western union receipts

[VanessaTony 3,567]

As our case is taking forever we are trying to find out all the possible reasons for the delay. In reading this thread it has made me a tad concerned. Even before we became engaged we had talked about how our relationship would go. I was at that time fine with spending my summers down there and winters here. When he bought the house we had already discussed doing a remodel when I sold my home here. I live in an apartment now. I used my half of the sale of the home here and financed the remodel and enclosed the copies of the checks used to do the remodel.

Am I now correct in my findings that this may have screwed us in some way?

Terri

No no not at all. in fact this sounds good to me. You're sending money to help build your home in the US. Did you explain that? Canada is low-fraud so I wouldn't worry about that.

Slow probably thanks to the holidays.

[gland 5]

western union receipts? exclude them out of application or include them? did anyone get in conflicts with these? do they even ask for proof of financial support?

Include them. Shows that you are already willing to help support your fiance.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

As our case is taking forever we are trying to find out all the possible reasons for the delay. In reading this thread it has made me a tad concerned. Even before we became engaged we had talked about how our relationship would go. I was at that time fine with spending my summers down there and winters here. When he bought the house we had already discussed doing a remodel when I sold my home here. I live in an apartment now. I used my half of the sale of the home here and financed the remodel and enclosed the copies of the checks used to do the remodel.

Am I now correct in my findings that this may have screwed us in some way?

Terri

USCIS could not possibly care less about money transfers for the petition. There was no need to include them and they were put to the back of the file as "irrelevent". It has no effect on your petition.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Funny how people will take offense to what they want to take offense to. I sometimes wonder if they read forums in order to be offended?

As I said (you have to read ALL the post) money transfers are either benign or a bad thing. I did NOT say "They are a BAD THING!"

In fact I provided them at our interview which I was present for and also at the interviews for our two children which I was also present for. There was -0- interest in even looking at them and our visa was approved with -0- questions. For that matter they did not look at any of our phone bills, emails, travel documents and only FOUR of the hundreds of photos. They "flipped through" the affidavit of support, literally. No way they could have read any of it.

Now I COULD say "When you go to your interview, just bring four photos and nothing else" But I do not. I actually am one to say "bring it all and let them sort it out" bring back what they do not need.

I also mention that you need to be cognizant of the trends of the consulate you are using (someone missed that) You do this by communication with others that used this consulate and the regional forums come in handy for that.

Money transfers have overwhelmingly had the effect for members here of being either benign or a problem. If you are going to present them I hope you have lots of other evidence besides them.

They are not needed for the petition.

[Frank and Racquel 18]

The previous post of bullet points of the major events make good sense. As far as western union receipts, I think that would raise a red flag if you didn't send them. Every man I have spoken to has sent money to his fiancee.. so if you had no reciepts they would view it as

1.) You don't care enough for her

2.) You are lying about sending her money.

Neither of those assumptions are good when the petitioner makes 25-50 times more annually than the beneficiary. Some money transfers are expected.

Bring them with you to the Interview to show support. They ask to show monetary support. We brought all of ours to interview and they looked at them.

[NoneYa 73]

Well I would agree with that Gary. Since this topic came up again, I went back and did research on this site and pulled up nothing significant to convnince me either way for my situation. Personally, I am only concerned with the Philippines because we all know that all Embassies are different.

I took the task of emailing and conversing with recent Visa beneficiaries/petitioners that have gone through Manila in the last six months that are now here in the U.S. They all sent money in differring amounts but the indication I got from these recent awardees was that it was a non-issue and in many cases not asked for. It's got to be viewed on a case by case and above all by the specific Embassy you are going through. The only reason I was so interested in it is because sometimes our beneficiaries need dental care, their laptop dies and needs to be replaced... if we send money and there is good reasons and you have receipts/documentation it shouldn't be an issue as long as you are balanced with much more convincing documentation.

[Frank and Racquel 18]

Well I would agree with that Gary. Since this topic came up again, I went back and did research on this site and pulled up nothing significant to convnince me either way for my situation. Personally, I am only concerned with the Philippines because we all know that all Embassies are different.

I took the task of emailing and conversing with recent Visa beneficiaries/petitioners that have gone through Manila in the last six months that are now here in the U.S. They all sent money in differring amounts but the indication I got from these recent awardees was that it was a non-issue and in many cases not asked for. It's got to be viewed on a case by case and above all by the specific Embassy you are going through. The only reason I was so interested in it is because sometimes our beneficiaries need dental care, their laptop dies and needs to be replaced... if we send money and there is good reasons and you have receipts/documentation it shouldn't be an issue as long as you are balanced with much more convincing documentation.

I been through 3 interviews at Manila over the years. They asked If the petitioner provided support to the beneficiary all 3 times and we said yes and handed them the western union stuff . They barely look at it but they did ask to see proof. Thats all I can say.

[NoneYa 73]

Thanks Frank. That is helpful. I will be prepared if they do ask for it.

[Richard-Y-Abigail 18]

We front-loaded so much information on our K-1 VISA, that it was a surprise when we received a RFE. They wanted more evidence to show that we had met within the specified amount of time. I sent in the Western Union receipts that showed the receiver's name, the sender's name, and the date. It was perfect! We were not worried about what they would think about me sending her money. She was living in such abject poverty, and I was making $20/hr that it would have been unconscionable not to send her something. Maybe it is just a guy thing.

The information was perfect and we were approved rather quickly. We have been honest, open, and transparent with our petition, and we have been rewarded with an almost trouble free journey.

How can we raise honest children when we, ourselves, are not honest. Just a thought.

[Hank_ 9,174]

The previous post of bullet points of the major events make good sense. As far as western union receipts, I think that would raise a red flag if you didn't send them. Every man I have spoken to has sent money to his fiancee.. so if you had no reciepts they would view it as

1.) You don't care enough for her

2.) You are lying about sending her money.

Neither of those assumptions are good when the petitioner makes 25-50 times more annually than the beneficiary. Some money transfers are expected.

I totally do not agree at all, there would be no red flags, sending money is not a requirement by the embassy, if you send money fine, if you don't fine.

Could WU receipts be used to prove an ongoing relationship for the embassy interview? I think so, but I don't think it is very good proof.

[Hank_ 9,174]

We front-loaded so much information on our K-1 VISA, that it was a surprise when we received a RFE. They wanted more evidence to show that we had met within the specified amount of time. I sent in the Western Union receipts that showed the receiver's name, the sender's name, and the date. It was perfect! We were not worried about what they would think about me sending her money. She was living in such abject poverty, and I was making $20/hr that it would have been unconscionable not to send her something. Maybe it is just a guy thing.

The information was perfect and we were approved rather quickly. We have been honest, open, and transparent with our petition, and we have been rewarded with an almost trouble free journey.

How can we raise honest children when we, ourselves, are not honest. Just a thought.

Not sure how WU receipts show having met in person within the specified time, don't need to meet in person to send money ... just need a name.

[at long last 58]

Funny how people will take offense to what they want to take offense to. I sometimes wonder if they read forums in order to be offended?

As I said (you have to read ALL the post) money transfers are either benign or a bad thing. I did NOT say "They are a BAD THING!"

In fact I provided them at our interview which I was present for and also at the interviews for our two children which I was also present for. There was -0- interest in even looking at them and our visa was approved with -0- questions. For that matter they did not look at any of our phone bills, emails, travel documents and only FOUR of the hundreds of photos. They "flipped through" the affidavit of support, literally. No way they could have read any of it.

Now I COULD say "When you go to your interview, just bring four photos and nothing else" But I do not. I actually am one to say "bring it all and let them sort it out" bring back what they do not need.

I also mention that you need to be cognizant of the trends of the consulate you are using (someone missed that) You do this by communication with others that used this consulate and the regional forums come in handy for that.

Money transfers have overwhelmingly had the effect for members here of being either benign or a problem. If you are going to present them I hope you have lots of other evidence besides them.

They are not needed for the petition.

Again it was explained why to include in the guide we purchased. I see now that it was set up to front load the petition. Live and learn I guess. It also stated to put in all financial information as well. Ho Hum...

[Richard-Y-Abigail 18]

Hi Hank and Amy! Well, they had so much all ready, that I think the receipts were simply what sent our application over the top. Of course, the receipts are strong, I believe, because I had to show identification in order to send the money, and nobody but her could pick up the money. What it did do, however, is date our relationship. Believe me, they had plenty of evidence, and we had a baby together. Who would have guessed that they needed more than that. I laugh when I think about it.

[Hank_ 9,174]

I think the birth certificate would do the trick for having met in person...

[Richard-Y-Abigail 18]

We thought so, too, but since we were not married at the time of our son's birth, we needed to register his birth with the American Consulate in Hermosillo, Sonora Mexico. We had not done that at the time of the K-1 application, besides, since we were not husband and wife at the time of our son's birth, all three of us needed to submit to DNA tests, to show that he was really ours, and I needed to provide evidence that I am an American citizen, and that I have lived at least five years in the USA prior to our son's birth. One note to those reading this: A DNA test is only required on a foreign birth when the mother and father are not married.

Upon reflection, having to do a DNA test is logical. If we did not have this safeguard in place, women from all over the world would just start putting American men's names on their children's birth certificate, and then declare their child has citizenship rights. This has not bothered us at all.