Can a mother's disapproval be drastic?

[Shahsu 1]

Dear VJ Folks,

Our petition for k1 visa got approved by the USCIS and I have received the NOA2 and the NVC letter with the case number and the information of the packet being forwarded to the embassy and thus we are preparing all the documentations for the interview as soon as possible. But there is one question that is bothering me. Sometimes, at the interview, A question is being asked such as does your family approve. The answer i can give is, My parents approve but my fiance's parents, His mother but his dad passed away in 2005, dont approve of this because of religious difference as I am a christian and he is a muslim. On the other hand, My fiance's sister approves of this and sent me an Email letter giving her support which i can use as an evidence that atleast she approves this relationship from his side. Please also note that my Fiance is 22 years of age and is of legal age to marry.

My question is, Does my fiance's mother's rejection or disapproval of our relationship because of religious difference cost our visa?

I have tons of letters from Friends, Family and everyone who acknowledge this relationship and one from his side. The only thing we are misisng is his mother. So please give us some information on how we can better the situation.

Thank you guys. God Bless you all and reunite you with your loved ones as soon as possible. Amen

Edited February 21, 2010 by Shahsu

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Dear VJ Folks,

Our petition for k1 visa got approved by the USCIS and I have received the NOA2 and the NVC letter with the case number and the information of the packet being forwarded to the embassy and thus we are preparing all the documentations for the interview as soon as possible. But there is one question that is bothering me. Sometimes, at the interview, A question is being asked such as does your family approve. The answer i can give is, My parents approve but my fiance's parents, His mother but his dad passed away in 2005, dont approve of this because of religious difference as I am a christian and he is a muslim. On the other hand, My fiance's sister approves of this and sent me an Email letter giving her support which i can use as an evidence that atleast she approves this relationship from his side. Please also note that my Fiance is 22 years of age and is of legal age to marry.

My question is, Does my fiance's mother's rejection or disapproval of our relationship because of religious difference cost our visa?

I have tons of letters from Friends, Family and everyone who acknowledge this relationship and one from his side. The only thing we are misisng is his mother. So please give us some information on how we can better the situation.

Thank you guys. God Bless you all and reunite you with your loved ones as soon as possible. Amen

This question is often asked in cultures where parebnts knowledge of the relationship is an indicator if the relationship is valid. I would think it far better to say "My mother doesn't approve" than to say "We haven't told my mother"

[Brit Abroad 166]

Could always be honest and say that his mother is concerned because of the religious differences, but hopes that her son will be happy in his future.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Brit Abroad has the right wording IF the question comes up (to your fiance) at his interview.

Is there any evidence of home inspection of visa applicants in your fiance's country? If not then Mum's disapproval can be handled by your fiance's rendition of it at his interview.

If home inspections sometimes happen, then you are going to have to deal with whatever Mum dishes out. On the positive side, if she's none too happy about you, it at least appears his family isn't supporting him in a visa fraud.

[pushbrk 13,174]

You've got good answers to your question already. What I would add is that questions about parental approval are more likely when there are other red flag factors in the relationship or case. For instance if this 22 year old Muslim man is marrying a Christian woman too old to bear his children (or really even more than a couple years older than him) there will be more questions about the relationship. Anything out of the cultural norm is a red flag to be investigated.

It would be good for you to read some of the discussions in the applicable regional forum here. I think you'll find them quite eye opening.

[Shahsu 1]

You've got good answers to your question already. What I would add is that questions about parental approval are more likely when there are other red flag factors in the relationship or case. For instance if this 22 year old Muslim man is marrying a Christian woman too old to bear his children (or really even more than a couple years older than him) there will be more questions about the relationship. Anything out of the cultural norm is a red flag to be investigated.

It would be good for you to read some of the discussions in the applicable regional forum here. I think you'll find them quite eye opening.

Well, We dont have any other Red Flags as everything is perfectly normal in our case except his mother. We both are 22 years of age and not married before nor have any previous immigration nor criminal records. My Fiance lived and works in the UAE but holds an Indian passport and every other thing is perfectly normal as my fiance has a good relationship with my mother and father and the entire family. So i would say we dont have any other issue except his mother.

[smoahmad 0]

Well, We dont have any other Red Flags as everything is perfectly normal in our case except his mother. We both are 22 years of age and not married before nor have any previous immigration nor criminal records. My Fiance lived and works in the UAE but holds an Indian passport and every other thing is perfectly normal as my fiance has a good relationship with my mother and father and the entire family. So i would say we dont have any other issue except his mother.

I think the previous advice has been very good for you, and being open and honest about his mother's feelings is important IF it comes up. I'll be going through the Abu Dhabi embassy too eventually (hoping to file petition March 1), and have a similar case as yours. I'm 23, my fiancé is 24, neither of us have ever been married or had criminal records. Only difference is he's a UAE national.

Both of our mothers and siblings are very supportive, but both of our fathers are more skeptical (my dad is hesitant about Ahmad being a Muslim, his dad just ambivalent-disinterested). We'll be open about this in the interview if we're asked. I am also already planning to attend the interview: will you be going to your fiancé's interview in the UAE? It might make you and your fiancé more comfortable and secure, not to mention solidify intent to marry and bona fide relationship for the CO.

Hope it all works out for you!

[Shahsu 1]

I think the previous advice has been very good for you, and being open and honest about his mother's feelings is important IF it comes up. I'll be going through the Abu Dhabi embassy too eventually (hoping to file petition March 1), and have a similar case as yours. I'm 23, my fiancé is 24, neither of us have ever been married or had criminal records. Only difference is he's a UAE national.

Both of our mothers and siblings are very supportive, but both of our fathers are more skeptical (my dad is hesitant about Ahmad being a Muslim, his dad just ambivalent-disinterested). We'll be open about this in the interview if we're asked. I am also already planning to attend the interview: will you be going to your fiancé's interview in the UAE? It might make you and your fiancé more comfortable and secure, not to mention solidify intent to marry and bona fide relationship for the CO.

Hope it all works out for you!

Yes, Me and my Fiance are going to attend the interview together. We aren't like expecting this question but IF it comes up we just wanted to be prepared for it. If there is any other suggestion you can give to improve our case based on this matter, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you for all your replies.