I'm Worried

[USMA 0]

I posted the following in the K-1 General Discussion and got some pretty honest answers:

"To make a long story short, my fiance (in Morocco) had student visas approved for January and June of this year but decided not to use them and to do the fiance visa instead to make things less complicated for us; and was denied a tourist visa in March because he had a student visa; is that going to complicate our case (filed May 8th) from being approved?

We met online in November, 2005 and it definitely complicated his decision to come on the student visa. Did we make matters worse? Has anyone had a similar situation?"

I then added:

"I understand and appreciate all of your responses. A lot has happened in his life since December with his family. He had to use all of the money he saved for school for his family and now doesn't have the money to pay for school. He does have a paid ticket to come to the US though and was going to try to use it to see me on a tourist visa. It has been difficult for me to go back to see him because of my financial situation right now.

I have a good feeling about the fiance visa but after reading some of the posts, I wondered what could happen. He does have a good reputation with the Embassy in Casa. They had to deny his tourist visa because he was already issued a student visa.

I guess in time we will see what will happen..."

Oh boy...I'm not feeling so good right now after the responses I got.

I would love to hear your ladies opinions on this situation. Honesty is greatly appreciated and I won't get offended (at least not too badly!).

Our relationship is legitimate. Yes it has happened quickly. I don't rush into anything that I am not sure of-my ex-husband and I got married after being together for 5 years and before that I didn't marry the man I was in a 7 year relationship with prior to him. But I guess without all of the details, our story could look fishy. What do you guys think?

Brenda

[iceyspots 0]

In a nutshell, what were the other responses?

[USMA 0]

I'm sorry-here are the responses I received:

#1 I just don't understand why he decided not to use the student visa, giving him some education and you two some time to get to know each other.....if we had been given that opportunity we surely would have taken it....and we don't even come from two such diverse cultures....and please I mean no offense by that. It just seems like it would have been a wonderful opportunity.

I have no real answer to your question. But I can't help but think with the reputation Morocco has for wanting proof of the validity of the relationship, a little one-on-one time on the same continent would only have helped your case.

#2 I would have to fully agree with rebecca here. Morocco has a reputation for RETURN of PETITION based on validity of relationship. I would have to say that I think you missed the perfect opportunity for getting to know each other better. in light of the new IMBRA law -you proble shot yourself in the foot!

roll the dice make your move see what happens now is all I can say. cant advise ya.

#3 I have to agree with the other ladies. He really should of came on the student visa and that way you could of met the meeting requirements and gotten to know each other better. All you can do is attempt this and hope for the best.

Good luck.

Mary

#4 I just think you're going to have a bit of explaining to do at the interview. He received a student visa, but then didn't use it...and right there that probably would send up a red flag to the consulate. They will wonder why he applied for visa(2 of them?) to come in January and June.....and didn't use either. Then he applied for a tourist visa, and at that time they probably had doubts about his credibility (not saying he IS dishonest...but that's how the consulates will think...they are very cautious), since he never used the visas he previosuly had.

Now to boot...he's applying for yet ANOTHER visa, the I-129f in just a 6 month period.

So....yeah...I would say they will question you both a bit. Not just for the amount of visa applications, and some not even being used...........but also because from your timeline, it looks like you hardly have had any time together, and are already engaged. (one month talking on the internet...then met a short time in Morocco...and a few days later, engaged...then a month or two later...filing an I-129)

You two might be the most honest and genuine people in the world.....but just from the facts you've given, I would say that you will have to do a bit of explaining.

Good luck.

[iceyspots 0]

This situation is a little different...

Sometimes things come up in life that you had not already planned... I am not sure exactly how long it takes to get a student visa... it may have seem good at the moment, but by the time you get the visa, the situation changed..

However... the U.S. Consulate in Casa will see the previous visa applications and raise an eyebrow...

If he says he did not have the money to study, they may possibly see the fiancé visa as him using "the easy way out"...

Casa does scrutinize cases. All you can do is gather all the evidence you have, make sure all your papers are in order, prepare for the interview as much as possible, and wish you good luck and not to get the evil wench consular officer..

[Together4ever 1]

I'm sorry-here are the responses I received:

#1 I just don't understand why he decided not to use the student visa, giving him some education and you two some time to get to know each other.....if we had been given that opportunity we surely would have taken it....and we don't even come from two such diverse cultures....and please I mean no offense by that. It just seems like it would have been a wonderful opportunity.

I have no real answer to your question. But I can't help but think with the reputation Morocco has for wanting proof of the validity of the relationship, a little one-on-one time on the same continent would only have helped your case.

#2 I would have to fully agree with rebecca here. Morocco has a reputation for RETURN of PETITION based on validity of relationship. I would have to say that I think you missed the perfect opportunity for getting to know each other better. in light of the new IMBRA law -you proble shot yourself in the foot!

roll the dice make your move see what happens now is all I can say. cant advise ya.

#3 I have to agree with the other ladies. He really should of came on the student visa and that way you could of met the meeting requirements and gotten to know each other better. All you can do is attempt this and hope for the best.

Good luck.

Mary

#4 I just think you're going to have a bit of explaining to do at the interview. He received a student visa, but then didn't use it...and right there that probably would send up a red flag to the consulate. They will wonder why he applied for visa(2 of them?) to come in January and June.....and didn't use either. Then he applied for a tourist visa, and at that time they probably had doubts about his credibility (not saying he IS dishonest...but that's how the consulates will think...they are very cautious), since he never used the visas he previosuly had.

Now to boot...he's applying for yet ANOTHER visa, the I-129f in just a 6 month period.

So....yeah...I would say they will question you both a bit. Not just for the amount of visa applications, and some not even being used...........but also because from your timeline, it looks like you hardly have had any time together, and are already engaged. (one month talking on the internet...then met a short time in Morocco...and a few days later, engaged...then a month or two later...filing an I-129)

You two might be the most honest and genuine people in the world.....but just from the facts you've given, I would say that you will have to do a bit of explaining.

Good luck.

I am not going through the same Embassy, we are going through Cairo Egypt, but I will offer this. You will find a lot of opinion here posted sometimes involving words like "you should have" or "you shouldn't have". Those are basically useless opinions for you. Toss them away. You look hard and fast at what IS and you build your case accordingly. Gather all the proofs and evidences that you can. Support what IS and not shoulds and shouldn'ts. This is really all any of us can do. Then you handle what comes. Educate yourself as much as possible about the process and the laws. It will help give you the most guidance.

[amal 4]

I will say what I know... We hired a lawyer to help us with our case because I'm not good at paperwork. We ended up spending around 2500 dollars in total . (that was with a discount coz the lawyer is a friend of ours) If you're going to go with a "k" visa.. MAKE SURE it's what you want. MAKE SURE you spend as much time with him as you possibly can and get to know everything you can about him. I wouldn't trade my husband for the world....If it wouldn't have worked out...I would have been out of a lot of money. If there's any way for you to go back and spend quality time with him and his family...DO IT! If it's not possible, then start gathering evidence of an honest relationship right now coz they will be raising eyebrows at this situation. (yes even though you may be the 2 most honest ppl in the world...they will only look at what paper says)

I wish you much luck in your journey and I hope this did not come off as rude...I did not mean to step on any toes.

Maybe the student visa would have been the best option just for spending "real time" not "computer time" with each other and the embassies would have looked upon that much better than the current situation...but you can't look back (unless he is still able to come on the student visa) ... Now it is time to move forward and do what you are capable of doing to make your life what you want...... If you ever need anything or have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask...I'll do everything I can to help you!!!

amal

[Together4ever 1]

I will say what I know... We hired a lawyer to help us with our case because I'm not good at paperwork. We ended up spending around 2500 dollars in total . (that was with a discount coz the lawyer is a friend of ours) If you're going to go with a "k" visa.. MAKE SURE it's what you want. MAKE SURE you spend as much time with him as you possibly can and get to know everything you can about him. I wouldn't trade my husband for the world....If it wouldn't have worked out...I would have been out of a lot of money. If there's any way for you to go back and spend quality time with him and his family...DO IT! If it's not possible, then start gathering evidence of an honest relationship right now coz they will be raising eyebrows at this situation. (yes even though you may be the 2 most honest ppl in the world...they will only look at what paper says)

I wish you much luck in your journey and I hope this did not come off as rude...I did not mean to step on any toes.

Maybe the student visa would have been the best option just for spending "real time" not "computer time" with each other and the embassies would have looked upon that much better than the current situation...but you can't look back (unless he is still able to come on the student visa) ... Now it is time to move forward and do what you are capable of doing to make your life what you want...... If you ever need anything or have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask...I'll do everything I can to help you!!!

amal

Okay guys, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think "most" of us have spent substantial time with our SOs in their countries. It's not always an easy thing to do but worth the sacrifice as the single most substantial "proof" to hand the Embassies... IF there is such a thing.

[sarah and hicham 3]

Well it seems like you have made the decision to do the I-129F so stick with since you already sent in the forms. You may regret him not using his student visa but you have taken a new path now so everything will work out. IF they ask him about his student visa then he can just explain what happened in his interview. Good luck and hang in there.

Sarah

[amal 4]

Okay guys, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think "most" of us have spent substantial time with our SOs in their countries. It's not always an easy thing to do but worth the sacrifice as the single most substantial "proof" to hand the Embassies... IF there is such a thing.

yeah, I honestly wasn't saying anything negative..I was only giving the best advice I could since they are at the beginning ... I hope it wasn't taken wrong..

amal

[dollface41601 0]

Brenda, I want to tell u that Sofyan and Myself applied for 2....yes 2 fiance visas before I moved to Jordan to pursue the DCF....we got approved no problem...the consul did ask ALOT of questions regarding the old applications, but we answered them honestly, and she was eye to eye with us at the end of the interview....i guess what im tryin to say is, if you know in your heart was he had the visas but never used them, and you tell the consul the complete truth, there is nothing else u can do, and if everything is honest, the Consul will be able to see the truth good luck

[jordanianprincess 0]

Okay guys, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think "most" of us have spent substantial time with our SOs in their countries. It's not always an easy thing to do but worth the sacrifice as the single most substantial "proof" to hand the Embassies... IF there is such a thing.

yeah, I honestly wasn't saying anything negative..I was only giving the best advice I could since they are at the beginning ... I hope it wasn't taken wrong..

amal

I didn't take it the wrong way and I have only visited my fiance one time and actually I would not go back there again if my interview date was sometime this year instead of next year. I think your advice was good

[Together4ever 1]

Okay guys, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think "most" of us have spent substantial time with our SOs in their countries. It's not always an easy thing to do but worth the sacrifice as the single most substantial "proof" to hand the Embassies... IF there is such a thing.

yeah, I honestly wasn't saying anything negative..I was only giving the best advice I could since they are at the beginning ... I hope it wasn't taken wrong..

amal

NO NO NO NO NO... I think you took me wrong. I was agreeing with you. I was very tired and burned out when I typed that and I think it just didn't come out right at all. You certainly didn't step on any of MY toes!

[sarah and hicham 3]

I think you need to be careful when asking for advice sometimes. No one's case is ever the same and to be honest sometimes I think asking advice will only make you worry more. Just be careful and don't get too upset if someone says something you don't like to hear. People here have been very helpful for me and I have asked a lot of questions along the way from how to assemble the initial package to what to do after it is approved. This group is great and very supportive but don't get down- everything will work out. Good luck and everyone is here to help!

Sarah

[jordanianprincess 0]

I see this as a positive thing...I mean he had a visa to come to the usa and he didnt. He knew he could not afford it so he didnt come. I think the embassy will see that, I mean he could have came here and worked around the system but you guys are doing everything legitimatly. I think that everyone gets worried about their case, but with the amount of cases they embassies see every year, they have probebly seen and heard everything. I don't think anything in your case sounds alarming.

[USMA 0]

I haven't taken offense to anyone's posts and I want to thank all of you for giving your opinions! That is what I asked for and that is what I got!

Sarah - I do agree with you that I have to be careful when asking for advice. I tend to be an open person and that definitely opens me up to the good and the bad. I think I learned to believe in myself more and my situation. Posting on forums like this have their pluses and minuses. The minuses are that emotions, details and backgrounds are left out of the big picture. The pluses are learning information from others and getting tips and pointers and learning from other's mistakes on how to get through this process the best way we can.

Everyone's situation is a little bit different than the other's and that is part of what makes it fun to get to know one another. I have 2 choices, to focus on all that could go wrong, or to focus on all that could go right and I'm going to focus on all that will go right. It feels better to do that anyway but waiting tends to leave time for my mind to wander in places it shouldn't!.

jordanianprincess - I agree that him denying the visas he had in order to do the one that is fitting to our situation right now is actually a good thing. He had spoken to an attorney and the attorney told him he was crazy to NOT do the fiance visa and to come on the student visa. We aren't trying to beat the system and I think that will be evident with the information he will have at the time of the interview.

amal - I know that you weren't trying to say anything negative and I appreciate your input. I am hoping to get to Morocco this summer to see him and I know that will help our case too. Between my job and being a mom, taking 3-4 weeks more than once a year is tricky!

How is it that people are able to take several trips a year out of the country anyway?!

Everyone's advice is greatly appreciated. I look forward to learning more about all of you and watching everyone being reunited with their loved ones!

Brenda