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
step by step guide on how to file for a K-1 or fiance(e) visa
kheryn’s website (K-1 and AOS application)
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.
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cover letter re contents of the I129f package
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application fee ( check or money order acceptable, don’t enclose cash )
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Form -129F petition for alien fiancee with attachment how my fiance met me
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FC 029
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form G325 from both of us ( i can’t remember if it was Form G325 or Form G325A )
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2 x 2 pictures attached to form G325
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affidavit re intent to marry after arrival to the US from both of us
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photocopy of my NSO issued birth certificate
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photocopy of my fiance U.S passport
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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 )
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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:
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the original and photocopy of your letter of appointment so the guard will let you in
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passport and pictures required as stated by the embassy document plus all other items that you are told to bring to the medical exam
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some snacks , juices, water so you wouldn’t be hungry waiting in line etc.
The actual happenings at my medical exam :
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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..
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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)
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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
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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.