I'm super overwhelmed and need help.

[godzilla1954 0]

Hello everyone,

I just made an account on here because I need some help with this whole process and I see a lot of people active on here so I hope I can get a response sooner the better. I've read the guides, watched peoples journeys on YouTube and done extensive research and I feel super overwhelmed.

So here is the current situation...

I live in Tempe AZ and she lives in Edinburgh Scotland.

I flown out to the UK Dec 10th to propose to the girl of my dreams. Thankfully she said yes and now we want to get this process done as soon as possible (we've waited 3 years just so we are in better positions in life). I'm here until Jan 9th 2016. She will be coming out to AZ (on a tourist visa) Jan 30th-Mar 30th.

Here are the questions I have:

• What should we accomplish while we are both here in Scotland?
• Should she get a full medical examination before she comes to AZ? What should she get covered?
• Can I send the paper work in AZ or do I mail it to TX?
• Do I send a personal check or a money order? I send this with all the forums, proof, etc?
• Do we get our marriage license before or after we file?
• What documentation should she bring with her back to AZ?
• With proof of legitimacy of our relationship does it have to be a consistent 2 years or can it just show we've been in contact for more than 2 years? We have boarding passes from 3 years ago showing she visited me.
• How much proof do we actually need (quantified)?
• Should I start the paper work when I get back to AZ or when she gets there?

If anyone has any tips or guides to make this as simple and clear for me as possible that would be incredible.

All I want to do is make this as smooth, fast and stress free as possible for the both us.

Thank you so much for those who take the time to read this and respond. Your help honestly means the world to me.

Mikey

Edited December 22, 2015 by godzilla1954

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Our Guide covers a lot of your questions: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

• Do we get our marriage license before or after we file? - You get it when she arrives on her K1 visa; getting the visa will take about 6 months from filing to interview, and she then has 6 months to use it.

• With proof of legitimacy of our relationship does it have to be a consistent 2 years or can it just show we've been in contact for more than 2 years? We have boarding passes from 3 years ago showing she visited me. - Neither, you just need to have physically met anytime within the last 2 years.

[Boiler 45,348]

• What should we accomplish while we are both here in Scotland?
• Should she get a full medical examination before she comes to AZ? What should she get covered?
• Can I send the paper work in AZ or do I mail it to TX?
• Do I send a personal check or a money order? I send this with all the forums, proof, etc?
• Do we get our marriage license before or after we file?
• What documentation should she bring with her back to AZ?
• With proof of legitimacy of our relationship does it have to be a consistent 2 years or can it just show we've been in contact for more than 2 years? We have boarding passes from 3 years ago showing she visited me.
• How much proof do we actually need (quantified)?
• Should I start the paper work when I get back to AZ or when she gets there?

The first thing you need to do is read the Guides. You need to get a good grip on the whole process.

Medical is done right at the end of the process. You can file asap, it is a long process and you have plenty of time to get everything together.

Edited December 22, 2015 by Boiler

[cj21 12]

You must read and do your research using the USCIS website and the US Embassy where your fiance is currently leaving and where she will file the K1 visa application. Its a long and complicated process so better read the instruction several times. I had to read it like more than 3 times to get a hold of what is needed and what is not. Tip: do not ever make a mistake in filling these papers because it will be returned and will take months again of waiting. all the best and good luck.

here is the link: http://www.uscis.gov/i-129f

[Dashinka 24,402]

The first thing you need to do is relax and take a deep breath. Then, as the other replies stated, read the guides and follow them. The K1 process is fairly straightforward and easy to do yourself without the need for a lawyer if your case is simple (I.e. No past legal issues). Now while the K1 application is fairly easy and will mostly be on your shoulders in the beginning (remember, the K1 is your application, not hers) you should make sure you keep all the evidence you have of your relationship. You may not need all of it for the I129, but it may come in handy as you continue this process (adjustment of status, naturalization, etc.). I don't think she needs to bring anything to AZ at this point except for a personal statement affirming her desire to be your wife along with a summary of the relationship from her perspective that you will include with your application. Apart from that, she should start gathering her important documents that will come in handy later in the process (birth certificate, any divorce decrees, etc.). Of course the guides explain this very well.

Enjoy your journey and Good Luck!

Edited December 22, 2015 by Bill & Katya

[yuna628 9,665]

Hello everyone,

I just made an account on here because I need some help with this whole process and I see a lot of people active on here so I hope I can get a response sooner the better. I've read the guides, watched peoples journeys on YouTube and done extensive research and I feel super overwhelmed.

So here is the current situation...

I live in Tempe AZ and she lives in Edinburgh Scotland.

I flown out to the UK Dec 10th to propose to the girl of my dreams. Thankfully she said yes and now we want to get this process done as soon as possible (we've waited 3 years just so we are in better positions in life). I'm here until Jan 9th 2016. She will be coming out to AZ (on a tourist visa) Jan 30th-Mar 30th.

Here are the questions I have:

• What should we accomplish while we are both here in Scotland?
• Should she get a full medical examination before she comes to AZ? What should she get covered?
• Can I send the paper work in AZ or do I mail it to TX?
• Do I send a personal check or a money order? I send this with all the forums, proof, etc?
• Do we get our marriage license before or after we file?
• What documentation should she bring with her back to AZ?
• With proof of legitimacy of our relationship does it have to be a consistent 2 years or can it just show we've been in contact for more than 2 years? We have boarding passes from 3 years ago showing she visited me.
• How much proof do we actually need (quantified)?
• Should I start the paper work when I get back to AZ or when she gets there?

If anyone has any tips or guides to make this as simple and clear for me as possible that would be incredible.

All I want to do is make this as smooth, fast and stress free as possible for the both us.

Thank you so much for those who take the time to read this and respond. Your help honestly means the world to me.

Mikey

Hi there:

While you are with your fiancé, you could look over the process and read the guides together. She could even help to fill out some of the paperwork, which you could finish up and then mail when you return home.

When you say 'tourist visa', do you mean that she has actually managed to obtain a tourist visa or is she just coming to visit you by using the visa waiver program, which allows you to stay for up to 90 days?

Do you intend to file for a K-1 fiancé visa and marry in the USA after it has been approved? If so, then you absolutely do not obtain a marriage license until you go to marry her. K-1's are for fiancés to enter the country to marry, not for those who have been already married.

There is no need for her to go to a medical. The government will inform her when it is time to obtain a medical. This medical must be completed in London at Knightsbridge. She will need to journey to London on two occasions: once for the medical and once for the interview. She'll also have some paperwork to complete on her side and fees to pay.

To start you will send a check in the amount of $340 with your completed application and other required documents. I'd suggest reading this guide carefully, it will describe everything you want to know. http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

For the application, it will be asking that you prove you have met within the past two years. You being in the UK now is part of that proof. Copy of your passport stamps or boarding passes, copies of any receipts showing that you two were in the same location at the same time, photographs of you two together at certain landmarks or locations (did you have a receipt showing a table for two or movie tickets? a bank statement showing a withdraw from an ATM in her location etc). The proofs we sent were exactly like that. It is typically not needed to send additional relationship evidence for cases regarding a UK beneficiary, however we did choose to also include some such as a copy of the ring receipt and copies of cards from friends and family regarding the engagement. Some people even choose to include more, but this is rather overkill.

[baron555 934]

• What should we accomplish while we are both here in Scotland?
• Bring back a signed G325A form, her signed Letter of Intent and a passport sized photo.
• Should she get a full medical examination before she comes to AZ? What should she get covered?
• Nope, that comes later, after NOA2 and NVC.
• Can I send the paper work in AZ or do I mail it to TX?
• The instructions say Texas.
• Do I send a personal check or a money order? I send this with all the forums, proof, etc?
• Yes, either.
• Do we get our marriage license before or after we file?
• Much much later.
• What documentation should she bring with her back to AZ?
• Stated above.
• With proof of legitimacy of our relationship does it have to be a consistent 2 years or can it just show we've been in contact for more than 2 years?
• No, you need to prove to a total stranger, the Embassy CO, that you have a legitmate relationship and are not attempting visa fraud. Content and quality of evidences are better than quantity. Collect various evidences that shows the evolution of your relationship and all the talk of the seriousness of it.
• We have boarding passes from 3 years ago showing she visited me.
• For the petition you only need to show documentation of one meeting in person. Use the other visits for the interview.
• How much proof do we actually need (quantified)?
• As much as needed.
• Should I start the paper work when I get back to AZ or when she gets there?
• If you bring back the documents first described, then you can begin the process.

If anyone has any tips or guides to make this as simple and clear for me as possible that would be incredible.

Read the Guides and Follow the Example Forms....links at the top of this page.

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

It would probably be a good idea to download and prepare any forms listed in the guides that would require her wet signature, it will save a lot of time & money where postal steps are concerned.

[Advanced Aardvark 82]

The guides, specimen forms and letters are worth their weight in gold! Most of your questions are answered in the guides.

This process will be more like a marathon than a sprint. Reading and following the guides WILL shorten the process by reducing the potential of RFEs (Request For Evidence). If a form or fee is not correct, or if vital information is missing, you will receive an RFE. This will delay the processing of your paperwork. It really is good advice to read and follow the guides. Then, be sure to ask any questions for clarification.

Good luck!

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

Here are the questions I have:

• What should we accomplish while we are both here in Scotland?
• Like mentioned before, bring back signed form G325A. It will help if you will also bring back signed letter with intent to marry each other and include it in your paperwork. Make pictures together, with family members or friends, may be with something what will show current year. Save any tickets/reciepts with your both names.
• Should she get a full medical examination before she comes to AZ? What should she get covered?
• She will get all of the instructions before interview, you don't need to do anything right now.
• Do I send a personal check or a money order? I send this with all the forums, proof, etc?
• Either one would work but I would recommend a check. You will know when USCIS will cash it and in case your paperwork will get lost you can stop payment on check easily.
• Do we get our marriage license before or after we file?
• After she will arrive the US with K-1 visa in her passport.
• With proof of legitimacy of our relationship does it have to be a consistent 2 years or can it just show we've been in contact for more than 2 years? We have boarding passes from 3 years ago showing she visited me.
• It doesn't have anything to do with lenght of your relationship. It can be 1, 2, 3 years - doesn't matter. But you must prove that you've met in person at least once within the past 2 years prior filing petition.
• How much proof do we actually need (quantified)?
• It doesn't hurt to send more than necessary, it hurts to send not enough. Variety is more important than quantity. You don't need to send 500 photos, but if you will send only photos it most likely will be not enough. Call or chat logs, tickets, photos, social media screens etc. - anything will help.
• Should I start the paper work when I get back to AZ or when she gets there?
• You can start preparing papers as early as you want, it's easier to have most of the paperwork done ahead rather than try to prepare entire K-1 package in a few days.

- Victor from Russia

Edited December 22, 2015 by Amy_and_Victor

[godzilla1954 0]

Hi there:

While you are with your fiancé, you could look over the process and read the guides together. She could even help to fill out some of the paperwork, which you could finish up and then mail when you return home.

When you say 'tourist visa', do you mean that she has actually managed to obtain a tourist visa or is she just coming to visit you by using the visa waiver program, which allows you to stay for up to 90 days?

Do you intend to file for a K-1 fiancé visa and marry in the USA after it has been approved? If so, then you absolutely do not obtain a marriage license until you go to marry her. K-1's are for fiancés to enter the country to marry, not for those who have been already married.

There is no need for her to go to a medical. The government will inform her when it is time to obtain a medical. This medical must be completed in London at Knightsbridge. She will need to journey to London on two occasions: once for the medical and once for the interview. She'll also have some paperwork to complete on her side and fees to pay.

To start you will send a check in the amount of $340 with your completed application and other required documents. I'd suggest reading this guide carefully, it will describe everything you want to know. http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

For the application, it will be asking that you prove you have met within the past two years. You being in the UK now is part of that proof. Copy of your passport stamps or boarding passes, copies of any receipts showing that you two were in the same location at the same time, photographs of you two together at certain landmarks or locations (did you have a receipt showing a table for two or movie tickets? a bank statement showing a withdraw from an ATM in her location etc). The proofs we sent were exactly like that. It is typically not needed to send additional relationship evidence for cases regarding a UK beneficiary, however we did choose to also include some such as a copy of the ring receipt and copies of cards from friends and family regarding the engagement. Some people even choose to include more, but this is rather overkill.

[Elena M 0]

First, be clear that k1 is only for fiance. So if you intend to pursue this visa do not get married! If you plan on getting married before bringing her here, then you will be applying for a spouse visa, I think its called the CR1 (I think?).

Look at the k1 visa guide on this website. It is a huge help. Your first step is to assemble and mail the I-129 petition packet. You will mail this on behalf of your fiance. You are the petitioner, and she is the beneficiary. Read through what you need for that. Look at and read all the directions for all of that. Then you can prioritize which of those things need a wet signature from her, and you can get that done when you're together.

It is a lengthy process, so the earlier you start the earlier she can get here.

I also highly recommend you both join the facebook group. There are two pages. One is the official page for this website. The other is also called Visa Journey but is listed as a closed group. The administrators will approve your request to join. This page has been a huge help for us. People going through visa processes post, answer questions, and support each other. You will get timely responses on any questions you ask. They are informal answers, but you're getting answers from people who have been through the process and are currently going through it.

All the best!