Question about application process

[Mike and Natalee 0]

These might be a few stupid questions, but I figured I would ask them anyways just to make sure everything is clear. I'm quite new to this.

My Canadian girlfriend and I both met online. We've been talking for quite some time now over both MSN and Skype. We've both seen eachother over webcam, but not in person. We both want to become a permanent part of each others life, but I've seen that a meeting in person is more or less mandatory. Is it absolutely required to have met in person within the two years prior to filing all the needed forms? We've text messaged each other on occasion, but have generally found it easier and cheaper to just do it over the internet while we save for our future (hopefully!).

Also, if we meet all the requirements (have her come down here, generate evidence of relationship, ect), what is the likelihood of a Visa application being denied? Does the government really say "You cant love this person?"

Thanks for all the help!

- Mike

[canadian_wife 1,831]

Meeting within 2 years of filing is not 'more or less' mandatory. It IS mandatory. You will not have a petition approved without it.

USCIS and the U.S. government does not tell you who to love. They simply decide who is eligible to move to the U.S. as a perminant resident as a spouse/fiance of a U.S. citizen. If you cannot prove that you have a bona fide relationship then you will not have much of a chance.

Good luck on your journey

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Yes, it is absolute that your meet prior to filing.

There are some exceptions, I doubt you will be able to meet them. (religious mostly)

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

These might be a few stupid questions, but I figured I would ask them anyways just to make sure everything is clear. I'm quite new to this.

My Canadian girlfriend and I both met online. We've been talking for quite some time now over both MSN and Skype. We've both seen eachother over webcam, but not in person. We both want to become a permanent part of each others life, but I've seen that a meeting in person is more or less mandatory. Is it absolutely required to have met in person within the two years prior to filing all the needed forms? We've text messaged each other on occasion, but have generally found it easier and cheaper to just do it over the internet while we save for our future (hopefully!).

Also, if we meet all the requirements (have her come down here, generate evidence of relationship, ect), what is the likelihood of a Visa application being denied? Does the government really say "You cant love this person?"

Thanks for all the help!

- Mike

Meeting in person IS, for all intents and purposes required. Not "more or less" It is virtually certain you will not meet the qualifications for avoiding that as they are quite extreme and to be honest, it would be easier, faster and probably cheaper to just meet in person. Especially with a US/Canada relationship, c'mon, it ain't that far away! So plan on meeting in person before you file, it must be BEFORE you file for a K-1 petition. Make sure to get plenty of evidence because Canada will not stamp your passport, so keep airplane boarding passes, hotel receipts anything you can to prove you were in Canada (or she was here) to meet. Take photos of you together. It is not so important they be time stamped, only that you are together and have primary evidence you were there. That is enough for the petition. Later you will have to show your other evidence for the interview.

If you meet the qualifications and do everything correctly you will most likely get approved. The government never says "You can't love this person" but they DO say there is not sufficient evidence if there isn't and they DO say you cannot support them if you do not meet the guidelines of income. As long as you meet all the requirements, you will get approved.

[Mike and Natalee 0]

If you cannot prove that you have a bona fide relationship then you will not have much of a chance.

What sort of evidence would we need to provide to ensure that this is a bona fide relationship? Would pictures and receipts of travel arrangements be more than sufficient? There really isn't a way to track calls made with Skype, nor can we submit MSN logs since neither of us actually record conversations (to my knowledge at least).

Is one meeting more than enough, or should there be multiple?

Thank you for all the replies so far. I just want to make sure I can do everything I can to make sure she becomes a part of my life.

Ninja edit: In regards to "you cannot support them if you do not meet the guidelines of income.", is there a list of what is necessary to submit to prove that you can support said fiancee? I hope the fact that we're both currently students will not hurt.

Edited March 25, 2009 by Mike and Natalee

[Ellie-and-David 38]

That pesky meeting in person rule!.....can you believe the government actually wants people to meet before they get married?!!?!!!

*Meet.

*Read the VJ guides

*File the forms and evidence correctly.

*Earn enough to support your spouse.

*Prove you have a genuine relationship that is being entered into in good faith and not for a greencard.

Yeah......you should be ok Very few K1's are denied from "low" fraud countries such as canada. Just be prepared for a little wait. It takes a LONG time!!!

Best of luck to you.

[defunct 0]

If you cannot prove that you have a bona fide relationship then you will not have much of a chance.

What sort of evidence would we need to provide to ensure that this is a bona fide relationship? Would pictures and receipts of travel arrangements be more than sufficient? There really isn't a way to track calls made with Skype, nor can we submit MSN logs since neither of us actually record conversations (to my knowledge at least).

Is one meeting more than enough, or should there be multiple?

Thank you for all the replies so far. I just want to make sure I can do everything I can to make sure she becomes a part of my life.

Much of your questions are answered within the K-1 Guide.

One visit is required, multiple visits may show an ongoing relationship, but are probably not as important for a Canadian beneficiary as they would be for a beneficiary from a "high-fraud" country. That being said, if you're only planning on one visit, I'd be prepared to answer to this during the interview. It may seem kind of suspicious that you have only met once, yet live so close to each other.

Edited March 25, 2009 by eyoa

[canadian_wife 1,831]

Read the Guides

Documentary Proof of Having Met in Person in the Past Two Years and an Ongoing Relationship:

Use as many of these items are possible. There is no minimum,

but the more you can provide the less likely you are that you will receive an RFE. 1. Copies of all airline boarding passes, train passes, itineraries, hotel receipts, passport stamps (make sure you can read the dates on the stamps), and other documentary evidence that you have met within the last two years. You may want to highlight or place post-it notes indicating the dates and locations on the copies (to make the adjudication easier) for the person reviewing your file.

2. 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 company such as kodakgallery.com. You can also make duplicates of photo's at your local photo store (Walgreeens, CVS, etc). 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.

3. The following items will not typically show proof of having met in the last two years however will show proof of an ongoing relationship: Copies of phone bills, cell phone bills, emails (you can edit personal info with a marker), letters (edit personal info also), stamps on the letters (to document the date they were sent), and other written documentary proof. Provide a reasonable amount; two to four of each type. Pick a range of dates up to and including the present. You can also include a copy of engagement ring receipt (this is something that is a big optional - do not worry if you do not have a ring yet!)

You will also need to show that YOU make 125% above the poverty line of a household of 2 is $18,212. If you cannot do this alone, you will need to find a co-sponsor

[Ellie-and-David 38]

If you cannot prove that you have a bona fide relationship then you will not have much of a chance.

What sort of evidence would we need to provide to ensure that this is a bona fide relationship? Would pictures and receipts of travel arrangements be more than sufficient? There really isn't a way to track calls made with Skype, nor can we submit MSN logs since neither of us actually record conversations (to my knowledge at least).

Is one meeting more than enough, or should there be multiple?

Thank you for all the replies so far. I just want to make sure I can do everything I can to make sure she becomes a part of my life.

One meeting is enough.

Start emailing once a day. For your petition you do not need to submit chat logs etc (we didn't). Just proof you have met in person.

I recommend googlechat / googlemail chat as an alternative for the presentation of bona fide continuing relationship evidence for the visa interview. It saves every single chat line you type...I have some going back over 18 months and am nowhere near my reaching my mail box limit.

As an aside. One meeting is enough. But having spent 7 weeks with David in the last 6 months, I have found there is no real substitute for really getting to know who someone is than spending proper face to face time with them.

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

If you cannot prove that you have a bona fide relationship then you will not have much of a chance.

What sort of evidence would we need to provide to ensure that this is a bona fide relationship? Would pictures and receipts of travel arrangements be more than sufficient? There really isn't a way to track calls made with Skype, nor can we submit MSN logs since neither of us actually record conversations (to my knowledge at least).

Is one meeting more than enough, or should there be multiple?

Thank you for all the replies so far. I just want to make sure I can do everything I can to make sure she becomes a part of my life.

Ninja edit: In regards to "you cannot support them if you do not meet the guidelines of income.", is there a list of what is necessary to submit to prove that you can support said fiancee? I hope the fact that we're both currently students will not hurt.

You are considering marrying this woman, yes? Some of your questions would indicate you aren't too interested in the details or meeting and stuff like that. WOW. Silly me, I went to Ukraine 6 times in 11 months. I live 6 miles from Canada...hmmmm. Well, maybe next time.

If you cannot generate evidence from skype or MSN (I have no clue how to do that, but I suspect there is a way) then you'll just have to use a device invented over a hundred years ago....telephone. And it is actually cheap to call Canada! Try talking to someone in Ukraine for an hour a day for a year!

Also if the cost of all this is bothering you, let me tell you, it gets expensive. It is a cost of doing business, you have a relationship with a Canadian, it is gonna cost somethin', get over it.

Yes, there is a list of what you need to prove you can support them, and of all the fees to process the visa and AOS. Check the guides and forums.

[baron555 934]

Is it absolutely required to have met in person within the two years prior to filing all the needed forms?

Yes, plain English.

You must prove that you really met in person. The Guides will help you.

Wouldn't you want to really meet the person you want to marry to?

There are certain advantages! to meeting in person that you can't do via SMS or even Skype.

[crazymazy 0]

Well quick question here - should we send in chat logs ?

We have met twice in person and have spent about a total of a month together - and will be together again in July - but not before the filing. We talk all day on yahoo and have for 2 years now.

I have pics, ticket receipts, itineraries, receipts all saved ( the 1st trip was a fluke to save as I just adored our time together - even have my dried flowers he gaveme at the airport ..lol )

BUT should I also include chat logs ? We have spoken on the phone but do not have records as he has a prepaid cell phone so the times he called me like on my birthday and Christmas - are not recorded.

[Ellie-and-David 38]

Well quick question here - should we send in chat logs ?

We have met twice in person and have spent about a total of a month together - and will be together again in July - but not before the filing. We talk all day on yahoo and have for 2 years now.

I have pics, ticket receipts, itineraries, receipts all saved ( the 1st trip was a fluke to save as I just adored our time together - even have my dried flowers he gaveme at the airport ..lol )

BUT should I also include chat logs ? We have spoken on the phone but do not have records as he has a prepaid cell phone so the times he called me like on my birthday and Christmas - are not recorded.

Your photo's, airline tickets and stubs etc...are all the proof you need of having met in person. At this point you do NOT have to send in chat logs. Your fiances letter of intention and submitting of the petition is all the proof of the ongoing relationship you need at this point.

Start messaging once a day now on a medium that can be saved and printed. As before, I recommend googletalk / googlemail talk. It saves every line of chat you write, is free, can be web or ap based and the voice chat is pretty decent to! Dave and i have kept voice chat open on googletalk for many many hours.

[crazymazy 0]

ok thank u very much for the reply

[Carlawarla 1]

Hi Mike,

You've had lots of good information here and a link posted on a K-1 visa which has a Guide that you should be reading. I'm just going to welcome you to VJ, nothing really to add other than another couple of links you might want to check out as well.

Canada forum here on VJ:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=93

and a Canada Wiki page here on VJ:

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Canada

Lots of good information that will assist you.

Best of luck!