it until I found you guys here at visajourney. Seems like a great community and I'm eager to learn more...and to get through this immigration nonsense.

Any advice is welcome! Thanks.

[aws&ndd 103]

If you are still waiting on an approval on your submitted I-129f packet, I would wait. They will send you an RFE, which is a request for more evidence. You should send the evidence you are lacking with your RFE when you receive it.

[Novembro 1,763]

Thanks for the quick response! I'm hoping they will contact me soon, but I have set my standards very low with them. At the six month mark of November 6th(which I suppose is what they give us on their website to judge their response times by), I called hoping for information and they told me they were processing applications for April 16th of 2012. I filed my application on June 4th. When I called again a few days ago, they gave me the same date of April 16th for the applications.

They must be dreadfully slow. :/

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks for the quick response! I'm hoping they will contact me soon, but I have set my standards very low with them. At the six month mark of November 6th(which I suppose is what they give us on their website to judge their response times by), I called hoping for information and they told me they were processing applications for April 16th of 2012. I filed my application on June 4th. When I called again a few days ago, they gave me the same date of April 16th for the applications.

They must be dreadfully slow. :/

Their timelines are the worst case scenario so look at the Visa Journey averages....May 22 right now is getting approved. Have a look at this page middle column http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/ as well as the other things like Igor's list to see who around your time at VSC may be getting approved. http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/monthly_filers.php?cfl=. It's nothing official from USCIS, but let's you know the experience of lots of other people. Sort it for your visa type and service center.

What evidence did you leave out? if its needed, when they get to your case to review it, they will send a letter saying what they need. Wait to hear from them. Your case will resume where it was as soon as you send the stuff in. Your timeline says on average your approval is due very soon. So you need to jump over to the UK forum to prepare in advance for the London process. Start reading this thread and learn the London tips and tricks as well as what you should be doing right now. The link for the police certificate in post 1 has changed, but it is corrected a few posts down. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/350185-london-2012-k1s-from-noa2-to-interview-thread/

[Novembro 1,763]

Thanks! I've begun making copies upon copies upon copies of information and evidence so hopefully we'll receive and RFE (:/) and then continue on to the NOA2! I'm a bit worried about the almost two years I spent in Korea teaching, as those years were tax free (thus no tax returns to show for it), but I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

[QueenE 174]

The same thing happened to me, i submit everything without waiting for RFE. I put my case number on everything. They matched it up and i didnt get a rfe. I was lucky though. It doesnt hurt to try

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks! I've begun making copies upon copies upon copies of information and evidence so hopefully we'll receive and RFE (:/) and then continue on to the NOA2! I'm a bit worried about the almost two years I spent in Korea teaching, as those years were tax free (thus no tax returns to show for it), but I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

So are you saying you only sent the form I-129F with no US birth certificate, passport photos and G-325a, proof of meeting in person, statement of free to marry and intend to marry? I'm surprised that wasn't returned to you in the beginning to get the essentials submitted. Normally there are two kinds of RFEs....one that comes immediately when the contractors open your envelope and see you left out basic essentials, didn't sign forms, or didn't send money....and one later when your file finally makes it to an adjudicator's desk and he sees something else that he needs to know before he can approve.

Taxes: you can get a visa at the London embassy without a tax return if you show other good proof of current income. Later for adjustment of status, you will need at least one and numbers off the last 3 or a valid reason you weren't required to file. Just because you lived out of the US doesn't get you off the hook for filing a return. You may not owe US income tax on foreign earned money, but they want you to file to report that money if you earned any income worldwide. Better make sure you don't have some back taxes to file because that will hold you up when it's time to file AOS.

Has he gotten his Korean and UK police certificate? Gone for his shots? Did you read the list in the UK forum of things he needs to be doing?

Edited November 26, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[Novembro 1,763]

So are you saying you only sent the form I-129F with no US birth certificate, passport photos and G-325a, proof of meeting in person, statement of free to marry and intend to marry? I'm surprised that wasn't returned to you in the beginning to get the essentials submitted. Normally there are two kinds of RFEs....one that comes immediately when the contractors open your envelope and see you left out basic essentials, didn't sign forms, or didn't send money....and one later when your file finally makes it to an adjudicator's desk and he sees something else that he needs to know before he can approve.

Taxes: you can get a visa at the London embassy without a tax return if you show other good proof of current income. Later for adjustment of status, you will need at least one and numbers off the last 3 or a valid reason you weren't required to file. Just because you lived out of the US doesn't get you off the hook for filing a return. You may not owe US income tax on foreign earned money, but they want you to file to report that money if you earned any income worldwide. Better make sure you don't have some back taxes to file because that will hold you up when it's time to file AOS.

Has he gotten his Korean and UK police certificate? Gone for his shots? Did you read the list in the UK forum of things he needs to be doing?

Yeah basically. I wish they would have sent it back so I would have known a whole lot earlier (aka not after seven months and stumbling upon this forum). No idea why they didn't send it back, but now I'm not sure whether to send it all when they ask for it or send it asap with my case number plastered all over it and hope for the best.

As for the taxes, we'll figure that out soon I suppose. I sent him the link to the UK forum and told him to read it thoroughly, so hopefully he's done so. He's filed for the UK police report and will hopefully wade through the language barrier sometime this week for a Korean one I didn't really understand the bit in the UK forum about the shots. Does the list of what he would need from his GP in England come with the NOA2? If we can get the list I can go with him over the Christmas holiday and get them done.

So much to do wheeeeee.

[Novembro 1,763]

Okay, just kidding about the immunizations. I get it now.

Apparently I can't edit my post to reflect that though...strange.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Okay, just kidding about the immunizations. I get it now.

Apparently I can't edit my post to reflect that though...strange.

The adult shots are listed plain as day in that first post. The thread is basically London k1 for Dummies with the essentials in plain words, not government-speak. It would do you well to understand what is going on so you can be a team to get through this.

Nevermind the Korean Police certificate. It is only available to those currently in the country. See this page and scroll way, way down http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=9223

No do not mail your. stuff now. It will only delay you a very short time (a week or two) after they get your reply, they will approve. You still didn't say what is missing. If you are concerned about Skype logs, love letters, and relationship stuff...they don't need all that. They do need to know you are American, free to marry, willing to marry, and have met face to face in the last two years.

Edited November 26, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[Novembro 1,763]

The adult shots are listed plain as day in that first post. The thread is basically London k1 for Dummies with the essentials in plain words, not government-speak. It would do you well to understand what is going on so you can be a team to get through this.

Nevermind the Korean Police certificate. It is only available to those currently in the country. See this page and scroll way, way down http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=9223

No do not mail your. stuff now. It will only delay you a very short time (a week or two) after they get your reply, they will approve. You still didn't say what is missing. If you are concerned about Skype logs, love letters, and relationship stuff...they don't need all that. They do need to know you are American, free to marry, willing to marry, and have met face to face in the last two years.

Yes, I did that this morning and we're all fine and dandy now. Late nights and anxiety-ridden read-throughs do not make for informed posts, so do excuse my momentary stupidity.

He is currently still in the country, so I've told him to go ahead and get it if he can. Even if he ends up not needing it for this process, he will at least have been prepared. He leaves the country on the 17th of December, so he has time. He also started the UK police background, as well. So I guess we're moving along.

Sorry I was unclear earlier. Yes, I am missing the passport-style photos (done last night), the letters of intent (written today), my birth certificate, and the G-325a (finished on my end, but I believe the website is down for that because he and a friend both tried to download the form and weren't able to, so I tried as well this morning and it wouldn't work for me either). So basically, we were missing everything. Don't worry, I've kicked myself about it enough since reading all of this stuff, but it is now almost all prepared and ready to go when and if they send the RFE. According to the guides here, I will need to send a few photos and the like for "proof", and I thought I would include a copy of the receipt for the engagement ring, as it was listed under the things you could send as evidence.

[KayDeeCee 4,897]

Photos are not proof of meeting face-to-face within the 2 years prior to filing the petition. That is one of the main requirements of the I-129F. You need to show passport stamps, boarding passes, credit card/ATM receipts showing usage while you claim to be in the other country with your fiance(e). Photos of the 2 of you together during those times are secondary evidence.

I do not want to alarm you, but some people that sent in only a check and the I-129F and nothing else were not sent an RFE, they were just denied and had to start again. It is possible they will send you an RFE, but you should be prepared that they could just outright deny it too.

[Novembro 1,763]

Photos are not proof of meeting face-to-face within the 2 years prior to filing the petition. That is one of the main requirements of the I-129F. You need to show passport stamps, boarding passes, credit card/ATM receipts showing usage while you claim to be in the other country with your fiance(e). Photos of the 2 of you together during those times are secondary evidence.

I do not want to alarm you, but some people that sent in only a check and the I-129F and nothing else were not sent an RFE, they were just denied and had to start again. It is possible they will send you an RFE, but you should be prepared that they could just outright deny it too.

We don't actually have any of that stuff since we met in that country and started our relationship there. I will have my boarding passes/flight schedule to visit him this December and he'll have his back, but that will be it in terms of that sort of thing.

And lovely. I'm glad I found my first gray hair *just before* reading this post.

I mean, I don't know why they would send me an NOA1 if they weren't going to give it a look. Or why they would tell me on the phone that no other information was needed for my application (twice, I might add).

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

We don't actually have any of that stuff since we met in that country and started our relationship there. I will have my boarding passes/flight schedule to visit him this December and he'll have his back, but that will be it in terms of that sort of thing.

And lovely. I'm glad I found my first gray hair *just before* reading this post.

I mean, I don't know why they would send me an NOA1 if they weren't going to give it a look. Or why they would tell me on the phone that no other information was needed for my application (twice, I might add).

Did you check your online status to make sure no RFE was sent that you did t receive? The help line doesn't know much. Insist over and over you need to speak to a Tier 2 person because you did t include the requirements. Just keep saying it every time they say wait or call back.

Proof of meeting--were you in Korea together during the last two years? What can you each show from Korea putting you in the same country at the same time. Bank statement, paychecks, driver licenses, employment contract....anything with a date and address on it placing each of you there. a few photos together is nice but you need documentation with a date. The ring receipt is kinda useless unless it has his name and Korean address and you have something similar with your name and Korean address from the same time period.

[Novembro 1,763]

Did you check your online status to make sure no RFE was sent that you did t receive? The help line doesn't know much. Insist over and over you need to speak to a Tier 2 person because you did t include the requirements. Just keep saying it every time they say wait or call back.

Proof of meeting--were you in Korea together during the last two years? What can you each show from Korea putting you in the same country at the same time. Bank statement, paychecks, driver licenses, employment contract....anything with a date and address on it placing each of you there. a few photos together is nice but you need documentation with a date. The ring receipt is kinda useless unless it has his name and Korean address and you have something similar with your name and Korean address from the same time period.

Yeah, I have. Been signed up for the text/email updates and never received anything. Case still says in "initial review". I might call and try that. I had no idea that you could even speak to a "tier 2" person, and they are always so rude when I ring up. Oh well. I've also put in a call to my senator who deals with immigration issues, so he or his employees should be able to help shed some light on my options.

I think the only proof of meeting that we would have would be our visas in our passports. Customs takes your Alien Reg card when you leave the country. I may be able to rustle up a few things but it's going to be sparse. Do they even bother with letters of reference from friends/colleagues that know the couple? A few of our mutual friends have offered to write in.