Arranged Marriage – Embassy Interview

[antoneya 9]

Hey guy I’m hopeful someone out there can help, especially if you’re in the same boat as me.

Background info:

My I-130 is in progress, waiting on my NOA2 and in the mean time I am getting my NVC documents together. I am worried about the interview; we actually have our big (ceremonial) wedding planned for the end of this year and I didn’t want to go get married and then come back and spend about year before my wife can come here. So while I was on vacation last year, we decide to do a civil wedding so that I can have proof to start the visa process so by the time every gets done I can go down have the big wedding and then bring her back with me. However I didn’t decided on this plan until I was already there and I didn’t have much info about the whole USCIS process, all I knew that it would take close to a year and I need a marriage cert.

So need-less to say we don’t have any (zero) pictures of us together, and I’m worried about not having enough evidence to show at the interview. I have been sending her money by western union and birthday cards and gifts. I use phone cards to call her I will send her the used cards to take with her; she does not have email access so I don’t have anything like that.

How understanding do you guys think the embassy will be of my situation? I understand this may not be normal, but this is the cultural background I come from. Do you think the evidence I have so far is sufficient?

If anyone has any advice, tips or has had the same experience and willing to shear with me, I’m listening, Thank you!

[pushbrk 12,877]

Hey guy I’m hopeful someone out there can help, especially if you’re in the same boat as me.

Background info:

My I-130 is in progress, waiting on my NOA2 and in the mean time I am getting my NVC documents together. I am worried about the interview; we actually have our big (ceremonial) wedding planned for the end of this year and I didn’t want to go get married and then come back and spend about year before my wife can come here. So while I was on vacation last year, we decide to do a civil wedding so that I can have proof to start the visa process so by the time every gets done I can go down have the big wedding and then bring her back with me. However I didn’t decided on this plan until I was already there and I didn’t have much info about the whole USCIS process, all I knew that it would take close to a year and I need a marriage cert.

So need-less to say we don’t have any (zero) pictures of us together, and I’m worried about not having enough evidence to show at the interview. I have been sending her money by western union and birthday cards and gifts. I use phone cards to call her I will send her the used cards to take with her; she does not have email access so I don’t have anything like that.

How understanding do you guys think the embassy will be of my situation? I understand this may not be normal, but this is the cultural background I come from. Do you think the evidence I have so far is sufficient?

If anyone has any advice, tips or has had the same experience and willing to shear with me, I’m listening, Thank you!

The best evidence of a bona fide relationship is time spent together. Since you have almost no evidence of bona fides except a marriage certificate, I would be planning another visit and staying as long as possible. One of the best times to do this is to be there before the interview with plans to stay a while.

I would also immediately find a way to make frequent calls using some method that provides a record of your number calling hers. Do you write letters?

Edited March 9, 2010 by pushbrk

[TheBears 9]

An easy thing you can do today is switch to using a rechargable calling card that keeps a log of your call history. I use iTalk International, which is more geared to calling Thailand. You can call Sri Lanka, though. The rate is 5.5 baht (or about 16 cents) per minute. I'm sure you can find cheapers cards by searching online, though. The point is to have a record showing that you two are furthering your relationship daily on the phone.

Keep with the cards. That's good. Maybe start sending some "just because I'm thinking of you" or something like that.

No pictures isn't a deal breaker. It is an obstacle, though. Perhaps you can visit her as soon as you know her interview date. Spend the whole time (2-4 weeks, more or less) taking pictures together. At restaurants. At home with her family. In the garden. While going to the market. Siteseeing. All on different days in different places in different outfits.

Oh! Don't forget about having you and her write letters about the evolution of your relationship. From start to finish including specific dates and events.

Good luck!

[bridget and alen 0]

I would for sure climb on a plane asap for a visit.Take tons of pics.We brought 600 photos.We also had bill reciepts for our apt. in both our names .So they new i had been living in sweden with my fiancee.They was no denying we had a true relationship.Good Luck ....

[antoneya 9]

Thanks for the info guys…Going to see her is not an option as the wedding is planned for August and because of that I do not have the money or vacation time to go see her before that time. I ‘m hoping that if I can get the timing right I might be able to get the interview while I’m there in August.

Based on current timelines I think the NOA2 should get to me around May and I can drag my feet with the NVC to try and get an interview date in August

:unsure:

How easy, or better yet, how difficulty is it to change/request a different interview date?

I was able to get her name added to my 401K and other retirement accounts, I was also able to talk to the phone card company they said they may be able to get me call logs so keeping my figures crossed on that and in the mean time I am going to have her write me letter as well.

I may not have any photos but I’m hoping with all this other evidence and the fact that something like this is normal around my part of the world, I will be o.k…wish me luck everyone.

[pushbrk 12,877]

Thanks for the info guys…Going to see her is not an option as the wedding is planned for August and because of that I do not have the money or vacation time to go see her before that time. I ‘m hoping that if I can get the timing right I might be able to get the interview while I’m there in August.

Based on current timelines I think the NOA2 should get to me around May and I can drag my feet with the NVC to try and get an interview date in August

:unsure:

How easy, or better yet, how difficulty is it to change/request a different interview date?

I was able to get her name added to my 401K and other retirement accounts, I was also able to talk to the phone card company they said they may be able to get me call logs so keeping my figures crossed on that and in the mean time I am going to have her write me letter as well.

I may not have any photos but I’m hoping with all this other evidence and the fact that something like this is normal around my part of the world, I will be o.k…wish me luck everyone.

You can drag your feet or simply move forward and request an August interview date for after you arrive. That second visit and documented formal plans should help with your bona fides. Just make sure there's no question you're already legally married.

[Donna A 4]

the only proof i had was the marriege certificate and some old emails and maybe 5-6 pictures which none of them were wedding pictures as we didnt have a wedding but just a judge and 2 witnesses. didnt even think of taking a camera for that.