Learn about IMBRA before you get serious about her!
by Mark B.
(Winston Salem N.C.)
Hi,
1st this is from my own current experience. If a website offers, and or requires IMBRA information don't overlook it's importance.
The site where I meet Natasha had an IMBRA form (International Marriage Broker Regulation Act).
U.S.C.I.S. is cracking down on this. Question 35 on the I-29F form to petition the Government for your fiancee visa asks where the you met.
I never placed any merit on this because the site never ask for money, or advertised IMBRA to me. I assumed it was a formality to protect both parties. That makes sense but apparently this was a very relaxed point in the past. Now it's being used to deny many K-1 applications/petitions.
I can only say that I obviously checked into this once we received a RFE (Request for Evidence). The crackdown on question 35 per a K-1 is info I received from many reliable sources. I believe the consistency is proof that a very real issue in the Gov is now implementing this more than in the past.
We got a request for evidence. This has added 3-4 months to our K-1 timeline, and we will hear from them by Jan, 16, 2018. They received our evidence on Nov 16, 2017.
In short be warned. If you file a I-29F fiancee petition be PREPARED to answer how you meet your fiancee ahead of time. And have your proof ready for your filing.
Now we're concerned about being denied, or having to send in more time consuming information. Understand I respect the IMBRA info, as it protects Russian women and U.S. men alike. Example: She can see if I am divorced, and if so how many times, and other serious info. But the process from first signing up for a website to meeting her and filing K-1; Does not make the need for submitting IMBRA proof very clear.
Per lack of clarity I made a mistake. And hopefully we have remedied this. So I want to pass this on to the men planning to file a I-129F, and I assume a K-2 ask this as well.
In short, have solid PROOF for the government as to when, where, and how you meet your Russian or foreign fiancee.