Would this type of receipt be considered as a primary proof?

[jpllaine 0]

Ive been browsing for endless hours here on VJ, and i must say it has been such an informative experience. beats hiring an immigration lawyer anytime!!

Well my question is can reciepts from Western Union be considered as a primary evidence? I send money to my fiance occasionally. We both have saved any receipts that were given by Western Union. I figured maybe it could come in handy at a later time. I have not read any posts about that specific type of proof of relationship. I do have all the other requirements for proof of an on going relationship. I wanted to see if i could add it on as a primary, even as secondary will do. Seems like the more you have the better of getting an approval. Thanks!

[Hell0W0rld 10]

western union is generally not recommended because it seems like you are buying a spouse rather...... unless you are paying for anything that is related to this VISA process, for example, medical fee, VISA fee, etc....

[jpllaine 0]

western union is generally not recommended because it seems like you are buying a spouse rather...... unless you are paying for anything that is related to this VISA process, for example, medical fee, VISA fee, etc....

Well i never thought about it that way. The only reason why money was sent because we had purchased a vehicle together and we are BOTH paying for it. Never thought that it might cause a red flag to go up. i guess it could send out a different message other than what it was intended to be... thanks for your insight.

[happywifeymom 4]

Ive been browsing for endless hours here on VJ, and i must say it has been such an informative experience. beats hiring an immigration lawyer anytime!!

Well my question is can reciepts from Western Union be considered as a primary evidence? I send money to my fiance occasionally. We both have saved any receipts that were given by Western Union. I figured maybe it could come in handy at a later time. I have not read any posts about that specific type of proof of relationship. I do have all the other requirements for proof of an on going relationship. I wanted to see if i could add it on as a primary, even as secondary will do. Seems like the more you have the better of getting an approval. Thanks!

If you are filing for K3 it helps but if K1 NO never.

[iLoveAPolishGirl 0]

Primary evidence for what? Certainly not for the I 129F requirement of having met!! Proof of an ongoing relationship during interview stage ... perhaps, along with payment receipts showing money was actually spent to pay joint car loan, although I think it would be considered secondary evidence of that at best.

dvc

Edited March 22, 2009 by iLoveAPolishGirl

[Hell0W0rld 10]

are you filing K-1 or K-3 petition?

[Otto 83]

Many things - when it comes to evidence - can be country/region specific - what is the country of origin? (In other words, some things may be a good idea for one country/region but be either not needed or not as good an idea for others.)

For most, things like:

• Cards/Letters
• IM/Chat Logs
• Emails
• Telephone Logs
• Trips to/from

Are primarily used to show an on-going relationship.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

western union is generally not recommended because it seems like you are buying a spouse rather...... unless you are paying for anything that is related to this VISA process, for example, medical fee, VISA fee, etc....

Well i never thought about it that way. The only reason why money was sent because we had purchased a vehicle together and we are BOTH paying for it. Never thought that it might cause a red flag to go up. i guess it could send out a different message other than what it was intended to be... thanks for your insight.

Well, I have read this opinion before and I simply do not agree. When two adults are in a relationship, which will lead to marriage (or has already in the case of the K-3) finances are part of that relationship. Plain and simple. To pretend they are not is simply ridiculous. Realtionships involve lots of things, finances, communications, sex, plans for the future, dreams, desires, etc. All perfectly normal in an adult relationship. After being engaged my wife and I made plans for how WE were going to handle two households, multiple properties, children's educations, home remodeling plans, and finances of supporting a family of four plus my mother in law, PLUS all the visa and travel costs. We developed budgets and plans, travel plans for the period waiting for the visa, everything two adults would do to run a family in a "marriage type" realtionship. If my wife was the "girl next door" and I had to work in another country for 8 months we wouldn't discuss finances? Are you kidding me? Were it not for the visa process, we would not be forced to live apart and make these decisions and plans. Should I sit on more money than I need while my family has not enough? My wife was working, her mother has a penison, all was taken into consideration. We made plans for the children, started English tutoring for the youngest, even down to vet check ups for the animals and buyng carriers to take them on the airplane, every detail and its associated cost were considered and planned for. We had a relationship, it was serious and legitimate and I am not going to hide the fact we planned, budgeted

Now, if the money involves a one time payment of $10,000. Or $29.95 each time you have a "sex chat" on skype...that could be a problem. But if you are making visits, making plans, operating on a budget, providing something for your family in waiting and sending regular (in my case the same amount each week) contributions to your family, I cannot imagine anyone in their right mind having a problem with that.

If money transfers make up the bulk of your "evidence" I could see it being a problem, if it is a part of the whole package, it is simply life.

I took all sorts of eveidence with me for the interview. Every type of evidence a legitimate relationship produces all on its own. Including receipts for money transfers (MoneyGram is much cheaper than Western Union). Most of it, including the money transfers, were never looked at, but I would have been proud to say "This is my wife to be, this is my family and THEY are who I work for...of course I send money to them and I am not ashamed to say so"

[John24689 0]

It will help us answer your questions better if you go to My Assistant above and fill in your Timeline.

Good luck on your journey.

[KimandRuss 0]

Well, I have read this opinion before and I simply do not agree. When two adults are in a relationship, which will lead to marriage (or has already in the case of the K-3) finances are part of that relationship. Plain and simple.

It really doesn't matter what any of us think or what our personal opinions are. The question is presented and we answer it based on what we've seen here.

Of course finances are a part of a relationship but when dealing with certain high fraud Embassies proof of financial support is most certainly a red flag and likely to be seen as such.

OP, this very much depends on the Embassy you are dealing with but if you have other proof I would focus on that and use the financial support only as a last resort.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Well, I have read this opinion before and I simply do not agree. When two adults are in a relationship, which will lead to marriage (or has already in the case of the K-3) finances are part of that relationship. Plain and simple.

It really doesn't matter what any of us think or what our personal opinions are. The question is presented and we answer it based on what we've seen here.

Of course finances are a part of a relationship but when dealing with certain high fraud Embassies proof of financial support is most certainly a red flag and likely to be seen as such.

OP, this very much depends on the Embassy you are dealing with but if you have other proof I would focus on that and use the financial support only as a last resort.

Good point KimandRuss.

I am sure no CO is concerned with my opinion. However my opinion is based on experience and reading hundreds of posts on this subject and I simply have never seen or read of a case here where financial support evidence, when included with a package of other evidence, has been a bad thing. If I missed some cases where this has happened, please be sure to correct me.

And oddly enough, those same consulates will be very strict in the matter of proving financial support AFTER the finacee arrives. Strange indeed.

I HAVE seen cases where not much other than money sent was reported and they had a problem. I think to base one's opinion (and subsequent advice) on oddball cases where someone gets a 221(g) letter because they did a pretty lousy job of documenting their evidence is making a wrong conclusion. I have not seen a case where a person presented travel documents from several visits, emails, phone bills, letters, photos, and money transfers...and got rejected because they presented money transfers. If I am wrong and this has happened, please show me these posts or cases, I have missed them. I will change my answer and advice or caution people about certain consulates if I see that it is incorrect.

For now, my advice and answer remain. Based on what I have seen on VJ, present money transfer information as a part of the evidence package of relationship. If it makes up the bulk of your evidence, you have a problem. I will also concede that in a legitimate relationship it is probably overwhelmed by other documentation and is not needed, as in our case, never looked at. But I would not hesitate to include it.

The OP does not list a consulate.

[pushbrk 12,969]

Ive been browsing for endless hours here on VJ, and i must say it has been such an informative experience. beats hiring an immigration lawyer anytime!!

Well my question is can reciepts from Western Union be considered as a primary evidence? I send money to my fiance occasionally. We both have saved any receipts that were given by Western Union. I figured maybe it could come in handy at a later time. I have not read any posts about that specific type of proof of relationship. I do have all the other requirements for proof of an on going relationship. I wanted to see if i could add it on as a primary, even as secondary will do. Seems like the more you have the better of getting an approval. Thanks!

The term "primary evidence" is one that applies only in the context of meeting in the past two years, so no, receipts for money transfers don't apply. Evidence of money transfer is evidence of money transfer. If it's only going from the USC to the foreign national, it's not evidence that helps (in most cases) and actually can hurt.

This case sounds like an exception in that the money transfers actually evidence co-mingling assets to purchase a car for shared use.

Edited March 22, 2009 by pushbrk

[Carol and Bruno 0]

It is truly your decision to send receipts. We applied for a K-1 and part of our evidence was every Western Union receipt I had. We were approved without any problem.

It might depend on the country if showing proof of money transfers is a good idea or not.

[jpllaine 0]

Thanks guys for taking the time to reply! I am filing for K1 and not k3. I do have all the other proof as i mentioned above. I have all my boarding passes from all the times ive travelled from JFK to the Philippines. I've travelled back and forth 3 times in the last 6 months and i am actually in the process of planning another trip back there some time in July..I also have letters, Cards, Chat logs. Since i did have the receipt also for WU, i was just curious if that was allowed or if it would actually help my case instead of going against it. I've given it much thought and just to be on the safe side, I've decided not to include it. But i'm thinking maybe it will come in handy later on when hopefully we've reached the interview stage???.But the thing is don't you have to bring the originals then of what you've sent with your packet in the beginning? hmm.

[jpllaine 0]

Thanks guys for taking the time to reply! I am filing for K1 and not k3. I do have all the other proof as i mentioned above. I have all my boarding passes from all the times ive travelled from JFK to the Philippines. I've travelled back and forth 3 times in the last 6 months and i am actually in the process of planning another trip back there some time in July..I also have letters, Cards, Chat logs. Since i did have the receipt also for WU, i was just curious if that was allowed or if it would actually help my case instead of going against it. I've given it much thought and just to be on the safe side, I've decided not to include it. But i'm thinking maybe it will come in handy later on when hopefully we've reached the interview stage???.But the thing is don't you have to bring the originals then of what you've sent with your packet in the beginning? hmm.

i forgot to mention tons of pictures, receipts from hotels, resorts we have stayed at and emails.I guess my number 1 top proof other than my boarding passes ( in my opinion ) is my thousands of dollars in cellphone bills! By the way, my fiance is from the Philippines. Sorry i still have to completely fill out my info, i have not had the chance to. Been too busy reading other posts..Thanks again!