Proof of ongoing relationship question

[Maverick64 0]

I am betting this has been discussed before, but if not , here is my question... what are thoughts about using Moneygram receipts as proof of ongoing relationship? I do not support my fiancee, she has a job and works darn hard at it. She has asked me for money on only two occasions in our 1 year and three month relationship, and she only asked because she was broke at the moment and needed money one time for a dentist visit and the other to get her annual pap smear. Both times a trivial amount of 50$ I know how this could be viewed by a CO. Either that it is proof of ongoing relationship and that I do love and care for her or mistakenly think she is looking for a meal ticket. I think it is good evidence, as it is a receipt with a date and both of our names. Dicey though...thoughts????

[sjr09 155]

I am betting this has been discussed before, but if not , here is my question... what are thoughts about using Moneygram receipts as proof of ongoing relationship? I do not support my fiancee, she has a job and works darn hard at it. She has asked me for money on only two occasions in our 1 year and three month relationship, and she only asked because she was broke at the moment and needed money one time for a dentist visit and the other to get her annual pap smear. Both times a trivial amount of 50$ I know how this could be viewed by a CO. Either that it is proof of ongoing relationship and that I do love and care for her or mistakenly think she is looking for a meal ticket. I think it is good evidence, as it is a receipt with a date and both of our names. Dicey though...thoughts????

For a K1 it may not look so good in the eyes of the CO "Buying love" just leve it out. I would show evidence like photos emails and so on.

[happywifeymom 4]

I am betting this has been discussed before, but if not , here is my question... what are thoughts about using Moneygram receipts as proof of ongoing relationship? I do not support my fiancee, she has a job and works darn hard at it. She has asked me for money on only two occasions in our 1 year and three month relationship, and she only asked because she was broke at the moment and needed money one time for a dentist visit and the other to get her annual pap smear. Both times a trivial amount of 50$ I know how this could be viewed by a CO. Either that it is proof of ongoing relationship and that I do love and care for her or mistakenly think she is looking for a meal ticket. I think it is good evidence, as it is a receipt with a date and both of our names. Dicey though...thoughts????

For K1 applicant ..not a good idea. If she's your wife yes but not on K1.

[Mrs. Disney 0]

I wouldn't do it. Leave it out, look for other proofs like phone bills, snail mail, chat logs, Skype call logs, exchanged e-mails etc. Good luck!

[subguy812 1]

I am not sure of why none of you would do it. I used a stack of Western Union receipts, they actually had both of our names, had a wide range of dates during the entire relationship. I do not think it is that uncommon to assist your fiance, I wanted her to have a better life than what her job alone could provide in Colombia. I offered to send her money, she didn't ask me first and I continued to help every month. Her work history will be listed and possibly verified on the paperwork you send in. I just don't think sending money is buying love, unless it really is in your particular relationship. Just another thought...

[TBoneTX 45,910]

I am not sure of why none of you would do it.

Read the earlier answers, which are on the basis of completely sound reasoning. At some consulates, even a little evidence of money changing hands can prove negative.

[subguy812 1]

I am not sure of why none of you would do it.

Read the earlier answers, which are on the basis of completely sound reasoning. At some consulates, even a little evidence of money changing hands can prove negative.

I read the earlier answers which is why I responded.......I will consider myself lucky then, but it was a contributing part of my evidence. As well as debit card transactions from Colombia, which I am sure they also knew the money wasn't only for spending on myself.

[subguy812 1]

I certainly don't want to steer from "completely sound reasoning"....I was only letting you know I used them

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I am betting this has been discussed before, but if not , here is my question... what are thoughts about using Moneygram receipts as proof of ongoing relationship? I do not support my fiancee, she has a job and works darn hard at it. She has asked me for money on only two occasions in our 1 year and three month relationship, and she only asked because she was broke at the moment and needed money one time for a dentist visit and the other to get her annual pap smear. Both times a trivial amount of 50$ I know how this could be viewed by a CO. Either that it is proof of ongoing relationship and that I do love and care for her or mistakenly think she is looking for a meal ticket. I think it is good evidence, as it is a receipt with a date and both of our names. Dicey though...thoughts????

I included money transfer receipts in our "evidence" We had actually worked out a budget for two households. Alla had a good job, so we more or less combined our bills and income and developed two budgets, which meant I sent a regular contribution to my family in Ukraine. I presented this thinking it could not look like anything else than two serious, adult people, in a relationship, who made adult decisions and operated on a budget like anyone in a similar situation would. I proudly presented the evidence. As it turned out, there was no comment whatsoever about it, I cannot say it helped, it certainly did not hurt. Mostly I think it was ignored as the screener ended up taking only 4 photos as "evidence", the rest he just kind of looked at and mumbled.

I have heard it is bad at some consulates and viewed as "paying for a bride" I can say that a planned budget is NOT a bd thing in the Kiev consulate, at least not that day, but check with people in the regional forums. You should have plenty of evidence without it anyway.

[Cool_Together 0]

I am betting this has been discussed before, but if not , here is my question... what are thoughts about using Moneygram receipts as proof of ongoing relationship? I do not support my fiancee, she has a job and works darn hard at it. She has asked me for money on only two occasions in our 1 year and three month relationship, and she only asked because she was broke at the moment and needed money one time for a dentist visit and the other to get her annual pap smear. Both times a trivial amount of 50$ I know how this could be viewed by a CO. Either that it is proof of ongoing relationship and that I do love and care for her or mistakenly think she is looking for a meal ticket. I think it is good evidence, as it is a receipt with a date and both of our names. Dicey though...thoughts????

I have mixed feelings about some of the answers I see here concerning the Moneygram issue. In my packet I just submitted a few days ago to the USCIS I included only 2 receipts with my paperwork where I sent a little money to my fiance. Not too long after I came back home from Pakistan I sent him $100 because I knew when he got paid and he had spent every bit of his money on our vacation together. I know he doesn't make as much money right now as I do & I wanted to give him a little something to tide him over until his payday. I have only sent him money 2 times but now everyone has made me nervous about it. My fiancee felt really bad because I sent him some and he says he should be sending me money. I maybe understand how the USCIS might view sending money but unless it was large amounts (like $800 or $1000) I don't see any harm.

I Miss my honey

[subguy812 1]

I am betting this has been discussed before, but if not , here is my question... what are thoughts about using Moneygram receipts as proof of ongoing relationship? I do not support my fiancee, she has a job and works darn hard at it. She has asked me for money on only two occasions in our 1 year and three month relationship, and she only asked because she was broke at the moment and needed money one time for a dentist visit and the other to get her annual pap smear. Both times a trivial amount of 50$ I know how this could be viewed by a CO. Either that it is proof of ongoing relationship and that I do love and care for her or mistakenly think she is looking for a meal ticket. I think it is good evidence, as it is a receipt with a date and both of our names. Dicey though...thoughts????

I included money transfer receipts in our "evidence" We had actually worked out a budget for two households. Alla had a good job, so we more or less combined our bills and income and developed two budgets, which meant I sent a regular contribution to my family in Ukraine. I presented this thinking it could not look like anything else than two serious, adult people, in a relationship, who made adult decisions and operated on a budget like anyone in a similar situation would. I proudly presented the evidence. As it turned out, there was no comment whatsoever about it, I cannot say it helped, it certainly did not hurt. Mostly I think it was ignored as the screener ended up taking only 4 photos as "evidence", the rest he just kind of looked at and mumbled.

I have heard it is bad at some consulates and viewed as "paying for a bride" I can say that a planned budget is NOT a bd thing in the Kiev consulate, at least not that day, but check with people in the regional forums. You should have plenty of evidence without it anyway.

My thought process was the same....

[Nik+Heather 121]

The reason that most people feel like money transfers shouldn't be used as relationship evidence is because they are AMBIGUOUS. That means that they can be viewed, as Gary points out in an adult relationship where there are two contributors and bills get paid out of the income. That also means that money can be viewed in terms of a transaction. It connotes that an exchange or purchase occurred....but, "What did YOU get?" is the question it leads to.

Furthermore, I think that there is a feeling that there is an obvious benefit to the immigrant being able to come here on the "fast track" family based visa (It's our "USA is so great!" ego). Your job is to show the balance of the equation, that the USC is getting a great relationship out of all this and the immigrant is bringing something to the table too, NOT to show that the immigrant is getting more benefits. That's loading the wrong side of the equation.

Relationship evidence should show that you both have given significant time and energy to your SO. Correspondence and chat and long phone/Skype calls don't cost a lot/anything, but they do take TIME. Spending your time (not your money) shows devotion worthy of a bonafide relationship. It shows that you have made your relationship and maintaining it a priority in your life, that you're already sharing a life together as best you can.

[TBoneTX 45,910]

The reason... (clipped for space) ... you're already sharing a life together as best you can.

This is one of the most sensible and elegant answers ever posted on VJ.

[baron555 934]

The reason that most people feel like money transfers shouldn't be used as relationship evidence is because they are AMBIGUOUS. That means that they can be viewed, as Gary points out in an adult relationship where there are two contributors and bills get paid out of the income. That also means that money can be viewed in terms of a transaction. It connotes that an exchange or purchase occurred....but, "What did YOU get?" is the question it leads to.

Furthermore, I think that there is a feeling that there is an obvious benefit to the immigrant being able to come here on the "fast track" family based visa (It's our "USA is so great!" ego). Your job is to show the balance of the equation, that the USC is getting a great relationship out of all this and the immigrant is bringing something to the table too, NOT to show that the immigrant is getting more benefits. That's loading the wrong side of the equation.

Relationship evidence should show that you both have given significant time and energy to your SO. Correspondence and chat and long phone/Skype calls don't cost a lot/anything, but they do take TIME. Spending your time (not your money) shows devotion worthy of a bonafide relationship. It shows that you have made your relationship and maintaining it a priority in your life, that you're already sharing a life together as best you can.

I totally agree. Exchanging money does nothing for proof of your relationship. If this is all you have for proof, then you're in a world of hurt.

I will not include my iKobo tranfers to my SO; I have tons of other proof so don't need that.

[Ladylethal 12]

I also agree that it's an axe that can fall both ways. In my eyes it's almost as if the relationship is there due to the added interest that the beneficiary will get a better life, with the USC paying to support them and their family. I mean, it could come across that way, it doesn't prove a relationship based on love, but one based on monetary gain.

If you think that will help your case, by all means send it, but I'd first check in the regional forums for denial reasons, or how much evidence is really necessary. In the end this is a case by case process and there's the bias of each officer.