Experiences with the Consulate in Casablanca

[rek pooh 0]

My goal in starting this thread is to develop a profile of what type of cases are approved or denied at the Consulate and why. I noticed that there were two members who interviewed today. One case was approved and the other was not. The question is what factors contributed to these decisions. Insha'Allah those who have interviews in the future will be better prepared for what awaits them. With the proper insight this has the potential to be a very beneficial thread insha'allah! So anyone who has gone through the process in Morocco themselves or knows someone that has been through process, particularly the interview, please feel free to share any experiences, opinions, or theories.

[MrsAmera 41]

There have been many threads on this subject. Sadly when advice/theories are given many people do not like what they hear and all heck breaks lose.

[Gugusitolindo 32]

Our experience was very good with the Moroccan consulate. My husband was questioned for an hour, and given the visa immediately.

Upon the end of his interview, he was told to pick up his visa the next day. I read somewhere here in VJ that the consulate

already has predetermination before the interview ...who will get approved and who will be denied.

I have also realized from the pattern of stories, if you are not treated good in the consulate, you were getting denied, and

if you were spoken to in a respectful manner, you will be issued the visa.

Background on my case:

Met in 2006

Visited 10 times to be with my husband

Married 2009

Interview Jan 2010

POE-Feb 2010

Age difference: Only two years apart

Front loaded my case with a folder of 4 inches thick.

Wish this does not start a fireworks as Ms.Amera has stated, I know it can go south fast.

[rek pooh 0]

Our experience was very good with the Moroccan consulate. My husband was questioned for an hour, and given the visa immediately.

Upon the end of his interview, he was told to pick up his visa the next day. I read somewhere here in VJ that the consulate

already has predetermination before the interview ...who will get approved and who will be denied.

I have also realized from the pattern of stories, if you are not treated good in the consulate, you were getting denied, and

if you were spoken to in a respectful manner, you will be issued the visa.

Background on my case:

Met in 2006

Visited 10 times to be with my husband

Married 2009

Interview Jan 2010

POE-Feb 2010

Age difference: Only two years apart

Front loaded my case with a folder of 4 inches thick.

Wish this does not start a fireworks as Ms.Amera has stated, I know it can go south fast.

/

What is there to get upset about? We are just sharing information. Also, I have seen these other threads but there doesn't seen to be much worthwhile information just more of a support-group setting (which is fine). Just trying to get a pulse on what circumstances equate to approval and denial at the consulate. Is it merely age/appearance/education/economic disparity or are there other factors? So let's hear it people! Insha'Allah don't let this thread die a lonely death...lol.

[KittyPollitt 284]

I have also realized from the pattern of stories, if you are not treated good in the consulate, you were getting denied, and

if you were spoken to in a respectful manner, you will be issued the visa.

Not always the case. My husband was interrogated like a terror suspect by two CO's, but he handled his business, and in the end, he got his visa.

I started a thread like this last year, the "Hoping not to be denied in Casablanca thread". It went on for 47 pages, there was endless speculation on how to handle this consulate, and what could only be described as psychoanalysis of the CO's there. People posting in it still got denied. I've come to the conclusion that there is no rhyme or reason to this consulate- and most of the time, they have made up their mind before the interview starts. You've gotta go in there tight and well prepared, or you're screwed. That's it.

Background on my case:

Met in 2008

Visited for one month in Feb 2009

Had a child in Nov 2009

Filed K1 Jan 2010

Visited for six months Feb-Aug 2010

Interview June 2010

POE Aug 2010

Age difference: I'm one year older

Edited March 7, 2011 by squeaky580

[Gugusitolindo 32]

Not always the case. My husband was interrogated like a terror suspect by two CO's, but he handled his business, and in the end, he got his visa.

I started a thread like this last year, the "Hoping not to be denied in Casablanca thread". It went on for 47 pages, there was endless speculation on how to handle this consulate, and what could only be described as psychoanalysis of the CO's there. People posting in it still got denied. I've come to the conclusion that there is no rhyme or reason to this consulate- and most of the time, they have made up their mind before the interview starts. You've gotta go in there tight and well prepared, or you're screwed. That's it.

Background on my case:

Met in 2008

Visited for one month in Feb 2009

Had a child in Nov 2009

Filed K1 Jan 2010

Visited for six months Feb-Aug 2010

Interview June 2010

POE Aug 2010

Age difference: I'm one year older

Sarah....que cutie is your girl. Dressed in moroccan outfit ...down to the shoes...so adorable...totally off topic. Couldnt help it!! We have seen her grow here in VJ. She sure has grown...time fliesssss!

Edited March 7, 2011 by Gugusitolindo

[Eternnitty89 0]

My husband didn't have a bad experience with our interview with the consulate. They just wanted more proof as if our paper work from being pregnant with our first son and photos and phone card etc wasn't enough. The funny thing is I showered them with all the info after that. He went back the next day with a suit case full of a years worth of phone bills, more photos, journals, plane tickets, reciepts, and anything you can think of. That day they didn't even look at everything. They were satified and our visa was approved and he was on his way to the U.S within the week. So my advice is go overly prepared. You can never have too much information about your relationship. Good luck to everyone that is in the process or soon will be with their visa or green card! Congrats to those that have already been through that phase!

BTW- I think this thread is helpful. It's always soothing to hear other peoples experiences!

[KittyPollitt 284]

Sarah....que cutie is your girl. Dressed in moroccan outfit ...down to the shoes...so adorable...totally off topic. Couldnt help it!! We have seen her grow here in VJ. She sure has grown...time fliesssss!

Thanks

[msheesha 548]

We were originally denied I-129 for issue not related to typical Casa bonafide relationship.

Married; applied for I-130/cr1 (however it's referred to).

were told there were no relationship issues but we had to wait based on original issue.

Apparently sucessfuly argued that there was no legit reason for extended waiting, as they called one day and told my husband - great news; we changed our minds; come get your visa!

I had travelled to Morocco 2 or 3 times prior to the 129. By the time I filed the 130, I had been there a bunch more times. Overall, travelled there 8 -10 times prior to the visa issuance.

He's a little older than me; our socio-economic statuses are the same relative to countries we were living in; I met and stayed with many of his family members on various trips;

I did not front-load either of the applications; did not send msn/yahoo or any other "chats".

I'm trying to think of anything else that would be helpful.

I think the positives in our case, specific to Casa consulate are we're around the same age with him a lil older; same religion; same socio economic situations; we were both older and settled in our own lives when we met and applied. I don't think there's a drastic physical/looks discrepancy (i.e. - neither one of us are supermodels; nor are we putrid looking). We had family support on both sides.

Hope that's helpful, but in Casa, it's hard to know.

Oh, as far as how the consulate treated him/us, eh, they were professional enough, I guess - leaning towards the cold side of professional - nothing horrible. Still have no idea why they reversed their decision one day and seemingly out of the blue called and gave us the happy news.

Good luck to all going through it. It can be a grueling experience. BUT, as the Quran says - with every difficulty, there is relief. For us, as much as it was difficult, there were positives that came out of the original denial.

Sarah....que cutie is your girl. Dressed in moroccan outfit ...down to the shoes...so adorable...totally off topic. Couldnt help it!! We have seen her grow here in VJ. She sure has grown...time fliesssss!

She is a cutie!

[TracyHamza 1]

in our case they told us why did you bring all this evidence if your marriage is valid but i guarantee they would have asked to see more if we only brought a little.. ...my friend sarah is right on the mark when she has said this consulate is very unpredictable whether it's k-1 or cr/ir-1...bottom line is while it's nice to have an idea of what to expect, no amount of advice or advance prep can determine what will happen there...it's a total crapshoot

[rek pooh 0]

My husband didn't have a bad experience with our interview with the consulate. They just wanted more proof as if our paper work from being pregnant with our first son and photos and phone card etc wasn't enough. The funny thing is I showered them with all the info after that. He went back the next day with a suit case full of a years worth of phone bills, more photos, journals, plane tickets, reciepts, and anything you can think of. That day they didn't even look at everything. They were satified and our visa was approved and he was on his way to the U.S within the week. So my advice is go overly prepared. You can never have too much information about your relationship. Good luck to everyone that is in the process or soon will be with their visa or green card! Congrats to those that have already been through that phase!

BTW- I think this thread is helpful. It's always soothing to hear other peoples experiences!

Thanks, I agree. There is definitely something to be gained by hearing everyone's experience. However I'm curious about something. When you present the proof of the "ongoing relationship" since the initial filing how do they even have time to really look at it. I'm pretty sure they don't make you sit there as they sift through chat logs and emails. Any thoughts?

[KittyPollitt 284]

Thanks, I agree. There is definitely something to be gained by hearing everyone's experience. However I'm curious about something. When you present the proof of the "ongoing relationship" since the initial filing how do they even have time to really look at it. I'm pretty sure they don't make you sit there as they sift through chat logs and emails. Any thoughts?

Oh indeed, they make them sit there. They made my husband leave the window and go sit in the waiting area while they looked at stuff and discussed his case amongst themselves. They have even been known to take the evidence to look it and then schedule a second interview. But, as I've said, there's absolutely no way to know what they will do until your SO walks in there. The strongest case in the world could get a denial and the weakest approved. I point to Always+Forever as a perfect example of a strong case being denied and no valid reason given. And I'm not just saying that from what I know of her case on VJ. I was there.

I long ago threw up my hands in disgust at the Casablanca consulate. Even though they granted my husband a visa, I knew they didn't want to and did it for the sake of our child. They're impossible to predict, and I wish everyone luck with upcoming interviews. Luck is what it comes down to.

[Pure love for her 0]

Hi,

Very happy to read your inputs here, I've been reading the Moroccan region threads daily now. What I've been looking for is a case like mine so I can be prepared. I'm a Moroccan US citizen, just married last year, we met at the end of 2009, and got married in the end of 2010. Any input how the consulate handle such a case ? I just want to prepared my wife for the upcoming events such as interviews and what have you. Any advices I'll be very thankful.

[MrsAmera 41]

Ucf Chari - you most likely will face very few hurdles. It is MUCH easier for women to get a visa from Casablanca than a man. Also you are both from the same culture - those cases tend to be much more likely to be approved.

[kristen_maroc 126]

I have a friend who got a K1 visa within 6 months. They applied 5/10; he was in the US by 11/10/

She was working in Morocco at the time, they met, dated, fell in love, got engaged. I think they had been together in person for 1-2 years.

They're "equally attractive" (whatever that means)

Same basic age

She speaks close to fluent Darija, his English is perfect

He was working for an American company in Morocco

They didn't meet online.

Any news as to whether it helps a case substantially that we did NOT meet online? I'm not judging those who did meet online, just wondering if it helps our case.

Also, strangely enough, three of my very good friends here are going through the same process: one couple got married last year and is going through that step, another two are getting K1s for their fiances: one submitted 4 weeks before I did, another just a few days! Less than a week! CRAZY. My life is insane. Nobody else seems as concerned about Casa as I am (but they don't come to read forums).

I guess I'm not worried about us, because if the K1 doesn't go through, I still have a job in Morocco; we can get married here and apply for K3. It's not ideal-- I want him to visit the States and meet my family before we get married-- but it's a viable option, and would make life easier for his schooling if I stayed another year or so.