Should it make a difference how you met?

[whitey810 0]

I'm a new member to the forum and really appreciate all of the help and advice as I start this process with my Fiancee. A few days ago I read a post about how you should be able to fast track an application for a fee. Clearly this got some heated reactions from both sides. My question is, should (or does it already?) matter to USCIS as far as processing time how your relationship came about. If you actually lived in the same country with each other for years, worked together, have kids or something like that versus maybe a chance encounter while overseas or meeting online and primarily having a relationship from a distance? A battle of old school vs new school!

[BaBamSam 239]

It doesn't and it really shouldn't. All relationships are different and to say "this is a stronger relationship than that" would be absurd.

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

It doesn't and it really shouldn't. All relationships are different and to say "this is a stronger relationship than that" would be absurd.

[whitey810 0]

It doesn't and it really shouldn't. All relationships are different and to say "this is a stronger relationship than that" would be absurd.

Just to clarify, I was not insinuating that meeting in person would make the relationship stronger than online relationships. However, when an organization's (USCIS) job is to determine whether relationships are genuine and try and reduce the instances of fraud, there has to be certain situations where the chance of fraud is minimized by the details of the relationship in question. It was just food for thought.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Just to clarify, I was not insinuating that meeting in person would make the relationship stronger than online relationships. However, when an organization's (USCIS) job is to determine whether relationships are genuine and try and reduce the instances of fraud, there has to be certain situations where the chance of fraud is minimized by the details of the relationship in question. It was just food for thought.

Re the bolded portion, yes of course that's the case. Those files that they're wary of have "red flags". And yes meeting on a site where people are fishing for wifes/husbands would be more suss that people who APPEAR to have met by chance but aside from adding a flag or too, it doesn't mean those that met through high school are processed faster than those who don't.

Perfect example - girl meets guy at school and they become friends (and friends only). Turns out one of them is illegal and need status. They marry and file for paperwork for the illegal, the USC thinking they're helping their friend out. This is, of course, illegal... but they grew up together so you posited that they might get an easier time... nope. USCIS has seen these situations MANY times.

p.s. WELCOME!

[BaBamSam 239]

Just to clarify, I was not insinuating that meeting in person would make the relationship stronger than online relationships. However, when an organization's (USCIS) job is to determine whether relationships are genuine and try and reduce the instances of fraud, there has to be certain situations where the chance of fraud is minimized by the details of the relationship in question. It was just food for thought.

Oh no, I assumed you were kind of "open question"-ing it to see thoughts.

It's just so hard to identify fraud. If you're childhood friends, that can raise more eyebrows than dating for one year. If you met through a mutual friend, that could be a set up. Everything can be fraud. Proof of meeting is important, obviously, but there are other strengthening aspects of a relationship. At first I didn't understand how some couples had only been with each other offline for a week, but it happens that they are much more legitimate than the couple who have been off-and-on dating for the last ten years (in the eyes of the USCIS).

[whitey810 0]

p.s. WELCOME!

Thanks!

Oh no, I assumed you were kind of "open question"-ing it to see thoughts.

It's just so hard to identify fraud. If you're childhood friends, that can raise more eyebrows than dating for one year. If you met through a mutual friend, that could be a set up. Everything can be fraud. Proof of meeting is important, obviously, but there are other strengthening aspects of a relationship. At first I didn't understand how some couples had only been with each other offline for a week, but it happens that they are much more legitimate than the couple who have been off-and-on dating for the last ten years (in the eyes of the USCIS).

I agree with both of you. It is very difficult to identify genuine from fake especially when you are only looking at a couple of forms and some photos. I don't envy the job...

I think it's probably natural when you start this process and get in line with everyone else who is patiently waiting, you start to analyze your situation versus others and look for any way things could go faster. But it's great to have a support system with people in the same position, or ones who have been through it all before.

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

I think it's probably natural when you start this process and get in line with everyone else who is patiently waiting, you start to analyze your situation versus others and look for any way things could go faster. But it's great to have a support system with people in the same position, or ones who have been through it all before.

The only time it tends to go faster is when the American citizen is residing abroad with their foreign *spouse*. Else than that, the only impact the details of your relationship will have is on how your interview will go and what the outcome will be.