Instant messaging program chat logs to support proof of relationship

[jm123 1]

Hello all, I'm a USC in a relationship with a foreign national. We are in the process of preparing for a fiance visa application, and one question I've run across is what methods are appropriate for submitting records of the conversations we've had via various text-messaging or chat applications. We've had running conversations over the last ~2 years on LINE, Facebook messenger, WhatsApp, Skype and a few others. I couldn't locate a good guide on how these types of materials should be prepared and submitted, although I have seen posts indicating that they can be sent in as text-only logs, and others stating you have to photograph each portion, print the photos, date them, etc.

Anyone have any experience with these that can help me out?

As a related note, this same question would apply for posts on social media such as Facebook and Instagram between the two parties.

I admit, I'm not particularly good at forum/web searches so I wouldn't be surprised if I missed something obvious, but I thought I'd ask ; )

Thanks!

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.

accessible at the top of the forum page. In particular, the K-1 visa guide. As mentioned in the guide, these types of conversation logs are considered secondary evidence of having met within the previous two years. Make sure that you have a good balanced mix of AS MANY of the types of evidence as you can, avoid concentrating on but one type of evidence.

Unless you are "front-loading your petition," due to a tough interviewing embassy/consulate, you only have prove that you met your fiancé(e) within the previous two years for the initial petition filing. Cannot tell whether you should be concerned with "front-laoding" your visa information is scant.

Good luck.

Edited October 9, 2013 by A&B

[jm123 1]

Hello,

Thanks for the response. I did look through the guides but when I tried to click this link:

6.

Proof of having met in past two years. (click here for examples)

The link takes me back to the top of the page instead of to any new information, so, I wasn't sure about examples of the evidence.

I understand that chat logs are secondary evidence, but since a large portion of our communication has been digital (i.e. Skype to Skype calls, text messages, email) it will inevitably be the bulk of the proof I can provide. So, I'd like to make sure I present it in the best possible manner.

We have visited each other frequently over the last 2 years, and for some time we lived in the same country, but I never imagined I would have to keep detailed records of those visits so I don't have all the original boarding passes and so on....so I'm trying to prepare as much as I can. Of course, I still have access to all the accounts used to book and pay for those trips, so I can always print off the receipts again, and I have the entry/exit visa stamps for most, as well as photographs from while I was there...but yea, I didn't keep much original documentation from the trips.

And, although the wiki guide does have some good information about things like preparing photographs from what I'm seeing...I was hoping to find samples that show exactly how people do it ; )

I'm not sure what you mean by front-loading?

Edited October 9, 2013 by jm123

[Pitaya 2,577]

What embassy/consulate will your fiancé(e) be interviewed at? Read some forum threads, some embassy/consulates are tougher than others, use the forum's custom search function for more details on "front-loading."

Here is the section of the K-1 Guide I was referencing:

Documentary Proof of Having Met in Person in the Past Two Years and an Ongoing Relationship:

Use as many of these items are possible. There is no minimum, but the more you can provide the less likely you are that you will receive an RFE. Additionally, please note that providing proof of your ongoing and genuine relationship in this package may benefit you by allowing the consulate to have access to this information prior to them formally contacting the non US Citizen fiance. Many high risk consulates approach cases with a skeptical eye and providing this information early on in the original I-129F package will help them in their preliminary review of your case.

1. Copies of all airline boarding passes, train passes, itineraries, hotel receipts, passport stamps (make sure you can read the dates on the stamps), and other documentary evidence that you have met within the last two years. You may want to highlight or place post-it notes indicating the dates and locations on the copies (to make the adjudication easier) for the person reviewing your file. 2. Color Photo's of you and your fiance(e) together. Make sure you write your names, date, and location on the back of every photo. Provide two to five photo's. If you only have a single copy of the photo, then make a color copy and send that. If it is a digital photo, have it printed at a local photo store such as Walgreens. Place photo's in a plastic bag or photo sheet and label the sheet. Note that you may not receive originals of photo's back. 3. The following items will not typically show proof of having met in the last two years however will show proof of an ongoing relationship: Copies of land line and cell phone bills, appropriate letters and emails, stamps on the letters (to document the date they were sent), and other written documentary proof. Provide a reasonable amount; two to four of each type. Pick a range of dates up to and including the present. You can also include a copy of engagement ring receipt (this is something that is a big optional - do not worry if you do not have a ring yet!)

It is similar verbiage as you are referencing in "6" mentioned above.

Edited October 9, 2013 by A&B

[jm123 1]

Thanks for the quick follow up. Since that portion of the guide does not specifically mention or talk about digital communication, what should I do? Is it useful to include it? If so, how should I present such information? I mean....for example....I can't provide a copy of a land-line or cell phone bill that shows a routine communication between us, because I use Skype to Skype or Skype to Mobile calls. I can provide copies of my skype history, billing information, and even the credit card transactions that paid for it......but it is all coming from digital rather than print sources, is it still acceptable? Are there any guidelines about how to present those materials, if they are acceptable?

The same question would apply to the hotel receipts, itineraries, etc. As I mentioned, I don't have a lot of the originals, but I have access to the websites i used for bookings, the credit cards I paid for them on, etc, so I could print off copies of those materials. Do those count, or only original printed receipts, such as something you received from the hotel itself? What about having the hotel or booking agent print off a copy of the record? Does that still count?

She is from Indonesia, I'll see what people say about the consulate there. Thanks again for the helps so far!

[sandgoose 8]

We took the time to print off our chats and calls as well- in the end it wasn't needed. I printed skype call history as well as two apps Koreans use - Kakaotalk amd MyPeople. They both have an easy option to export the chat history to a note doc. Like I said though, they never got that far back in our packet to look. We did more photographic evidence by making photo books.