4. Declaration of how you met in person in the last two years.

[GJen 9]

4.Declaration of how you met in person in the last two years. This should be a single typed page attachment regarding question 18 of the I-129F. Make sure to sign and date it.

^^from the guide

"Describe the circumstances under which you met. If you have not personally met each other, explain how the relationship was established."

^^from the I-129F

"We first met in person in Merida, Venezuela on June 23rd, 2007 when I was studying abroad. I studied there for one month, then lived with him and his mother as my host family for two months. My last trip to visit him was from April 8th to April 15th, 2009."

^^This is what I wrote for #18. I didnt mention that we first "met" online. Should I put that we first met online? I thought since they didn't count that as "meeting" that they wouldn't care to know about that. Then again, when it comes up in the interview, I don't want them to think we were omitting anything. Also, if it fits in the box, do we still need to use a separate piece of paper and sign and date it?

Edited April 19, 2009 by GJen

[Hell0W0rld 10]

what you wrote is valid, and if it fits in the box then you don't need a seperate sheet of paper. you can write a Evolution of relationship letter and include a timeline of how you meet online until you actually met in person.

[GJen 9]

what you wrote is valid, and if it fits in the box then you don't need a seperate sheet of paper. you can write a Evolution of relationship letter and include a timeline of how you meet online until you actually met in person.

that's a good idea, would we both need to sign and date it?

[TruLuv 0]

My immigration lawyer told me that in my Letter of intent I should tell our love story. To make it mushy and show how much we care about each other. The answer to question 4 should be a briefer version of this. I would put in all your meetings and yes put that you FIRST met online. Be honest upfront.

Then again, I have known my finace for less than a year and really need to prove a strong relationship. I think it is rare that you could put too much though, unless it is bad.

If it fits in the box you don't need a separate piece of paper. But it probably won't fit in the box if it is good.

Good Luck

[afisher 0]

I kept it brief, just enough to fit in the box. I was approved without any problems. I figured that if they wanted a full page story, they would have provided space for a full page story.

[Hell0W0rld 10]

My immigration lawyer told me that in my Letter of intent I should tell our love story. To make it mushy and show how much we care about each other. The answer to question 4 should be a briefer version of this. I would put in all your meetings and yes put that you FIRST met online. Be honest upfront.

Then again, I have known my finace for less than a year and really need to prove a strong relationship. I think it is rare that you could put too much though, unless it is bad.

If it fits in the box you don't need a separate piece of paper. But it probably won't fit in the box if it is good.

Good Luck

you don't really need to make it "mushy" just make it brief, again. USCIS only wants to know how you met within 2 years in person. you can write another letter and bring it to the interview. the letter is called Evolution of Relationship and this letter can include everything from the begining.

[GJen 9]

I kept it brief, just enough to fit in the box. I was approved without any problems. I figured that if they wanted a full page story, they would have provided space for a full page story.

yeah, it's not the I-129F that they use to determine if the relationship is bonified, anyway, right? They just want to make sure we've met within the last two years?

[afisher 0]

I kept it brief, just enough to fit in the box. I was approved without any problems. I figured that if they wanted a full page story, they would have provided space for a full page story.

yeah, it's not the I-129F that they use to determine if the relationship is bonified, anyway, right? They just want to make sure we've met within the last two years?

That's true, but I threw in a few things that pointed towards a bonifide relationship as well. ie. a few pics, and 2 copies of envelopes to me from her. I was approved with no RFE.

When your first starting this process it seems really stressful and hard but looking back it was pretty straight forward, I found that the guides and example forms on here really helped a lot.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

I kept it brief, just enough to fit in the box. I was approved without any problems. I figured that if they wanted a full page story, they would have provided space for a full page story.

yeah, it's not the I-129F that they use to determine if the relationship is bonified, anyway, right? They just want to make sure we've met within the last two years?

I would say what you wrote is just perfect.

My own statement was about the same length, just stated the facts and date - no other information.

At the interview is where they ask for evidence of a bonafide relationship - which we are wating for in July.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

I wrote about half a page telling how we met online, how we met in person for the first time, and then wrote out the month and year of all the trips we have made since. I don't think all of that was needed, but including more information then necessary can never hurt. They don't want to read an entire book of unnecessary information, but I think its better not to leave out any important details (i.e that you first met online). Many people have been approved with much less, but its better to be safe then sorry.

On a completely random note, you and your fiance make a very cute couple! Looks like an attractive match to me

Edited April 20, 2009 by Hugglebuggles

[GJen 9]

I wrote about half a page telling how we met online, how we met in person for the first time, and then wrote out the month and year of all the trips we have made since. I don't think all of that was needed, but including more information then necessary can never hurt. They don't want to read an entire book of unnecessary information, but I think its better not to leave out any important details (i.e that you first met online). Many people have been approved with much less, but its better to be safe then sorry.

On a completely random note, you and your fiance make a very cute couple! Looks like an attractive match to me

awww:) thanks!!!

[TBoneTX 45,539]

it's not the I-129F that they use to determine if the relationship is bonified, anyway, right? They just want to make sure we've met within the last two years?

The two-year requirement satisfies USCIS. Bear in mind, however, that the consulate (which will receive everything that you send to USCIS, and where you will end up interviewing) will be reading everything concerning "bona fides" with intense interest. If you were interviewing in Ecuador, I would urge you to include a book on how you met, and your relationship. Go to the embassy/consulate reviews (top of any page) and read every review about Venezuela. Search (and ask in) the Latin American subforum, if you read something in the reviews that sounds disturbing. This notwithstanding, your "we first met in person..." is not untrue and can be written.

[GJen 9]

Bear in mind, however, that the consulate (which will receive everything that you send to USCIS, and where you will end up interviewing) will be reading everything concerning "bona fides" with intense interest.

Okay, now I'm even more confused. Are you saying we should send everything we plan to have for the interview along with the I-129F to USCIS?!

I thought the mailing of the I-129F was just the first step where you have to prove you meet the requirement (i.e. 125% over poverty level, having met within the past 2 years, etc) and THEN the interview was to determine if the relationship is legit.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

What he's saying is that some consulates are known to be very difficult and will not allow you to submit any additional information proving your relationship at the interview. They will base the validity of your relationship based solely on what was originally submitted in the original petition. It may be a good idea to research the US consulate in Venezuela and find out if they are known to do this to people, if you haven't done so already.

A lot of people say to only include prof of having met in person for the last two years, as that meets the minimum requirements. But, like I said before, I think its a good idea to submit more information then is listed as necessary. This improves your chances of being approved quickly and with no RFE. Also, if the immigration officer refuses to listen to you, or accept additional prof of a bonafide relationship, it is already there, so he/she cannot deny you on the basis of not having enough evidence.

[TBoneTX 45,539]

Okay, now I'm even more confused. Are you saying we should send everything we plan to have for the interview along with the I-129F to USCIS?!

Nope -- just some evidence (not a lot), bearing in mind the chief purpose, which you identify below:

I thought the mailing of the I-129F was just the first step where you have to prove you meet the requirement (i.e. 125% over poverty level, having met within the past 2 years, etc) and THEN the interview was to determine if the relationship is legit.

Technically, this is true. In reality, SOME consulates will kick interviewees out after a couple of minutes without allowing evidence to be presented. I am not saying that this applies to Venezuela -- chance are that it does not. Read the "reviews" to see if anything indicates that more than just a very little evidence of relationship ought to be included in the I-129F filing. If all (or overwhelmingly most) of the reviews indicate "no problem," then relax.

EDIT: Hugglebuggles responded just before, and that answer is excellent. Pay attention to that one and ignore mine here.

Edited April 20, 2009 by TBoneTX