K-1 Need help from the forum please

[Bluebird1963 0]

I'm about to start a k-1 visa for my girlfriend, she is abroad right now.

I understand i need to fill a i-129f and we both need to fill a g-325a, she needs to download the form fill in and send it to me? Do you guys think its better to have a lawyer doing all the work?

Do you know a company called RapidVisa, or any other reliable company that can help me thru the process which is not necessarily a lawyer?

I live in Oakland, CA, where my forms should be sent?

Thank you.. Feeling a little overwhelmed from the uscis website ?

[Pitaya 2,577]

I'm about to start a k-1 visa for my girlfriend, she is abroad right now.

I understand i need to fill a i-129f and we both need to fill a g-325a, she needs to download the form fill in and send it to me? Do you guys think its better to have a lawyer doing all the work?

Do you know a company called RapidVisa, or any other reliable company that can help me thru the process which is not necessarily a lawyer?

I live in Oakland, CA, where my forms should be sent?

Thank you.. Feeling a little overwhelmed from the uscis website ?

Welcome to the forum.

easily accessible at the top of the forum page. In particular, the K1 Visa guide, http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide. This is a DIY site, most people here have uncomplicated cases, and do it themselves without the need for an attorney or other service (and the added cost). You need to become familiar with the Form I-129F and associated form instructions, https://www.uscis.gov/i-129f , for info on fees, mailing address, etc.

Lastly, be sure to review several of the recent postings in this forum. There are many people here similarly situated as yourself.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

Edited October 31, 2016 by Pitaya

[BenjaminKeating 114]

As above, a lawyer would only be useful if there is something unusual about your case (prior overstay in the US, communicable disease, criminal record etc).

Many of us did it without lawyers and have succeeded! I knew nothing about the K1 and four months after filing I now have my visa! Get familiar with the guides, do your research and ask questions when you need to. Good luck!

[Anitafeliz 1,133]

I seem to think lawyers hold it up.

I was in control of my entire case no help from anyone and continue to be.

BUT if you are busy or don't want to research a lot that's when these services come into play.

[soulstriker 274]

if you want to lose more control of your case then use a lawyer , but doing it yourself your better unless you have some crazy skeletons in your closet , no lawyer needed

[randrb 17]

I think it's 100% possible without a lawyer. Also, you will learn a lot along the way, which may prove useful in the future! Rely on this site and you can pretty much find answers to all of your questions!

The USCIS site will provide you with where you should send your application. Here: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/direct-filing-addresses-form-i-129f-petition-alien-fiancee

The whole process is overwhelming to say the least!

Here's what I could find on original vs. scanned G325:
http://www.***removed***/forum/showthread.php/71234-G-325A-signature

"

What is Form G-325A?

Form G-325A is a biographical form used to submit required information to the U.S. Immigrations and Citizenship Department, G-325A is a simple form that requires basic information such as name, date of birth, address, education, etc. This form can be filled easily online or it can be printed and mailed. Similar to a background verification document, it records the biographical information that will confirm the history or background of an individual The biographical or background information on Form G-325A provides an easy reference for the visa officer to assess your basic information. The G-325A information required is dependent on the type of visa applied for. Providing the truthful and complete information will go a long way in helping the visa procedure carry on smoothly with minimum concerns. Here is a link to access the Form G-325A:
http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/g-325a.html

Who is the petitioner and beneficiary? Do both require G-325A forms?

The petitioner is usually the United States citizen. The beneficiary is the person trying to enter or obtain legal status in the United States. Form G-325A needs to be filed by each party, with their respective information and signatures – meaning there will be a form for each.

What are the address details that need to be included in the G-325A form? What are the photos are required for G-325A?

A person will need to list their current or present address first, even if they are not a resident themselves but married to one and living with them. Then the previous addresses for the last five years need to be included regardless of whether the addresses were in the United States or abroad.

Both Form I-130 and Form G-325A require photos of the petitioner/sponsor as well as the applicant/beneficiary.

Form G-325A has to be sent in duplicate. Do both need to be original or would copies suffice?

When an applicant submits Form G-325A, he or she will send one original and one copy. However, the signature of applicant needs to be an original signature on both forms. It is best to use a blue ink pen so the signature is visible and viewed as authentic by the visa officer reviewing the document."

I hope this helps you and good luck throughout the process!!!

[cperficio 7]

I am at this stage of the process, about to file i29F. But it is more than the i29f alone. There is a 325a, passport sized photos, statements of intent to marry...

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1k2visa-application.html

I have a high degree of confidence that I can do this.

[Limey 551]

As above, no one cares more about you getting the visa than you and your partner. To a lawyer its just another job. I know we spent more time double checking it and getting it right than any lawyer would have done.

It really isn't difficult. Even if you use a lawyer then they don't know all your details, or your parents details etc... so you'll spend a lot of time sourcing documents like birth certificates, divorce certificates, and conveying all the information to them. Why not enter it directly on the forms yourselves, and save time and money.

Plus you have the satisfaction when that visa is granted that you did it together!

Edited October 31, 2016 by Limey

[randrb 17]

I am at this stage of the process, about to file i29F. But it is more than the i29f alone. There is a 325a, passport sized photos, statements of intent to marry...

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1k2visa-application.html

I have a high degree of confidence that I can do this.

At first glance, it's easy to think it's just the I-129F, but after reading some more, you realize how much is needed!

All I can say when getting started, is READ everything you can before you decide on what you're doing! Read on multiple sites (government, here, other sites!)

[sfcscott 34]

Welcome to the forum.

easily accessible at the top of the forum page. In particular, the K1 Visa guide, http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide. This is a DIY site, most people here have uncomplicated cases, and do it themselves without the need for an attorney or other service (and the added cost). You need to become familiar with the Form I-129F and associated form instructions, https://www.uscis.gov/i-129f , for info on fees, mailing address, etc.

Lastly, be sure to review several of the recent postings in this forum. There are many people here similarly situated as yourself.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

I would disagree that this is a DIY stie. I think many people come here with complicated situations and ask for advice. If you have an attorney involved in your case or not, you can always get good information here.

Edited October 31, 2016 by sfcscott

[mollenne 11]

Hi --

My husband came to the US from Israel on a K1 visa. We put the 129F petition packet together ourselves, but we did hire a lawyer in Israel to handle a few specific questions that were unique to our case.

My husband had a traffic violation incident about 8 years ago in Israel and he did get his license suspended for about a year because of it, and did have some court documentation concerning this that we needed to provide to USCIS. Having a lawyer from Israel who specialized in US and UK immigration did help us with our questions regarding this. She also helped do some certified English translations of this paperwork, which was kind of expensive, but also worth it for peace of mind.

We did not have any RFEs, and he was able to successfully immigrate here on a K1 and also successfully completed AOS and currently has his conditional resident green card.

If he did not have this special circumstance concerning his record, then we would not have needed the lawyer. If your fiance has no prior incidents and no "out of the ordinary" circumstances, then yes, you can probably compile everything yourself and be fine.

However, if you have some special circumstances regarding your relationship, or any issues with background and the law, or other issues with drugs/alcohol/violence, then yes, I do recommend working with a lawyer to help guide you. Working with a lawyer in Israel who speaks and reads Hebrew and English and is familiar with both Israeli law and US immigration law was much more helpful than working with an American immigration lawyer. She was able to give us more Israel-specific information that allowed us to make more informed decisions.

If we had to do the process all over again, I would not have changed a thing.

Good luck on your journey!

[jstryker 41]

Both Form I-130 and Form G-325A require photos of the petitioner/sponsor as well as the applicant/beneficiary.

Form G-325A has to be sent in duplicate. Do both need to be original or would copies suffice?

When an applicant submits Form G-325A, he or she will send one original and one copy. However, the signature of applicant needs to be an original signature on both forms. It is best to use a blue ink pen so the signature is visible and viewed as authentic by the visa officer reviewing the document."

Where do you see that this has to be in duplicate? Here is the actual I-129F instructions on submitting G-325 on Page 6 Question 8a:

Submit two completed signed forms G-325-A, Biographic Information; One for you and one for your beneficiary.

Also - I have never ever seen advice about using BLUE INK - in fact Ive seen the opposite that you need to have BLACK ink.

Edited October 31, 2016 by jstryker

[cperficio 7]

Also - I have never ever seen advice about using BLUE INK - in fact Ive seen the opposite that you need to have BLACK ink.

I am a notary public in Louisiana and often get requested to use BLUE INK by the client. I have asked and it for distinction purposes, to ensure the document isn't copied by a copy machine.

[jstryker 41]

Also - I have never ever seen advice about using BLUE INK - in fact Ive seen the opposite that you need to have BLACK ink.

I am a notary public in Louisiana and often get requested to use BLUE INK by the client. I have asked and it for distinction purposes, to ensure the document isn't copied by a copy machine.

I agree - but this is USCIS request in their instructions on how to fill out their forms:

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Outreach/Notes%20from%20Previous%20Engagements/2012/November%202012/NBC-AILA-11-30-12.pdf

Q: Should the Form G-28 be signed in blue ink to help identify that is an original signature?

A: The signature should be in black ink.

Thats just an example -but I have seen it other places; for example filling out the application for a U.S. Passport says in bold letters: USE BLACK INK. The government has a thing for black ink.

Now you could insist on Blue ink - and it may go thru - or you may incurr 3 months of delays due to an RFE.

[cperficio 7]

As I stated, when requested I use blue ink... I was offering an explanation. If the request is for black ink then it is fairly simple, use black ink.