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My name is Fred
Wahl. I am a matchmaker. I help my clients find each other for romance and
marriage. Then I help them navigate USCIS immigration to bring
their
alien fiancees or spouses to the USA.
I believe in providing
personal service. If you have questions about Fiancee or Spousal
Visas, call me.
1-800-806-3210 x702 or 1-213-341-0808 x702
My
Websites:
http://www.fianceevisas
ervices.com (Information, forms, advice, How To
videos)
http://www.fianceevisase
crets.com (Do It Yourself Fiancee Visa eBook)
http://www.adjust
mentofstatussecrets.com (Do It Yourself Green Card eBook)
http://www.spousalvisase
crets.com (Do It Yourself
Spousal Visa eBook)
Choosing the Right Photos to Prove your
relationship is Bona
Fide
Preparing a
successful visa petition is both 'Art' and 'Science'. The science
is
filling in the blanks correctly, and remembering to attach all
the
official documents that are needed. The 'Art' comes in when
you
choose what evidence to present and how much to present, in order
to
prove to a possibly unfriendly stranger that you are a bona
fide
couple.
One element of the rainbow of evidence, are photographs, of the two of
you as a couple. Imagine this as if you were giving slide show,
but you
only have a few minutes to tell your whole story. Choosing the
'right'
photos to show to immigration is very important.
To see samples of
photos, and a Youtube presentation that describes how to choose
your photos go to:
http://fianceevisaservices.com/youtubepetitionphotographs.
html
Simple Purpose:
1. To prove you have met 'face to face'
Key purpose is your Opportunity
2. To demonstrate you have a 'bona fide' relationship
Easy to accomplish #1, #2 is more Art than Science.
You want to tell a story. The story should be about a genuine,
'in
love' couple that wants to spend the rest of their lives
together.
What
should be in the photos?
Couple Should Be in the Photo:
This is all about the two of you, so both of you should be in
each photo.
Positive
Body Language:
Smiling, holding hands, leaning in to each
other. One of my clients took pictures of him and his girl friend
on his first
trip to meet each other. It was obvious from the photos that
they
were strangers, and a bit uncomfortable with each other.
Her
arms were always crossed across her chest, and they always
kept
as much distance between them as they could. I insisted that he
go on
a second trip, and get more photos and proof of the bona
fides.
And it worked just great. They ended up very happy to take
more
time to build their relationship and enjoy their engagement. The
photos
from the second trip showed a real couple, who were happy to
be
together and comfortable in each others company.
Mid-distance shots.
Another client gave me a bunch of photos of he and
his fiancee, taken when he was holding the camera at arms length
away
from his body pointing back at the couples faces. Such a photo
accomplishs #1 that the couple met. but does nothing to prove
bona
fides. Better the shot is taken at a farther distance and the
background is
easily identifiable. These close up face shots could have, and
probably
were taken all at the same time, which is a red flag.
Identifiable Backgrounds.
Make sure there are easily identifyable landmarks
or events going on in the background. If a couple are
trying to
trick immigration and pretend a sham marriage in order to obtain
a
passport, typically the tricksters don't spend too much time
together.
So there photos would usually be taken all at once, one
afternoon.
So instead you want to make sure it is obvious you have spent a
lot of time together and shared some travel
and activities. So presenting a photo in front of downtown,
another
at the zoo, another at the acqarium, another at a
historical site
or in front of a 'Welcome to Our town' sign, for a town far
away from the city she lives in, another in the countryside,
mountains, lake, beach all add up to 'tell the story' that you
have a
genuine relationship.
Seasons,
Events, Holidays:
If you make multiple trips. Try to vary the time of year you go,
so
that the background of the photos clearly indicate this was a
totally
different trip. For example if the fiancee's country has winter
and
summer, some photos with snow in the background, or wearing heavy
coats
easily delineate from another trip taken during the heat of
summer. If
the seasons look similar, try to find backgrounds that indicate a
seasonal holiday.
The background might have a decorated Christmas Tree, or a Happy
New
Year's banner, or show an independence day, Kings Birthday
or other national holiday, or celebration.
Time of
Day:
Vary the time of day. Choose some photos taken at day and some at
night.
Date
Stamping:
Having your camera automatically insert the month,
day and year onto each photo. Is the simplest, and most effective
way
to demonstrate when your photos have been taken and that they
have been
taken on different days. Another way to also show the date is to
find a
background that shows the date, a sign in front of a wedding
party, or
a sign in a hotel lobby often show the date.
Clothing:
Vary the clothing you wear. Again you want to dispel any
suggestion
that you are taking all the photos on the same day. So each day
of your
trip vary the wardrobe that you and your partner are wearing. So
each
photo that you say is taken on a different day, looks consistent
with
another day.
Friends
or Coworkers:
If a couple is genuine, one would expect the proud fiancee to
'show off' and introduce her fiance to her friends or
coworkers or fellow students. So a group photo at her place of
study,
work or liesure with her peers is a good choice.
Family:
A serious fiance will meet his new 'in laws' and especially want
to
meet her parents or family elders to 'ask for her hand'. A photo
showing the couple together with her happy 'on board' family is a
must.
Less is
More:
Don't be repetitive. One of my clients gave me 12 pictures
of him
and his fiancee at a single restaurant. Of course, every
single
picture was precious to him and his fiancee. But they should be
saved
for the family album not used for the visa petition. One,
possibly two pictures
telling about a moment in your time together is interesting. 10
pictures repeating the same story is boring and not effective at
all.
Better to share 12 photos that each and every one tell of a
different activity or event that occured while the couple was
enjoying their time together.
What you
should Avoid:
You want to keep the Consular officer who is reviewing your
petition
and preparing to interview your fiancee, friendly and on your
side,
interested and feeling positively about you and your fiancee when
he
sees your photos. Each photo should bring him closer to
identifying
with you as a genuine couple. He may have strong moral,
racial,
religious and/s cultural biases. Be extra careful not to
inadvertantly
offend him. If he feels offended, or that something is wrong, he
will
dig for problems until he finds justification to deny your case.
Make sure your entire petition consistently leads him to be utterly
convinced you are a bona fide couple
No
Sexually Charged Images:
No Kissing or groping. My clients present me with a lot of
photos
with them kissing, hugging, the girl sitting on his lap, laying
on a
bed together or simply obviously in a hotel room. While none of
these
so far has been X rated, I am a liberal person, butI would be
uncomfortable if my daughter was in those pictures. Just show
normal
happy, friendly, comfortable couples.
No King
Kong carrying Fay Raye, images:
When I see a 6 foot tall, 270 pound man, bear hugging while
towering
completely over a tiny 5', 100 pound, girl. I can't help but feel
uncomfortable for her. Try to minimize size differences. Try mid
range
shots, or have both sitting down side by side, so their heads are
about
the same level.
Avoid
Negative Body language:
Any negative body language by the couple obviously should be
avoided. In addition look how the other people in the photo
appear. I got one photo of a couple with her parents. The couple
was
smiling but the parents were scowling. Perhaps thats the way the
parents always look. We will never know. But that particular
photo made
it appear they were not happy with the engagement. That could be
a red
flag.
Avoid
Culturally Offensive Images:
I got a photo and the couple were in front of a statue of a
character
out of her countries cultural history. The couple made hand
gestures
like the character was wearing horns. Perhaps the CO would
have
thought that funny, like the couple did. Or perhaps he would have
been
offended. I would not take the chance.
Don't cheat:
Every week I catch one of my clients faking the dates on his trip
photos. He took a few photos on one day, then falsely
claimed
they were taken on different days, so he could (he believed) tell
a
better story about his trip. Ever CO carefully looks at the
clothing the couple is
wearing and the backgrounds in each picture. If told two pictures
were
supposedly taken a week apart, but the couple is wearing exactly
the
same outfit, the CO knows there is fraud going on. Don't
attempt
to use photo processing software to fake photos. Once caught in
even
the smallest misrepresentation, the entire petition is put
in question. My clients
were lucky I caught their ill advised attempt and stopped it
before it
could get them into trouble.
My
imaginary ideal of the timeline of a genuine romantic engagement
My ideal couple have been corresponding for 6 months or MORE. The
man
flys to meet her for the first time. They spend a week getting
to
know each other. She shows him her country. They are in love.
3 to 6 months later, he can't bear to be apart from her any
longer and
flys back to her country. He stays longer this time. He meets her
family. He gives her a ring. They have an engagement party.
She
shows him more of her country.
Upon his return to the USA he submits the petition.
The photos this couple should attach to their Fiancee or Spousal,
I-129F or I-130 petition are:
From
First trip:
Photos of the couple together on different days, wearing
different cloths, in various identifiable locations.
Second trip:
Same: Photos of the couple together on different days,
wearing different cloths, in various identifiable locations. Now
added
are photos with her family, and/or friends. An engagement party.
She
wearing the ring.
Certainly not everyone's experience is like this 'ideal case'.
But the
closer your courtship and engagement appears to be like that of
other
genuine couples from her country and culture, the better.
When you choose the right photos, and tell a clear and compelling
story, the more likely it is your petition will have smooth
sailing.
To see
samples of photos, and a Youtube presentation that describes how
to choose your photos go to:
http://fianceevisaservices.com/youtubepetitionphotographs.
html
Best Regards
Fred Wahl
Matchmaker
ps. Watch my Youtube Fiancee Visa training videos, they provide a
lot
of free information on how to apply for your visa, and how to
avoid
mistakes.
If you are starting a relationship, or still looking, take
a minute to watch my most important video on "How to prove a genuine relationship for the Fiancee or
Spousal visa". You will be much better prepared in case
you find your life partner and petition to live together in the
USA.
Of course if you have already found your partner and are applying
for a
K-1 or K-3 visa, put the suggestions shown on the youtube video
to
immediate use to making your petition more believable and thus
ensuring a happy ending to your visa application.
To view the video visit:
http://fianceevisaservices.com/youtubegenuinerelationship.ht
ml
And view series of videos, on the Whole Fiancee Visa Process. To
view the series visit:
htt
p://fianceevisaservices.com/youtubefianceevisa.html
If
legal advice is required we recommend
hiring an attorney. Fred Wahl, the staff at Heart of Asia
and
Fianceevisaservices.com is not an
Attorney, Immigration Law Firm, or employees of Home Land
Security
(I.N.S.) or (USCIS) and can not offer legal
advice.
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