Getting a head start

[N and J 88]

Correct! Some embassies it's very important to front-load (like mine) because it's a difficult embassy. It's a very straight forward process though! I feel bad for those that get a lawyer assuming they can't do it on their own with a normal case.

LOL even not so normal cases....I consulted with a lawyer (this is my second K1) and I was like you know what I will take my chances on my own. All an attorney does is send the stuff and sign their name to it. The petitioner still has to put everything together and get all the evidence which I think is the hardest part ONLY because it is so time-consuming. It really isn't that bad. The hardest part of this whole process is waiting =( but once it is over you can breathe. I don't drink but I always joke that this process should come with a bottle of wine and anti-anxiety medication.

[N and J 88]

I have been keeping up with this for years. I have not seen an RFE for not having an original signature in the last few years. Before 2013, I used to see them, when the form instructions asked for originals. After the instructions changed, they became a thing of the past.

That checklist is new. It did not used to exist, and it is just a checklist, not the actual instructions. It is not the first time the USCIS has had mistakes in their documents. All I know is that the optional checklist wording does not match the more important actual form instructions.

Thank you for informing me. I have since lost contact with my friends who previously applied. I went to school with them. Honestly I don't know why you wouldn't send copies of everything. Only because if it gets lost at least you still have the originals. I also don't see why it matters if it is a copy or original. It is still the same signature lol.

[narakthisud 174]

I also don't see why it matters if it is a copy or original. It is still the same signature lol.

You do realize we're talking about the federal government here, right? Bureaucrats love to make things difficult!

[N and J 88]

You do realize we're talking about the federal government here, right? Bureaucrats love to make things difficult!

Very true but also I don't think the workers at USCIS would want EXTRA work by pulling out a real signature detector lol

[narakthisud 174]

In all honesty, though, if I can get a "wet" signature while she's here in person, I think it makes the most sense to send that to USCIS and (obviously) keep copies of those signed docs.

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

Very true but also I don't think the workers at USCIS would want EXTRA work by pulling out a real signature detector lol

Maybe that is why they changed the instructions and stopped being so uptight about original signatures. Less work not to have to deal with sending out so many RFEs. It also just makes sense in the digital age when people are signing documents through apps on their phones even. And for some places the mail is just totally unreliable or non-existent. Allowing copies from the foreign fiance(e) is just quite helpful for some.

I suggest that if you can get the original signatures, then do it. If not, go with copies.

Edited May 29, 2016 by KayDeeCee

[russandraquel 86]

If I had it to do all over again, I would have done the entire I129F packet with her in person, wet signatures and eyeballing everything.

She ended up mailing me all the wet stuff, and I ended up making a mistake on our "how we met" letter. The mistake got through USCIS and we didn't see it until the weekend before our Monday interview. Fortunately, the mistake was never asked about and we were approved.

[TBoneTX 46,261]

Speaking of "normal"...are there any pitfalls to consider that are specific to Thailand and/or Southeast Asia? Her interview will (hopefully) take place at the Bangkok embassy. (Her B1/B2 interview this past April was easy based on what she said.)

Atop every VJ page are links for "Embassy Info" and "Reviews: Embassy." Search these for Bangkok. Pay closest attention to the worst things that happened.

See also the Thailand regional forum. The experienced members there can be of great help.

B-visa and K-1/CR-1 visa interviews are two completely different animals.

Edited May 29, 2016 by TBoneTX