Appeal of Service Center Operations (SCOPS) Decision - In Re 37666474

Sep 15, 2026

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Appeal review concerns a U.S. citizen’s Form I-129F petition seeking K-1 fiancé(e) classification for admission to the United States. The Service Center Operations (SCOPS) denial found the record insufficient to establish the parties’ bona fide intent to marry, including inadequately detailed intent letters, photographs lacking date and location, travel evidence not establishing in-person presence, and money-transfer evidence that was illegible or unclear in use. De novo review agrees with SCOPS and identifies additional discrepancies and typographical errors that undermine credibility and eligibility.

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Appeal of Service Center Operations(SCOPS)Decision

Form I-129F Petition and K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa Classification

Denial Reasons: Evidence Insufficient for Bona Fide Intent

De Novo Review and Identified Discrepancies

Appeal Submissions and Remaining Eligibility Issues

U.S.Citizenshipand ImmigrationServices Date:MAY 22,2025 In Re:37666474 # Appeal of Service Center Operations(SCOPS)Decision Form I-129F,Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) The Petitioner,a U.S.citizen,seeks the Beneficiary's admission to the United States under thefiancé(e)visa classification.See Immigration and Nationality Act (the Act)section 101(a)(15)(K)(i),8 U.S.C.§1101(a)(15)(K)(i)(the“K-1”visa classification).A U.S.citizen may petition to bring afiancé(e)to the United States in K-1 status for marriage. Service Center Operations(SCOPS)denied the petition,concluding that the Petitioner did notestablish the bona fide nature of the parties'intent to marry.The matter is now before us on appealpursuant to 8 C.F.R.§103.3. The Petitioner bears the burden of proof to demonstrate eligibility by a preponderance of the evidence.Matter of Chawathe,25I&N Dec.369,375-76(AAO 2010).We review the questions in this matterde novo.Matter of Christo's,Inc.,26 I&N Dec.537,537 n.2(AAO 2015).Upon de novo review,we will dismiss the appeal. Section 214(d)(1)of the Act states that a fiancé(e)petition can be approved only if a petitionerestablishes that the parties have previously met in person within two years before the date of filing thefiancé(e)petition,have a bona fide intention to marry,and are legally able and actually willing toconclude a valid marriage in the United States within a period of90 days after a beneficiary's arrival. SCOPS denied the petition,concluding that the record was insufficient to demonstrate the parties'have a bona fide intention to marry.With his initial petition,the Petitioner provided the followingrelevant documents:a cover letter;his statement of intent to marry the Beneficiary;the Beneficiary'sstatement of intent;the Petitioner's divorce document dissolving his marriage to his prior spouse;thePetitioner's U.S.passport and passport stamps showing his exit and entry to the United States;moneytransfers;and two undated photographs.SCOPS issued an request for evidence(RFE),requestingmore evidence and information regarding the parties'bona fide intent.In response,the Petitionerprovided the following additional information:a personal statement;a statement from the Beneficiary;six photographs of the couple's cultural wedding;airline itineraries for the Petitioner's 2017,2020 and2022 trips to visit the Beneficiary;and evidence that the Petitioner sends money to the Beneficiary SCOPS denied the petition explaining that the evidence was insufficient to establish the parties'bonafide intent to marry.Specifically,SCOPS pointed out that the photographs of the couple did notcontain any date or location details,and that the Beneficiary's letter of intent to marry the Petitionerwas not sufficiently detailed.In addition,SCOPS pointed out that the Petitioner's passport and tripitineraries were not sufficient evidence that the parties were together in Egypt in 2017,2020,or 2022,as they described.Finally,SCOPS noted that some of the money transfers sent from the Petitioner tothe Beneficiary were insufficient because they were blurry and could not be read.And,while othermoney transfers showed the Petitioner sent her money,SCOPS noted it was unclear what the moneywas used for.For all these reasons,SCOPS denied the petition. Upon de novo review,we agree with SCOPS'assessment of the evidence.First,the Beneficiary'sstatement of intent contains numerous errors including the misspelling of the Petitioner's name,andreferences to the Petitioner using female pronouns("her"),even though the Petitioner is male.Inaddition,the Beneficiary's statement includes incomplete and fragmented sentences,which renders itinsufficient to establish her bona fide intent to marry the Petitioner.See Matter of Chawathe,25I&NDec.369,375-76(AAO 2010)(standing for the proposition that to determine whether a petitioner hasmet their burden under the preponderance standard,we consider the quality,relevance,probativevalue,and credibility of the evidence).In

FAQs

What visa classification does the Form I-129F petition seek?

It seeks admission under the fiancé(e) visa classification, commonly referred to as the K-1 visa category.

Why did SCOPS deny the petition?

SCOPS determined the evidence did not sufficiently establish the parties’ bona fide intent to marry, citing issues with the detail and credibility of intent statements, photographs, travel documentation, and money-transfer evidence.

How does the appeal review standard affect the outcome?

The appeal is reviewed de novo, and the decision on appeal agrees with SCOPS’s assessment, leading to dismissal based on evidentiary deficiencies and additional discrepancies.

Sep 15, 2026

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