Reyna asks: “How many times do we have to physically be with each other before we can apply for a K1 visa, and exactly what does RapidVisa need for proof that this is real?”
You need to meet at least once in the 24-month period preceding your K-1 visa application. More meetings is better, of course, but the minimum requirement is once within a 2-year period.
U.S. officials look at all the evidence, and, from our experience, strong evidence includes pictures of you and your partner together. Obviously, this evidence is a little less important on spousal visas because you’re married, but they’re critical for the K-1 visa. You’re going to have a difficult time convincing the consular officer that your relationship is legitimate without pictures.
Next, we recommend that you provide proof of travel to see each other, or of travel together. Typically, an airline, bus, or rail ticket with your name on it can help. We recommend airline tickets, as they have the most information, so you want to hang on to the tickets purchased – the boarding passes – that show you were actually on the plane. You’ve also probably got a hotel receipt and other receipts from activities during your trip.
Then, your passport, which is almost always going to be stamped. That would be an entry stamp and for most countries an exit stamp. Those stamps are very important because that’s third-party government evidence that you are in that country, plus it’s dated. The date is important because you must have seen each other in the last 24 months.
For example, if you saw each other 25 months ago, that’s not going to work. You’ll have to make another trip again. Honestly, it’s more about proving that you have met at this point than it is about proving the relationship is real. The part where you’re proving the relationship is real becomes more critical at the embassy interview, not in the initial application. If you’re using RapidVisa, we’re going to give you an extensive list of evidence you can use and you can always ask us for more information.
