File I-129 Now or After Second Visit?

[Bugs 455]

Hi, I am an American who has been talking daily online with someone in the Philippines for almost a year, having been in a relationship with her for 8 months now, visited a month ago, got engaged with her, and am now ready for the I-129F process to begin.

Evidence that I have of this relationship include daily chat logs on Yahoo Messenger, emails, hundreds of pictures of my visit, receipts of plane tickets, hotel stays, everything we bought, a receipt of the engagement ring, and cards.

We would like to get married as soon as we can, so it is just a matter of getting her visa to move over here to the US in order to do so. But I was wondering if it might be wise to wait until after my planned second visit at the end of March (I already have the plane tickets), to strengthen evidence of my ongoing relationship, or if I will be fine with sending the I-129F application now.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[toastedpancake 15]

Your good to go now to file petition. Its nice you visiting her on March while you waiting for the approval..

[Bugs 455]

Your good to go now to file petition. Its nice you visiting her on March while you waiting for the approval..

Hi toastedpancake, thank you for your reply. So you don't think it makes any difference if I file now or file after the second visit? Is the evidence I listed substantial enough?

[toastedpancake 15]

Yeah you meet the requirement of meeting each other within two years so thats good enough. My fiance and I met for the first time in May then filed petition July then he went back for his second visit last October

[scott76 22]

Do it now.

During my first visit to my now-wife, we filled out the paperwork. I had only seen her for 7 days, but we took photos, I kept every single receipt and boarding pass, and we went through the K-1 process without any hiccups.

The sooner you file the less you're going to have to be banging your head against a wall waiting for the approval. I visited my wife once while we were waiting for the K-1 to get approved, and even that didn't seem like enough.

I would say one piece of advice though - you're hurrying, and that's all well and good and you should do it if you feel it's right....but really have serious conversations about her first year and expectations...financially, work, etc....Have the tough and difficult conversations about money and everything else BEFORE she comes over here. And know that while she's filing for Adjustment of Status, she's going to be home bored a lot until the work permit or Green Card comes. She may be sitting around doing nothing for 6 months and that's really tough on anyone.

[Derrick_Crissy 0]

Hi! I agree, go ahead and file now. The evidence you have is enough to prove that you have met within the 2-year requirement. Looks like you also have a lot as proof for your ongoing relationship. Filing now will save you 2-3 months of waiting instead of waiting 'til March. Your visit to your fiancee in March will be very substantial to strengthen your evidence of ongoing relationship for the interview, though a lot of members here in VJ got approved even if their significant others only visited once. Btw, don't forget to include a copy of all pages of your passport on your I-129F packet. Good luck to the both of you and its nice that you'll get to visit her again.

[Bugs 455]

Do it now.

During my first visit to my now-wife, we filled out the paperwork. I had only seen her for 7 days, but we took photos, I kept every single receipt and boarding pass, and we went through the K-1 process without any hiccups.

The sooner you file the less you're going to have to be banging your head against a wall waiting for the approval. I visited my wife once while we were waiting for the K-1 to get approved, and even that didn't seem like enough.

I would say one piece of advice though - you're hurrying, and that's all well and good and you should do it if you feel it's right....but really have serious conversations about her first year and expectations...financially, work, etc....Have the tough and difficult conversations about money and everything else BEFORE she comes over here. And know that while she's filing for Adjustment of Status, she's going to be home bored a lot until the work permit or Green Card comes. She may be sitting around doing nothing for 6 months and that's really tough on anyone.

Thank you, and yes, we have talked extensively about what it may be like her first year, from loneliness/homesickness to financial support, so we are prepared for this.

We do plan on having her file for the AOS (Green Card) and EAD (work permit) immediately after getting married. I have heard that the AOS takes time, but am I correct in that she could get the EAD for work much sooner (in fact, if I read correctly, the EAD is only required while the AOS is still being processed for a Green Card.)

[Bugs 455]

Hi! I agree, go ahead and file now. The evidence you have is enough to prove that you have met within the 2-year requirement. Looks like you also have a lot as proof for your ongoing relationship. Filing now will save you 2-3 months of waiting instead of waiting 'til March. Your visit to your fiancee in March will be very substantial to strengthen your evidence of ongoing relationship for the interview, though a lot of members here in VJ got approved even if their significant others only visited once. Btw, don't forget to include a copy of all pages of your passport on your I-129F packet. Good luck to the both of you and its nice that you'll get to visit her again.

Thank you, and yes, thanks for the reminder about the passport copies.

I originally asked this because I thought it might strengthen the chances of no RFE and no skepticism from the Manila embassy if we front loaded the I-129F with evidence from two visits instead of one.

[marl♥lem 0]

your good to go! coz my fiance only came here to visit me last sept. and filed last month,we only gathered evidences when he came here like photos,hotel receipts,boarding passes and etc..

[Bugs 455]

Very good then. I guess I have my answer in that regard. I'll run this by her, and see what she thinks. We still may wait until after my visit, because we hope to go to her consulate interview together in person, and I would be more able to do that in late November or December.

Thanks for your advice everybody - this website has been an invaluable resource to me so far, and I love how active and friendly the forum is. I'm sure I'll be posting on here with additional questions as time goes by.

[BABA70 2]

Your are very good to file now since you guy have met. Your Second trip with be a proof of ongoing relationship when she is going for the real interview at the Phillipine embassy. This is exactly the step I took and my fiancee is here with me.