Affidavit of Support Question

[Hoofie Puppet 2]

Per RapidVisa's instructions:
 

The U.S. citizen sponsor must print, sign, and mail this form, along with photocopies of the required supporting documents, to the beneficiary 30–90 days before the interview date. The sponsor’s original signature is required –– the U.S. Embassy will not accept a scanned or faxed signature. 

 

When I wanted this clarified whether or not I have to FedEx sensitive (tax etc.) documents from here to Philippines, RapidVisa said:
 

I understand your concerns about mailing sensitive documents. In situations like this, sponsors are permitted to electronically send scanned copies of the original documents. For the signature page of the Form I-864, it is necessary for the sponsor to sign it with a wet signature, preferably using a black pen. After signing, you can scan the document and send it to the beneficiary so that she can have it prepared before the visa interview.

 

So, there are contradictions and wondering if any of y'all have FedExed your affidavit of support documents to Philippines or merely scanned, emailed.  Also, RapidVisa said to send them "...30-90 days before the embassy appointment."  Is there a timeframe on this, as well?  Thoughts??
 

Edited March 31 by Hoofie Puppet
Missed Something

[RO_AH 1,659]

If you want her to have it before the interview then send it. You are reading too much into this. Within 30 days is more than enough time if you are sending via air. My recommendations from best first is:

1. LBC if you are close to a branch. (via air not BB of course)

2. DHL

3. FedEx

All of these should be 2 weeks or less.

Why are you concerned what RapidVisa even says. Just use some critical thinking and ask here. You should only follow what the US Embassy website says. If I recall correctly I don't even think my wife had or needed the wet signature copy.

[J.M. 230]

RapidVisa mentions the I-864, which you don't even send.  I-864 comes later, when you adjust status. You will send an I-134 for the interview.

 

Manila almost never collects the I-134 at the interview.  I would not be too concerned with sending that digitally.  I understand the confusion.  I can't count the number of times I have read that some particular document must be an "original copy" when researching visa information.  The legal definition of "original copy" basically means it cannot be a copy of a copy, but the literal definition is THE original.

 

Anyway, if you need to physically send her anything at all, you might as well include a wet signature I-134 along with the rest of it.  Since your concern seems to be mailing tax documents, those can certainly be sent digitally.  I'm not sure sending them digitally is any more secure than FedEx, but that's up to you.

 

It only takes a few days for expedited delivery to the Philippines.  The 30-90 days recommendation is probably for USPS and Philpost.  As said above, LBC then DHL are first choice if near you.  If not, FedEx and UPS are the other options.  UPS was significantly cheaper than FedEx for me, but that is probably because I am a regular customer with an account.

 

Since I had to send things anyway, I included wet-signature I-129f, I-134, and updated Letter of Intent, as well as a certified copy of divorce decree.  Probably copies of all of those probably would have been fine, but sending originals instead of copies is just as easy if you are already sending things.  The I-134 was not asked for at the interview, as expected.

[RO_AH 1,659]

Sorry, I didn't pay close enough attention to your timeline info. You are going K-1 and you worry about that part after marriage.