K1 visa question

[MsCompE 50]

17 hours ago, Jb1 said:

we have 7 photos of eachother for the petition and she has a passport with stamps and i have a copy of my orders so we have proof of when and where we met. We have proof of ongoing relationship from facebook chat messages and sge has receipts of money i sent to her. Also she has proof of an engagement "congratulations" message from my mother that she printed out..you think i have a good chance?

Dont worry too much that you got 7photos. During my K-1 interview at USEM, I only have 4photos with me and 3 of them was taken on the same day. The CO asked me for photos, I showed him the only 4 photos I have. He raised his eyebrows and asked why just 4 photos. I told him "I met my fiance while traveling in Texas and we were hanging out watching TV and playing playstation. None of us remember to take a selfie everytime we are in the couch." 

[Jb1 11]

See thats where i worry, she had more photos on a phone that she lost before and theyre pretty much long gone. The 7 photos we have are in 2 or 3 different settings. And im not much of a picture person at all..and the fact the interview seems to be opinion based kinda worries me

[Gregory&Dyn 113]

Remember, photos are only secondary forms of evidence. What the consulate is looking for is a solid and legitimate ongoing relationship. Show proof of strong communication. Every consular is different, but they are all trained to spot red flags. Most get it right, and occasionally, one or two completely misses the mark. Some people will say there is no need to front load your petition. I say, do it. Print chat logs, emails and FB messages. If you communicate using WhatsApp, save the text logs and print them. Highlight portions of conversations where the two of you discuss future plans. Get your families involved to write letters supporting the relationship. Be creative in putting together evidence. If your relationship is real, and I suspect it is, you have nothing to worry about. Also, if you send her money, do NOT provide the transaction receipts as forms of evidence in your petition. Doing so could haunt you later on.

 

 

[Jb1 11]

Dont provide receipts? Should she bring them anyway? Or no?

[Gregory&Dyn 113]

Just now, Jb1 said:

Dont provide receipts? Should she bring them anyway? Or no?

Nope. No way. No. Although your intentions are good (as are hers) sending / receiving money could be considered a red flag (especially in a high fraud country like the Philippines).  Not sending / showing the receipts will never hurt you. Showing the receipts, on the other hand, could hurt. Financial transactions are not considered a factor-of-evidence in an ongoing relationship when it comes to the K1 and approval.

[MsCompE 50]

1 hour ago, Jb1 said:

See thats where i worry, she had more photos on a phone that she lost before and theyre pretty much long gone. The 7 photos we have are in 2 or 3 different settings. And im not much of a picture person at all..and the fact the interview seems to be opinion based kinda worries me

Your fiancee can always explain it to the c.o. Not all people are alike and some people dont like taking pictures. Well, my husband too. Even if i take the initiative to take pictures, he doesnt like it (taking pictures in public). He says unless it's a really really special occasion then MAYBE he would like it. Perhaps live at superbowl.  ?

 

If we really think about it, none of us here really take pictures just to prove relationship with our partners. It just happened that we have to undergo a part to prove it to be together. 

 

The real love story matters. have your fiancee gather all the proofs you got for her interview and remind her to calm down and be confident. Sometimes you tend to forget things when you are too nervous. (Eg dates)

 

[Ethel Joy 15]

12 hours ago, Jb1 said:

How long does it take to know youve been approved after the interview?

Your Fiance will know that after interview. Sad in my case I did not know after my second interview was conducted because I have some lacking of requirements. ✌✌✌ So that's Why I'm saying it's pretty easy when you're much prepare. Good luck ?

[geowrian 22,337]

4 hours ago, Gregory&Dyn said:

Remember, photos are only secondary forms of evidence. What the consulate is looking for is a solid and legitimate ongoing relationship. Show proof of strong communication. Every consular is different, but they are all trained to spot red flags. Most get it right, and occasionally, one or two completely misses the mark. Some people will say there is no need to front load your petition. I say, do it. Print chat logs, emails and FB messages. If you communicate using WhatsApp, save the text logs and print them. Highlight portions of conversations where the two of you discuss future plans. Get your families involved to write letters supporting the relationship. Be creative in putting together evidence. If your relationship is real, and I suspect it is, you have nothing to worry about. Also, if you send her money, do NOT provide the transaction receipts as forms of evidence in your petition. Doing so could haunt you later on.

 

 

There's pros and cons for front loading. Sometimes it's a good idea, sometimes it's just unnecessary but not harmful, and rarely it could hurt.

 

Absolutely - sending money does not prove anything so there's nothing good that can come from providing receipts.

[Jb1 11]

Does it make a difference that shes getting her vaccines now before she does it through the embassy? I understand that she has to do it through the certified hospital but if she has documentation proving she already has the vaccines, will it help at all?

[Ethel Joy 15]

2 hours ago, Jb1 said:

Does it make a difference that shes getting her vaccines now before she does it through the embassy? I understand that she has to do it through the certified hospital but if she has documentation proving she already has the vaccines, will it help at all?

 

You'll pay for Medical package at St.Lukes and that included the vaccine. But I don't want to speculate in regards to your concern; she can message St.Lukes if she can do that just to make sure.

[Gregory&Dyn 113]

Unclear on protocol in 2017. The cost of the medical exam includes all vaccinations (which incidentally are provided by / regulated by the U.S. Dept. of Health). The vaccines administered by the medical staff at St. Luke's change / vary from time to time depending on U.S. requirements. Incidentally, your fiancé may not get the same quality of, or the correct vaccinations from her personal physician. Doing so in advance will not save any time or cost. If she has had vaccinations in the past, I strongly encourage her to bring those records with her to the medical appointment at St. Luke's.  Perform a search on VJ for [vaccinations philippines st lukes]. Be cognizant of the dates of the threads that appear in the hit list. Some of the older posts may no longer be relevant.

 

Link for St Luke's which may offer additional details: http://www.slec.ph/us-visa-applicants.shtml

 

Its great that you are thinking ahead, but for now, focus on the I129F. Make sure ALL documents that require signatures have signatures. Remember to include letters of Intent to Marry, Letter(s) of How You Met and a letter detailing your time together in the past two years. For a more detailed account of what you should include in your I129F petition, PM me.

 

Good luck,

 

Greg

[Gregory&Dyn 113]

On 2/12/2017 at 9:43 PM, Jb1 said:

How long does it take to know youve been approved after the interview?

Generally, the interviewee will know immediately. There are always exceptions to the rule, but in most cases, an approval is noted during the interview.

[Jb1 11]

Why be cognizant of the dates of the vaccines? Is it considered a red flag?

[MsCompE 50]

10 minutes ago, Jb1 said:

Why be cognizant of the dates of the vaccines? Is it considered a red flag?

Actually, the validity of K-1 visa is dependent on the applicant's vaccination date from St Luke's and not from the interview date. K-1 visa is valid within 6months from vaccination date. 

For example, you fiancee did her medical exam and vaccination August 18, even if she had her interview date at November. She will be granted a visa that will expire on Feb 17. (6months after August 18). 

 

Gregory&Dyn is right that U.S. Embassy has specific protocols and standards that's why they have accredited hospitals. They won't honor any documents from anywhere else. Additionally, St Luke's will also provide form DS3025 after vaccination which is needed for AOS. Otherwise, you'll need to see a civil surgeon here in U.S. during adjustment of status

[geowrian 22,337]

1 hour ago, MsCompE said:

Actually, the validity of K-1 visa is dependent on the applicant's vaccination date from St Luke's and not from the interview date. K-1 visa is valid within 6months from vaccination date. 

For example, you fiancee did her medical exam and vaccination August 18, even if she had her interview date at November. She will be granted a visa that will expire on Feb 17. (6months after August 18).

You are correct in your example. I will just note that the expiration is not dependent on the vaccination date OR the interview date. It's whichever one came sooner. You can do the medical after the interview (getting the 221g notice in the interview, pending medical results), and the expiration will be from the interview in that case since the interview was sooner.