Do I need a 2nd visit to my Fiance before filing

[SnuggleTheBear 0]

Hello,

I'm hoping someone of you can help guide me a little bit on making a decision before moving on to start the K-1 process. I need to figure out if I should take more than one trip to visit my fiance before filing or if I should go ahead and file now.

Fiance lives in Belarus, which a visa is needed to visit.

Length of relationship from first communication is about 6 months.

I first contacted her after my friend in my church recommended I try to talk to her. We both go to the same church as it is an international organization, which I'm hoping that will help my case.

Documents

1. Yes, all forms filled out, letter of intent to marry on both parties, and I'll make sure I lay everything out nicely

2. Picture of the invitation request from the fiance to visit in order to request a visa

3. Visa stamps

4. I didn't make a copy of the form sent in for the visa request where it was signed and dated, but did keep a copy of all of the other information on the form. (I'm thinking that might be useless since it is not a copy.)

5. Boarding passes

6. Airline ticket receipts

7. Engagement ring receipt and appraisal

8. 200+ emails (including if we married each other, what we would want at a wedding, how we would build a family, where we would live, etc....this is all before the proposal!)

9. Skype call logs

10. Will have a pastor write a letter assuming the responsibility to marry us

Now here is what I'm worried about, since I only met her once. I didn't do my due diligence researching and proposed first. Because of this I have a limited number of pictures, because we don't like to take that many pictures. Although the main reason it was REALLY, REALLY cold outside at the time.

1st Potential problem: I stayed with my fiance and her mother. I did not have a hotel bill, and we cooked almost every meal. I didn't keep many receipts, as it was suggested that I pay with cash in the local currency. I did charge one item at a mall in case I needed that for some reason, but that was the only purpose. I do have a few bus tickets, but I'm not sure if that proves anything as she used a card while I used tickets.

2nd Potential problem: Due to the cold weather, I'm always wearing a coat, so sometimes it may not look like I am wearing different clothing! I heard that we needed ten pictures on different days, and different clothing, and no SELFIES. Based on all the information I have read, this is inaccurate.

Timeline of Pictures: (which I can describe each of the pictures)

1st day - No pictures

2nd day - No pictures

3rd day - Three selfie pictures at different locations all of them are selfies and can be identified at specific locations.

4th day - No pictures

5th day - No pictures

6th day - Three pictures at the time of the proposal with her wearing the ring at a restaurant (Two of them are selfies and 1 of them is not. All of these pictures were taken at the same location)

7th day - No pictures

8th day - Four pictures with the family at her apartment (These were done with a selfie stick, but there was a problem. When taking the picture the selfie stick accidentally cut off a small portion on the right side and is black. Although everyone is perfectly visible.)

9th day - No pictures

At this point we just realized we might need to take a lot more pictures for the K-1 process

10th day - Three pictures in or around her apartment at different locations, 1 picture at a theater, 1 picture at a restaurant, 4 pictures at nearby easily identifiable building in the city, 1 picture in a mall, 1 selfie with us and her mom

11th day - 1 picture at the airport with her mom and friend.

I'm wondering if I should submit all of the pictures or just a few of them? Is there a guideline as to which pictures to submit?

3rd problem:

We did write up an itinerary, but we didn't follow it because it was so cold!!!

I'm thinking that I would like to be over for the consulate interview to help the process, so that will be additional trip. I am just uncertain whether I need a trip before I start filing the K-1.

Thanks in advance!!!

[kmids 10]

Hello,

I'm hoping someone of you can help guide me a little bit on making a decision before moving on to start the K-1 process. I need to figure out if I should take more than one trip to visit my fiance before filing or if I should go ahead and file now.

Fiance lives in Belarus, which a visa is needed to visit.

Length of relationship from first communication is about 6 months.

I first contacted her after my friend in my church recommended I try to talk to her. We both go to the same church as it is an international organization, which I'm hoping that will help my case.

Documents

1. Yes, all forms filled out, letter of intent to marry on both parties, and I'll make sure I lay everything out nicely

2. Picture of the invitation request from the fiance to visit in order to request a visa

3. Visa stamps

4. I didn't make a copy of the form sent in for the visa request where it was signed and dated, but did keep a copy of all of the other information on the form. (I'm thinking that might be useless since it is not a copy.)

5. Boarding passes

6. Airline ticket receipts

7. Engagement ring receipt and appraisal

8. 200+ emails (including if we married each other, what we would want at a wedding, how we would build a family, where we would live, etc....this is all before the proposal!)

9. Skype call logs

10. Will have a pastor write a letter assuming the responsibility to marry us

Now here is what I'm worried about, since I only met her once. I didn't do my due diligence researching and proposed first. Because of this I have a limited number of pictures, because we don't like to take that many pictures. Although the main reason it was REALLY, REALLY cold outside at the time.

1st Potential problem: I stayed with my fiance and her mother. I did not have a hotel bill, and we cooked almost every meal. I didn't keep many receipts, as it was suggested that I pay with cash in the local currency. I did charge one item at a mall in case I needed that for some reason, but that was the only purpose. I do have a few bus tickets, but I'm not sure if that proves anything as she used a card while I used tickets.

2nd Potential problem: Due to the cold weather, I'm always wearing a coat, so sometimes it may not look like I am wearing different clothing! I heard that we needed ten pictures on different days, and different clothing, and no SELFIES. Based on all the information I have read, this is inaccurate.

Timeline of Pictures: (which I can describe each of the pictures)

1st day - No pictures

2nd day - No pictures

3rd day - Three selfie pictures at different locations all of them are selfies and can be identified at specific locations.

4th day - No pictures

5th day - No pictures

6th day - Three pictures at the time of the proposal with her wearing the ring at a restaurant (Two of them are selfies and 1 of them is not. All of these pictures were taken at the same location)

7th day - No pictures

8th day - Four pictures with the family at her apartment (These were done with a selfie stick, but there was a problem. When taking the picture the selfie stick accidentally cut off a small portion on the right side and is black. Although everyone is perfectly visible.)

9th day - No pictures

At this point we just realized we might need to take a lot more pictures for the K-1 process

10th day - Three pictures in or around her apartment at different locations, 1 picture at a theater, 1 picture at a restaurant, 4 pictures at nearby easily identifiable building in the city, 1 picture in a mall, 1 selfie with us and her mom

11th day - 1 picture at the airport with her mom and friend.

I'm wondering if I should submit all of the pictures or just a few of them? Is there a guideline as to which pictures to submit?

3rd problem:

We did write up an itinerary, but we didn't follow it because it was so cold!!!

I'm thinking that I would like to be over for the consulate interview to help the process, so that will be additional trip. I am just uncertain whether I need a trip before I start filing the K-1.

Thanks in advance!!!

I've never heard of any those that. The only thing it says is meet within 2 years of application, show proof that you met. I think you've met the requirement.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

None of what you've mentioned is a problem. There is no certain number of pics to send in fact we only sent 4-5. Some were selfies. I didn't send hotel receipts, dinner receipts, or an itinerary. The requirement is to have met at least once in the past 2 years.

[town&country 9]

yes, you are overthinking this K-1 visa. You have met the requirements. Just file the petition and get on with it!! Good luck and God bless you!

[TBoneTX 45,524]

yes, you are overthinking this K-1 visa I-129F petition. You have met the requirements. Just file the petition and get on with it!! Good luck and God bless you!

See crucial edit above.

Precision in terminology is important.

Even more important is that, for the K-1 visa (consular interview), "face time" is the biggest element.

I'd make that second trip and then file the I-129F petition.

[Dashinka 24,594]

I agree with TBone. Although you meet the requirements to file, if you can, I would make the second trip as it can only help. I would also try to plan on being there for the interview when it gets to that stage. As to the number of photos to include, when I filed my petition, I only sent in four photos (two from my first trip and two from my second trip) along with the travel information and passport stamps. We saved all the other photos for the interview which I also attended (third trip), but no one asked to see them.

Good Luck!

[Kenia~N~Jeury 20]

Hello everyone!

My comment/concern is that I didn't include any pics from my second trip to see my fiancé before I file the petition. All I included were pictures from when we first met two years ago. Would this be a problem. I do have tons of pics from my trips and proof that I travel to see him twice after we met. I submitted three pics as proof that we met back in 2013. I wrote dates and places where pictures were taken. When we met for the first time we were just friends and started dating in 2015 (my first trip in 2015) then I went back in 2015 and he asked me to marry him (no ring because it was a spate of moment thing). We discussed when and how we wanted to get marry so we decided to get marry in US so all my family (big family) was present. I submitted the fiancé petition in December so we can get marry here. Do u think I will get a RFE bc I didn't sent recent pictures of us (2015 pictures)? Please help!!!!

[baron555 934]

I agree with TBone. Although you meet the requirements to file, if you can, I would make the second trip as it can only help. I would also try to plan on being there for the interview when it gets to that stage. As to the number of photos to include, when I filed my petition, I only sent in four photos (two from my first trip and two from my second trip) along with the travel information and passport stamps. We saved all the other photos for the interview which I also attended (third trip), but no one asked to see them.

Good Luck!

You're fine for the 129f submittal. More face time is always a good thing....but for the interview you need to prove you have a legitimate relationship. We only met once, on purpose, since we generated great evidences of our seriousness of the relationship......

so what that is, to me, is you need to show to a total stranger, the Embassy CO, that you have a legit relationship.

Most relationships go through a normal evolution, the getting to know you stage, the talk of more serious nature, then talk of marriage, then talk of the visa process, then moving to the US, talk of life in the US and the planning for that. Your evidences should show snippets of each of these stages.

Mere photos alone or additional visits may not truly convey these details.

But definitely you do not need to visit again before filing. File now and get going.

Hello everyone!

My comment/concern is that I didn't include any pics from my second trip to see my fiancé before I file the petition. All I included were pictures from when we first met two years ago. Would this be a problem. I do have tons of pics from my trips and proof that I travel to see him twice after we met. I submitted three pics as proof that we met back in 2013. I wrote dates and places where pictures were taken. When we met for the first time we were just friends and started dating in 2015 (my first trip in 2015) then I went back in 2015 and he asked me to marry him (no ring because it was a spate of moment thing). We discussed when and how we wanted to get marry so we decided to get marry in US so all my family (big family) was present. I submitted the fiancé petition in December so we can get marry here. Do u think I will get a RFE bc I didn't sent recent pictures of us (2015 pictures)? Please help!!!!

Nope, you met the requirement.

[Advanced Aardvark 82]

I agree with TBone. Although you meet the requirements to file, if you can, I would make the second trip as it can only help. I would also try to plan on being there for the interview when it gets to that stage. As to the number of photos to include, when I filed my petition, I only sent in four photos (two from my first trip and two from my second trip) along with the travel information and passport stamps. We saved all the other photos for the interview which I also attended (third trip), but no one asked to see them.

Good Luck!

Good advice. I made two trips before filing. My third trip was to be there for the interview and fly back with Olga. We sent hotel receipts, visas, photos, Skype logs, etc.

Face time is important.

Good luck.

[SnuggleTheBear 0]

Thank you everyone!!!