should we wait to get married?

[imaisha 1]

The OP has stated the country is Germany. Anecdotal evidence suggests the circumstances of this couple's courtship won't be an issue at the consulate in Frankfurt. I took the consulate into account in replying to the OP. There used to be a member here who said "know thy consulate" before dispensing info about this phase of the process. I think she was right.

Sorry, didn't see that post as it wasn't formatted to make the responses clearly separate from the original post. Thanks for pointing out that I missed it though.

I'm not sure it's appropriate to use the phrase "religious" countries. Social customs (as you mentioned) would be more the concern of consular officers.

Not sure why it's not appropriate to use "religious countries." I am referring specifically to nations with an established state religion. When that is the case the religion usually plays a big part in the social customs and values the consular officer will be looking for. Since that isn't a catch-all for countries in which this might play a role, I included the bit about social customs so that readers can consider for themselves whether or not it would be an issue for them. In Western Europe it won't be. For others it will.

[baron555 934]

I stand corrected. Tnx.

CR-1 is the answer. Start reading the Guides

[rebeccajo 14]

The OP has stated the country is Germany. Anecdotal evidence suggests the circumstances of this couple's courtship won't be an issue at the consulate in Frankfurt. I took the consulate into account in replying to the OP. There used to be a member here who said "know thy consulate" before dispensing info about this phase of the process. I think she was right.

Sorry, didn't see that post as it wasn't formatted to make the responses clearly separate from the original post. Thanks for pointing out that I missed it though.

I'm not sure it's appropriate to use the phrase "religious" countries. Social customs (as you mentioned) would be more the concern of consular officers.

Not sure why it's not appropriate to use "religious countries." I am referring specifically to nations with an established state religion. When that is the case the religion usually plays a big part in the social customs and values the consular officer will be looking for. Since that isn't a catch-all for countries in which this might play a role, I included the bit about social customs so that readers can consider for themselves whether or not it would be an issue for them. In Western Europe it won't be. For others it will.

Well - in these 'religious countries' it might not be the religion that matters. For instance, Islam is not just a religion - it is also a legal system.

So I say it's not 'appropriate' in the sense of not being offensive to readers of those cultures. A small distinction but a polite one, I think.

[imaisha 1]

Well - in these 'religious countries' it might not be the religion that matters. For instance, Islam is not just a religion - it is also a legal system.

So I say it's not 'appropriate' in the sense of not being offensive to readers of those cultures. A small distinction but a polite one, I think.

And I was raised Muslim and Islam is just a religion to me. Islam may contribute to a legal system, but most of the "religious countries" I'm talking about do not mandate Sharia law. I'm not sure who would be offended by my comments. Sorry if you were.

This thread has already answered the OP's question so I won't argue it further.

Edited September 1, 2009 by imaisha

[Hannah+Vito 0]

I am going to raise this as a question for others as I don't feel confident in myself having the answer, but it's boggling me a little and no other responce thus far has addressed it except for the first but not in the manor it's bothering me.

in your post you mentioned at an interview for one of your visas you were asked if you had a boyfriend and you answered no because you were having problems. Is this correct? Then in responce to the first responder Of this thread that you were having problems, but never questioned your relationship ? Am I correct in assuming then that you were very much in a relationship with him I.e. Boyfriend and not just friend . At the time you answered that question?

Ok here's my question to more knowledgable peeps on here... If the answer to the last question I posses to op is yes they were bf and gf at time she answered no, is that not misrepresentation? Could that not cause problems for them if found out when the officers review their eligabilities for a relationship based visa. I.e. Going going through the story and dates they met and became a couple?

[rebeccajo 14]

I am going to raise this as a question for others as I don't feel confident in myself having the answer, but it's boggling me a little and no other responce thus far has addressed it except for the first but not in the manor it's bothering me.

in your post you mentioned at an interview for one of your visas you were asked if you had a boyfriend and you answered no because you were having problems. Is this correct? Then in responce to the first responder Of this thread that you were having problems, but never questioned your relationship ? Am I correct in assuming then that you were very much in a relationship with him I.e. Boyfriend and not just friend . At the time you answered that question?

Ok here's my question to more knowledgable peeps on here... If the answer to the last question I posses to op is yes they were bf and gf at time she answered no, is that not misrepresentation? Could that not cause problems for them if found out when the officers review their eligabilities for a relationship based visa. I.e. Going going through the story and dates they met and became a couple?

I see what you are saying but I sort of doubt there would be any problems. Petitions stand alone and separately. There will be some electronic record of other visa applications, but the entire paper record of those petitions probably will not be available to the CO for a decision on a spousal visa. Even if it were, if the OP is being forthright with us, I think her explanation that she and her fiance' were on the outs at the time of that application is a reasonable one.

Anecdotally, the refusal of prior visas doesn't affect the outcome of spousal petitions UNLESS there were 'big' reasons for those denials - criminal activity, misrepresentation, etc. Work, student and visitor visas are frequently denied just because applicants don't meet the criteria for that particular petition. "Vanilla" denials of other visa types have little or no bearing on spousal visas.

[Hannah+Vito 0]

I am going to raise this as a question for others as I don't feel confident in myself having the answer, but it's boggling me a little and no other responce thus far has addressed it except for the first but not in the manor it's bothering me.

in your post you mentioned at an interview for one of your visas you were asked if you had a boyfriend and you answered no because you were having problems. Is this correct? Then in responce to the first responder Of this thread that you were having problems, but never questioned your relationship ? Am I correct in assuming then that you were very much in a relationship with him I.e. Boyfriend and not just friend . At the time you answered that question?

Ok here's my question to more knowledgeable peeps on here... If the answer to the last question I posses to op is yes they were bf and gf at time she answered no, is that not misrepresentation? Could that not cause problems for them if found out when the officers review their eligabilities for a relationship based visa. I.e. Going going through the story and dates they met and became a couple?

I see what you are saying but I sort of doubt there would be any problems. Petitions stand alone and separately. There will be some electronic record of other visa applications, but the entire paper record of those petitions probably will not be available to the CO for a decision on a spousal visa. Even if it were, if the OP is being forthright with us, I think her explanation that she and her fiance' were on the outs at the time of that application is a reasonable one.

Anecdotally, the refusal of prior visas doesn't affect the outcome of spousal petitions UNLESS there were 'big' reasons for those denials - criminal activity, misrepresentation, etc. Work, student and visitor visas are frequently denied just because applicants don't meet the criteria for that particular petition. "Vanilla" denials of other visa types have little or no bearing on spousal visas.

Ah I see your point, very good, I guess they prob won't have the minutes of the interview up on screen while adjudicating the current petition. I have to admit reading her initial post, her first mention of it did raise an eyebrow but her reasoning did make sence and like you i thought it meant they were possibly on the out. but upon reading her response to the first person to reply it threw me and i had to ask.

[meowmeowmeow 1]

Oh my gosh. This answer is so irrelevant to your situation.

There is no problem with when you get married. USCIS is not going to care if you marry your boyfriend the day after his divorce.

no need for that snippy response. it was just an opinion of the situation. thanks.

It is not a 'snippy response'. I apologize if you feel that it was.

While it's always the responsibility of the original poster to verify the voracity of the information they are offered, it's also the responsibility of those answering to think before they speak. You can not only cause folks to make mistakes with their cases, but you can cause them a lot of stress. In this case, the OP asked one question but has another situation which is more relevant. It's good you want to help, but as you said you offered an 'opinion'. In this case your opinion was unfortunately incorrect.

Thanks.

while my answers may have been "incorrect", i also was trying to look at this situation from the point of view of someone who works in immigration and who is trying to weed out potential fraud cases. i was concerned about her saying she did not have a bf here, but in reality did and they got engaged a month later. i don't know if the embassies record such things, but i would be concerned about that. however, i guess that question was addressed already so it's all good. i am not a child, but i felt your response was a tad insensitive. i can only hope to be as learned as you are in regards to these issues, maybe one day....

have a nice day.

to the OP: good luck, i wish you the best.