K-1 Visa, meeting in person requirement

[joe2000 0]

I appreciate all the responses to my last post where I asked if I will need to re-visit my fiance' in the Philippines, since it will be over 2 years once her annulment is complete. I'll take everyones advice and plan for another trip to the Philippines.

It seems like somewhere I read (after my last trip) that couples also must meet in person for at least two weeks. Is that true? If so, my last trip wouldn't have counted anyway, since I had a total of two weeks off of work and was in the Philippines for only 11 days.

Since I'm going to have to do this all over again, I want to make sure I do everything right.

Thanks again everyone, for your advice.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

I dont believe i have ever heard of a total days MUST be spent, my first trip was only about 10 days just keep good evidences of while you are there and pictures etc and that the visit is within 2 years of the date you file

[payxibka 10,047]

I appreciate all the responses to my last post where I asked if I will need to re-visit my fiance' in the Philippines, since it will be over 2 years once her annulment is complete. I'll take everyones advice and plan for another trip to the Philippines.

It seems like somewhere I read (after my last trip) that couples also must meet in person for at least two weeks. Is that true? If so, my last trip wouldn't have counted anyway, since I had a total of two weeks off of work and was in the Philippines for only 11 days.

Since I'm going to have to do this all over again, I want to make sure I do everything right.

Thanks again everyone, for your advice.

the requirements say that you must have met "in person" within the last two years... It does NOT say that you must have met "in-person" for a minimum of two weeks withing the last two years.

[almaty 19]

so true

[Zee Bee 61]

We had only met for about 24 hours before I sent in our petition. We got approved with no problems

[TBoneTX 45,825]

The adequacy of "time spent together" can depend on the consulate where one's visa will/won't be issued. An apparent red flag for us was why my three visits were "only" for a week or so. (Duh -- people have JOBS.) If anyone's situation is similar, perhaps come to the interview prepared with a letter from your boss to explain why the lengths of your absences had to be limited.

[pushbrk 13,033]

The adequacy of "time spent together" can depend on the consulate where one's visa will/won't be issued. An apparent red flag for us was why my three visits were "only" for a week or so. (Duh -- people have JOBS.) If anyone's situation is similar, perhaps come to the interview prepared with a letter from your boss to explain why the lengths of your absences had to be limited.

It can depend on that and many other things but the minimum time to get a petition approved is anything greater than zero.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

I appreciate all the responses to my last post where I asked if I will need to re-visit my fiance' in the Philippines, since it will be over 2 years once her annulment is complete. I'll take everyones advice and plan for another trip to the Philippines.

It seems like somewhere I read (after my last trip) that couples also must meet in person for at least two weeks. Is that true? If so, my last trip wouldn't have counted anyway, since I had a total of two weeks off of work and was in the Philippines for only 11 days.

Since I'm going to have to do this all over again, I want to make sure I do everything right.

Thanks again everyone, for your advice.

As others have said, there really isn't any "time" you need to actually be with the other person to file, however, when you get to the embassy interview, that may become an issue.

Short time with the person can be a red flag, based on the fraud rate of the country, time you actually spent prior to meeting, etc... At that point, it's the CO's call what they will do.

As long as you can provide plenty of evidence that you are in a "real" relationship, you should have no problems.

good luck!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I appreciate all the responses to my last post where I asked if I will need to re-visit my fiance' in the Philippines, since it will be over 2 years once her annulment is complete. I'll take everyones advice and plan for another trip to the Philippines.

It seems like somewhere I read (after my last trip) that couples also must meet in person for at least two weeks. Is that true? If so, my last trip wouldn't have counted anyway, since I had a total of two weeks off of work and was in the Philippines for only 11 days.

Since I'm going to have to do this all over again, I want to make sure I do everything right.

Thanks again everyone, for your advice.

No.

Absolutely not, there is not any USCIS gudeline about this. It may raise flags at certain consulates, but there is nothing in the law.

In Ukraine, and I imagine other countries, there are marraige agencies that arrange "socials" where lots of women come to meet foreign men. These agencies are fully aware of our requirements. It is common at these socials for the women to basically go through a "receiving line" type arrangement and have their photo taken. By the end of the night every woman has had her photo taken with every man there. Everyone gets documentation they were there. If any engagements come of it, there is photo evidence the meeting occurred, even if it is the only contact the couple has all evening. These agencies will encourage all their women members to come, if for nothing else, the photos. Then if an email romance develops after, that little detail is already taken care of. Sounds like the voice of experience? LOL I lived in Ukraine and a woman in my building worked at one of the agencies and told me all what went on. Heck, I would have gone to a social, she was always after me to go, but they were kinda expensive and there was like 800,000 beautiful women all over Odessa anyway.

I won't mention names, but the agency used "ghost writers" for a lot of emails. Buyer beware.

[AnnexoxShay 1]

No.

Absolutely not, there is not any USCIS gudeline about this. It may raise flags at certain consulates, but there is nothing in the law.

In Ukraine, and I imagine other countries, there are marraige agencies that arrange "socials" where lots of women come to meet foreign men. These agencies are fully aware of our requirements. It is common at these socials for the women to basically go through a "receiving line" type arrangement and have their photo taken. By the end of the night every woman has had her photo taken with every man there. Everyone gets documentation they were there. If any engagements come of it, there is photo evidence the meeting occurred, even if it is the only contact the couple has all evening. These agencies will encourage all their women members to come, if for nothing else, the photos. Then if an email romance develops after, that little detail is already taken care of. Sounds like the voice of experience? LOL I lived in Ukraine and a woman in my building worked at one of the agencies and told me all what went on. Heck, I would have gone to a social, she was always after me to go, but they were kinda expensive and there was like 800,000 beautiful women all over Odessa anyway.

I won't mention names, but the agency used "ghost writers" for a lot of emails. Buyer beware.

Huh .. do you know if Russia does something similar? I have a close friend who started getting what I would consider spam from some chicky in Russia and the silly boy who is rather lonely decided to reply ... From day dot it was evident this chicky was after a man to marry her and made no secret of the fact ... He sent me some of the emails and honestly I was a bit horrified that he was to blind to see what was so obvious to me ...

The first email he recieved was like the spam emails you get ... My name is Ingrid, I am blond, blue eyed with big blah blah's if you wanna chat email me on blah blah@yahoo.com .... then bam shes into the Im a good girl who works as a teacher Im raising my 15 year old sister etc .... Im reading this and Im like Woah not only is she looking for a hubby but shes looking to get her sister over too ...

[Bobby+Umit 161]

No.

Absolutely not, there is not any USCIS gudeline about this. It may raise flags at certain consulates, but there is nothing in the law.

In Ukraine, and I imagine other countries, there are marraige agencies that arrange "socials" where lots of women come to meet foreign men. These agencies are fully aware of our requirements. It is common at these socials for the women to basically go through a "receiving line" type arrangement and have their photo taken. By the end of the night every woman has had her photo taken with every man there. Everyone gets documentation they were there. If any engagements come of it, there is photo evidence the meeting occurred, even if it is the only contact the couple has all evening. These agencies will encourage all their women members to come, if for nothing else, the photos. Then if an email romance develops after, that little detail is already taken care of. Sounds like the voice of experience? LOL I lived in Ukraine and a woman in my building worked at one of the agencies and told me all what went on. Heck, I would have gone to a social, she was always after me to go, but they were kinda expensive and there was like 800,000 beautiful women all over Odessa anyway.

I won't mention names, but the agency used "ghost writers" for a lot of emails. Buyer beware.

Huh .. do you know if Russia does something similar? I have a close friend who started getting what I would consider spam from some chicky in Russia and the silly boy who is rather lonely decided to reply ... From day dot it was evident this chicky was after a man to marry her and made no secret of the fact ... He sent me some of the emails and honestly I was a bit horrified that he was to blind to see what was so obvious to me ...

The first email he recieved was like the spam emails you get ... My name is Ingrid, I am blond, blue eyed with big blah blah's if you wanna chat email me on blah blah@yahoo.com .... then bam shes into the Im a good girl who works as a teacher Im raising my 15 year old sister etc .... Im reading this and Im like Woah not only is she looking for a hubby but shes looking to get her sister over too ...

Sounds like a scam - Wait till see if she starts complaining about paying bills, and "if she just had a little help, she may be able to write/phone/visit"

This site Romance Scams was very eye - opening for me..

Getting a letter out of the blue, ........

Do a google on that email - perhaps you can find it listed.

[AnnexoxShay 1]

Sounds like a scam - Wait till see if she starts complaining about paying bills, and "if she just had a little help, she may be able to write/phone/visit"

This site Romance Scams was very eye - opening for me..

Getting a letter out of the blue, ........

Do a google on that email - perhaps you can find it listed.

Thanks for the link, Ill be sure to pass it onto him ... I had a quick look and saved the link to later, its enough to make you sick ... Oh I knew it was a scam as soon as I saw the emails and the pics she sent him, she was a Paris Hilton wannabe and all her pics were in sexy poses ... Amazing what these people can to to others who are vulnerable and a looking for a little companionship...

[Elghazi2008 4]

No, I have never heard of a requirement of being together for 2 weeks or more. The only requirement is that you meet within the past two years before filing your petition. This will be your second time meeting, so I would not be too concerned about how long you spend together this time. Just be sure to take plenty of pictures and save proofs (ticket stubs, luggage stickers, etc.) that will be sufficient for proving that you have met and been together within the last 2 years.

[joe2000 0]

No, I have never heard of a requirement of being together for 2 weeks or more. The only requirement is that you meet within the past two years before filing your petition. This will be your second time meeting, so I would not be too concerned about how long you spend together this time. Just be sure to take plenty of pictures and save proofs (ticket stubs, luggage stickers, etc.) that will be sufficient for proving that you have met and been together within the last 2 years.

Sounds like very good advice. . . all the little things I threw away on the first trip I'll keep this time as proof. I'll also have our driver assist in taking pics of both of us together in well known locations there. Thanks for your comments.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

No.

Absolutely not, there is not any USCIS gudeline about this. It may raise flags at certain consulates, but there is nothing in the law.

In Ukraine, and I imagine other countries, there are marraige agencies that arrange "socials" where lots of women come to meet foreign men. These agencies are fully aware of our requirements. It is common at these socials for the women to basically go through a "receiving line" type arrangement and have their photo taken. By the end of the night every woman has had her photo taken with every man there. Everyone gets documentation they were there. If any engagements come of it, there is photo evidence the meeting occurred, even if it is the only contact the couple has all evening. These agencies will encourage all their women members to come, if for nothing else, the photos. Then if an email romance develops after, that little detail is already taken care of. Sounds like the voice of experience? LOL I lived in Ukraine and a woman in my building worked at one of the agencies and told me all what went on. Heck, I would have gone to a social, she was always after me to go, but they were kinda expensive and there was like 800,000 beautiful women all over Odessa anyway.

I won't mention names, but the agency used "ghost writers" for a lot of emails. Buyer beware.

Huh .. do you know if Russia does something similar? I have a close friend who started getting what I would consider spam from some chicky in Russia and the silly boy who is rather lonely decided to reply ... From day dot it was evident this chicky was after a man to marry her and made no secret of the fact ... He sent me some of the emails and honestly I was a bit horrified that he was to blind to see what was so obvious to me ...

The first email he recieved was like the spam emails you get ... My name is Ingrid, I am blond, blue eyed with big blah blah's if you wanna chat email me on blah blah@yahoo.com .... then bam shes into the Im a good girl who works as a teacher Im raising my 15 year old sister etc .... Im reading this and Im like Woah not only is she looking for a hubby but shes looking to get her sister over too ...

Yes, it is common on the INTERNET.

Let me make clear...the woman I knew and the agency she worked for were LEGIT! They used some people to translate letters because many of the women could not speak English and they made money translating letters. OK, it is a service. Some of the translators "embellished" the letters as can happen when anyone speaks for you. So beware.

BUT, that said, sincere Ukrainian and Russian women (and many others I am sure, not to leave anyone out) would rather cut off their arms and legs than ask foreign men for money. The "woman" your friend is talking to is likely a man sitting somewhere in an internet cafe running a scam. Even after being engaged and well along in the process, my wife made me chase her down the street and stuff money into her bag and then run the other way so she couldn't give it back! (figureitively speaking, of course, I am sure I cannot run fast enough to catch her, I can barely DRIVE fast enough)

They also will not go 0-60 in 3.8 emails when it comes to love. Contrary to what many believe Russian and Ukrainian woemn are not just looking for a green card and would rarely give a thought to moving from their country. If they really love someone and want to be with i, they will do what they must like thay always have done, but they are sincere, really. Of course there are people who take advantage of this, as in any country. But the signs to look for are "falling in love" quickly and asking for money. Dead give-a-ways!

Also these women will not bemoan their bad fortune in life. They work hard for little money and do not complain.