I-129F 54 Circumstances under which you met
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Attach a written statement of how you comply with the “in-person meeting” requirement. Support your claims with hard evidence.
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When completing the form I-129F for your alien fiance(e), question 54 asks you to write down and “describe the circumstances of your in-person meeting”. This is in part 2 of the “information about your alien fiance(e)”.
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If you reader a bit further, you’ll realize that they don’t explain how exactly to do that. It’s difficult to rely on instructions because the requirements aren’t clearly explained. So, what’s the best way to outline these events?
Some petitioners get away with simply putting down 2 sentences. They say “we met (place) at (date)”. But, this seems short and evasive. It’s worth putting down more information to avoid risking being penalized with a ‘Request for Evidence‘ (RFE).
In fact, it’s important for you to understand that this is one of the MOST important pieces of paper you’ll include in your I-129F petition. So, based on experience, what’s good to focus on in the letter?
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The main goals of the Fiance meeting statement
- 1. Demonstrate how you fulfill the requirements of having met in the last 2 years; Think about it this way…the USCIS wasn’t there to witness you meeting your fiance(e). You have to backup your claims with hard proof (documented).
. - 2. Describe how your relationship progressed into an intent to marry. Again, in this letter you clearly describe how your relationship developed. How were you introduced? What were the events? Why did you decide to marry?
. - 3. Describe how your keep in contact. Showcase how you two keep in contact. This doesn’t have to be exhaustive. Just be brief and direct. For example, mention that you two videochat on Skype everyday.
- 4. If you met through an IMB (for-profit match-making service) either online or through agency, make sure you comply with requirements. You should clearly mention that you met online.
. - 5. If you haven’t physically met, convince the USCIS why you should get a waiver (see details). It’s not impossible to get a waiver, but do realize — it’s quite difficult.
. - 6. See a full guide on I-129F tips and explanations guide
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You’re encouraged to give a convincing statement. That way, you’ll have more confidence in your petition when you attach a simple 54 supplement. Hopefully by including a thoughtful and factual timeline of your meeting, you will reduce the chances of getting an RFE.
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I-129F 54 What do you include in the letter of meeting?
It’s not entirely right –one way or the other– to include just how you two were introduced. Rather, it’s better to write about both your introduction and your physical meetups (face-to-face).
For the letter, it’s an informal letter indicating the circumstances, timelines and important facts about how/when you met both introduction as well as physically meeting your fiance(e) in the last 2 years. Provide just enough detail without going overboard.
Think about it this way. Question 54 is your chance to build goodwill with the USCIS and describe how your common interests might have attracted you. If you want a step-by-step outline on how to make this statement convince the USCIS to give you a quick approval, read the I-129F tips section.
Your supplemental fiance(e) meeting statement (or letter) should include a signature and date.
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I-129F 54 Example
Did you meet in a traditional sense — like face to face at a party? Or did you meet your fiance(e) online (through social media, a chat room or dating site)? Were you introduced by family or friends?
Describe how you got acquainted in person and why you decided to marry.
As an example of I-129F 54 “circumstances under which you met” here’s a free I-129F 54a supplement downloadable template.
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I-129F 54 supplement Example Letter (download PDF file)
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Go back to Main I-129F Process guide>>
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Hello there,
I wrote 3 pages of details regarding mine and my fiance’s circumstances of meeting. It includes how we first met, the progression of our relationship, when we visited eachother’s home countries, the family we met, the proposal etc. basically all the necessary info USCIS is looking for. Does my fiance/beneficiary also have to write one as well?
Thank you!
Hola Prem,
Como siempre gracias por sus actualizaciones y su trabajo dedicado a los solicitantes de la visa K1. Hace dos meses y medio recibí un RFE que fue contestado en una semana porque era algo sumamente sencillo, luego de pasar dos meses sin procesarlo me han notificado otro RFE. Que me puede orientar al respecto? Tenia entendido que solo enviaban uno con todo lo que querían de información adicional, estoy en lo cierto? Sera eso negativo para mi caso?
Muchas gracias
Hi Prem,
I have a question regarding the RFE to progress my application for USCIS.
It require that I have to provide proof of 2 years meeting requirement, so let say if I send me and my fiance conversation and/or other receipts such as eating out, movies, vacation… and they’re written in my language (vietnamese) will they accept it and am I allow to write or high light any important things in those documents so that they can focus on those.
Thanks for your feedback!
hi, I was wondering if I were to attach this addendum where would I put this? And what if I planned to make a file for all evidence of proof (photos and chatlogs) would I still need this? Thank you.
Hi Prem,
Thanks for all this great info. If my circumstances of meeting letter is two pages long, should I sign and date on each page or just the last one? Also, is it ok for the CoM letter to be considered from both of us and we both sign it? Or should it be just from me as the petitioner? Thanks for the help!
Can intent letter be a printed copy and can it contain any other info as long as its not too long and it has declaration
Dies intent to narry letter need to be in engllish frim both parties or beneficiary needds ti write in his native language
Hello guys i have a guestion?i got rfe beneficiaries intent to marry. My question is .,. Is it okey if he use handwriring does uscis accepts printed copy and not having to wait for the mail and does it have to be notorized
Hi, Prem.
My fiancée wrote an great ‘circumstances of meeting’ statement. She believes that I need to include the original signed statement in the application. Of course mailing from the Philippines would take several weeks depending on the service.
I suggested that she e-mail a scanned, signed CoM, and bring the original to the interview. Is that acceptable? Is that advisable?
As always,… Thanks,….
For how long is date of intent to marry letter valid is it still good ever over 20 days
Hi, Prem;
I noticed the very brief CoM example. Considering that Trump has raised the bar, I believe that such an basic example may not be impress them.
My CoM is one full page, about 500 words. My fiancee’s is three pages with about 2,300 words and that’s after substantial pruning. But, she is not done.
One full page should be fine with them. It has lots of details about how we met without the fluff. But, after pruning her CoM is likely to be at least three pages.
My question: Is three pages too much? Is someone really going to read it?
I included dates where. We spent time together in intent. To marry letter. Do you think thats okey if its little lenghty
i am preparing the k-1 visa for Fiancée, i am wonder for the letter of intend to marry who should sign it and it supposed to be a witness to sign and there are two letter for each of us or only one and we have to both sign it
thanks in advance
Thanks Prem. I wasn’t sure if I should include the financial support information or not. You’re answer makes sense, so I’ll leave it out.
Thanks Prem. I have another question. I’ve been supporting my fiancé financially. Should I include proof of the financial support when submitting my package?
I’ve met my fiancé three times in her country over the past seven years. For the circumstances of meeting, is it necessary to provide information and evidence of all three meetings or do I only need to provide evidence of our latest meeting within the last two years?
Is it necessary to provide a question 54 letter? Can I just list off the times and dates my fiancee and I were in each other’s countries with each other and that she visited me for Easter/Christmas/graduation and stuff like that? Can I just write those things in on the additional space sheet? Or do I need a whole letter explaining how we met, why we started dating, and stuff like that?
Does COM statement has to be signed by both petitioner and beneficiary?
Thank you in advance
Thanks for all your hard work. This is an incredible opportunity such a important information for us.
Reading through I found that
I never did that love statement
Basically my statement was a letter of intent to marry her and from her to me.
But we did not go specifically about details. Just quick details
When and how we know eachother
That we stay in continuously communication day and night
When and where we met in person
But I have that feeling
That it’s was short words. I did straight quick letter.
I did send a lots of pictures together and with family in her country, western union financialsupport receives, post office receives , trip tickets, future wedding planner agencies receives
What’s your opinion.
About that short letter
Thanks u so much
Abel
Hi Prem! I have a question regarding the statement of Circumstances of meeting. My fiancé forgot to put his name and signature below. Is that still acceptable? Will it cause delay on our packet? I’m worried. Thank you.
Hi, first of all, thank you for providing all the content!!!
I would like to ask if i should insert digital photos (possibly air tickets/ hotel emails) matching the dates and places listed in this attachment?
Sir, I am about to submit my package in the beginning of October but the petition expired already and they still havent uploaded a new version? Should I still go ahead and submit it?
Will it benefit us if I go together with my fiance to the interview meeting? Will I be allowed to be there with her? I am the petitioner.
Hi Prem,
Thank you for your very informative website, I am impressed.
I have a question regarding employment history of the beneficiary:
I own my own company. So I am my own boss. The form just asks for an employer, so how and where should I state that?
Thank you in advance for your assistance 🙂
My I fully depend on the advises on this website in 2018? Have any of theses guidelines changed?
Thanks
My letter is written, I followed your format! Although, I noticed you didn’t put the page and part# as they specify on Page 13, Part 8 of the form. I think i prefer to play it safe and add it.
My question is: On the I-129F form, what am I suppose to write on page 8 Part 2 Question 54? I was thinking to say “See attached sheet” is that reasonable?
Also, let’s go to Page 13 of the form and look at Part 8, do I need to fill out anything there if I wrote a letter? I was thinking to leave it blank. please advise!