How Much Evidence Will I Need?

[Akwaaba*Edward 9]

I need information about RFE? I'm being procactive as I prepare for the our interview in Ghana. I have over 500 pages of call logs and over 7,000 chats and emails. Along with my original petition documents, pictures, and passport stamps confirming the past 5 visits I have made to Ghana over the past 14 months. One visit included my 10yr old daughter. I wanted her to meet him prior to his arrival in the U.S. Is that enough evidence for a K1 approval? I have heard horror stories about the U.S. Embassy in Ghana and I want to make sure we are approved on that day. What can I expect? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Andy_R 12]

We used a couple letters, a couple recent photos (~4-5), and a couple emails. No problems.

But Ghana might be different. YMMV

Edited July 2, 2012 by Andy_R

[midge and isi 8]

I need information about RFE? I'm being procactive as I prepare for the our interview in Ghana. I have over 500 pages of call logs and over 7,000 chats and emails. Along with my original petition documents, pictures, and passport stamps confirming the past 5 visits I have made to Ghana over the past 14 months. One visit included my 10yr old daughter. I wanted her to meet him prior to his arrival in the U.S. Is that enough evidence for a K1 approval? I have heard horror stories about the U.S. Embassy in Ghana and I want to make sure we are approved on that day. What can I expect? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

RFE would be for petition. AP would be for interview.

As long as you provided proof of meeting in two years, you shouldnt have any issue with RFE.

For interview: You have plenty for the Ghana embassy. Pictures are great- especially if you met his family, and pics with your daughter with him as well. Make sure he knows every little thing for the embassy. I lived in Ghana for a while and then a second visit with my folks. He was asked very easy questions. Multiple visits are a great thing!!!

If there a large age difference he needs to be prepared for that. It seems most Muslims in Ghana go into AP from this site, don't know if that applies (more of a background check then relationship check).

Good luck!

[TBoneTX 46,276]

Listen to those who have experience with your embassy. Regarding the volume of printed material that you have, no one is going to read through all that. Take the initiative to pick a healthy amount of what you want them to see. Go through with an eye toward "how strongly does this chat/this e-mail provide evidence of a bona fide relationship?" Look at it as a CO would.

You need not submit the whole kitchen sink. Fortunately, you have a very large kitchen sink with many parts that you can pick and choose from.

As a general note for people who will later be dealing with tough-or-worse embassies, it's optimal to front-load the K-1 or CR-1 petition with hand-selected material.

[midge and isi 8]

Listen to those who have experience with your embassy. Regarding the volume of printed material that you have, no one is going to read through all that. Take the initiative to pick a healthy amount of what you want them to see. Go through with an eye toward "how strongly does this chat/this e-mail provide evidence of a bona fide relationship?" Look at it as a CO would.

You need not submit the whole kitchen sink. Fortunately, you have a very large kitchen sink with many parts that you can pick and choose from.

As a general note for people who will later be dealing with tough-or-worse embassies, it's optimal to front-load the K-1 or CR-1 petition with hand-selected material.

From our experience the pictures with family and multiple trips really made it easy. We had 100s of pages of showing text messages from US Cellular and a page each month from skype showing calls. From Facebook I only printed a few actually messages but printed the 20 pages of inbox few which showed over 1,000 messages. If that is something you can do something like that it would be helpful. I agree that 1,000s of pages is too much. They didn't even really look at our evidence all that much, but we made sure we had anything and everything they could ask for.

They didn't even have our stuff from the petition when my fiance went for his interview. They didnt have the pictures, so i was glad we included extra from my time living in Ghana and my other visit. I don't think extreme front loading did anything to help us, but more then just the basic is good.

In Ghana YOU NEED Tax Transcripts, don't even bother with W-2s and copies of returns they will call you back.....

[Akwaaba*Edward 9]

RFE would be for petition. AP would be for interview.

As long as you provided proof of meeting in two years, you shouldnt have any issue with RFE.

For interview: You have plenty for the Ghana embassy. Pictures are great- especially if you met his family, and pics with your daughter with him as well. Make sure he knows every little thing for the embassy. I lived in Ghana for a while and then a second visit with my folks. He was asked very easy questions. Multiple visits are a great thing!!!

If there a large age difference he needs to be prepared for that. It seems most Muslims in Ghana go into AP from this site, don't know if that applies (more of a background check then relationship check).

Good luck!

Thanks so much! I apprecitae your time.

[Akwaaba*Edward 9]

Listen to those who have experience with your embassy. Regarding the volume of printed material that you have, no one is going to read through all that. Take the initiative to pick a healthy amount of what you want them to see. Go through with an eye toward "how strongly does this chat/this e-mail provide evidence of a bona fide relationship?" Look at it as a CO would.

You need not submit the whole kitchen sink. Fortunately, you have a very large kitchen sink with many parts that you can pick and choose from.

As a general note for people who will later be dealing with tough-or-worse embassies, it's optimal to front-load the K-1 or CR-1 petition with hand-selected material.

I will do that! I didn't think I needed that much information. I will begin the selection process today. Thanks so much!

[Akwaaba*Edward 9]

From our experience the pictures with family and multiple trips really made it easy. We had 100s of pages of showing text messages from US Cellular and a page each month from skype showing calls. From Facebook I only printed a few actually messages but printed the 20 pages of inbox few which showed over 1,000 messages. If that is something you can do something like that it would be helpful. I agree that 1,000s of pages is too much. They didn't even really look at our evidence all that much, but we made sure we had anything and everything they could ask for.

They didn't even have our stuff from the petition when my fiance went for his interview. They didnt have the pictures, so i was glad we included extra from my time living in Ghana and my other visit. I don't think extreme front loading did anything to help us, but more then just the basic is good.

In Ghana YOU NEED Tax Transcripts, don't even bother with W-2s and copies of returns they will call you back.....

[/quot

OMG!!! I had no idea about the transcripts. I made a copy of the original petition documents I submitted to the USCIS when I initially filed which included my W2's and copies of my tax returns. I intend to bring that along with additional documents to the interview. I don't understand why that information would suffice for the USCIS but it will not be enough for the Ghana Embassy. Go figure!!!! I really appreciate the "heads up" my dear.

You Rock! :-)

[Akwaaba*Edward 9]

We used a couple letters, a couple recent photos (~4-5), and a couple emails. No problems.

But Ghana might be different. YMMV

Wishing that was all I need! :-) I hear Ghana is one of the worse for K1 approvals. I must admit it is "hear say" but I'm inclined to believe some of the stories being told. I'm positive all will be well but I want to make sure I have enough information.

Thanks a bunch!

[midge and isi 8]

Ghana is tough- but with the right papers and evidence you will be fine.

Your filing of the petition with W-2s/Tax information will not be used for your I-134 at the embassy, you need to re-submit, these documents are not needed for the petition to begin with.

Fill out the I-134 with the last 3 years of tax transcripts. (For the future its the easiest way to do all forms for USISC- like the I-864 later on!) the number is 1-800-908-9946. They are free and usually arrive in 7-10 business days.

Ghana questions all documents for thinking they may be fraud. (thats why you need the printed Birth Certificates now and not hand written) The thing with W-2 and the copies does not actually proof you filed your taxes. the transcript shows your filled and are up to date which is what they care about. For AOS I would suggest using them as well.

Good luck- let me know if you have any more questions Ghana specific.