I-129F Proof of In-person meeting
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Provide documented evidence that you met your fiance(e) within the last 2 years to be eligible for the I-129F petition.
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Proving that you and your fiance(e) have met (face to face) in the last 2 years is a requirement for filing the I-129F petition. You have to submit hard evidence to the USCIS that you comply with the requirement.
For this stage, you need to simply collect documented proof of meeting in person in the recent past. The USCIS prefers verifiable proof — you know, where they don’t need to simply take your word for it.
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Part 8, in the I-129F instructions, is “Evidence for Petitions to Classify a Fiance(e) as a K-1 visa nonimmigrant”. In this part, you’re requested to show that you had an “in-person meeting.”
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What’s an “in-person meeting”?
The USCIS defines an “in-person meeting” when you and your fiance(e) are at the same place at the same time. In their words, it’s “being in each others’ presence”.
Now, if you’re clever, you can understand this to mean many things. The fiance(e) can be in a foreign country or even in the US at the time. This is one of the interesting concepts of the I-129F petition.
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What evidence of meeting must you show?
By definition (and according to I-129F instructions) you are only required to show proof of meeting. This simply means being at the same place at the same time. That’s it. Here are examples:
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- ✔ Airline tickets, boarding passes with US Petitioner’s information
. - ✔ Passport stamps, other official documents proving visit to the country, or letters from a Military commander.
. - ✔Dated or time-stamped photographs together
. - ✔ Other documented evidence: receipts, hotel bills, etc.
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Again, these should be evidence that an average person can look at and say “yes, they met”. If you read between the lines, nowhere does it say you must show that you two have a relationship. Isn’t that interesting?
However, you should take this opportunity to submit additional evidence of a bona fide relationship. This is similar as evidence of a genuine on-going relationship (which you submit during the actual K1 visa interview).
According to the USCIS, you two can even include a written statement confirming you meeting your fiance(e) in person (in the last 2 years). Include a timeline or exact date(s). Do you have photographs to prove it?
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Other evidence to meet the 2-year requirement:
- 1. Vacation receipts, tickets, passport pages (showing immigration stamps) and admission/exit from country
. - 2. Photographs: of you two together, engagement photos, engagement invitation card, others.
. - 3. Written affidavits of witnesses to your engagement or meeting. Perhaps even relatives excited about the wedding.
. - 4. Receipts and evidence of vacation together, outings, lunches, shopping, etc.
. - 5. Lots of other types in this visa class
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What’s the best proof for an “in-person meeting”?
It’s shocking sometimes. But, did you know this is one of the top reasons for an RFE or rejection? When petitioners don’t include clear evidence of meeting.
Even though the USCIS specifically asks you to submit this, most petitioners get it wrong. This is a fact, not an opinion.
There are certain things that are undeniable proofs of meeting and easily comply with the requirements. If you want help to figure this out, you should check out the I-129F tips for best chances of approval.
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If you have not met in person
Although it’s ideal for you and your fiance(e) to have actually met face to face in the recent past (last 2 years), sometimes it becomes unrealistic (or simply impossible) for some couples. How do you show a bona fide relationship? There are instances where the USCIS will waive the requirement if you can prove some sort of hardship in the fiance visa process.
But be warned, according to historical results — waivers are almost impossible to obtain.
In the USCIS’s own words, “if you believe you qualify for an exception” to the 2-year meeting requirement for the I-129F, then submit documentation. You have two criteria to establish your waiver eligibility:
- 1. Some cultures prohibit unwed couples from meeting. If your meeting violates some cultural, religious or social custom, then this is a waiver you may request from the USCIS. You need to get some document (letter or statement) from a community leader supporting this fact. It does not mean that you are not responsible for proving that you have a genuine relationship. This is especially true when it’s time for the K-1 visa interview.
- 2. If you have some hardship that prevents you from traveling or meeting your fiance(e) in his/her home country. This includes a medical condition (get an official physician’s document), physical ailment, social or political immigration restrictions (some reason you cannot travel otherwise?). Not being able to afford the travel (or fees) is NOT an exception (remember the minimum income/financial requirements in order to have a K1 visa granted?)
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October 13, 2020 at 2:51 pm on I-129F Evidence of MeetingHello Fallon and thanks for your message. In order to make your packet look better...[click to read more]- October 8, 2020 at 4:14 pm on I-129F Evidence of MeetingHello, for the photo evidence is it okay to send actually photos if I have...[click to read more]
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Hello, for the photo evidence is it okay to send actually photos if I have extras, or do they have to be color photocopies on copy paper, and if I can what should I write on the back of them? The date and who is in the photos? Also, should I write it in pen or pencil?
Hello Fallon and thanks for your message.
In order to make your packet look better organized, we would suggest you print your photos on copy paper. You may want to organize them chronologically and type in
the dates and names of places and people.
We do think printing photos instead of having actual photos sent out will make your packet look neat and more organized.
Keep in mind that any actual photo sent out to the USCIS will NOT be returned to you afterwards.
-Cris (Visa Tutor Team)
Hi Prem,
So my fiance and I have been together for almost 3 years. We met in Japan as coworkers and eventually became a couple since 2017 up to present. He moved back to the US in 2019 so we’re currently in a long-distance relationship now.
Now, I am preparing the cover letter of our K1 visa petition (him as the petitioner). We have prepared our Letter of Intent to Marry and Circumstances of Meeting (Statement of how we met). However, I am very confused about what should I put under these categories:
1. Evidence of In-Person Meeting
– Do I have to put here all our pictures together and with friends captioned and dated from 2017-2019? (We don’t have airline tickets, hotel receipts or passport stamps as we traveled by car around Japan and usually take day trips only)
2. Evidence of Bonafide/Ongoing Relationship
– Do I have to use the same photos captioned and dated from 2017-2019?
– Can I include screenshots of our video calls together, and with my family? (He hasn’t met my family in my home country yet but talked with them through video calls)
– We moved in together here in Japan early 2019 and we have a signed apartment lease (he is the cohabitant and I am the main tenant). Should I include this under this category?
– I’d like to include statement of witnesses (letter from his family, letter from my family, and letters from our friends), will these be appropriate under this category (Evidence of Bonafide/Ongoing Relationship) as well?
Hi Prem,
Thanks for your website and advice. I have a question – is a problem to fill out the i-129f partially electronically and partially by pen? Some of the spaces aren’t big enough electronically or they have the wrong format for what I need to fill in. (ex. international phone number).
Thank you!
Hey Erin,
Although it’s best that you keep it consistent (either hand written or typed). However, if you must, you may switch to handwritten for certain entries.
-Prem
Hi , I need Your advise, ( I’m an USA American Citizen ) I started a relationship with my fiance via facebook since may 2018, and We met in person on may 2019 ,I want to bring my fiance to USA with the K1 fiance visa, in order to apply,We must wait for 2 years of relationship before provide the I-129F ?
Thanks for your answer
Hello Yoger,
thanks for writing. No, that’s a misconception. The only requirement is to have met each other face to face within the last 2 years. Your relationship doesn’t have to be 2 years old. You can file as soon as you’d like. I suggest you read this for more information
quick relationship: fiance visa
-Prem
I receive a letter from uscis requesting more evidence of meeting in person between June 11,2016-June 11,2018 our first meeting was on april 2018 but the second meeting was Aug 2018. would this be a problem?
Hello Aimee,
The USCIS wants that time period because that’s worth 2 years of history from the date you submitted the I-129F. If you met before you filed the I-129F (within 2 years of filing date) then you may send the evidence. However, the August 2018 date evidence is after you sent in your original I-129F (I’m assuming?) which means it will still be considered evidence assuming your I-129F is not rejected.
-Prem
Hey Prem I am working on finishing up the paperwork and evidence and I just wanted to say thank you so so much; your website has been so helpful to me. I do have a few questions: how many pages of chat messages I should send? I printed out one for every month we have been dating and put four to one page, but I feel like that is overkill. I also was curious how many photos to include? Every website says a different number. Another thing is when I fill the paperwork out on the pdf for the actual petition there are certain spaces I am not able to type in. Would it okay to type what I can on my computer and fill out the rest with pen (its only a few places) Also I got a dui five years ago and have included all the paperwork for that as well but I am so nervous that it will affect me and they will deny me. It was a while ago; I was a stupid teenager and I have completed all the necessary action required to become a productive person in society again. Should I write a small letter explaining or just put the necessary documents.
Hello Minta,
Thanks for visiting the site and I’m glad it’s been helpful. All those questions about how to fill out the text messages, how to layout photos, how many to present, which ones to select and which proof of relationship are most effective — I can’t really explain all of that in one comment. That’s why I’ve made my I-129F course and I encourage you to check it out if you’re serious about approval. With the exception of your criminal history question, all others are answered within the I-129F course. Take a look, I promise you’ll be glad you did.
-Prem
Hi Prem,
I came across your website looking for answers to questions I have about the I-129F. I am so discouraged after what I have read here. My fiance and I met a few months ago. I live in the USA and he in Nigeria. We really want to get married. We love each other very much. It seems we have so much to overcome. We have not met in person and I have a medical reason for not being able to go meet him. I was going to apply for a waiver. I do have lots of good medical records to include with the waiver. My other obstacle is my income. I am below the cutoff as I am on disability. I earn less than $15,000 a year. My fiance does want to stay here after we marry and work, he does have a college education, so we would be financially able to support ourselves eventually. What are our chances and do you have any suggestions. Thank you.
Denise
Hi Denise,
Thanks for writing to me. I see that you’re not able to travel to go and meet your fiance. Is there a way he can come and meet you? As you may have gathered, a hardship waiver is difficult to come by and often isn’t approved. So, you’re going to have to figure out what to do for the hardship waiver and what kind of supporting evidence you want to put within your case. What kind of evidence do you have for the medical situation?
-Prem
Hello,sir I need yr tips, I like to apply for k1, I had all evidence I meet him two weeks ago only thing I don’t have. Is phone record because I’m using prepay ph but I’m talking to him everyday and one more thing I had never send him any gift , I had send some money thru w.union I had receipt for he can buy his gift is that would be a problem?
I visit him last week I spent 15 days with him I had divorce and he is single also I am 9 year older then him and I am Hindu and he is Muslim but I really love him and I want to spent my life with him . We did engejment ceremony with his family and then we went to Dubai I had photos, boarding pass, travel tickets, hotel booking , also I had meet him in 2015 I still have photos for that time, u think I am eligible for filling k1.
Hello Vaisali,
You’re eligible to file the K-1 as long as you’re free to marry and meet requirements. It sounds like you have all that covered. In terms of phone records or gifts, those are not required with the application. You can show other evidence that you have a bona fide relationship and that you keep in contact daily.
In my opinion, it’s not a good idea to wire money and show it in your proof of relationship. https://www.visatutor.com/fiance-visa-i-send-money-to-my-partner-is-that-good-proof/
From your description, all your other proof of relationship seem adequate.
-Prem
How recent can the documents and letters be from the date we file the form I-129f? can we include letters dated one month before the date we send the application?
Hi Silvia,
There’s no guideline from the USCIS on when forms or signatures ‘expire’. Typically anything in the last 6 months is acceptable. I wouldn’t hesitate to submit a one-month old form as in your case. That’s fine!
-Prem
Hi!
I have 2 questions, me and my fiancé are filling all the documents for the K-1 visa, which USCIS address should I put in my letter of intent? the one of the USCIS office near me, or the one of the embassy near me when I will submitting my interview?
and I downloaded from the website the petition l-129f but the expiration date it’s over and they didn’t upload the new version already, is it ok to send this one?
Thank you so much!!
Hello Morena,
The USCIS address that you put on your Letter of Intent does not matter. It will end up going to the designated service anyway. You can simply write “USCIS” without an address because this letter will be together in your overall packet.
Secondly, the USCIS hasn’t uploaded a new version yet, so for now, we can still use the 4/17/17 edition of the form.
-Prem
Hi Prem! My boyfriend and I are almost done with our petition packet but as we are reviewing everything, we started questioning ourselves, specially after reading about the K1 on other blogs.
How necessary is it to have our pictures signed? Is it necessary for the petitionary and/or beneficiary to sign every single page of the packet?
Hello Maria,
Thanks for writing to me. It’s good to read other blogs, tips, and guides as you get so much more experience and different perspectives. It’s not necessary to sign pictures that you submit in connection with evidence of relationship or in-person meeting. In addition, it’s not required to sign every page of your petition. The only places where you must sign is the I-129F, statements, and declarations. Other proofs don’t need signatures. Hope this helped clarify the concern. Keep in touch if you have further questions.
-Prem
hi, my name is junior , me and my fiancé have been together for a year now, we already met 3 times , we have all the evidences for in person meeting, photo, boarding pass, etc. my question is do we have to have 2 years together to be eligible to file the i129 ? or do I have to wait for two years before I apply ?
Hello Junior,
There’s no time requirement of how long you must know each other. 5 days is just as good as 5 years. The only requirement is to have met in the last 2 years. Which it sounds like you have. You can apply as long as you meet all the other requirements.
-Prem
Hi Perm,
My (US citizen) fiance and I are currently working on the I-129F petition for the K1 visa. We had a few questions that maybe you could answer:
1) Is it necessary to include an “evidence of ongoing relationship” section in the I-129F petition (in addition to the “evidence of in-person meeting”)? I’ve noticed that a lot of people who have posted on youtube have done so, but I don’t see it being requested anywhere in the I-129F instructions.
2) I (Canadian citizen) will be staying with my fiance in the US for 5 months (from July 2018 to December). We are aiming to send the I-129F petition in July a few weeks after my arrival. My question is: since I will be staying with him for a long period of time but still have a permanent address back home in Canada, what address should I write down as my “current address”?
Thank you so much!!!
Hello Sarah,
1) it’s not required to submit evidence of on-going relationship. It’s not a requirement but it’s something we highly recommend. It’s called front-loading your I-129F petition packet. It helps with the USCIS and US Embassy when they review your packet to convince them of a genuine relationship.
2) As for your address question, that’s a good question and there’s no official USCIS clarification on this. In my experience, the address should be your permanent home address, not somewhere you’re vacationing. If your Canadian address is your permanent home address, then I say that’s also your current address. Do you agree?
-Prem
helllo..we receive an rfe last month the rfe shows the two year meeting requirement we pass all the missing requested documents except for LETTERS WRITTEN TO EACH OTHER AFTER MEETING is that possible we denied if we missed that one ??thanks thanks
Hello,
There are certain documents that you must absolutely have included in your I-129F. Other documents are highly encouraged and if you don’t include them, they often lead to a rejection and refiling. I’m not sure which letter you’re referring to. Do you mean the circumstances of meeting or the letter of intent to marry?
-Prem
Hello, I applied immigrant Visa for my husband and embassy want on going relationship photos and call logs.
Do I need to label everybody name in the family pictures? If I can say only family and friend in the pictures..
Please need your advice. Thanks
Hello Nomita,
You refer to your partner as “husband”. Are you processing a CR1 or IR1 instead of a fiance K-1 visa? In any case, the answer is the same, you may label the photographs with names/identifications to submit to them.
-Prem
Hello, I would like to know about labelling each page in my packet. Do I need to type/write my name and date of birth on EACH page of support i.e. airline tickets, call logs, etc?
Hi Karen,
You don’t have to label each page. But, it’s up to you if you want to make it neat and organized that way. You don’t need to write your name on each document, unless it’s a statement / affidavit / or declaration.
For your other proof such as airline tickets, call logs, it’s enough to simply label a page # on them.
-Prem
Thanks Perm for answering my questions, I just had a few more and would appreciate your help.
I am using my Passport photo as part of my citizenship, but do I need just the photo and front and back cover or ALL the pages?
Secondly, I saw that we (both me and fiancé) need two 2×2 passport size photos with a white background within 30 days of the petition filing….how sticky are they on this. Hers were taken 5 months ago and mine 2 months ago…do we have to get another set of 2 x 2 photos or could we still pass for the old ones…how would they know?
Finally, when filling out the I-129F, I have noticed that there is not enough space to write out her full address and it won’t let me enter “Present” for jobs or current address….I assume I can just hand write these in or for the addresses at least, would it be better to just leave the address as it is. For example, Flat C/F Tower 14 Yang Chuen Yau Ho…….the Yao Ho does not fit in the field, so I thought about just hand writing it or should I just leave it be?
Thanks so much
Drew
Hi Drew,
If you’re using your passport then you may copy the front/back as proof of citizenship. However, if you’re also using your passport immigration stamps for proof of in-person meeting, then you will copy the other pages as well. Make sense?
As for the passport sized photos, the USCIS is very strict with them for the most part. I recommend you read this article on how important it is. https://www.visatutor.com/preventk1delays/
If certain portions don’t fit within the fields, you must write the response Part 8 additional information.
You’re a very technical guy like me and need to have everything explained precisely. You’ll find these kinds of exact answers in my course, I promise you. https://www.visatutor.com/i-129f-guide/
Keep in touch
-Prem
Hi Perm,
Thank you for answering all of my questions and sorry to bother you, but had another quick question. Maybe I am over thinking everything, but should I be worried when I send the filing fee of $535 for the I-129F Petition that the check I have is not my most current updated address? I hate to pay $25 dollars for new checks that will take 2 weeks and wondering how worried I should be if I pay with a check with an old address on it.
One more thing….for the pictures I send as proof of our ongoing relationship, do they have to be a specific size, like 5 x 7? Can we both submit the exact same pictures (me with my I-129F) and she for her interview or should they be different pictures?
Thanks so much
Hi Drew,
I wouldn’t be worried about the checks. In reality, anyone can submit payment, you, the beneficiary, your parents, etc. So, it makes sense that they wouldn’t care about the address that the check comes from. Again, as long as the USCIS gets their money, they’re happy.
About your photo question: there’s no guideline on how to prepare your photographs or how they should look. But in my experience, you can have multiple photos on a paper and it doesn’t matter what size. But, I think there’s one way that does this job well. In fact, I like to input captions (facts) with the photos. I teach how to do all of this in my I-129F course.
You can submit whatever photos help support your eligibility for a k-1 visa. It doesn’t matter if she takes the samephotos with her to the interview. Although, I know you may not have additional new photos from today until her interview. That’s fine. She can take the same ones.
-Prem
Hi! I have a question and I hope you could help us.
I’m the foreign fiancee and my partner(the petitioner) has been working in my country, which is where we met. Since we are both in the same city, we have been seeing each other almost every day since we started dating and eventually we moved in together. How do we show the “circumstances of our in-person meeting”?
Thanks!
Hi,
That’s quite simple. Just write about how you met. That’s it. It’s not necessary to have an extravagant story to disclose to the USCIS about your meeting situation. You can say your fiance is working in your country, lives here and meets you regularly.
As a side note, keep in mind about domicile requirements when it’s time for you to go to the K-1 interview.
-Prem
Thanks so much for your answer!
Where can I find the “domicile requirements”?
Funny enough, I’m actually writing the article all about the domicile requirements for the I-134. I will publish is hopefully within 2-3 weeks. However, in the meantime, you can look at the I-864 affidavit of support instructions and look at the domicile requirements. It applies to the I-134 as well.
-Prem
Hello thank you for your help, my question is I have never had face to face with my fiancee it was always over the phone and I have tons of messages about how much we are in love and we want to get married. Only thing is the tradition and culture doesn’t allow dating or having any type of relationship. I can prove this with a letter from a religious leader. I would like to know what my chances of getting my fiancee visa approved or can my case be approved what is the percentage of acceptance this kind of an application.
Thanks
Hello Selim,
Meeting face to face in the last 2 years is a requirement. However, if you can prove that you cannot meet face to face due to religious reasons, you’re allowed to submit a waiver. The likelihood of approval, from what I’ve seen, is slim.
It’s understandable that you cannot date one another. But, if I were in your place, I would do as much as possible to actually GO / VISIT my fiance to prove that I at least went to the country and met with family, etc. Have you went to visit her or she come to visit you?
-Prem
Hello, just wanted to ask a quick question. I am doing a K1 Visa for my fiancé(e). I thought that I had to submit the I-134 Affidavit of Support with my I-129F Petition. I waited to find a job because if I did submit it I worried it might of gotten approved before I had work. Therefore, by the time I file my I-129F, it will be about 8 months after I visited my fiancé(e). I know it is within 2 years of meeting, but should I be nervous that I am not submitting it, like 1 or 2 months after meeting? Should I include that in the Cover Letter, why it took so long?
Second, I submitted a K1 Visa 10 years ago and it ended up being Marriage Fraud. Now, 10 years later am submitting another one. Should I be also concerned that this is my second time doing this?
I know I have to submit these either way, but anything I should include in the Cover Letter or anything to make them understand, so I don’t get delayed or denied?
Thanks,
Drew
Hi Drew,
I’m afraid you were misinformed and mistaken. You don’t need to file the I-134 with your I-129F petition. You only need to present it at the Embassy/interview stage several months later. By that time, you might have sorted out your employment situation.
I agree with you, not seeing each other for over 8 months will be a long time. You may think about taking another trip for extra proof to validate your case.
Your k1 10 years ago shouldn’t affect your current chances. It depends. But, it sounds like it was a long time ago and shouldn’t seem like you’re in the Green Card business. So, to me, with what you’ve told me so far, I feel it’s not a big issue.
Remember, if this is your third/more time doing the K1, you’re going to have to go through a multiple filer procedure. But, I think you said it’s only your second time. So, don’t worry.
Don’t bother explaining it in the cover letter. It’ll probably be overlooked anyway. I suggest you write a clarification in your circumstances of meeting statement.
Reach out to me by email if you have further questions.
-Prem
Thank you for your help! Glad to know I shouldn’t be too worried about a previous K1 Visa that was a marriage fraud and ended up being an annulment.
Actually, it has not been 8 months, but 6 months. Though, by the time I file it will be 7 months. Unfortunately, can’t make a trip there again for awhile. The reason I waited was for a 1 month thought I had to submit my 1-134 with it. The other 4 were finding a job because worried they would approve it and I would have no jon. I am having my fiance’ aunt and uncle who set me up with her write a witness letter to help. I do remember the first K1 Visa I fid 10 years ago was submitted 5 months after meeting in person and things were okay. What should I put in my sworn statement like you mentioned? Delay was worried I wouldn’t get a job or didn’t know about filing the 1-134 afterwards? Is my case probably going to get denied?
Hello Drew,
You’re not required to justify why you waited to file. You can if you want, but I don’t think it’ll matter. AS long as you meet the eligibility to file the I-129F, for now, that’s all that counts.
You will get an opportunity to visit your fiance again after you submit your paperwork. Perhaps you can do it then. Reach out to me by email if you need further help.
-Prem
Thanks for ur response. Just a few more questions. Both my finance and I have been married before, but her husband died and I got an Annulment. We both have our death decrees and annulment decrees. Do we still need our original marriage documents to provide with the 1-129F still or not?
Also, I see Immigration just updated their new 1-129F form for 2018, do we still need to submit the G325. Biometric form?
Finally, is it okay to hand write some portions of the 1-129F document? Like, it doesn’t give enough space for full addresses or write present for current job field, etc…and if we don’t need an interpreter, can we just leave those fields blank or write NA or none? Is this okay to write on it?
Thanks so much!
Hello Drew,
Original divorce documents aren’t required in the I-129F. However, you should have them in case the USCIS (on rare occasions) asks to see originals.
The I-129F form was updated early last year. The G-325A is outdated and no longer required. All those questions have been incorporated into the I-129F form itself.
You can, if you need, swap between hand written to typed responses. It’s not recommended though. But, if you must, you can.
If things don’t apply to you, I suggest you leave them blank. But, you can always write “n/a” or “none”.
By the way, all these questions (and a lot more) are answered in my I-129F guide. It’s well worth a look.
Cheers
-Prem
Hello,
Thank you for the help. I am sorry to bother you again, but just wanted to make sure I am understanding correctly. We DO NOT need to FILE the divorce decrees OR MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES (before we got the divorce) correct?
Thx
Hi Drew,
Not sure if I got your question. You must submit photocopies of all your previous divorces to show that you’re currently free to marry. All previous marriages must be terminated. There’s no need to submit marriage certificates unless you’re using it to show proof of legal name change. Hope this makes sense. Is this what you’re asking?
-Prem
Hey!
Thank you for your help with this website. So here is my question:
For the how we met portion, does both myself and my fiance have to write a letter?? I have the evidence, photos, hotel receipts, boarding pass, and passport stamps’ but is he too supposed to write hoe we met, and how we fell in love with each other???
Hi Alexandria,
I’m glad you found this helpful. You’re both allowed to write this letter or either one of you. It’s up to you. If you have all the proofs with you, then I’d suggest it’s best that YOU write the statement and reference your proofs.
-Prem
Hello.
I met my fiance 6months ago when I was in the US and now we are planing to get married and me going there to start our lifes together. We want to applay for K1 visa but the only thing that I am worried is that we dont have any photos of us together We have a TON of daily texts and call logs but no photos. Is that gonna be the problem for us?
Hello Nina,
Congratulations on taking the big decision to marry. Now, I have to say that having text messages is good, although, not having photos is a very difficult situation. You see, showing photos as proof of in-person meeting is almost essential for approval. I wouldn’t advise you to submit your I-129F without photos as proof of in-person meeting. Do you think you can make another trip together to do this?
-Prem
Hi,
I have been in a relationship with my fiancé for 4 and a half years, Should we included proof of our relationship from the start of our relationship or just focus on the past 2 years?
Thanks.
Hello Lyn,
That’s a great question. Regardless of how long you’ve been in a relationship, the proof that really counts toward your proof of in-person meeting is if it was within the last 2 years. Older proofs will count toward “proof of relationship” and not toward your eligibility of meeting within the last 2 years.
So, what does this mean for everyone? it means you can actually select a variety of proof. But try to focus on the last 2 years, because it’ll serve to help your eligibility. Make sense?
-Prem
Hi Prem. thank you for email.
Can my boyfriend fiance email me his passport size photo & would that be acceptable to provide?
Hi liz,
The USCIS wants a 2inch by 2inch printed passport style photo of you and your fiance. If you don’t have it physically with you, you’re allowed to print it and submit it in your I-129F. Now, the problem becomes that you must be sure that the photo fits the 2 inch by 2 inch dimensions and has the correct configuration for head size, etc. exactly the way the USCIS prefers.
I highly suggest you (1) wait for your fiance to mail it to you or (2) if you print it out here in the US, please have it done by a studio or somewhere with a good printer so the quality is good. In the past, some petitioners sent in “home” printed passport style photos and it costed them an RFE by the USCIS asking for different ones. So, I would advise you to be careful.
-Prem
How many pages of chat logs should i be submitting? I was thinking 5 pages, is that too little?i have read some that were submitting 100 pages and I know for sure no one has time to read all that. Quality over quantity for sure! please advice what I should be focusing on. here is my brief story:
We started talking on facebook, we continued chatting on whatsapp as friends for couple years. We became serious 6 months ago and spoke daily. i visited him in September and i will be going again next week to visit and officially get engaged.
my question here is do I need to show them chat logs when we were friends? I prefer to focus on the last 6 months when we became a couple. i will include the facebook message to show that we’ve known each other for 3 years. what do you think?
Hi Joulie,
the # of chat log pages depends on your case. 5-10 is enough. Don’t go with 100 pages. It’s a waste of time and no one will end up reading it.
Focus on chats where you discuss wedding plans, future plans, etc. things that show your bona fide relationship.
I agree with you, you can focus on the recent 6 months.
If you want to show the previous couple of years, you can, but keep it brief 1-2 pages. Does this make sense?
-Prem
Hi! I would like to ask if the petitioner had a police record in the past, does he/she still needs to include that in the cover letter? Thanks
Hi Sherym,
If the petitioner has a criminal record, he would need to put in the cover letter all the documents that he’s including as part of the petition packet. He wouldn’t describe or talk about the criminal issue in the cover letter. Just put a list of documents he’s submitting as part of the criminal history.
-Prem
Hi.
My fiance has sent our I 129F forms 3 months ago, until now we have not gotten any notification, we know our document is incomplete, such as passport style photos, photos of both of us that we do not have…
Can we send another I 129 ? .
Thanks
Hi Meli,
You can’t “add” evidence on to your petition unless the USCIS asks for it. I’m afraid you’re going to have to wait until they begin adjudicating it before you can do anything about it. If you’re missing photos or passport-style photos, most likely, you’ll see an RFE requesting for it. That’s a good opportunity for you to submit additional proof of relationship. For now, I suggest you gather up good evidence in anticipation of the RFE.
-Prem
hello, I have a question
can i add proof of meeting after the i-129F is filed?
we haven’t met yet but we can in the next six months, before the waiting period is over
Hi Carla,
You must meet each other before you file the I-129F petition. You can’t meet afterward or else they will reject you and ask to refile. It’s not worth it because you’ll end up paying the fee twice.
Waivers are difficult to obtain so you must meet before filing. You should think about a third country or meeting somewhere convenient for both of you. Have any in mind?
-Prem
Hi Prem, I’m confused. There’s a part in I-129F question stating that “does your beneficiary have been married previously? My fiance answered yes since that’s the reality. But my problem is, do I need to attached my marriage certificate just to prove that I’ve been married? I’m using my single name not my married name. I attached my birth certificate and passport. I also attached the death certificate of my late husband since I’m a widow.
Hi Mirla,
For previous marriages, you must submit your divorce/death documents only. However, if you feel you need to submit your marriage certificate, to show your legal name change, you can do that. Be sure to clarify that in your statements. Does this make sense?
In Affidavit of Support may I know the amount of 100% or 125%
My fiance is a retired U.S. Airforce and a Social Security pensioner who got a 100% pension and he is still working. Does his income qualified in Affidavit of Support?
For the I-134, you must show at least 100% of poverty limits from the I-864p. For the Affidavit of support during Adjustment of Status (I-864), you must meet 125%.
The source of his income doesn’t matter as much as if he meets the I-864p limits. He can be retired or on SS.
Hi Prem, I would like to ask about my name. In my passport I applied my single name not my married name since I’m a widow. In the I-129k visa I also used my single name. I attached the death certificate of my late husband and our marriage contract. What can you say about this?
Mirla
Hi Mirla,
If you have a legal name change at one point, then the USCIS wants you to prove your birth name, name changes and provide evidence of your current name. Since, you are submitting your passport information and late husband’s death certificate, it will be enough evidence. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if the USCIS sends an RFE for your birth certificate as well (to verify your birth name). In fact, I would say submit a copy of your birth certificate as well.
-Prem
Thanks for the help. I’ve been following your blogs ever since I got the visa tutor website in the internet.
Thanks Mirla,
keep in touch and good luck in your case
-Prem
I read the filing instructions, and it is mentioned not to highlight the documents and forms. Is it ok to highlight the dates and names on copies of the airline tickets, hotel receipts and screenshot conversations?
Hi Alexandra,
It’s not a good idea to highlight the FORM I-129F. The form I-129F gets scanned, that’s why. It’s okay to highlight your other proofs, receipts, etc.
Hi, we have pictures during our first meeting. They were taken through cellphone and there were no date or time stamped were they acceptable?
Hi Mirla,
Yes, it’s very common for most of us just to take photos on our cellphones. It’s fine to print those out and submit them as proof of meeting. Even though most of the time, the photos don’t have time stamps, it’s the best we can do.
-Prem
Hi!, I don’t have a photo of us together from the very first face to face meeting. (We had no idea, we would fall in love later) however we do have photos after the very first meeting. Will this be a problem?
Hey Joey,
It’s absolutely no problem if you don’t have pictures to prove you met the first time around. The requirement is simply that you prove to the USCIS that you met in the last 2 years. Whether that was the first time, second time, etc. it doesn’t matter.
Cheers, good luck
-Prem
Hello. I would like to know whether it is my fiance as the petitioner or me as the beneficiary who has to submit this proof of relationship or both of us?
Thank you.
hey there,
It doesn’t matter who puts together the proofs of relationship. The end goal is for the I-129f packet to be submitted with proofs. It has to focus on both of you.
For instance, you (beneficiary) can take the task of putting the proofs together. Then send it to the US to your fiance. He can submit it in the I-129F packet. Or if he want’s to put it together, he can. It’s up to you. As long as you submit it in the I-129F. Cheers