pictures--photos

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I wasn't saying that he didn't need pictures at all. I was simply stating that at the USCIS, as outlined in their manual, pictures being secondary evidence are not required. My suggestion was that rather than waiting until he had pictures to file he should file now with compelling primary evidence and then plan to have pictures for later stages of the process.

Now obviously you've been on this site longer than I have and had an oppurtunity to perhaps know people that were in a pickle due to not having pictures. All I can go on is the RFE sticky. None of the RFE's in there specifically requested additional pictures, as a matter of fact the majority of the posts where from people who had sent lots of pictures and were requested to send 'additional evidence' and their solution was to send more pictures. Not many people apply without pictures this is true but I've yet to read one post form a person who didn't send pictures and was denied or RFE'd with the request for 'pictures'.

The only information that we can have to go on is what the USCIS tells us and the personal experience of the people on here. So if the USCIS says that photographs are secondary evidence than I'm inclined to believe them as it would not benefit them in any way to lie to us. If the people of VJ who did not submit pictures are not having an issue getting their NOA2's then I'm inclined to believe that as well. I see no flaw in my logic.

Once it makes it to the consulate stage it may be more prudent to have photographs, but the when and why of photographs is much less important at that particular point. From my readings I can tell you that the interviewers in Manilla (for the K-1) do not ask for pictures from this specific trip or that specific trip, everything I've read points to them asking for pictures in general.

Thank you for your clarification. Ultimately, the OP has a decision to make and whatever it is I hope it works out for him.

My main concern in something like this is the fact that IF it becomes necessary to have these photos it is no longer possible to produce them after the petition is filed. If you forget the letter of intent or the G-325, you just whip one up when the RFE comes (or even before if you realize it) but photos which did not exist BEFORE filing cannot be made to exist "before filing" in the future. If they do not accept his primary evidence, he is in a big pickle. I think the OP needs to realize it is basically a one-way ticket to file the petition now, there is no going back once it is filed if he gets an RFE for this issue.

[clueless_in_usa 8]

Thank you for your clarification. Ultimately, the OP has a decision to make and whatever it is I hope it works out for him.

My main concern in something like this is the fact that IF it becomes necessary to have these photos it is no longer possible to produce them after the petition is filed. If you forget the letter of intent or the G-325, you just whip one up when the RFE comes (or even before if you realize it) but photos which did not exist BEFORE filing cannot be made to exist "before filing" in the future. If they do not accept his primary evidence, he is in a big pickle. I think the OP needs to realize it is basically a one-way ticket to file the petition now, there is no going back once it is filed if he gets an RFE for this issue.

I would like to add that photos do not have expiration date. If they are not provided when you file and they are requested later, then you can send photos together later, even if they were taken after the initial filing. The important thing is to prove that you were together. If the photos show both of you together, it does not matter if they were taken a year ago or yesterday. The important thing is that they were taken within two years of the date requested.

Why do people insist on being hung up on technicalities? Why make things more complicated than they already are? Remember, the important thing is to show that you both were together no more than two years ago.

Like I said before, my petition was simple (weighted no more than one pound and had a total of 30 pages including every form and letter), plus two photos, and I did not get questioned for anything extra. After she has the interview (very soon) I will let you know if the CO found my application incomplete.

[BokGao 0]

If you choose to submit a petition without photos it may or may not get approved, it will cost you $455 and a few months to find out.

I think the title of this post is, "They say they want photos of us together". This suggest to me that the petition has already been sent and the OP got an RFE. So the petition has already been submitted. The only response now is to say he simply didn't think to take any pictures.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Thank you for your clarification. Ultimately, the OP has a decision to make and whatever it is I hope it works out for him.

My main concern in something like this is the fact that IF it becomes necessary to have these photos it is no longer possible to produce them after the petition is filed. If you forget the letter of intent or the G-325, you just whip one up when the RFE comes (or even before if you realize it) but photos which did not exist BEFORE filing cannot be made to exist "before filing" in the future. If they do not accept his primary evidence, he is in a big pickle. I think the OP needs to realize it is basically a one-way ticket to file the petition now, there is no going back once it is filed if he gets an RFE for this issue.

I would like to add that photos do not have expiration date. If they are not provided when you file and they are requested later, then you can send photos together later, even if they were taken after the initial filing. The important thing is to prove that you were together. If the photos show both of you together, it does not matter if they were taken a year ago or yesterday. The important thing is that they were taken within two years of the date requested.

Why do people insist on being hung up on technicalities? Why make things more complicated than they already are? Remember, the important thing is to show that you both were together no more than two years ago.

Like I said before, my petition was simple (weighted no more than one pound and had a total of 30 pages including every form and letter), plus two photos, and I did not get questioned for anything extra. After she has the interview (very soon) I will let you know if the CO found my application incomplete.

You're walking on dangerous ground there. Question 18 on the I-129F asks if you've met within 2 years immediately preceding the filing of the petition. You must answer "yes", and then sign the form under penalty of perjury. If you subsequently provide evidence of a meeting that took place after the petition was submitted, and you admit the meeting was after, then the evidence will be rejected because it doesn't meet the requirements for question 18. If you don't admit the evidence was from a later meeting, and they subsequently discover this, you could be charged with perjury for intentionally trying to mislead them. The question and instructions are clear - you must have met within the 2 years preceding the filing of the petition, and that's what your evidence must prove.

If someone would actually contemplate doing something like this, then why not just wait until after the second meeting to file the petition, and not take any chances?

[robbie jeannet 5]

lots of good ideas and bad ones, had the thought of photo shop BUT WILL NOT, I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING WHATS NEEDED JUST TO FIND OUT WHERE I STAND , HAVE NOT FILED YET , STILL TRYING TO COLLECT EVIDENCE, SHE TELLS ME SHE HAS 1 PHOTO ON HER CELL PHONE OF US TOGETHER, SOON AS I TALK TO HER AGAIN IM GONNA GET HER TO SEND IT TO ME SO I CAN CHECK QUALITY OF IT . I HAVE MY ITINERARY AND BOARDING PASSES FOR THE TRIP THERE AND HOTEL, I HAVE FLIGHT ITINERARY AND BOARDING PASSES IN BOTH NAMES FOR TRIP TO SEE HER MOTHER AND BACK. I SEE WHAT ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT , ITS UP TO THE ONE SITTING IN FRONT OF YOU, NOT WHAT THE LAW IS.. I HAD THE IDEA OF A NICE LONG LETTER EXPLAINING MY PROBLEM TO SEND WHEN I FILE, BUT STILL NOT SURE. AFTER 14 YEARS OF MARRAGE MY X WIFE AND I DONT HAVE NO PHOTOS TOGETHER

[Dakine 26]

"My fiance was denied the first time I petitioned. The reason was for not enough pictures. We had 2. One with us holding a newspaper. I thought you only had to prove you met in person. Not that you had a loving bonafide relationship.

In the rejection letter they stated they wanted to see pictires with me, her and her family.

CO checked out phone records andthe pictures and said "Welcome to the US".

o

Sorry I was talking about the USEM interview.

For the initial peition to prove you met in the last 2 years I didn't have any pictures.

It looks like you are OK to go for the initial petiton. VERY few peeps are denied or asked for RFEs with the original petition to USCIS,

Pictures come into play BIGTIME at the USEM interview.

File the I-129F and plan to make another trip. ona

Use 2 cameras. A digital and a throw away for back up. Download pics every night. They will be GOLD proving you have a loving bonafide relationship at the USEM interview.

Edited July 28, 2009 by Haole

[Nicoxcx 1]

I agree. If you have no photographs for your initial petition then make it a priority to get photographs for your interview.

I wasn't asked for a single shred of evidence at my Interview, it was all questions and dates.

[robbie jeannet 5]

well thank you all for the good and insane posts. ive decided to make another trip over there in a couple of weeks. OHH THE THINGS I'LL DO FOR LOVE! i was planing on having an agency do the paper work, but now having to FLY again my wallet is hurting, so i'll have to do papers myself, DONT HAVE TIME TO RESEARCH WHAT I NEED, WORK TO MUCH, ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APRECIATED. i need a list of every up to date form thats needed for the k1 filing, and where to down load it, and what copies of anything and everything that i need from her while im there. i thought that as long as i there we can fill out paper work together , get everything signed . I NEED A LIST OF EVERYTHING THAT IS NEEDED FOR THIS SO I CAN GET IT IN THIS ONE TRIP!!! SO AS SOON AS I RETURN I CAN FILE THIS THING.....THANKS FOR YOUR HELP and for everyone on here WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES!!!!

[Minya's wife 25]

Everyone seems to be jumping all over the place with these answers. Getting a K-1 visa for your fiance(e) is a two part process, as we know. For the first part, I-129F petition, the burden of proof is that the petitioner (US citizen) prove that he/she has met his fiance(e) at least once in the 2 years prior to filing the petition. To do this, primary evidence is the best way to go. Primary evidence includes, but is not limited to, passport stamps, flight tickets, hotel receipts, credit card statements (showing charges in the country/city of the beneficiary) etc. Photos are considered secondary evidence at this stage and not necessarily needed. The OP sounds like he has solid primary evidence, and could consider filing without having to make another trip back.

The second stage of the process happens after the petition is approved stateside, and it travels to the country of the beneficiary, where the beneficiary will have a visa interview. At this stage, 'ongoing' relationship is what must be proved. Photos together can become crucial at this point....so while waiting for the petition approval, the OP should make that trip to see his fiancee and take all the pictures possible. Once he comes back, he should document all phone calls, e-mails, IM's, cards and letters. The fiancee can then take all that evidence of ongoing relationship with her to the interview to prove the ongoing relationship.

OP, for a list of all documents you will need, and a good overview of the process, please check out the GUIDES tab. It can be found at the top section of VISA Journey page.

Edited July 29, 2009 by Minya's wife