New To This All - Need K-1 Advice!

[DTunda 0]

Hi!

I'm a Jamaican citizen who has been living in Norway (legally) for the past 8 years.

I have family in NY and have visited them a number of times. In 2007 I went to LA to visit a friend of mine who is an actress out there, and she introduced me to a man who would later become my fiance. However, when we met I was not free to have a relationship with him because I was already involved with someone in Norway. So we parted ways and did not communicate for more than a year (I'd say about a year and 3mths). In January 2009 (after my previous bf and I called it quits) I and my fiance got in touch again and that amazing connection we felt back in 07 was still very much there so he came and visited me in NY over a weekend. We started "dating" officially from then though I had to return to Norway shortly afterwards. We kept in touch via emails, phone calls and chat, and in June we decided to get married.

My question is this:

Do you think the CIS office will hassle us because we had no contact in all of 2008? Also when I met him in 2007 we had taken a lot of pics together, but not one week after I returned to NY from LA I was mugged and my purse and camera were stolen. So all those pics are gone. We took a few pics when he came and visited me in January, and we submitted our emails (since we didn't know at the time marriage was where we were headed, we didn't save our chats and our phone records have been *impossible* to get. Long story as to why.) as evidence that we've been in correspondence but I'm worried that all this might not be enough. What do you guys think?

I've been reading up on US immigration and it all seems so complicated and overwhelming! Truth be told had I known trying to get married in the US was SOOO tedious and complicated I probably wouldn't have agreed to it. I'd have him come to Norway instead (not that its really any easier here), but we have already invested in a lawyer and all the papers are ready to be filed. I'm just afraid that our petition for the K-1 might not get approved due to lack of evidence! Do I have a legitimate reason for worry or am I just raising my blood pressure needlessly?

Any advice anyone can provide will be very highly appreciated. Thanks in advance! D

Edited August 5, 2009 by DTunda

[^KK^ 3]

First off - Welcome to VJ!!

Second - Please stop by the Yardie thread. Yardie Thread Link

Third - You have to show that you have at least meet within the last two years.

[Jauque 1]

You don't need boat-loads of pictures to get approved. We didn't submit any pictures and have made it to the consulate in record time. Although it is recommended, include a few really good pictures and don't worry about the rest. If you have a legitimate relationship then you have nothing to worry about.

Relax, this is the easy part! Welcome to VJ and hope you ahve a smooth journey!

[NatPatBen 3]

Echo what KK said.

For the first part, you just need to show that you met (face to face) within 2 years.

By the time you get to the interview, when you need to show more evidence, you'll have had plenty of time to generate more evidence.

[DTunda 0]

Hi guys!

Thanks for the warm welcome! I've actually been lurking on here for a couple of months, but didn't want to start posting until our petition has been sent.

Anyway, yes, as I've said, the fiance and I first met face to face in 07 and again in january of 09, so that particular requirement we fulfill.

I'm just one of those type of people who worry a lot. We do have the trailer load of evidence, except our pics, emails and airline tickets. I read a few horror stories about lengthy waiting periods, nightmarish interviews etc so all this has gotten me shaking in my boots! lol

Hey, there's a yardie forum on here? Seeit, we deh everyweh! lol I'll definitely pop in.

[DTunda 0]

Echo what KK said.

For the first part, you just need to show that you met (face to face) within 2 years.

By the time you get to the interview, when you need to show more evidence, you'll have had plenty of time to generate more evidence.

Natpat,

This is probably a really dumb question, but I'll throw it out there anyway. What would you call evidence?

Since I can't travel to the US while the k-1 is being processed and my fiance can't afford to come over here right now, email and phone calls is all we have. And sometimes we get really busy and we don't call each other as much, but we do email each other every day. Is there anything else we can do?

[DTunda 0]

What I meant to write above was that We DONT have the trailer load of evidence, except our pics, emails and airline tickets.

[MRStee 19]

These ladies are great help, believe me!!! Im almost at the interview process and Im STILL lost sometimes!

[SupportOAFJF 0]

welcome Dtunda..yuh a go be jsu fine!

[EasternDE 35]

What I meant to write above was that We DONT have the trailer load of evidence, except our pics, emails and airline tickets.

That's all you need.

Plus the passport visa stamps, and you're set.

Have a big breath, it's overwhelming at first. But if you take everything step by step, it's really not that hard.

You don't need a lawyer for that process, unless your case is "complicated". If both of you have no criminal records, and deal with USCIS for the first time, you should be just fine.

[*JG* 2]

How did you visit the US before?

If you have a valid visitor visa, you can come visit him in the US while the K-1 is processing unless they stop you at the border. People do it all the time.

Welcome, newbie. Good luck.

[thepizzadude 26]

Echo what KK said.

For the first part, you just need to show that you met (face to face) within 2 years.

By the time you get to the interview, when you need to show more evidence, you'll have had plenty of time to generate more evidence.

Natpat,

This is probably a really dumb question, but I'll throw it out there anyway. What would you call evidence?

Since I can't travel to the US while the k-1 is being processed and my fiance can't afford to come over here right now, email and phone calls is all we have. And sometimes we get really busy and we don't call each other as much, but we do email each other every day. Is there anything else we can do?

Send some snail mails and cards, copy them and the envelopes to show you contact each other that way also. Make lots of calls, you can NEVER be that busy not to at least call for only a few minutes every few days. Phone bills with 15-20 calls a month look good.

[JaEnglishGirl 34]

To be honest, your airlines tickets will be fine. We had no pics of our first meetings. Being that you live in Norway, it is unlikely you'll get very much hassle.

I am a Yardie previously living in London who came to the States, at my interview, they wanted to see nothing.

As well as the Yardie thread, check out the UK thread, the UK thread will more accurately predict your experience in my opinion.

Do you know which Embassy you'll interview at? I am wondering if it will be the US embassy in the UK?

[DTunda 0]

welcome Dtunda..yuh a go be jsu fine!

Thanks, Hotlegz! All the words of encouragement are keeping me strong.

Thanks so much to everyone!

What I meant to write above was that We DONT have the trailer load of evidence, except our pics, emails and airline tickets.

That's all you need.

Plus the passport visa stamps, and you're set.

Have a big breath, it's overwhelming at first. But if you take everything step by step, it's really not that hard.

You don't need a lawyer for that process, unless your case is "complicated". If both of you have no criminal records, and deal with USCIS for the first time, you should be just fine.

Neither of us have a criminal record and neither of us has ever filed a petition before, so I hope you're right that these factors will work in our favour!

[DTunda 0]

How did you visit the US before?

If you have a valid visitor visa, you can come visit him in the US while the K-1 is processing unless they stop you at the border. People do it all the time.

Welcome, newbie. Good luck.

I visited on a normal B1 tourist visa. I have a visa now that expires at the end of this month. I didn't know I could travel while the k-1 is being filed and processed. We were told something different by our lawyer, namely that I can not enter the US while the K-1 is with USCIS. Hope he isn't scamming us!