Navigating Immigration - K1 visas

[12bnja]

hoping to find someone that has recently been through the K1 visa process. It is near impossible to find info on the USCIS site and from what I hear the policies change often. I have heard varying stories from people and just hope to find some good resources to find the real deal on the requirements for the petitioner and for the Ja Citizen needing the VISA. Also if anyone is in the DC area and knows of a GOOD attorney that would be great. Thanks

[Yuriatin]

Re: Navigating Immigration - K1 visas

It's not that complicated a process at all.

TRUST ME!

You only need to follow the directions on the application VERY closely. Missing even 1 required document can slow your application down greatly.

You also have to be completely honest with all the questions on the app; this goes for both parties, obviously.

Anything that's not true, they end up finding out anyway - you don't want that!

Not sure what you mean when you say what is the "real deal" for the requirements - every single thing that's required, is clearly asked for. What do you mean exactly?

Trust me - you don't need an atty to do this. Or rather, an atty is so not required - often times, a waste of money.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lanie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">hoping to find someone that has recently been through the K1 visa process. It is near impossible to find info on the USCIS site and from what I hear the policies change often. I have heard varying stories from people and just hope to find some good resources to find the real deal on the requirements for the petitioner and for the Ja Citizen needing the VISA. Also if anyone is in the DC area and knows of a GOOD attorney that would be great. Thanks </div></div>

[Yuriatin]

Re: Navigating Immigration - K1 visas

Lanie - <span style="font-weight: bold">basically</span>, it goes like this - and I emphasize <span style="font-weight: bold">basically</span>, for many reasons, not the least of which, because depending on the individual circumstances, it can vary slightly.

I'll tell you this right now - make sure, from the top, you and the fiance are on the same page. If your fiance has kids, any arrests, any children, and drug use, you need to know this NOW - you do NOT want the USCIS or the JA Consulate to find this out MID stream. And the same goes for you as well. Surprises will sink your app.

Anyway - you can roughly look at the process in 2 parts - the us citizen files the app and completes his/her steps - and the next part is the Jamaican citizen's steps / interview.

US CITIZEN FILLS OUT THE APP

- I'll assume you're the us cit, so you need to get the I129F form and fill it out. It's very straight forward. You can download it or call the 800# the USCIS has and have them mail it to you. Go the easy way - download it - fill it out - mail it in. You should be - if you're not already, be gathering all the things you need to send in with your app: tax returns, identification, etc, etc. There's a long list of stuff to send.

My own PERSONAL bias and tip on this - send in MORE info than requested - what I mean is, for example - if the app calls for say 2 years of past tax returns, send 3 - if they ask for last 6 months of bank statements, send the last 12 months - you get me?

Where it gets mailed depends on where you live. The form will list the address where you need to mail it. Make a copy of every single thing you send in to the INS (sorry, I cant help still calling them that). no joke - I don't care if you send in a paper clip - make a copy of it. (-: Even make a copy of the money order or check you send in. Depending on where you live, that will determine how long it takes them to complete your app. You'll get an NOA in the mail. NOA is a notice of action - just the INS way of saying, &quot;receipt&quot; &quot;yes we got your app&quot;

I129F APPROVED

- once they approve your app, it's sent to the NVC where it's processed and then sent to JA - it gets sent to the embassy in Kingston.

- so while all this has been going on, your fiance should be working on getting his/her passport pix taken (just trust me on this-kill all birds with one stone - just have them get a batch of photos taken now, not just 2. You all will be needing them down the line) - should be getting their police clearance, being sure their passport is current, etc. If I were you, I'd make darn sure your fiance has the CURRENT red passport.
<span style="font-style: italic">
(hang on, I'll be right back - changing clothes out of washer)</span>

[Yuriatin]

Re: Navigating Immigration - K1 visas

So once the case gets sent to Town, somewhere around this time, your fiance will get a letter in the mail, telling him/her what steps they need to take.

He/she should have been proactive and by this point be 90% of the game because he/she has their <span style="font-weight: bold">CURRENT </span>JA passport, pictures, police record, scheduled dr's appt for the medical, etc, etc. The dr(s) your fiance can go to will be in the packet of information he gets. You're fiance is a he - right? Your the girl, right? Lanie is girl's name, right?

[Bandana]

Re: Navigating Immigration - K1 visas

Lanie, welcome.


You can find a very detailed guide in everything you need to file for a K1 visa here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?autocom=custom&amp;page=k1guide

as Yuri says, unless you have special circumstances you should be able to file with out an attorney.

Good luck.

[Yuriatin]

Re: Navigating Immigration - K1 visas

Sorry - I don't know if I ever answered your original question about what's required documentation.

I can't remember it all but if I miss something, it's all on the application - whic, you should be reading 10 times before you fill it out, so as to familiarize your self with it.

THE FEE. I can't recall what it is - you can find it on the USCIS site clear as day. I HIGHLY suggest that you use a personal check. Makes it much easier for proof of payment and tracking.

DECLARATION. This is just a ltr you need to write explaining how you met your fiance. (this marries up with your 'proof')

STATEMENT. Each of you need to write a ltr saying that you all intend to marry within 90 days of him getting to the US.

PROOF / EVIDENCE. Ok, so - you have to send evidence of your undying live. For the INS, this means, copies of love letters, phone bills, airplane tickets/stubs, emails, etc, etc.

PIX. You have to send them passport pictures of you.

COPY OF YOUR BIRTH CERT

COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT - ALL of it - allllll the pages. Every single one.

IF YOU'VE BEEN DIVORCED - a copy of your decree

You also have to have proof that you can financially support the guy. That means taxes returns and a bunch of other gibberish. It's all listed on the app what you need.

[Yuriatin]

Re: Navigating Immigration - K1 visas

One other thing Lanie - and this again, is my own personal bias and suggestion. It's not required.

If you are able, all the items that you send in, make COLOR copies of them. Color copies of your passport, for example.

Remember, this is just 1 part of the process. Should all things follow thru and your fiance arrive and you marry, you have a whole next phase that you'll have to go thru. Girlfriend, TRUST me - it doesn't hurt to start looking into that stuff now.

I wouldn't place too much stock in what other people's experiences are. it interesting to hear them, but don't ALWAYS base your moves on theirs.

Everyone who's gone thru this has had different twist and turns for various reasons - some people have no issues at all.

If your case is straight forward, as I mentioned earlier, and you can fill out paperwork, girl, ditch the lawyer. Save the money you'd be paying a lawyer - you're going to need it!