CAN SHORT TIME IN MARRIAGE AFFECT CO DECISION

[LIB09 0]

HI, I AM NEWBIE, I AM VERY GLAD TO COME ACROSS THIS SITE; IT HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL AND KNOWLEDGEABLE. I JUST READ A POST FROM A MEMBER ASKING IF THE LENGTH OF COURTSHIP AFFECT CO DECISION. IN MY CASE I AM A NEWLYWED, I met my husband through a family friend, we started communicating via phone and emails at the end of October 2008. The long distance relationship was getting very serious, I wanted to be sure that I do not invest lot of energy and time into a person that I have not met. By the Grace of God, as RN, I had an opportunity to travel to Nigeria in January of 2009 on a medical conference. Fortunately for me, during my busy scheduled, I found time to meet Mark (my husband) in person. We had time to get to know each other well, we are both compatible. We both want the same things out of life, such as family, kids, stability, and careers. In the short time we met, I find Mark to be very honest and trustworthy, I feel I can trust him and depend on him, and vice versa. On January 14, 2009, Mark and I legalized the relationship and became husband and wife. I am back home, in 2/09 I file for both I130 and I129F; I received the first notice for both. Therefore, I would like to know if the short TIME getting to know each other; leading to marriage affects CO DECISION

[defunct 0]

I-129f is a petition for fiance(e)s only. You are married, and so do not qualify for a fiance(e) visa...

[canadian_wife 1,827]

I think it depends on the consulate that your interview will take place in and if the country is considered a 'high fraud' country or not.

Welcome! Good luck on your journey!

[Old Dominion 26]

Nigeria is very high up on the "high fraud" list, if not at the very top. The real depth of the relationship will be an issue when he is interviewed. So many Nigerian men come to the U.S. legally, get their green cards, and then leave the marriage. Their families seem to have a good way of helping them put on a great impression full of love and joy when their girl friends visit Nigeria. Were you married by law, or was it one of those Nigerian "marriages" done to bind the two of you in the eyes of the family? If you are legally married, you can't get the K-1 visa for him.

There are colonies of Nigerians in the U.S. with people who will help abet these immigrants, even providing them co-sponsors if needed.

Just watch out!!! This kind of relationship with a Nigerian is all too often leading toward the green card, no further.

Edited March 1, 2009 by Old Dominion

[JODO 2]

Nigeria is an exceptionally high-fraud country. The meeting through the friend may be an issue. Just gather the best proof of relationship supporting documents that you can.

[Aezeala 0]

ALL YOU GUYS ONLY MENTION FRAUD WHEN PEOPLE SAY THEY ARE GETTING MARRIED. SORRY BUT THERE ARE HUMANS IN NIGERIA THAT DO LOVE..SO PLEASE STOP! ALSO, I KNEW MY FIANCE 3 MONTHS BEFORE FILING AND HAPPY TO SAY HE IS HERE WITH ME AS MY HUSBAND.

[Sinergy 3]

ALL YOU GUYS ONLY MENTION FRAUD WHEN PEOPLE SAY THEY ARE GETTING MARRIED. SORRY BUT THERE ARE HUMANS IN NIGERIA THAT DO LOVE..SO PLEASE STOP! ALSO, I KNEW MY FIANCE 3 MONTHS BEFORE FILING AND HAPPY TO SAY HE IS HERE WITH ME AS MY HUSBAND.

no one is saying your committing fraud, just that Nigeria is a high fraud country

moved to K3 forum as this is clearly not a K1 issue

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

I knew mine for 2 years before filing and we were accused of fraud because he doesn't know what I do in a DOD cleared job. Lagos embassy is as corrupt as the country is reported to be

[Dakine 26]

Communicate everyday and have records of such. Get a joint bank account. Life insurance and any thing showing your marriage is for real. Making multiple trips helps also.

[pushbrk 13,059]

I knew mine for 2 years before filing and we were accused of fraud because he doesn't know what I do in a DOD cleared job. Lagos embassy is as corrupt as the country is reported to be

A fiance not knowing what a fiancee does for a living is a huge red flag. Nothing corrupt about seeing the flag.

[HappyDancer 7]

Nigeria is a high fraud country yes. And so is the Phililppines. YOur meeting through a family friend might indeed raise a red flag. And for everyone's understanding filing for K3 involves, I129F as well after the I130.

Make sure your husband knows almost everything about you especially the relevant things: your employment, your position, the department you work with, how much you are getting, your full address, you date of birth, full names, your parents' name and contact details, your family, joint bank accounts will help too. Show them that despite the very short courtship, you are building each other's future after marriage. Chat transcripts, and yes if work allows you, make another trip.

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

I knew mine for 2 years before filing and we were accused of fraud because he doesn't know what I do in a DOD cleared job. Lagos embassy is as corrupt as the country is reported to be

A fiance not knowing what a fiancee does for a living is a huge red flag. Nothing corrupt about seeing the flag.

Telling him that he won't get the visa if he doesn't tell her what I do at work is actually espionage and was properly reported.

I knew mine for 2 years before filing and we were accused of fraud because he doesn't know what I do in a DOD cleared job. Lagos embassy is as corrupt as the country is reported to be

A fiance not knowing what a fiancee does for a living is a huge red flag. Nothing corrupt about seeing the flag.

Telling him that he won't get the visa if he doesn't tell her what I do at work is actually espionage and was properly reported.

I knew mine for 2 years before filing and we were accused of fraud because he doesn't know what I do in a DOD cleared job. Lagos embassy is as corrupt as the country is reported to be

A fiance not knowing what a fiancee does for a living is a huge red flag. Nothing corrupt about seeing the flag.

Telling him that he won't get the visa if he doesn't tell her what I do at work is actually espionage and was properly reported.

[pushbrk 13,059]

I knew mine for 2 years before filing and we were accused of fraud because he doesn't know what I do in a DOD cleared job. Lagos embassy is as corrupt as the country is reported to be

A fiance not knowing what a fiancee does for a living is a huge red flag. Nothing corrupt about seeing the flag.

Telling him that he won't get the visa if he doesn't tell her what I do at work is actually espionage and was properly reported.

Perhaps we aren't communicating well. Asking a family visa applicant what their USC fiance(e) or spouse does for a living is one of the most common questions. If your job is too sensitive to give a detailed answer, then as part of interview preparation and as part of a bona fide relationship, the foreign national needs to have a satisfactory answer. An example would be, "She works for (fill in name of employer from your G325a) but has a high security clearance and a job she is not allowed to discuss beyond that she (fill in general category like "is an IT specialist" or if there is no cleared answer indicate that)" The failure to address this in your relationship is, IMO a legitimate concern with regard to a bona fide relationship. Perhaps all that went wrong is he wasn't prepared to answer.

[Y's_habibitk 2]

I knew mine for 2 years before filing and we were accused of fraud because he doesn't know what I do in a DOD cleared job. Lagos embassy is as corrupt as the country is reported to be

A fiance not knowing what a fiancee does for a living is a huge red flag. Nothing corrupt about seeing the flag.

Telling him that he won't get the visa if he doesn't tell her what I do at work is actually espionage and was properly reported.

Did he tell her that he didnt know because you are a super spy or did he just say "i dont know"

[reeses16 8]

Dinah,

I think having a short marriage will get extra scrutiny in your situation. Be sure you spend a lot of time reading & asking questions on VJ and make sure you have appropriate evidence of a bonafide relationship. I think another trip to visit him will be a good idea. Nigeria is considered a high fraud country. Because of this they tend to be more thorough and even cases that appear to be genuine and well documented sometimes get a denial. If you haven't posted there already, post in the Sub-Saharan Africa forum. There are many active members from Nigeria who can share a wide range of personal experiences with you. Don't be discouraged!