Known each other for 10 years - what to send with K1 application?

[kellee 6]

Hi all,

my fiance and I have known each other for almost 10 years, we met online and I visited him twice back then.

We were both young and students back then and difficult life circumstances (transitioning from student to first job for me, on top of that me having to financially support my sick mom, him joining the army after finishing studies and moving around, his mother being terminally ill) unfortunately made it impossible to keep up our relationship back then, even though we tried long distance at first. We sporadically stayed in touch over all the years, though and this spring he visited me because we couldn't forget about each other. We are about to file for the K1 now.

So:

what should he send along with the package?

I've been reading around here alot and many of you say proof of evidence of having met within the past 2 years is enough (ticket stubs, passport stamps, photos - we have all that) - and that too much "frontloading" would be unnecessary.

I am from a low-fraud country anyway and I read that it's even more unneccessary to frontload too much in such case.

But - if I try put myself in the shoes of a consular officer at the embassy who USCIS forwards our package to - from what we are about to send in now (the minimum of having met within the past 2 years), it would look like we have only met once and basically decided to marry after one meeting (which isn't true, but that's what it looks like if he only sends in the "minimum" that is required). And so I am overanalyzing and wondering if it would look "suspicious" and create any unnecessary trouble or delay when there wouldn't need to be.

So - should we add a supplement letter of how we've known each other for almost 10 years, describing the circumstances I mentioned above + a photo from back then ---- or would it be enough to send that part AFTER NOA2?

I am not sure how to proceed or rather, at which point in the visa process to integrate that piece of information (now when filing, or later after NOA2), so any advise would be helpful.

Thank you.

Edited November 20, 2016 by kellee

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

What country are you from? He is the USC/Petitioner I am guessing?

Length of history does not matter. Important things to ad into the petition, as you stated, are proof of meeting within the last two years. Passport copies of entry into the country, photos, receipts, hotel bill, credit card statements showing purchases, ect;...)

You can add your overall history into the biographical page about "How you met" if you want to, to show the evolution of your relationship; but It isn't needed though as again for the petition, all they care about is you meeting the requirements of the I-129F, which is "Free to marry", and "Met within the previous 2 years".

Do not "over analyze" the requirements. A lot, and a lot of people on here in VJ have only met their SO one time before filing(myself included for only 9 days), some only met once and only 'dated' for 4-5 months before applying. USCIS does not care. At the interview stage, maybe they will more, but with your long history, and reasons for the evolution of your relationship, you can easily over come those obstacles.

[yuna628 9,676]

Hi all,

my fiance and I have known each other for almost 10 years, we met online and I visited him twice back then.

We were both young and students back then and difficult life circumstances (transitioning from student to first job for me, on top of that me having to financially support my sick mom, him joining the army after finishing studies and moving around, his mother being terminally ill) unfortunately made it impossible to keep up our relationship back then, even though we tried long distance at first. We sporadically stayed in touch over all the years, though and this spring he visited me because we couldn't forget about each other. We are about to file for the K1 now.

So:

what should he send along with the package?

I've been reading around here alot and many of you say proof of evidence of having met within the past 2 years is enough (ticket stubs, passport stamps, photos - we have all that) - and that too much "frontloading" would be unnecessary.

I am from a low-fraud country anyway and I read that it's even more unneccessary to frontload too much in such case.

But - if I try put myself in the shoes of a consular officer at the embassy who USCIS forwards our package to - from what we are about to send in now (the minimum of having met within the past 2 years), it would look like we have only met once and basically decided to marry after one meeting (which isn't true, but that's what it looks like if he only sends in the "minimum" that is required). And so I am overanalyzing and wondering if it would look "suspicious" and create any unnecessary trouble or delay when there wouldn't need to be.

So - should we add a supplement letter of how we've known each other for almost 10 years, describing the circumstances I mentioned above + a photo from back then ---- or would it be enough to send that part AFTER NOA2?

I am not sure how to proceed or rather, at which point in the visa process to integrate that piece of information (now when filing, or later after NOA2), so any advise would be helpful.

Thank you.

Hi there,

I knew my husband a very long time before we decided to go with the K1, and also it was from a low-key low fraud consulate. But we did want to make a point to anyone reviewing our case that we absolutely had known each other for ages, and had made many trips over the years, and the progression of our relationship. We did this in our supplement letter for the I-129F explanation of meeting. Typically a person can put as much or as little as they want. In a small paragraph we explained how/when we first met, the dates of all the times we visited each other, when he proposed, and finally mentioned our last two visits (the most recent). The boarding passes, passport stamps (they could pretty much see every visit to confirm this from the multiple passports/stamps alone), receipts from dates we had went on in that timeframe I think were all good evidence enough. Pictures are secondary evidence, but we did indeed send a few from over the course of the relationship (including the most recent date).. so you could see how we had genuinely aged lol! The USCIS is looking to see if the main requirements are fulfilled, and the interviewer is supposed to do the rest. Do not worry too much at all. There is no need to overload the application, and we probably sent in more than most. The interviewer asked us many of the same things we talked about in our letter (probably to confirm).

FYI you do not send in any additional information. Get together everything that's required as per the instructions and send it in - you will send nothing in after that. They won't accept it, won't care about it, won't use it. If a person feels comfortable enough they can bring additional relationship evidence to the interview - depending on the consulate they may or may not request to see it. London cares not one iota to see it, in our case - others are much more rigorous.

[soulstriker 274]

ive known my fiance since we were kids so in the 34a portion i got to write about the evolution of our relationship ,of course your 34a could be just two sentences but its your petition make it your own

[ceeq 53]

Same here! Knew him for 11 years ongoing 12 soon! Got my packet approved and now its at the embassy. We're on the process of interview and medical. Message me if you need any help

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

As was asked/mentioned, it's going to depend on the country. I had known my fiance for less than two years after meeting him online and we only had one in-person meeting at the time we filed and it was not an issue for us.

You have the option to explain that you met 10 years ago on the I-129f and you can attach an additional sheet if you would like to explain your meeting/story in more detail. But yeah, depending on the country it may not even be an issue.

[kellee 6]

Thank you for all of your replies.

I was asking the question because I read that on the day of the interview, the question that gets asked almost every time is: "how long have you known each other" and "where and how did you meet".

So - wouldn't it be weird if I said only then that we've known each other for 10 years, not having mentioned it before?

In other words, would that raise any more questions or red flags at the interview - something I could prevent if we send that "information" with the package now?

Maybe I'm thinking way too much ahead, but I just don't want to be stressed out at the interview or get denied because they grill me and don't find my answers or explanations satisfactory.

My fiance too says that providing that information isn't necessary, but he isn't the one having to face the consular officers at the interview, after all....

So what would you guys do in my situation?

[yuna628 9,676]

Thank you for all of your replies.

I was asking the question because I read that on the day of the interview, the question that gets asked almost every time is: "how long have you known each other" and "where and how did you meet".

So - wouldn't it be weird if I said only then that we've known each other for 10 years, not having mentioned it before?

In other words, would that raise any more questions or red flags at the interview - something I could prevent if we send that "information" with the package now?

Maybe I'm thinking way too much ahead, but I just don't want to be stressed out at the interview or get denied because they grill me and don't find my answers or explanations satisfactory.

My fiance too says that providing that information isn't necessary, but he isn't the one having to face the consular officers at the interview, after all....

So what would you guys do in my situation?

It won't be a problem. I know, it's an extremely nervous thing to go through.. but the best policy is just to be honest as you can be. The requirements for the application are straightforward, and, if anything, unless from a high fraud area or a suspicious case in details, I don't think they need to be burdened needlessly with piles of stuff. I know it's weird to think of it that way, but they just want what's required, and if you want to sum up stuff in your statement with a few added pieces of evidence there's no harm. Just don't go overboard. Early on, I thought we needed to send chunks of convos, letters, and emails over the entire course of our relationship. He was willing to oblige me, but when we sat down and looked at the thousands of pages it would require, we realized there was no point to it and we were going to kill enough trees as it was with the paperwork requirements alone. They do this all the time - interview those who have been in years-long relationships all the way to very new ones.

I would say, provide what you can to fulfill the within two year requirement with passes/stamps and anything that might prove you were together, select some photos (with names and dates printed on the back) over the course of the relationship, and fill the reviewer in as to the history of the relationship in the statement letter. For instance I put something like: "I have known X since 2002. We were introduced through a mutual friend. We first met in the USA on X date in 2004. We visited each other on (list of dates). On my visit in 2009, X proposed to me and I accepted. After finishing his degree and working we visited a few more times including the most recent dates in 2014. We have provided evidence of these dates with boarding passes/passport stamps, theater tickets and dinner receipts, and photos which we hope will fulfill your requirements.''

That is actually more info than a lot of people probably may give out. At the interview, they asked my husband how long had we known each other, how were we introduced and who was our friend, when we first met, how the relationship progressed, and when we last met. They did remark how we had known each other for a long time. I think they quite liked that we kept up a relationship for so long. The rest of the questions were about our joint sponsor.

I think if you add in a statement of meeting supplement letter on the I-129F that's a little more detailed, you'll have a little bit more confidence in the matter, without making your fiancé think you're going overboard.

[soulstriker 274]

agreed from the above , just explain your story on the 34a how u met , and your fiance can also do a how u met/love story type statement letter ,doesnt have to be long maybe a paragraph or two

[kellee 6]

He sent it out without any accomodating letter or explanations - very laid back and said I was overanalyzing too much, so basically he just sent the "minimum requirements" of pics from our last meeting, boarding passes etc...hopefully we're not gonna get any RFE ....

Anyway, today we got the "case received" message! So now I am officially one of you, among you waiting folks...and neeeeeeeeervous as all hell! :o

I hope all goes well....and FAST, first and foremost!

Thanks again for all of your helpful advise.

[ceeq 53]

He sent it out without any accomodating letter or explanations - very laid back and said I was overanalyzing too much, so basically he just sent the "minimum requirements" of pics from our last meeting, boarding passes etc...hopefully we're not gonna get any RFE ....

Anyway, today we got the "case received" message! So now I am officially one of you, among you waiting folks...and neeeeeeeeervous as all hell! :o

I hope all goes well....and FAST, first and foremost!

Thanks again for all of your helpful advise.

Great! Congratulations! If its received, it might be "READY" by end of the week. Mine was pretty fast as well. High fives for all the loves out there!

[kellee 6]

Thank you ceeq!

Having read this thread http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/552374-case-returned-to-uscis-under-221-g-and-roe/ , I am nervous now that we didn't send enough frontloading evidence. I knew in my gut we should have sent more, that's why I started this thread in the first place, but my fiance said it wouldn't be necessary and would be fine.

I think it's possible to send in more information and documents after NOA3, right?

[soulstriker 274]

Thank you ceeq!

Having read this thread http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/552374-case-returned-to-uscis-under-221-g-and-roe/ , I am nervous now that we didn't send enough frontloading evidence. I knew in my gut we should have sent more, that's why I started this thread in the first place, but my fiance said it wouldn't be necessary and would be fine.

I think it's possible to send in more information and documents after NOA3, right?

no that was your last chance , only way u can show more evidence is at the embassy if they ask for it , and they may not

[kellee 6]

Ah thank you soulstriker, now I'm even more bummed. My only hope left now is that all goes well...

Hi ceeq, maybe you can help me out with a specific issue: later on in the process, in the D260 one has to list all countries where one has lived for more than 1 year and provide a police certificate. I used to live and study in Ireland for 1 year 10 years ago, do you have any idea where I have to turn to in order to obtain the garda clearance / police certificate? Thanks a million!

Edited December 18, 2016 by kellee

[ceeq 53]

Aww its okay dont stress out about especially since you havent received any scary notifications yet. Who knows, it may get through without a bump on the road.

As for the ds260, im still unfamiliar with it but I totally understand the living abroad thing.

I lived in the philippines for a while, and to obtain a police clearance for me, it would be in the cityhall of the city I stayed in. So it might be similar to you. Check your local cityhall or town.