Jump to content
Amhara

How romantic should the explanation of meeting letter be?

 Share

46 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: New Zealand
Timeline

For what it's worth, we had a one page description of how we met, what attracted us to each other (as far as likes and dislikes) and how it got us talking in the first place, then went on to how we have known each other over the years, how we have kept in touch and finally how and why we decided to meet in person.

Througout our I-129f, we decided that we would give much more information than what was actually required (when appropriate) and make sure that there was no doubt that our relationship was genuine. In fact, at the end of it, because of all the work that was involved, the USC petitioner wrote a cover letter to explain how important it was for us to have gotten all the details right and how we wanted to make sure everything that could potentially be needed was included from the start.

As other's have said, it doesn't have to be long winded. The truth is that whoever read our petition may have rolled their eyes and would have rather we kept it to just the minimumn amount of detail. Either way we made it through without an RFE and I think that we can all agree, that's what we strive for.

You don't need to be romantic, but you should make it feel natural. If the way you write tends to be more romantic then so be it. After all, the people processing your case are human too.

Edited by GabsUSA
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Agreed but wouldn't it be more fun to make it romantic.

"The air from the a/c lifted her hair as our eyes met across the departures gate, the air was fragrant with the smell of the duty free perfume. She walked slowly towards me, narrowly avoiding being knocked over by the woman with 8 suitcases".

Oh Lordy, I'd love to know if someone actually did one like that ?

My Name is Daisy, I am British, I say things bluntly and to the point.
London K1, A complete guide -- >http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/474161-london-k1-a-complete-guide/
I am Daisy the Beneficiary, These are my views!
U.K. k1 visa, approved 2014.

NOA1: 20/03/2014

NOA2: 11/04/2014 (22 days)

Interview: 09/07/2014 (111 days)

D.O.E 29/07/2014

Married 29/08/2014

AOS from K1/K3 Guide -->http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

AOS/EAD/AP Sent: 12/11/2014

Delivered at Chicago LB:15/11/2014

NOA1 (all 3): 17/11/2014

NOA1 (all 3) hardcopy: 24/11/2014(Notice date 20th)

Bio-metrics App letter: 28/11/2014(Notice date 21st)

Bio-metrics App Cleveland Ohio: 10/12/2014

EAD/AP:Approved/production 31/01/2015(update 2/2/1015) (80 days)

Combo Card: Mailed 5/2/2015

Combo Card: Delivered 6/2/2015AP

NOA: Approval Notice received 7/2/2015

Interview waiver letter: received 23/2/15 dated: 18/2/2015

Green Card: APPROVED 31/07/2015

(Remember, all my dates are British layout.. the proper layout!)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Philippines
Timeline

For what it's worth, we had a one page description of how we met, what attracted us to each other (as far as likes and dislikes) and how it got us talking in the first place, then went on to how we have known each other over the years, how we have kept in touch and finally how and why we decided to meet in person.

Wow.

I have done 3 K'1s and all 3 I was able to fill in the blank provided on I-129 form. Example I was in Philippines on 11/22/2014 and met her at airport.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: New Zealand
Timeline

Wow.

I have done 3 K'1s and all 3 I was able to fill in the blank provided on I-129 form. Example I was in Philippines on 11/22/2014 and met her at airport.

If they had a problem with longer explainations, they would not allow you to add an attachment to explain in details.

To each their own, like I said, we purposely added as much details to make sure we would not get an RFE.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If they had a problem with longer explainations, they would not allow you to add an attachment to explain in details.

To each their own, like I said, we purposely added as much details to make sure we would not get an RFE.

See that's what I don't understand about how some people come to the conclusions about this question.

They are asking how and where you met in person.. Not how you fell in love and noticed the sparkle in each other's eyes ?

My Name is Daisy, I am British, I say things bluntly and to the point.
London K1, A complete guide -- >http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/474161-london-k1-a-complete-guide/
I am Daisy the Beneficiary, These are my views!
U.K. k1 visa, approved 2014.

NOA1: 20/03/2014

NOA2: 11/04/2014 (22 days)

Interview: 09/07/2014 (111 days)

D.O.E 29/07/2014

Married 29/08/2014

AOS from K1/K3 Guide -->http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

AOS/EAD/AP Sent: 12/11/2014

Delivered at Chicago LB:15/11/2014

NOA1 (all 3): 17/11/2014

NOA1 (all 3) hardcopy: 24/11/2014(Notice date 20th)

Bio-metrics App letter: 28/11/2014(Notice date 21st)

Bio-metrics App Cleveland Ohio: 10/12/2014

EAD/AP:Approved/production 31/01/2015(update 2/2/1015) (80 days)

Combo Card: Mailed 5/2/2015

Combo Card: Delivered 6/2/2015AP

NOA: Approval Notice received 7/2/2015

Interview waiver letter: received 23/2/15 dated: 18/2/2015

Green Card: APPROVED 31/07/2015

(Remember, all my dates are British layout.. the proper layout!)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Philippines
Timeline

If they had a problem with longer explainations, they would not allow you to add an attachment to explain in details.

To each their own, like I said, we purposely added as much details to make sure we would not get an RFE.

Attachments are for anything, Too long names, etc.

I think they are vague about the meeting details to see if someone is dumb enough to tell on themselves by explaining too much

A few years ago the instruction said - Describe how you meet in person in the last two years. Now of days it just says describe how you met.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: New Zealand
Timeline

See that's what I don't understand about how some people come to the conclusions about this question.

They are asking how and where you met in person.. Not how you fell in love and noticed the sparkle in each other's eyes ?

That may be so, but the fact still remains that it got us through without any additional requests for information. We wanted to make sure nothing else was going to be needed. Besides, I never said ours was romantic. It was factual from the moment we actually met to the moment we met in person. Each case is different and because of that, it may not just be enough to say, "we met on this date at this place".

I think they are vague about the meeting details to see if someone is dumb enough to tell on themselves by explaining too much

Agreed, but they probably also find people that explain too little and then send out an RFE.

Edited by GabsUSA
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello Visa Community!

My fiance and I are discussing this topic before we send off our K-1 petition. He feels it should include more romantic parts of our relationship (I love that about him!) and I feel (based on being a federal employee in an investigative/auditing role) that it should clearly discuss the topics on how we met (not subject to marriage brokerage act), why we were attracted to each other, what we had to overcome to meet each other in person (a lot of stuff that I won't bore you with here), and how we stay in contact with each other.

What do you guys think? What did you guys include in your petition? Warm and fuzzy or clear and factual?

Thank you in advance for your comments!!!!

The I-129F petition only requires a simple statement of how you met, and it should fit perfectly in the box on the form. Something like: WE MET ON [date] IN [place].

However, you may want to check on your embassy reviews, particularly for the K-1 visa. It may be in your best interest to include a statement of relationship, along with a lot of other evidences of your relationship, in order to front load your petition for the embassy.

If you are including a statement of relationship, keep it more factual. It shouldn't read like a romance novel.

K-1
NOA1: 04/08/2014; NOA2: 04/21/2014; Visa interview, approved: 07/15/2014; POE: 07/25/2014; Marriage: 09/05/2014

 

AOS

NOA1:  09/12/2014;  Biometrics:  10/06/2014;  EAD/AP Received:  11/26/2014;  Interview Waiver Letter:  01/02/2015;  

RFE:  07/09/2015;  Permanent Residency Granted:  07/27/2015;  Green card Received:  08/22/2015

 

ROC

NOA1:  05/24/2017;  Biometrics:  06/13/2017;  Approved without interview:  09/05/2018;  10 Yr Green card Received:  09/13/2018

 

Naturalization

08/09/2020 -- Filed N-400 online

08/09/2020 -- NOA1 date

08/11/2020 -- NOA1 received in the mail

12/30/2020 -- Received notice online that an interview was scheduled

02/11/2021 -- Interview

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: New Zealand
Timeline

I'd like to point out that this is what the VJ guide says specifically on this matter:

Declaration of how you met in person in the last two years. This should be a single typed page attachment regarding question '34.a' of the I-129F. Make sure to sign and date it.

Obviously it's luck of the draw, but why chance it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For the initial K1 application they just need evidence you met - no need to show how much you love each other. As you've said, at the interview that is when you need to prove you're genuinely in love.

Some have mentioned having a few shots of you kissing as these are less likely if you're in a fake relationship. My fiancee and I got engaged at Niagara Falls - I'd joked that we'd keep a picture of us both in the heart shaped hot tub together as "the nuke" in case the interview seemed to be going badly.

--- k1 visa ---
Texas Service Center (Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here)
I-129F sent: 12 Aug 2014
I-129F NOA1: 15 Aug 2014
I-129F NOA2: 2 Mar 2015 (199 days from NOA1) **No RFEs!**
NVC Received: 19 Mar 2015
Case#, IIN, BIN assigned: 19 Mar 2015
NVC Left: 20 Mar 2015
Consultate Received: 23 Mar 2015
Package 3 Received: 26 Mar 2015
Medical: 10 Apr 2015
Packet 3 Sent: 10 Apr 2015
Packet 4 Received: 23 Apr 2015
Interview Date: 8 May 2015 (Approved!!!)
Visa Issued: 14 May 2015
Visa in Hand: 19 May 2015
Entry to USA: 5 Jun 2015
Married: 21 Jun 2015

---Adjustment of Status---
Sent I-485, I-131 and I-765: 7 Jul 2015
NOA1 for I-485, I-131 and I-765: 14 Jul 2015
Email notification that I-765 was approved: 12 Sep 2015
Email notification that I-131 was approved: 15 Sep 2015
Email notification that EAD/AP combo card was mailed: 15 Sep 2015
EAD and AP combo card received: 18 Sep 2015
Green Card Received: 3 Dec 2015 [ :)] Previous letter stated interview requirement was likely to be waived

 

---Removal of Conditions---
Sent I-751: 13 Oct 2017
NOA1 for I-751: 23 Oct 2017

Biometrics: 20 Nov 2017
Approved: 20 Dec 2018

Green Card Received: 2 Jan 2019

 

-- Citizenship --
Filed Online: 21 Feb 2020
NOA1 (Online): 22 Feb 2020
Biometrics: 10 Mar 2020

Interview: 29 Jul 2020 (Approved - Oath taken immediately due to covid19)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

In our case, our first meeting in person was nearly 4 years before our petition date. For that reason, it didn't seem enough to say "I met (same) on (date)," because it was more than two years ago. Even though we had included more recent boarding passes, I didn't want anyone to assume from that question that we'd only met once, 4 years ago!

So we wrote a statement, about 3/4 of a page, that gave the date we started talking online, the date we first met in person, then a list of times we visited each other or went on trips together. Nothing flowery, but I felt it painted a better picture of our relationship and made it clear that it was ongoing. It might've been superfluous, but I figured too much is better than too little.

K1 Visa timeline: Application sent to Visa in hand: 10 months and 4 days (Texas Service Center)

02/26/2015: I-129F Application mailed to Texas lockbox

03/05/2015: NOA1 email notification

08/27/2015: NOA2! (176 days)

09/02/2015: Sent to NVC

09/14/2015: Called NVC and obtained MTL case number

09/18/2015: In Transit to MTL consulate

09/21/2015: Consulate received our file (24 days post-NOA2)

09/24/2015: Sent Packet 3 (unprompted, but CEAC status had updated a second time)

09/29/2015: Packet 4 received, interview scheduled. Still haven't received Packet 3, I advise not to wait for it!

10/09/2015: Received Packet 3 in the mail!

11/09/2015: Medical

12/16/2015: K1 Interview in Montreal (111 days from NOA2, 293 days total): Approved!

12/18/2015: CEAC status changed to Nonimmigrant Ready

12/21/2015: CEAC status changed to Nonimmigrant AP

12/24/2015: CEAC status changed to ISSUED! Merry Christmas!!

12/30/2015: Visa in hand

01/15/2016: POE @ Houlton, ME

01/22/2016: Married! (L)

AOS timeline: Application sent to card in hand: 6 months and 7 days.

01/25/2016: Mailed AOS, EAD & AP applications to Chicago via UPS

01/29/2016: NOA1 email notification x3

02/04/2016: Received NOA1 hard copies x3

02/29/2016: Still haven't received biometrics letter, Filed service request

03/30/2016: After more calls to Tier 2 and 2 service requests, letter still not received, USCIS said no appointment has been scheduled. Reached out to Congressman.

04/06/2016: Biometrics letter finally received thanks to Congressman's inquiry (Appointment scheduled 04/18/2016).

04/18/2016: Biometrics appointment

04/25/2016: Officially outside processing times for EAD/AP. Scheduled Infopass appointment for 05/10.

05/21/2016: Finally received email notice that EAD was approved on 05/19 after numerous service requests, infopass appt and ombudsman inquiry

05/23/2016: Received hard-copy letter notifying me that my AP was approved on the same day as my EAD. No hard-copy for EAD yet.

05/28/2016: Received EAD/AP Combo Card (122 days since filing).

06/21/2016: Received email notification of AOS interview (Appointment scheduled 07/21/2016)

07/21/2016: AOS interview. Approved, but file was missing medical. Local office can't issue GC until they receive medical from DOS.

07/25/2016: USCIS case status changed to New Card Is Being Produced!

08/01/2016: Green card in hand. ROC window opens Apr 29, 2018.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

People get confused about this all the time.

They do not want romance or a page long explanation.

They want a small statement.

For example.

I Cody met daisy at London heathrow airport on the 4th June 2013.

That's all they want.

Just you to tell them where and when you met in person for the first time.

Not necessarily the first time, if the first time was over two years ago.

To the OP: That question is aiming at you stating/proving that you fulfill the requirement of having seen each other face to face at least once in the past two years. What I did was (all on a separate piece of paper) include a short description of our most recent visit at the top of the page, and supported this with boarding passes, visa stamp and a photo we took of us holding up a newspaper during the trip (completely unnecessary but we found the idea humorous). Requirement fulfilled and proven.

Then I said, "for a more detailed description about initial meeting and subsequent visits, see below". Then I went through the whole thing--briefly, and with no "squishy" romantic, feelings-focused stuff, but it's pretty romantic just on its own, and you can clearly see a relationship progression. I figure they can read it if they like, but that first sentence is really all USCIS is after.

Now, for STATE--the embassy folks. They're the ones you'll need to prove a legitimate relationship to. This stage right now is USCIS, which remember is part of the Department of Homeland Security. They're not giving you the visa--that's the State Department. USCIS is making a homeland-security focused call on whether you're allowed to apply for a visa. As such, they're the "base requirements" folks whose main job is to make sure you're even eligible for the visa and that certain dangers are not present (criminality/terror threat of foreign national, criminal/human trafficking threat of US citizen etc). Everything you send to USCIS gets forwarded to the embassy, though. So, some people "front load" the application---give everything needed for the embassy to USCIS.

Whether or not this is a good idea is up for debate. I think the consensus is "can't hurt". I do know several people who are Counselor Officers in embassies abroad (high school/college friends, mostly, also some people I know from having lived overseas myself). The ones I've asked about this are a bit....medium about front loading. As long as it's not crazy overboard (read: taking up a huge amount of space in their office until your interview date), it's fine. But mostly, they feel like if they want to see something they'll ask for it.

Edited by CatherineA

Marriage/ AOS Timeline:

23 Dec 2015: Legal marriage

23 Jan 2016: Wedding!

23 Jan 2016: "Blizzard of the Century", wedding canceled/rescheduled (thank goodness we were legally married first or we'd have had a big problem!) :sleepy:

24 Jan 2016: Small "civil ceremony" with friends and family who were snowed in with us. December was a bit of a secret and people had traveled internationally and knew we *had* to get married that weekend, and our December legal marriage was nothing but signing a piece of paper at our priest's kitchen table, without any sort of vows etc so this was actually a very special (if not legally significant) day. (L)

16 Apr 2016: Filed for AOS and EAD/AP (We delayed a bit-- no big rush, enjoying the USCIS break)

23 Apr 2016: Wedding! Finally! :luv:

27 Apr 2016: Electronic NOA1 for all 3 :dancing:
29 Apr 2016: NOA1 Hardcopy for all 3
29 Jul 2016: Online service request for late EAD (Day 104)
29 Jul 2016: EAD/AP Approved ~3 hours after online service request
04 Aug 2016: RFE for Green Card (requested medicals/ vaccination record. They already have it). :ranting:
05 Aug 2016: EAD/AP Combo Card arrived! (Day 111)
08 Aug 2016: Congressional constituent request to get guidance on the RFE. Hoping they see they have the form and approve!

K-1 Visa Timeline:

PLEASE NOTE. This timeline was during the period of time when TSC was working on I-129fs and had a huge backlog. The average processing time was 210+ days. This is in no way predictive of your own timeline if you filed during or after April 2015, unless CSC develops a backlog. A backlog is anything above the 5-month goal time listed on USCIS's site

14 Feb 2015: Mailed I-129f to Dallas Lockbox. (L) (Most expensive Valentine's card I've ever sent!)

17 Feb 2015: NOA1 "Received Date"
19 Feb 2015: NOA1 Notice Date
08 Aug 2015: NOA2 email! :luv: (173 days from NOA1)

17 Aug 2015: Sent to NVC

?? Aug 2015: Arrived at NVC

25 Aug 2015: NVC Case # Assigned

31 Aug 2015: Left NVC for Consulate in San Jose

09 Sep 2015: Consulate received :dancing: (32 days from NOA2)

11 Sep 2015: Packet 3 emailed from embassy to me, the petitioner (34 days from NOA2).

18 Sep 2015: Medicals complete

21 Sep 2015: Packet 3 complete, my boss puts a temporary moratorium on all time off due to work emergency :clock:

02 Oct 2015: Work emergency clears up, interview scheduled (soonest available was 5 business days away--Columbus Day was in there)

13 Oct 2015: Interview

13 Oct 2015: VISA APPROVED :thumbs: (236 days from NOA1)

19 Oct 2015: Visa-in-hand

24 Oct 2015: POE !

15 Dec 2015: Fiance's mother's B-2 visa interview: APPROVED! So happy she will be at the wedding! :thumbs:

!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is why I LOVE this site so much! Visa journey has a great base of visitors that can and will share their vast experience with! We aren't limited by a "guy that knew a guy" conversation or by others with a lower exposure level.

I really like that we can rely on each other for views through this stressful process and not have to worry about any xenophobic opinions! Thank you guys so much!



Signature coming soon...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Argentina
Timeline

See that's what I don't understand about how some people come to the conclusions about this question.

They are asking how and where you met in person.. Not how you fell in love and noticed the sparkle in each other's eyes ?

:thumbs::content::star:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@HotterOtter...laughing!

@OP: Just a simple statement is all they want with dates and places. A couple of photos of you both together...all you need.

"Wherever you go, you take yourself with you." --Neil Gaiman

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...