Question about engagement rings...

[hayati 0]

I know the guides say that having an engagement ring is not essential for the K1 visa process but I am wondering if any of you (especially being in the Middle East where, at least in Egypt, the engagement ceremonies can be a big hoopla) had any problems/ were asked any questions during the interview about not having an engagement ring or engagement ceremony?

I don't have a ring... and I don't want to have an engagement cermony/party (because my family is in the US and it would break my Dad's heart for one because he's Egyptian so it is a part of his culture). Besides, we're holding off on telling his family until the last minute because he's mom will not be at all supportive when it comes to moving to the US - ugh, could be another obstacle I suppose (she told him from the start he could marry me but we have to live in Egypt)... yeah. Since we're only getting married on papers when we first arrive (and having a ceremony maybe a year or so later when we can afford it and I have time to plan it... seriously, 3 months is not enough time!), and because the whole immigration process is hella expensive, I told him to save his money for the ring until we've settled down a bit... who knows, we might need it, ya know?

Anyway... I was pretty at ease with this (since the guides said no ring is necessary) but my parents (who have went through the immigration process themselves.... though that was about 30 years ago) are worrying me about the whole no ring thing.

Thoughts?

[Ihavequestions 419]

Engagement parties and engagement rings are not compulsory in Egyptian culture. Embassies know what is culturally normal and what's not. They would more likely question a spouse visa without a wedding party than a fiance(e) visa without a party/ring. That's not a big deal.

But what is this about "only getting married on papers"? I don't understand and it could be because the phrase "on paper" may be misleading me. It appears you don't intend to formally marry within the 90-days necessary for the K-1 visa. Is that correct?

[Kurt y Dora 1]

My immigration lawyer said that we did not need to be engaged prior to the interview (therefore a ring was not necessary), but it was imperative that PROOF OF RELATIONSHIP be established and he seemd to put a bit more emphasis on the Intent to Marry letter than the sample letter presented here on VJ. It might depend on the individual consulate or the individual interviewing officer that day, but supposedly the "official" guidelines do not require an actual engagement nor a ring. However, I wanted to formalize my intent with my fiancee, so we are officially engaged with ring, family party, etc. and photos to boot.

Regarding "IHAVEQUESTIONS" question about getting married on paper, I would guess you are referring to a totally and binding Civil ceremony, which would be very simple and quick and save the BIG event for the rest of the family during a return trip to Egypt in the future. You have to be legally marrried within 90 days in order for your fiance' to remain in the US or face a visa violation (which would have severe consequences if your fiance' wanted to remain here legally). We are also planning a civil ceremony here in the US (who has time to plan anything else in 90 days ), but a bigger "Catholic" ceremony in Colombia in the future.

[Ihavequestions 419]

I understand what you're saying and I agree with you.

However, in Egyptian culture, there is no "marriage" without a wedding party and there's no such thing as being a little bit married, or married on paper.

The Embassy knows this. If this is the path this particular couple is choosing, they may have a difficult time with AOS.

[amysaid 9]

I understand what you're saying and I agree with you.

However, in Egyptian culture, there is no "marriage" without a wedding party and there's no such thing as being a little bit married, or married on paper.

The Embassy knows this. If this is the path this particular couple is choosing, they may have a difficult time with AOS.

When my husband and I were married, we had two marriages: One with an officiant in our home in Egypt with his family present, then one later where we signed the papers at the Egyptian Ministry of Justice. for that one, only one of his brothers was present from his family (we had one other witness who was a friend)... We had no wedding party, no engagement party, none of that. The reason WE had no party was because my husband's mother died a few months before our marriage, so they were still in a period of mourning. When my husband went to the interview, he took his mom's death certificate with him in case they asked why we didn't have a party, but they never asked.

[JeanneVictoria 55]

At our petition interview, the CO asked both Wael and I separately if we had a wedding party. We told him yes we did and showed our wedding pictures. When Wael had his home visits from the Embassy, (during AP) the guy asked his dad about our wedding party. He also asked his uncle.

[tenderheartusa79 14]

We have an engagement part and i bought a ring to my fiancee . but in fact at the interview the CO didn't ask me anything about it .''we sent some professional pictures of the engagement of each others and of us with my family ..... and the rings receipts to USCIS ''

In fact i don't think it will be a big deal as people said here that ngagement parties and engagement rings are not compulsory in Egyptian culture. Embassies know what is culturally normal and what's not.

Good luck and my best wishes for you.

Mohamed

[hayati 0]

Engagement parties and engagement rings are not compulsory in Egyptian culture. Embassies know what is culturally normal and what's not. They would more likely question a spouse visa without a wedding party than a fiance(e) visa without a party/ring. That's not a big deal.

But what is this about "only getting married on papers"? I don't understand and it could be because the phrase "on paper" may be misleading me. It appears you don't intend to formally marry within the 90-days necessary for the K-1 visa. Is that correct?

No, no, no! We are def. getting married but we'll likely do it in a courtroom type setting with my parents/brothers/a few close friends because of the 90 day limitation thing. We'll have a ceremony a year or so later, so I guess more like a vow renewal type thing. We're both in Egypt, and I will stay here with him until he has the visa in hand. 90 days isn't enough for me/us to plan and pay for a wedding... so we'll get the marriage certificate when we return to the US and the actual ceremony/reception will happen later.

[hayati 0]

I understand what you're saying and I agree with you.

However, in Egyptian culture, there is no "marriage" without a wedding party and there's no such thing as being a little bit married, or married on paper.

The Embassy knows this. If this is the path this particular couple is choosing, they may have a difficult time with AOS.

Haha, no, no, nothing like that. This is legit, otherwise it would not be worth the paperwork and long, agonizing process. I thought it was pretty common for couples in similar situations to "get married on paper" (probably bad choice of words) aka have a small civil ceremony type thing with the actual wedding/ceremony in the future... because of time restraints with the 90 day limitation. Sorry to have thrown out some red flags on you, but I assure you, it's legit. So hopefully there will be no difficulties with AOS.

[Ihavequestions 419]

Yeah, I think it was the word choice that threw me. I understand what you're saying now.