RFE - Requirements that Petitioner and Beneficiary have met in Person

[jdclover 0]

I have a RFE request for proof that we've met in person in the last 2 years. I've attached a copy of the request excerpt sans any personal identifying information and some extraneous information at the bottom.

First question, are they looking for both the Circumstances of Meeting and the Last Personal Meeting? The main clause "Requirement that petitioner and beneficiary have met in person" applies more to Last Personal meeting then it does to Circumstances of meeting, but I was going to include both anyways.

As far as what I have submitted, I visited my fiance last year so I included airline ticket stubs, receipts, and pictures from then as well as 2 previous visits from the last 3 years. I also sent a brief letter (about 1 page double spaced) that indicate how we had met. I've been reading on the board that I should perhaps include a copy of my passport page with admission stamps since the airline stuff isn't primary evidence (although this letter clearly indicates otherwise). I guess my question is, if I include more primary evidence (passport stamp copies) with more secondary evidence (more pictures) from an even more recent trip (i visited a couple weeks ago again), should this be enough? Also do they really want me to write another letter with the circumstances of our meeting in more depth? If so, what are they looking for me to say in the letter? Perhaps I didn't say enough or said the wrong things.

[Que Saudade 284]

Start by reading here K1 Guide

Specifically the part that says documentary proof of having met in person in the past 2 years.

Write a paragraph describing how you met, literally. Was it online, through a friend, whatever it was, you describe it. If you deem your paragraph was enough, them resubmit it, but carefully examine it.

Copies of all passport pages. Boarding passes from the dates within last 2 years. Hotel receipts from those dates, credit card receipts from those dates, along with photos of the 2 of you during those dates with time, place, and names written on back.... etc.......

More importantly, read the section from the link I gave you

Good luck

Edited August 29, 2012 by Que Saudade

[Henry&Rebecca 39]

I'd steer clear of trips that happened AFTER filing the petition, because I've read on here (and it clearly states in your RFE as well) that they care about the 2 years immediately preceding the filing of the petition.

With that said, if it is indeed true that you submitted all that then it is strange that you got an RFE but I've read here before that the same happened to others as well. So your best bet is to just go ahead and send them everything you had originally sent as well as the passport stamps associated with the trip(s) which you are presenting as evidence of last meet.

And lastly, the RFE clearly states that they want information about how you 2 initially met (in addition to the "met within last 2 years" evidence). So yes, while you had originally submitted that, make sure that your response to the RFE contains one as well. They're specifically asking for it, so you don't wanna risk it by telling the guy "check the original submission, I sent it to you already!" lol

Side question, for my own curiosity: Did you 2 perhaps meet online? And had you perhaps disclosed that in your original I-129F form?

Edited August 29, 2012 by Henry&Rebecca

[Que Saudade 284]

I'd steer clear of trips that happened AFTER filing the petition, because I've read on here (and it clearly states in your RFE as well) that they care about the 2 years immediately preceding the filing of the petition.

Absolutely... You have to prove you met face to face within 2 years of the date you filed the I-129F petition. Nothing more, nothing less.

It is a mandated requirement.

At the K1 interview, trips since the filing can prove ongoing relationship. You are not at that point yet.

[bob.sansmal 14]

I got an RFE requesting boarding passes that were unavailable (because, who keeps boarding passes??? Well I do now...) But they accepted an affidavit that the boarding passes were unavailable - so if you have them, definitely send them. If not, then at least a signed, sworn statement that you don't have them might be adequate.

Oh, and from what I understand (which is not much) they're really interested in meetings that occurred prior to the filing of the I-129F

[Que Saudade 284]

It appears he did not send in copies of passport pages originally. That is a BIGGIE...

[jdclover 0]

Write a paragraph describing how you met, literally. Was it online, through a friend, whatever it was, you describe it. If you deem your paragraph was enough, them resubmit it, but carefully examine it.

I had done this, indicated it was online, how we started talking became friends and over time eventually it developed into a relationship. I was rather brief in the online part of how we met, there's really not a lot that I felt could be said, but then I proceeded to say we decided to take the next step and meet in person. This was mostly in my first paragraph, my 2nd paragraph consisted of the 2 times I visited in the 7 months that followed. I could elaborate more in the letter I send them, but I'm not sure what they think is enough. So perhaps I should go into more detail on the developing of the relationship online. Write them a small essay of how we met. Also we met on friendster, which is no longer the social networking site it used to be having completely revamped their business model, but I don't know how much they check into the actual sites you indicate and I don't know what they'd think if they don't know anything about friendster's past, considering it's a gaming site now.

Copies of all passport pages. Boarding passes from the dates within last 2 years. Hotel receipts from those dates, credit card receipts from those dates, along with photos of the 2 of you during those dates with time, place, and names written on back.... etc.......

On this, perhaps I didn't include enough. I had boarding passes from 2 trips in 2008 and then a more recent boarding pass from a trip in 2011. I did not include many receipts though, but would a bank statement with cash withdrawals in my fiance's country that occurred during my trips work as well? Whatever they want, I can easily provide them more information.

In your link it states: Color Photo's of you and your fiance(e) together. Make sure you write your names, date, and location on the back of every photo. Provide two to five photo's.

They do have pictures I had included with my original submission, but I had not put any dates on them. Should I resend those pictures with date and names or just pick new ones from my most recent trip?

And one more question, and I apologize for taking up too much of your time, if they didn't specifically state in the RFE that they wanted proof of an ongoing relationship, can I assume that what I did send them was enough?

Edited August 29, 2012 by jdclover

[jdclover 0]

It appears he did not send in copies of passport pages originally. That is a BIGGIE...

Sad thing is I'm working with a Lawyer and he never mentioned this. So I will include the pages, I think most of the stamps from my visits are all on the same 2 pages anyways.

Edited August 29, 2012 by jdclover

[Que Saudade 284]

Cover your Buttocks and give them back all that they referenced in the letter. Don't haggle. Just do it... You will save yourself heartache.

Even if you gave it before, give it again. You did leave out the passport pages..... I'm just saying.

Go over everything again and meet the requirements. Put your emotions aside....

Lawyers are useless. Pay me instead

[jdclover 0]

I'd steer clear of trips that happened AFTER filing the petition, because I've read on here (and it clearly states in your RFE as well) that they care about the 2 years immediately preceding the filing of the petition.

Note taken, I had visited in 2011, so I will include more info about that trip than I had already given them, avoiding my trip from 2 weeks ago on the RFE.

[Que Saudade 284]

Note taken, I had visited in 2011, so I will include more info about that trip than I had already given them, avoiding my trip from 2 weeks ago on the RFE.

JD, back to my original post.

Do yourself a favor and YOU become familiar with the process. You do not need a lawyer. Read read read..... You can do this.

[jdclover 0]

JD, back to my original post.

Do yourself a favor and YOU become familiar with the process. You do not need a lawyer. Read read read..... You can do this.

Yeah he's already paid for and his name is already on the paperwork so too late for that. I just figured an immigration lawyer would make it so I didn't have to actually do much research on my own.

I thank you for all your advice, I whish I had delved more into this site before I paid a lawyer.

But Yes I will become more familiar with the process now.

Edited August 29, 2012 by jdclover

[Que Saudade 284]

Yeah he's already paid for and his name is already on the paperwork so too late for that. I just figured an immigration lawyer would make it so I didn't have to actually do much research on my own.

I thank you for all your advice, I whish I had delved more into this site before I paid a lawyer.

But Yes I will become more familiar with the process now.

Yes, that way you can keep your lawyer on track.

Good luck. I am sure it will work out for you. Don't give the lawyer anymore money... Just a waste.

[Henry&Rebecca 39]

I had done this, indicated it was online, how we started talking became friends and over time eventually it developed into a relationship. I was rather brief in the online part of how we met, there's really not a lot that I felt could be said, but then I proceeded to say we decided to take the next step and meet in person. This was mostly in my first paragraph, my 2nd paragraph consisted of the 2 times I visited in the 7 months that followed. I could elaborate more in the letter I send them, but I'm not sure what they think is enough. So perhaps I should go into more detail on the developing of the relationship online. Write them a small essay of how we met. Also we met on friendster, which is no longer the social networking site it used to be having completely revamped their business model, but I don't know how much they check into the actual sites you indicate and I don't know what they'd think if they don't know anything about friendster's past, considering it's a gaming site now.

On this, perhaps I didn't include enough. I had boarding passes from 2 trips in 2008 and then a more recent boarding pass from a trip in 2011. I did not include many receipts though, but would a bank statement with cash withdrawals in my fiance's country that occurred during my trips work as well? Whatever they want, I can easily provide them more information.

In your link it states: Color Photo's of you and your fiance(e) together. Make sure you write your names, date, and location on the back of every photo. Provide two to five photo's.

They do have pictures I had included with my original submission, but I had not put any dates on them. Should I resend those pictures with date and names or just pick new ones from my most recent trip?

And one more question, and I apologize for taking up too much of your time, if they didn't specifically state in the RFE that they wanted proof of an ongoing relationship, can I assume that what I did send them was enough?

Well let's think about it logically, shall we? About the initial meeting. In my opinion, there are 2 or 3 significant parts of that which the adjudicator MAY be interested in (I don't think anybody knows exactly, so covering all bases is wise if you ask me):

1) How the online introduction was made: i.e. you say it was friendstar.com but HOW did you 2 get acquainted? Did that use to be a dating site and he searched for women in your age range and found you and contacted you? Does it have something similar to facebook's "people you might know" section or whatever and you saw him there and contacted him? the EXACT details of why and how you 2 started talking, that is.

2) How the online communication turned into a relationship: For example you mention that you 2 were friends first, so what happened that you decided to become a couple?

3) How the online relationship led to a first meeting (you have to keep in mind that many people, even my mid-20s friends, consider the first face-to-face meeting as solidifying a relationship, and that the online/phone/skype thing was not a "real" relationship until then).

I think that if you cover those 3 bases, then you're good to go as far as the first part of the RFE is concerned.

And as for the second part, as mentioned, stick to trips 2 years BEFORE filing, and yes give as much proof (including passport pages) as needed. I think proof of your 2008 trips will not help you, as those are before the 2 year period preceding filing, so I'd stick to your 2011 trip. And yes, resend those picture along with more pictures from THAT trip. The purpose of the pictures is to help support the claim you 2 were together during your 2011 trip, not as proof of ongoing relationship after filing. If the pictures don't have dates digitally imprinted, then write them yourself on the back. Something like "X and Y in Manila, Philippines. XX/XX/2011". And yes, include your ATM withdrawal receipts from the time you were there, it will prove further that you were, in fact, there at the time you claim you were.

And finally, the RFE does not request proof of ongoing relationship, so I don't see a need for these since you mention you had already sent them in with your original submission.

Edited August 29, 2012 by Henry&Rebecca