RFE - Two year meeting requirement (K1 Visa)

[Carlos&Gen 37]

Hello all!

 

As many of us, we recieved a RFE on May 20th (NOA 1 on December 9th, 2019) requesting aditional proof of two year meeting (quite strange of the request based on the large ammount and quality of the info we provided in our package). We submited what should be enough additional evidence last week, and war recieved on May 4th. Looking at VisaJourney timelines, for K1 visa, RFE to NOA2 processing times, had largely increased. 

 

We would like to know, based on your opinion and recent personal cases, what an estimate for NOA2 could be for us?

 

Thanks a lot in advance!

[geowrian 22,336]

It really depends on a lot of things, including when the response gets to the IO (it goes through a mail room first, and that process is likely delayed right now), the IO's priorities, and if there are any outstanding issues (like background checks).

I had my case (in 2017) approved in a few days after approval. I've seen it take months as well. Although typically - assuming no outstanding issues like noted above - within a couple weeks tends to be common.

 

What evidence of meeting did you provide originally?

[Carlos&Gen 37]

We provided an notarized affidavit, pictures and Facebook snaps, postcard, stuff like that. 

[Unlockable 7,309]

5 minutes ago, Carlos&Gen said:

We provided an notarized affidavit, pictures and Facebook snaps, postcard, stuff like that. 

Out of everything you listed here, pictures were the only thing that holds a little weight. And even so, what in those pictures could prove that you met in 2 years? Yes a picture can prove you met in person... but within 2 years?

 

Notarized affidavits are meaningless. Notarized only proves the identity of the person signing the document. It does not mean everything in the document is true.

Facebook??? No comment as this is not a physical meeting

Same goes with postcards.

 

We can now see why you got the RFE. Don't take this critique the wrong way, I am only looking at this as if I was a officer reviewing your case. I would send out an RFE also.

[geowrian 22,336]

11 minutes ago, Carlos&Gen said:

We provided an notarized affidavit, pictures and Facebook snaps, postcard, stuff like that. 

Ah, that was the problem then.

A notorized affidavit only verifies you signed it (not it's accuracy). This is a requirement they do not take at face value or at word...evidence is needed.

Pictures do not prove a verifiable date.

Facebook is the same way...very easy to backdate.

 

Passport stamps, receipts, boarding tickets, hotel invoices, event tickets, etc. show that you were in the same location and verify the date was within the past 2 years.

Edited May 5, 2020 by geowrian

[Carlos&Gen 37]

Don't worry, I won't take it the wrong way.

 

Notarized document in English, with the Apostille of the Hahe sounds like a good proof we've been physically together (same place to sign it).

 

Pictures with handwrited captions. Snaps of Facebook post with date and location.

 

Also passport, boarding passes, various tickets...

 

Anyway, we are trying to get an estimate to a possible NOA2, not what could have done better or what the officer though in the past. Thank you though!

[Unlockable 7,309]

2 minutes ago, Carlos&Gen said:

Don't worry, I won't take it the wrong way.

 

Notarized document in English, with the Apostille of the Hahe sounds like a good proof we've been physically together (same place to sign it).

 

Pictures with handwrited captions. Snaps of Facebook post with date and location.

 

Also passport, boarding passes, various tickets...

 

Anyway, we are trying to get an estimate to a possible NOA2, not what could have done better or what the officer though in the past. Thank you though!

Any guess of when you will get a NOA2 is simply that... a guess. Like Geowrain mentioned, there are too many variables to be accurate. We can give you a timeframe like a week to a month or two. And that is if they accept your new evidence. Each case is different.

[Greenbaum 12,258]

1 hour ago, Carlos&Gen said:

Hello all!

 

As many of us, we recieved a RFE on May 20th (NOA 1 on December 9th, 2019) requesting aditional proof of two year meeting (quite strange of the request based on the large ammount and quality of the info we provided in our package). We submited what should be enough additional evidence last week, and war recieved on May 4th. Looking at VisaJourney timelines, for K1 visa, RFE to NOA2 processing times, had largely increased. 

 

We would like to know, based on your opinion and recent personal cases, what an estimate for NOA2 could be for us?

 

Thanks a lot in advance!

Read through this USCIS RFE that someone received in 2017 which is a lengthy reply for what is needed and why it would or wouldn't be excepted.

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LcxyB7lyfhS1AHvwHGQV7oZjAO_hQJB6/view

[SalishSea 16,964]

5 hours ago, Carlos&Gen said:

We provided an notarized affidavit, pictures and Facebook snaps, postcard, stuff like that. 

None of that is primary evidence.  Affidavits usually do more harm than good.  How would a postcard provide evidence of the date when two people met???

 

Primary evidence would be passport stamps and boarding passes.

[Babu Frik 1,162]

52 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

None of that is primary evidence.  Affidavits usually do more harm than good.  How would a postcard provide evidence of the date when two people met???

 

Primary evidence would be passport stamps and boarding passes.

He replied after that he provided that as well.

[FAW 12]

5 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

None of that is primary evidence.  Affidavits usually do more harm than good.  How would a postcard provide evidence of the date when two people met???

 

Primary evidence would be passport stamps and boarding passes.

Are plane ticket itineraries sufficient too?

[SalishSea 16,964]

27 minutes ago, FAW said:

Are plane ticket itineraries sufficient too?

No.  They only show that a flight was booked, not that travel occurred.

[NoMansLand2020 298]

27 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

No.  They only show that a flight was booked, not that travel occurred.

Tickets don't show that travel occurred either. I can print a boarding pass and not board or show up for a flight 

Edited May 6, 2020 by Solaris81

[geowrian 22,336]

7 minutes ago, Solaris81 said:

Tickets don't show that travel occurred either. I can print a boarding pass and not board or show up for a flight 

True, although

1) the timing is much more limited (you can't just cancel the flight after booking w/o losing the fee, like you could with an itinerary), and

2) the boarding pass may have markings on it from the agents.

 

No single piece of evidence is sufficient. All the pieces together need to tell a convincing story.

[Carlos&Gen 37]

If it's helpful for anyone, here's what proof we sent:

 

1. Initial package: notarized and with the Apostille of the Hague. Pictures (no handwritten caption). Facebook snaps showing dtae and place. Hotel bookings, flight itineraries and flight tickets. Tickets from events. Postcard from Japan sent to my fiancee.

 

2.RFE: chronological document for the two years requirement including pics from google photos (showing date, place, maps... for the picture), booking references, boarding tickets and more. All those events and proofs refer to passport stamps if needed. Pictures include events suchs as my visit to my fiancede and her family, and visit from her mother to Spain to meet me and my family. 

Both passports (all pages). Two room keys that show our names and same dates in Orlando. A comprehensive excel print file summarizing all those events and linking them to the provided proof. Also 11 affidavits of support from 13 people (family and friends).