K1 visa question for India - Please answer

[yeye 0]

Hi Everyone,

I am really concerned about K1 visa approval in India. Here are some of the factors which I am concerned about in my case which will be arranged marriage.

1) Fiancee is from a very small town.

2) Fiancee is educated and can read/write English but won't be able to converse in English.

3) Nobody from her family would be able to attend wedding in US.

All these factors combined make me concerned whether K1 visa will be granted. The point of concern is that these factors kind of portray her family as simple and traditional which is true. But the wedding is taking place in US, so they might suspect the relationship.

What would help me is if others in India are also applying for K-1 with above factors and can respond.

Need to make decision soon, so hope to get good number of replies.

Thanks in advance.

[maya62 7]

We went through Nepal, but I'll chime in anyway...

Being from a small town is not a strike against her!

Not speaking English means that they (the DOS CO that interviews her at the Consulate) will probably want to see that you both have a language in common. If you both speak Hindi, for example, you may want to find out a way to demonstrate that to the CO. I've heard of people submitting videotape of the couple conversing in their native language as evidence of a common language other than English.

I also don't believe that her family's absence from your US wedding will count against her. I'm sure they understand that economics and immigration hurdles are too much for some families to deal with.

They (the Consular Officers) are interested in whether or not you have a valid relationship, entered into for reasons other than immigration benefits. Hopefully others here will be able to advise you about how to prove that in the circumstance of an arranged marriage, but I am sure that evidence that you communicate regularly (letters, emails, chat transcripts, phone records, etc...) will be just as important for you as they are for everyone else. Documented visits (with boarding passes, photos, etc...) are EXCELLENT evidence. Perhaps some sort of documentation of how the arranged marriage came to be arranged would be helpful.

What decision do you need to make soon?

Best wishes,

Maya

[ELW 5]

Agreed with all the info from maya62. Proof of a true relationship is most important, so provide all your correspondence, phone logs etc. (I have heard the Indian Consulates advise against sending in video evidence, I guess because they don't look at it!)

Most people applying for a K1 visa will not have relatives from their country coming to USA for the marriage. So that will absolutely not be a factor in the decision. Arranged marriages show that the families approve, which is an important thing in India.

My husband (then fiance) is from a small village. In fact his family are all illiterate farmers. My husband only knew his native language, Telugu. He only knew a few words in English when he went for the visa interview (they provide translators). None of his family members were here for our civil ceremony marriage here in USA. (Consulates usually do not even ask about it; they know getting a tourist visa to USA is nearly impossible for the common man in India!!) There wasn't even an engagement ceremony in India (you might be having that, which is another big plus).

By making a decision soon, do you mean the type of visa you will apply for? Or making the final decision to go through with the arranged marriage? Whatever it is, good luck!

[CarolynRitesh 0]

Affidavits from family members on both sides saying that they are aware of and approve of the relationship could also be a good benefit - having them done or translated into English would be best.

If your wife can read and write English and is really shy about speaking, I would recommend that she think of a few things she can say in English to add in the interview. I think Eileen's hubby was asked how he will function in the US without knowledge of English, and she could reply (in English!) "I can read and write and just need to practice my speaking."

Neither of our families were present for our ceremony in India, and they asked about it, but it was not an issue. (Ritesh's parents are not aware of our marriage, and we were honest - still no issues!)

I agree that it would not work to send in recordings of you guys - they may not have the facilities to review it, or at least not the manpower that would be required, or time... (We are pretty certain that they only review the case information right at the window of the Consulate!) Keep those phone records handy, and written correspondance with dated envelopes to show the time/length - even though it may be difficult/impossible for them to read the materials, if it shows in English that you have corresponded it would help!

The trips, pics, boarding passes, etc. are also GREAT!!

Don't worry about the other things, just gather what you have and be thorough!

[ELW 5]

Congrats on your visa approval CarolynRitesh!! :dance:

And good point, yes it is good to review questions that may be asked during the interview. I forgot to say that I took sample questions from here on VJ and I quizzed my husband for weeks to understand the questions and answer in English (it still turned out broken English, but understandable). When asked how he would function without knowing English, he said he would take adult ed classes here and practice speaking with people.

[yeye 0]

Everybody who has responded, your thoughts and advice is really appreciated.

Hope to hear views from other K-1 filers.

The decision is to decide whether to take K-1 route or K-3 route.

Thanks again.

[Jigi 0]

hi,

Just Gathe r Proof of relationship , Letters from your friends who would be attending the marriage , and know about your relationship with him, copies of emails, phone bills, hand written letters.. if you have visited him to India.. tickets , bills of those....

You will get it... Just go for it...'

Jigi