Length of time of relationship

[DAGMAR 0]

Hello - please pardon my ignorance but most post I have read regarding proof of relationship for the USA talks about photos, emails etc..over the last 2 years. Is that the length of time you have to be together to qualify for a K-1 Fiance(e) visa??? What if you meet the love of your life and know from day one that you have found this person and get engaged within a week of meeting. Has anyone posted something similar? My friends have met and were married within 3 months - it does happen in the real world.

[Caroline + Angelo 20]

Hello - please pardon my ignorance but most post I have read regarding proof of relationship for the USA talks about photos, emails etc..over the last 2 years. Is that the length of time you have to be together to qualify for a K-1 Fiance(e) visa??? What if you meet the love of your life and know from day one that you have found this person and get engaged within a week of meeting. Has anyone posted something similar? My friends have met and were married within 3 months - it does happen in the real world.

No, the requirement is that you must have met your fiancé(e) in person in the two years prior to the filing of the petition. So if you meet, get engaged, and file the petition a few weeks or months later the requirement is technically fulfilled. Of course, then you need proof of that meeting such as boarding passes, passport stamps, bus/train tickets, hotel receipts etc. and photots, emails etc. are secondary evidence which are mostly used to establish ongoing and bonafide relationship.

So, no, you do not need to be in a relationship for two years in order to file

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

You must have met in person at least once in the last two years. You could meet someone today and file the I-129f later today. That is for petition approval. A petition is not a visa.

The interpretation of the requirements to get a visa differ by consulate. There is no particular requirement but you must satisfy the consualte that your relationship is not established to circumvent immigration laws. This is very easy in some consulates and very difficult in others.

Edited June 25, 2011 by Gary and Alla

[jac_chappin 24]

I agree with everyone who posted but this situation will be a red flag at the visa interview especially in high fraud countries.

They apply a "normal person" standard and it's strange that you meet and get engaged in a week. This is what the CO will be thinking.

Consider waiting longer before you file.

Good luck!

[b & q 35]

I agree with everyone who posted but this situation will be a red flag at the visa interview especially in high fraud countries.

They apply a "normal person" standard and it's strange that you meet and get engaged in a week. This is what the CO will be thinking.

Consider waiting longer before you file.

Good luck!

Is 3 months from meeting to engagement considered okay in a country like China?

[danik713 21]

Is 3 months from meeting to engagement considered okay in a country like China?

Hard to say. I cannot comment in regards to China specifically, but the "reasonable" standard is applied and influenced by culture for sure. Keep in mind that 3 months is viewed differently for couples living in close proximity to one another compared to those in a long distance relationship.

For me 3 months is incredibly too short regardless of distance/proximity or culture and if someone I cared about (ei my younger sister) was pursuing marriage with someone they'd just met I'd be concerned and voice it. You have the rest of your life, I understand you want that to start as soon as possible, but I would caution my loved one to wait. Good things come to those who wait.

Good luck.

[b & q 35]

Hard to say. I cannot comment in regards to China specifically, but the "reasonable" standard is applied and influenced by culture for sure. Keep in mind that 3 months is viewed differently for couples living in close proximity to one another compared to those in a long distance relationship.

For me 3 months is incredibly too short regardless of distance/proximity or culture and if someone I cared about (ei my younger sister) was pursuing marriage with someone they'd just met I'd be concerned and voice it. You have the rest of your life, I understand you want that to start as soon as possible, but I would caution my loved one to wait. Good things come to those who wait.

Good luck.

Just wanted to know what GUZ thinks, not concerned about impressing you. Thanks though