Edward and Jaycel

I'm so sorry that you both have to endure this... Without revealing anything too personal, can you give the forum an idea of the additional evidence that was requested? That might help inform some opinions on what may be behind the delay and any avenues you may be able to pursue.

We included a ton of relationship evidence in our I-129F petition also, knowing that the embassy / Consular Officer could see the whole I-129F packet. Besides Philippines being an easier embassy to get K-1 approval, we think this is why Jaycel's interview only had 4 or 5 questions and was over in just a couple of minutes long with a verbal approval at the time and visa issued within 3 days

That's the name of the game.... Keep the goal in focus and everything else is just a detail on the way

Yes I was lucky at the time to have been offered a contract position where I could work remotely anywhere in the world. The hurdles I'm thinking of are specifically at the embassy interview and your fiance speaking about your relationship timeline to the Consular Officer conducting the interview. Especially in an embassy that is considered high-fraud, I would rather them to be able to honestly say that you filed for them after a second visit of getting to know each other and were sure that you wanted to spend your lives together, rather than saying that you filed after the first visit, having known each other only 4 months. I get it, because Jaycel and I knew for certain after my first visit there that we wanted to pursue this option but we decided to wait since we had a red-flag ourselves (Large age-gap). This helped overcome any doubts with USCIS when we filed and she had lots of proof of relationship evidence when the time came for her embassy interview for the visa. And you never know with USCIS... they have been reducing the processing times lately for K-1s, it could still take a year or more for their approval to come or it could take 3-4 months (I've seen both extremes recently). And you cannot delay a K-1 petition for very long if at all. You are on whatever timeline that is thrust upon you.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes

Personally, I would wait until after the 2nd trip. That's what Jaycel and I did. My second "trip" was me moving to the Philippines for a year, and granted not everyone can do something like that, but I would at least wait until you have spent more time to overcome any hurdles at the embassy. If possible I would even make a third trip to see him while the I-129F is in process to strengthen your relationship and your case even more.

If it hasn't been a year, just send a copy of your DS-3025 as part of your I-485 supporting documents. On that form you should have received a "Blanket Waiver" on the vaccinations that need more than one dose as "B - insufficient time interval to complete series". USCIS should waive the need for your Form I-693, however if you receive an RFE for the Form I-693, the path of least resistance is to just go get it done and not fight them on it.

I called the county clerk where my conviction took place and they gave me the instructions on how to request the official court record via mail and I had it within a week. Since my RFE said all court and police records, I also contacted the NY State Police for the arrest record and they provided me with an official letter stating that the age of the arrest meant that the record met the requirements for their record purging regulations and had been destroyed. I sent that in with the official court disposition for the RFE also and my case changed from "RFE Response Received" to "Approved" in like 3 days.

You should be truthful on the application. Lying on an immigration form is disastrous and could prevent you from petitioning your fiancee ever. I had a charge from 30 years prior to my I-129F filing and I disclosed it on the form but did not read the instructions carefully enough and got an RFE for the official court records of the disposition of my case. They will want those with the original filing so go to the court where you had your charged adjudicated and request official (with court seal) copies. If they have no record of the charges then get an official statement (with court seal) that there are no longer records of your charges and send that in instead.

Oh this is a great idea! Thank you!

Did that come from the embassy?

I didn't get the copy of my I-129F either

Yup! 3 clips for the whole thing

Frome everything I've read from people's experiences, it all seems dependent on the skills of the CBP Officer at primary inspection. If they are comfortable doing the whole process they will do it there like they did with Jaycel. Hers only took 5-7 minutes and she was released to go. If they don't know how or don't feel comfortable doing it they will send you to secondary where you have to wait for an officer that can process you.

Hahahahaha.... We are still using small binder clips to separate the three forms and their associated documents (I-485, I-864 & I-765) and to secure the checks and passport photos to it because I don't trust them opening it and not having stuff fall to the floor and get lost. LOL

There is also updated guidance from USCIS regarding paperclips, staples, tabs, etc

We got Jaycel's A number on her I-129F NOA2 - So not strange at all

She was by herself... Zero problems. (And I had a police record too from 30 years ago that was fully disclosed to USCIS, the Embassy and of course my fiancee long before.) Those "scary PoE" stories are such outliers that they are nothing but fear porn and if you read the vast majority of people's experience coming in on K-1s, their PoE experiences are good with the exception of some extended wait times in secondary inspection at times.

I would list any address you lived, even if it was only temporary. My philosophy with USCIS is to not leave anything out.

Thank you so much!!

@hplusj We are sending out Jaycel's I-485/I-765 on Thursday 11/14! So happy your biometrics has been scheduled! I have a question for you, don't you get your online access code on the NOA1? If that's true, how are you seeing the the docs online? Are you just checking with the receipt number that they texted/emailed to you?

Ahhh ok... I didn't know those kind of sites would be restricted from overseas

Google is your friend 🙂 Do research now while you are waiting to enter the country. At least it will get you familiar with what you are heading into and it won't be all new https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/drivers_license/drlicid.html#tvdl

Agreed with this... as soon as we saw Jaycel's I-94 online (like 4 days after her PoE), we applied for her SSN online at ssa.gov - When we completed the application online we printed the confirmation and then it took us to a page to make an appointment at the local SSA office to complete the application. Bring Passport, I-94 print out, Birth Certificate and application confirmation page to the SSA appointment. We had Jaycel's SSN card in the mail 6 days after the appointment

As long as they satisfy the requirements at the session, they will receive their certificates digitally the same day via email. CFO advises not to book flights until they have the certificate but I booked Jaycel's flight the same day I booked her CFO (scheduled to depart 2 days later) and fortunately they did not give her any trouble. It's all about how much risk tolerance you have... do you have the funds to re-book all the flights if necessary