About to start compiling I-129F

[A Lost Iguana 1]

Hi all,

I am sure that many people ask silly questions about the K-1 process but I am unsure about a couple of things related to the I-129F. I am the alien fiance and my fiancee is the petitioning US citizen. We decided to start the K-1 application route during my last trip to see her (which was last week). When we talked over procedure we convinced ourselves that the first step was for her to file the I-129F without any supporting documentation. Having a quick read of the site I see that this would be a pretty poor decision. There are many pictures of us together and we have plane tickets but all the pictures are digital rather than old school photographs. Would a printout of the photographs be sufficient or should we go to the expense of having some master copies printed on photographic paper and mailing copies of these?

Another question is relating to a Social Security Number (stating that I was not eligible to work) I once held as I was residing in the US on a J-1 visa as (I was at grad school in the UK and I spent just under two years as a visiting researcher on site at my experiment). There is an option for an alien fiance SSN on the I-129F but I cannot remember the number and I think the card has been misplaced in the years after I left the US. The official guidance about replacing a SSN as a non-citizen suggests that I would not be able to apply for a replacement as I cannot prove my work eligibility or J-1 status as that has long expired. Is this missing number going to be a problem? My fiancee is nervous about leaving it blank on the form when the number does exist.

I also are unsure about when finances are checked. My fiancee recently decided to change her career and become certified as a teacher so is currently not employed. She was previously earning above the threshold. She has an income thanks to payments from a share in the sale of her grandparents company but if she is required to get her finances checked now. My current job in the UK is easily above the threshold and while that income would cease when I move, I am saving as much as I can (I would hope that I could find a similar job in the US).

One last question is about the medical examination. What medical concerns would be grounds for a denial? I was diagnosed with high blood pressure a year ago and am taking medication to reduce it but I do not know whether it would be problematic.

Thanks in advance. Does the petitioner have any say in the processing center because the Texas center has a very long wait time for I-129F processing and my fiancee lives in San Antonio.

[Avery Cates 1,141]

There are many pictures of us together and we have plane tickets but all the pictures are digital rather than old school photographs. Would a printout of the photographs be sufficient or should we go to the expense of having some master copies printed on photographic paper and mailing copies of these?

www.snapfish.com is amazing for getting prints of digital photographs. I used it for my I-129f package and would highly recommend it.

I got I think it was 20 free prints just for signing up, I placed my order before I went to bed around 9 or 9:30 that night, they had printed and shipped by the time I woke up in the morning, and I received them a few days later.

If I recall I got 36 prints (3 copies each of a dozen photos) and paid under $5 shipping included.

[rascalcat 28]

You can print your digital photos out from a computer on paper or photo paper. On the back of each photo, write the date and write the details of the photograph (place it was taken)in black ink. Remember to also write `Petition for alien fiancee, I-129F` and the petitioner and beneficiary`s names on the back of each photograph. Always print copies of everything out for your own reference. As you should have a copy each (you and your fiancee) of absolutely everything you send in your i-129F application. (never send any original documents, only send photocopies - as they do not return anything, and will ask you to bring along any original documents they want to see eventually at the interview. so keep all your original receipts, tickets, documents, birth certificates etc.). You want to add evidence of your ongoing relationship such as plane tickets, luggage tags from the airport (if you have them), flight itineraries, hotel bookings, emails between you both (again you can print these out and put them in dated order), any cards/ letters though the mail, affidavits of friends and family (they can confirm your relationship).. anything like this.

With the SSN that you had a while back, i dont think you should have any problem with not being able to find it. I think they would be able to track this when they review your application. However, it would be a good idea to mention this in your I-129F application. Mention it on a separate piece of paper including the following:

write this at the top of the page) petitioner:_(name)_______ Beneficiary: ___(name)____

In Support of I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancee

Supplement to form G-325A, Biographical Information.

(Write the situation explaining about your previous SSN card, including the date it was issues, and date it expired (if you know it, or as best as you can). Also say what you were in the U.S. for and the dates from-to in the U.S. etc.)

remember to sign and date this with your name after (in black ink of course. Always use black ink).

As far as the income requirement, you can find the income guidelines on this site as to how much your fiancee needs to be earning at the time your petition is submitted. If your fiancee is not working at the time you submit your i-129f application, the fiancee can use a co-sponsor that earns the required amount over the poverty guideline, which information can be found on this website. (if you need help with this let me know). If you have savings over a certain amount, this may be in your favor, as they as this on the application. (you can check the guidelines for this). They want to know that your fiancee has enough to support you for the amount of time needed while you get settled and sorted in the U.S. She can use the income from a share in the sale of her grandparents company.. if it meets the required income amount needed to sponsor you then this should be ok. (check the guideline on this site).

As far as your high blood pressure... you shouldnt have a problem with this. However it would be a good idea to get a letter off your doctor (prior to the medical examination) explaining that you are being treated for it and it is under control.

Your medical examilation will be fine!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Photos: print out at home on photo paper, or plain paper even. Or upload to Walmart.com and they will be ready for pickup at the store in one hour. Nothing special needed. A few photos are good, but focus on what they consider shows you met in person like passport stamp entering the US, boarding passes, maybe receipts or credit card transactions in San Antonio. Yes, send only photocopies. No, they won't want to look at all your emails, plane tickets, Facebook status, or love letters at the interview in London. Each consulate has a different vibe and procedures so when you get past the petition, learn the London stuff in the UK forum.

Finances: presented at the interview in London. 8-10 months from when you file. 100% of the poverty guidelines for visa. 125% later for the greencard. Your job doesn't count, but your cash savings will. If she has steady income from an inheritance, get documentation to prove it and that will do if it meets the level required. Poverty levels http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf

Medical: recent thread by Brits on this subject who went to the same medical office in London that you will go to. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/421257-ir1-visa-medical-blood-pressure/

Service Center: Texas residents process at Vermont.

Social Security number: I wouldn't worry about it. It's inactive now anyway. Or write unknown. But that's just my opinion.

If you haven't found it yet, there is a guide of what to do here http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

and a flowchart http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

and tips for K1 here http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1tips

[Darnell 8,478]

cvs, walmart, sams club - all have online portals for uploading stuff to be printed, and the price is reasonable for 2 to 3 day turn-around.