RFE? Already supplied but they want more?

[Rachel_Keleigh 2]

So we just got our hard copy of our RFE. They are asking for circumstances under which we met and established our relationship.No big deal. The form didn't specify so I explained each meeting of the previous 2 years. I wasn't (and they weren't) really clear. Easy fix

The thing that is making us worried is that we have supplied photos of us at each meeting, flight receipts that were only given to us via e-mail and itineraries. We have only 2 pictures of us together where they were time-stamped by the camera. I happen to do photography and I removed my time stamping feature long ago so editing them out later wouldn't be an issue. The 2 with stamps were from my fiance's camera that had been set aside so we could use my better camera. We have almost no photos of us together because we had no one to take pictures of us let alone with time-stamping. We took engagement pictures but again, no time-stamp. They are asking for more to prove we have met and I am scared we may not have what we need! Help! How can we prove it any more than we have! I'm scared >.<

Any suggestions? Miracles?

We can't print out actual receipts for a our flights because they are all e-mailed confirmations and we would print them but they have been removed from the place we booked online. The fiance is scanning passport pages with time stamps on them. Ugh. And more Ugh!

[Lynkali 163]

Passport stamps are your biggest help, as they are the best proof that you were in the same country together with no doubts. Focus on things that like that really can't be faked.

Please don't stress too much about the pictures -- they're nice to include as secondary evidence but you don't need more than a few (2-3) at all, as long as you have the other evidence. (Do be aware that you can add the time-stamps in any photo-editing program or simply write them on the back -- USCIS doesn't really require the burnt-in time stamp on a negative or anything like that. All I did for my photos was put captions underneath stating the full date and location and names of people in the photos, and write the same information in sharpie-pen on the back side. No RFE.)

But consider finding other types of hard evidence as well -- perhaps credit card statements showing purchases made in the same town at the same time period. ATM withdrawals -- I printed my bank statement from the month I spent with my fiance and circled the ATM withdrawals I made in his town.

However, in re-reading your post, it might be helpful if you post the actual wording of the RFE. Something strikes a warning bell: you say they ask for "circumstances under which we met and established our relationship" -- they MIGHT be asking how you initially encountered each other. Was it online, a website somewhere, did you study together, were you introduced by family friends, what? Have you explained how you first met your fiance, in addition to your physical presence with him? You do need to explain BOTH how you initially got to know each other, as well as provide proof of meeting in person in the last two years. Make sure you've covered both of those and you should be ok!

[Possiblymaybe 371]

The passports stamps along with the itineraries matching the date should be fine. If you still have boarding passes, that's even better than the itineraries They are probably looking for the passport stamps.

Do you have any receipts from the trips? Cash machines, hotels, anything like that? All of these are better than time stamped photos. I sent in photos and only wrote the names, locations, and dates on the back of those photos and they were okay. But I also included the passport stamps and itineraries. Only some of the boarding passes because I didn't have them all.

Remember, you only need to prove with primary evidence that you've met over the past two years. The pictures are considered secondary evidence.

It also sounds like they are asking for a statement from you of how you and your fiance met. Online? Through friends? At school? Whatever, just a statement about how and when you met and started dating.

EDIT: I see Lynkali posted while I was typing, and said pretty much the same thing

Edited May 19, 2013 by jenafid

[Rachel_Keleigh 2]

Thank you for the responses!

It does say, 'Submit information regarding the circumstances under which the petitioner and beneficiary met to establish the relationship.' I am okay with that one. I only explained the meetings within the last 2 years. The question didn't ask about establishing a relationship on the original I-129F. I can whip that up for them easy-peasy!

I told the fiance to e-mail me credit card statements to print out and I will highlight the dates and places on them. He scanned all of his passport pages and will e-mail them to me as well so I can print and send them. I think I may be okay now. Moment of panic!!! Lol! I just felt we sent so many things that the answer would be so much more complicated! It seems easy now that I see the answers you've given me Sometimes it's the reassurance that makes it feel better to move forward.

He is calling banks tomorrow to get copies mailed/e-mailed to him to get to me.

These letters are so intimidating!

[Possiblymaybe 371]

Moments of panic happen. You'll be alright. The great thing about a RFE is that it tells you exactly what they need from you in order to approve the petition. You're almost done with this stage!

[Rachel_Keleigh 2]

Moments of panic happen. You'll be alright. The great thing about a RFE is that it tells you exactly what they need from you in order to approve the petition. You're almost done with this stage!

Thank goodness!!!!!!! You guys are pretty awesome. Just in case no one told you! <3 VJ!