How long did you know your fiance before you filed your I-129F?

[Rebecca.V 24]

Just curious how long everyone knew their fiance or were in a relationship with them before you filed (or are filing) i-129F?

I'm very worried about someone judging our love and finding it lacking because we didn't know each other for very long beforehand, and have no photos together (although plenty of other documentation). I met him in October and things progressed very quickly.

Does anyone have any anecdotes in regards to this?

[Enigma23 68]

They may question it.. They did in our Interview (we were engaged within 2 visits in 3 months.) And We were approved at the end... mostly they look for a real relationship. You will most likely have plenty of time before your Interview, so you can take more trips and take photos together while there.

Edited December 13, 2013 by Enigma23

[volkditty 23]

The only real requirement is that you've met at least once in person within 2 years of filing the petition. However, unofficially, in high-fraud countries there seems to be a larger burden of proof on the couple to show they have a bona fide relationship. I don't know if Brazil falls in that category or not. You've met in person and you have supporting documents, you should be in the clear. The normal answer would be, "You just know when you've met the right person, so don't worry about anyone else judging your love," but that's specifically what the USCIS and consulate staff will be doing, so...good luck?

Michelle and I have dated for about 2 1/2 years, although we haven't seen each other now since March. It's rough at times, but worth it if it means getting to spend the future with her.

[Rebecca.V 24]

Enigma, I so wish we could do that, but it's far too expensive for me to visit Brazil again any time soon I'm not due another vacation for about a year.. I just hope that Skype records and snail mail letters will be enough! I don't think Brazil is a high risk country so maybe they will not scrutinize so much

[KTichUsZim 3]

I met my fiancee online September 2012 and filed November 2013, although we have seen each other 4 times within that time frame I still worry about approval, since as some call Africa a HIGH FRAUD country, All we can do is put our best supporting evidence forward, say a prayer and, put it in the hands of the most high.. Good luck

[stewartlam 0]

stop acting like this, its not depending pf country but case, if u are from england and big difference age, and u are from asia and same age and good real relation ship, so its clear, so please stop acting weird, ppl here are so wrong each case is specific, and of couse if the us citizen is 50 and the beneficiary is 25, its call fraud NO LOVE AT ALL

[EndlessStory 53]

You might be okay. Not counting all the factors that aren't mention on your original post.

I met my fiancé in December 2010 online, dated starting feb 2011, engaged 2013. Only met once for 6 months! Only have 2 photos together because I am not fancy of taking photo of myself, mostly of food

[BatmanUSA 105]

we met online and started skyping in Nov 2011. I went to Russia in May 2012 and filed for K1 in June 2012. Interview in Moscow March 2013. we made the time in Moscow into a 2 week family vacation so at the interview I was there with my son and Elena with her daughter... The interview was about 5 minutes and we were approved when they saw we were there as a family... No problems...

Best wishes.!!!

[knighta 2]

Met online in August, met in person two months later when I got back to USA sent in our K-1.

[SparklePony 238]

But you have met in person at least once, yes?

[Dan from MI 23]

Enigma, I so wish we could do that, but it's far too expensive for me to visit Brazil again any time soon I'm not due another vacation for about a year.. I just hope that Skype records and snail mail letters will be enough! I don't think Brazil is a high risk country so maybe they will not scrutinize so much

I hear ya. For me its really not about the money. Its really the vacation time. It is very hard that most of us in USA get 1 or 2 weeks per year... some more and some none. Is it possible to ask your boss for unpaid time off? What do you have to loose beside the money? I asked my boss and was approved 3 weeks total and l tell you- it was so worth it.

In person l was with my wife in 4 trips for total of 10 weeks before filing the petition. Not counting being with her on Skype every night.

Since you are taking about K1. The consulate want to see skype logs, phone bills (if you are cheap like me- free whatsapp and viper calls on smart phones)- emails, letters. Birthday cards. it is a plus to see pictures of you two together at different dated time if possible and even better if it includes pictures of both of you with his/her family. So yes very some pictures if you can... at least some screen shots of you 2 skyping.

As far as fraud. Brazil is somewhat high on fraud list. Probably not as high as Brazil was 10 years ago but it is for sure not low fraud like UK or Canada.

If you can show the proofs that l mentioned then you should be fine. If you can't provide anything... better work on building your case before filing.

Hint... When you file the petition- keep any records of proofs even new records after filing and you might be able to add those to NVC stage or interview stage.

Since you are here on VJ... welcome and we will be happy to help you.

[Rebecca.V 24]

Thank you, I did already file the petition. Yes, I did actually physically meet him

Hopefully we'll get approved on NOA2 and just have to accumulate some more evidence for the consulate. I am tentatively planning a trip to see my fiance in February, but am wondering if it might be more helpful to be there for the interview itself (which who knows when it will be scheduled). The cost of the plane tickets and finding someone to take care of my cats and chickens while I'm gone..

[Rebecca.V 24]

...are my main concerns

(Lost my train of thought then absent-mindedly posted!)

[jyaku 138]

Met her by chance 2.5 years ago. Decided to find out if it was real by moving across continents and lived with her for 2 years before filing.

Why? I was scammed by a romance scam "green card" before and was lucky that I decided not to get married.

[fantonledzepp 159]

We met in person, 8 months later I filed the I-129F.