Evidence You Met within the Past Two Years

[genericname 0]

I am supposed to submit evidence that I met my fiance in the past two years. We actually dated 5 years ago, then broke it off. Now we are back together (living, but visiting in seperate countries). Can we still do this fiance visa process even though we met more than 2 years ago?

[ThaitoUSA 15]

It is not required that you first met within the last two years, rather that you must establish that you have met in person within the last two years. So if you have plane tickets, boarding passes, hotel recipes, photographs, visa stamps in passports, etc. all demonstrating that you two have been together within the past two years, you are fine.

[payxibka 10,048]

you could have met 30 years ago... if you have not seen each other face to face within the last two years you are not eligible

[Otto 83]

I am supposed to submit evidence that I met my fiance in the past two years. We actually dated 5 years ago, then broke it off. Now we are back together (living, but visiting in seperate countries). Can we still do this fiance visa process even though we met more than 2 years ago?

(Not unless you meet the minimum requirements - one of which is "Having met, in person, within the past 2 years")

[Slightly Bonkers 0]

Thats funny, cos when I started this process, I made the same mistake!

And I was all up-in-arms about how unfair it was!

Gotta love semantics!

Just to clarify ... it's that you have 'met', seen, each other once in person in the past 2 years.

The length of time since you 'met' originally is irrelevant

[genericname 0]

"Has your fiancé(e) met and seen you within the two-year period immediately receding the filing of this petition?"

Just to clarify, this is the actual language taken from the I-129F. Then it gives you an oppurtunity to explain as follows.

"Describe the circumstances under which you met. If you have not personally met each other, explain how the relationship was established. If you met your fiancé(e) or spouse though an international marriage broker, please explain those circumstances in Question 19 below. Explain also in detail any reasons you may have for requesting that the requirement that you and your fiancé(e) must have met should not apply to you."

So yes, it looks like the date of the first meeting is irrelevant. Phew!

[Cassie 8]

You have to show that you have been in each other's physical presence in the last two years --- ergo, having met.

You will also have to explain how and when you first met, established a romantic relationship, etc etc., in a brief statement. So yes, the date of your first meeting is relevant, as it establishes the beginning of your friendship which evolved into your relationship

[pushbrk 14,112]

"Has your fiancé(e) met and seen you within the two-year period immediately receding the filing of this petition?"

Just to clarify, this is the actual language taken from the I-129F. Then it gives you an oppurtunity to explain as follows.

"Describe the circumstances under which you met. If you have not personally met each other, explain how the relationship was established. If you met your fiancé(e) or spouse though an international marriage broker, please explain those circumstances in Question 19 below. Explain also in detail any reasons you may have for requesting that the requirement that you and your fiancé(e) must have met should not apply to you."

So yes, it looks like the date of the first meeting is irrelevant. Phew!

It's relevant but only in the way Cassie explained. Not the way you thought.

[Cassie 8]

Aye. For example, the OP could write the following statement:

We originally met (insert place and circumstance here) and had a dating relationship from (insert date here) to (insert date here), which at that point we decided to break it off. We resumed our relationship (insert date here), and we became engaged on (insert date here). We have visited each other in person numerous times, with our most recent visits being: (insert dates here).

Then the OP would provide evidence that backed up the statements made above, particularly focusing on proving the visits made within the last two years, and maybe providing a small sample of evidence spanning the length of the relationship overall.

Edited November 22, 2008 by Cassie