My I-129F story so far.

[Tacos 70]

My fiancé is Colombian, and we are currently going through the process for the fiancé visa. This coming April we will have been together for four years, I travel for a living and for the two previous summers, I had the chance to work in Europe, so she joined me for a little while for each time. It was nice to see Rome, Athens, and many other cities in Europe during my days off. 

 

We have tried numerous times for a visa, tourist and a student visa all with denials, she's an unemployed engineer and doesn't own property or have much money. The last try was for a student visa to study English, and I believe her denial was because the interviewing officer asked her about our relationship. She tried to distance herself because of the bad advice that others gave her "don't acknowledge having relatives or an American boyfriend." Before her attempt for a student visa, I wrote her a letter for her tourist visa, stating my intention of being financially responsible during her stay with me in the US, and ensuring that she returns in time, so she doesn't overstay. I guess she didn't remember that detail. 

 

Our son is six months old at the time of writing this post. However, when we mailed the I-129F, his US citizenship through birth had still been in the process for approval. So, only included his Colombian birth certificate, with a certified English translation, were included in the packet. He is now a dual citizen.

We mailed the I-129F in early November 2019, payment, and the notice of receipt was around December 4th, 2019. January 31st, I made called USCIS to inform them I hadn't received the mail that I was supposed to and also asked for the estimated processing time for our petition. The agent told me that we have another 132 days for USCIS to process it before it moves on to the National Visa Center, which puts us around June 11th, 2020. 

I have a few questions:

 

1) I don't want to hire a lawyer because of a single concern that we have. Any advice that I can give her if they ask her about distancing herself from me during the interview for the student visa, but still be approved? 

 

2) Is she more likely to be approved because we have a son that is now a US citizen? For the interview, should she bring his US Passport along with a notarized copy? 

 

3) What other evidence should we gather for the interview? With the I-129F packet, I included copies of Western Union money transfers, airplane tickets of our travels together in Europe, Asia, and Australia, photos, and our son's birth certificate with an official English translation. Maybe get my name on the lease of our apartment here in Colombia? 

 

4) From our given date of June 11th with the end of USCIS finishing their part of the process, can the processing time decrease? 

 

5) If USCIS has completed their portion of the process by 6/11, can we expect to move to the US in August? Or what would be an accurate assessment? It would be good to have them both in the US for our son's first birthday in mid-August. 

 

6) Any other advice that we can do to help ensure that she's approved? I work in the US and travel here for my days off, would be nice if I do not have to travel on my off days, I'd rather only get in the car and go home. 

 

7) Am I allowed to attend the interview with her? 

[LabOz 915]

4 hours ago, Tacos said:

My fiancé is Colombian, and we are currently going through the process for the fiancé visa. This coming April we will have been together for four years, I travel for a living and for the two previous summers, I had the chance to work in Europe, so she joined me for a little while for each time. It was nice to see Rome, Athens, and many other cities in Europe during my days off. 

 

We have tried numerous times for a visa, tourist and a student visa all with denials, she's an unemployed engineer and doesn't own property or have much money. The last try was for a student visa to study English, and I believe her denial was because the interviewing officer asked her about our relationship. She tried to distance herself because of the bad advice that others gave her "don't acknowledge having relatives or an American boyfriend." Before her attempt for a student visa, I wrote her a letter for her tourist visa, stating my intention of being financially responsible during her stay with me in the US, and ensuring that she returns in time, so she doesn't overstay. I guess she didn't remember that detail. 

 

Our son is six months old at the time of writing this post. However, when we mailed the I-129F, his US citizenship through birth had still been in the process for approval. So, only included his Colombian birth certificate, with a certified English translation, were included in the packet. He is now a dual citizen.

We mailed the I-129F in early November 2019, payment, and the notice of receipt was around December 4th, 2019. January 31st, I made called USCIS to inform them I hadn't received the mail that I was supposed to and also asked for the estimated processing time for our petition. The agent told me that we have another 132 days for USCIS to process it before it moves on to the National Visa Center, which puts us around June 11th, 2020. 

I have a few questions:

 

1) I don't want to hire a lawyer because of a single concern that we have. Any advice that I can give her if they ask her about distancing herself from me during the interview for the student visa, but still be approved? 

Always tell the truth. If she does not then that will be a denial for sure. Don't bring up the distancing part unless Embassy ask about it.

 

2) Is she more likely to be approved because we have a son that is now a US citizen? For the interview, should she bring his US Passport along with a notarized copy? Having a son together goes a long way to show bonafide relationship so that is good. Yes of course bring his passport better to have too much info then not enough 

 

3) What other evidence should we gather for the interview? With the I-129F packet, I included copies of Western Union money transfers, airplane tickets of our travels together in Europe, Asia, and Australia, photos, and our son's birth certificate with an official English translation. Maybe get my name on the lease of our apartment here in Colombia? 

 

4) From our given date of June 11th with the end of USCIS finishing their part of the process, can the processing time decrease? 

 

5) If USCIS has completed their portion of the process by 6/11, can we expect to move to the US in August? Or what would be an accurate assessment? It would be good to have them both in the US for our son's first birthday in mid-August. Entire K1 process is about 5 to 8 months depending on the case. don't spend any money on tickets or do any moving until visa is in her hand (VOH)

 

6) Any other advice that we can do to help ensure that she's approved? I work in the US and travel here for my days off, would be nice if I do not have to travel on my off days, I'd rather only get in the car and go home. 

 

7) Am I allowed to attend the interview with her?  Depends on the embassy. Most allow , some do not. Check with the country specific form here on VJ. 

 

Good luck to you all