K-1 Beneficiary's contribution, is it a red flag?

[HP+IC 292]

Our I-129F petition is well substantiated and frontloaded. In our How we met letter we specifically explained details of our meetings like: met then and there (see tickets, travel itineraries, insurance, boarding passes, passport page scans, photos enclosed), petitioner arranged this and paid for that whereas beneficiary arranged that and paid for this (see receipts, emails and Viber screenshots enclosed). Petitioner always paid all international travel, accomodation and insurance costs for himself, me and my kid. I paid some local travel costs in Ukraine and entertainment. We are a mature couple older than average here (46 and 63), well established and highly professional in our home countries (he is in a city job, so no need for fraud marriage). We both have sufficient means to sponsor ourselves and each other if necessary. We have been through previous marriages and understand that normal relationship means demonstration of mutual commitment, be it time, emotions or simply funds. That is why we sincerely believed we shall enclose all those receipts and explanations as a proof of bona fide relationship, especially since Ukraine is known for questionable reputation of foreign love seeking ladies. So far before filing our financial input looks like  10% beneficiary and 90% petitioner, will it be an issue at the interview? In view of our coming birthdays we are even more eager to give each other valuable presents. Shall we stock more receipts for the interview at all, or shall we only consider petitioners input? I am really worried that we might have created a problem with our best intentions. Thank you.

[debbiedoo 2,339]

The most important thing you can document is TIME together and your relationship. How many visits, how long, how often.

 

They dont care about who pays for what and certainly not about gifts.  Other than engagement ring (where a receipt can be part of your evidence), they dont even ASK about it

[HP+IC 292]

1 hour ago, debbiedoo said:

The most important thing you can document is TIME together and your relationship. How many visits, how long, how often.

 

They dont care about who pays for what and certainly not about gifts.  Other than engagement ring (where a receipt can be part of your evidence), they dont even ASK about it

Hopefully, face time together will be sufficient. 2 two-week vacations together in Ukraine and third country pre-filing, 2 three-week meetings post-filing and pre-interview in Ukraine and fiance being there at the interview, because I am seriously freaking out. To allow for more he simply has to quit his job, he's doing all possible overtime to get as far as that

[debbiedoo 2,339]

14 minutes ago, HP+IC said:

Hopefully, face time together will be sufficient. 2 two-week vacations together in Ukraine and third country pre-filing, 2 three-week meetings post-filing and pre-interview in Ukraine and fiance being there at the interview, because I am seriously freaking out. To allow for more he simply has to quit his job, he's doing all possible overtime to get as far as that

 

Sounds fine to me. I've certainly seen people approved with far less face time   Just make sure all f that is well documented and submit all your boarding passes, some photos, passport stamps, etc 

[gregcrs2 1,778]

16 minutes ago, HP+IC said:

Hopefully, face time together will be sufficient. 2 two-week vacations together in Ukraine and third country pre-filing, 2 three-week meetings post-filing and pre-interview in Ukraine and fiance being there at the interview, because I am seriously freaking out. To allow for more he simply has to quit his job, he's doing all possible overtime to get as far as that

Stop worrying about it.  US Consulate in Kiev is rather easy.  Him being at the interview is a plus.  Looks like you have spent more time together than many others.  Often in Ukraine couples have met only once during a 2 week vacation.  

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

Sounds like you have a lot of evidence... sounds like you will be fine. I (petitioner) paid for everything..no where does it say finances should be equal. 

[Orangesapples 1,954]

14 hours ago, debbiedoo said:

The most important thing you can document is TIME together and your relationship. How many visits, how long, how often.

 

They dont care about who pays for what and certainly not about gifts.  Other than engagement ring (where a receipt can be part of your evidence), they dont even ASK about it

Engagement rings mean absolutely nothing and I've never heard of USCIS asking about them at all. 

[Diane and Chris 651]

1 hour ago, Orangesapples said:

Engagement rings mean absolutely nothing and I've never heard of USCIS asking about them at all. 

Exactly!  I wonder why OP is so, so concerned with showing all this financial proof. I would be more concerned with the age difference.  That would be more of a red flag IMO.

[Orangesapples 1,954]

39 minutes ago, Diane and Chris said:

Exactly!  I wonder why OP is so, so concerned with showing all this financial proof. I would be more concerned with the age difference.  That would be more of a red flag IMO.

Age difference means less and less the older you get, so I don't think their age difference is going to be a problem 

[Ontarkie 14,512]

3 hours ago, Orangesapples said:

Engagement rings mean absolutely nothing and I've never heard of USCIS asking about them at all. 

I was asked about my engagement ring at my interview. So never say never!

[HP+IC 292]

1 hour ago, Diane and Chris said:

Exactly!  I wonder why OP is so, so concerned with showing all this financial proof. I would be more concerned with the age difference.  That would be more of a red flag IMO.

There is absolutely no way we can overcome that, therefore, why worry. In fact, we've dated in early 90s while still in Ukraine (my fiance is a naturalized USC) and it contributed to our relationship then going wrong. But now it is different, we are both mature adults. Therefore, it can be of issue firstly and primarily to the couple themselves but hardly to anyone else. And regarding this receipts stuff, I am concerned because I think we do have red flags (like age gap, previous marriages, courting partly overlapping my divorce) and our situation itself may be questioned. Someone allegedly got denied simply for fiancee's financial input and that worried me. Also I can see that there is no other remedy (for all possible issues) than face time together and fiance coming for the interview.

Edited September 5, 2018 by HP+IC

[Invisible 5]

On 9/5/2018 at 6:21 AM, Ontarkie said:

I was asked about my engagement ring at my interview. So never say never!

Not to answer about ring??? Why:)? 

[Ontarkie 14,512]

3 minutes ago, Lenchiksun said:

Not to answer about ring??? Why:)? 

You are not reading the post right. Go back and read. 

[beloved_dingo 1,990]

On 9/4/2018 at 11:21 PM, HP+IC said:

There is absolutely no way we can overcome that, therefore, why worry. In fact, we've dated in early 90s while still in Ukraine (my fiance is a naturalized USC) and it contributed to our relationship then going wrong. But now it is different, we are both mature adults. Therefore, it can be of issue firstly and primarily to the couple themselves but hardly to anyone else. And regarding this receipts stuff, I am concerned because I think we do have red flags (like age gap, previous marriages, courting partly overlapping my divorce) and our situation itself may be questioned. Someone allegedly got denied simply for fiancee's financial input and that worried me. Also I can see that there is no other remedy (for all possible issues) than face time together and fiance coming for the interview.

As many of us have done, you are worrying about things that are likely not going to cause a problem at all. As someone else stated, age differences matter less and less the older you are (I doubt anyone really bats an eye at someone in the 40's marrying someone in their 60's). Previous marriages don't matter at all as long as a) you are upfront about it and b) you have the necessary documents showing the divorce is finalized. As far as your courtship overlapping the divorce - if you're worried about perception, just don't bring it up. It's a case of "if they ask you a question directly, answer honestly, but don't volunteer information they don't need". 

The only time I have seen or heard of finances causing a problem is when people send receipts of things such as wire transfers, as that can be construed as "paying" for a spouse. They literally do not care who pays for meals, visits, vacations, etc. They will not ask for proof of who paid for what, and they are honestly not interested in it the slightest.

 

Don't worry too much  

Edited January 30, 2019 by beloved_dingo