Visas, Embassys, and @ssholes!

[life4life 0]

Hi, I am going to try to explain this as short and concise as I can.

Early in 2008 I went to Cambodia to do a traditional marriage with my wife. During the visit I was given a bad suggestion by someone to help me get my wife to the States quicker. I had filed a Nonimmigrant Visa Application, and it was denied (My job is not good enough to bring her over, we have a bad name, just total bs). The US Embassy interviewed my wife inside while I waited outside of the building. I decided not to pay the $130 fee for her to interview again.

Since coming back, it's been over a year now, and I have yet to file a I129 form because I am afraid of this issue with the US Embassy and this interview and application. $455 is alot of money and I am worried if I do this paperwork that this issue may cause me a denial or delay, and another $455 to file again. Is there anybody who is an INS advocate expert that can help me clear this issue. Me and my "wife" married traditionally and have not done any paperwork in the US nor abroad to be legally married yet. So can I still file for her as my fiance? Will there be issues with the US Embassy in Cambodia rejecting her interview? I just want to be with her quickly as possible.

Regards,

Life

[Anh map 2,098]

If there is no legal marriage in any country then she would be a fiance and you could go Fiance K1.

Read through the guides and make sure that your income is sufficient or find a co-sponsor if it's allowed through Cambodia. That will help you learn what's needed along the way.

Best of luck to the both you!

[sara..... 371]

Hi, I am going to try to explain this as short and concise as I can.

Early in 2008 I went to Cambodia to do a traditional marriage with my wife. During the visit I was given a bad suggestion by someone to help me get my wife to the States quicker. I had filed a Nonimmigrant Visa Application, and it was denied (My job is not good enough to bring her over, we have a bad name, just total bs). The US Embassy interviewed my wife inside while I waited outside of the building. I decided not to pay the $130 fee for her to interview again.

Since coming back, it's been over a year now, and I have yet to file a I129 form because I am afraid of this issue with the US Embassy and this interview and application. $455 is alot of money and I am worried if I do this paperwork that this issue may cause me a denial or delay, and another $455 to file again. Is there anybody who is an INS advocate expert that can help me clear this issue. Me and my "wife" married traditionally and have not done any paperwork in the US nor abroad to be legally married yet. So can I still file for her as my fiance? Will there be issues with the US Embassy in Cambodia rejecting her interview? I just want to be with her quickly as possible.

Regards,

Life

u can not file for fiance visa since ur married u have to file for a marraige visa im sorry this has happened to u and i do not know who told u to file for fiance visa but they will never approve one if ur married

sara

[life4life 0]

If there is no legal marriage in any country then she would be a fiance and you could go Fiance K1.

Read through the guides and make sure that your income is sufficient or find a co-sponsor if it's allowed through Cambodia. That will help you learn what's needed along the way.

Best of luck to the both you!

That's great news! I do make more than the minimum income, have more than 5+ years at current job. The bs in Cambodia is that either the applicant or the host for the applicant is either rich or a business person, or owns land of extraordinary value. So their rejection were based on because we are average people with no business or extraordinary wealth.

Regards,

Life

[daboyz 36]

If there is no legal marriage in any country then she would be a fiance and you could go Fiance K1.

Read through the guides and make sure that your income is sufficient or find a co-sponsor if it's allowed through Cambodia. That will help you learn what's needed along the way.

Best of luck to the both you!

That's great news! I do make more than the minimum income, have more than 5+ years at current job. The bs in Cambodia is that either the applicant or the host for the applicant is either rich or a business person, or owns land of extraordinary value. So their rejection were based on because we are average people with no business or extraordinary wealth.

Regards,

Life

You have a long road ahead of you no matter what route you choose. It'll do good for your sanity to understand this process is going to take probably 6-8 months minimum. Patience is definitely required in this process.

[NatPatBen 3]

Coincidentally, after reading this thread, I saw this article on VisaJourney's homepage:

http://www.visajourney.com/news/2009/02/04...-at-the-border/

[AaronLV 12]

I had filed a Nonimmigrant Visa Application, and it was denied (My job is not good enough to bring her over, we have a bad name, just total bs).

Was this a Tourist Visa? If so it should have no bearing on the K Visa. Most tourist visa in all the SE Asia countries get denied unless there are significant ties to the country, because the people who apply for them are doing exactly what you were trying to do, circumvent the immigration laws.

The bs in Cambodia is that either the applicant or the host for the applicant is either rich or a business person, or owns land of extraordinary value. So their rejection were based on because we are average people with no business or extraordinary wealth.

They actually only base it on the applicant, not the host, as a US Citizen you can NOT SPONSOR someone for a Tourist Visa. They have to earn it on their own merit. And again this is to assure that the will return to their country and not ILLEGALLY immigrate to the USA.

Me and my "wife" married traditionally and have not done any paperwork in the US nor abroad to be legally married yet.

If it is not registered it is not legal. Best just to not bring it up at the embassy or in any of the paperwork. I think a majority of the people on K1 from these countries end up doing a ceremony in the country before heading out to the US to do the official wedding. We did here in Thailand.

It is a tough road ahead, and just prepare for the wait time. I read, and researched the best visa to bring my Fiancee over to the US. I am sure we could have gotten her a tourist visa, because of her mom's money, in Thailand, but in the end, I decided it is best to do it the right way for the long term, that way there is no chance of her getting deported because some bureaucrat decides to make an example of her. I am picking up her Passport at the embassy today with her Visa in it, and it will be exactly 5 months from NOA 1. I had figured 6-9, so it went a bit faster then expected.

So good luck, and do IT RIGHT! Shortcuts are not worth it in the long run.

-Aaron

[life4life 0]

I had filed a Nonimmigrant Visa Application, and it was denied (My job is not good enough to bring her over, we have a bad name, just total bs).

Was this a Tourist Visa? If so it should have no bearing on the K Visa. Most tourist visa in all the SE Asia countries get denied unless there are significant ties to the country, because the people who apply for them are doing exactly what you were trying to do, circumvent the immigration laws.

The bs in Cambodia is that either the applicant or the host for the applicant is either rich or a business person, or owns land of extraordinary value. So their rejection were based on because we are average people with no business or extraordinary wealth.

They actually only base it on the applicant, not the host, as a US Citizen you can NOT SPONSOR someone for a Tourist Visa. They have to earn it on their own merit. And again this is to assure that the will return to their country and not ILLEGALLY immigrate to the USA.

Me and my "wife" married traditionally and have not done any paperwork in the US nor abroad to be legally married yet.

If it is not registered it is not legal. Best just to not bring it up at the embassy or in any of the paperwork. I think a majority of the people on K1 from these countries end up doing a ceremony in the country before heading out to the US to do the official wedding. We did here in Thailand.

It is a tough road ahead, and just prepare for the wait time. I read, and researched the best visa to bring my Fiancee over to the US. I am sure we could have gotten her a tourist visa, because of her mom's money, in Thailand, but in the end, I decided it is best to do it the right way for the long term, that way there is no chance of her getting deported because some bureaucrat decides to make an example of her. I am picking up her Passport at the embassy today with her Visa in it, and it will be exactly 5 months from NOA 1. I had figured 6-9, so it went a bit faster then expected.

So good luck, and do IT RIGHT! Shortcuts are not worth it in the long run.

-Aaron

Thank you for answering all my questions. This is the best response yet. From a suggestion from a very wealthy US Citizen that was there on the trip, that ####### suggested the Tourist Visa (DS-156) which you are correct in which he was suggesting for me to circumvent immigration laws. I certainly did not want to do any of this, and did not think of it at the time. I would think it would be better if I do the Spouse thing? Instead of going for Fiancee, mine as well do the Marriage thing, showing documents (Pictures, DVDs of wedding) to support proof of "marriage" in Cambodia. I am not trying to go back door with any laws at all.

Regards,

Life

[luckytxn 2,264]

If it is a legally registered wedding then you have to do a marriage visa if it is just a show wedding and not legal then you have to do a fiancee visa.

The problems it seems you had from the visa disaster before seems like can be overcome. They will ask if you had applied for a visa before and be honest with them and say that you have but give the reasons for the rejection. At that time just say that you thought you qualified but found you did not and learned from that.

[AaronLV 12]

If it is a legally registered wedding then you have to do a marriage visa if it is just a show wedding and not legal then you have to do a fiancee visa.

The problems it seems you had from the visa disaster before seems like can be overcome. They will ask if you had applied for a visa before and be honest with them and say that you have but give the reasons for the rejection. At that time just say that you thought you qualified but found you did not and learned from that.

Yep just be honest on when they ask. That is always the best policy.

You may also want to go to the SE Asia forum, there are some people going through the process in Cambodia, and can probably give you a better idea of how their experiences are at the Cambodia embassy.

I think the biggest problem with most Americans is that they think since we have such an easy time traveling that it is just as easy for anyone one else from any other countries. To be honest when I met my fiancee, I had thought it was going to be as simple as going to get her a visa and taking her to the US to visit. After doing the research, I realized just how difficult people from these countries have going to other countries.

It is a process doing it, but in the end it is worth it, and the wait time goes by fast, just stay positive.