need help with my evidence PLZ!

[hopps 0]

I was looking through the evidence portion on the step by step visajourney guide for the K-1 visa and I'm not sure if I have enough. I have a few photos of the pictures we took together, a few with me and her family......some incomplete phone bills.....about 5 to 8 months out of the 1 year we've been together as boyfriend and girlfriend, and only a few e-mail receipts of my western union transactions. I don't have any logged e-mails, no logged yahoo chat sessions, nothing showing proof that we started online. I think I only have like 1 e-mail.

Ok...SSSOOOOOO with only the few pictures, the few phone records, the very few western union receipts, and the 1 e-mail....is that enough evidence?

P.S. I also have an engagement ring and wedding ring receipt, hotel receipts, plane ticket stub, and visa stamps if that helps.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

You have what any "normal" person would have after a 1 year relationship. Unfortunately, the government sometimes expects you to be super human in your ability to collect and retain evidence in order to succeed.

The proof that you actually met - hotel receipts, boarding passes (I assume this is what you mean by "plane ticket stubs"), passport stamps, and pictures - should be enough to get the petition approved. Whether that, combined with the rest of your evidence, will be enough to get the visa approved at the US embassy is another story. It depends on how your case looks 'on paper', and how the interview goes. If your case looks pretty good, and the interview consists of a handful of questions with few requests for evidence, then you'll probably succeed.

On the other hand, if your case looks shaky for any of a number of reasons, then your evidence probably won't be nearly enough. I don't know what the most common "red flags" are at the embassy in Manila. I do know that they are picky about the US citizen petitioner comfortably meeting the minimum income requirements. You should spend some time in the Philippines regional forum, and read the embassy reviews (menu bar at the top of the page) for the embassy in Manila. See if any of the reasons for denial fit your particular case.

Also, save everything from now on. Enable logging in Yahoo messenger, save your emails, and keep your telephone records. Your relationship will look better to a CO if it looks like you began saving evidence when you realized you'd be needing it.

[gary9891 10]

I was looking through the evidence portion on the step by step visajourney guide for the K-1 visa and I'm not sure if I have enough. I have a few photos of the pictures we took together, a few with me and her family......some incomplete phone bills.....about 5 to 8 months out of the 1 year we've been together as boyfriend and girlfriend, and only a few e-mail receipts of my western union transactions. I don't have any logged e-mails, no logged yahoo chat sessions, nothing showing proof that we started online. I think I only have like 1 e-mail.

Ok...SSSOOOOOO with only the few pictures, the few phone records, the very few western union receipts, and the 1 e-mail....is that enough evidence?

P.S. I also have an engagement ring and wedding ring receipt, hotel receipts, plane ticket stub, and visa stamps if that helps.

I had the same amount of evidence as you have with no problems. We also had a few cards (b-days, christmas, valentines day etc). I had no chats saved, 6 photos total, some remittances, plane tix and hotel receipts. We sailed through the embassy. I included the ring receipt too. I am no expert but I think you will be fine.

good luck

[Dakine 26]

Go to the interview. Doing so is a BIG plus if you've only made one trip.

[hopps 0]

You have what any "normal" person would have after a 1 year relationship. Unfortunately, the government sometimes expects you to be super human in your ability to collect and retain evidence in order to succeed.

The proof that you actually met - hotel receipts, boarding passes (I assume this is what you mean by "plane ticket stubs"), passport stamps, and pictures - should be enough to get the petition approved. Whether that, combined with the rest of your evidence, will be enough to get the visa approved at the US embassy is another story. It depends on how your case looks 'on paper', and how the interview goes. If your case looks pretty good, and the interview consists of a handful of questions with few requests for evidence, then you'll probably succeed.

On the other hand, if your case looks shaky for any of a number of reasons, then your evidence probably won't be nearly enough. I don't know what the most common "red flags" are at the embassy in Manila. I do know that they are picky about the US citizen petitioner comfortably meeting the minimum income requirements. You should spend some time in the Philippines regional forum, and read the embassy reviews (menu bar at the top of the page) for the embassy in Manila. See if any of the reasons for denial fit your particular case.

Also, save everything from now on. Enable logging in Yahoo messenger, save your emails, and keep your telephone records. Your relationship will look better to a CO if it looks like you began saving evidence when you realized you'd be needing it.

I was looking through the evidence portion on the step by step visajourney guide for the K-1 visa and I'm not sure if I have enough. I have a few photos of the pictures we took together, a few with me and her family......some incomplete phone bills.....about 5 to 8 months out of the 1 year we've been together as boyfriend and girlfriend, and only a few e-mail receipts of my western union transactions. I don't have any logged e-mails, no logged yahoo chat sessions, nothing showing proof that we started online. I think I only have like 1 e-mail.

Ok...SSSOOOOOO with only the few pictures, the few phone records, the very few western union receipts, and the 1 e-mail....is that enough evidence?

P.S. I also have an engagement ring and wedding ring receipt, hotel receipts, plane ticket stub, and visa stamps if that helps.

I had the same amount of evidence as you have with no problems. We also had a few cards (b-days, christmas, valentines day etc). I had no chats saved, 6 photos total, some remittances, plane tix and hotel receipts. We sailed through the embassy. I included the ring receipt too. I am no expert but I think you will be fine.

good luck

Thank you both so much. I really appreciate the help. For JimVaPhuong I have one question, what do you mean by "my case on paper"?

Go to the interview. Doing so is a BIG plus if you've only made one trip.

I actually can't afford to back if I'm going to be bringing her here.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Thank you both so much. I really appreciate the help. For JimVaPhuong I have one question, what do you mean by "my case on paper"?

Before the interview, most of the information the CO has about your relationship is going to be contained in the documents you submit, both with the petition and just before the interview. Any additional information is going to be the result of any background or public records checks they may have done (including any prior history your fiance may have with visas to the US). This is your case "on paper". The CO isn't going to know anything else about you, your fiancee, or your relationship. If the CO reviews those documents and feels comfortable about your case, then the interview will probably be relatively pain free. On the other hand, if they see things that raise their suspicions, then the interview is likely to be more intense, and the evidence your fiancee brings to the interview will become a lot more important.

You have to be able to look objectively at the document packages you submit, both for the petition and the visa application, as well as any information they are likely to uncover in their background checks, and determine if there is anything that might cause suspicion for the CO. In order to do this, you need to know what things cause a CO in Manila to be suspicious. This is why I recommend you read the posts in the Philippines regional forum, as well as the embassy reviews for Manila. If you know the reasons that other people fail, you'll be able to determine if any of those reasons apply to you.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Go to the interview. Doing so is a BIG plus if you've only made one trip.

I disagree. THe petitioner going to the USEM interview does not make a significant difference. The CO will not even let you into the interview room. Maybe he will believe you are outside if Pinay has his passport to show. Its better for this petitioner to make a 2nd trip and bolster up his lacking evidence instead. Peace.

[Dakine 26]

Go to the interview. Doing so is a BIG plus if you've only made one trip.

I disagree. THe petitioner going to the USEM interview does not make a significant difference. The CO will not even let you into the interview room. Maybe he will believe you are outside if Pinay has his passport to show. Its better for this petitioner to make a 2nd trip and bolster up his lacking evidence instead. Peace.

Attending the interview IS a second trip and the COs at USEM let the petition attend most of the time.

Few people have regretted attending the interview. Many [like me] are still kicking themselves in the puwit for not having attended.

"I actually can't afford to back if I'm going to be bringing her here."

No money, no honey!

[SuperDuper! 230]

Go to the interview. Doing so is a BIG plus if you've only made one trip.

I disagree. THe petitioner going to the USEM interview does not make a significant difference. The CO will not even let you into the interview room. Maybe he will believe you are outside if Pinay has his passport to show. Its better for this petitioner to make a 2nd trip and bolster up his lacking evidence instead. Peace.

Attending the interview IS a second trip and the COs at USEM let the petition attend most of the time.

Few people have regretted attending the interview. Many [like me] are still kicking themselves in the puwit for not having attended.

"I actually can't afford to back if I'm going to be bringing her here."

No money, no honey!

Im referring to a 2nd trip prior to the USEM interview. Many men like the idea of going to the interview, and flying home with their prize. But the potential lies in an AP or RFE result, and the man has to fly home alone, and come back again for her.

Its a personal preference, but the fact is, at the Manila Embassy, the man's presence there is not needed, unless there are sketchy areas in the evidence of a bonafide relationship. By making a 2nd trip, letz say about the time before getting a NOA2, then it actually gives more evidence of a real relationship in the CO's eyes. Plus, why not save the time off from work and money used during a trip to the embassy for when Pinay comes home. Peace.

[f1_gurl 0]

I was looking through the evidence portion on the step by step visajourney guide for the K-1 visa and I'm not sure if I have enough. I have a few photos of the pictures we took together, a few with me and her family......some incomplete phone bills.....about 5 to 8 months out of the 1 year we've been together as boyfriend and girlfriend, and only a few e-mail receipts of my western union transactions. I don't have any logged e-mails, no logged yahoo chat sessions, nothing showing proof that we started online. I think I only have like 1 e-mail.

Ok...SSSOOOOOO with only the few pictures, the few phone records, the very few western union receipts, and the 1 e-mail....is that enough evidence?

P.S. I also have an engagement ring and wedding ring receipt, hotel receipts, plane ticket stub, and visa stamps if that helps.

I think thats fine... you may also add a photocopy of his itinerary... you may also get a copy of your phone bill statements from your phone company online or you may call them.. thats what my husband did

[baron555 934]

Thank you both so much. I really appreciate the help. For JimVaPhuong I have one question, what do you mean by "my case on paper"?

Before the interview, most of the information the CO has about your relationship is going to be contained in the documents you submit, both with the petition and just before the interview. Any additional information is going to be the result of any background or public records checks they may have done (including any prior history your fiance may have with visas to the US). This is your case "on paper". The CO isn't going to know anything else about you, your fiancee, or your relationship. If the CO reviews those documents and feels comfortable about your case, then the interview will probably be relatively pain free. On the other hand, if they see things that raise their suspicions, then the interview is likely to be more intense, and the evidence your fiancee brings to the interview will become a lot more important.

You have to be able to look objectively at the document packages you submit, both for the petition and the visa application, as well as any information they are likely to uncover in their background checks, and determine if there is anything that might cause suspicion for the CO. In order to do this, you need to know what things cause a CO in Manila to be suspicious. This is why I recommend you read the posts in the Philippines regional forum, as well as the embassy reviews for Manila. If you know the reasons that other people fail, you'll be able to determine if any of those reasons apply to you.

Jim's advice is right on. You seem to have enough for the proof of meeting requirement, which is required for the the initial petition.

Now start building your evidence of an ongoing relationship for the interview. Submit what you can with the initial petition. Start building evidence, ie start emailing, start sending cards and letters, etc. You evidence, put all together, should "tell your story". If it doesn't, then how would anyone else know that you two are a couple adn intend to get married?

[Matt & Bing 56]

Go to the interview. Doing so is a BIG plus if you've only made one trip.

I disagree. THe petitioner going to the USEM interview does not make a significant difference. The CO will not even let you into the interview room. Maybe he will believe you are outside if Pinay has his passport to show. Its better for this petitioner to make a 2nd trip and bolster up his lacking evidence instead. Peace.

What??? VERY BAD INFO! Its up to the CO whether he let's the petitioner into the interview or not. It is usually allowed at the Manila consulate.

I attended my fiancee's interview and yes it made a huge difference that I was there. They did not ask for ANY proof of an ongoing relationship. No emails, no letters, no chat logs, no phone calls, nothing.

No, going to the interview is actully a much better idea than making a second trip to "bolster evidence".

[SuperDuper! 230]

Go to the interview. Doing so is a BIG plus if you've only made one trip.

I disagree. THe petitioner going to the USEM interview does not make a significant difference. The CO will not even let you into the interview room. Maybe he will believe you are outside if Pinay has his passport to show. Its better for this petitioner to make a 2nd trip and bolster up his lacking evidence instead. Peace.

What??? VERY BAD INFO! Its up to the CO whether he let's the petitioner into the interview or not. It is usually allowed at the Manila consulate.

I attended my fiancee's interview and yes it made a huge difference that I was there. They did not ask for ANY proof of an ongoing relationship. No emails, no letters, no chat logs, no phone calls, nothing.

No, going to the interview is actully a much better idea than making a second trip to "bolster evidence".

Dude, your drama is the bad info here. My friend was not allowed into the interview room, but was seen with his Pinay at the pre-screening. And you are wrong when you say that it makes a huge difference because 90% of Pinays do the interview without their man there.

It makes a huge difference in countries like Vietnam, Ecuador, Columbia, India, Pakistan, etc. In fact, from reading what those couples go thru, it is a requirement that the petitioner be present if the beneficiary is to get a visa.

If Kano has all the basic paperwork, and evidence of genuine relationship, has a solid job, and Pinay has all the documents well organized, then getting the visa approved out of Manila is pretty assured WITHOUT the man's presence on interview day.

Why I say for the man to make a second trip prior to interview is that the CO usually asks Pinay "How many times did he visit you?" So that 2nd or 3rd visit makes you look good.

Trying to time flying home with your prize is stressful and expensive. There may be a glitch, and visa might be delayed. The Consulate specifically advises NOT to make travel arrangements prior to the visa being issued.Why not use all that vacation time and money to show your girl around her new community and country?

All Pinays can get on the plane in Manila, and meet her man in LAX, and then they can fly the rest of the way home if he lives somewhere else.

To each his own. If the man wants to be present at interview at USEM, great. If man thinks it helped get approved, great. But to say it really helps or is necessary is not born out of the fact that the vast majority of ladies get approved for visa WITHOUT her man there.

Take a chill, and thanks for your input. Peace.

Edited November 16, 2009 by Hopp

[Dakine 26]

One of the most common reasons for denial with K1s is "Lack of a bonafide relationship". Been there, done that. Attending the interview or making more than one trip are both evidence of the presence of the couple having a bonafide relationship.

You may even get lucky as a friend of mine did. The CO was a college fraternity brother. SLAM DUNK!!!!

[Matt & Bing 56]

Go to the interview. Doing so is a BIG plus if you've only made one trip.

I disagree. THe petitioner going to the USEM interview does not make a significant difference. The CO will not even let you into the interview room. Maybe he will believe you are outside if Pinay has his passport to show. Its better for this petitioner to make a 2nd trip and bolster up his lacking evidence instead. Peace.

What??? VERY BAD INFO! Its up to the CO whether he let's the petitioner into the interview or not. It is usually allowed at the Manila consulate.

I attended my fiancee's interview and yes it made a huge difference that I was there. They did not ask for ANY proof of an ongoing relationship. No emails, no letters, no chat logs, no phone calls, nothing.

No, going to the interview is actully a much better idea than making a second trip to "bolster evidence".

Dude, your drama is the bad info here. My friend was not allowed into the interview room, but was seen with his Pinay at the pre-screening. And you are wrong when you say that it makes a huge difference because 90% of Pinays do the interview without their man there.

It makes a huge difference in countries like Vietnam, Ecuador, Columbia, India, Pakistan, etc. In fact, from reading what those couples go thru, it is a requirement that the petitioner be present if the beneficiary is to get a visa.

If Kano has all the basic paperwork, and evidence of genuine relationship, has a solid job, and Pinay has all the documents well organized, then getting the visa approved out of Manila is pretty assured WITHOUT the man's presence on interview day.

Why I say for the man to make a second trip prior to interview is that the CO usually asks Pinay "How many times did he visit you?" So that 2nd or 3rd visit makes you look good.

Trying to time flying home with your prize is stressful and expensive. There may be a glitch, and visa might be delayed. The Consulate specifically advises NOT to make travel arrangements prior to the visa being issued.Why not use all that vacation time and money to show your girl around her new community and country?

All Pinays can get on the plane in Manila, and meet her man in LAX, and then they can fly the rest of the way home if he lives somewhere else.

To each his own. If the man wants to be present at interview at USEM, great. If man thinks it helped get approved, great. But to say it really helps or is necessary is not born out of the fact that the vast majority of ladies get approved for visa WITHOUT her man there.

Take a chill, and thanks for your input. Peace.

OK "Dude" lol.

You stated" The CO will not even let you into the interview room". That is just plain wrong. Very bad info. Most likely they will let him in.

And all I can say is that it made a HUGE difference in my case. That is undeniable.

Yes, obviously in most cases the petitioner is not present at the interview. I was not implying at all that it is necesasry - but it obviously does help.

We received our visa 2 days after the interview. Of course I'm not saying everyone wll be so fortunate.

The fact are than in Manila, for the vast majority of K-1's, the petitioner made one visit, is not present at the interview, and you still get approved. If you have all your papers in order and can show a bona fide relationship, you will be approved. And that can be accomplished in one trip if yo so choose.