Hey everyone, I need your advice. I have fallen in love with a wonderful Jamaican man!! He is everything and more that I could possibly ask for in a man--he is sweet, sensitive, selfless, smart, hard-working, passionate, and we love each other to death!!! Ok, anyway, I wanted to know if anyone up here knew of the best way to go about getting him over to the states. We definitely want to get married, but it seems as if there is not a good chance of him getting over here according to some of the things I've heard about the visas, etc. down there. Does anyone up here have any personal experience or advice or know where I could get some? I cannot see me living the rest of my life without him!! Thanks!!

I am in Canada, but one of my friends applied for a visa and didn't get it. We don't have a fiance visa here, but I understand that is your best bet. I actually looked into that a number of years ago (from the other side as I was dating someone in the US) and from what I remember you had to agree to get married within a certain amount of time. I don't remember if there was an income requirement or not. I am sure someone else will be more helpful!

Best of luck.

Good luck...

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"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies"

Proverbs 31; 10

You know we were actually considering this type of visa. You have to get married within 3 months of their arrival to the US...that's all I know for sure....does anyone know how successful people are in attaining this sort of visa?

Going through it right now igcognito13 and I can tell you it is a pain in the a$$. We are doing a K-1 (fiance visa) and I am happy to say, it was approved in the US. Now, we are waiting patiently for the next step.

Upon checking and checking and talking around, the K-1 Fiance Visa is quicker than the K-3 marriage visa, more permanent then the visitor, student, work visa, etc. Quicker is a relative word as we are talking about the US government here. I have heard of people recently getting their visa in as soon as 4 months total, although the US government will tell you it takes about 6 months or more. The K-3 has a wait time of roughly 8 months or more. I have heard horror stories of a year or more. With the K-1, you have 90 days once he steps foot in the US to marry him. We are going to courthouse marry here and then fake it in JA with family and friends at a later date with the whole big deal wedding.

First of all, go on the US Visa web site-US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS.com ??? I think it is) and start reading. There seems to be millions of forms; but all are explained very well in the instructions. I can list exactly what forms you need if you want tomorrow: they include background information on you and him and basic information on you and him. I am at work right now and they are all in a bound book at home. Yes, bound, as I am up around 300 pages right now. He has to sign some of this paperwork.

$170 to file the I-129F. You will need: phone bills, plane tickets, copy of passport, passport photos, copy of birth certificate, affidavit of intentions to marry, divorce papers if any, any and all other receipts, lots of pictures (make sure more then just you and he are in the photos--it helps), letters, cards, IM's, E-mails, etc. anything that proves you two have an ongoing relationship.

He will need to collect: passport, birth paper, police report from 16 to present age ($110 US and he has to go to Kingston for this), non-impediment of marriage form---this is NEW and is a MUST since October 2005. It just states he is over 18 and is not already married- $90 US and is available in Mo Bay & other places-wherever he can get a birth paper, he can get this), Lots and lots of passport photos--we have used 8 so far.

In the US, You file with the form I-129F and all supporting forms and documents. Roughly 3 months later, they approve (or don't). And, note, even if they say you can follow the progress on the internet, you cannot. System is permanently broke and they never update it. You have to call and hold forever (I held for over an hour last week). If approved, it goes on to the National Visa Center which could be very quick or could take months, depending on how many numbers they have to issue for your particular visa in any given year. Then, it is on to Kingston where you will have to have financial data prepared, he will have to get a physical most likely with shots (3 days before interview), and then his interview. In preparation for the interview, he will have to pay $100 US just to make appointment. They have streamlined the Kingston interview. Once he picks up the package of papers and some mysterious stuff he cannot open until in front of a Visa officer (or waits for slower then snail JA mail) and pays the $100, if you had pre-filled the forms via their website, you can make an appointment online. I played with it and got one within 8 days when I tried.

If approved in Kingston, he goes to the courier and pays fee for delivery (I think I read $40 US). I hear it is 4 days later when you receive the visa.

There is also a form that you can include with all this to automatically start the US issuing him a social security number upon approval. Seemed logical to me to do it right away since he can't get a job without one anyhow. Why wait?

I can tell you, you must be patient. Just to fill out the paperwork and get all the documentation together, plus have him sign them, took me weeks. Then, the waiting, waiting, waiting. It seems endless. But, in the end, I know it is worth it.

Please ask me anything else you think you need to know. I haven't been through the entire process, obviously, yet; but I am fairly far along. Plus, I have researched and talked to others. I'll help if I can.

Good luck & God Speed.

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

Oh, but if he has a police record or any kind of communicable disease.........forget about it. Even the forms say that.

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

Jomo thank you so much for all of your information. I actually went to the USICS website once, but there were so many forms, but your clarification helps out alot. I am sure that I will have plenty more questions in the near future. I guess I can at least start downloading the proper forms now. I have a question for you though...did you do all of this on your own or did you hire a lawyer?

There ARE tons of forms!!! I'm Canadian too but my husband is American and our immigration website is a nightmare as well. My husband will move up here as soon as we get our **** together to creat the wonderful 10 pound package that immigration requires.

All these ladies have given you sound advice......from the Canadian or American perspective, I've looked into both.

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Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

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Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

No, no lawyers. (I am,however, always up for a challenge, and did do my divorce myself---I enjoy the challenge of paperwork.) I looked up what they did and what they charged and it seemed a rip off for what I could do with a little elbow grease. I did it all myself. Like I said, the forms come with explanation pages that tell you what they want and what you need to go with it. For the government, it is surprisingly well written and user friendly. Also, if you don't mind holding on forever the USICS people are very nice and helpful.

I would be more then happy to help anyone who has any questions and as I get further along, hopefully, I will have even more answers to guide you.

I will bring my bound copy in tomorrow and list the first set of forms we needed to send in, in case you miss any on the site.

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

Jamcan, you looked into the US perspective? Did you think it would be easier to immigrate south?

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

Thanks for the heads up!! Since I don't know if I'll be living here in Maryland or NC in the next couple of months, I'll just go ahead and start trying to download some forms!! You guys have been so helpful, and believe me, I will definitely keep asking questions.

Hello again. I am home now. Going to list for you in the order that I sent things in. It worked for me. Hopefully, it will work for you. And maybe even save you some time. As a note: if you aren't really interested in this thread, stop reading. This post will be long and a real yawner for you.

And, please note: I think it is best to have a copy of his birth papers, passport, and Jamaican ID card in front of you when doing this. You want to make sure you have every single thing correct on these.

In order:

A signed & dated letter to the US Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Services stating what Visa you are applying for, whom it is for, and exactly what is in your packet. I can always e-mail you a copy of mine so you can see.

Form FC-029 signed by you (this is a form stating all copies in your packet are exact copies of the originals. INS now allows you to send copies and will only want originals if they ask you for them.)
Form FC-029 signed by your fiance


Two passport pictures of you
Two passport pictures of your finance

A check for the $170 made out to Department of Homeland Security

Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiance) (signed by you)

Form G325A (Biographic Information) on you
Form G325A on your fiance (this form sucks as it is 4 pages long and each page has a different page number on the bottom. You cannot just fill it out one time and copy it.) Make sure you and he sign all four pages.

Copy of your birth certificate

Copy of any divorce decree

Notarized affidavit of bona fide intention to marry your fiance within 90 days of entering the U.S. (signed by you)

Signed letter by your fiance stating he intends to marry you within 90 days of entering the US. Does not need to be notarized.

Copy of engagement ring receipt. This is not required to apply for the visa. But, if you have it, send it. I copied the receipt, a picture of us right after he proposed, and a picture of the rind on my finger.

Dated & signed letter stating how you met, where you met, a brief relationship breakdown, when he asked, and how you want to marry him.

As other proof, I included some Western Union reciepts and a doctor's bill for when Jomo, his sister, and I went to the ER in Jamaica after an incident.

2 months worth of phone bills.
This is where I would also include any copies of IM's, e-mails, cards, and letters.

Copy of all your passport pages starting with the picture page and ending with the last Jamaica stamp on it.

Copies of any hotel receipts, customs receipts, & airline tickets.

Pictures. I copied mine in color and added dates and the names of people in them. It helps to have others in the pictures so you don't look like you and he just posed for pictures together all the time. I would have different locations too.

(I made 3 copies of all this: 1 for me, 1 for Jomo, 1 for Jomo to take to Kingston in case they needed to see anything submitted. I bound my copy and Jomo's copy and 2 hole punched and braded the Jamaican copy as below.)

2 hole punch the top of all this and put it in some sort of binder clips that can be easily disassembled by the INS. I used those brad things and put it all in a folder to keep it unwrinkled. Also if you use dividers (which I did to make it easier to find the info., put the tabs at the bottom only-these things are direct instructions from the INS) All of this is sent to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Services Service Center for your area. Mine went to Nebraska. I would imagine Maryland or N.C. would go elsewhere. The addresses are on the form I-129F.

Within days of receiving your stuff, you will receive a I-797C, Notice of Action, which is a receipt with a number on it that will be yours for tracking throughout the process. Again, keep in mind the website is not working at all and they never update the part that does work. There is a phone number to call on this notice. If you don't mind hanging on forever, they will give you information.

The US's official word on the time it takest to process, is just under 3 months right now. This time may fluctuate depending on how many applications they get. From there, if approved, it goes to the National Visa Center which issues visa number if they are available for your type of visa. If they are all given out that year, you have to wait. The official line on this is it can take up to 3 months or more. Although, as a side note on this, the guy I spoke to said he has heard they are working to sidestep this whole Visa Center thing and issue sooner. He has heard of people who have recently gotten numbers immediately and gone on to the Embassy. Since he has not received any "official" word on this, he cannot actually say this. From there, the paperwork goes to the Jamaican Embassy.

Once the paperwork goes to the Jamaican Embassy, your fiance can go to Kingston and pick it up or wait for JA Slower then Snail Mail to deliver it. This is what is in that packet and can be pre-filled. (there is also that mystery packet that cannot be opened until in front of a visa officer) Just be careful. The forms and financial letters have to be within 6 months of the interview...so you don't want to do it too early, in case of delays. It costs $100 US to make the interview appointment at the Embassy and you must have the receipt before you can set up the appointment. It too has a number on it you can enter for on-line appointment scheduling. Jomo will pick up our paperwork (which I have already done beforehand) and pay for the interview in Kingston on the same day.

Form DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application. On the JA Embassy web site, you can fill out and download this form. you are given a bar coded number on the form then and this allows you to make that interview appointment online and get an earlier appointment. This form needs to have a passport photo of your fiance and be signed by him.

Form DS-157 Supplemental Nonimmigrant visa application

Form DS-230 Part I & II Application for immigrant visa and alien registration-Part I signed by your fiance. Part II is where they you ask if you want them to automatically Issue a social security number and Must be signed in front of an immigration officer.

Copy of proof you are engaged. Again, I used the receipt, picture, and picture of me in the ring. What other proof is there?

Copy of his birth papers

Form DS-156K Nonimmigrant Fiance Visa Application. This one is short and sweet and Must be signed in front of an immigration officer.

Form I-134 Affidavit of Support. Notarized filled out and signed by you.
You Must include in Duplicate with this a letter from your bank on letterhead stating accounts, how much in them, when opened, and how much deposited it/them for the past year. Also, a letter from your employer(s) on letterhead stating how much you make per year, when you started, and that it is a permanent and ongoing position. Also, your last tax return. (Should they request the I-284 (?) it is a much longer form and needs 3 years of tax returns.) This form states you will agree to help support this person for at least 4 years and you guarentee they will not be on public assistance. And, if you have any stock information this is where you include it.

You fiance also needs 2 more passport photos for the visa.

3 days (?) before this appointment, he must go to an approved doctor for a physical and any shots he may need. Don't know how much that costs; but I can only imagine as everything else has been so expensive.

Lastly, there is a biometrics fee of $70. This is the cost of the inital picture and fingerprinting when your fiance arrives in the US for the very first time. I am unsure exactly where this is paid for.

He will need the original of his passport & birth papers.

He will need a police report from the age of 16 till now. Like I said, this is from Kingston and cost us $110 US. He needs 2 passport photos with this and needs to take his passport and birth papers with him to get it. As a note, Jomo lied and said he needed it tomorrow, otherwise they wanted to mail it to him in 21 working days. Something to keep in mind.

He will need a Non-Impediment of Marriage Letter. This states he is over 18 and is not married. (It is an expensive crock of S%$# form if you ask me!!) He can get this any office he can get his birth papers at. He will need to show his passport and birth papers and it cost us $90 US. They will deliver it to him in about 14 working days.

The interview will take place. It is my understanding the visa will be approved (or not) that same day. If approved, he will be sent to a courier office where he will give his information and pay for delivery ($40 US I hear) and the visa will be delivered to him within 4 working days. He can leave immediately.

My inital paperwork was over 300 pages and the financial stuff added so much more to it, thus the reason I bound it.

As I said, you must be patient and put some elbow grease into this. It can be done.

If this helped you through the process at all, I am happy. Please contact me along the way with any questions. I am happy to help. As I progress further, I'll pass on anything else you may need to know.

Again, good luck to you.

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

OMG!!!!!!

I don't think I have ever loved someone this much!!!! LOL

LMFAO at you Teach!!!! hahahahahahaha

We looked into it briefly and to me they kinda seemed equal. The reason we decided for him to come here first is because of the current issues with my son. I think both ways have benefits though because the US has the fiance visa which is a way for people to be together without having to do a "fake" marriage. So in our situation we had to do the small wedding with a JP in order to apply for a visa. But we are still going to have the "real" wedding with family and friends eventually.

My immigration consultant told me our case is pretty straight forward and would probably go thru in about 6 months. And in hindsight there are so many more reasons for him to come here at this time. One major reason being that my income is significantly higher than his due to the phenominal BOOM in our job market in Canada, particularly my province. So its smarter to start off this way, and then go south after a few years when we've made our money.

I guess none of my info helps Incognito but its my story anyways. And let me reiterate: IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT....NOT LAWYER!!!!

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Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.