New here doing a K-1 Visa

[sofkins 1]

Hello everyone glad to have found this forum. I met my fiancé two years ago in Jamaica while vacationing. We will be doing the K-1 Fiancé Visa. I live in Brooklyn, NY. He currently works on a cruise ship in Florida for about a year now and has a crewman visa. His contract ends in November in which he will return to Jamaica. I am just beginning to put together the application.

My questions are how long will this process take for a Jamaican? What address should I use for him? As for the proof of relationship: I have airline tickets and photos (Do I date the photos?). We use Whatsapp a lot to communicate do I print out a copy of the last two years of texts and do they need to see the conversation as there are some very intimate conversation there.

Thanks in advance for your help

[yuna628 9,676]

Hi there,

I can't answer anything specifically related to your consulate in question or specific evidence they may want to see at interview time. What I can tell you though, is that for a K-1 you must prove you have met within 2 years - and since you have photos and tickets/boarding passes that certainly is a good thing. Copies of passport/with passports stamps also helps. Any receipts or ticket stubs you have showing you're at the same place at the same time.

The length of time once you get out of the USCIS stage will depend entirely on the embassy. However, all currently filed K-1 applications, once sent to the Texas Lockbox are being directed to the California Service Center (hint: this is the faster processing center). This is for an undetermined amount of time though. You can expect, if there is no issues with your case a result within a few months time, and then it will be onto the embassy stage.

Have a look over the K1 guide. There will be a few documents he will need to sign and mail you (not photocopy, the actual copy). http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

And yes, we did label the back of our photographs with the dates, the who, and the where.

Edited June 15, 2015 by yuna628

[sofkins 1]

Thank you so much for your reply it was very helpful since its going to the California service center I better get this thing together ASAP.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Yes you can print your whatsapp texts. You don't have to include every word just a sample of some pages throughout your relationship. I think it's helpful at the interview to show ongoing relationship.

After you receive your NOA2 and case number things move quickly. You can go to the Jamaica portal and review some timelines to get an idea.

Best of Luck!

[Unshakable Faith 493]

I was told by a Visa Officer to just include a few messages for every month that you've had a relationship to prove that it is on-going. And not to include intimate types of messages because it does not really prove a relationship.

[TBoneTX 45,292]

Welcome to the forum.

[tayurshu 37]

Hello Sofkins,

Welcome, and good luck! I am awaiting my K-1 final approval and printing. We began filing in October last year.

In terms of your questions:

• Timing: Nobody really knows. The best thing to do is to start filling out your timeline in your profile, and then also see "similar timelines". That will give you a ballpark idea of processing times.
• Proof of relationship: I come from a country and consulate well known for being easier on applications for good reason (Sydney, Australia). Still, I went to my interview with an extreme level of proof of relationship: Our relationship registration which we completed in September last year (a state certificate in Australia); boarding passes; Facebook posts from her and my family from when we got engaged; the receipt, valuation and appraisal of the ring; numerous photos from many of my visits and her time here in Australia (including holidaying domestically together in both countries); letters she's sent me; cards she's sent me; pictures of the surprise present she organised for my birthday as we weren't together.

My feeling is that USCIS is fairly relaxed with the proof you need at the petition stage. That can change significantly when it comes time for Consulate-level assessment, including interview. I offered up all of my large package of relationship proof at my interview, however it wasn't needed at all. What a waste of time, huh? However, it was there if I needed it/was asked.

My best tip is this: anything you can prove your relationship, do it. Think creatively, too. Hell, bringing the receipt for the ring was a bit creative but I thought "If I can show i spent THAT MUCH, then obviously this is pretty real!", ha!

You'll find VJ is a great source of information. Remember, as much proof as possible and keep it organised and easy to understand. Presenting your information easily and professionally goes a long way!

[sofkins 1]

Thanks for all the advice much appreciated.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.

[bigdog 376]

Welcome to VJ.