How to show that we have a serious engagement?

[sheepp 2]

Hi all

In the instructions letter that I got from the embassy they told me that I have to show that we have a genuine relationship which I have no problem I´m attaching:

-Passport stamps of when he came here.

-Pics (about 40, like 5 with family, 5 with friends and the others we both alone).

-Contract of the apartment he rented here (which I signed)

-Vouchers of ours debit cards emited at the same place and the same day and time.

-Emails between he and I (a bunch)

-A few emails with his mom.

-Electronic order of the flowers he sent a year ago.

-Facebook screenshots(where says we are in a relationship... doesnt say engaged bcause we want to change it once the visa is approved to not have to give explanations to everyone)

-My phone bills with his number and days I called him on it.

- A few calls from magic jack for iphone (screenshots)

- A few pages of our chats on whatsapp.

- Western Union receipts.

- Skype call logs.

- Skype chat logs.

- My moms statement of our relationship and engagement.

- Letters of intent of we both.

I dont know what could I present that could show that our engagement is serious, since my country doesnt have strict costumes as others, most people have a simple engagement meeting, which I had but wout a ring and in the pics it seems more as a lunch.

Advice please!!!

Thank you very much!!!

[TBoneTX 45,001]

This sounds good, si man.

Exclude any Western Union receipts of payments from the beneficiary to the petitioner, and be 100% sure that in none of your correspondence do you refer to yourselves (playfully or romantically) as "esposo / esposa." That will be the kiss of death immediately, si man.

[AMP 54]

I think you good.

[sheepp 2]

Ok! I had just one that is from me to him, so ill take it off, and im adding like 5 from him to me ( Western Union )

What can I add that show as they say that out engagement is serious???

[TBoneTX 45,001]

Ok! I had just one that is from me to him, so ill take it off, and im adding like 5 from him to me ( Western Union )

Good, si man.

What can I add that show as they say that out engagement is serious???

The Letters of Intent do nicely, si man.

[maset09 0]

Don't worry, your checklist is pretty thorough, you're good

[sheepp 2]

Thank you guys Hope it´s enough!!

[pushbrk 12,801]

Ok! I had just one that is from me to him, so ill take it off, and im adding like 5 from him to me ( Western Union )

Not following you. If you are talking about Western Union receipts the advice you received and that I second is to leave them out. Do NOT include them. They don't help and CAN count against you.

Your best evidence is evidence of time spent together in person. Sounds like you have that covered.

I suggest you separate evidence of meeting in person from evidence of a genuine relationship. The first is required and the second is optional. Let them see the required evidence without looking through a big stack of relationship evidence.

[sheepp 2]

Thank you for the advice, I have read different opinions about the Western Union receipts, do they depend on the country? is Peru a High fraud country? or it is that they will count against the beneficiary in any case in any country?

I have alot of pics, yes, but they are all very similar and taken just in 5 different places... is that ok?

[pushbrk 12,801]

Thank you for the advice, I have read different opinions about the Western Union receipts, do they depend on the country? is Peru a High fraud country? or it is that they will count against the beneficiary in any case in any country?

I have alot of pics, yes, but they are all very similar and taken just in 5 different places... is that ok?

No, the use of evidence of money being exchanged is not country specific but can be an even bigger problem for some countries. Sending money back and forth is not evidence of comingling of finances and not helpful for a fiancee case anyway. It can be misconstrued. Leave it out. Concentrate on documenting time spent together along with how and how frequently you communicate.

Of course the photos are OK. It's not like you can manufacture additional ones. You have what you have.

[sheepp 2]

Yeah well I will take the Western Union receipts out and I know I cannot make more pics from nothing, I just regret very much to not have taken more!

Thank you very much

[Dante & Geor 36]

Yeah well I will take the Western Union receipts out and I know I cannot make more pics from nothing, I just regret very much to not have taken more!

Thank you very much

don't worry too much about the pics, here is not that difficult stage at USEM. I only took with me pics of his last trip, and all of them were in the same place (Paracas- Lunahuana) so don't worry

[yachachiq12 43]

Lima is a very no-nonsense consulate. Bring all that stuff in with you, but order it according to how compelling it is for A)having met in person and B)having a relationship (as pushbrk said). I would only initially present a couple photos (one with other people in it) and evidence of having met through one or two other things.

They won't want you to hand them a stack of this stuff. Keep it neatly organized in a folder and produce it as questions come up in the interview itself. Like, if they ask about your engagement, you can offer to show the photos of the lunch. If they ask about trips you've taken together, offer up some of that paper trail.

They are not going to like it if you pass your scrapbook through the window, in other words. Bring it all, but be prepared to not use most of it.

[sheepp 2]

Thanks very much Geor and yachachiq12, you guys are the BEST!!! I am nervous!! Hope to present the right things... so:

1. To take off the Western Union receipts.

2. To separate the proof of having met of the proof of ongoing relationship.

3.To put 2 pics in the part of having met in person, one we both alone,the other with people.

4. To not bring too much stuff ...I have a thick block of skype chatlogs and emails... What should I do? just take it? or better reduce it?

Thank you again for taking the time to answer!!!

Edited December 13, 2011 by sheepp

[yachachiq12 43]

By all means, take as much as you want in with you, especially if it helps you maintain sanity. I would pick a few examples of your chat logs that mention specific events and put those at the top of your pile where they're ready to pass along; maybe even highlight the important parts. If they're really skeptical and giving you a hard time, you can show that you came armed with that big pile.