How long did you know each other before filing?

[arwensun1965 0]

Hi ....My husband and I knew each other for more than 3 years before we did this process, I do not think they give much thought to how long a couple have been together as long as you meet the requirements of the law.

Janice

[Chuckles 0]

From people who post on VJ who describe their experiences, it seems they do not put any weight on how long you have known each other, only that you meet all the regulations.

Of course this is only a small sample of the actual amount of petitions that go through the service centers. I would guess it depends a little on who adjucates your case.

[Jaci 0]

I think usually the applicant is just questioned a bit more thoroughly when "red flags" appear. If you have lots of them, and are applying through a high fraud embassy, be prepared to prove the bonafides of your relationship.

Here's a quote from an atty (miss you Ellis!), written for other attys, who specializes in one of the most difficult posts, HCMC.

On the petitioner’s side, here is a brief and, by no means, complete list of reasons I have seen used to justify the return of family-based IV petitions and K petitions to DHS.

1. A very brief courtship followed by a plunge into matrimony;

2. A marriage ceremony arranged only a short time after petitioner arrives in the beneficiary’s country and they meet for the first time;

3. No common language;

4. Petitioner resides with family members of the beneficiary in the US;

5. Petitioner is employed by or has a business relationship with a relative of beneficiary;

6. Petitioner submits phone records that show he uses a residential phone number that is listed in the name of another person.

7. US divorce followed very quickly by an engagement to foreign beneficiary is often a red flag for consular officers.

8. There is little or no documentary evidence of the relationship prior to the actual engagement.

9. Long gaps of time between the petitioner & beneficiary being together in person.

10. Failure to disclose previous marriages;

11. Failure to disclose previous petitions filed on behalf of other beneficiaries.

I’ve only addressed the petitioner’s side of the relationship. There are other red flags that can afflict the beneficiary.

http://www.ilw.com/articles/2006,0323-ellis.shtm

The Service centers don't care about such things much, but the State Dept sometimes does.

[JenT 0]

7 consecutive months... 2 months 'off' in between.

[misskiya 0]

July 16th 2004. Filed February 2006. But we began gathering paperwork and finalizing things in about October of 05. so it really goes

Met July 16th 04

Started "dating" December ?? 04

Began gathering paperwork October 05

Filed February 06

So we haven't known each other forEVER but not like 2-3 weeks either. And it hasn't slowed us yet. Hope that helps.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Do you ever really know anyone?

[Cassie 8]

We met online the end of January 2004, and were engaged May 23 of the same year, after two visits in person. We filed June 1, so basically we knew each other 4 months before filing.

[djcess 0]

3 years.. we filed because he had to leave for the states and we realized we just cant live without each other..

[alexil74 0]

3 years

[A-PhiJill 0]

A little over 4 years. We started the original paperwork 2 months after we got married

[chri'stina 190]

We knew each other for 2 years and 3 months before I filed for the K-1.

[Sister Fracas 5]

a little over 2 years

[Welshcookie 17]

It will be 5 years by the time we file

[hockeygal 0]

met - Sept 2001

filed - April - 2006

[de_sjiem 0]

met online aprilish 2002.. met end of february 2004.. decided to file marchish... actually filed in may... it all worked out