Just found out divorce was not final before applying for finace visa

[LostandScared 0]

ok, one of the mena girls (i cant remember her name now) something similar happened and she didnt find out he was married until they were at the interview. if someone can remember her name u might be able to talk with her and find out what she did. i think she still went ahead with the visa some how. i think he even clearly lied to her calling his kids nephews or neices or something like that. he was fully aware he was still married. so that situation was a little more complex then urs and i think they made it thru.

That is interesting indeed. I'm confused though. Was he divorced at the time of the interview??

[morocco4ever 63]

Thank you again to everyone for your advice!! I wrote a letter to the embassy and I asked that the letter be shown to an immigration officer for consultation. After reading all the advice here, I also asked if it was best to withdrawl the petition and start again. I recieved a letter back this morning at 3:30AM my time. (Jordan embassy open Sun-Thurs) The immigration officer told me that the best thing to do is to send my fiance to the interview with a notorized letter from me stating that I knew about his former marriage/divorce and he did not hide it from me and to explain the situation as I had explained it to him regarding the dates. The actual date of his divorce certificte is 2 days after the date of our NOA1. He said that there are no guarentees of approval, but being honest is the best way to go and will help us in the future should we have the need to refile. He said not to cancel the interview and refile yet, that they have had many cases like this in the past and it doesn't necessarily disqualify us. He said that if the visa would be denied, at that time we should talk to an immigration attorney to see what the best option is for us (i.e. marrying and the filing I130). He was really nice. Now, as far as AOS goes, that's another story. I think I need to talk to USCIS about that. THank you again for all of your advice guys. I will keep you updated and in the mean time all I can do is pray.

That is really good news, and I am glad that you decided not to try to slip it under the radar. It just isn't worth the risk. And yes, you are smart to ask about the AOS as well. It's just a shame that there are so many people that aren't honest with their visa application. It sure makes it hard for those of us that are trying to bring loved ones over.

Best wishes and keep us informed.

[prince+angel 3]

LostandScared - I didn't get a chance to know you here on VJ but your story was truly touching. None of us really knows what the real deal is with someone especially in situations (journeys) like ours.

Unfortunately for most of us, without the day to day interactions we would enjoy if were were dating someone in our town, city state etc .. we can only go by what someone tells & shows us from great distances (naturally never understimate your gut instincts).

I'm sorry to hear things fell apart ... time really does heal anythings thats bruised us

Despite it all, I hope it doesnt jade you for the next great thing/person/opportunity that comes your way. Best of luck & take care of U!

Edited August 10, 2009 by prince+angel

[prince+angel 3]

I'm so sorry everyone - this was totally posted in error to the wrong topic (shoulda had my glasses on). If anyone has the permission/authority to delete it please do .. maybe a moderator. Again, my apologies ...

LostandScared - I didn't get a chance to know you here on VJ but your story was truly touching. None of us really knows what the real deal is with someone especially in situations (journeys) like ours.

Unfortunately for most of us, without the day to day interactions we would enjoy if were were dating someone in our town, city state etc .. we can only go by what someone tells & shows us from great distances (naturally never understimate your gut instincts).

I'm sorry to hear things fell apart ... time really does heal anythings thats bruised us

Despite it all, I hope it doesnt jade you for the next great thing/person/opportunity that comes your way. Best of luck & take care of U!

[nejma 3]

ok, one of the mena girls (i cant remember her name now) something similar happened and she didnt find out he was married until they were at the interview. if someone can remember her name u might be able to talk with her and find out what she did. i think she still went ahead with the visa some how. i think he even clearly lied to her calling his kids nephews or neices or something like that. he was fully aware he was still married. so that situation was a little more complex then urs and i think they made it thru.

not to sidetrack the topic, but how could she accept being with him knowing that he was still married on top of that? was he trying to scam her? that's really nuts.

This is what im thinking too ...

Im maroc, when you divorce someone, you sign a paper to make it final. How could he not know he wasnt legally divorced. Didnt he have a paper from the court? I dont understand how you can think you're divorced if your not if you dont have somthing to show ; just be careful .

[star_dragon 0]

I remember there was someone who posted last year maybe? or the one before maybe it was an old post, also a MENA country, where at the interview (she attended) and the CO pulled her aside to inform her that if she knew her fiance was married. She had no idea. Reading this made me remember that. I know the situation is not the same, but as the previous poster said, how could someone not have written proof (to verify) Just be careful. At the very least you might want to consider starting over. This will not look good at the Consulate....

Edited August 10, 2009 by star_dragon

[Donna A 4]

ok, one of the mena girls (i cant remember her name now) something similar happened and she didnt find out he was married until they were at the interview. if someone can remember her name u might be able to talk with her and find out what she did. i think she still went ahead with the visa some how. i think he even clearly lied to her calling his kids nephews or neices or something like that. he was fully aware he was still married. so that situation was a little more complex then urs and i think they made it thru.

not to sidetrack the topic, but how could she accept being with him knowing that he was still married on top of that? was he trying to scam her? that's really nuts.

This is what im thinking too ...

Im maroc, when you divorce someone, you sign a paper to make it final. How could he not know he wasnt legally divorced. Didnt he have a paper from the court? I dont understand how you can think you're divorced if your not if you dont have somthing to show ; just be careful .

i cant remember the whole thing but i do remember she kicked his butt right outside the embassy. i guess some people are just more forgiving then others.

[Staashi 371]

ok, one of the mena girls (i cant remember her name now) something similar happened and she didnt find out he was married until they were at the interview. if someone can remember her name u might be able to talk with her and find out what she did. i think she still went ahead with the visa some how. i think he even clearly lied to her calling his kids nephews or neices or something like that. he was fully aware he was still married. so that situation was a little more complex then urs and i think they made it thru.

not to sidetrack the topic, but how could she accept being with him knowing that he was still married on top of that? was he trying to scam her? that's really nuts.

This is what im thinking too ...

Im maroc, when you divorce someone, you sign a paper to make it final. How could he not know he wasnt legally divorced. Didnt he have a paper from the court? I dont understand how you can think you're divorced if your not if you dont have somthing to show ; just be careful .

i cant remember the whole thing but i do remember she kicked his butt right outside the embassy. i guess some people are just more forgiving then others.

Actually, that was Palilover. She was told at the interview that he had two wives - she was p'od but stayed with him. I believe she is actually looking into moving to Palestine. Not sure.

Look up something like Jerry Springer interview in the MENA forum - you should find it.

ETA: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=139731

Edited August 10, 2009 by Staashi

[Ihavequestions 419]

Actually, that was Palilover. She was told at the interview that he had two wives - she was p'od but stayed with him. I believe she is actually looking into moving to Palestine. Not sure.

Look up something like Jerry Springer interview in the MENA forum - you should find it.

ETA: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=139731

Wow. That was quite a read. The difference is Palilover's husband had been married and divorced twice but only disclosed one marriage/divorce. That's not the same as being still married.

I have to wonder if the OP's husband is Muslim and, if so, "religiously" divorced his wife but didn't file the official paperwork to terminate the marriage with the government because, at the time, maybe it wasn't necessary?

[Y's_habibitk 2]

Actually, that was Palilover. She was told at the interview that he had two wives - she was p'od but stayed with him. I believe she is actually looking into moving to Palestine. Not sure.

Look up something like Jerry Springer interview in the MENA forum - you should find it.

ETA: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=139731

Wow. That was quite a read. The difference is Palilover's husband had been married and divorced twice but only disclosed one marriage/divorce. That's not the same as being still married.

I have to wonder if the OP's husband is Muslim and, if so, "religiously" divorced his wife but didn't file the official paperwork to terminate the marriage with the government because, at the time, maybe it wasn't necessary?

Thats what she indicated as far as I understood it... I think it was lack of knowledge that prevented him from filing the papers, not because it really wasnt necessary. It sounds like he truley believed he had done the right thing and divorced his wife(and did religously, but not legally).

[Staashi 371]

Actually, that was Palilover. She was told at the interview that he had two wives - she was p'od but stayed with him. I believe she is actually looking into moving to Palestine. Not sure.

Look up something like Jerry Springer interview in the MENA forum - you should find it.

ETA: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=139731

Wow. That was quite a read. The difference is Palilover's husband had been married and divorced twice but only disclosed one marriage/divorce. That's not the same as being still married.

I have to wonder if the OP's husband is Muslim and, if so, "religiously" divorced his wife but didn't file the official paperwork to terminate the marriage with the government because, at the time, maybe it wasn't necessary?

Thats what she indicated as far as I understood it... I think it was lack of knowledge that prevented him from filing the papers, not because it really wasnt necessary. It sounds like he truley believed he had done the right thing and divorced his wife(and did religously, but not legally).

Divorce seems to be tricky in MENA countries as compared to the US - we don't have religious divorces - only legal ones. Seems like the religious divorce would be what we consider a separation.

[Y's_habibitk 2]

Actually, that was Palilover. She was told at the interview that he had two wives - she was p'od but stayed with him. I believe she is actually looking into moving to Palestine. Not sure.

Look up something like Jerry Springer interview in the MENA forum - you should find it.

ETA: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=139731

Wow. That was quite a read. The difference is Palilover's husband had been married and divorced twice but only disclosed one marriage/divorce. That's not the same as being still married.

I have to wonder if the OP's husband is Muslim and, if so, "religiously" divorced his wife but didn't file the official paperwork to terminate the marriage with the government because, at the time, maybe it wasn't necessary?

Thats what she indicated as far as I understood it... I think it was lack of knowledge that prevented him from filing the papers, not because it really wasnt necessary. It sounds like he truley believed he had done the right thing and divorced his wife(and did religously, but not legally).

Divorce seems to be tricky in MENA countries as compared to the US - we don't have religious divorces - only legal ones. Seems like the religious divorce would be what we consider a separation.

Ya, I think thats a good analogy.

[LostandScared 0]

Actually, that was Palilover. She was told at the interview that he had two wives - she was p'od but stayed with him. I believe she is actually looking into moving to Palestine. Not sure.

Look up something like Jerry Springer interview in the MENA forum - you should find it.

ETA: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=139731

Wow. That was quite a read. The difference is Palilover's husband had been married and divorced twice but only disclosed one marriage/divorce. That's not the same as being still married.

I have to wonder if the OP's husband is Muslim and, if so, "religiously" divorced his wife but didn't file the official paperwork to terminate the marriage with the government because, at the time, maybe it wasn't necessary?

Yes- this is correct!!! And it WAS necessary but he didn't REALIZE it was necessary.....

Actually, that was Palilover. She was told at the interview that he had two wives - she was p'od but stayed with him. I believe she is actually looking into moving to Palestine. Not sure.

Look up something like Jerry Springer interview in the MENA forum - you should find it.

ETA: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=139731

Wow. That was quite a read. The difference is Palilover's husband had been married and divorced twice but only disclosed one marriage/divorce. That's not the same as being still married.

I have to wonder if the OP's husband is Muslim and, if so, "religiously" divorced his wife but didn't file the official paperwork to terminate the marriage with the government because, at the time, maybe it wasn't necessary?

Thats what she indicated as far as I understood it... I think it was lack of knowledge that prevented him from filing the papers, not because it really wasnt necessary. It sounds like he truley believed he had done the right thing and divorced his wife(and did religously, but not legally).

Yes!! And he even sent a payment to her family (I forget what is called) but it was whatever was agreed apon in the marriage contract....

[LostandScared 0]

Girls, thank you again for all of your love and support. And also thanks for not throwing me under the bus, but by being understanding that this was a true mistake on his part(and mine for that matter) I hope in the future this will help someone going through the process with a MENA man, make sure he knows that his divorce has to be from the court!!!!

In an interesting course of events, the embassy called my fiance today and asked him to come in tomorrow!! He called me at 4AM my time to tell me. They said it's not the actual interview, so he doesn't have to bring any forms or anything but to just bring his divorce paper translated and the certified letter from me stating that I am aware of this former wife and the dates, ect. So this morning I took a breakfast break from work instead of a lunch break and had a lawyer write up a very nice letter and had it notorized. (I get free pre-paid legal services as a benefit from work) Sending DHL was a bit of a problem since he lives in a village that doesn't even have street names and there is no guaranteed overnight service. But luckily I emailed the embassy and asked if it could be sent directly to them in Amman and they said yes. They even told me to scan it in and email it to them as an attachment, just in case it didnt get there in time!!!! So that is done!! Now my habibi is taking the day off from work tomorrow and driving to Amman. He's so nervous he'll be late that he is already on the road now, as I type. Oh, and one more thing I forgot. They said AOS is not a problem if he gets approved and the mistake is fixed on the embassy level. So, again, thank you for all your uplifting thoughts and words! I did read palilovers story too and it made me so sad. I hope she is doing ok!!!!

[morocco4ever 63]

I am glad to see it is all working out for you. Thanks for the update.