What does the "Proof of Relationship" section actually LOOK like?

[Sweetmelissa 82]

I understand what should be in it, etc in terms of primary and secondary evidence.

My question is, what should that part of the visa application actually PHYSICALLY look like? My fiance and I have met ~12 times in the last two years, and we have all sorts of airline/hotel ticket stubs, email confirmations, pictures, confirmation emails, ticket reciepts for events attended, etc.

Do I just put everything in order and staple it together? Should all the same types of evidence be grouped together? Do I highlight names/dates?

OR should I use a file folder for each meeting time and put in the appripriate evidence? Should pictures go in plastic ziplock bags and stapled to something?

HELP (lol)! We want to do this right the first time.

Thank you <3

Melissa

[Mari26 19]

We made photocopies of all of em (they advice not to send originals). All the pages ended up being the same size because of that, which actually made it easier. I ordered everything by date and put some colored post its (Like some sort of color code, each trip had a different color). I also highlighted the important things on the photocopies, such as dates or names. I did photocopied several stubs in one page if they fit.

Our application was put together with a fastener at the top.

For pictures, I used this transparent folder ish which I also attached with the fastener. ( http://www.plasticosinti.com/images/micaportapapeles.gif ) I have no idea if you have ever seen that... But we just took all the air out and the pictures wouldn't fall. I did have to cut the sides a bit so it wouldn't be bigger than the rest of the file and get creative to make the punch holes right. I wrote names, location and dates on the pictures and also add a colored post it to indicate which trip it was.

Well that's what we did, hope it helps.

Edited December 18, 2013 by Mari26

[Salamat_sa_Diyos 1]

Hi, Melissa...!

Let me share with you what I did. Then the others in the forum can just add on.

I developed about 12 digital photos and put it in clear plastic bag--similar to a ziplock but thicker. I put my name and my fiance's name at the back and the date. I also made a summary of these photos on 3 sheets of copy paper and typed the description beside each one. The papers were stapled together.

I didn't get any RFE (request for further evidence) since that's all that I could produce. My fiance misplaced his boarding pass so I didn't have anything else to show.

You may paste the boarding pass on a piece of copy paper and any other evidence with your names and place on it. The point is to show that you were together and that you met. I don't think ticket stubs are necessary if they don't contain your names together.

Another thing to note is that even after filing your application, continue to collect evidence of your relationship. Such as snail mail letters and phone bills. Or other subsequent boarding passes on trips you both have taken together after the application has been filed. The consul will ask for these.

Hope that helps and good luck on your journey.

Jessica

[Virtuous45 31]

Thanks all for sharing this. The information provided will be very helpful for me when I get to this stage of my journey.

[baron555 934]

I understand what should be in it, etc in terms of primary and secondary evidence.

My question is, what should that part of the visa application actually PHYSICALLY look like?

Usually like a bunch of papers of copies of emails, photos, letter describing the evolution of your relationship, etc. Nothing stapled but usually paper clipped and/or binder clipped together.

My fiance and I have met ~12 times in the last two years, and we have all sorts of airline/hotel ticket stubs, email confirmations, pictures, confirmation emails, ticket reciepts for events attended, etc.

Those are great for proof of having met within the last two years....don't do much about proving your relationship, just that you met a lot.

Do I just put everything in order and staple it together?

Yes to the former and no to the latter. use paper clips and binder clips.

Should all the same types of evidence be grouped together?

No, it should be in chronological order and should provide proof to a total stranger that your relationship evolved over time to one where you both want to be together, forever and become married and do not wish to circumvent immigration laws.

Do I highlight names/dates?

Sure

OR should I use a file folder for each meeting time and put in the appripriate evidence?

For proof of meeting, you one need highlight ONE meeting, not all of them. People have recieved RFEs for having too many meetings and sketchy proof overall.

Should pictures go in plastic ziplock bags and stapled to something?

All my photos were digital. I printed them out, about four to a page on a color printer and then added a description beneath each. Then to another sheet of paper I had the photos rprinted out as 4X6 size and wrote the names and dates on the back and placed these into a baggie and stapled that to the blank sheet. Then I paper clipped this to the first printed sheet.

HELP (lol)! We want to do this right the first time.

Thank you <3

Melissa

[Sweetmelissa 82]

Wait ... so I only need to submit proof of ONE meeting? Or just go into detail for one, but also include other proof?

[Salamat_sa_Diyos 1]

If you met once, like we did, (3 weeks) then once.

If you met more than once, then group the pictures together and attach them. For example if you met in Jan, Mar, May 2013. Then have 3 sets of 5 photos with descriptions. Explicitly:

(one set) 5 photos together in Jan, including boarding passes, etc.

(one set) 5 photos together in Mar, including boarding passes, etc.

(one set) 5 photos together in May, including boarding passes, etc.

The more evidence you have of meeting face to face, the better.

[Sweetmelissa 82]

If the evidence from our first few meetings is kind of weak (because obv I was NOT thinking long term at that time and saving ) - so I just not mention it? Or make a note "met during this time period, heres a random picture, but did not save any paper work" etc?

[N&P 3]

We wrote a brief explanation on each of our trips (When, where, how long) and then group our trips together and write it the details down on a cover page according to the evidence that I have. eg:-

Cover Page

Sept 2012.

a) Boarding Pass

b) Flight itineraries

c) Hotel Receipt

d) Photos

e) Passport Stamp

Dec 2012.

a) Boarding Pass

b) Flight itineraries

c) Hotel Receipt

d) Photos

e) Passport Stamp

Hope this helps

[gwenstar 66]

What I did was print out emails, some skype/text messages, trip itineraries, and just printed 2 pages containing 8 photos (4 from travels and 4 from the wedding). I wrote on each picture the date it was taken and where we were. I highlighted the dates on each of the emails/chat logs. Pretty much a sample - like a couple from each month. I sent a copy of my pension/life insurance policies that I had him added to as the beneficiary along with affidavits from my dad and a couple of friends about our relationship. I also included a time line with each time we met and a few personal details just to make it feel more human and less like a list I was writing to meet requirements

I was recently approved with no issues. I don't think you would get an RFE for putting in TOO much evidence, so go with what you are comfortable with.

[baron555 934]

Wait ... so I only need to submit proof of ONE meeting? Or just go into detail for one, but also include other proof?

Yes detail one meeting. That's all they care about, that you met at least once. You don't get extra credit for more than one meeting.

Save that evidence for your proof of relationship for the interview.