
Lock down every fee, form, and shipping step—from the new G-1450/G-1650 payment rules to the final binder clip—before you mail your I-129F packet.
The I-129F filing fee is $675 as of April 1, 2024.
Here's what you need to know about paying it:
Payment methods: Card-only via Form G-1450 (credit) or G-1650 (debit, U.S. bank).
Checks and money orders are no longer accepted.
💡 Pro tip: Use a dedicated card with sufficient limit and monitor for USCIS charges so you can respond quickly if the bank flags it.
USCIS modernized their payment system in 2024 to speed up processing times.
The old check system caused delays of 2-3 weeks just waiting for payments to clear. Now your payment processes within 24-48 hours.
Think of this as your packet's "cover page" section.
USCIS officers see this first, so make it clean and professional.
Your packet should open with these items in order:
USCIS processes thousands of packets daily. A well-organized front section means your packet gets scanned faster and with fewer errors.
Officers literally see these pages first—make a good impression.
Want an interactive version you can check off as you go? Try our free K-1 Packet Checklist →
Here's what should be in your packet:
USCIS has specific formatting requirements that must be followed.
Print everything on plain 8.5" × 11" white paper.
Use black ink only. Single-sided printing—never print double-sided.
Here's what NOT to do:
Instead, use one heavy binder clip at the top left corner. That's it.
USCIS uses high-speed scanners that can process hundreds of pages per minute.
Staples, tabs, and sheet protectors jam the machines. When that happens, your packet sits in a "problem" pile waiting for manual processing.
That can add weeks to your timeline.
Before you seal that envelope—make copies of everything.
Why this matters:
Keep your backup somewhere safe—physical copies in a folder or digital scans in the cloud.
Put the entire packet in a flat mailer with cardboard backing.
This keeps everything aligned during shipping. USCIS receives thousands of packets daily—bent or damaged packets get flagged for manual review.
You're almost there! Here's how to safely get your packet to USCIS.
Check the official USCIS I-129F instructions for the current lockbox address.
This changes occasionally, so always verify before shipping. As of 2025, packets typically go to:
The address depends on where you live, so don't rely on old information—verify directly on USCIS.gov.
Use tracked shipping with signature confirmation.
Your packet contains sensitive personal information (Social Security numbers, passport copies, addresses). Signature confirmation ensures it reaches USCIS safely and you have proof of delivery.
Recommended services:
Save your tracking number and monitor delivery status daily.
Don't use regular first-class mail. You need proof of delivery.
Before you seal that envelope, make copies:
Keep these until you receive your NOA1 (receipt notice) and NOA2 (approval notice).
Most couples see their tracking update to "Delivered" within 2-3 days.
Then you wait 2-4 weeks for your NOA1 in the mail. This is the hardest part—be patient!
Inside the K-1 Wizard, map each checklist item to a step:
When you export the packet PDF, everything will line up with this checklist, making assembly drag-and-drop simple.
These walkthroughs share tags or adjacent steps so you can keep momentum.

Follow this USCIS-aligned walkthrough to package your I-129F filing with zero guesswork—payment, photos, evidence, and intent letters included.

Use this evidence blueprint to show USCIS your engagement is bona fide—photos, travel, chats, and intent letters mapped to the I-129F checklist.

Step-by-step walkthrough of every question on the K-1 visa petition form—from petitioner info to meeting requirements—with examples and common mistakes to avoid.