Should I include my western union transactions in initial K-1 petition?

[Jon9205 1]

I have been sending consistent financial support to my Fiance and I think this will show the sincerity of our love for one another and my commitment to her. However I have read here that it can also be misconstrued by the CO as "buying love." Is this to much information and better left out of the application process?

[lost_at_sea 995]

Which way around is the money going? To the USC or from?

It tends to look dodgier if it's the foreigner sending the money (since that can look like they're buying a visa). The other way is less bothersome.

Edited July 11, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Bugs 455]

I included a few money transfer receipts in my initial i-129f packet and wil bring some to the interview for my fiance, for the purpose of using it as a part of the overall evidence of relationship (along with chat logs, mailed cards, pictures, and evidence of visits). I don't think it will be an issue. In fact it shows you are willing to support her, something they obviously want since they want an affidavit of support.

Edited July 11, 2013 by Leon & Mylen

[Andrea&Henry 311]

A included mine for both (interview and my initial k1 petition) they are a good proof of ongoing relationship but more important are boarding passes, itineraries etc. but yes, u can use it without issues

[Shiobhan 235]

I'd say include a few, (it can seem like a biz arrangement) but send little love

cards to each other also holiday cards by snail mail and keep envelopes as proof

[baron555 934]

I have been sending consistent financial support to my Fiance and I think this will show the sincerity of our love for one another and my commitment to her. However I have read here that it can also be misconstrued by the CO as "buying love." Is this to much information and better left out of the application process?

Yes leave it out. It can only serve to complicate or raise a question. Giving money show nothing about your relationship.

[Heather&Ramy 22]

I included a Western Union transaction from my foreign fiancé to me which I used to buy the plane ticket for my second visit to see him... now, looking back, I'm not sure what sending money shows about a relationship. I think letters, emails and such show a lot more about a genuine relationship. I personally would recommend you don't include them unless you are severely lacking in other evidence (Skype records, phone records, letters, etc.). BUT, as I said, I did include one, and we were approved, so it didn't seem to cause a problem in our case. I just think the arguments are pretty persuasive for the people who say it may cause more problems than help anything, especially if the money is going from the foreign fiancé to the US citizen...

[Redicent 14]

This may be helpful. Taken from the Manila interview instructions. Other embassies may have different ideas, but Manila seems to see it this way:

"k. EVIDENCE OF A GENUINE ENGAGEMENT

You must be prepared to prove to the consular officer that you have a genuine relationship with your petitioner and a clear intention to marry within 90 days of admission into the U.S. In the past, successful applicants have submitted photographs, letters, e-mails, phone records, bank records, and remittance records as evidence supporting their relationships and intent to marry."

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/19452/public/Revised%20K1%20Instruction_rtf2_rtf2_001.pdf

[TBoneTX 46,935]

This may be helpful. Taken from the Manila interview instructions. Other embassies may have different ideas, but Manila...

Manila has zero to do with Ghana, and in fact has zero to do with practically anywhere else.

OP, study these three areas of VJ:

1. Embassy Info (link atop any VJ page) for Accra;

2. Reviews: Embassy (link atop any VJ page) for Accra;

3. The Africa: Sub-Saharan regional forum (see VJ forum list).

The typical and general advice given on VisaJourney is to bring Western Union receipts to the interview, but don't offer them or talk about them unless the consul asks for them.

If you still have unanswered questions, the good Ghana members in the regional forum can guide you. Good luck!

Edited July 13, 2013 by TBoneTX

[Redicent 14]

... bring Western Union receipts to the interview, ...

Good advice, thats what the instructions from the United States Embassy in Manila says. I wonder if they are related to the United States Embassy in Ghana. Come to think of it, both embasies are operated by the State Department of the United States, under the same laws.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Good advice, thats what the instructions from the United States Embassy in Manila says. I wonder if they are related to the United States Embassy in Ghana. Come to think of it, both embasies are operated by the State Department of the United States, under the same laws.

Simplistic answer to a possibly complex question.

T-Bone's advice about following the information and advice of other folks having immigration business with Sub-Saharan interviewing embassies/consulates is reasonable. Si, man.

I don't recall needing CENOMAR documentation, or anything similar, at our interview last year at the US consulate in Guangzhou, China. However, we did need to have Notarial Certificates (AKA White Books). But, hey, it is also operated by the US DOS, under the same rules and laws. However, with distinct differences and nuances related to the country and/or region.

YMMV.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

[Redicent 14]

Simplistic answer to a possibly complex question.

T-Bone's advice about following the information and advice of other folks having immigration business with Sub-Saharan interviewing embassies/consulates is reasonable. Si, man.

I don't recall needing CENOMAR documentation, or anything similar, at our interview last year at the US consulate in Guangzhou, China. However, we did need to have Notarial Certificates (AKA White Books). But, hey, it is also operated by the US DOS, under the same rules and laws. However, with distinct differences and nuances related to the country and/or region.

YMMV.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

Yeah man. Don't get me started on "white books", been there, done that. The paste on the paper is quaint. And the non-scanable/faxable/copiable embossed stamp is wonderful!

My only bone to pick with T-Bone, is that his/her post seemed to be at my expense, and then he/she gave the same advice.

Edited July 13, 2013 by Redicent

[TBoneTX 46,935]

No bones (!) to pick. The suggestion "may" have been helpful (and no one is questioning the intent to be helpful), but "may be" and "is" can be worlds apart. All that matters is what each consulate or embassy does. Manila seemingly hands out visas like candy; other places don't. Manila may prefer that money-transfer evidence be presented; other places have turned a negative eye toward it. Manila may or may not prefer that the U.S. petitioner be on the premises during the beneficiary's interview; other places have preferences or requirements that span the waterfront.

The point is that comparing apples with oranges is less fruitful (helpful) than referring someone directly to information about the consulate that's involved, without actually or possibly clouding the issue. And this point is nothing to take offense at, either (although the impersonal nature of typed correspondence can lead to such a conclusion); it's just an objective reality. Peace, I hope.

Edited July 14, 2013 by TBoneTX

[Aya_P 17]

I agree different embassies do things similarly but not the same, it's easier for some to get visas than others, that's why some countries are on vwp.

To the OP, do not show u've been sending money, it's a no no, not at all. The COs brains work differently, true that some Ghanaians have relationships with USCs for money, but COs thinks all Ghanaians are in for money. So showing it is suicidal.

They try to establish if relationship is genuine and not for papers/money

[Jon9205 1]

Thanks for all the feed back, after reading a recent Ghana consulate review. I think I will only disclose Western Union receipts at interview if requested.