Proof of Having Met in Last 2 Years and an Ongoing Relationship

[apotter 0]

Hey guys and gals, I have a question. For proof of having met I intend to send the following:

1. Copies of all airline boarding passes, passport stamps

2. 4 Color Photo's of me and my fiancee together.

For proof of ongoing relationship:

-MSN conversations

-E-Mails

Should this be enough to satisfy their requirements and avoid RFE? Thanks for any input,

-Andrew

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hey guys and gals, I have a question. For proof of having met I intend to send the following:

1. Copies of all airline boarding passes, passport stamps

2. 4 Color Photo's of me and my fiancee together.

For proof of ongoing relationship:

-MSN conversations

-E-Mails

Should this be enough to satisfy their requirements and avoid RFE? Thanks for any input,

-Andrew

Your proof of having met is fine. You do not need proof of ongoing relationship for the petition. You can send it if you want.

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

Hey guys and gals, I have a question. For proof of having met I intend to send the following:

1. Copies of all airline boarding passes, passport stamps

2. 4 Color Photo's of me and my fiancee together.

For proof of ongoing relationship:

-MSN conversations

-E-Mails

Should this be enough to satisfy their requirements and avoid RFE? Thanks for any input,

-Andrew

Your proof of having met is fine. You do not need proof of ongoing relationship for the petition. You can send it if you want.

Bogota, like any other Latin American consulate, is not the relative cakewalk that Kiev apparently is. Front-loading with evidence of ongoing relationship can't be a bad thing.

[Gene & Susan 1]

Hey guys and gals, I have a question. For proof of having met I intend to send the following:

1. Copies of all airline boarding passes, passport stamps

2. 4 Color Photo's of me and my fiancee together.

For proof of ongoing relationship:

-MSN conversations

-E-Mails

Should this be enough to satisfy their requirements and avoid RFE? Thanks for any input,

-Andrew

Your proof of having met is fine. You do not need proof of ongoing relationship for the petition. You can send it if you want.

Bogota, like any other Latin American consulate, is not the relative cakewalk that Kiev apparently is. Front-loading with evidence of ongoing relationship can't be a bad thing.

I've done this once before (in 2002) and I am just about to do this again. I made sure I shot photos of me with my fiancee in front of "landmarks" in her country so they could be clearly identified as such. Signs such as "Welcome to Ndola" or such. I also had photos shot (with my camera) showing us together with members of her family. For the photos of us standing in front of signs and landmarks, sometimes I just propped the camera on the car, or in one case I hung it from its strap in a tree, and set the self-timer. It is better to have too much proof, rather than too little. You should also photocopy the page of your passport that shows entry and exit stamps from her country. I had many photos printed in her country, and left 1 set with her, for her interview.

Edited September 20, 2009 by gene mccluney

[TBoneTX 47,209]

Bogota, like any other Latin American consulate, is not the relative cakewalk that Kiev apparently is. Front-loading with evidence of ongoing relationship can't be a bad thing.

Si, man. USCIS will not care about the evidence of ongoing relationship, but your consulate certainly might (or definitely will), and the consulate is obliged to acknowledge the existence of anything that USCIS has first seen.

[MouadsWife 161]

Bogota, like any other Latin American consulate, is not the relative cakewalk that Kiev apparently is. Front-loading with evidence of ongoing relationship can't be a bad thing.

Si, man. USCIS will not care about the evidence of ongoing relationship, but your consulate certainly might (or definitely will), and the consulate is obliged to acknowledge the existence of anything that USCIS has first seen.

I think sending as much evidence as you can when sending in your initial petition would be wise, whether required or not. I major front loaded because I wanted them to be aware of how strong our relationship was. I sent 122 picture, chats, phone records, letters, emails, copies of train receipts, bus receipts, flight itenerary, money conversion receipts... anything I could get my hands on. If you get a rfe for not providing enough information then it will only slow your case down. Best to avoid asking questions and just show them what you got upfront. I think if you spend exstensive time together when you met, and you only show someone 4 pictures.... it would make them think of the validity possible. I know I certainly might think... but then again not allppl like to take as much pictures either. So I guess that cant be a valid point. I took over 950 pictures. But they will want to see pictures of you both together, and not just statue like pics, but pics that show feeling for each other. Happiness, romance, and even pics with family members to show everyone elses happiness. Front load the heck out of it to avoid road blocks and doubt I say.

[TBoneTX 47,209]

Front load the heck out of it to avoid road blocks and doubt I say.

Si, man -- and again, this is not for the USCIS requirements, but for the (tough, poor-country, or high-fraud-country) embassy or consulate later in the process. The consulates answer to nobody. Edited September 20, 2009 by TBoneTX

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hey guys and gals, I have a question. For proof of having met I intend to send the following:

1. Copies of all airline boarding passes, passport stamps

2. 4 Color Photo's of me and my fiancee together.

For proof of ongoing relationship:

-MSN conversations

-E-Mails

Should this be enough to satisfy their requirements and avoid RFE? Thanks for any input,

-Andrew

Your proof of having met is fine. You do not need proof of ongoing relationship for the petition. You can send it if you want.

Bogota, like any other Latin American consulate, is not the relative cakewalk that Kiev apparently is. Front-loading with evidence of ongoing relationship can't be a bad thing.

Kiev is not a "cakewalk" They are very strict in that documents MUSt be in order and complete. Nothing is waived and recently they have been rejecting translations from Ukrainian sources because they do not have the "certification" as required by USCIS and Consulates. They do NOT as some consulates do, add capricious and arbitrary requirements, they are straight down the line, but the DO follow the line.

I see lots of mention of this "front loading" and fully understand the concept (I also always mention it never hurts to include additional information) though the OPs question is about proof of meeting. MSNs and emails are indeed completely and totally useless for that purpose.

That said, and with all this speak of front loading, is there any cases we know of here at VJ where front loading benefitted the issuance of a visa? I mean the theory is cast about often enough, though I begin to wonder if it isn't just one parroting another. "Frontloading...frontloading" "Must front load for difficult consulates" "Must frontload for maybe any consulate" Which is it? Who benefits? Who HAS benefitted? Cetainly there must be examples here. Someone who can say "Yeah, you bet, I would never have gotten my visa if I hadn't included those emails from BEFORE we filed the petition. They were about to deny us, no question, then we pointed out the emails and two photos from when we filed the petition and they changed their mind and gave us the visa!" Anyone? Someone?

In most fiancee visas there is little to "frontload" much of it (if not all) occuring before the couple even met in person. Then we have many months AFTER the petition is filed and any proof of relationship during that time is not possibly available to "frontload" . How does proof of a relationship which does not even qualify for a petition, assist with the issuance of a visa? There is no qualifying "relationship" TO prove until after the couple meets in person.

I see that most consulates (maybe all) are concerned with what has happened since the petition filing in the relationship, since there was likely not a qualifying relationship before the filing.

Again, I would be pleased to know of A case where frontloading was the deciding factor, even if only anecdotally (i know such things can be difficult or impossible to clinically prove) We have lots of experienced people with experience all over the world, Cetainly there is some examples. I am curious.

I will stick with my advice. Emails and MSN chats are completely worthless to prove meeting in person. Include them if you want. No penalty.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Bogota, like any other Latin American consulate, is not the relative cakewalk that Kiev apparently is. Front-loading with evidence of ongoing relationship can't be a bad thing.

Si, man. USCIS will not care about the evidence of ongoing relationship, but your consulate certainly might (or definitely will), and the consulate is obliged to acknowledge the existence of anything that USCIS has first seen.

I think sending as much evidence as you can when sending in your initial petition would be wise, whether required or not. I major front loaded because I wanted them to be aware of how strong our relationship was. I sent 122 picture, chats, phone records, letters, emails, copies of train receipts, bus receipts, flight itenerary, money conversion receipts... anything I could get my hands on. If you get a rfe for not providing enough information then it will only slow your case down. Best to avoid asking questions and just show them what you got upfront. I think if you spend exstensive time together when you met, and you only show someone 4 pictures.... it would make them think of the validity possible. I know I certainly might think... but then again not allppl like to take as much pictures either. So I guess that cant be a valid point. I took over 950 pictures. But they will want to see pictures of you both together, and not just statue like pics, but pics that show feeling for each other. Happiness, romance, and even pics with family members to show everyone elses happiness. Front load the heck out of it to avoid road blocks and doubt I say.

I agree there is no such thing as "too much gun"

That said. I sent a two sentence description, ONE photo of us iin a restaurant, boarding pass (we happened to arrive on the same plane but I did not meet her ON the plane and did say describe that I did) and passport stamp copies. There was NO indication where the photo was taken (or when, no date) and there is no need to indicate this. Is does not matter WHERE you meet in person. I accidentally met my wife in a country in which neither of us live or ever lived. Makes absolutely ZERO difference. The photo was IN Prague, CZ but could have been Hong Kong...or Toledo. And either of those would be acceptable as long as we show we were both in Toledo or Hong Kong at the same time (passport stamps)

Just curious if someone has personal experience that this so-called "frontloading" helps? I never said (and have never said) "it hurts" only that I question whether there are any cases it has helped. Would love to hear about it.

[venusfire503 54]

In most fiancee visas there is little to "frontload" much of it (if not all) occuring before the couple even met in person. Then we have many months AFTER the petition is filed and any proof of relationship during that time is not possibly available to "frontload" . How does proof of a relationship which does not even qualify for a petition, assist with the issuance of a visa? There is no qualifying "relationship" TO prove until after the couple meets in person.

Not everyone files immediately after first meeting in person. We had to wait just over 2 months. Some couples wait for many other reasons - some for many months, or even years. Also, some couples meet more than once, as we did.

Even if we had filed after my first trip there, we had quite a bit to send by that time - pics, email, phone calls, etc. To us, meeting was just a continuation of a relationship that had already started. Some couples get engaged during the first meeting in person, so they'd have quite a bit to send. Some lucky people spend much more than a week or so on their first trips.

That said, and with all this speak of front loading, is there any cases we know of here at VJ where front loading benefitted the issuance of a visa? I mean the theory is cast about often enough, though I begin to wonder if it isn't just one parroting another. "Frontloading...frontloading" "Must front load for difficult consulates" "Must frontload for maybe any consulate" Which is it? Who benefits? Who HAS benefitted? Cetainly there must be examples here. Someone who can say "Yeah, you bet, I would never have gotten my visa if I hadn't included those emails from BEFORE we filed the petition. They were about to deny us, no question, then we pointed out the emails and two photos from when we filed the petition and they changed their mind and gave us the visa!" Anyone? Someone?

We didn't discover VJ until after we sent our packet, so we just did what we thought was best - never heard of "frontloading" at that time.

There's no way to really know WHY it goes more smoothly for some couples than others, but we can all have our theories. Morocco is notorious for being a pain, and many couples get denied, or have to wait forever, or get 221g...whatever. The lady who interviewed my SO acted like there was NO WAY she was going to give him (or anyone else) the visa, but he got it a few days later. Not exactly sure what "did it" for us. All I can do is tell the facts in our case, and my theories about it.

Facts: I am 11 years older, divorced, with 3 children, raised Catholic, didn't know any French or Arabic, and had some money from the divorce settlement (wasn't even working at the time). We met - online - only 4 months before sending our k-1 petition. I did go to see him twice in that time. I met him during my divorce, and sent the packet the day I got the divorce decree. So, basically, just about ALL of the red flags possible. Yes, the lady was practically interrogating him during his interview (while I paced around outside for hours). But he got the visa, and was here less than three months after I sent the petition.

I hired a lawyer, thinking it was necessary. For the petition, we sent tons of photos, IM chats, email, phone records, boarding passes, etc. He also took several thick binders to his interview with more - and some of it might have hurt more than helped, I don't know - receipts from the laptop I bought him (so we could talk more often), evidence of sending him money through agencies, bank statements for the account I opened for him (gave him an ATM card - fewer fees, more convenient, faster, etc) - things that might have made it look like he was using me. We included receipts for and pictures of the engraved wedding bands we ordered between sending the petition and the interview date. And tons more pictures, etc. Both proof of meeting in person and of our ongoing relationship.

Opinion: whether or not others agree, I strongly feel that all the things we provided in the k-1 packet and at the interview really helped us out. I'm not so sure about the lawyer - I think that was a waste of money. At the time we thought it would at least show that we were serious about the whole thing. I would say that it can't hurt if you can swing it financially, but I've heard of it slowing things down in some cases, and totally screwing things up in others. I think for straightforward cases, it's a bad idea.

I really think that it helped that he remained calm during the interview and just kept answering the questions, even though some were asked repeatedly. We also made sure he was really prepared - well rested, we reviewed all the information he might need to know, etc.

So, I can't say 100% that 'front-loading' was THE reason that we had such a quick and 'easy' time of the visa part of the process, but I really do think that it helped tremendously. If nothing else, sending all that you can might give you some peace of mind. I'd rather "waste my time" gathering and sending too much than worrying during the wait and/or kicking myself for not sending enough. But like all things, everyone has to make their own decisions.

Best of luck to all during their journeys!

venusfire

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

In most fiancee visas there is little to "frontload" much of it (if not all) occuring before the couple even met in person. Then we have many months AFTER the petition is filed and any proof of relationship during that time is not possibly available to "frontload" . How does proof of a relationship which does not even qualify for a petition, assist with the issuance of a visa? There is no qualifying "relationship" TO prove until after the couple meets in person.

Not everyone files immediately after first meeting in person. We had to wait just over 2 months. Some couples wait for many other reasons - some for many months, or even years. Also, some couples meet more than once, as we did.

Even if we had filed after my first trip there, we had quite a bit to send by that time - pics, email, phone calls, etc. To us, meeting was just a continuation of a relationship that had already started. Some couples get engaged during the first meeting in person, so they'd have quite a bit to send. Some lucky people spend much more than a week or so on their first trips.

That said, and with all this speak of front loading, is there any cases we know of here at VJ where front loading benefitted the issuance of a visa? I mean the theory is cast about often enough, though I begin to wonder if it isn't just one parroting another. "Frontloading...frontloading" "Must front load for difficult consulates" "Must frontload for maybe any consulate" Which is it? Who benefits? Who HAS benefitted? Cetainly there must be examples here. Someone who can say "Yeah, you bet, I would never have gotten my visa if I hadn't included those emails from BEFORE we filed the petition. They were about to deny us, no question, then we pointed out the emails and two photos from when we filed the petition and they changed their mind and gave us the visa!" Anyone? Someone?

We didn't discover VJ until after we sent our packet, so we just did what we thought was best - never heard of "frontloading" at that time.

There's no way to really know WHY it goes more smoothly for some couples than others, but we can all have our theories. Morocco is notorious for being a pain, and many couples get denied, or have to wait forever, or get 221g...whatever. The lady who interviewed my SO acted like there was NO WAY she was going to give him (or anyone else) the visa, but he got it a few days later. Not exactly sure what "did it" for us. All I can do is tell the facts in our case, and my theories about it.

Facts: I am 11 years older, divorced, with 3 children, raised Catholic, didn't know any French or Arabic, and had some money from the divorce settlement (wasn't even working at the time). We met - online - only 4 months before sending our k-1 petition. I did go to see him twice in that time. I met him during my divorce, and sent the packet the day I got the divorce decree. So, basically, just about ALL of the red flags possible. Yes, the lady was practically interrogating him during his interview (while I paced around outside for hours). But he got the visa, and was here less than three months after I sent the petition.

I hired a lawyer, thinking it was necessary. For the petition, we sent tons of photos, IM chats, email, phone records, boarding passes, etc. He also took several thick binders to his interview with more - and some of it might have hurt more than helped, I don't know - receipts from the laptop I bought him (so we could talk more often), evidence of sending him money through agencies, bank statements for the account I opened for him (gave him an ATM card - fewer fees, more convenient, faster, etc) - things that might have made it look like he was using me. We included receipts for and pictures of the engraved wedding bands we ordered between sending the petition and the interview date. And tons more pictures, etc. Both proof of meeting in person and of our ongoing relationship.

Opinion: whether or not others agree, I strongly feel that all the things we provided in the k-1 packet and at the interview really helped us out. I'm not so sure about the lawyer - I think that was a waste of money. At the time we thought it would at least show that we were serious about the whole thing. I would say that it can't hurt if you can swing it financially, but I've heard of it slowing things down in some cases, and totally screwing things up in others. I think for straightforward cases, it's a bad idea.

I really think that it helped that he remained calm during the interview and just kept answering the questions, even though some were asked repeatedly. We also made sure he was really prepared - well rested, we reviewed all the information he might need to know, etc.

So, I can't say 100% that 'front-loading' was THE reason that we had such a quick and 'easy' time of the visa part of the process, but I really do think that it helped tremendously. If nothing else, sending all that you can might give you some peace of mind. I'd rather "waste my time" gathering and sending too much than worrying during the wait and/or kicking myself for not sending enough. But like all things, everyone has to make their own decisions.

Best of luck to all during their journeys!

venusfire

The key to this is...would he have been or was he, allowed to submit more evidence of relationship at the interview? Did they accept from him the evidence of relationship (since the filing of the petition) that he brought to the interview?

The concept of frontloading (as it has come to be called) is that an unreasonable consulate will refuse to look at recent evidence at the interview, yet this same unreasonable CO will then reverse his decision because of (by that time) "old" evidence of an ongoing relationship that was sent to the consulate by USCIS. This assumes that an unreasonable CO who, as TBoneTx points out, "answers to no one" including the USCIS, will ignore current evidence and qualify you on what amounts to ancient history. The concept seems kind of preposterous to me.

In your case, you front loaded, and have no indication it hurt or helped. I am sure you would change nothing, just as I would change nothing in our case, because you were successful. If there was an instance of front loading being the deciding factor, I would not be surprised to see it come from Casa Blanca or a similar consulate.

I am also told if you cut off a rattlesnakes head it can still bite you until sun-down. I cutoff plenty of buzzbottom's heads and they can be downright creepy in what they will do after being skinned and gutted, but that head ain't bitin' anyone without serious provocation (like stickin' your fingers in there) but it makes a good sounding story.

I am just curious if there is any truth to this rumor or if it is an oft repeated wive's tale followed by people going through difficult consulates becaue they "aren't taking chances" But it may be as effective to tie chicken's feet around your neck or something, garlic cloves, etc.

[MouadsWife 161]

Hey guys and gals, I have a question. For proof of having met I intend to send the following:

1. Copies of all airline boarding passes, passport stamps

2. 4 Color Photo's of me and my fiancee together.

For proof of ongoing relationship:

-MSN conversations

-E-Mails

Should this be enough to satisfy their requirements and avoid RFE? Thanks for any input,

-Andrew

Your proof of having met is fine. You do not need proof of ongoing relationship for the petition. You can send it if you want.

Bogota, like any other Latin American consulate, is not the relative cakewalk that Kiev apparently is. Front-loading with evidence of ongoing relationship can't be a bad thing.

Kiev is not a "cakewalk" They are very strict in that documents MUSt be in order and complete. Nothing is waived and recently they have been rejecting translations from Ukrainian sources because they do not have the "certification" as required by USCIS and Consulates. They do NOT as some consulates do, add capricious and arbitrary requirements, they are straight down the line, but the DO follow the line.

I see lots of mention of this "front loading" and fully understand the concept (I also always mention it never hurts to include additional information) though the OPs question is about proof of meeting. MSNs and emails are indeed completely and totally useless for that purpose.

That said, and with all this speak of front loading, is there any cases we know of here at VJ where front loading benefitted the issuance of a visa? I mean the theory is cast about often enough, though I begin to wonder if it isn't just one parroting another. "Frontloading...frontloading" "Must front load for difficult consulates" "Must frontload for maybe any consulate" Which is it? Who benefits? Who HAS benefitted? Cetainly there must be examples here. Someone who can say "Yeah, you bet, I would never have gotten my visa if I hadn't included those emails from BEFORE we filed the petition. They were about to deny us, no question, then we pointed out the emails and two photos from when we filed the petition and they changed their mind and gave us the visa!" Anyone? Someone?

In most fiancee visas there is little to "frontload" much of it (if not all) occuring before the couple even met in person. Then we have many months AFTER the petition is filed and any proof of relationship during that time is not possibly available to "frontload" . How does proof of a relationship which does not even qualify for a petition, assist with the issuance of a visa? There is no qualifying "relationship" TO prove until after the couple meets in person.

I see that most consulates (maybe all) are concerned with what has happened since the petition filing in the relationship, since there was likely not a qualifying relationship before the filing.

Again, I would be pleased to know of A case where frontloading was the deciding factor, even if only anecdotally (i know such things can be difficult or impossible to clinically prove) We have lots of experienced people with experience all over the world, Cetainly there is some examples. I am curious.

I will stick with my advice. Emails and MSN chats are completely worthless to prove meeting in person. Include them if you want. No penalty.

Yes you have to prove meeting in person within 2 years... BUT you also have to prove a ongoing relationship that is geniun. Take the advice that you feel for comfortable with... but I would provide to much rather than 'too little'. If its as completely worthless as they say to send the additional proof in, then you have not hurt anything. But if you provided too little, then it would hurt alot and prolong ur case. I know a few ppl who have received rfe after rfe asting for more evidence because they did not provide enough evidence.

[venusfire503 54]

Many people believe that the visa decision is more or less made before the interview (although it's not necessarily set in stone) - they DO look over everything beforehand. In that case, it seems front loading would really help - since that would be what they had to make their initial decision. Think about it - it's kind of like a job interview - you want to give the best possible FIRST impression to the person who makes such a big decision that will affect your future.

The other thing is, front loading (in this case, as I understand it) doesn't mean not sending as much as possible to the interview as well. It's not either/or, and I would be willing to bet that most people who 'front load' also 'back load' - or whatever you want to call it. And yes, my SO did show her he had all of the information at the interview. She looked at some of it.

No one can prove what helped or didn't, but the fact that we had none of the usual problems/delays, despite all of the reasons we COULD have/should have, might show the benefit of "doing it the way we did". And I don't think providing as much proof as possible at all steps of the process is anything at all like wearing chicken's feet or whatever. Our goal with the visa process IS to prove a legitimate relationship, and is nothing at all like superstition, voodoo, etc.

And if wearing garlic or chicken feet makes someone feel better, so what? Doesn't hurt anything.

I'm curious why someone would be opposed to what anyone else does in their journey, as long as it's legal and doesn't hurt anyone. Everyone reading about others' decisions has the choice about whether to do the same or not in their own case.

venusfire

[venusfire503 54]

After thinking about this for a few more minutes, I think I figured out that part of the problem is how different people here are defining the term "front loading". In my case, I took it to just mean sending as much as possible with the petition. I think others take it to mean sending a bunch of proof with the petition, but less for the interview.

We sent everything we could - proof of relationship as well as proof of meeting in person - with the petition. Then he took everything we could come up with to the interview - mainly proof of ongoing relationship, since I didn't visit between sending the packet and his interview (I was going to visit, but his interview was sooner than we thought, so I changed my ticket to be there then, instead of a few weeks before). I even went along in case they wanted to talk to me (then, or in the days following - I've heard that happens sometimes), but just paced around outside for hours.

MouadsWife had some VERY good points about RFE and providing (or not) enough proof of a genuine, ongoing relationship. And about doing what you feel is best/makes you comfortable.

venusfire

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Many people believe that the visa decision is more or less made before the interview (although it's not necessarily set in stone) - they DO look over everything beforehand. In that case, it seems front loading would really help - since that would be what they had to make their initial decision. Think about it - it's kind of like a job interview - you want to give the best possible FIRST impression to the person who makes such a big decision that will affect your future.

The other thing is, front loading (in this case, as I understand it) doesn't mean not sending as much as possible to the interview as well. It's not either/or, and I would be willing to bet that most people who 'front load' also 'back load' - or whatever you want to call it. And yes, my SO did show her he had all of the information at the interview. She looked at some of it.

No one can prove what helped or didn't, but the fact that we had none of the usual problems/delays, despite all of the reasons we COULD have/should have, might show the benefit of "doing it the way we did". And I don't think providing as much proof as possible at all steps of the process is anything at all like wearing chicken's feet or whatever. Our goal with the visa process IS to prove a legitimate relationship, and is nothing at all like superstition, voodoo, etc.

And if wearing garlic or chicken feet makes someone feel better, so what? Doesn't hurt anything.

I'm curious why someone would be opposed to what anyone else does in their journey, as long as it's legal and doesn't hurt anyone. Everyone reading about others' decisions has the choice about whether to do the same or not in their own case.

venusfire

I am not opposed to anything, do not get me wrong. Front laod by the ton, you have my blessing (not that you need it) I am not arguing, opposing or supporting anything. I am asking questions about an oft repeated mantra and asking for some anecdotal evidence, if there is any. Just call it curiosity, no offense intended. I do not care if you wear chicken feet or garlic cloves around your neck, but i will not adivse you to and will not pass on the advice of anyone that does...OK?

YES, decisions are made before the interview...no doubt. I have evidence. Our visa was issued without a single question. None, nada, zilch. Barely a hello. Just "Here are your original documents back, everything is fine with your visa, go to the Fedex window to arrange delivery" There is no question they made up their mind before the interview. I did not front load anything.

If anyone ahs any experience where fromt loading saved the day, I would like to hear it, really. Was there specific items that helped?