Organization Skills

[DiZZyLoX 114]

Not sure about you guys, but I've been really curious how everyone has organized their packet. We've all seen the guides, guidelines and suggestions. But just out of curiosity, how did YOU do it?

For example, despite the uscis guides (which we didn't find until after we sent it), we put our packet in a 3 ring binder, and used tabs, cover letters and the plastic sleeves to separate each section. This is how our I-129F was laid out:

1. Cover Letter with table of contents for entire packet - Sleeve 1

2. Check, I-129F, G1145e - Sleeve 2

3. Supplemental page for Question 2 - Sleeve 3

4. Supplemental page for Question 12, including letter regarding VWP (UK), Beneficiary's entire passport, and a copy of the ESTA form filled out in full - Sleeve 4

5. Supplemental page for Question 18 - Sleeve 5

6. Passport Photo and G325a (Petitioner & Beneficiary) - Sleeve 6

7. Entire passport of Petitioner - Sleeve 7

8. Cover Letter for table of contents of following section: Proof of having met in past 2 years & proof of ongoing relationship - Sleeve 8

--Reference Sheet giving nicknames, identity of names that appear in email, email addresses used for both petitioner and beneficiary, and phone numbers used--

--Phone Log / Message Log TAB --

9. My Tmobile bills from Feb - Dec, his O2 bills from Feb - Dec. (Sleeve 9)

--IM / CHAT log TAB --

10. Our g-talk and skype logs Feb - Dec - (Sleeve 10)

--TRAVEL TAB--

11. Flight & hotel Itinerary, boarding passes, email and pictures (in plastic baggie) of first meeting - May (Sleeve 9)

12. Flight Itinerary, boarding passes, hotel receipts, email and pictures (in plastic baggie) of second meeting - Sept (Sleeve 10)

13. Flight Itinerary, boarding passes, going away party invitation (beneficiary) pictures of 3rd meeting - Nov

14. Copies of "Welcome to USA" cards, BBQ invitation, pictures - Nov

15. Cruise boarding passes, itinerary, receipts, excursion tickets, pictures - Nov

--ENGAGEMENT TAB--

16. Pictures of our engagement, copies of letters and engagement cards from england & us, including outside envelopes with date stamps, emails discussing wedding budget, a screen shot of our wedding website, screen shots of my fiance giving details to his family and friends so they can make arrangements to travel for the wedding (facebook).

--Proof of Ongoing Relationship--

17. Email RSVP confirmation of my attendance to a wedding with my fiance in England, flight itinerary and receipt for my flight to england in february.

I know it's an awful lot but wanted to include everything we could up front for 2 reasons:

1. So we wouldn't have to do all that work later at the consulate, but could just add to it

2. why not?

[DiZZyLoX 114]

Oh shoot, I forgot to add we had a "GIFTS" tab too where we made copies of any gift receipts we had for eachother including a photo copy of the actual gift (if applicable). for example, I photocopied his birthday balloon and cards from me, and receipts of gifts I had bought him. And we received photocopies of dog tag receipts and copies of the actual tags, too.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Not sure about you guys, but I've been really curious how everyone has organized their packet. We've all seen the guides, guidelines and suggestions. But just out of curiosity, how did YOU do it?

For example, despite the uscis guides (which we didn't find until after we sent it), we put our packet in a 3 ring binder, and used tabs, cover letters and the plastic sleeves to separate each section. This is how our I-129F was laid out:

1. Cover Letter with table of contents for entire packet - Sleeve 1

2. Check, I-129F, G1145e - Sleeve 2

3. Supplemental page for Question 2 - Sleeve 3

4. Supplemental page for Question 12, including letter regarding VWP (UK), Beneficiary's entire passport, and a copy of the ESTA form filled out in full - Sleeve 4

5. Supplemental page for Question 18 - Sleeve 5

6. Passport Photo and G325a (Petitioner & Beneficiary) - Sleeve 6

7. Entire passport of Petitioner - Sleeve 7

8. Cover Letter for table of contents of following section: Proof of having met in past 2 years & proof of ongoing relationship - Sleeve 8

--Reference Sheet giving nicknames, identity of names that appear in email, email addresses used for both petitioner and beneficiary, and phone numbers used--

--Phone Log / Message Log TAB --

9. My Tmobile bills from Feb - Dec, his O2 bills from Feb - Dec. (Sleeve 9)

--IM / CHAT log TAB --

10. Our g-talk and skype logs Feb - Dec - (Sleeve 10)

--TRAVEL TAB--

11. Flight & hotel Itinerary, boarding passes, email and pictures (in plastic baggie) of first meeting - May (Sleeve 9)

12. Flight Itinerary, boarding passes, hotel receipts, email and pictures (in plastic baggie) of second meeting - Sept (Sleeve 10)

13. Flight Itinerary, boarding passes, going away party invitation (beneficiary) pictures of 3rd meeting - Nov

14. Copies of "Welcome to USA" cards, BBQ invitation, pictures - Nov

15. Cruise boarding passes, itinerary, receipts, excursion tickets, pictures - Nov

--ENGAGEMENT TAB--

16. Pictures of our engagement, copies of letters and engagement cards from england & us, including outside envelopes with date stamps, emails discussing wedding budget, a screen shot of our wedding website, screen shots of my fiance giving details to his family and friends so they can make arrangements to travel for the wedding (facebook).

--Proof of Ongoing Relationship--

17. Email RSVP confirmation of my attendance to a wedding with my fiance in England, flight itinerary and receipt for my flight to england in february.

I know it's an awful lot but wanted to include everything we could up front for 2 reasons:

1. So we wouldn't have to do all that work later at the consulate, but could just add to it

2. why not?

Paper clips and a binder clip on the whole thing. whatever you do, when it arrives it will be disassembled, your sleeves and tabs will be tossed and the documents will be placed in one of their folders in their order. Before anyone "official" sees it, it will look exactly like every other petition that is there. Make sure everything gets in the envelope and is protected for mailing purposes, other than that, it is wasted effort.

[DiZZyLoX 114]

Paper clips and a binder clip on the whole thing. whatever you do, when it arrives it will be disassembled, your sleeves and tabs will be tossed and the documents will be placed in one of their folders in their order. Before anyone "official" sees it, it will look exactly like every other petition that is there. Make sure everything gets in the envelope and is protected for mailing purposes, other than that, it is wasted effort.

I forgot to mention I had paper clips on everything in the sleeves. Didn't have a big binder clip tho. Doh! I wasn't really looking for advice on how it should have been done, as it's kind of too late now. But just curious how everyone else did it. Your input is appreciated regardless.

[On the Road Again 2]

Oh shoot, I forgot to add we had a "GIFTS" tab too where we made copies of any gift receipts we had for eachother including a photo copy of the actual gift (if applicable). for example, I photocopied his birthday balloon and cards from me, and receipts of gifts I had bought him. And we received photocopies of dog tag receipts and copies of the actual tags, too.

I would not worry about that...I would guess that packets submitted with much less information and organization then yours are approved every day. One of the most important areas depends on the embassy/interview. I know in the American Embassy in Bogota a major requirement that is never written in any instruction form is how crucial it is that the sponsoring Fiance attend the interview for the K-1. Many couples don't find this out until they person attending the interview is denied and told to have the fiance attend the interview. Not that fiance visas are not approved without the other person attending but if there is doubt you better be there. Good luck you seem to be doing fine.

Edited December 29, 2010 by On the Road Again

[DiZZyLoX 114]

Yeah, I bet you're right. Thanks for the luck! <3

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Not sure about you guys, but I've been really curious how everyone has organized their packet. We've all seen the guides, guidelines and suggestions. But just out of curiosity, how did YOU do it?

Ok, since you're curious, I'll play along. I used a two-hole punch at the top of the page and put it all together with an ACCO fastener. Check paper-clipped to the first page. Small tabs at the bottom of some pages to help them find info quickly. No binder or page protectors, but slipped it in an old file folder just to keep the pages from flapping about when I put it in the Priority Mail envelope.

Cover letter listed these contents:

• Payment in the amount of $XXX.00
  
• I-129F
  
• I-129F Supplement: Part B, Question 18, explanation of meeting in person
  
• G-325A and passport style photo (Petitioner)
  
• G-325A and passport style photo (Beneficiary)
  
• Copy of birth certificate (Petitioner)
  
• Letter certifying intent to marry (Petitioner and Beneficiary)
  
• Copy of death certificate showing that prior marriage was legally terminated (Petitioner)
  
• Copy of divorce decree showing that prior marriage was legally terminated (Beneficiary)
  
• Proof of having met in person in the past two years (5 photos, travel documents, passport stamps, receipts)
  
• Proof of ongoing relationship (Airline receipt for future trip, phone bills)
  

My tabs were US Birth Certificate, Termination of Prior Marriages, Proof of Meeting, Passport Stamps since those covered the main requirement of: US citizen, free to marry, and having met in person. The part mentioning "receipts" was our separate credit card purchases showing us in Best Buy same date, time, US city. Also Harrods purchases made on each of our cards on the same date in London. I thought that was a good proof of meeting. I focused on the concrete evidence they need and skipped the lovey chat logs, emails, Skype stuff. I did send one month of a phone bill at the back of the packet. Approved with no RFEs. Your submission looks very complete. Good luck on a speedy approval.

I know it's an awful lot but wanted to include everything we could up front for 2 reasons:

1. So we wouldn't have to do all that work later at the consulate, but could just add to it

2. why not?

London will not ask for nor want to look at ANY proof of your relationship at the interview. Save yourself some time and don't put a scrapbook together. London also doesn't need the US citizen there at the interview. London is a cake walk. I'm serious. (Well unless the UK person was not born in the UK. Then they tend to not issue the visa immediately and do some extra security checks which could take 4-8 weeks but some have been faster.)

Edited December 30, 2010 by Nich-Nick

[LoriT 16]

I didn't do anything new and exciting that you didn't do... Just wanted to say hello. We are going through the London consulate as well. Good luck and I hope everything goes quickly and smoothly for you!!

All our best,

Lori and Colin

[DiZZyLoX 114]

London will not ask for nor want to look at ANY proof of your relationship at the interview. Save yourself some time and don't put a scrapbook together. London also doesn't need the US citizen there at the interview. London is a cake walk. I'm serious. (Well unless the UK person was not born in the UK. Then they tend to not issue the visa immediately and do some extra security checks which could take 4-8 weeks but some have been faster.)

Thanks for playing along! This is exactly what I wanted to see We each did letters of intent, i forgot to add that. Good to know London is pretty smooth. I'm *extremely* scrapbooky! I had fun putting the I-129F together cause it reminded me of making a scrapbook lol. Probably someone out there grumbling at it right now, but hey - what can ya do?

Just got our NOA1 today...going through VSC (sigh). Anywho, 'preciate that! Good to see what others did. kinda cool

[Al422 221]

The sleeves and tabs are probably of minimal help since higher level people never see them, but they can't hurt, and why not organize things for the lower level people anyway? After all, the more organized you make things for them, the less the chance of them making a mistake that may cost you time down the road.

[Didisan 0]

Not sure about you guys, but I've been really curious how everyone has organized their packet. We've all seen the guides, guidelines and suggestions. But just out of curiosity, how did YOU do it?

For example, despite the uscis guides (which we didn't find until after we sent it), we put our packet in a 3 ring binder, and used tabs, cover letters and the plastic sleeves to separate each section. This is how our I-129F was laid out:

1. Cover Letter with table of contents for entire packet - Sleeve 1

2. Check, I-129F, G1145e - Sleeve 2

3. Supplemental page for Question 2 - Sleeve 3

4. Supplemental page for Question 12, including letter regarding VWP (UK), Beneficiary's entire passport, and a copy of the ESTA form filled out in full - Sleeve 4

5. Supplemental page for Question 18 - Sleeve 5

6. Passport Photo and G325a (Petitioner & Beneficiary) - Sleeve 6

7. Entire passport of Petitioner - Sleeve 7

8. Cover Letter for table of contents of following section: Proof of having met in past 2 years & proof of ongoing relationship - Sleeve 8

--Reference Sheet giving nicknames, identity of names that appear in email, email addresses used for both petitioner and beneficiary, and phone numbers used--

--Phone Log / Message Log TAB --

9. My Tmobile bills from Feb - Dec, his O2 bills from Feb - Dec. (Sleeve 9)

--IM / CHAT log TAB --

10. Our g-talk and skype logs Feb - Dec - (Sleeve 10)

--TRAVEL TAB--

11. Flight & hotel Itinerary, boarding passes, email and pictures (in plastic baggie) of first meeting - May (Sleeve 9)

12. Flight Itinerary, boarding passes, hotel receipts, email and pictures (in plastic baggie) of second meeting - Sept (Sleeve 10)

13. Flight Itinerary, boarding passes, going away party invitation (beneficiary) pictures of 3rd meeting - Nov

14. Copies of "Welcome to USA" cards, BBQ invitation, pictures - Nov

15. Cruise boarding passes, itinerary, receipts, excursion tickets, pictures - Nov

--ENGAGEMENT TAB--

16. Pictures of our engagement, copies of letters and engagement cards from england & us, including outside envelopes with date stamps, emails discussing wedding budget, a screen shot of our wedding website, screen shots of my fiance giving details to his family and friends so they can make arrangements to travel for the wedding (facebook).

--Proof of Ongoing Relationship--

17. Email RSVP confirmation of my attendance to a wedding with my fiance in England, flight itinerary and receipt for my flight to england in february.

I know it's an awful lot but wanted to include everything we could up front for 2 reasons:

1. So we wouldn't have to do all that work later at the consulate, but could just add to it

2. why not?

good job I think it is more than enough. I have a question for you...What do you mean by pictures of your engagement?

[DiZZyLoX 114]

good job I think it is more than enough. I have a question for you...What do you mean by pictures of your engagement?

We were lucky enough to have a picture of my honey proposing - date stamped and all . And because we were on a cruise ship when he proposed, we got professional pictures done to use towards our engagement shoot and "Save The Date" invitations.

They probably don't care about all that. But, like i said, i was having a blast with that petition.

[DiZZyLoX 114]

I didn't do anything new and exciting that you didn't do... Just wanted to say hello. We are going through the London consulate as well. Good luck and I hope everything goes quickly and smoothly for you!!

All our best,

Lori and Colin

Thanks, y'all!!!!

[DiZZyLoX 114]

The sleeves and tabs are probably of minimal help since higher level people never see them, but they can't hurt, and why not organize things for the lower level people anyway? After all, the more organized you make things for them, the less the chance of them making a mistake that may cost you time down the road.

that's what i figured after i saw the uscis guidelines. *shrugs*