Do I need a cover letter for the I-129F petition?

[Mr&MrsA 9]

Use a cover letter to have everything organized and easy to check...

[visagreenhorn 4]

It definitely seems to me that you are just starting out on your K1 journey, welcome to the club, and as someone else recommended: Read the Guides. Not only the K1 but also the Adjustment of Status (AoS) guides. You'll need to know what is coming up in the future as well, because there is a lot to this process and if you are planning to do it alone then you need to study up. If it feels like too much then get a lawyer but it's a very doable process on its own, which is what many of us do.

Also to answer your question about the passport style photos you will need hers. Also the letter of Intent, one from you and one from her, should be the originals with signatures. She'll also have to sign her G-1145a, which is where the passport photo is needed.

K1 Guide: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

K1 Flowchart: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

Another thing is to look at the comparisons, http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare, and see how much the process will cost in government fees. Though these prices do not reflect mailing documents back and forth, plane ticket to USA, or the things she/he will need to start their life here. Remember to plan it well and everything will go fine.

Best of Luck and Smooth Sailing on your Journey.

Well since she is in China now...I only have her passport photo that she emailed to me. I don't see how I can get some actual photos from her...does she actually have to mail them or something? So I will turn in the letter of intent to marry from both me and her along with the I-129F petition right?

[visagreenhorn 4]

I suggest :

1. letter of intent to marry from you

2. letter of intent to marry from her.

3. evolution of relationship letter

then you can 'simply fill out' the details of your last meetup in the I-129F form.

Guangzhou IV is a tough sum-b|tch, IMO (and others), the evolution of relationship letter is a must. It'll get read by a Vice Consul there in the IV Unit before interview day, if'n you include it with the I-129F petition, and that's the point.

You not need to provide proof of 'ongoing relationship' - that's required as part of a spousal visa submittal. However, since it's Guangzhou IV (again, that's one tough sum-b|tch IV Unit) - it's recommended to include it.

You do need to provide proof of meeting and it's 'time' specific - so pay attention to that 2 year span.

This proof can be receipts, passport stamps, photos, newspaper articles about the two of you, etc.

remember - for I-129F submittal - ain't no original document required, except the G-325A - she needs her original signature on that - cannot just sign in China, scan it and email it - must be original signature. For all the rest of it, submit photocopies.

I will provide ongoing back n' forth emails between us and photos of you together in different locations to prove our ongoing relationship and intent to marry. I will have her write a letter with intent to marry me and sign it and then email it to me to print out.

The problem with getting her original signature? She is already in China and doesn't want to come here just to sign something. She wants to come here after she already has the K-1 visa. How do I we do this? She will need to sign it and then mail it all the way from China and then I have to mail that along with the petition?

[Darnell 8,479]

I guess you not think about EMS via China Post. OK.

For 'what to ship' to you:

1. G-325A

2. passport photos (USA style, not China style) .

3. her letter of intent.

You hinted that she's a gold-collar worker, so her shipping things to you , paying for FAST shipment, shouldn't be a problem.

[visagreenhorn 4]

I guess you not think about EMS via China Post. OK.

For 'what to ship' to you:

1. G-325A

2. passport photos (USA style, not China style) .

3. her letter of intent.

You hinted that she's a gold-collar worker, so her shipping things to you , paying for FAST shipment, shouldn't be a problem.

Yes, she would be able to mail me anything pretty quickly. I have no idea where is going to get a hold of "US style photos" being in China.

Edited August 7, 2013 by visagreenhorn

[Darnell 8,479]

any photo shop knows how to make 'USA VISA PHOTOS'

[St&Sv 33]

Well since she is in China now...I only have her passport photo that she emailed to me. I don't see how I can get some actual photos from her...does she actually have to mail them or something? So I will turn in the letter of intent to marry from both me and her along with the I-129F petition right?

Well an idea would be to see if she can get her picture taken with the USA specification and have them give her a digital copy of it. Then she can email it to you, and if you have a Walmart nearby up you can upload it to their photo center. Walmart gives you the option to print passport photos on their website which gives you 2 prints.

The letter of intent for the I-129F packet from both of you, with original signatures, will be sent in with the rest of the packet. Again I urge you to follow the guidelines and follow them as they tell you exactly what you need and give you an order to use. The cover letter example is a great overview of everything you will include in the packet.

Here is a link to our passport style specifications:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotoreq/photocomptemplate/photocomptemplate_5297.html

It should be 2in x 2in which is 50mm x 50mm.

[bigdog 376]

We did the digital photo deal worked great, EMS is very reliable but pricy. We are hoping the rest of your process goes smoother.

[visagreenhorn 4]

Alright, well she is in the process of sending everything she needs to using EMS at China Post. I was also wondering...if she has a child...will the child also needs to have US style passport photos taken of him too? I am already providing photos I have had taken with her and even with her child in different locations to prove that we have known each other and met in person with the past 2 years. Is there anything she needs to provide me regarding the child before I send in the I-129F petition? I know that later she will need to apply for a K-2 visa for him along with her K-1.

[visagreenhorn 4]

Me and my fiance are currently filling out the template for the intent to marry with the first 90 days after arrival and I'm not sure what to put for this?

United States Department of State
United States Consulate, [name of country where Embassy is located]
[Embassy Address]

I thought that these forms were going to be delivered along with the I-129F petition packet to the Dallas lockbox address? How do I know which embassy address to put down? This is the only part of this form that we are not clear about.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Review this link to the Guangzhou US consulate:

http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/contact-us.html

You may want to 'bookmark' or 'favorite' the link, and review the consulate website, in particular, the IV Unit. We became very acquainted with the Guangzhou US consulate during our immigration journey.

Good luck.

[visagreenhorn 4]

Review this link to the Guangzhou US consulate:

http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/contact-us.html

You may want to 'bookmark' or 'favorite' the link, and review the consulate website, in particular, the IV Unit. We became very acquainted with the Guangzhou US consulate during our immigration journey.

Good luck.

So on both my and my fiance's intent to marry letter, we will put down the address to the consulate located in Guangzhou even though these will first be mailed to the lock box in Dallas, Texas correct? I bookmarked the link, thanks.

Edited August 8, 2013 by visagreenhorn

[Pitaya 2,577]

If I recall correctly, we addressed the first letter of intent to the Lewisville, TX lockbox, and the follow-up letter of continuing intent to the Guangzhou consulate. The important thing is to prepare send the respective letters, and not get too hung-up on the respective addresses.

Edited August 8, 2013 by A&B

[visagreenhorn 4]

Alright, since these first two letters will be going along with the petition packet to the Dallas, TX lock-box, then I will just have both of them addressed there for now. When will the follow up letters of intent to marry be needed? Would we need to have these written up as soon as we found out that the petition was approved and she is filling out the paperwork for the K-1 visa on her end?

I have a good friend who also married a Chinese woman and they hired a lawyer. He told me that their process was fast and had no hangups. He recommends that I hire a lawyer, but he told me it will cost around $900 minimum and we both currently don't have the extra money to afford a lawyer. So that is why I am trying to make sure I have everything down, to avoid losing time over making mistakes.

Edited August 10, 2013 by visagreenhorn

[CrazyRide 2]

Alright, since these first two letters will be going along with the petition packet to the Dallas, TX lock-box, then I will just have both of them addressed there for now. When will the follow up letters of intent to marry be needed? Would we need to have these written up as soon as we found out that the petition was approved and she is filling out the paperwork for the K-1 visa on her end?

I have a good friend who also married a Chinese woman and they hired a lawyer. He told me that their process was fast and had no hangups. He recommends that I hire a lawyer, but he told me it will cost around $900 minimum and we both currently don't have the extra money to afford a lawyer. So that is why I am trying to make sure I have everything down, to avoid losing time over making mistakes.

The follow up letters are needed at the interview, so I would sign them as soon as you can before the interview, they will be looking for the most current proof that you still intend to get married.

There is a lot to this process, some prefer paying a lawyer to do it so they don't have to worry about it. The process wont necessarily be any faster, having a your forms filled out by a lawyer doesn't put your petition to the front of the line, however the chance of an RFE is a lot less likely therefore the process could go faster. You seem like you're getting your head in the game, and your last few post seem like you are doing your research, there is certainly plenty of help here, if you think you have the time and diligence and are willing to accept that you might get an RFE, which isn't the end of the world, I'd say keep your $900 and do it yourself.

Good luck!

FYI, I am doing a write up on my I-129F petition and I am trying to be as detailed as possible for people to follow, I am just getting started but you might want to check it out, just click on the link in my signature "Our K-1 Journey"

Edited August 10, 2013 by CrazyRide