Neeraj’s Visa…On Its Way!

Well my excitement is overwhelming as I am just returning from the post office. Neeraj’s visa papers are now on their certified little way to the Nebraska Service Center. FINALLY its done. I have felt this bhoj on my head ever since we started discussing his visa back wayyyyy back when.

Anyway, the process has started and this is only the beginning. After receiving my petition, it will take them three months to approve it. Why you may ask? The Nebraska Service Center, which handles all cases in my state (amongst others), is three months behind in the processing of K1 Fiancee Visas. So they most likely won’t even look at my petition for another three months. Sucks doesn’t it?

There have been helpful links that I have been using and I would like to share these sites just in case it might be helpful to someone else.

These are the three main ones that helped me because they had sample forms as well as clear cut information on how to package, send, and etc.. These were great sites and maybe one day I will make one that will say Neeraj and Poonam’s K1 Adventure.

John and Marsha’s K1 Adventure
Becky and Dan’s K1
Visa Journey - great not only for K1 but for other visas as well

Now what I sent in along with the petition. Its necessary to show two main things along with the original forms (I-129 F and G-325a):

Proof that you have met in the last two years

Proof of your further relationship

For the first bullet, I sent in 9 photographs and attached that to a piece of paper that had their description and dates, my travel receipts and itineraries that I have traveled to India, my used boarding passes, and Neeraj’s passport. **Do remember that everything is a photocopy, no originals are sent. **

For the second bullet, I sent in emails sent by Neeraj to me from 2001-2004 (just random ones which I thought were good enough to send). Its not like they will understand a word of it anyway (other than “i love you” and “bye” ) because its written in Hindi. Then one of the handwritten letters that Neeraj had sent to me (the letters were so long, more than 6-8 pages, that I tried to find the one that was the shortest - 4 pages). I even had to send the envelopes in which Neeraj had sent those letters! Crazy isn’t it? I also sent a lovely card that he had sent to me back in 2001. Also I went to Remit2India and got copies of the receipts of the money transfers that I have made to Neeraj. **Again everything is a photocopy, no originals. **

Now if you want a rundown if what I sent today, here is the contents that are listed in the cover letter, in the exact order:

1 - Check: Payment in the amount of $165.00
1 - I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance(e)
G-325A for petitioner, U.S. Citizen Poonam Bhatia with attached photograph
G-325A for beneficiary, alien fiance Neeraj Kumar Verma with attached photograph
Contact information of petitioner and beneficiary
1- Passport of petitioner as proof of citizenship (photocopy)
2 - Original Statements Declaring Intent to Marry (1 each from petitioner and beneficiary)
1 - FC-029 Statement on Photocopies
1 - Attachment to I-129F, Question 19 - description of circumstances under which petitioner and beneficiary met
Proof of meeting in the last 2 years — discussed above
Evidence of relationship — discussed above

I have sent all of this in a huge envelope and via USPS Certified Mail with a return receipt. That way I know that they have got it, and I have proof that I sent it. Smart eh?

Alright. I think that’s enough for now on the K1 stuff. Will be back on the topic once something happens, i.e. I get a response that the immigration people got it in Nebraska.

If you got any questions, do email me np [at] neerajpoonam [dot] com. I am getting to be an expert on this topic.

Alvida. Jai Mata Di.