2 Mistakes made, petition was only sent 1 week ago

[BowseRx 10]

Hello! Sorry to bother everyone, I couldn't find a simple answer by googling or searching here right away, so I figured I should ask here! I believe I made 2 mistakes, and I would like to correct them as soon as possible but I'm not sure how..

 

1. We included passport photos for myself and my Beneficiary with the initial petition, as requested on the I-129f instructions. However, my Beneficiary's hair was not tucked behind her ears (I have heard this is a rule) and also she may have had 1 earring showing. Is this a big issue? If so, it won't be any problem to have her retake them, as I visit her again at the end of next month.

 

2. The 2nd mistake, is that when I input the way we met, I guess I misunderstood and input about her traveling here. I put that she flew to Colorado, what dates she came here, and what we did, but never how me first met. We initially met on a language exchange app (HelloTalk) and then became friends from there. So I need to correct that on the I-129f form.

 

Is there any way to update those 2 things and submit them before an RFE is sent to us? As in is there somewhere I could mail the updated info to? Or would I have to wait for an RFE for those and then send the information (Just trying to make the process as quick and painless as possible. Thank you all and have a good one! 

[Alabamak1 688]

2 minutes ago, BowseRx said:

Hello! Sorry to bother everyone, I couldn't find a simple answer by googling or searching here right away, so I figured I should ask here! I believe I made 2 mistakes, and I would like to correct them as soon as possible but I'm not sure how..

 

1. We included passport photos for myself and my Beneficiary with the initial petition, as requested on the I-129f instructions. However, my Beneficiary's hair was not tucked behind her ears (I have heard this is a rule) and also she may have had 1 earring showing. Is this a big issue? If so, it won't be any problem to have her retake them, as I visit her again at the end of next month.

 

2. The 2nd mistake, is that when I input the way we met, I guess I misunderstood and input about her traveling here. I put that she flew to Colorado, what dates she came here, and what we did, but never how me first met. We initially met on a language exchange app (HelloTalk) and then became friends from there. So I need to correct that on the I-129f form.

 

Is there any way to update those 2 things and submit them before an RFE is sent to us? As in is there somewhere I could mail the updated info to? Or would I have to wait for an RFE for those and then send the information (Just trying to make the process as quick and painless as possible. Thank you all and have a good one! 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html 

[BowseRx 10]

2 minutes ago, Alabamak1 said:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html 

Ah thank you! So looking at those rules, the jewelry isn't mentioned at all. Thats interesting, because when I got mine taken at a professional place, they made me take off my necklace. But thank you nonetheless! 

[Alabamak1 688]

as for your second mistake....not any legal advice, but there is no going back on what you said how you met her. you would stick now in how you put that down if you want to avoid having to explain that in the interview. You cannot fix how you met know. if you change your story now, if could look like you lied to them from the beginning, but that is just my opinion

[JoelThai 313]

24 minutes ago, BowseRx said:

2. The 2nd mistake, is that when I input the way we met, I guess I misunderstood and input about her traveling here. I put that she flew to Colorado, what dates she came here, and what we did, but never how me first met. We initially met on a language exchange app (HelloTalk) and then became friends from there. So I need to correct that on the I-129f form.

You should be good.   The question on the I-129F does not ask about how you first met, but to describe the circumstances of the in-person meeting during the prior 24 months.  So, if your meeting in Colorado occurred sometime during the 24 months prior to your submission of the I-129F petition, all is fine.  You should have also provided evidence to support the meeting, such as photos, reciepts, passport stamps, boarding passes, hotel reservations, etc that provide supporting evidence of the meeting.

 

There is no need to discuss the conditions of how you originally were introduced, unless it also qualifies as your in-person meeting in the past 24 months.  Some petititioners choose to include this information (called front loading), but specifically is not required until requested by the Embassy that will perform the interview with the Beneficiary.

 

Specifically here are the instructions for questions 53-54 for the I-129F form, 

 

'Item Numbers 53. - 54. Have you and your fiancé(e) met in person during the two years immediately before fling this petition? Indicate whether you and your fiancé(e) have seen each other in person during the two year period immediately before fling your petition. Select “N/A” if the benefciary is your spouse.

If you respond “Yes” to Item Number 53., use Item Number 54. to describe the circumstances of your in-person meeting. Attach evidence to demonstrate that you were in each other’s physical presence during the required two year period. If you need extra space to complete this section, use the space provided in Part 8. Additional Information."

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf

Edited April 8, 2018 by JoelThai

[BowseRx 10]

30 minutes ago, JoelThai said:

You should be good.   The question on the I-129F does not ask about how you first met, but to describe the circumstances of the in-person meeting during the prior 24 months.  So, if your meeting in Colorado occurred sometime during the 24 months prior to your submission of the I-129F petition, all is fine.  You should have also provided evidence to support the meeting, such as photos, reciepts, passport stamps, boarding passes, hotel reservations, etc that provide supporting evidence of the meeting.

 

There is no need to discuss the conditions of how you originally were introduced, unless it also qualifies as your in-person meeting in the past 24 months.  Some petititioners choose to include this information (called front loading), but specifically is not required until requested by the Embassy that will perform the interview with the Beneficiary.

 

Specifically here are the instructions for questions 53-54 for the I-129F form, 

 

'Item Numbers 53. - 54. Have you and your fiancé(e) met in person during the two years immediately before fling this petition? Indicate whether you and your fiancé(e) have seen each other in person during the two year period immediately before fling your petition. Select “N/A” if the benefciary is your spouse.

If you respond “Yes” to Item Number 53., use Item Number 54. to describe the circumstances of your in-person meeting. Attach evidence to demonstrate that you were in each other’s physical presence during the required two year period. If you need extra space to complete this section, use the space provided in Part 8. Additional Information."

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf

Ah thank you, so maybe I am just overthinking everything. I haven't gotten much sleep, I was super stressed filling all  this out because I was on a very tight timeline! I did include 5 or 6 photos of us together in colorado with landmarks, as well as 5 photos with me in Japan with her family. So thank you all for re-assuring me! 

[JoelThai 313]

50 minutes ago, BowseRx said:

Ah thank you, so maybe I am just overthinking everything. I haven't gotten much sleep, I was super stressed filling all  this out because I was on a very tight timeline! I did include 5 or 6 photos of us together in colorado with landmarks, as well as 5 photos with me in Japan with her family. So thank you all for re-assuring me! 

Yes, try your best not to stress out.   I think it is also useful to know that if there is anything that the USCIS does not find satisfactory with your submission, they will give you an opportunity to correct it.   If they find something they have issue with, the will send you an RFE notice (Request for Evidence).   Maybe 20-30% of petitioners receive these and are considered normal and are typically easy to respond to as they are very specific in their instructions.  Once you have received your NOA1 (Notice of Acceptance), expect to wait at least 6 months before hearing anything back from the USCIS.   Monitor the forums and Visa Timeline for indications of progress by the USCIS.

 

The hardest part is waiting.   Good luck and do your best to relax!  

Edited April 8, 2018 by JoelThai

[BowseRx 10]

7 minutes ago, JoelThai said:

Yes, try your best not to stress out.   I think it is also useful to know that if there is anything that the USCIS does not find satisfactory with your submission, they will give you an opportunity to correct it.   If they find something they have issue with, the will send you an RFE notice (Request for Evidence).   Maybe 20-30% of petitioners receive these and are considered normal and are typically easy to respond to as they are very specific in their instructions.  Once you have received your NOA1 (Notice of Acceptance), expect to wait at least 6 months before hearing anything back from the USCIS.   Monitor the forums and Visa Timeline for indications of progress by the USCIS.

 

The hardest part is waiting.   Good luck and do your best to relax!  

Thanks, I will relax until I hear something back. Hopefully will be getting my NOA1 any day now, but i know it can possibly take a few weeks. I was stressing earlier about timelines, as we were hoping to have everything done by roughly Christmas time, but that might be pushing it. I was worried an RFE would 100% ruin that Christmas Miracle dream! haha

 

I agree, waiting is driving us both crazy. But it will be worth it.  And good luck to you too!

Edited April 8, 2018 by BowseRx

[JoelThai 313]

18 minutes ago, BowseRx said:

Thanks, I will relax until I hear something back. Hopefully will be getting my NOA1 any day now, but i know it can possibly take a few weeks. I was stressing earlier about timelines, as we were hoping to have everything done by roughly Christmas time, but that might be pushing it. I was worried an RFE would 100% ruin that Christmas Miracle dream! haha

 

I agree, waiting is driving us both crazy. But it will be worth it.  And good luck to you too!

And that is the most difficult part, nearly every step is out of our direct control.  The reality is that even after the USCIS reaches a particular date in their processing, it may take them 2 or 3 months to completely clear out that date.   For example, on the leading edge, the USCIS is close to approving October 20th filers, but there are still filers also waiting from September, August, July, and maybe even a few from June.

 

So mentally try to prepare yourself to be flexible as to when the USCIS says they are ready for you.   I would recommend that that you put a contingency plan in place to visit Japan for Christmas if it appears that the USCIS is not going to cooperate.  I have witnessed the stress levels of some petitioners get to the point of considering dropping their petition due to stress related health issues

 

Also, you may want to track @Naes timeline, as she has just received her NOA2 and is a beneficiary from Japan.   Her fiance originally submitted his I-129f in September 2017.    She is very active here, helpful, and posts frequently in the September 2017 K1 thread (and elsewhere).   She is now entering the NVC stage and preparing for interview at the Japanese embassy.   I think she said current interview scheduling is about 2 months after NVC sends documents to the embassy in Japan.   So, if things continue the way they have, I am sad to say that a Christmas Miracle may just be that.   But fingers crossed for you.

Edited April 8, 2018 by JoelThai

[BowseRx 10]

16 minutes ago, JoelThai said:

And that is the most difficult part, nearly every step is out of our direct control.  The reality is that even after the USCIS reaches a particular date in their processing, it may take them 2 or 3 months to completely clear out that date.   For example, on the leading edge, the USCIS is close to approving October 20th filers, but there are still filers also waiting from September, August, July, and maybe even a few from June.

 

So mentally try to prepare yourself to be flexible as to when the USCIS says they are ready for you.   I would recommend that that you put a contingency plan in place to visit Japan for Christmas if it appears that the USCIS is not going to cooperate.  I have witnessed the stress levels of some petitioners get to the point of considering dropping their petition due to stress related health issues

 

Also, you may want to track @Naes timeline, as she has just received her NOA2 and is a beneficiary from Japan.   Her fiance originally submitted his I-129f in September 2017.    She is very active here, helpful, and posts frequently in the September 2017 K1 thread (and elsewhere).   She is now entering the NVC stage and preparing for interview at the Japanese embassy.   I think she said current interview scheduling is about 2 months after NVC sends documents to the embassy in Japan.   So, if things continue the way they have, I am sad to say that a Christmas Miracle may just be that.   But fingers crossed for you.

Very true, and very well said! Im hoping since December isn't really a realistic option (or at least not 100%,) January might be. Based on her job and timelines, January would be great. She has to quit her job on December 30th for various reasons, and insurance wise I could cove her when we get married. Also safety (crazy ex) is a concern for us. That along with other things makes January or December way better than waiting until February. But we will see, and we will make it work no matter what month they approve it :).

 

Yeah, we kind of changed the plan when we found out it was a little longer than we expected. We kept researching and people were saying 8 months is average. So filing on April 1st is perfect (or so we thought). Little did we know, sounds like 9 or 10 months is more reasonable. Oh well, such is life, and such is love! 

 

Thanks! I just followed her profile, I dont see many Japanese beneficiaries here! You have been awesome, and so helpful!  My mind feels much more relaxed now.

[Scandi 4,166]

Anyone can receive an RFE for just about anything, there's no way of knowing if any of your little mistakes will result in an RFE, or perhaps something else in your application they might have questions about. Just sit back and relax, if an RFE is sent because of any of the two reasons you mentioned, you're all ready to ship your response the same day you receive the RFE. That will save you some time.

 

Some people get RFEs for making certain "mistakes", others don't despite doing the same "mistake". Some get RFEs asking for documents they already sent in etc. You just never know with USCIS.

 

I had an issue with my AOS application and sent a letter to the service center that had my case at the time, I didn't receive any indication that they actually received the letter or if they accepted it and added it to my file. A few months later I went to my AOS interview and there was my letter, at my local USCIS field office, on the IO's desk. So yes, in my case they did receive a random letter that wasn't connected to an RFE or anything.

[JoelThai 313]

1 hour ago, Scandi said:

Anyone can receive an RFE for just about anything, there's no way of knowing if any of your little mistakes will result in an RFE, or perhaps something else in your application they might have questions about. Just sit back and relax, if an RFE is sent because of any of the two reasons you mentioned, you're all ready to ship your response the same day you receive the RFE. That will save you some time.

 

The good news is he did not make any mistakes.       But, like you state, that in itself does not mean he will not get an RFE.    It seems he correctly followed the current USCIS I-129F instructions.   Many believe that a statement of introduction is required for the I-129F, but that is just not true.   It is possible that was required in the past, but the current version of the form published last June requires a statement and evidence of physical in-person meeting taking place in the prior 24 months, but not a declaration of introduction.   The OP correctly address the question on his I-129F.   And his concerns about possible issues with the Passport Photos are not an issue for US processing.   I think the confusion there originates from rules that some foreign governments require to obtain passports for their citizens.  For example, Thailand requires their citizens to have ears showing in the passport photo used in Thai issued passports.

Edited April 9, 2018 by JoelThai