Questions about having met within two years

[RexT 0]

Through an arranged meeting in Thailand, I met my now fiancee in January of this year. I was there for three weeks. I went back in April and bought her a ring and was officially engaged in a ceremony that included her family. We are planning a traditional Thai-Buddhist wedding, which is not recognized as legal, in January 2009. I want to start the K-1 visa process now, but have questions concerning the "within two years having met" part of the I-129F. Does that mean we have to wait around for another year and a half before we can apply? Thanks in advance for any info on this.

[payxibka 10,045]

Within two years not for at least two years... Do not read more than what is there....

[pushbrk 12,894]

Within two years not for at least two years... Do not read more than what is there....

"Within". Go ahead and file when ready.

[Devkpaik 1]

Through an arranged meeting in Thailand, I met my now fiancee in January of this year. I was there for three weeks. I went back in April and bought her a ring and was officially engaged in a ceremony that included her family. We are planning a traditional Thai-Buddhist wedding, which is not recognized as legal, in January 2009. I want to start the K-1 visa process now, but have questions concerning the "within two years having met" part of the I-129F. Does that mean we have to wait around for another year and a half before we can apply? Thanks in advance for any info on this.

Okay first of all, I am hoping that if you DO plan on having this "wedding ceremony" that you don't provide pictures of it to the embassy and that you don't tell them that it ever happened. I don't understand why people do this beforehand because it is VERY risky.

Although not considered a "legal wedding" because it's not registered with the amphur, the embassy will still see this as a wedding ceremony and can deny you the visa because of them thinking that you are already married. I have a friend who works at the US embassy and they mentioned as well this is a very risky thing to do. Of course it's up to you but just make sure you're careful and do not provide these pictures for the embassy.

why would you have to wait for another two years to apply? You have to have met WITHIN two years, which you have. Basically the criteria is that you hVE SEEN and met eachother within two years of your filing, not have known eachother for two years.

[RexT 0]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all the input. I am going to start the process this weekend and will make a timeline for it. My ultimate thanks to whoever came up with this wonderful website. RexT

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

I wish you much luck!!!

[BigCityDave 0]

Good luck on your journey. Be sure to check the road maps along the way just to keep from going off on the wrong roads.

[william_wallace 8]

Good luck on your journey. Be sure to check the road maps along the way just to keep from going off on the wrong roads.

Better still. Buy a Satnav lol.

[bora bora 1]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all the input. I am going to start the process this weekend and will make a timeline for it. My ultimate thanks to whoever came up with this wonderful website. RexT

Good luck.

I agree with the advice above, don't tell the consulate you had the ceremony.

[casinoexp 0]

It means that you must have been with her in the past two years. If you haven't then you must visit again. Here is the best resource for information about Visa's.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/ty...types_2994.html

Let me give you a word of advice. Use a reputable Visa company. If you look ove this web site you will see all the delays in the process occurred due to errors by the applicants. I am still awaiting our approval, but we are getting closer and so far there are no delays.

Edited May 10, 2008 by casinoexp

[Devkpaik 1]

Rex,

i want to reiterate again... MAKE SURE you DO NOT let the embassy know you had a formal wedding ceremony, it doesn't matter if it is non-legal or not. I would NOT recommend it but if you are going to then don't let them know

[rachbel 2]

Rex,

i want to reiterate again... MAKE SURE you DO NOT let the embassy know you had a formal wedding ceremony, it doesn't matter if it is non-legal or not. I would NOT recommend it but if you are going to then don't let them know

hi evrybody,

i've photos of our engagement, photos with my family and look like a marriage ceremony anyway, is it risky to show that ? how can they know if it's a marriage or engagement ceremony ? thanks for your advices.

[bora bora 1]

Rex,

i want to reiterate again... MAKE SURE you DO NOT let the embassy know you had a formal wedding ceremony, it doesn't matter if it is non-legal or not. I would NOT recommend it but if you are going to then don't let them know

hi evrybody,

i've photos of our engagement, photos with my family and look like a marriage ceremony anyway, is it risky to show that ? how can they know if it's a marriage or engagement ceremony ? thanks for your advices.

You just said "marriage ceremony"....that looks suspicious.

If you have enough proof apart from this then I'd suggest leaving it out.

I read a case on here recently where the K1 visa was denied because the consulate thought the couple had a wedding, when they really had an engagement ceremony (in India).

CYA

[Devkpaik 1]

Rex,

i want to reiterate again... MAKE SURE you DO NOT let the embassy know you had a formal wedding ceremony, it doesn't matter if it is non-legal or not. I would NOT recommend it but if you are going to then don't let them know

hi evrybody,

i've photos of our engagement, photos with my family and look like a marriage ceremony anyway, is it risky to show that ? how can they know if it's a marriage or engagement ceremony ? thanks for your advices.

Rachbel,

I mentioned two times up there already that it's NOT a good idea to show these photos. The embassy MAY consider it a marriage ceremony and won't care ig it's legal or not. I don't understand why people take this risk of having these things and then after all that showing the photos. There was a thread earlier about a bunch of people who got denied because they showed these photos at the consulate or embassy and got denied because the embassy said they were alread married and neede to apply for a K3/

[rachbel 2]

Rex,

i want to reiterate again... MAKE SURE you DO NOT let the embassy know you had a formal wedding ceremony, it doesn't matter if it is non-legal or not. I would NOT recommend it but if you are going to then don't let them know

hi evrybody,

i've photos of our engagement, photos with my family and look like a marriage ceremony anyway, is it risky to show that ? how can they know if it's a marriage or engagement ceremony ? thanks for your advices.

Rachbel,

I mentioned two times up there already that it's NOT a good idea to show these photos. The embassy MAY consider it a marriage ceremony and won't care ig it's legal or not. I don't understand why people take this risk of having these things and then after all that showing the photos. There was a thread earlier about a bunch of people who got denied because they showed these photos at the consulate or embassy and got denied because the embassy said they were alread married and neede to apply for a K3/

thank you all for your advices , i'll take that into consideration for sure. thanks much , and good luck for evrybody.