Received 221(g) from London for more relationship evidence

[Rinoa 2]

Hello all,

Apologies in advance for the lengthy post.

I attended my K-1 visa interview today at the U.S. Embassy in London. My experience at the Embassy prior to the interview was pleasant enough, with staff making me feel at ease, not to mention a fellow applicant keeping my nerves at bay by striking up a conversation with me. During my interview I was concise with my responses and answered truthfully. The officer focused on specific dates and asked when we met, then his attention turned to why I had visited the U.S. over the years prior to meeting my fiancé.

I had an ex who lived in the States, hence the visits, which I explained clearly and declared those visits on my DS-160. I have never applied for a visa before. The officer misinterpreted me and seemed to believe that my fiancé knew nothing about this ex partner, which is untrue. (Told him from the start; was a non-issue.) I was given a blue 221(g) form at the end of the interview. In a brusque manner he told me that a letter from my fiancé would suffice, yet on the 221(g) under Other he wrote 'EVIDENCE OF RELATIONSHIP BTWN 2010-2013'. And that was it. I was confused and crushed, as is my fiancé. We don't have evidence of our relationship between 2010-2013 as we didn't consider ourselves in a relationship until March 2014, which is when we physically met. This is where the misunderstanding lies.

I left without asking the other staff for advice, and really need some help.

We front loaded our petition with evidence including photos from different visits, my engagement ring receipt, little things such as a receipt of flowers he had delivered to my workplace, copies of birthday cards from him and his family, PayPal history showing his transactions to me, Facebook messages spanning two years and screenshots of Skype call logs. I came prepared with every document and then some, more pictures and additional screenshots of Skype call logs. The officer didn't look at anything I had brought with me. They gave me a CD regarding my medical, and kept my police certificate and passport.

My question is where do we go from here? Is the best course of action to ask my partner to compose a letter (signed and dated, not a copy) describing the evolution of our relationship, referring to the evidence we submitted, and stating his knowledge of my ex? What else can we do?

On the https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gb website, there is a link which says 'Consular Section instructed me to send more documents'. Do I Send Request now? What should I put for Reason for Request?

We have found VisaJourney invaluable for our planning and preparation – would dearly appreciate advice. Feeling lost.

[TigerFlower 61]

So sorry for this confusion. My husband went through that embassy without issue; the fellow he talked to focused more on detailed family questions. It sounds like a letter from your fiance could clear this up. So you had no communication/didn't meet at all before 2013? I wonder why he got confused. When was your divorce? Maybe he is wondering if it overlapped with your ex?

[millefleur 5,047]

I would provide the letter since that's what the CO asked for. If that still doesn't suffice, then start worrying more. This 'EVIDENCE OF RELATIONSHIP BTWN 2010-2013' might just be super fancy wording for the letter itself and that's all....do as instructed and see what happens next. Hopefully it'll be ok in the end!

[prenouveau 46]

Sorry to hear this, London is usually easy. Did you know your fiance already (albeit only online) between 2010-2013? Like others said, it sounds like he should write a letter outlining the timeline of your knowing each other (when/on what site you started talking) as well as when you began your relationship. Be specific with dates, locations etc. It is possible they are ruling out that you were shopping around for a green card marriage. But it's a good sign that they kept your passport, that means they are intending to approve you once you provide further documentation.

[Rinoa 2]

So sorry for this confusion. My husband went through that embassy without issue; the fellow he talked to focused more on detailed family questions. It sounds like a letter from your fiance could clear this up. So you had no communication/didn't meet at all before 2013? I wonder why he got confused. When was your divorce? Maybe he is wondering if it overlapped with your ex?

I have never been married. I would agree that the officer thought the relationship with my ex overlapped with my fiancé. I would like to think that a letter from my fiancé clarifying everything will clear up the misunderstanding.

[Rinoa 2]

I would provide the letter since that's what the CO asked for. If that still doesn't suffice, then start worrying more. This 'EVIDENCE OF RELATIONSHIP BTWN 2010-2013' might just be super fancy wording for the letter itself and that's all....do as instructed and see what happens next. Hopefully it'll be ok in the end!

Thank you! Yes, hopefully that was just super fancy wording on the form.

[cookiemonsta 9]

From what you have said it seems the officer at the embassy asked you to provide a signed letter from your Fiancee, so don't stress about it, get them to write a letter stating what was asked, signed and then submit it to the embassy

Dont ask yourself what if, or question anything because you'll only worry..

[Tom169 54]

The fact your passport has been held is a positive indicator in this situation. It shows they are expecting it to be resolved.

As for specific advice I can't suggest anything else other than what has been suggested. Good luck.

[Rinoa 2]

Thank you all for the messages. My fiancé is working on a letter to send to the Embassy.

I have a few more questions. Would the best way to format this letter be typed, with his original signature, dated and with my full name, date of birth and case number clearly stated on the top right hand corner of each page submitted?

Will this just be a case of sending that letter to the Embassy? Do I need to include the 221(g)?

I have read that Royal Mail Special Delivery can be used to return documents to the Embassy instead of a courier. I would prefer to use this method. I have no View Courier-In Receipt as instructed on my 221(g) form at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gb/ (my Current Status there is 'Appointment') - is this irrelevant due to wishing to use Royal Mail? Also, do I need to fill out the 'Consular Section instructed me to send more documents' form?

[Ketsuban 1,034]

I would get that letter from him notarised just so they know it really is from him. Might not be required but if I was a hardline CO it wouldn't be beyond my scope of paranoia to assume it's a forgery.

[yuna628 9,687]

Did you know your current fiancé in the period of 2010-2013? Not in a romantic way, but in a friendship way? I don't know the timeline specifics of your relationship, but it sounded like you've known your fiancé for quite a long time, but did not 'upgrade' your relationship to a romantic way until 2014?

I knew of my husband since 2001, and perhaps first spoke to him around 2002 and maintained a deep friendship with him online until we first met and confirmed our feelings. If this is a similar case for you, in knowing your fiancé for a long time before you met them (or having another romantic relationship that overlapped inbetween your friendship). It may be of help for your fiancé to describe your relationship in detail, from friendship to love, and how it evolved. We did this in detail when we sent in our application in our signed statement, and my husband explained it to the officer during the interview. Or is it that you had no contact with them at all (online or physical) until 2014?

In either case, I would think a signed statement detailing the relationship with all dates and also highlighting his awareness of any prior relationship you may have had should do the trick.

Edited October 7, 2016 by yuna628

[Rinoa 2]

I would get that letter from him notarised just so they know it really is from him. Might not be required but if I was a hardline CO it wouldn't be beyond my scope of paranoia to assume it's a forgery.

I agree that getting the letter notarised is a good idea. I made the suggestion to my fiancé but I’m unsure whether he will go down that route. Hopefully that won’t be detrimental to our case.

[Rinoa 2]

Did you know your current fiancé in the period of 2010-2013? Not in a romantic way, but in a friendship way? I don't know the timeline specifics of your relationship, but it sounded like you've known your fiancé for quite a long time, but did not 'upgrade' your relationship to a romantic way until 2014?

I knew of my husband since 2001, and perhaps first spoke to him around 2002 and maintained a deep friendship with him online until we first met and confirmed our feelings. If this is a similar case for you, in knowing your fiancé for a long time before you met them (or having another romantic relationship that overlapped inbetween your friendship). It may be of help for your fiancé to describe your relationship in detail, from friendship to love, and how it evolved. We did this in detail when we sent in our application in our signed statement, and my husband explained it to the officer during the interview. Or is it that you had no contact with them at all (online or physical) until 2014?

In either case, I would think a signed statement detailing the relationship with all dates and also highlighting his awareness of any prior relationship you may have had should do the trick.

My fiancé and I were friends during 2010-2013. We had some contact online as friends but did not transition to a romantic relationship until 2014.

My fiancé has a detailed letter signed and ready to go. In my dazed state I did not call the Embassy earlier in the week to address the many questions I have, including if I still need a Courier-In Authorisation Certificate if I wish to use Royal Mail Special Delivery. We also wondered if he could send the letter directly from his address to the Embassy.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I feel I should have prepared for this scenario. We are keeping positive (with an unhealthy dose of trepidation looming over us).

[Rinoa 2]

Update: my fiancé submitted a letter to the Embassy which led to my visa being issued on the 26^th of October. The courier delivered both my passport and visa today! We’ve put the worries behind us and are now in the frantic stages of planning for the future.

[yuna628 9,687]

Update: my fiancé submitted a letter to the Embassy which led to my visa being issued on the 26^th of October. The courier delivered both my passport and visa today! We’ve put the worries behind us and are now in the frantic stages of planning for the future.

Glad to hear that Rinoa. Best of luck to you two!