RFE circumstances of meeting

[WaitingHayete 5]

Hello all,

Thank you in advance for your help, please read all of my post before replying...

I need some advice, help, or similar sucessful experiences please. I received an RFE today regarding my K1 fiance visa petition All that waiting for this... As a forward I will note that although I know anyone is subject to a mistake, I am an EXTREMELY thorough person. I read every word of the guides here and went through my petition at least 5 times before sending it in. I was shocked to have received this RFE and thought for sure I must have missed something stupid but from what I can tell they are asking for something I have already provided...

Here is verbatim what the RFE says in its entirety:

REQUEST FOR EVIDENCE

REQUIREMENT THAT PETITIONER AND BENEFICIARY HAVE MET IN PERSON: It must be established that the petitioner and beneficiary have met and the circumstances of their meeting.

• Circumstances of Meeting- Submit information regarding the circumstances under which the petitioner and beneficiary met to establish the relationship.
  

That's ALL. Here is what I submitted with my petition:

• Paragraph in question 18 explaining that I was in Lebanon in December to visit my fiance and his family.
  
• Every copied page of my passport showing my entry/exit stamps into his country at said times. (It is important to note that these were the ONLY stamps in my passport at the time and my fiance has never been to the US before so our pictures together could have ONLY been taken at this time as opposed to any time earlier)
  
• Copies of all of my boarding passes to Lebanon from above mentioned trip.
  
• Separate, signed letters from both my fiance and I stating that we were together in person at this time.
  
• Copies of blood test results (very common in his country for a couple to get these prior to a formal engagement to eliminate incompatability for children, disease etc) with our full names, date, and address of facility showing we were in the same doctor's office at the same time.
  
• Six photos of us together including one with us and his mother and one with me and his mother and sister (names of people, dates, and location written on the back of each).
  

I called my fiance immediately and discussed with him whether they were asking for proof we were together in person within the last two years OR a statement regarding how we met (because both are kind of mentioned in the RFE but as far as I knew, the later was not a requirement of the petition itself, I've always read they just want to make sure you have been in each other's presence within 2 years prior to filing the petition). Since we couldn't make a definite determiniation I called the USCIS customer service number. The first customer service rep. said he had no idea and transferred me to an officer. 45 minutes on hold later I explained calmly and clearly what I received and what was my question. The officer insisted I was not telling her everything the RFE said because it was too vague and said that usually they list exactly what they are requestion. I replied that I agreed the statement was vague which is why I was calling. She continued to insist I was leaving something out and her final word was to make an info pass appointment so someone could see my RFE to know what was being requested (because again she insisted I was leaving something out). Her last words were "Ma'am, I can not help you".... Thanks a lot..

Okay, sorry it was so long. I just wanted to answer any questions up front. Should I just resubmit everything I submitted already with a kind letter explaining how we met initially, when we were last together, please see the attached etc etc.. I am just unclear whether they are asking for evidence proving we have been together within the last two years or requesting an explanation of how we met for the first time.

As I know everyone else here would agree, I miss my fiance SO MUCH and just want this process over with so we can be together again...

Thank you again everyone.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

You submitted the same proof that I did so it's weird you're being RFE'd... SO I'm leaning towards them being idiots (which wouldn't be the first time).

Scan the RFE, delete personal info and upload it for us to see (if you don't mind).

The alternative is to make an INFOPASS appointment but even if they agree that they shouldn't have RFE'd you 'cause you already sent the info, they'll tell you to send the evidence again anyway to save time.

[Anh map 2,098]

When was the last time that you two were face to face?

[dwheels76 5,475]

It seems by your explaination and the letter they want proof that your visit was within the last two years. Although you have Visa Stamps and boarding passes that only proves you went to the country. You said you wrote on the pics sometimes they want time stamp from camera questioning. But before you dive into all that I would call USCIS again and request a tier 2 manager. Need to bump this up over the regular staff who just read a script. Keep calling until you get some answers so you know exactly what was sent.

Now you did meet within the last two years of your filing correct. Some people file and than meet or two years have passed even by a month. Just asking.

[WaitingHayete 5]

Wow! Thank you for all the quick and intelligent replies

Vanessa&Tony: I don't have a way to scan the RFE, I assure you I typed it exactly as it was stated including the bold type, underline, and bullet in the same exact places.

Anh map: Prior to submitting my petition, my fiance and I were last together from December 18th 2011 until January 1st 2012. I filed the petition on February 24th. We've been together two other times since then (Last time was earlier this month) but I assume that isn't what you were referring to.

dwheels76: Yes, we were together in person just 2 months before filing the petition. I believe the person I was transferred to was a tier 2 person. In case she wasn't I asked if there was another officer with whom I could speak and she firmly said "NO, we can not help you" again I really feel she thought I was not giving her all the info on my RFE because she said it was too vague. I agreed and said "Yes, that is the purpose of my call." Also, my camera doesn't do the time stamp sooo..... but as I said, at the time (as my passport proves) I had only been to one other country in my life (Lebanon) and my fiance has never been to the US so there is no other options as to when these pictures could have been taken.

[Anh map 2,098]

It's possible that part of your submission was lost or misplaced. Or that you got someone else's RFE.

Simplest thing is just send new copies of everything you listed above. The statement of how you met is part of the I-129F. Can't hurt to include a short statement detailing dates that you've been face to face with the RFE response.

[habibi11 16]

Wow! Thank you for all the quick and intelligent replies

Vanessa&Tony: I don't have a way to scan the RFE, I assure you I typed it exactly as it was stated including the bold type, underline, and bullet in the same exact places.

Anh map: Prior to submitting my petition, my fiance and I were last together from December 18th 2011 until January 1st 2012. I filed the petition on February 24th. We've been together two other times since then (Last time was earlier this month) but I assume that isn't what you were referring to.

dwheels76: Yes, we were together in person just 2 months before filing the petition. I believe the person I was transferred to was a tier 2 person. In case she wasn't I asked if there was another officer with whom I could speak and she firmly said "NO, we can not help you" again I really feel she thought I was not giving her all the info on my RFE because she said it was too vague. I agreed and said "Yes, that is the purpose of my call." Also, my camera doesn't do the time stamp sooo..... but as I said, at the time (as my passport proves) I had only been to one other country in my life (Lebanon) and my fiance has never been to the US so there is no other options as to when these pictures could have been taken. My Attorney also had me write a letter bascially explaining how our relationship began with dates and even dates of when i went bc he also has never been to the usa and the exact date i got engaged who was there if anyone. you might also be able to contact an attorney for some free legal advise... but defiantley keep calling did u keep copies of everything you sent them?

[WaitingHayete 5]

Okay sounds good. This is the plan my fiance and I had decided already. I just wanted to be extra-sure in case there were other experiences out there. I definitely would rather do it right the first time to be with him as soon as possible. Maybe this post will help someone else with the same problem. Thank you again everyone.

[lssnodgrass 1]

Getting a RFE is manageable. It happens even when you cross every 't' and dot every 'i'. We got one. We submitted request info. and got approved. It did ask about how me met and who introduced us. My response was that "...we lived in the same community, saw one another from time to time (e.g. the market, gatherings) and then was invited for a scooter ride. This was the beginning of our friendship which blossomed into committed love and then marriage. There was no one who introduced us as we lived in the same beach community".

How did you meet? Were you introduced by a mutual friend, co-worker? Chat room? Facebook? If it was online USCIS would like transcripts and explanation of 'how you met'.

[M_&_R 77]

Did your initial submission include a letter explaining how you met initially? The way I read the RFE quote was that they are looking for the "circumstances under which you met." I don't think it would hurt anything to resubmit the evidence of meeting in the last 2 years, but it sounds like they're looking for *how* you met each other in the first place - was that in there initially?

M

[bt1 42]

I agree with what has been said above: in addition to showing them evidence that you have in fact met within the past two years, include a paragraph on how you originally met and when. If you met for the first time two months before you applied, maybe that's what is confusing them.

[Pinkrlion 2,724]

They are asking for the story of how you met. They are not questioning the two year requirement.

[Pinkrlion 2,724]

[quotte)

Here is verbatim what the RFE says in its entirety:

REQUEST FOR EVIDENCE

REQUIREMENT THAT PETITIONER AND BENEFICIARY HAVE MET IN PERSON: It must be established that the petitioner and beneficiary have met and the circumstances of their meeting.

[*]Circumstances of Meeting- Submit information regarding the circumstances under which the petitioner and beneficiary met to establish the relationship.

[/

[Joandjo 20]

The RFE we received was for a Divorce decree that was absolutely in the original submission. I'm positive they lost the decree.

I think we were alot more careful to seperate everything with clear folders when we submitted our AOS than I was when I submitted the Original petition.

Good news was that the RFE really only set us back about 2 weeks.

Hello all,

Thank you in advance for your help, please read all of my post before replying...

I need some advice, help, or similar sucessful experiences please. I received an RFE today regarding my K1 fiance visa petition All that waiting for this... As a forward I will note that although I know anyone is subject to a mistake, I am an EXTREMELY thorough person. I read every word of the guides here and went through my petition at least 5 times before sending it in. I was shocked to have received this RFE and thought for sure I must have missed something stupid but from what I can tell they are asking for something I have already provided...

Here is verbatim what the RFE says in its entirety:

REQUEST FOR EVIDENCE

REQUIREMENT THAT PETITIONER AND BENEFICIARY HAVE MET IN PERSON: It must be established that the petitioner and beneficiary have met and the circumstances of their meeting.

• Circumstances of Meeting- Submit information regarding the circumstances under which the petitioner and beneficiary met to establish the relationship.

That's ALL. Here is what I submitted with my petition:

• Paragraph in question 18 explaining that I was in Lebanon in December to visit my fiance and his family.
• Every copied page of my passport showing my entry/exit stamps into his country at said times. (It is important to note that these were the ONLY stamps in my passport at the time and my fiance has never been to the US before so our pictures together could have ONLY been taken at this time as opposed to any time earlier)
• Copies of all of my boarding passes to Lebanon from above mentioned trip.
• Separate, signed letters from both my fiance and I stating that we were together in person at this time.
• Copies of blood test results (very common in his country for a couple to get these prior to a formal engagement to eliminate incompatability for children, disease etc) with our full names, date, and address of facility showing we were in the same doctor's office at the same time.
• Six photos of us together including one with us and his mother and one with me and his mother and sister (names of people, dates, and location written on the back of each).

I called my fiance immediately and discussed with him whether they were asking for proof we were together in person within the last two years OR a statement regarding how we met (because both are kind of mentioned in the RFE but as far as I knew, the later was not a requirement of the petition itself, I've always read they just want to make sure you have been in each other's presence within 2 years prior to filing the petition). Since we couldn't make a definite determiniation I called the USCIS customer service number. The first customer service rep. said he had no idea and transferred me to an officer. 45 minutes on hold later I explained calmly and clearly what I received and what was my question. The officer insisted I was not telling her everything the RFE said because it was too vague and said that usually they list exactly what they are requestion. I replied that I agreed the statement was vague which is why I was calling. She continued to insist I was leaving something out and her final word was to make an info pass appointment so someone could see my RFE to know what was being requested (because again she insisted I was leaving something out). Her last words were "Ma'am, I can not help you".... Thanks a lot..

Okay, sorry it was so long. I just wanted to answer any questions up front. Should I just resubmit everything I submitted already with a kind letter explaining how we met initially, when we were last together, please see the attached etc etc.. I am just unclear whether they are asking for evidence proving we have been together within the last two years or requesting an explanation of how we met for the first time.

As I know everyone else here would agree, I miss my fiance SO MUCH and just want this process over with so we can be together again...

Thank you again everyone.

[Que Saudade 284]

It's possible that part of your submission was lost or misplaced. Or that you got someone else's RFE.

Simplest thing is just send new copies of everything you listed above. The statement of how you met is part of the I-129F. Can't hurt to include a short statement detailing dates that you've been face to face with the RFE response.

Just wanted to add that maybe add in the "extra" evidence of the most recent visits together that you mentioned. It can't hurt and will possibly show "ongoing" relationship.

I hope this gets worked out quickly for you!!!! Good luck. I can't imagine how awful you must feel right now. Just reply thoroughly and swiftly to their request. Hopefully they will get it right this time. You are getting excellent advice from very knowledgeable members.