I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.
See all posts Frank GogolHow to Write an I-129F Cover Letter
Updated on April 10, 2024
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At a Glance: Form I-129F is an application submitted to the USCIS by a U.S. citizen who plans to marry a foreign national in the U.S. or bring their spouse to the country. The form requires evidence of U.S. citizenship, termination of previous marriages, intent to marry within 90 days, and proof of in-person meeting. A cover letter can be included to provide additional information and organize the application. The letter should introduce the petitioner and beneficiary, list the contents of the application package, and express gratitude. Accuracy and completeness are crucial for a successful application.
Meeting the love of your life can be an exhilarating and life-changing experience. Of course, you’d want to start your life together as soon as possible. Unfortunately, if you’re a U.S. citizen and your loved one is a foreign national, the immigration process can severely delay your “happily ever after”.
Getting your fiancé or spouse into the U.S. requires a Form I-129F. But how can you be sure you’ve done everything you can to see your petition approved? One thing you can do is to include an I-129F cover letter. After you’ve compiled all the required Form I-129F documents into your petition package, it can’t hurt to make it easier for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer to navigate your application with a concise and clear I-129F cover letter.
What should you include in the I-129F cover letter and what’s the best way to approach it? Here are some guidelines to help you seal the deal!
What is Form I-129F?
Before we tackle the I-129F cover letter, let’s first unpack the Form I-129F itself.
If your fiancé is a foreign national but you are planning to get married in the U.S. or you’re a U.S. citizen looking to bring your spouse with you to the U.S., you need to apply to the U.S. government to allow them into the country. To do this, you need to submit Form I-129F with the USCIS.
You need to complete the Form I-129F in English. If you complete it in another language it has to be translated by a registered translator. You also need to provide evidence of your U.S. citizenship. You can do this by including a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or U.S. passport.
Other evidence you’ll need to include with your Form I-129F is evidence that you and your fiancé have legally terminated any previous marriages, and evidence of intent to marry within 90 days of their arrival in the U.S.
You also need to prove you and your fiancé have at least met in-person in the last two years since you filed your Form I-129F. If you haven’t met yet, you’ll need to provide proof this is due to your fiancé’s cultural or religious beliefs or there are other extenuating circumstances that made it impossible to meet.
Keep in mind the Form I-129F is only for non-immigration entry to the U.S. For your significant other to gain citizenship or residency through marriage would require a different process.
Filing the Form I-129F costs $535 unless you’re filing for your spouse’s permanent residency. In this case, you would also need Form I-797C to prove you’ve filed for Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) plus a valid marriage certificate.
Who Needs Form I-129F?
You need a Form I-129F if you are a U.S. citizen intending to bring your fiancé or spouse who is a foreign national to the U.S.
For a fiancé (K1 visa request), the purpose of bringing them to the U.S. is to get married in the U.S. For a spouse (K3 visa request) it forms part of their application for permanent resident status.
The Form I-129F is also required for any of your fiancé or spouse’s children (K2 and K4 visa requests) who aren’t biologically yours or can’t receive citizenship through their familial relation to you.
What is an I-129F Cover Letter?
How exactly can you explain to a U.S. immigration officer looking over your application the love you have for your significant other beyond the black-and-white information on your form? Well, it’s not with your I-129F cover letter. That’s what the relationship statement is for.
Instead, your Form I-129F cover letter is intended to help USCIS officials get a better grasp of your application. It acts as a reference guide for anything specific they are looking for in your application.
While a Form I-129F cover letter is not required by the USCIS, a good I-129F cover letter can help better organize your application. It will also ensure USCIS officials don’t miss anything when processing your application.
How to Write an I-129F Cover Letter
Clear and concise is the name of the game. This is especially important as an introduction to your petition and in explaining why you are sending the letter. Your I-129F cover letter acts as a summary of your I-129F application and should be the first thing the USCIS officials see when they open your I-129F package.
There are various sample letters on the internet that can help you craft the best one for your specific situation, whether you’re applying for your fiancé or for your spouse and their children. Your I-129F cover letter can be any size, but the general preference is letter size (8.5 x 11).
Let’s look at the detailed information you need to include in your Form I-129F cover letter.
Firstly, you have to get your details right. Whoever is reading it needs to know exactly which application this letter is attached to.
Also, ensure you’ve got the correct USCIS address and information on the letter. You can use the address of the U.S. immigration center where you submitted your Form I-129F. Your letter should be addressed to the Department of Homeland Security USCIS officer.
Then, start with the introduction of your letter. Introduce yourself and your fiancé/spouse using your full names, and a quick overview of your situation. For example, you are planning to get married in the U.S. or you and your spouse want to be reunited after living apart.
After your introduction, list the contents of your I-129F package in bullet points. This would include the Form I-129F itself, proof of your U.S. citizenship, the relationship, the intent of marriage (in the case of a fiancé), and any other documentation required in the application.
Mention the documents are originals or photocopies or are unaltered. You must ensure your paperwork is precise. Many applications fail due to mistakes made on the form and in the documentation.
Thank the department for their time and remember to add your signature and date at the end. You should submit the original letter with your wet signature, but remember to keep a copy of it for your own records.
Read More
- How Do I Speak to a Live Person at USCIS?
- How Many Citizenships Can You Have?
- How Do I Know Which USCIS Service Center?
- How Do I Know If USCIS Received My Application?
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Conclusion
While there are many templates for an I-129F cover letter, remember to use your own discretion and adjust whatever might fit your specific situation.
A precise and organized I-129F application package could make the difference between approval for your happily ever after, or denial of life together in the U.S.
Frank Gogol
I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.