Visiting within last two years...is 1 time sufficient?

[CraigCam 0]

My fiancee just passed her interview yesterday in HCMC. I have visited her twice but only once before I submitted my petition so the only evidence the CO had before the interview was the one visit. He had the pink slip filled out before the interview so could not have taken the second visit into account.

By no means am I suggesting that one visit is all it takes. I'm just saying that it is possible, but depends on the individual case. The important factor is how convincing your evidence from that one visit is. To simply say, 'one visit', is grossly oversimplifying the situation. What happened during the one visit? How long was it? What kind of evidence can you supply from the one visit? Especially photos, which in my opinion are way more convincing than any amount of chat logs or emails.

Also, I would recomend posting your questions in the Asian Forum only because Thailand, like Vietnam, probably has a higher burden of proof than other countries

Good luck.

[Robbp 1]

We might have just been lucky, but my wife got her k3 visa in 4 months from sending the initial i-129f. But I feel that since I stayed in Thailand for about 9 months with her that it helped them make an easy decision that we had a real relationship.

I have read in this forum that many interviewer ask "How many times has your fiance visited you?" I have only visited my fiance once and was wondering if this could be a problem? I received NOA1 in September and hope to see NOA2 by February.

Thanks

Tim

[Dakine 26]

More visits and time together the better for the couple to get to know each other better and better for maintaining the relationship. LOTS of immigration relationships are going belly up when together in the US these days. Some because of GC scams and some just because of not knowing each other better.

COs definitely are aware of this.

More visits and time together the better in ALL aspects.

First time K1 I did 1 10 day visit and fiancee was outright denied. Second time 2 long visits and no problems. Still ongoing.

Edited November 25, 2008 by Haole

[Ellie-and-David 38]

We filed having only had one visit.

However to help the situation along, we also submitted with our petition, additional evidence that David was visiting me at christmas...this was not neccesary according to what was asked of us on the forms, but we thought that the additional would be helpful to count toward proving the existence of our bonafide relationship.

We also covered all of our bases with regards to the one visit we had had. All plane tickets, coach trips, maximum number of photographs. We were extremely thorough

They dont specify that you must have to have had more than one visit, just that you must have met, but I am sure that the countries that are considered high fraud will be subject to a higher degree of scrutiny over whether a relationship is bone fide or not.

Like pushbrk said...the more visits the more proof. Granted, by the time the interview takes place most of the evidence will have been examined...

But as a well known supermarket says here

"every little (bit) helps"

[himher 634]

The correct answer is - it likely will not be a problem getting your petition approved stateside (NOA2), but, as was stated earlier, the potential problem will be at the consulate interview itself. The NOA2 approval is easy compared to convincing a consular officer that you have an ongoing, valid relationship having only spent time together (once). And yeah, it isn't fair or equal, but consulates in some countries place a higher burden of proof on the applicant than other countries. I think Thailand is known as a pretty tough place to interview so I'd suggest, if at all possible, hedging my bets and trying to spend more time together even if you are just there when your fiance interviews. Emails, photos, phone call records, and any other evidence you can possibly organize will all help if you just can't arrange spending more time together but I'd suggest generating a boxful so that the interviewing officer will not have an impression that your relationship is anything but genuine.

[dale7570 0]

while i can't speak for thailand i can say that i obtained a k1 from china. i made my 2nd visit at the interview and i'm not aware of anyone who got approved with only 1 visit. i would assume that thailand is similar and recommend you make a 2nd visit. good luck!

[pushbrk 13,211]

while i can't speak for thailand i can say that i obtained a k1 from china. i made my 2nd visit at the interview and i'm not aware of anyone who got approved with only 1 visit. i would assume that thailand is similar and recommend you make a 2nd visit. good luck!

I'm aware of many fiance and spouse visas issued in China after only one visit. It's getting tougher though and it is nothing I would ever recommend. If a second or more visits are possible, do it.

[*Robert* 2]

Another visit would certainly show that your intentions are sincere.

Number of visits and total time together helps show a bona fide relationship on BOTH SIDES. In the higher fraud countries, like Thailand the concern is about both parties, not just the petitioner.

Nobody can tell you how much of anything will be enough but the best evidence of bona fides is time together.

pushbrk, could you please cite your reference for claiming that Thailand is a high fraud country? I have tried searching for a list of high fraud rate countries, and was unsuccessful. I did however find a list of "high admission" countries, and Thailand was not on that list.

Thanks.

[pushbrk 13,211]

Another visit would certainly show that your intentions are sincere.

Number of visits and total time together helps show a bona fide relationship on BOTH SIDES. In the higher fraud countries, like Thailand the concern is about both parties, not just the petitioner.

Nobody can tell you how much of anything will be enough but the best evidence of bona fides is time together.

pushbrk, could you please cite your reference for claiming that Thailand is a high fraud country? I have tried searching for a list of high fraud rate countries, and was unsuccessful. I did however find a list of "high admission" countries, and Thailand was not on that list.

Thanks.

My reference is my experience. I doubt you'll find an official list anywhere. The highest fraud country in Asia is the Philippines with China a close second. I doubt you can document that either.

If a single woman finds it hard to get a tourist visa from a country, you'll also find it's high fraud for a family based visa. A single male from the Middle east has a similar problem. All third world countries fall in a similar category with a couple African countries in a category of their own.

[payxibka 10,047]

Another visit would certainly show that your intentions are sincere.

Number of visits and total time together helps show a bona fide relationship on BOTH SIDES. In the higher fraud countries, like Thailand the concern is about both parties, not just the petitioner.

Nobody can tell you how much of anything will be enough but the best evidence of bona fides is time together.

pushbrk, could you please cite your reference for claiming that Thailand is a high fraud country? I have tried searching for a list of high fraud rate countries, and was unsuccessful. I did however find a list of "high admission" countries, and Thailand was not on that list.

Thanks.

There is only one list I am aware of (attributed to a well respected immigration attorney)

Different types of Consulates

1) Low Risk

2) Medium Risk

3) High Risk

4) Lagos

Further bolstered by:

http://travel.state.gov/pdf/international_...ms_brochure.pdf

[Marc & Solika 1]

I only visted my Cambodian fiancee 1 time and for only a week before starting the K-1 Petition. It's been approved. I am sure Cambodia is a high risk visa country. Although, before sending anything, I spent a lot of time reading forums on VJ and asking questions. We managed to amass a large amount of "proof" during my visit and in the times we were apart. Preparation is EVERYTHING!

[bora bora 1]

Check to see if you can attend the interview with your SO - that's nice proof.

[bora bora 1]

Another visit would certainly show that your intentions are sincere.

Number of visits and total time together helps show a bona fide relationship on BOTH SIDES. In the higher fraud countries, like Thailand the concern is about both parties, not just the petitioner.

Nobody can tell you how much of anything will be enough but the best evidence of bona fides is time together.

pushbrk, could you please cite your reference for claiming that Thailand is a high fraud country? I have tried searching for a list of high fraud rate countries, and was unsuccessful. I did however find a list of "high admission" countries, and Thailand was not on that list.

Thanks.

There is only one list I am aware of (attributed to a well respected immigration attorney)

Different types of Consulates

1) Low Risk

2) Medium Risk

3) High Risk

4) Lagos

Further bolstered by:

http://travel.state.gov/pdf/international_...ms_brochure.pdf

I saw this on Dr. Phil

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I have read in this forum that many interviewer ask "How many times has your fiance visited you?" I have only visited my fiance once and was wondering if this could be a problem? I received NOA1 in September and hope to see NOA2 by February.

Thanks

Tim

Once in two years is enough for petition approval, it may not be enough to prove "evidence of ongoing relationship" at the visa interview and I hear the Phillipines are particularly strict about this.

[KikuyuLove 0]

My attorney recommended trying to see each other at least once after the NOA2 approval as a measure of caution. Aside from boarding passes and additional passport stamps, a few pictures together will show some effort to maintain an on-going relationship. I would love to go to the interview but the contracting economy will make that tougher since I am putting together the money for her flight. (hopefully by mid-April)

My attorney generally deals with cases for Latin America and Asia, so I will take it that he has some experience in trying to make things flow smoothly in that regard. So far, no RFEs! (knock on my wooden head)