Got NOA1 back due I-129 Supplement "Circumstances of meeting". Help!

[Iviez 0]

Hi all!

Me and SO met playing an online game (World of Warcraft). We described on the I-129 supplement that we met online, but didn't specify the specific channel we met, because honestly, how do I explain a "guild member" and "guild chat" to someone that maybe hasn't ever played MMORPG? IMO it would get quite long so we just said we met online and that we talked through online chatting (we also included the other ways we talked like Skype, messages, text, etc) and then decided to meet at a game convention.

They answered back, asking for specific details about how we met online (i.e. website) and the circumstances under which we met personally to establish the relationship.

Another point is: We did put on our form question 35 that we did NOT meet through a international marriage broker, because we didn't, but they answered back that it isn't clear that it WASN'T a marriage broker, and because of that, they asked for documentation proving that the online service we used isn't a marriage broker.

Honestly I'm lost. Should I contact Blizzard and ask them for some kind of document? I believe we can probably explain more how we met online and in person in our letter, which will get long but I guess we could answer their questions?

Thank you all in advance!

[galephys 12]

Can you both print you accounts stats from the website to show you were registered in the game before you met and you were members of the same guild? Maybe ask Blizzard support for chat logs for a specific time range when you started talking, show that your usernames are indeed yours... Then add game convention confirmation emails or tickets. If you discussed meeting at the convention over emails, add these conversations too.

And definitely do write a cover letter explaining this. Don't be afraid of details, explain everything with links and even the silliest documents. I strongly believe that a long explanation is better than a general answer which could be interpreted against you.

I just got an I-130 approved for my husband, and our story is an interesting one with some red flags. I attached a cover letter, a screenshot of our first messages to each other this time around and an affidavit from a friend confirming the story. They approved petition on the same day (direct consular filing).

[Iviez 0]

Also (sorry I don't know how to edit my first post), I got proof that I was in his city near the game convention because we booked a hotel together. Should I attach this as "circumstances under we met" part, or the attaching proof part is over? Because I didn't attach this since I sent the plane tickets and passport stamps over 5 years, and they ask for a 2 year proof of meeting only...

[JFH 12,190]

Because you didn't mention the website specifically, they have asked for further information. They want to be crystal clear whether IMBRA applies or not. How do you know they've not played these online games before? They are humans just like us so whyever not? And they spend all day every day adjudicating cases. Even if they haven't played World of Warcraft themselves, you won't be the first couple that have met that way so they will be familiar with the way it works and the jargon.

Unfortunately "we met online" is too vague for USCIS as it covers a multitude of options. You need to be specific.

Edited April 24, 2016 by JFH

[Unidentified 2,930]

Hi all!

Me and SO met playing an online game (World of Warcraft). We described on the I-129 supplement that we met online, but didn't specify the specific channel we met, because honestly, how do I explain a "guild member" and "guild chat" to someone that maybe hasn't ever played MMORPG? IMO it would get quite long so we just said we met online and that we talked through online chatting (we also included the other ways we talked like Skype, messages, text, etc) and then decided to meet at a game convention.

They answered back, asking for specific details about how we met online (i.e. website) and the circumstances under which we met personally to establish the relationship.

Another point is: We did put on our form question 35 that we did NOT meet through a international marriage broker, because we didn't, but they answered back that it isn't clear that it WASN'T a marriage broker, and because of that, they asked for documentation proving that the online service we used isn't a marriage broker.

Honestly I'm lost. Should I contact Blizzard and ask them for some kind of document? I believe we can probably explain more how we met online and in person in our letter, which will get long but I guess we could answer their questions?

Thank you all in advance!

Even if they haven't played it themselves they're not some robots. They know MMORPG's and if you just gave a brief explanation they wouldn't have given you an RFE. Now you were vague and they have to make sure you didn't meet somewhere that goes under IMBRA.

Did you write a letter about how you met or just simply answered the questions and attached proof? It could be easier explaining things in a letter and then send in maybe screen shots if you have them, the hotel reservation, plane tickets etc.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hi all!

Me and SO met playing an online game (World of Warcraft). We described on the I-129 supplement that we met online, but didn't specify the specific channel we met, because honestly, how do I explain a "guild member" and "guild chat" to someone that maybe hasn't ever played MMORPG? IMO it would get quite long so we just said we met online and that we talked through online chatting (we also included the other ways we talked like Skype, messages, text, etc) and then decided to meet at a game convention.

They answered back, asking for specific details about how we met online (i.e. website) and the circumstances under which we met personally to establish the relationship.

Another point is: We did put on our form question 35 that we did NOT meet through a international marriage broker, because we didn't, but they answered back that it isn't clear that it WASN'T a marriage broker, and because of that, they asked for documentation proving that the online service we used isn't a marriage broker.

Honestly I'm lost. Should I contact Blizzard and ask them for some kind of document? I believe we can probably explain more how we met online and in person in our letter, which will get long but I guess we could answer their questions?

Thank you all in advance!

What USCIS is looking for is whether you met on a dating site that may be considered a marriage broker. Tell them the facts... no worries.

[baron555 934]

Also (sorry I don't know how to edit my first post), I got proof that I was in his city near the game convention because we booked a hotel together. Should I attach this as "circumstances under we met" part, or the attaching proof part is over? Because I didn't attach this since I sent the plane tickets and passport stamps over 5 years, and they ask for a 2 year proof of meeting only...

Have you two met in person within the past two years? If not, then your petition will be denied since this is a requirement.

USCIS is asking for two things. The proof that the online meeting wasn't through a IMB AND your proof of meeting in person.

[phd1974 17]

Yeah, what ^^^^ they said. It does not matter whether you think they will understand WOW stuff or not. Just tell them straight up and be truthful. Not all who work for the government are stiffs ... you never know, the person looking over your case may have played more hours of WOW than you. LOL

[Roy&Chanel 109]

So here's what I did, I screenshot and retrieve my chat history in games that I played with my husband. (some games have a folder that you can retrieve pms) Its a gamer habit to screenshot guildie or funny chat or pics lol.

I wrote a full summary page of how we met, when we met online, how I joined his guild, what our nicknames was, the server we played, and how long it took us to exchange contacts after two years and then we move on to skype and then to meeting up in real and so on.

I also took screenshot of some guildies pictures with us in it who are also our real friends now. About 12 pages of it with conversations that we spoken in the game, I only took bit by bits, like from first time we met in game playing, and then gradually took some chat messages to dating. Also to provide your actual photos together, skype chat logs that we still continue to webcam and call each other daily, and lots of gifts, hotels,flight tickets.

During my K1 interview, they do know World of Warcraft, but they did not know the games that my husband and I played, I explained briefly to the officer what game it is when she asked.

The same gaming questions more detailed will be asked during AOS interview too if you have one, and America's officers are more knowledgeable in gaming. They've seen many couples from WoW.

I was also asked in both K1 and AOS if we still play games now, of course we do daily, and what sort of computer specs we have in details like SSD, AMD/Intel, processor speed, graphics card.

Hope this helps

Edited April 26, 2016 by Roy&Chanel

[Iviez 0]

Thanks everyone for the help. I understand that they could very well know about WoW, I just didn't know how far I should get on explaining the game and I read in many threads to keep it simple. We both haven't played the game in years, we quit almost together after I while because I got into college and my SO started a new job. We do maintain contact with our guild members tho, so an affidavit from them would be doable. The logs, honestly, I'll try emailing Blizzard see what they can give us because at the time we weren't even thinking about marrying and all, and also if they have a log of people that went to BlizzCon, because we didn't get them ourselves,a guild member got for everyone because who has gone to BlizzCon knows how hard is to get a ticket, and they were the first to get an open server spot and snitched like 6 tickets for all of us, but I'm almost sure our tags had our real names and WoW names.

Also, we did send plenty of proof we have been together for more than 4 years. Plane tickets, stamps, hotels, activities and all. We sent 6 photos of us from different years. We did not send any chat logs but after digging the oldest email I found was from 2011 and oldest chat log I found was from 2013 on Facebook, I'll make sure to attach those too and the years after.

So what I'll do:

- detail more about how we met

- send more old proof about the event we met (hotel reservation and maybe BlizzCon invitation)

- get affidavit from guild friends (maybe, not sure yet)

- get old logs

So hopefully that will be enough...

Thanks again for your help everyone!! Wish us luck!!

[Caykay1 71]

Hi all!

Me and SO met playing an online game (World of Warcraft). We described on the I-129 supplement that we met online, but didn't specify the specific channel we met, because honestly, how do I explain a "guild member" and "guild chat" to someone that maybe hasn't ever played MMORPG? IMO it would get quite long so we just said we met online and that we talked through online chatting (we also included the other ways we talked like Skype, messages, text, etc) and then decided to meet at a game convention.

They answered back, asking for specific details about how we met online (i.e. website) and the circumstances under which we met personally to establish the relationship.

Another point is: We did put on our form question 35 that we did NOT meet through a international marriage broker, because we didn't, but they answered back that it isn't clear that it WASN'T a marriage broker, and because of that, they asked for documentation proving that the online service we used isn't a marriage broker.

Honestly I'm lost. Should I contact Blizzard and ask them for some kind of document? I believe we can probably explain more how we met online and in person in our letter, which will get long but I guess we could answer their questions?

Thank you all in advance!

Never assume they will get it, they know it, it's too deep or in depth to explain, they might have never heard of it. It's your job to prove and convince as well as make them believe you. These are the advise I got from my legal advise team.