Bonafide Marriage (No chat logs, only a few letters)

[gpmaan 0]

We've established a long distance relationship for about 11 years overall. We got married 2 years ago. We dont have YM chat logs, because we delete it from time to time (We didnt know the importance of this, prior). For the first 6 yrs, our main way of communication was via Phone, but whenn I bought phone cards, the normal course of action is to throw them away when you're done, I dont think anyone would really keep those unless they have knowledge of the situation that this may be useful in the future.

We only wrote a few letters from time to time (since we prefer talking on the phone anyway) but we do have lots of e-mails that we still have saved in the archive (thankfully) for the past 3 years. Are these good enough to prove that there's always been an ongoing line of communication?

Much thanks,

[Zen Den 18]

We've established a long distance relationship for about 11 years overall. We got married 2 years ago. We dont have YM chat logs, because we delete it from time to time (We didnt know the importance of this, prior). For the first 6 yrs, our main way of communication was via Phone, but whenn I bought phone cards, the normal course of action is to throw them away when you're done, I dont think anyone would really keep those unless they have knowledge of the situation that this may be useful in the future.

We only wrote a few letters from time to time (since we prefer talking on the phone anyway) but we do have lots of e-mails that we still have saved in the archive (thankfully) for the past 3 years. Are these good enough to prove that there's always been an ongoing line of communication?

Much thanks,

yes, those letters are still good, and emails too, as well as whatever you have now, that you have as proof of your relationship, latest call cards, and your past phone bills/her past phone bills that show each other's numbers, and of course lots of pictures, with different groups of people from each side.

[trinket 30]

If they are just letters or do you have the postal envelop showing the postal stamps too? I think postal envelops are more important than letter itself as it shows communication timeline.

You haven't filled your timeline, so I am not sure at what stage of this process you are in, if you are in early stage you still have time to build more chat logs, save phone bills and send more letters to each other. Also what you can use is your SO's passport stamps, how many times he/she came to meet you and loads of photographs, both together and with family.

[gpmaan 0]

If they are just letters or do you have the postal envelop showing the postal stamps too? I think postal envelops are more important than letter itself as it shows communication timeline.

You haven't filled your timeline, so I am not sure at what stage of this process you are in, if you are in early stage you still have time to build more chat logs, save phone bills and send more letters to each other. Also what you can use is your SO's passport stamps, how many times he/she came to meet you and loads of photographs, both together and with family.

Thanks. Its on its early stage, NOA1 was just received last Friday (09/25), but ill do my timeline here shortly. Yes, I think ill start saving some chat logs now.

by the way, I only have 1 affidavit from a 3rd party, do you guys think this will suffice?

[christeen 966]

Dont forget to show your photos and proof that you have been physically together in the past 2 years... Plane tickets, passport stamps, photos of trips etc....

[trinket 30]

If they are just letters or do you have the postal envelop showing the postal stamps too? I think postal envelops are more important than letter itself as it shows communication timeline.

You haven't filled your timeline, so I am not sure at what stage of this process you are in, if you are in early stage you still have time to build more chat logs, save phone bills and send more letters to each other. Also what you can use is your SO's passport stamps, how many times he/she came to meet you and loads of photographs, both together and with family.

Thanks. Its on its early stage, NOA1 was just received last Friday (09/25), but ill do my timeline here shortly. Yes, I think ill start saving some chat logs now.

by the way, I only have 1 affidavit from a 3rd party, do you guys think this will suffice?

I never submitted any 3rd party affidavits and didn't have any problems.

[Dakine 26]

We've established a long distance relationship for about 11 years overall. We got married 2 years ago. We dont have YM chat logs, because we delete it from time to time (We didnt know the importance of this, prior). For the first 6 yrs, our main way of communication was via Phone, but whenn I bought phone cards, the normal course of action is to throw them away when you're done, I dont think anyone would really keep those unless they have knowledge of the situation that this may be useful in the future.

We only wrote a few letters from time to time (since we prefer talking on the phone anyway) but we do have lots of e-mails that we still have saved in the archive (thankfully) for the past 3 years. Are these good enough to prove that there's always been an ongoing line of communication?

Much thanks,

I imagine you will be applying for a IR-1 visa since you've been married for 2 years. Hopefully you've made multiple trips to be with her and have photos of such. from now on communicate using a system that you will have records of the conversations. Get joint ITF bank account, life insurance, will or trust and keep track of money transfers.

Attend her interview if at all possible naman.

[gpmaan 0]

Dont forget to show your photos and proof that you have been physically together in the past 2 years... Plane tickets, passport stamps, photos of trips etc....

Well, we dont have a problem there. I dont have the tickets, but I do have my old Philippine Passport which contained stamps from the US and Philippine Port of entries.

I never submitted any 3rd party affidavits and didn't have any problems.

Thats comforting to know. I mean we can send some more if they want us to, It never hit me that they would require more than 1.

I imagine you will be applying for a IR-1 visa since you've been married for 2 years. Hopefully you've made multiple trips to be with her and have photos of such. from now on communicate using a system that you will have records of the conversations. Get joint ITF bank account, life insurance, will or trust and keep track of money transfers.

Attend her interview if at all possible naman.

Yes. you're right. it will be an IR-1 Visa. As stated a few posts above, I do visit and have made 3 trips since our wedding. I tried life insurance, but to no avail, i was told by an agent that the beneficiary should be a US resident at least. Ill try other avenues in the future.

Ill try to go home on her interview (god willing)if my job allows me too. I dont have a lot of annual leave left since I go home once or twice a year.

[trinket 30]

Yes. you're right. it will be an IR-1 Visa. As stated a few posts above, I do visit and have made 3 trips since our wedding. I tried life insurance, but to no avail, i was told by an agent that the beneficiary should be a US resident at least. Ill try other avenues in the future.

Ill try to go home on her interview (god willing)if my job allows me too. I dont have a lot of annual leave left since I go home once or twice a year.

If its possible, let your wife have an insurance in Philippines and have you as the beneficiary. My husband had an accidental insurance from Aflack in US and they added me as beneficiary.

You can also add your wife to your house/apartment lease if possible.

Edited September 29, 2009 by trinket

[Darnell 8,478]

IMO, I'd worry about bonafide relationship fodder, not just email or chat logs.

There's 6 different types of things to cover in the I-130 instructions, for the initial submittal.

Repeat - INITIAL SUBMITTAL.

Now, MAYBE you'll get a chance to show 'NEW STUFF' on interview day. MAYBE.. But the VO won't have much time to review it.

Here's what I did for the INITIAL SUBMITTAL on the I-130 - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry3324240

Have a read?

Also, if you have filed JOINT TAX RETURNS (she gots an ITIN) then you'll get a chance to submit them with the I-864 - that's a type of bonafide relationship proof - but - IMO, a bit late to be 'judged on' at USCIS ( the I-864 gets collected at NVC, not USCIS ) .

[Lingladyinred19 13]

We've established a long distance relationship for about 11 years overall. We got married 2 years ago. We dont have YM chat logs, because we delete it from time to time (We didnt know the importance of this, prior). For the first 6 yrs, our main way of communication was via Phone, but whenn I bought phone cards, the normal course of action is to throw them away when you're done, I dont think anyone would really keep those unless they have knowledge of the situation that this may be useful in the future.

We only wrote a few letters from time to time (since we prefer talking on the phone anyway) but we do have lots of e-mails that we still have saved in the archive (thankfully) for the past 3 years. Are these good enough to prove that there's always been an ongoing line of communication?

Much thanks,

just include also. if u sent her a money. keep all the receipts, like Western union, money gram Etc.

Phone bills..

good luck