Photo's, and a couple of other things.

[Rob1980 0]

We're going to apply from the K-1 Visa fairly soon. My girlfriend is coming over here (the UK) in 2 weeks and we're going to go through everything that we need to send off. Right now I'm gathering together all the information we need so that it's mostly done and when she returns back to the US (on the 6th October) she'll just need to add a couple of things (like her boarding cards from this trip) and the forms can be sent off. So... my questions:

1. I went over there from 1 October 2004 to 11 October 2004. This would seem to be right on the edge of being within 2 years. Is it 2 years from when you send off the forms, or from when they receive them? Should we bother with this visit seeing as I've been over there a further 5 times since then and she's been here 3 times?

2. How many photo's should we include? I was thinking of getting a couple for each visit we've had, some showing us with various different friends/family.

3. When dating the photo's does it need a specific date, or just a month and year? I don't think I'll be able to remember which day!

4. Would 2 copies of tickets for gigs that we went to together work as secondary evidence?

5. Should I send copies of bank statements that show I made withdrawals in the US? I didn't think to keep copies of atm receipts (or any other receipts either!) at the time.

6. I've seen it mentioned on a few threads that you don't need evidence of an 'ongoing relationship' (cards, e-mails, letters, etc), but I printed off a step-by-step guide from this site a couple of weeks ago and it does mention that along with proof of having met. Which one is it!

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure everythings perfect.

[William33 110]

We're going to apply from the K-1 Visa fairly soon. My girlfriend is coming over here (the UK) in 2 weeks and we're going to go through everything that we need to send off. Right now I'm gathering together all the information we need so that it's mostly done and when she returns back to the US (on the 6th October) she'll just need to add a couple of things (like her boarding cards from this trip) and the forms can be sent off. So... my questions:

1. I went over there from 1 October 2004 to 11 October 2004. This would seem to be right on the edge of being within 2 years. Is it 2 years from when you send off the forms, or from when they receive them? Should we bother with this visit seeing as I've been over there a further 5 times since then and she's been here 3 times?

Are you thinking that the limitation is two years from your "first" meeting? Not the case at all.

It is that you have met in person "within" a two year period. Last week, last month or last year. It appears you have met 9 times total within two years. Is that correct?

2. How many photo's should we include? I was thinking of getting a couple for each visit we've had, some showing us with various different friends/family.

3-5 photos is sufficient.

3. When dating the photo's does it need a specific date, or just a month and year? I don't think I'll be able to remember which day!

Month/Year is adequate.

4. Would 2 copies of tickets for gigs that we went to together work as secondary evidence?

Sure.

5. Should I send copies of bank statements that show I made withdrawals in the US? I didn't think to keep copies of atm receipts (or any other receipts either!) at the time.

Do the bank statements have ATM activity as well? Also include copies of your passports with Entry/Exit stamps.

6. I've seen it mentioned on a few threads that you don't need evidence of an 'ongoing relationship' (cards, e-mails, letters, etc), but I printed off a step-by-step guide from this site a couple of weeks ago and it does mention that along with proof of having met. Which one is it!

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure everythings perfect.

You need only prove that you have met within the two year period, at this stage. Send a few of those items along.

Later on, during Adjustment of Status (AOS) you will need to prove an ongoing relationship. So keep saving evidence.

[Rob1980 0]

Thanks for replying!

Are you thinking that the limitation is two years from your "first" meeting? Not the case at all.

It is that you have met in person "within" a two year period. Last week, last month or last year. It appears you have met 9 times total within two years. Is that correct?

No, we would be applying round about the 10 October 2006. I was over there on one visit from 1 October to the 11 October 2004. So, if they count it as meeting within the 2 years prior to them 'receiving' everything, then that visit wouldn't be included. However, if it's the 2 years prior to the date everythings 'sent' then it would just scrape in, by a day or 2. But, given that there's going to be another 9 visits documented anyway, i wondered if we should bother? Then again, if we didn't send anything and they sent a RFE for it, I'd be kicking myself!

We've actually met in person 11 times so far, 2 of them definitely out of the 2 years (March 2004 and August 2004), and when she's over in 2 weeks, that'll be 12. So, we'll have 9 visits that are definitely 'okay' overall, and that one in october 2004 that's a bit iffy.

3-5 photos is sufficient.

I think I'll go for 5 then. Actually, this is good news, because despite the fact we've taken lots of photo's, they're mostly not of us! My fault, i really don't like my photo being taken.

Do the bank statements have ATM activity as well? Also include copies of your passports with Entry/Exit stamps.

Yes, they show withdrawals made in Philly, and there's also been a few occasions when I've charged something direct to my card instead of using cash, though those are 'very' few.

I was planning on copying my passport and sending copies of my 'e-tickets' for the flights. The boarding cards don't have the year on them, and I read somewhere on here that someone had trouble with that, so I figured I'd 'make sure'.

You need only prove that you have met within the two year period, at this stage. Send a few of those items along.

Later on, during Adjustment of Status (AOS) you will need to prove an ongoing relationship. So keep saving evidence.

So, hows about I just send a few printouts of the screen of my email acocunt that shows the emails I've received? It'd show a couple of emails every day, pretty much. And perhaps a couple of actual emails and dated (and stamped) envelopes that show her address and mine? Or is that going overboard?

Thanks for the help.

Edited September 18, 2006 by Rob1980

[William33 110]

You can just skip the October 2004 visit. You certainly have plenty of others to validate the (within 2 year) meeting.

No need to take the e-mail's too far, just send in two or three. They really don't add much value anyway.

[Rob1980 0]

You can just skip the October 2004 visit. You certainly have plenty of others to validate the (within 2 year) meeting.

No need to take the e-mail's too far, just send in two or three. They really don't add much value anyway.

Fantastic, thanks. I'd better get putting everything together, feel a bit more confident about it now!

[trey 0]

Are you thinking that the limitation is two years from your "first" meeting? Not the case at all.

It is that you have met in person "within" a two year period. Last week, last month or last year. It appears you have met 9 times total within two years. Is that correct?

Quoted from USCIS website...."You must also have met with your fiancé(e) in person within the last two years before filing for the fiancé(e) visa...."http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/fiance.htm

[michellek1976 0]

I was under the impression you had to show an ongoing relationship. I think the multiple visits shows an ongoing relationship, but I also included one Valentine's card- just in case - didn't want ANOTHER RFE!!

I think you've got it pretty well covered

[William33 110]

As trey pointed out, an ongoing relationship is not the issue at the USCIS level.

For example, several members here have only met their Fiance one time, in person.

The requirement stipulates that: "You must meet with your Fiance in person within the last two years before filing for the Fiance petition."

Evidence of an ongoing relationship is needed at the Embassy/Consulate and when you adjust status (AOS).

I was under the impression you had to show an ongoing relationship. I think the multiple visits shows an ongoing relationship, but I also included one Valentine's card- just in case - didn't want ANOTHER RFE!!

I think you've got it pretty well covered

Quoted from USCIS website...."You must also have met with your fiancé(e) in person within the last two years before filing for the fiancé(e) visa...."http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/fiance.htm