Guides and FAQ cleanup

[Ladylethal 12]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1guide

Assembling the I-129F Package: Checklist

Forms and Documents (follow these assembly instructions. All supporting documents must be in English or be translated as noted here.):

1. Payment as required by USCIS. Use a personal check so you can track the payment.

2. Cover Letter (see example). Should include a description of what your are petitioning for (I-129F), a table of contents (list everything in the packet). If you need additional room to explain your case, attach a separate sheet (list the attachment on the cover sheet). Make sure to sign and date the cover sheet.

3. Form I-129F: Petition for Alien Fiance(e) (see example)

4. Declaration of how you met in person in the last two years. This should be a single typed page regarding question 18 of the I-129F. Make sure to sign and date it.

5. Original statements (from both the US Citizen and foreign fiance) certifying an intent to marry within 90 days of entering the US on a valid K-1. (see example)

6. Proof of having met in past two years. (click here for examples)

7. G-325A (all four pages) filled out by the US Citizen signed and dated (see example)

8. One passport-type photo (see specification) of the US Citizen. Write the full name of the US citizen on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of <Insert US Citizen's Name>". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.

9. G-325A (all four pages) filled out by the foreign fiance(e) signed and dated (see example)

10. One passport-type photo (see specification) of the foreign fiance(e). Write the full name of the foreign fiance(e) on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of (insert foreign fiance(e) name) ". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.

11. Copy of the Birth certificate (front and back) for the US Citizen or a copy of ALL pages of the US Citizen's passport issued with a validity of at least 5 years or a copy of the US Citizen's naturalization certificate (front and back). This is used to establish citizenship.

12. Copy of final Divorce Decree(s) or Certificate(s) for the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) if either has been previously married. If the previous marriage of the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) ended due to the death of their spouse then include a Copy of Death Certificate(s) documenting that fact.

13. Proof of Legal Name Change if either the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) is using a name other than that shown on the relevant documents. You must give USCIS copies of the legal documents that made the change, such as a marriage certificate, adoption decree or court order.

14. In regards to Section C Question 2, if applicable provide certified copies of all court and police records showing the charges and dispositions for any specified conviction(s) (in accordance with the IMBRA). See section 9 of the I-129f instructions for more information.

On number 1, it states that people should use a personal check to track the package, but it should also say money order accepted, so people don't keep asking "are money orders accepted?"

1. Payment as required by USCIS. Use a money order or a personal check (so you can track the payment).

On number 4, to make it even more clear:

4. Declaration of how you met in person in the last two years. This should be a single typed page attachment regarding question 18 of the I-129F. Make sure to sign and date it.

[Otto 83]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1forms

The DS-156 form listed there is not working

Looks like they changed their file/folder layout on some forms or are doing some sort of update. The other forms on this page are working.

DS-230, Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration: Only

new link: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/81807.pdf

DS-156K, Non-Immigrant Fiance(e) Visa Application: This

New Link: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/82063.pdf

DS-156, Non-Immigrant Visa Application: Only

new link: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/82068.pdf

[Ladylethal 12]

Oh, another detail. San Juan, PR is not listed as a POE. I know not many people come through here but it'd be nice not to exclude a POE. After all, it is a POE.

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

I have update the Guides for any related I-130 filing. This includes the following:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k3guide

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide1

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide2

I added the note to make sure that Evidence of a Bonifide Marriage is included with the I-130 petition. Can someone please verify this? Thanks!

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1guide

Assembling the I-129F Package: Checklist

Forms and Documents (follow these assembly instructions. All supporting documents must be in English or be translated as noted here.):

1. Payment as required by USCIS. Use a personal check so you can track the payment.

2. Cover Letter (see example). Should include a description of what your are petitioning for (I-129F), a table of contents (list everything in the packet). If you need additional room to explain your case, attach a separate sheet (list the attachment on the cover sheet). Make sure to sign and date the cover sheet.

3. Form I-129F: Petition for Alien Fiance(e) (see example)

4. Declaration of how you met in person in the last two years. This should be a single typed page regarding question 18 of the I-129F. Make sure to sign and date it.

5. Original statements (from both the US Citizen and foreign fiance) certifying an intent to marry within 90 days of entering the US on a valid K-1. (see example)

6. Proof of having met in past two years. (click here for examples)

7. G-325A (all four pages) filled out by the US Citizen signed and dated (see example)

8. One passport-type photo (see specification) of the US Citizen. Write the full name of the US citizen on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of ". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.

9. G-325A (all four pages) filled out by the foreign fiance(e) signed and dated (see example)

10. One passport-type photo (see specification) of the foreign fiance(e). Write the full name of the foreign fiance(e) on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of (insert foreign fiance(e) name) ". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.

11. Copy of the Birth certificate (front and back) for the US Citizen or a copy of ALL pages of the US Citizen's passport issued with a validity of at least 5 years or a copy of the US Citizen's naturalization certificate (front and back). This is used to establish citizenship.

12. Copy of final Divorce Decree(s) or Certificate(s) for the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) if either has been previously married. If the previous marriage of the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) ended due to the death of their spouse then include a Copy of Death Certificate(s) documenting that fact.

13. Proof of Legal Name Change if either the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) is using a name other than that shown on the relevant documents. You must give USCIS copies of the legal documents that made the change, such as a marriage certificate, adoption decree or court order.

14. In regards to Section C Question 2, if applicable provide certified copies of all court and police records showing the charges and dispositions for any specified conviction(s) (in accordance with the IMBRA). See section 9 of the I-129f instructions for more information.

On number 1, it states that people should use a personal check to track the package, but it should also say money order accepted, so people don't keep asking "are money orders accepted?"

1. Payment as required by USCIS. Use a money order or a personal check (so you can track the payment).

On number 4, to make it even more clear:

4. Declaration of how you met in person in the last two years. This should be a single typed page attachment regarding question 18 of the I-129F. Make sure to sign and date it.

I have updated as you indicated .

[Tinker 0]

In regards to the DS-156 form, the Montreal consulate said to go to https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp

This is the electronic form and prints out the barcode.

I'm not sure if this is the one your looking for, I don't know if the other consulates use it.

[Otto 83]

In regards to the DS-156 form, the Montreal consulate said to go to https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp

This is the electronic form and prints out the barcode.

I'm not sure if this is the one your looking for, I don't know if the other consulates use it.

You're right - that's the link that's broken in the guides... the other one (on Dept State) is simply the pdf version which am assuming does not print the barcode.....

[aussiewench 9]

I have update the Guides for any related I-130 filing. This includes the following:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k3guide

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide1

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide2

I added the note to make sure that Evidence of a Bonifide Marriage is included with the I-130 petition. Can someone please verify this? Thanks!

Yes, this evidence is now listed on the I-130 petition instructions as being a requirement.

[Justo/Sheyla 0]

It would be a good a idea to have a glossary section where users would learn all the terminology used by USCIS, NVC, State Department, US Consulates and VJ posters. It took me quite a long time for me to find out about Jame´s Shortcut. It will be useful to have a direct link or guide for using Jame´s Shortcut.

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

In regards to the DS-156 form, the Montreal consulate said to go to https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp

This is the electronic form and prints out the barcode.

I'm not sure if this is the one your looking for, I don't know if the other consulates use it.

You're right - that's the link that's broken in the guides... the other one (on Dept State) is simply the pdf version which am assuming does not print the barcode.....

I have fixed the download section for all links to the Dept of State forms.

[meauxna 15]

I think there needs to be a section in the guides explaining the implications involved when an I130 is retained......for people who file the I130 & I129 and get surprised and/or confused that their I130 was retained. Perhaps this could also be a FAQ.....What should I do if my I130 is retained and I want to apply for a CR1/IR1 visa?

Who knows the answer to this question yet?

[meauxna 15]

It could be a sticky on top of each forum.

Oh don't start with me and the sticky posts.. I made perfectly thorough ones for a couple of forums that people simply will not read.

Oops, I guess this isn't the place for that.

[meauxna 15]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1guide

Assembling the I-129F Package: Checklist

Forms and Documents (Follow these assembly instructions. All supporting documents must be in English or be translated as noted here.):

1. Payment as required by USCIS. Use a personal check so you can track the payment.

2. Cover Letter (see example). Should include a description of what your are petitioning for (I-129F), a table of contents (list everything in the packet). If you need additional room to explain your case, attach a separate sheet (list the attachment on the cover sheet). Make sure to sign and date the cover sheet.

Since cover letters are commonly discarded in the mail room at the Service Center and do not make it to the adjudicating officer, maybe we should not encourage people to use them elaborately, or should note that they will not go to an officer.

Anything important that needs to be explained should be included as an attachment. We could use the official explanation for what an "attachment" requires.

[meauxna 15]

IMPORTANT!

Make TWO copies of the entire package before you send it in. This includes the the money orders too. You want to have a perfect replica of the package you are sending in. Retain ALL originals. The USCIS has the right to check them by issuing an RFE (Request For Evidence). If you receive an RFE, follow the direction exactly, and make two copies of what you sent back

This has confused several people lately.

All FORMS must be originals with original signatures.

All EVIDENCE may be photocopies. Retain originals to present at the interview.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Capt., thanks for the link to the 125% poverty guide, but I still haven't been able to find it in a forum search. Looking in the guides and/or Visa FAQs would make it easier to find quickly. Would you consider placing a copy there, please?