Newbie - K1 visa for Guinea-Conakry Fiance

[WORMIEVADER 6]

Hi there,

I am new here, and am still finding my way around. I was looking for feedback/reassurances and contact with other Guinean/US couples.

Here is a quick run-down of our story:

Went to Guinea to attend a dance and drum camp in January and fell in love with one of the resident drummers there. We were inseperable from the beginning, and began talking about a future together. When I returned, I started doing the research on the K1 visa. Talked regularly on the phone for the next month, and then took another vacation beginning of March for 10 days to see him again. During that stay, I met his family and got their blessings. After my return,I filed for the K1 visa.

I'm planning another visit for 10 days beginning of May, but then won't be able to take any more trips due to my work schedule, until it's time for the interview.

I am concerned about several things which would be considered "Red Flags" by the Embassy

1) The shortness of our courtship (though intense, since we were together 24/7)

2) Our age difference - I am 17 years older than him, and I am the woman.

3) Our religious difference - I have no religion, and he is a very moderate Muslim

4) The fact that we don't want children (neither one of us has any)

5) Probably the biggest issue: We do not speak a common language. We communicate with a strange mix of some french words, with a little english thrown in, and lots of gestures and pointing and body language. Amazingly enough, you can communicate a whole lot with 10 verbs and we even managed to have some major discussions. For really important discussions, we have asked friends to translate: English to French to Susu.

To add to the complications, he can barely read or write - therefore no transcripts of emails between us.

I believe that he will learn English very fast once he lives in the US, and my french (which was basically non-existent at the beginning of the year) is also improving.

Does anybody have any similar backstory? Any advise?

Which embassy does he have to go for his Visa Interview? Conakry, or Dakar?

How do people deal with some of the intricacies of Africa? Barely internet access, no postal service, unreliable phone connections?

I read some of the other postings and was quite envious about simple statements like "and then they mail the package to...."

Even filling out the initial forms stumped us.

Employment history? Uhm, he is a drummer without much of an employment history.

Birthday of parents? No clue - they know the year, and that's it.

Adress: No street address, just a town.

Some of the docs I submitted with my 129F as proof of our relationship:

Photos of us being together

3 letters from friends who attended the same camp and witnessed our developing relationship

Visa entry stamps, flight iteneraries

Print out from Speedypin (calling card) of phone records

Western union copy of money transfer for english classes

I appreciate any feedback.

[feli114 65]

Wow. I wish you luck. I think it will be difficult if you both do not speak a common language. How did he write his letter of intent? In my opinion, immigration gives a hard time when it comes to African countries. My heart goes out to the two of you.

[LeftCoastLady 441]

You may want to ask to have this thread moved to the African sub-forum to get insight, too.

In general, there are a lot of factors that may work against you -- being an older woman, difference in religion, and last, but not least, no common language. You may get approval at the USCIS stage, but the interview may be quite difficult. So far, there's only one embassy review for Guinea on VJ and it's from a few years ago, alas.

[Zee Bee 61]

I am concerned about several things which would be considered "Red Flags" by the Embassy

1) The shortness of our courtship (though intense, since we were together 24/7)

2) Our age difference - I am 17 years older than him, and I am the woman.

3) Our religious difference - I have no religion, and he is a very moderate Muslim

4) The fact that we don't want children (neither one of us has any)

5) Probably the biggest issue: We do not speak a common language. We communicate with a strange mix of some french words, with a little english thrown in, and lots of gestures and pointing and body language. Amazingly enough, you can communicate a whole lot with 10 verbs and we even managed to have some major discussions. For really important discussions, we have asked friends to translate: English to French to Susu.

I think that you will probably be going through Dakar.

What I see as your biggest hurdles are going to be the age difference and lack of a common language. The age difference is not something that you can change, you will have to combat that with definitive proof of the validity of your relationship. They cannot deny you solely based on your age difference but they can based on what they may see as problems that arise from your age difference. You say that neither of you want children but things the CO may ask (1) do either of you have children and (2) are you still able to have children in case you change your mind. If you are past child-bearing age and he has no kids it may be more difficult.

Not having a common language, the CO could question whether both of you really understand each other. I have seen cases where one speaks the other' language with some degree of fluency, but none with no common language. Maybe someone else can comment on that. It will also affect how much evidence you have if there is no written communication between the 2 of you.

How do people deal with some of the intricacies of Africa? Barely internet access, no postal service, unreliable phone connections?

I read some of the other postings and was quite envious about simple statements like "and then they mail the package to...."

You just have to make it work. When my husband and I were going through the process we talked everyday even though there were many dropped calls and frustratingly bad connections. Neither of us liked chatting over the internet but we did because we wanted to use it for proof of our relationship. You just have to find methods that are somewhat reliable and use them continuously. With the chatting, we did it for a month every 1-2 months before our interview and submitted that as proof. You say that your SO does not read or write, but can you have someone write emails to you on his behalf so that you can have that as proof). Emails seem to be standard requests for proof of relationship.

Also, send cards to one another. The postal service may be unreliable, but even if you can manage 3-4 each way that will also go a long way in proving your relationship.

Even filling out the initial forms stumped us.

Employment history? Uhm, he is a drummer without much of an employment history.

Birthday of parents? No clue - they know the year, and that's it.

Adress: No street address, just a town.

Some of the docs I submitted with my 129F as proof of our relationship:

Photos of us being together

3 letters from friends who attended the same camp and witnessed our developing relationship

Visa entry stamps, flight iteneraries

Print out from Speedypin (calling card) of phone records

Western union copy of money transfer for english classes

I appreciate any feedback.

I would advise against the Western Union receipts. It can be seen as you paying him for something. Unless they ask for them, I would not provide them. Have wherever he is taking the English classes give him some kind of letter about the classes and his progress in class for the interview

Welcome to VJ and good luck on your journey.