Potential K-1 denial?

[KAT&Allie 0]

Hi everybody,

I just read a thread by somebody engaged to a girl from China who was denied K-1 visa at the interview partially because the CO didn't think sufficient time has passed from them getting together to meeting face to face.

My fiancée and I were not aware that length of time of knowing each other played a significant part in obtaining a visa or that it might be a reason to suggest it is not a bonafide relationship. We've only known each other for 5 months, met twice (would be more often had we both not run out of holidays ) and got engaged last month. We’ve known within couple of weeks that we found our soul mate. The time or the geographical location could be very inconvenient but is irrelevant to falling in love. I read Mr Ellis' article and have now started to completely freak out. For religious reasons we cannot touch before marriage nor can we live together before it therefore, if the visa is granted you can bet we won't wait weeks to get married…it will happen in matter of days. It appears from the article that the government is considering the speed of getting married as well as staying with her/his relatives prior to marriage suspicious. There is really so very little we can do. I would need to stay either in a hotel or with his relatives until we get married; no other way around it I’m afraid. Married in this context means a religious wedding not a civil.

So my question to you all now is, do we actually stand a chance of getting the K-1 visa at all? Talk about panicking and we only just got our NOA1!!! My G-d, this process will take a decade of me before we are done!

Thanks a lot.

[TRELAWNY PARISH 10]

Hi everybody,

I just read a thread by somebody engaged to a girl from China who was denied K-1 visa at the interview partially because the CO didn't think sufficient time has passed from them getting together to meeting face to face.

My fiancée and I were not aware that length of time of knowing each other played a significant part in obtaining a visa or that it might be a reason to suggest it is not a bonafide relationship. We've only known each other for 5 months, met twice (would be more often had we both not run out of holidays ) and got engaged last month. We've known within couple of weeks that we found our soul mate. The time or the geographical location could be very inconvenient but is irrelevant to falling in love. I read Mr Ellis' article and have now started to completely freak out. For religious reasons we cannot touch before marriage nor can we live together before it therefore, if the visa is granted you can bet we won't wait weeks to get married…it will happen in matter of days. It appears from the article that the government is considering the speed of getting married as well as staying with her/his relatives prior to marriage suspicious. There is really so very little we can do. I would need to stay either in a hotel or with his relatives until we get married; no other way around it I'm afraid. Married in this context means a religious wedding not a civil.

So my question to you all now is, do we actually stand a chance of getting the K-1 visa at all? Talk about panicking and we only just got our NOA1!!! My G-d, this process will take a decade of me before we are done!

Thanks a lot.

Now, why are you crying. I only knew my SO for 4 months before I filed for him.

[KimandRuss 0]

take a deep breath

China is a whole different ballgame than is London. You will hear many horror stories from the higher fraud Consultes.

As long as you meet the criteria of having met in the past two years and all other guidelines along the way you should be fine.

There are couples here who met only weeks before filing.

[payxibka 10,047]

Hi everybody,

I just read a thread by somebody engaged to a girl from China who was denied K-1 visa at the interview partially because the CO didn't think sufficient time has passed from them getting together to meeting face to face.

My fiancée and I were not aware that length of time of knowing each other played a significant part in obtaining a visa or that it might be a reason to suggest it is not a bonafide relationship. We've only known each other for 5 months, met twice (would be more often had we both not run out of holidays ) and got engaged last month. We’ve known within couple of weeks that we found our soul mate. The time or the geographical location could be very inconvenient but is irrelevant to falling in love. I read Mr Ellis' article and have now started to completely freak out. For religious reasons we cannot touch before marriage nor can we live together before it therefore, if the visa is granted you can bet we won't wait weeks to get married…it will happen in matter of days. It appears from the article that the government is considering the speed of getting married as well as staying with her/his relatives prior to marriage suspicious. There is really so very little we can do. I would need to stay either in a hotel or with his relatives until we get married; no other way around it I’m afraid. Married in this context means a religious wedding not a civil.

So my question to you all now is, do we actually stand a chance of getting the K-1 visa at all? Talk about panicking and we only just got our NOA1!!! My G-d, this process will take a decade of me before we are done!

Thanks a lot.

London is not Guangzhou, HCMC or Lagos. If you can demonstrate a bonafide relationship then you have nothing to worry about.

FWIW - I knew my wife for only 2 months before I filed.

Edited September 15, 2008 by fwaguy

[pushbrk 13,174]

Hi everybody,

I just read a thread by somebody engaged to a girl from China who was denied K-1 visa at the interview partially because the CO didn't think sufficient time has passed from them getting together to meeting face to face.

My fiancée and I were not aware that length of time of knowing each other played a significant part in obtaining a visa or that it might be a reason to suggest it is not a bonafide relationship. We've only known each other for 5 months, met twice (would be more often had we both not run out of holidays ) and got engaged last month. We’ve known within couple of weeks that we found our soul mate. The time or the geographical location could be very inconvenient but is irrelevant to falling in love. I read Mr Ellis' article and have now started to completely freak out. For religious reasons we cannot touch before marriage nor can we live together before it therefore, if the visa is granted you can bet we won't wait weeks to get married…it will happen in matter of days. It appears from the article that the government is considering the speed of getting married as well as staying with her/his relatives prior to marriage suspicious. There is really so very little we can do. I would need to stay either in a hotel or with his relatives until we get married; no other way around it I’m afraid. Married in this context means a religious wedding not a civil.

So my question to you all now is, do we actually stand a chance of getting the K-1 visa at all? Talk about panicking and we only just got our NOA1!!! My G-d, this process will take a decade of me before we are done!

Thanks a lot.

At the petition stage, you should be ok. Time together is the best indicator of bona fides, so another visit or two would be a good idea. How fast you marry once you're in the USA is not a factor. You are required to have already made the decision to marry before filing the petition. The 90 days is not considered a trial period.

[msu17 0]

Keep in mind that was the consulate in China. The UK consulate tends to be a lot less difficult. Ya, 5 months is a bit fast, but as long as you have evidence that its a real relationship, no big deal. The UK embassy really is a lot less difficult than most other embassies.

[SusieK 3]

Cheers - yes we are UK also but dont worry its different per se than China - xxxx knew my hubbie for about 10 months before marriage but hey thats life -dont worry

[YuAndDan 153]

take a deep breath

China is a whole different ballgame than is London. You will hear many horror stories from the higher fraud Consultes.

As long as you meet the criteria of having met in the past two years and all other guidelines along the way you should be fine.

There are couples here who met only weeks before filing.

Yep, Guangzhou is dealing with a high visa fraud country, so can be a nightmare. UK is NOT a high visa fraud country, so is much less stringent when it comes to this.

[KAT&Allie 0]

Thank you all guys for the reassurance. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Couldn't talk it through with my baby as he's still at work and I got really freaked out reading the article. Maybe I didn't read it properly but I just thought those rules/ guidances apply to all consulates not just the high risk ones. Now I can breathe again Everything else should be OK although meeting up before 1 January might be a problem unless we pull out few sickies or take unpaid leave... Moral or financial dilemma!? Hmmm….Or maybe we'll win on the lottery

You've all been great...don't know what I'd do without your support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart

[*JG* 2]

Thank you all guys for the reassurance. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Couldn't talk it through with my baby as he's still at work and I got really freaked out reading the article. Maybe I didn't read it properly but I just thought those rules/ guidances apply to all consulates not just the high risk ones. Now I can breathe again Everything else should be OK although meeting up before 1 January might be a problem unless we pull out few sickies or take unpaid leave... Moral or financial dilemma!? Hmmm….Or maybe we'll win on the lottery

You've all been great...don't know what I'd do without your support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart

Been there, done that. There was one week, I called in sick so much cause I wasn't even in the country, that I had to go to the doctor and get a slip to return. You do what you have to do.

[KAT&Allie 0]

Been there, done that. There was one week, I called in sick so much cause I wasn't even in the country, that I had to go to the doctor and get a slip to return. You do what you have to do.

Correct, but it gets more and more difficult to say goodbye each time... This immigration thing is the modern day torture.

[weedebz 0]

Don't worry about it too much. I know easier said than done. You are going through UK and it will be fine. My interview consisted of 4 questions and took less than 5mins. (1hr 45mins including waiting time!!!)

[STEPHnRIA 2]

Every case is different. You can not compare your situation to that lady from China. Besides, we don't know the whole story.

[KAT&Allie 0]

Thanks guys for your comments and reassurance. Feeling normal again and reasonably confidant that everything will work out OK. All I can do now is to wait for an interview and see how it goes. B)

Good luck to everybody.

[Tarumba 9]

take a deep breath

China is a whole different ballgame than is London. You will hear many horror stories from the higher fraud Consultes.

As long as you meet the criteria of having met in the past two years and all other guidelines along the way you should be fine.

There are couples here who met only weeks before filing.

Yep, Guangzhou is dealing with a high visa fraud country, so can be a nightmare. UK is NOT a high visa fraud country, so is much less stringent when it comes to this.

And just which other countries are risky? Is Peru one, for example?