Question 18 on the I-129F

[senzaflash 0]

Hi all,

I'm filing my I-129F packet and have it almost all together. One thing - does the answer to question 18 on the I-129F absolutely have to be on a second sheet of paper? My answer is succinct and clear and fits in the box. Seems like another thing they could lose and unnecessary as there is space enough for it on the form...is there a reason to attach it separately?

Thanks for your help.

Hi all,

I'm filing my I-129F packet and have it almost all together. One thing - does the answer to question 18 on the I-129F absolutely have to be on a second sheet of paper? My answer is succinct and clear and fits in the box. Seems like another thing they could lose and unnecessary as there is space enough for it on the form...is there a reason to attach it separately?

Thanks for your help.

To clarify, question 18 is the one about how you have met your fiance in person in the last 2 years...he and I met at a barbecue and studied at the same university for 8 months while he was here as a J-1 scholar, during which time we became engaged. Fits in the box.

[KYLEandUAN 1]

no need to use extra sheet if your answer fits int the box

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Does that J-1 require a waiver?

My link

[senzaflash 0]

Does that J-1 require a waiver?

My link

Yep. He's got one.

[Audy_Rob 26]

Yep. He's got one.

Along with the answer fitting in the box you need to provide substantial evidence of having met in the two years prior to filing the form. So besides the answer, you should provide documents and photographs showing you have actually met. I know it seems a little crazy if you have been living together or dating for a while but it is a serious requirement.

[senzaflash 0]

Along with the answer fitting in the box you need to provide substantial evidence of having met in the two years prior to filing the form. So besides the answer, you should provide documents and photographs showing you have actually met. I know it seems a little crazy if you have been living together or dating for a while but it is a serious requirement.

I'm including 19 photos, evidence of my travel to meet his family, and 6 months of correspondence, among other various things...I think we're giving them everything we can.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

I'm including 19 photos, evidence of my travel to meet his family, and 6 months of correspondence, among other various things...I think we're giving them everything we can.

Passport stamps to his country from you;

proof of his living in the US during the last 2 year period prior to the submission (if he was here for school, he should be able to show evidence of that);

That is what they will require for "proof of meeting" in the 2yr stipulation.

Pictures, correspondence, not so much at this stage (more important for the interview). (photos/letters can be faked)

You only have to prove one meeting in the 2yr period, not multiple ones. So if you visited him, and have the stamps in the passport, that would satisfy this.

Good he has the waiver for the J-1 - some petitioners forget that one.

[Eenerz 0]

It might just be me, but being able to fit it in the box might raise red flags in the adjucator's mind. I'm sure they are used to seeing long narratives about people's relationships and the unique circumstances of how they met, how their relationship progressed and why they are putting themselves through hell to be together (ok it aint all bad...but still).

The last thing you want is an RFE to explain all this evidence you provided. So if you are able to be together, explain that (even though it's obvious with the J-1 visa).

You don't have to write a book certainly...but if it was me and I was adjucating an application and the answer to question 18 was able to fit in the box I'd be asking myself some questions.

[Nik+Heather 121]

It might just be me, but being able to fit it in the box might raise red flags in the adjucator's mind.

They provide a space on the form which they consider to be adequate to answer the question.

[senzaflash 0]

It might just be me, but being able to fit it in the box might raise red flags in the adjucator's mind. I'm sure they are used to seeing long narratives about people's relationships and the unique circumstances of how they met, how their relationship progressed and why they are putting themselves through hell to be together (ok it aint all bad...but still).

The last thing you want is an RFE to explain all this evidence you provided. So if you are able to be together, explain that (even though it's obvious with the J-1 visa).

You don't have to write a book certainly...but if it was me and I was adjucating an application and the answer to question 18 was able to fit in the box I'd be asking myself some questions.

To clarify, we are not "able to be together"...his J-1 ended in January and he had to return to Denmark, where I've been able to visit him once. We'll be separated until the process is complete. And I'm sending evidence re: my visit there, etc. I specify how we met, the fact that we were romantically involved for almost his entire stay in the US and became engaged. I think it will be all right if I fit it in the box. Thanks for your input.

[senzaflash 0]

To clarify, we are not "able to be together"...his J-1 ended in January and he had to return to Denmark, where I've been able to visit him once. We'll be separated until the process is complete. And I'm sending evidence re: my visit there, etc. I specify how we met, the fact that we were romantically involved for almost his entire stay in the US and became engaged. I think it will be all right if I fit it in the box. Thanks for your input.

I guess I'm still thinking about this...I mean, between writing a succinct and straightforward account that's backed up by ample evidence and writing a very flowery account of our falling-in-love process, am I wrong in thinking the first is best? The correspondence I include indicates how difficult it is for us to be apart, how excited we were when I got to come visit, etc. Does anyone else think this would be a problem?

[Audy_Rob 26]

I guess I'm still thinking about this...I mean, between writing a succinct and straightforward account that's backed up by ample evidence and writing a very flowery account of our falling-in-love process, am I wrong in thinking the first is best? The correspondence I include indicates how difficult it is for us to be apart, how excited we were when I got to come visit, etc. Does anyone else think this would be a problem?

One way to do this is to write in Box 18 what you first stated, short and to the point as well as writing "See Additional Sheet I-129F, Part II - 18.

Then on the additional sheet, without any flowery language or story telling document or catalog in one sentence per documents the proof you are submitting. This is what I did, I basically turned Question 18 using an Additional Sheet into a list of my proof.

1) See attached sheet of boarding passes...

2) See 2 sheets attached of photos ...

3) See hotel receipt attached for...

4) See hotel receipt attached for time in ...

5) See copies of Visa Stamps showing entry into Thailand...

etc...

[Nik+Heather 121]

I guess I'm still thinking about this...I mean, between writing a succinct and straightforward account that's backed up by ample evidence and writing a very flowery account of our falling-in-love process, am I wrong in thinking the first is best? The correspondence I include indicates how difficult it is for us to be apart, how excited we were when I got to come visit, etc. Does anyone else think this would be a problem?

Denmark is not a high fraud country. Unless you feel like doing more, merely meeting the minimum requirements is not likely* to be harmful to your case.

However, if he is not a citizen of Denmark, just living there (ie: A citizen of a high fraud country in Denmark on a student visa) the answer might change.

For more reassurance check out the embassy reviews at the link on the top of the page.

*I soften this only because I do not like to use absolutes which might imply a guarantee of success. It is my, lay person, personal opinion, that you will have no issues whatsoever if you do not submit extreme documentation/explanations.

Also, you probably wouldn't notice it in your processing, but they have to read every thing you submit. If I were an adjudicator, I think I would prefer a thinner file which met the requirements instead of having to sift through a bunch of extras.

Edited April 21, 2010 by Nik+Heather