1-29F and 325G technical questions

[SocratesJohnson 6]

Hello again! I've been gathering my necessary paperwork to start my portion of the K1 Visa application. I went to the library and signed out a great book called "Fiancé and Marriage Visas" by Ilona Bray, an immigration lawyer who works with Nolo. It was recommended to me by a fellow lady with a foreign fiancé  (now husband!) and I recommend it to all of you who are forgoing a lawyer!

 

That said, I STILL have a few technical questions that the book didn't address. This week I met with a case worker at my local immigration office, and she was unhelpful, interrupted me constantly, and gave me conflicting information from the book and from what I've read on this site. I am hopefully going to just meet with a lawyer soon for a consultation, but this site is and has been such a help, I thought I would speak to you all first. Here goes: 

 

For the 325G paperwork, both my fiancé and I have to list our employment to cover the past 5 years. Without getting into it too much, he held the same job for nearly a decade, then quit, went traveling (this is when we first met in person,) and when he went back home, he started working cash in hand for his father's business, which he is still doing. He's looking to go back to office work because he think it will look better on our application. My question is, can he list his non-taxable work with his father? How deeply does USCIS look into a foreign fiancé or spouse's employment history? We don't want it to look like he's irresponsible/unemployable, but also worry about the legalities of under the table employment, even for a family business. I know in the USA this is fine, surprisingly, but I don't know how it works in the U.K. Could listing cash in hand work get him in trouble when this paperwork is processed in the U.K. for his portion of the fiancé visa application? He did receive some unemployment (I believe you call it job seeker's) benefits during this time, and I don't know if that is supposed to be listed. If he can't list his current employment situation, will it look really bad that he "hasn't worked" in two years? Could they deny us for fear of him becoming a public charge, despite my income? What is really included in those employment background checks, for both of us? I also have a waitressing job that I was only half on the books for back in 2012, I can't remember exact dates of when I went from cash in hand to legit, and I'm afraid of getting in trouble, too! 

 

For the I-29F, it asks "residence where your foreign fiancé plans on living." I am planning on listing my mother and stepfather's address, which is also where I maintain my permanent mailing address, and where I am currently living, as I just got home from the U.K. after being away for nearly a year. I plan on staying here until just before my fiancé comes over, we obviously don't want to live with my parents haha! But for all intents and purposes, is it ok to list this address as where we'll be residing? Does anyone pay a visit? The house is in my stepfather's name only, will they question him? It's a three bedroom house, so it wouldn't look suspicious on that level, but I'm just always wary of technicalities. The government can be nit picky.

 

Last employment abroad question: all the book said was "Most people ignore this. You shouldn't." Pretty vague for an otherwise well-informed book! My fiancé and I traveled Europe and did Workaway for three months this past year. It's not official "work," and I realize nobody would ever need to know, but I was hoping to include the glowing reviews we received from our hosts as part of our "Evidence You've Met in the Past Two Years/Your Relationship is Legit" packet for the I-29F. I can omit this if need be, if it will complicate the working abroad question, but it seems a shame! I think including letters of people you knew on that level praising what a great couple you are is pretty solid evidence amongst additional proof that the relationship is for real. 

 

Sorry for the book, and thanks again to anyone who can help! 

 

Edited March 22, 2017 by SocratesJohnson

[Lstanick15 9]

I can't reply to the employment questions but regarding the address you should put your mother and step fathers house. I

moved over to the US in October and my husband was sharing a tiny apartment with his friend for a month then we bought our own place. Once you finally move out and get a new address, there is a link on the uscis website that allows you to change address. Then we filed for AOS a week later and all mail has come to that address no problem so you should be fine  they definitely do not pay a visit lol, I don't think they have the manpower to do so! 

[SocratesJohnson 6]

Yeah, maybe they only did that back in the day when people were allowed to get married on tourist visas and stayed.....at least, that's what you see in the movies, anyway! Congratulations on your success, and thanks for your help! 

[KULtoATL 1,551]

Actually home visits happened in the past but it doesn't happen to everyone. There are quite a few old threads on that matter.

[SocratesJohnson 6]

2 minutes ago, KULtoATL said:

Actually home visits happened in the past but it doesn't happen to everyone. There are quite a few old threads on that matter.

Well, I'll not worry about that for now. I do physically live here in my own room in the meantime, and I'll go on the website and change my/our address when I get us a new place. I was just more curious as to how deep they look into it, like who else lives here, who owns the property, etc. I obviously don't share a last name with my mom or stepdad, so I wasn't sure if any red flags would be raised, or any RFE's would be requested. 

[KULtoATL 1,551]

5 minutes ago, SocratesJohnson said:

Well, I'll not worry about that for now. I do physically live here in my own room in the meantime, and I'll go on the website and change my/our address when I get us a new place. I was just more curious as to how deep they look into it, like who else lives here, who owns the property, etc. I obviously don't share a last name with my mom or stepdad, so I wasn't sure if any red flags would be raised, or any RFE's would be requested. 

I don't think they care who owns the property or who lives there. They just need to know that you and your new husband or wife are living under the same roof

[SocratesJohnson 6]

2 hours ago, KULtoATL said:

I don't think they care who owns the property or who lives there. They just need to know that you and your new husband or wife are living under the same roof

Ah, right. Well, we definitely will be, no matter where that is! ?