What I Learned About Evidence

[Peterson 0]

I hired a lawyer to do our K-1 because I had no idea of the process, and, like all of us, I was in a hurry to get a visa in hand.

In the 2.5 months I've waited for the NOA2 I've fretted a lot over whether my lawyer included enough evidence of relationship, especially when reading on this board about all that some people enclose. In addition to the usual myriad of forms (letters of intent, etc.), my laywer only had me include 3 pictures of me and my girl and copies of my passport stamps (for one visit). That's it. No tax forms. No e-mail or snail mail correspondence. Nothing else. I certainly could have provided more evidence and even suggested some, but this was all he wanted.

I mention this for those struggling to put together their apps. Maybe you don't need as much as you think you need -- just a few well chosen and irrefutable bits of evidence that you've really met and bonded. Maybe this makes the life of the USCIS arbiter easier. Who knows?

Edited December 1, 2006 by Peterson

[garya505 2]

And the rumor is that over-documentation (with a bunch of stuff that can be faked) can be a red flag for fraud.

[bora bora 1]

Congrats on the NOA2. We sent a good amount of evidence - just a bit of each.

6 pictures

5 translated emails

1 translated card

1 letter from a friend

passport photocopies

proof of my employment in Brasil

2 AMEX bills showing phone cards

etc.

[payxibka 10,044]

What you provided is about all I provided. Entry stamp, 4 pictures, flight itinerary & ATM withdrawals in her city during the time frame of my visit. That is all... i am not worried.

[China Rob 0]

I, too, had no idea what or how to fill out any of the forms required, but reading from people on here, I decided to try it. Well I am here to tell you, you do not need a Visa Lawyer to get the K-1 Visa, unless you like wasting money. When I had a question I went to a forum, plus you can call the agency. And by the way, if you want to take a chance that the interviewer you have, is satisfied with a few bonafided documents and risk an RFE and further delays.... well more power to you. When my fiancee went in for her interview, she had with her, 20 pictures of us and her family in various places, emails, IM's, hotel receipts, airline tickets, visa enterance and exit stamps.... it is up to the interviewer if they feel you have a bonafided relationship, so the more documentation the less chance of an RFE and delays... but I wanted my fiancee here as soon as possible so I was very careful.

[1HappyGuy 45]

The question of evidence is always a problem. Everyone should consider what would you want to see that proves you and someone else have met, have an ongoing relationship and that this is all true. Not an easy task unless you sit and think about it. Did you travel to a foreign country? How did you do this and what can you show about it? Did you meet this person? Do you have photos together? Is this a serious relationship? Do you have evidence in the form of letters, telephone calls, email, etc. that shows a continuous and serious relationship?

If you can understand these questions and answer them with documentation then you are set. I used 5 photos, passport stamps, airline tickets, selected email from each month over the entire time, copies of telephone bills (ouch that cost a lot). Overall not as much as I had available. I even provided them with copies of bus tickets and money exchange receipts for the time period I was there.

One of the biggest problems is that many don't have any plans to marry someone, we just were going on a visit. So, a lot of times the paperwork is lost or tossed away afterwards. That's when it helps to have backup systems available to provide documentation.

It is always better to have too much than not enough.

[heishe 2]

I included five photos of us together, showing us with a couple of my friends and us in front of identifyable landmarks in London and Chicago, with approximate dates and locations hand-written on the back. I also included a copy of my passport with London airport stamp, a copy the Chicago stamp and bio page from his passport, a copy of a couple of his boarding passes (I tossed mine long ago), a printout of flight itineraries (mine to London, his to Chicago), and a copy of my bank records showing tickets purchased and debit card use in London. Oh yeah, we also included five pages of MSN chat transcripts, but I'm sure they weren't necessary or useful.

The first time I sent the packet I left out my bank records and his passport bio page, but my packet was returned because I forgot to sign it and I stuck them in then.

[payxibka 10,044]

I, too, had no idea what or how to fill out any of the forms required, but reading from people on here, I decided to try it. Well I am here to tell you, you do not need a Visa Lawyer to get the K-1 Visa, unless you like wasting money. When I had a question I went to a forum, plus you can call the agency. And by the way, if you want to take a chance that the interviewer you have, is satisfied with a few bonafided documents and risk an RFE and further delays.... well more power to you. When my fiancee went in for her interview, she had with her, 20 pictures of us and her family in various places, emails, IM's, hotel receipts, airline tickets, visa enterance and exit stamps.... it is up to the interviewer if they feel you have a bonafided relationship, so the more documentation the less chance of an RFE and delays... but I wanted my fiancee here as soon as possible so I was very careful.

ChinaRob & others,

Don't confuse the documentation you send to the USCIS for petition approval versus what you have available for the CO at the interview... Two completely different things.... The OP was referring to the petition and the petition only

Edited December 1, 2006 by fwaguy

[rosyanne 0]

As for evidences... I personally believe the more the better...

[mercy 1]

When we originally petitioned we included 4 or 5 photos of us together and that's it. The only RFE we got was the IMBRA one. At the service centre level they just want to know that you've actually met each other within the past two years, it's at the interview level where they want evidence of a relationship.

China Rob, I completely agree about the lawyer. You aren't paying them to do anything you can't do yourself, especially with this site.

[no name 1]

too much eveidence can be a hassle for the officer adjudicating your case - follow VJ guides & you willl be fine. You are only proving YOU MET in the last 2 years when filing the I-129f.

Save the other stuff for the interview!

Edited December 1, 2006 by devilette

[goontar 0]

Anyone here have a child overseas? I only included the minimum amount of evidence, few pictures, passport stamps and airline stubs as proof of relation but I also have a Thai Birth Certificate for my Daughter with all three of our names on it. As well as a "Consular Report of Birth" with all our names on it. I assumed that this was about as much proof as I should need. I mean its irrefutable. Anyone disagree?

Just wondering.

One other question.... When I look at the processing timeline at (https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/Processtimes.jsp?SeviceCenter=California)

It tells me they are working on apps from April? Yet I see that some have NOA2 in 8 weeks or so.

What the hell does this site mean?

Thanks.

[payxibka 10,044]

Anyone here have a child overseas? I only included the minimum amount of evidence, few pictures, passport stamps and airline stubs as proof of relation but I also have a Thai Birth Certificate for my Daughter with all three of our names on it. As well as a "Consular Report of Birth" with all our names on it. I assumed that this was about as much proof as I should need. I mean its irrefutable. Anyone disagree?

Just wondering.

One other question.... When I look at the processing timeline at (https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/Processtimes.jsp?SeviceCenter=California)

It tells me they are working on apps from April? Yet I see that some have NOA2 in 8 weeks or so.

What the hell does this site mean?

Thanks.

Do not rely on the USCIS website... it is simply a date 6 mos. ago which is the amount of time they say it could take to process your case. Rely more on actual results being posted here...... CSC at 75 - 90 days typical now.

I do not disagree except the birth certificate info as well as the consular report is information that is required at the interview stage and was not required for the petition with the USCIS. They have it for the file but you may have to provide it again if the CO wants to see originals.

[garya505 2]

I intend to bring lots of supporting evidence to the interview. Whatever they ask for we will have, and more.

[payxibka 10,044]

I intend to bring lots of supporting evidence to the interview. Whatever they ask for we will have, and more.

I agree... When we get to the interview stage I will not be denied!! My fiancee will have as much amunition as I can possibly think of in her files of evidenciary information that the CO could possibly ask for!!!

Edited December 1, 2006 by fwaguy