Evidence of relationship was returned... general questions.

[d3adc0d3 186]

The service I used, said photo paper only. I sent them pictures printed on regular paper initially and they kicked it back.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

The service I used, said photo paper only. I sent them pictures printed on regular paper initially and they kicked it back.

Your service was wrong. There is no problem sending them printed on regular paper (several to a page). Many many people have done it. I only didn't because I don't have a printer capable of it and it's cheap to print regular pics.

Your service has a preference. It doesn't mean it's a USCIS specific preference.

[d3adc0d3 186]

Well that was an aggressive response. o.o

[Redicent 14]

Thanks for agreeing -- the consular phase is NOT to be underestimated.

Yes, as Sun Tzu said: "To under-estimate a consular officer, is to lose the battle"

But as Confucius said: "Never give a bureaucrat a chance to confuse himself"

Edited July 16, 2013 by Redicent

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

The bolded statement is correct when we're talking about USCIS only. An important qualification is that front-loading (including evidence of a bona fide relationship) can be crucial before the interview stage, when the reviewing consular officer looks at the by-then-approved petition package and forms an impression. Just wanted to point that out.

OP, Jay-Kay has recommended that you bring that evidence to the interview; she has experience with your consulate, and you can trust her advice. However, folks who will deal with tougher consulates should strongly consider front-loading to a greater or lesser extent.

Yes. For Juarez it is not a bad idea to have a little bit of relationship evidence sent with the I-129F, but if you do not front-load, it is not a complete deal breaker. CDJ will not reject all evidence and has been known to ask for some at the interview. Some do not ask for any evidence at times. Now, whether or not that is just the particular CO's preference, or those people front-loaded, I cannot say. We front-loaded but my husband was still asked for photos at the interview of us together with my daughter and with his family as well.

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

Well that was an aggressive response. o.o

Aggressive? Where?

It is true. There is no requirement by the USCIS to send in only photos printed out individually in a certain size on photo paper for the I-129F. Some people send actual photos. Some send several photos per page printed out on photo paper. Some send several photos per page printed out on plain paper. All are acceptable.

[Redicent 14]

I know the folks are talking about evidence of meeting/relationship photos. But to be clear, the "passport style" photos for the G-325A must be on photo paper (glossy, bla, bla...). Just so nobody misunderstands.

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

I know the folks are talking about evidence of meeting/relationship photos. But to be clear, the "passport style" photos for the G-325A must be on photo paper (glossy, bla, bla...). Just so nobody misunderstands.

Yes, now those DO have to be a certain size, 2 x 2 inches(5 x 5 cm works) in color and on photo paper.

[Cathi 5,795]

Photos must be 4x6 on individual photo paper.

like this:

They should contain the names of everyone in the photo on the back (indicating if its Left to Right. or Right to Left), a date, a location, and a brief description.

DVDs/CDs inadmissible, electronic evidence is not allowed, must contain a paper trail.

Data files for FB & Screen shot of skype calls: Print these out, on paper -- also this is more the stuff they're looking for when asking for "proof of ongoing relationship".

Photos do not need to be a certain size, and they do not have to have dates and every single person in the photo listed. I sent literally 4 pictures, no specific size, didn't put dates or the names of the other's in the photos with us. The only thing I did was put my name and my husband's, with our DOB in case they were misplaced. I have also seen many others in this forum merely print them on regular paper, no need for even photo paper. Photos are only secondary evidence and don't hold as much weight as primary evidence, photos can be staged...

The only photos that need to be a specific size are the passport pictures, they must be 2 inches by 2 inches, in color

Edited July 16, 2013 by mimolicious

[d3adc0d3 186]

Photos do not need to be a certain size, and they do not have to have dates and every single person in the photo listed. I sent literally 4 pictures, no specific size, didn't put dates or the names of the other's in the photos with us. The only thing I did was put my name and my husband's, with our DOB in case they were misplaced. I have also seen many others in this forum merely print them on regular paper, no need for even photo paper. Photos are only secondary evidence and don't hold as much weight as primary evidence, photos can be staged...

The only photos that need to be a specific size are the passport pictures, they must be 2 inches by 2 inches, in color

Yes, I understand that I was misinformed, I will correct this moving forward. *salutes* ;D

Perhaps the service I used misunderstood, or decided to take the "safe" route in having people print out their photos on photo paper and label them for one reason or another, regardless I will keep that in mind.

As for how it was an aggressive response, the tone and wording was a bit aggressive, when I was only asking for confirmation and perhaps elaboration. I'm sure the person didn't intend it that way, however tone is conveyed much more rigidly in text as vocal pitches cannot be heard, so how things are worded have a lot of impact, I think many people are not mindful of that.

[bigdog 377]

See what others who have been successful did to complete their stage of immigration, You will be fine now with guidance and your buds a VJ. Remember this is the USG they are not Hi Tec at this stage at all.

[Pitaya 2,577]

See what others who have been successful did to complete their stage of immigration, You will be fine now with guidance and your buds a VJ. Remember this is the USG they are not Hi Tec at this stage at all.

Amen to that!

All of our relationship photos that we have submitted for all of our encounters with the various immigration entities have been digital color laser photos, printed on 20# regular white photocopy paper. The dates and people identified was noted on the back. The printed photos were placed in Avery Presentation Sheet Protectors. We had no issues, RFEs, nada, zilch, with this process.

All of our passport photos complied with DOS requirements:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotoreq/pptphotoreq_5333.html

NO aggressiveness intended, just stating what one VJ family did to (thus far) successfully navigate along on our immigration journey.

YMMV.

Happy trails on your visa journey.

Edited July 16, 2013 by A&B

[d3adc0d3 186]

I wasn't referring to you. It was to the post right above mine when I commented on an aggressive response.

Edited July 16, 2013 by d3adc0d3

[Enigma23 68]

It seems you are missing the Key Evidence part of having met... Photos can be "photoshop'ed" so they want actual Proof.

AKA

Boarding Passes for BOTH of you if meeting in a Neutral/Not-living-there location.

Receipts for Food, lodging, gas in the actual location for both.

Affidavits of people you both know corroborating the meetings, etc.

See this info from http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide#proof

Documentary Proof of Having Met in Person in the Past Two Years and an Ongoing Relationship:

Use as many of these items are possible. There is no minimum, but the more you can provide the less likely you are that you will receive an RFE. Additionally, please note that providing proof of your ongoing and genuine relationship in this package may benefit you by allowing the consulate to have access to this information prior to them formally contacting the non US Citizen fiance. Many high risk consulates approach cases with a skeptical eye and providing this information early on in the original I-129F package will help them in their preliminary review of your case.

1. Copies of all airline boarding passes, train passes, itineraries, hotel receipts, passport stamps (make sure you can read the dates on the stamps), and other documentary evidence that you have met within the last two years. You may want to highlight or place post-it notes indicating the dates and locations on the copies (to make the adjudication easier) for the person reviewing your file.

2. 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. If you only have a single copy of the photo, then make a color copy and send that. If it is a digital photo, have it printed at a local photo store such as Walgreens. Place photo's in a plastic bag or photo sheet and label the sheet. Note that you may not receive originals of photo's back. 3. The following items will not typically show proof of having met in the last two years however will show proof of an ongoing relationship: Copies of land line and cell phone bills, appropriate letters and emails, stamps on the letters (to document the date they were sent), and other written documentary proof. Provide a reasonable amount; two to four of each type. Pick a range of dates up to and including the present. You can also include a copy of engagement ring receipt (this is something that is a big optional - do not worry if you do not have a ring yet!)

Edited July 16, 2013 by Enigma23

[duraaraa 203]

About the pictures:

I made a black and white photocopy of the front and back of an original photograph, onto 8.5x11 paper. I then wrote the names, and July, 2011 on the back. That was the only photo of us together which I had sent in, and I was approved without any trouble.

Proof of having met was easier for me, because I lived and worked in Mongolia for a considerable amount of time, so I had things like drivers licenses, bank cards, long-term 3-year working visas, etc. etc. I think I just showed my Mongolian drivers license, and took copies of every page in my passport, and printed out the itineraries which matched the stamped visas.