Proof of relationship issue

[Twyla and Chris 0]

We just recently got an RFE because I said we met online but didn't specify where. The RFE seemed to indicate that saying "we met online" without giving them the details and the URL causes them to think that maybe you used an international marriage broker and are trying to hide it.

So do tell them where you met online, and give them the URL. I've read posts from people that don't want to do that, for whatever reason, and I get that it's definitely squirm-worthy for some folks and/or feels like an unnecessary invasion of privacy. But personally I'd much rather give them the info and NOT get an RFE, than withhold it and potentially deal with a delay.

Good luck!

Thanks so much for this advice! I had read a few posts that was leading me in this direction anyway. So I'll say we met online on World of Warcraft and that should clearly show its not a marriage broker. I'm not embarassed about how we met. Although when my fiance came to Canada a few years ago he told them that at the border and it led them to grill him for an hour about it while I waited at the airport for him ugh.

Thank you for sharing hope things move smoothly for you guys now

[Shauneg 762]

Thanks so much for this advice! I had read a few posts that was leading me in this direction anyway. So I'll say we met online on World of Warcraft and that should clearly show its not a marriage broker. I'm not embarassed about how we met. Although when my fiance came to Canada a few years ago he told them that at the border and it led them to grill him for an hour about it while I waited at the airport for him ugh.

Thank you for sharing hope things move smoothly for you guys now

Perfect

[bublik 26]

Are you serious about the photo album? I just sent my application. I have all the proof necessary, such as boarding passes, hotel receipts, passport exit/entry stamps and etc.... But I also included a separate photo album of 153 pictures so are you sure I would get an RFE? Man I wish I had seen this post earlier.

Does anybody reads any instructions BEFORE submitting the petition? Here, on VJ. Called 'guide', and in the relevant section for K-1 visa, this is what they say about photos:

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Color Photo's of you and your fiance(e) together. Make sure you write your names, date, and location on the back of every photo. Provide two to five photo's. If you only have a single copy of the photo, then make a color copy and send that. If it is a digital photo, have it printed at a local photo store such as Walgreens (if at all possible) or if not on a high quality printer. Place photo's in a plastic bag or photo sheet and label the sheet. Note that you may not receive originals of photo's back.

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i guess it just blows my mind that someone does something so important and serious as a petition for fiancee and doesn't bother to educate themselves, and then claim that it is impossible to DIY and one needs a lawyer...

[Ando&sirik 12]

Does anybody reads any instructions BEFORE submitting the petition? Here, on VJ. Called 'guide', and in the relevant section for K-1 visa, this is what they say about photos:

-----------

Color Photo's of you and your fiance(e) together. Make sure you write your names, date, and location on the back of every photo. Provide two to five photo's. If you only have a single copy of the photo, then make a color copy and send that. If it is a digital photo, have it printed at a local photo store such as Walgreens (if at all possible) or if not on a high quality printer. Place photo's in a plastic bag or photo sheet and label the sheet. Note that you may not receive originals of photo's back.

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i guess it just blows my mind that someone does something so important and serious as a petition for fiancee and doesn't bother to educate themselves, and then claim that it is impossible to DIY and one needs a lawyer...

No need to be rude buddy.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

Does anybody reads any instructions BEFORE submitting the petition? Here, on VJ. Called 'guide', and in the relevant section for K-1 visa, this is what they say about photos:

-----------

Color Photo's of you and your fiance(e) together. Make sure you write your names, date, and location on the back of every photo. Provide two to five photo's. If you only have a single copy of the photo, then make a color copy and send that. If it is a digital photo, have it printed at a local photo store such as Walgreens (if at all possible) or if not on a high quality printer. Place photo's in a plastic bag or photo sheet and label the sheet. Note that you may not receive originals of photo's back.

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i guess it just blows my mind that someone does something so important and serious as a petition for fiancee and doesn't bother to educate themselves, and then claim that it is impossible to DIY and one needs a lawyer...

Yes, it is a guide only. The I-129F instructions do not state any requirement for photos at all, other than the 2 passport photos. So someone can educate themselves by reading the form instructions and not send in photos at all, despite what any guides online tell you. Some people might decide that 'other evidence' of meeting would be a lot of photos together. They could send them in an album without knowing that the USCIS will most likely reject them presented that way. Hell, I have even seen them reject some in baggies before.

Your scorn and outrage level is way too high.

[Shauneg 762]

Yes, it is a guide only. The I-129F instructions do not state any requirement for photos at all, other than the 2 passport photos. So someone can educate themselves by reading the form instructions and not send in photos at all, despite what any guides online tell you. Some people might decide that 'other evidence' of meeting would be a lot of photos together. They could send them in an album without knowing that the USCIS will most likely reject them presented that way. Hell, I have even seen them reject some in baggies before.

Your scorn and outrage level is way too high.

I think they need a Snickers.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

I think they need a Snickers.

[stellar7225 0]

The guide from the USCIS website doesn't say photos need to be in color. It just says "photos" with the info written on the back. I sent in black and white photos cuz we didn't have a color printer and, based on other topics on this forum, black and white isn't a problem. But again, as everyone is saying, that is secondary evidence. It can't hurt, but it won't establish having met in person within the past 2 years.

[Ash.1101 1,755]

Thanks so much for this advice! I had read a few posts that was leading me in this direction anyway. So I'll say we met online on World of Warcraft and that should clearly show its not a marriage broker. I'm not embarassed about how we met. Although when my fiance came to Canada a few years ago he told them that at the border and it led them to grill him for an hour about it while I waited at the airport for him ugh.

Thank you for sharing hope things move smoothly for you guys now

Yeah I was actually worried from Shenikah's original RFE because I put that we met online and didn't say where (we also met on WoW (People who raid together stay together <3)). But I think maybe the reason I didn't get an RFE is because I had met my fiance online in June 2010 and have been dating since March 2013. Maybe they figured it doesn't take marriage brokers 5+ years to finally marry or I just got lucky and they ignored it. I also had put the dates of the 7 times that he's came and stayed here in the statement of how we met.

I think maybe I gave so much info they just went, yeah, good to go lol.

This is what I sent for how and when we met, I have all our files saved online. Just edited out names, everything is exactly how it was sent to USCIS.

Declartion of meeting in Person in regards of question '34.a' of the I-129F.

<NAME>

<ADDRESS>

<ADDRESS>

United States Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

USCIS

Attn: I-129F

2501 South State Highway 121 Business

Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067

34.a of the I-129F: I, <ME>, met <FIANCE> online near June 01, 2010, started a relationship on March 20, 2013 and then met in person at San Antonio International Airport on May 23, 2013. <FIANCE> stayed in San Antonio from May 23, 2013 until May 27, 2013. <FIANCE> has visted and stayed with me, <ME>, at my home on July 11, 2013 to July 15, 2013, October 17, 2013 to October 21, 2013, December 22, 2013 to December 26, 2013, April 10, 2014 to April 14, 2014, July 17, 2014 to July 21, 2014, November 24, 2014 to November 29, 2014, and April 13, 2015 to April 21, 2015 as of the date signed.

<SIGNATURE FROM ME>

<DATE SIGNED>

Again, easily to much, but no RFE so I'll take that as a win.

Edited June 24, 2015 by Ash.1101

[ckibs 52]

Dead serious they scan everything into their system. They aren't going to take everything out and put it back in for you. They're going to send it back. People think they're doing those guys a favor but you're doing them a diservice. I realize you didn't know. Same thing thing with the petition package. They sort that stuff out and scan and organize it it they way the want, so loose or clipped is the best way. It's your case but why would you send so many pictures? That's crazy...they just want proof you met in person the last two years not a history of the relationship...that's what the embassy is for.

Anyway long story short they're going to send it back.

I guess I understand what you're saying and yet I don't. I would like to put them into e.g. a photo sheet for it to be easily accessible going through the folder. I mean, You CAN photocopy pictures if they're nicely put in a protective photo sheet.

I understand how sending a big photo album would be a disadvantage but 10 photo's in a photo sheet would be sent back?

Guess I should rethink my approach