Semi-Newbie

[Lillie_T 0]

Hello to everyone! I am really not new, been lurking around here for months. Finally after a year of waiting for a problematic divorce to be final, I will be ready to submit my k-1 petition within a matter of weeks. I am in the US and my Fiancée is in Morocco. I have read the guides, but I still have a few points that I would welcome any input or clarification on.

1. My Passport: Does "a passport with a validity of 5 years or more" mean a passport that will not expire for five years or more, or has been issued for at least 5 years.

2. G325A: My fiancée signed and dated his G325A back in April. Is there an expiration for that signature? Should I have him send a new one before I submit?

3. Red Flag/Age Difference: I am 11 years and 9 months older than my SO. I remember seeing a few posts from Chiquita talking about addressing this at the petition level. How should I do that?

As part of my answer for question #18?

Any input or suggestions are more than welcome. I really appreciate having this resource so readily available.

[iceyspots 0]

Hello to everyone! I am really not new, been lurking around here for months. Finally after a year of waiting for a problematic divorce to be final, I will be ready to submit my k-1 petition within a matter of weeks. I am in the US and my Fiancée is in Morocco. I have read the guides, but I still have a few points that I would welcome any input or clarification on.

1. My Passport: Does "a passport with a validity of 5 years or more" mean a passport that will not expire for five years or more, or has been issued for at least 5 years.

2. G325A: My fiancée signed and dated his G325A back in April. Is there an expiration for that signature? Should I have him send a new one before I submit?

3. Red Flag/Age Difference: I am 11 years and 9 months older than my SO. I remember seeing a few posts from Chiquita talking about addressing this at the petition level. How should I do that?

As part of my answer for question #18?

Any input or suggestions are more than welcome. I really appreciate having this resource so readily available.

Hi. Welcome to VJ.

1. Your passport must be good for another 5 years, according to that statement, but which form asked for this?

3. You would addresss it where you have to explain under the circumstances when you met.

[Lillie_T 0]

Thanks Icey. On the instuctions for the K-1 in lieu of using a birth certificate, I can submit my passport as proof of my US Citizenship. I don't have a copy of my birth certificate, but my passport was just issued last year, so it still is valid for 5 years.

How would one address the age difference in the explanation of how we met? I could really use some advice on that.

Thanks again for the quick response!

[iceyspots 0]

Thanks Icey. On the instuctions for the K-1 in lieu of using a birth certificate, I can submit my passport as proof of my US Citizenship. I don't have a copy of my birth certificate, but my passport was just issued last year, so it still is valid for 5 years.

How would one address the age difference in the explanation of how we met? I could really use some advice on that.

Thanks again for the quick response!

Ah ok, your passport is OK as proof of citizenship.

There may be someone else on the forum who can help you address the age issue. Since me and my fiancé don't have a huge age difference, we didn't have to address it.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Welcome to VJ, and God Bless you on your journey. I think there are a few people here who have an age difference, myself included ( 23 years ) . I'm sure our age will spark a red flag, but oh well, love is love. 11 years isnt that drastic, i would think...anyway, good luck !

[Together4ever 1]

Hi and welcome.

Yes age difference is a "red flag" and some may disagree but it doesn't mean necessarily it will give you troubles. I would address it upfront and build a strong case for your relationship. Many of us included letters or histories of our relationships addressing such flags. I have an age difference too, but we both addressed it in attachments to the I 129F. It was addressed in the letter of intent as well as a letter from each of us giving the history of our relationship. We now appear to be almost to the end of our journey waiting on fingerprint clearance. Age will be addressed in the interview. Count on it. Prepare your fiance for it when the time comes. I know Casa has been tough on some folks but many have succeeded. I'm sure many of those going through Casa can give you loads of advice.

Good luck to you. We're all here to cheer you along!

Edited August 12, 2006 by just_waiting

[Lillie_T 0]

Thanks to all who have replied so quickly. I do intend to address the age difference with the petition, but I suppose I am looking for specifics. I mean, the age difference is not at all a problem for us; in fact we never even talk about it. The only time we approach the subject is when I bring it up in our conversations about this visa. Sometimes I totally forget that we have an age difference at all! I guess I am just at a loss as to how to actually address it in my explanation. If I can be so intrusive to ask how you phrased it? Any suggestions?

[iceyspots 0]

Thanks to all who have replied so quickly. I do intend to address the age difference with the petition, but I suppose I am looking for specifics. I mean, the age difference is not at all a problem for us; in fact we never even talk about it. The only time we approach the subject is when I bring it up in our conversations about this visa. Sometimes I totally forget that we have an age difference at all! I guess I am just at a loss as to how to actually address it in my explanation. If I can be so intrusive to ask how you phrased it? Any suggestions?

Maybe make a paragraph that starts off with "Despite our age difference -- our relationship has grown into ........ <place something here>"

?

[myfellah 0]

Hello and welcome to VJ. My husband and I went through the K-1 process. We never addressed the age difference at anytime during our process, I am 18 years older than he is. He said they never addressed it to him at his interview either. To us, of course, it didn't matter and his mother was 13 years older than his father. Maybe they saw this and didn't ask him, I don't really know. He joined me here in 6/05.

I would say your passport should be fine. I don't know if there is a time limit on their signature, have you checked the form instructions again or called immigration to ask?

Good Luck on your journey.

Doreen

[Together4ever 1]

Thanks to all who have replied so quickly. I do intend to address the age difference with the petition, but I suppose I am looking for specifics. I mean, the age difference is not at all a problem for us; in fact we never even talk about it. The only time we approach the subject is when I bring it up in our conversations about this visa. Sometimes I totally forget that we have an age difference at all! I guess I am just at a loss as to how to actually address it in my explanation. If I can be so intrusive to ask how you phrased it? Any suggestions?

I believe you have a good start on it right there...

[morocco4ever 63]

In Morocco age difference can be a problem. Things have really tightened up there the past year. I agree, you NEED to address this with the petition along with any other red flags that you might have. If I knew then what I know now I would have. It is smart that you found this board and started reading a long time ago, I didn't know about this until it was too late.

One other possible red flag is that it sounds like you met your fiance before your divorce. I would certainly find a way to explain that one without necessarily drawing attention to it. Have you petitioned another immigrant before? Did you meet on the internet? Does he have family in the US? With this one they might suspect they are paying you. Do you need a co sponsor? These are all red flags, and I would find a way to address them all. Not out right, but maybe a letter explaining your love and devotion to each other.

Don't be alarmed, just be prepared and all will be fine.

[Lillie_T 0]

Again thanks to everyone for the advice.

Don't be alarmed, just be prepared and all will be fine.

Sorry, too late! I am alarmed!

Ok, I have a few other red flags for sure..

* Met online, but so has most of the K-1 couples that I see here! How did some of you address that in your petitions?

* He has family here in the US. A brother, married to an American,he's been here for 5 or 6 years. I have never met him or his wife, and even though they have suggested it, I am thinking that I should wait until after this is over so that he can honestly say in the interview that I do not know his brother or sister-in-law. We have exchanged a few emails, but nothing more than that. Should I bring that up in my application, or wait for him to explain it in the interview?

* Yes we met before I was divorced, but my marriage was over in my mind a long time before I met my SO, and we were separated long before I made my trip to Morocco. If it would have been my choice, I would have been divorced many months ago. I have just had to wait out my states mandatory waiting period before I could file, because my X-Husband was contesting the divorce. I will definately explain that in my petition.

How am I doing so far? Keep the advice coming! I NEED IT!!! Thanks so much again to everyone for the great input.

[Together4ever 1]

Granted I didn't go through Morocco and I know Morocco is tough, but keep in mind one thing. A "red flag" does not mean disaster. It means a circumstance that will cause a little more intense scrutiny on their part. If you are aware of what circumstances (I hate the term "red flag" lol) may trigger this, simply build up your proof and strengthen your case around them.

Sure, there are no guarantees. I remember well the panics I had when starting this process after reading the threads here. I was sure there was no way we would get through this because of all the lovely little red flags fluttering around us. So far, we have no problems... we are just waiting for his fingerprints to clear and they say they'll issue. But I'm still not banking on it. Time will tell. We addressed every issue they had openly and honestly and provided more then enough proof to back it up.

I want to reiterate that I think it's a good idea to touch on your own red flags in an initial letter with your application. You should do just fine.

[Lillie_T 0]

So far, we have no problems... we are just waiting for his fingerprints to clear and they say they'll issue. But I'm still not banking on it. Time will tell. We addressed every issue they had openly and honestly and provided more then enough proof to back it up.

Thanks so much. It's really nice to hear about people who have done well with this. Jean, you and so many others here certainly give us a lot of hope for our case.

[vonnie&abdel 0]

We did have a age difference of more then ten years. But we didnt have any problems he just had the famous "women" who gave him a long interview and asked to see almost everything. I wouldnt worry your self to much it may just have you thinking badly and worrying when its not necessarily.