Getting started on the right foot

[AJZier 1]

I know these may seem to be easy questions for someone farther down the journey than myself but here are some questions that I would like to ask.

1. I visited several sights concerning this process, on VISA journey you talk about the I-129F package and payment but I am not positive about the amount of payment. I visited a sight called Travel.State.Gov that looks like a government type site, see below:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2994.html#5,

They talk about the 129f with a fee of $340 as discussed on VisaJourney but then they talk about a second step and form DS-156 that I do not see mentioned on the VisaJourney site. This nonimmigrant visa application processing fee, Form DS-156 (required for each K visa applicant) is $240, is this real or just a site trying to take my money?

1. What do you consider the quickest and most reliable way to mail paperwork back and forth between Manila, Philippines, and the US?
2. My fiancé has two boys aged 10 and 14, are the children required to file the K-2 VISA’s along with the K-1 VISA’s or can these wait till after so that the interview’s may be handled during their break from school?
3. I have a VA disability pension from an injury I incurred while in the Navy. I could not see a place to add this in the I-134 Affidavit of Support. I also have a fulltime job as a teacher with a salary of approximately $50k so this may not be needed but I just wondered how to handle this.

Sorry I have asked so many questions but I am trying to make this process as painless as possible. I do not see any major hurdles but I would like to do it right the first time. Thank you…

[tcgator 1]

When you file the I-129F you will have to include payment of $340. That is the initial processing fee. When your fiance (the foreign beneficiary) goes to her interview later on down the road, she will have to pay another fee at the interview of $240.

As for the other questions, I don't know how to answer. Good luck!

[EAS 45]

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1. What do you consider the quickest and most reliable way to mail paperwork back and forth between Manila, Philippines, and the US?
2. My fiancé has two boys aged 10 and 14, are the children required to file the K-2 VISA’s along with the K-1 VISA’s or can these wait till after so that the interview’s may be handled during their break from school?
3. I have a VA disability pension from an injury I incurred while in the Navy. I could not see a place to add this in the I-134 Affidavit of Support. I also have a fulltime job as a teacher with a salary of approximately $50k so this may not be needed but I just wondered how to handle this.

Sorry I have asked so many questions but I am trying to make this process as painless as possible. I do not see any major hurdles but I would like to do it right the first time. Thank you…

The questions about the fees has been addressed above so I won't address them.

1. Quick and reliable is FEDEX or DHL, but they are expensive.

2. The children must be listed on the I-129F whether or not they plan to get a visa in the future. The children only derive K-2 eligibility from the K-1. The K-2s do not have a accompany the K-1 to the US and can follow up to a year later. Interview timing can be worked on with the United States Embassy in Manila.

3. Your pension is income. If you choose to list it it should be listed in the income blank.

[ppihtr123 68]

I know these may seem to be easy questions for someone farther down the journey than myself but here are some questions that I would like to ask.

1. I visited several sights concerning this process, on VISA journey you talk about the I-129F package and payment but I am not positive about the amount of payment. I visited a sight called Travel.State.Gov that looks like a government type site, see below:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2994.html#5,

They talk about the 129f with a fee of $340 as discussed on VisaJourney but then they talk about a second step and form DS-156 that I do not see mentioned on the VisaJourney site. This nonimmigrant visa application processing fee, Form DS-156 (required for each K visa applicant) is $240, is this real or just a site trying to take my money?

1. What do you consider the quickest and most reliable way to mail paperwork back and forth between Manila, Philippines, and the US?
2. My fiancé has two boys aged 10 and 14, are the children required to file the K-2 VISA’s along with the K-1 VISA’s or can these wait till after so that the interview’s may be handled during their break from school?
3. I have a VA disability pension from an injury I incurred while in the Navy. I could not see a place to add this in the I-134 Affidavit of Support. I also have a fulltime job as a teacher with a salary of approximately $50k so this may not be needed but I just wondered how to handle this.

Sorry I have asked so many questions but I am trying to make this process as painless as possible. I do not see any major hurdles but I would like to do it right the first time. Thank you…

You have come to the right place!

OK first study this: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide and other guides and shortcuts above having to do with K1 and K2

then for your other questions...

1. fed ex but $$$, USPS also works but takes longer and sometimes there are issues with Philippine post side

2. they can follow up to 1 year. look for "follow to join" information on the kids. As there are kids involved be prepared for letter from Ex or sole custody order if he is on birth certs.

3. 50K is fine for 4 so use the teacher job as income, the other is bonus. It is best to order tax transcripts from the IRS now as that will make life a little easier down the road. They are free from the IRS site.

Other things to keep in mind...

If she was married before, ensure she has her annulment all the way to NSO by way of annotated marriage cert.

you also MUST have face to face meeting and able to prove it within the last 2 years prior to filling.

[Hank_ 9,174]

I know these may seem to be easy questions for someone farther down the journey than myself but here are some questions that I would like to ask.

1. I visited several sights concerning this process, on VISA journey you talk about the I-129F package and payment but I am not positive about the amount of payment. I visited a sight called Travel.State.Gov that looks like a government type site, see below:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2994.html#5,

They talk about the 129f with a fee of $340 as discussed on VisaJourney but then they talk about a second step and form DS-156 that I do not see mentioned on the VisaJourney site. This nonimmigrant visa application processing fee, Form DS-156 (required for each K visa applicant) is $240, is this real or just a site trying to take my money?

1. What do you consider the quickest and most reliable way to mail paperwork back and forth between Manila, Philippines, and the US?
2. My fiancé has two boys aged 10 and 14, are the children required to file the K-2 VISA’s along with the K-1 VISA’s or can these wait till after so that the interview’s may be handled during their break from school?
3. I have a VA disability pension from an injury I incurred while in the Navy. I could not see a place to add this in the I-134 Affidavit of Support. I also have a fulltime job as a teacher with a salary of approximately $50k so this may not be needed but I just wondered how to handle this.

Sorry I have asked so many questions but I am trying to make this process as painless as possible. I do not see any major hurdles but I would like to do it right the first time. Thank you…

Both fees are real, $340 is the petition fee (I-129F) the $240 is the visa fee that is paid later. BTW there will be a $240 for EACH visa ++ .

For sending documents, DON'T use the mail, it may be reliable here but in the Phils no so. DHL, FEDEX, UPS, LBC are options.

The K-2 visas can be delayed for up to a year from the approval date of the K-1 visa, if they are not processed by then ... its a do over and lots of waiting.. again.

List the VA disability income with your salary income on the "I derive an annual income of" ________, then provide supporting documents. Its that simple. If you income is adequate for supporting all according to the I-864P 125% guidelines then you don't need to list anything else.

Oh.. and pop down to the Philippines forum and say "Howdy" good group, lots of answers.

Edited June 13, 2013 by Hank_

[Tahoma 2,292]

When you file the I-129F you will have to include payment of $340. That is the initial processing fee. When your fiance (the foreign beneficiary) goes to her interview later on down the road, she will have to pay another fee at the interview of $240.

If the beneficiary is going to interview at the U.S. Embassy Manila, the $240 visa application fee must be paid before an interview can be scheduled.

[LoveLife2 5]

Hello AJZier,

My situation is same as yours with only difference is that the boys are 6 and 9 yrs old. My Fiancie never married the boys Father and the ex-boyfriends name is on the kids Birth Certificates.

There has been some very good informational replies!

Our NOA1 is April 19, 2013 and I just started documenting what the costs we will see with the visa's for my Fiance and the two kids. In addition to the costs you had asked about and were confirmed by other vjer's here is a few not listed:

Medical-St. Lukes

Age Price (USD) Price (PhP) 15 years and older USD 223.00 PhP 9,366.00 less than 15 years old USD 185.00 PhP 7,770.00

Visa Fee of $240 for each Visa. This totals for Fiance' and 2 kids at: $720.00

Travel Fees.

Unless included in your Air ticket purchase made in Philippines or booked by Philippine travel agent, Excpect to pay $$1,620 PHP or $121.50 USD

CFO

Only Fiance needs to attend and not the children but Children ID, Passport and BC must be presented.

Each visa stamp must pay 400 PHP. 'I need to verify this'

My last bit of advice is not to forget about the travel costs, hotel, food, taxi etc to all of these appointments.

I wish you the best of luck and God speed on your journey :-)

Brad