Money transfer records

[Imua 0]

I am wondering whether to include Western Union records as part of my 'evidence of an ongoing marital union" along with chat records, photos and Express Mail receipts from packages we have mailed each other. I have seen various opinions either for or against but can't remember if they were in regards to a fiance or spouse visa. Anyone who included them with the initial petition, please let me know if you were approved or not.

[irene 0]

I am wondering whether to include Western Union records as part of my 'evidence of an ongoing marital union" along with chat records, photos and Express Mail receipts from packages we have mailed each other. I have seen various opinions either for or against but can't remember if they were in regards to a fiance or spouse visa. Anyone who included them with the initial petition, please let me know if you were approved or not.

For me , it depend on ur petition I was in K3 visa my husband dont include that in the first petition , but instead i presented it in the embassy during my interview for my proof of relationship. But again its up to you , the more proof u have the better i think . maybe u can make photocopy of it , so ur fiance or wife can bring the original of copy it on the day of the interview .

[rjp44 1]

I am wondering whether to include Western Union records as part of my 'evidence of an ongoing marital union" along with chat records, photos and Express Mail receipts from packages we have mailed each other. I have seen various opinions either for or against but can't remember if they were in regards to a fiance or spouse visa. Anyone who included them with the initial petition, please let me know if you were approved or not.

I included 6 pictures, a joint bank account, a few pages of chat archives and a copy of airline itinerary with the I-130. Most of the evidence of an ongoing relationship, I've gathered for the interview. I have 30 pictures of us either with her family or in various locations where we traveled on our honeymoon, another flight itinerary showing a 2 month stay this time, western union receipts and a complete chat log and sample chats for the last 2 years. If you send any of your evidence now, use photocopies and save the originals for the interview.

[maya62 7]

I asked about this when we did our K-1 (and I don't think your situation will be viewed that differently from a K-1). The answer that stayed with me was this (paraphrased):

If the motive's of the non-USC partner are in question (ie, they suspect he/she is marrying for a greencard) during the consular portion of the process, which is basically in place in large part for the purpose of determining the non-USC's motives, then money going from the USC to the non-USC makes the whole thing look even worse... like the USC is that much more gullible or naive.

On the other hand if the USC's motives are in question, as in the event the USC is being paid to marry and bring someone to the US, one could provide that documentation if/when that occurs.

If it were me, I would not provide that particular documentation unless it becomes apparent that my motives are in question (ie, they are concerned that I was profitting from the immigration process). Then, showing that I have spent money on the process as opposed to profitting from it may be helpful.

It's tempting to throw everything at them that you have, especially if you feel your evidence is on the light side, but try to think about what the big picture looks like to you favorite skeptic, then act accordingly (someone else here recommended that, too ).

Best wishes!!!

ETA: I am posting this rather than PM'ing you because if someone has another viewpoint in reaction to this post, it may be helpful to hear from them, too!

Edited January 9, 2008 by maya62

[brnidokiegurl 0]

i also will be sending the filing in soon, when we did k1 he was asked if i had sent him money, which i had once and really had forgotten and didnt include, then he answered yes once so i think that we against us but now others married who have had interview say yes send the proof. Send all proof of the marriage, photos, letters from friends and family. We cant get joint bank account he asked there and i have here, how do others get this? If you have changed any of your beneficary things at work you might show that, anything else joint you own together.

For chat i was told send maybe one a week as proof but also list that you have (date) to (date) if required that the volumn was to much to send, letters, cards, e cards etc. Also a few have been sending videos but i dont know how they deal with that. Anyway my advice came from a very experienced person from this site and they had interview and it lasted 10 minutes probably mostly because they had so much information between them that they actually gave him back some of it, commenting on how much they had. I will do as much as i can provide but not overkill like in one area (chat in example)l

[*JG* 2]

I am wondering whether to include Western Union records as part of my 'evidence of an ongoing marital union" along with chat records, photos and Express Mail receipts from packages we have mailed each other. I have seen various opinions either for or against but can't remember if they were in regards to a fiance or spouse visa. Anyone who included them with the initial petition, please let me know if you were approved or not.

I used them as part of our K-1 ongoing relationship materials.

I am also using them as part of our lifting of conditions later this year.

[pushbrk 12,883]

I asked about this when we did our K-1 (and I don't think your situation will be viewed that differently from a K-1). The answer that stayed with me was this (paraphrased):

If the motive's of the non-USC partner are in question (ie, they suspect he/she is marrying for a greencard) during the consular portion of the process, which is basically in place in large part for the purpose of determining the non-USC's motives, then money going from the USC to the non-USC makes the whole thing look even worse... like the USC is that much more gullible or naive.

On the other hand if the USC's motives are in question, as in the event the USC is being paid to marry and bring someone to the US, one could provide that documentation if/when that occurs.

If it were me, I would not provide that particular documentation unless it becomes apparent that my motives are in question (ie, they are concerned that I was profitting from the immigration process). Then, showing that I have spent money on the process as opposed to profitting from it may be helpful.

It's tempting to throw everything at them that you have, especially if you feel your evidence is on the light side, but try to think about what the big picture looks like to you favorite skeptic, then act accordingly (someone else here recommended that, too ).

Best wishes!!!

ETA: I am posting this rather than PM'ing you because if someone has another viewpoint in reaction to this post, it may be helpful to hear from them, too!

I agree with the above particularly for couples who have never lived together in the same country. I've seen no evidence that in the newlywed long distance cases, that anything more that the marriage certificate is needed for bona fides with petition filing. Then, if you think there may be a need to overcome a suspicion of USC being paid to assist with a visa, having evidence of money going in the opposite direction can help. Usually, there is other more significant evidence than money being exchanged. This particular suspicion tends to come up when the petitioner both has a recent divorce and a low income and, of course, when the beneficiary is coming from a high fraud country.

Just in general, I think it's best to hold onto such evidence until it is specifically asked for, unless the couple has co-habitated already.

[Imua 0]

OK, since we have two red flags (age difference and short courtship/engagement) based on Maya and pushbrk's advice I am going to hold off on sending the WU receipts, at least with the initial petition. There are only two of them, so it's not like that's all the evidence we have. I may or may not include them with other evidence at Embassy stage.

Too bad I can't include some of the homemade sweets he sent me as evidence - I am sure that would speed things along.....