Neil's Kathy, let me know when you see this.

__________________
If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive

Let her know that another good sight to go to for info is visajourney.com. Between your info and the info on this sight, things should be a whole lot clearer!! It's always good to have first-hand knowledge from someone going through the process! Keep us posted on your progress!!!

Jilly got you on her bandwagon, huh, Incognito? Kidding. I agree the info was helpful. Not sure Kathy even checked in her yet.

__________________
If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive

Yeah, I've kinda jumped on both of your wagons!! lol Seriously though, who else to get answers from than from those who have or are going through the process themselves!!! Both of you have been soooo helpful and trust me, by the time it's all said and done, you're gonna be sooo tired of me!! Don't be surprised if you turn around one day and see me w/ a stack of papers in my hand and a look of exasperation on my face!

Been there, done that! So, it's okay. When are you going to start the process?

__________________
If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive

Well.....according to "the little birdies", I will officially begin the process the July 4th weekend....I've gathered up the initial applications and filled them out, along with sending him the G325A so he can go ahead and look @ what he has to fill out the FC 029 (or whatever that thing is)....Thanks to you, I've been trying to gather things like boarding passes that i've saved, i've got pictures, i'm going to make copies of the cards I sent him, i can copy my passport pages, and plenty of phone bills to show!! I don't know what else I should put in there, and trying to figure out out to keep all of the stuff together is interesting in itself (I've heard that you should put things in plastic bags or envelopes or something). N-E-Way, as you can tell, I am a little paranoid and anal about having as much done correctly the 1st time as I can!!! I'm just ready to go ahead and get started already---but alas, I must be patient!!

I dont' know what US immigration is like but Canadian immigration also told me to gather things like receipts for gifts that have been purchased between you, also letters of reference from family and friends who've met your partner, and his family & friends who've met you.
I went through all this stuff too, but then the relationship went belly up. But at least I gathered some intelligence before that happened.

__________________

I wouldn't suggest plastic bags. Bind them together, at the top with those slider thingeess, so they can look through everything easily.

For proof of relationship: lots of photos with other people besides the two of you in them, phone bills, plane tickets & passport stamps, engagement ring reciept. Letters, cards, IM's, gift receipts are all good. Because we talk hours every day,I have been there every single month the last year, and we have so darn many pictures (I'm a scrapbooker-it's an addiction!!!) I didn't send in anything else. really besides phone bills, plane tickets/passport, and pictures. It was enough. You just have to prove you know each other and what you are saying is truth. If you've only seen him a few times or something like that, you may need more proof items. Don't stress about it. It has been a long process; but so much smoother then I anticipated.

July would be good. Maybe you can bring him home at Christmas time. Keep asking any questions you have. Good luck.

__________________
If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive

Answer from other thread....

Apply for marriage certificate, get married, apply for adjustment of status (AOS), EAD and AP. Apply for Adjustment of Status (AOS). You should file as soon as possible. If you have not filed for AOS and your K-1 expires, you will be considered out-of-status until you file. Make all attempts to file before you become out-of-status. You may also file for your EAD and AP at this time. *EAD allows your to work (will need to reapply every year until your AOS application is approved). AP allows you to leave the country on a vacation / trip while your AOS application is being processed. Please read this regarding when to file for AOS and not becoming out-of-status. Receieve EAD and AP...Receive (get printed and issued) your EAD -- appointment at local office. Receive AP via US Mail. *If you file for your EAD online you will have a bio appointment and receive your EAD via mail. If you file locally you typically get an appointment for fingerprinting and are issued the EAD the same day. Then interview for AOS (I485 Approval). Interview appointment for AOS. When approved you will receive an I-551 stamp in your passport indicating you have been approved for AOS and will also receive your green card in the mail later. *If your interview (and specifically the approval) occurs within 2 years of your marriage you will be granted a conditional permanent residency (2 year validity). If this happens you will have to apply to lift conditions 90 days prior to your 2 year green card expiring. If you are 'adjusted' greater than 2 years after you were married you should receive a normal 10 year green card.

Still doesn't scare me, Jilly. I have that paperwork and I am telling you it is less then what I have already filed. And, some of it is just duplicated. Time constraints are of some concern. Only the getting married in 90 days thing really concerns me. The rest left plenty of time to get your paperwork in. And the best part, we have an office in St. Louis........Good not to have to mail/travel to foreign cities all the time.

__________________
If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive

I wasn't trying to scare you. Not at all. Just letting all of the people interested in the process what's involved. Although I went the K1 route, and agree its the easiest way to get him/her up here...I now feel that the K3 route is easiest. Once he/she is up here....you're pretty much all set. Its all the paperwork mentioned above wrapped in one fee/package.

I was also trying to clarify that on top of all the paperwork involved, you're still starting a relationship with a person from another country (not like ours), having him/her leave their home, family and friends to start fresh. That is alot for a relationship to handle. Marriage is hard enough without all those issues being added to it. Regardless how many times someone has been down there and how much time you may spend with them, I feel you're in a honeymoon stage. Please understand I am not trying to discourage any one from going through this. You should always follow your heart.

Why do you think the K-3 takes so darn long for them to process? And, it would kind of be the same thing unless you married, moved to JA, and then went through there. Otherwise, you are doing the same thing as the K-1 by being apart. I think it is all a mass of red tape and paperwork. All the poor tress that died for me!!!

Well, kids, I am out of here until the 31st. Headed to see Jomo in the morning. Last long trip (hopefully!) for me. Making sure he has all he needs to take with him for the embassy visit and it is in the order I shipped it to him in.

Don't say anything too exciting till I get back. I'll miss you all.

__________________
If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive

You would get married down there and the you would come back up here and file the k3. You would not need to move and relocate down there. I heard the K3's are moving faster now too. I feel it's a little slower than the k1 because of the additional paperwork. Basically, you're holding off on the paperwork until he/she gets up here on the K1.

OK. I am going to try this longa$$ one again. Rain is wrecking havoc on my computer today. I keep losing everything. So frustrating.

Just got back yesterday from another JA visit (yes, I am sad today!) and I learned some more info worth posting. First off, my advice is to have him read or fax you the paperwork the embassy sends him or else go down there and double check everything yourself. I had to emergency UPS more paperwork yesterday.

He needs to take:

2 copies of DS-156, internet filled and printed
2 copies of DS-156K
2 copies of DS-157
(We had only one copy of these)
One paper he has says he needs the I-134 and one says he needs the I-864. This sucks. Both of these are the financial forms. The 134 is simple and requires little additional proof. The 864 needs 3 years of NOTARIZED tax returns with W2s, 3 months of bank statments, a letter from your bank stating date account opened and amount deposited in last year, a letter from your employer(s) stating salary, date of hire, and outlook on future employment, stock information, etc.

We ran around MoBay making copies and having my tax returns notarized. Funny story about the notary....a pharmacist at a town pharmacy. In the middle of notarizing, she stands up, locks up the store and makes the 20 or so of us in there participate in a prayer service complete with singing and Scripture reading. I told Jomo that she was so convinced I was a bad influence on him, she had to pray for us. Jamaicans are so funny.

He also needs:

Letter from the embassy stating appointment date & time
His certified Birth Certificate
My certified Birth Certificate
My certified divorce decree
His original (and signed) police certificate
His original non-impediment of marriage certificate
8 passport photos
Receipt for medical visit
Receipt for $100 paid for embassy appointment
$335 for the embassy in US or JA but not a combination of both
$40 for the courier
(maybe $70 for biometrics-still not sure where they do this first)

And, we have the DS-230 Part II, which is never specifically asked for in the paperwork, but that the US accepts right away to apply for a SSN. Hopefully, they will take it in JA and start that process for us.

He is also taking the bound copies of everything we sent to the US
The scrapbook I made him
Additional pictures, phone bills, and plane tickets since we filed in January
Pictures of our wedding flowers (I made) and my dress receipt - besides an engagement ring receipt, how do you prove your intentions????
Cards I made & sent him

If you can imagine the size of the stuff he needs to take...........I am thinking he needs the rolling suitcase to carry it all.

We have been studying any possible question they could ask. Most of which, I got from the internet. We aren't lying at all, so there is no issue there. I just don't want him confused and fumbling.

The big day is next Tuesday, June 6th. Say some prayers for us.

More info when I know some.

__________________
If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive

WELCOME BACK!! (even though I know you hate to be back!!) All I can say about the above info is----WHOA!! I will definitely be praying that everything goes without a hitch!! That was funny about the pharmacist/notary/prayer lady!!