Approved!

[Golden Gate 530]

My fiance was approved today!

[Nasturtium 500]

My fiance was approved today!

Congratulations!

[jkelly07 120]

congratulations.

[Golden Gate 530]

Thanks!

[Crossed_fingers 128]

Great news, congrats!

[patient2010 93]

congrats!!!!

[Golden Gate 530]

Yes, very happy. I think they had approved it pretty much before his interview. First a Moroccan woman asked him a few questions - like why did we postpone the interview so many times (we only postponed once, so she was exaggerating). Then a white American guy, the same as we saw in a video about the DV Lottery, asked him a few questions about me, why we didn't get married when I came (I had planned to and got the letter of availability to marry from consulate before, but his father disapproved), he answered honestly, he said his father didn't approve and you know, he is from a conservative family, but in the end it is his life. The guy asked a few more questions about how we met, what I did for work, how many students I had, what I did before, whether I was married before, about my kids and if I had sisters and brothers, what we would do for money (he said money is not a problem for us), and what he would do for work here - he said he would teach Arabic if he could find the work. He answered honestly what he knew and what he didn't know, but he said it already said approved on the paperwork, and then the guy told him he was approved. He said it took about 3 minutes. He was the last person to be interviewed. He said all the other people who came before were tourist or business visas.

[jkelly07 120]

good for you, congratulations.

[kytwell 179]

Congrats!

[Golden Gate 530]

Thanks, guys, appreciate it!

[Crossed_fingers 128]

Yes, very happy. I think they had approved it pretty much before his interview. First a Moroccan woman asked him a few questions - like why did we postpone the interview so many times (we only postponed once, so she was exaggerating). Then a white American guy, the same as we saw in a video about the DV Lottery, asked him a few questions about me, why we didn't get married when I came (I had planned to and got the letter of availability to marry from consulate before, but his father disapproved), he answered honestly, he said his father didn't approve and you know, he is from a conservative family, but in the end it is his life. The guy asked a few more questions about how we met, what I did for work, how many students I had, what I did before, whether I was married before, about my kids and if I had sisters and brothers, what we would do for money (he said money is not a problem for us), and what he would do for work here - he said he would teach Arabic if he could find the work. He answered honestly what he knew and what he didn't know, but he said it already said approved on the paperwork, and then the guy told him he was approved. He said it took about 3 minutes. He was the last person to be interviewed. He said all the other people who came before were tourist or business visas.

Thank you for providing the information to us, and that's so great for him that it went easily and quickly. What a load off!! I can't imagine how nervous I would be if I sat in a consulate all day and was called last, and if they only talked to me for 3 minutes I bet I would walk out of there pinching myself. If you feel comfortable sharing, is there anything in your papers or your situation that you think sealed it for them? Any red flags or positives, any strategies you took when you assembled your initial petition? Either way, that's great!

[Golden Gate 530]

Thank you for providing the information to us, and that's so great for him that it went easily and quickly. What a load off!! I can't imagine how nervous I would be if I sat in a consulate all day and was called last, and if they only talked to me for 3 minutes I bet I would walk out of there pinching myself. If you feel comfortable sharing, is there anything in your papers or your situation that you think sealed it for them? Any red flags or positives, any strategies you took when you assembled your initial petition? Either way, that's great!

Well, I would say we had big red flags - I am significantly older (but this didn't even seem to come up), I have two kids from a previous relationship, but I wasn't married previously (just lived together). I never could meet his family because of how conservative it is there in Oujda, his father didn't approve. Also, I just switched jobs - I was laid off from my teaching job of 4 years, and so I was just starting a new job this fall and I didn't even make the required income this year - but he mentioned to them that I was only given one class this term, as I was a new teacher online and still training, and that they promised me more students next term (I get paid by the student), which would put me quite a bit over the required income.

Positives: I don't know if these things helped or not: He has a job there as a teacher and has been working a while; he has a very good record with his employer; he is the oldest and supports his entire family of 9, including his parents (but I don't know if they know this information), but he comes across as very responsible, level-headed, modest and gentle; he is multi-lingual (he teaches small children 9 subjects, including Dirija, Arabic, Tamazight and French); he has a very clean record and lives a very clean life; he has a couple of bachelor's degrees and just applied for his masters degree. I didn't meet him in person until a year after we met on a French Language site; I spent a spring break there. Then, I spent a whole summer with him; I didn't file until I had known him two years. I mostly provided phone records - I call him every day - and I explained we mostly communicate by phone as he lives in the mountains and has no internet (they only recently got electricity there). I also showed a picture of my email inbox. I provided pictures of us together, and all my receipts, including car rental, some restaurant receipts, etcetera. They had my records of employment from my job as a teacher. He said when they asked about my kids, he just started talking and he doesn't remember what he said. He speaks English well - he articulates himself well.

I was prepared to show more evidence, like chats and screen captures, but he said they didn't ask for it. He saw they had pictures of us and he wondered how they got them - I told him they got them from me .

Edited November 1, 2011 by Golden Gate

[Engo 1]

congratulations

[R and F 34]

Congrats and sending you lots of happiness and love.

[Golden Gate 530]

Congrats and sending you lots of happiness and love.

Thanks! I remember when I first came on VJ as a clueless newbie and you were one of the first to inquire.