What kind of proof of relationship? More time together in person is better than less time together. A couple living together has a better chance than a couple who spent 3 days together in person.
Question
What kind of proof of relationship?
Answer
Anthony, Thank you for your inquiry. Allow the relationship to naturally develop, and try to use means of communication that can be shown. For example, no one wants to watch webcam, so that is not a good choice for immigration purposes even if it is a good way to stay in touch. Phone logs, emails, saved IM chats, money transfer receipts, evidence of your time together person such as photos together, hotel and restaurant receipts, and so forth all help. You do not need to do anything special or out of the ordinary. Just be aware that you need to save evidence of your relationship as it naturally develops.
There are two items that can help increase chances of success:
- More time together in person is better than less time together. A couple living together has a better chance than a couple who spent 3 days together in person. We all have work commitments and budgets to consider, so just do the best you can do.
- Also, any show of intimacy helps. By this I mean that a handwritten birthday card means more than an email. Small gifts such as a $10 pair of earrings shows you care. A well prepared display of photos in a binder is better than a stack of photos in a bag. Photos help show how you relate to each other as a couple.
An immigration officer can always deny based on lack of a genuine relationship, but then also immigration officers often violate rules and regulations in reaching decisions. Some officers can be unfair. For this reason, it helps to have attorney assistance in shaping and presenting a compelling case, and also be in a position to respond when problems and issues arise. I hope this helps.
Allan
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Well said!
Me and my boyfriend are planning to apply for a K1 visa. I am looking forward on working with you soon. 🙂 I know everything will fall into place with your help. Continue touching people’s lives.
Florife from Philippines
Another form of evidence that is good to use is copies of your online chats or Skype records. However, when printing any electronic media chats please keep in mind that when the Interviewing Officer reads them they will be looking for substance in your relationship. Therefore, just as any relationship has its wonderful moments, you should also share information on your family and discuss/plan the difficulties you will need to overcome in your relationship just as any normal couple does. I hope this additional information helps.
Crystal
Crystal, Good comment. Thanks. Yes, a relationship is commonly more than lighthearted comments, “How’s your day.” Difficulties in a relationship do not necessarily mean the relationship is not healthy. If fact, it can show the couple takes the relationship seriously because the couple is working through issues and concerns.
As a separate note about Skype, people often use free Skype and have trouble obtaining logs of communications. In this case, consider opting for paid Skype where a log history of communications can be kept.
The same is true of phone cards. It is not enough to simply keep expired cards. It is important to obtain the phone logs of point to point calls and dates. If you use a phone card, contact the phone card company and inquire about logs. If the company refuses to provide them, switch to another phone card.
Some cultures have strict rules when it comes to public affection. For example, sometimes even photos are not able to be taken of a couple together. What other ideas and evidence of meeting in person can be used if this is the case?
Good question. In my work I am more focused on meeting statutory requirements for obtaining the visa. Collecting documents is secondary. Each relationship is different. As long as the couple meets requirements, we can always generally prove up the case.
There is no requirement that any couple must have photos together as part of fiancee or marriage visa processing. The couple is required to spend time together in person (with very few exceptions). They must also show a genuine and sincere relationship. Photos are helpful because they reveal a how the couple relates to one another.
I’ve had clients in Iran take a photo together in a taxi cab. Photos together among family members can work as well. There is no need to take private photos together. If photos are not possible at all, then look for other evidence that places the couple together in the same place at the same time. Affidavits by family members or friends help. One client had two ticket stubs to an amusement park with each name written on a ticket and the time stamp when they entered the park together. Where a couple lost photos, a hotel receipt showing registration helps.
Charlie, The problem of visa denial is important enough that it deserves it’s own blog post. I’ve taken your question and moved it to this link:
K1 Fiance Visa Denied in China – What Now?
Please check the post and let me know if you would like assistance. Kind regards, Allan
After my third trip to China in 18 months I finally got my long awaited interview in Guangzhou China for a K-1 visa. I was not allowed to enter the interview room. My fiancee was the only one who was interviewed. After 10 minutes the consulate gave her a boiler plate denial letter. . . . What opinion can you share. We both thank you for your thoughts.
it’s them damn demmycrats with their beiacarrucaes that’s causin’ this mess. Then again, marriage outside of the U.S. would be outlawed by republicans if they had the chance. that’s why I’m not registered.