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My Fiancee Petition Experience Part 1

Hi all, I decided to create a blog so I can share my experience when me and my then-fiance, now my husband, filed for my K-1 petition or also called as the Fiancee petition. I am posting this to serve as information for anyone who might be thinking of applying for the same thing . You and your fiance(e) can also do this all by yourselves with no help from an immigration lawyer so read what we did. Also, just pray for God’s guidance and He will make things a lot easier for you. Waiting for all this to be over can be nerve-wracking and you need all the help you can get from the Almighty God.

MY ONLINE RESOURCES

Here are some websites that you can use to know more about the K-1. but strictly use the fees, forms and photo requirements from the USCIS website. (Log on to mag-anak.org a yahoo group, to obtain more info)

the website of the US Embassy in Manila

the USCIS site

visa journey website

step by step guide on how to file for a K-1 or fiance(e) visa

kheryn’s website (K-1 and AOS application)

another K-1 website

FILING THE PETITION

November 2004- I-129F package for Fiancee petition for me was filed by my fiance according to my instructions (ehem) , I made a research first on the internet before he filed so I know exactly what we were doing before he even filed for it . Anyway, the following papers were submitted to the USCIS in Laguna, Nigel, California.

• cover letter re contents of the I129f package

• application fee ( check or money order acceptable, don’t enclose cash )

• Form -129F petition for alien fiancee with attachment how my fiance met me

• FC 029

• form G325 from both of us ( i can’t remember if it was Form G325 or Form G325A )

• 2 x 2 pictures attached to form G325

• affidavit re intent to marry after arrival to the US from both of us

• photocopy of my NSO issued birth certificate

• photocopy of my fiance U.S passport

• notarized affidavit of support from my fiance Form I-134 (with recent letter of employment stating current income , tax forms W2 for the last 3 years, bank statements if applicable )

• supporting evidences : some pictures , some emails ( with printouts of our conversations with webcam screens which i pasted and printed thru paint application ), any proof of meeting in person in the last two years prior to filing

This was as far as I can remember, check out the other sites I gave you to get more info, the embassy might have added additional requirements.

PETITION APPROVED!!

January 31, 2005 after two months, the petition was finally approved .

WAITING FOR THE PACKET

February to April 7, 2005… now the waiting for the packet has begun. Note the length of time I had to wait for the packet. I was pregnant that time so you can just imagine my anxiety waiting for this packet . What an agony it was to wait for this packet but the waiting time enabled me to prepare the other requirements . By the way, I was so apprehensive while waiting for the packet so I called up the Embassy’s call center (paid 750.00 when the phone bill arrived !) but I was told that they already mailed the packet. After several days, when I didn’t receive the packet, I called the number again (paid 400.00 this time !) but I was told that they will no longer mail packet 3 and that I should just wait for Packet 4. After those two expensive calls to the embassy, a friend of mine advised me not to call the embassy anymore since who knows they might be delaying the packet so that people will keep on calling the call center . But since I was still anxious to get hold of that embassy packet , this time I decided to mail a formal letter to the US embassy , and had my fiance follow it up with an email to the embassy’s Chief of Immigrant Visa Section , a few days, later the packet arrived!!!

GOT THE PACKET, HURRAY !!!

April 8, 2005 – finally got the long awaited, infamous packet from U.S embassy instructing me what papers to prepare and when to have my medical and interview . Somebody asked me before if the papers that her fiance has submitted to the USCIS will also be sent to her, the answer is no. The packet only contains some forms, a checklist of all the things you need to bring to the interview and of course, the appointment letter. The packet will instruct you of everything you need to do, if you need to send some papers back to the embassy or whatever. In my case, I did not send anything back to the embassy, I just brought all the documents they instructed me to bring to my interview and that was that.

By the way, I only received one packet, I do not know with the other applicants if they received two.

( reason why packet delivery takes a long long time)

THE MEDICAL AT ST. LUKE’S EXTENSION CLINIC

May 6, 2005- Medical exam at St. Luke’s Extension Clinic, paid P5250.00 for this exam. Why it’s so costly is beyond me .

Now don’t forget to bring the following items for your medical:

• the original and photocopy of your letter of appointment so the guard will let you in

• passport and pictures required as stated by the embassy document plus all other items that you are told to bring to the medical exam

• some snacks , juices, water so you wouldn’t be hungry waiting in line etc.

The actual happenings at my medical exam :

• I was made to strip butt naked for the physical exam hahaha, so embarassing really. but all women applicants had female doctors so girls, no need to worry..

• I was given an eye exam, an xray test ( a shield was given to protect my unborn baby ) , blood test but I was not given a urine test since I was already pregnant . The urine test is given to women to determine pregnancy..

May 7, 2005( 2nd day of my medical at st. Luke’s exteNsion cLinic)

• applicants were given their vaccination shots during the second day but I wasn’t given any since I was pregnant during my medical exam. ( When I got to the USA, I had my pokes before filing for adjustment of status here.) If you’re not pregnant, it’s better to have the vaccinations at St. Luke’s since you have paid for it anyway. I forgot what other things I did there during the second day, my memory has failed me in this area.

May 9, 2005

• Got the result , just the vaccination supplement and the xray result though. The clinic’s personnel explained to me that TD shot, which is not available in the Phils., will just be given to me in the USA, along with all the other shots I missed due to my pregnancy.

See related article : Fiancee Petition Experience Part 2

My Fiancee Petition Experience Part 2

THE EMBASSY INTERVIEW

May 13, 2005

Interview at the U.S Embassy, brought all the original and photocopies of the following ( go over the checklist that the embassy sent you ) :

• my NSO issued birth certificate

• photocopy of my fiance’s US Passport

• my NBI clearance

• some forms from the embassy ( i don’t remember what they were)

• police clearances from all places and countries lived since age 16, in my case I had to secure a police clearance from Taiwan with the help of MECO in Makati, paid 400php for the service. I also secured police clearances from all the places i lived in like towns, cities since I was 16 years old, as compliance to the embassy requirement

• supporting evidences : pictures (in small,thin albums only) , emails ( with printouts of our conversations with webcam screens which I pasted and printed thru paint application ), any proof of meeting in person in the last two years prior to filing

• notarized affidavit of support from my fiance with his supporting evidences again: Form I-134 (with recent letter of employment stating current income , tax forms W2 for the last 3 years, bank statements if applicable )

• and most importantly, my passport where they will laminate the visa

I breezed throughout the interview, was fortunate enough that all those people at the US embassy were very kind to me and didn’t give me a hard time. I was even amazed at how fast my papers were moving, like after being called at one booth, I’d be called again for the next one. all the other applicants were already complaining why I was the only one being called again and again and not them, I can only marvel at how God was working . That time I knew He was giving me another miracle to remember, that He wants me to know that He cares deeply about me. The consul did not even give me a hard time with his questions. He just asked me when and how I met my fiance, what his present job is, if the baby I was carrying was my fiance’s ( I was near to blurting out, “but of course sir , who else would this be ? ” )

The whole time I spent at the embassy totalled only three hours, from 7am until 10am. The others were able to go home at 1pm from what I heard from a co-applicant after I called her that day. So ladies, when you go through this petition process, it helps to really ask God for help, for patience, for guidance. If it doesn’t go well , then maybe it was not meant for us yet, not yet for the moment , but maybe later on.

HOW I KNEW THAT I PASSED

If you will ask how you will know if you passed or not, the last person on the booth that you will go to will not tell you anything, they will simply tell you to wait for the visa since they have no idea if you passed or not. In my case, I had a feeling that I passed the interview because while I was talking to this last lady, I happened to glance at my folder that she held and there i saw “IV approved ” ( I guess, IV means immigrant visa).

RECEIVED MY VISA, YIPPEEE !!!

May 18, 2005

Five days after the embassy interview, I received my visa through Fedex. I did not pay anything for its delivery though some said that they were made to pay. Hmmn, only proves that God is good eh? Along with my visa, I also received a packet from the embassy that must never be opened. Please do not open that packet because only an immigration official will open it when you get to your port of entry .

THE CFO SEMINAR

May 23, 2005- attended the CFO seminar at a place, something like Good Shepherd (?) somewhere near an MRT station, I just can’t seem to remember where it was coz I was doing everything in a rush. I paid a fee for that seminar, they said it was donation but it wasn’t actually since it was a set fee, maybe about P300.00. Why it was held there, again, I don’t know, I don’t know too where that money we paid there will go. Anyway, at that seminar, we just watched a video of some battered Filipinas after they immigrated to some foreign countries and after that video show, we were herded to another room where a lady talked about what America is like when we get here. Anyways after some hours spent there and after I got my certificate ( was that a certificate or something else? ) , I hurriedly went to another CFO office near Quirino Avenue in Malate , Manila where I was made to pay again , another P250.00. I felt I was being scammed actually but what can I do, I needed that CFO stamp on my passport before I can be allowed to leave the country. CFO ek ek… just a ruse to get money from us actually , if I may say so.

THE PLANE TICKET

I forgot what date it was that I got my plane ticket. A tip though for those of you who will be buying your plane tickets in the Philippines , which is cheaper by the way, scout around for lower rates. Ortigas and Makati rates are quite high. Go try Binondo, call the Binondo booking offices and then ask for discounts. Practice your haggling powers, they do give in sometimes …

When you buy your plane ticket , give info re your port of entry, flight schedule, seat number and remember to double check if they got it right, most especially after getting your ticket. You don’t want to end up in LA when your fiance is waiting for you at the San Francisco Airport , do you? Check it right after you get your ticket… it is better to be sure..

AT MY PORT OF ENTRY

May 27, 2005- finally arrived in chilly San Francisco, my port of entry, at around 5pm. Don’t forget to fill up I194 at the plane, because you will need it at the port of entry. The form will be distributed by the sterwardess inside the plane. I filled out two forms, an I194 and I forgot what the other was. Be sure to ask for it from the stewardess.

At the customs, when I fell in line at the immigrant section, I was only told to present my passport and the packet which the embassy has given me along with the visa/passport. In my case I wasn’t asked to present the xray and the vaccination supplement , though I don’t know if they really routinely ask for these stuffs.( Frankly I hope they don’t since I felt stupid holding on to my xray result while I was in line like it was dear life )

- The End-

Disclaimer:The information contained herein is provided as a public service with the understanding that the author makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information. What is written here is based on the author’s first hand-experience and on the many readings/research she made on the K1 process.

Update June 12, 2006:

• the US embassy in Manila has updated their list of requirements, kindly check on their site .

• CENOMAR is already required.

• Payment at the embassy is required for your visa delivery.

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I will update you of my adjustment of status in my next posts …

See related post : My Fiancee Petition Experience Part 1