Living with foreign spouse in their country. How long before immigrating?

[onye uwaoma 131]

NigeriaorBurst, you know I have heard that something like what you just said happens but never have seen anyone with direct experience huh! I can't imagine how wicked the heart of men can be... I hope and pray no one else ever fall victim again to this "love crime". COs thumbs up there!

[jaycali 415]

NigeriaorBurst, you know I have heard that something like what you just said happens but never have seen anyone with direct experience huh! I can't imagine how wicked the heart of men can be... I hope and pray no one else ever fall victim again to this "love crime". COs thumbs up there!

Unfortunately it happens every single day. Not only does it destroy the US petitioner mentally and often financially, it brings fraudsters to the US and ruins it for so many legitimate couples who spend years apart because someone took advantage of the system. This is especially true for MENA and African countries.

OP: As Penguin said, no one can guarantee anything when it comes to immigration. There is no magical number of weeks, months or years that you have to live together in Nigeria to prove a legitimate marriage. The COs do not have a checklist saying "3 months, check." The CO makes a decision based on the evidence in front of him, and based on knowledge of local situations, traditions and norms. Lagos, as you now know, is a tough consulate to get through. Look at your relationship from the outside with a neutral view - What would convince a person who doesn't know either of you, that you are a legitimate couple?

Edited December 2, 2012 by Jay Jay

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

NigeriaorBurst, you know I have heard that something like what you just said happens but never have seen anyone with direct experience huh! I can't imagine how wicked the heart of men can be... I hope and pray no one else ever fall victim again to this "love crime". COs thumbs up there!

I know the woman involved in this relationship and yes it was a thing for her. She invested years and a lot of money in making it work. She kept her faith in the relationship through the process and it really hurt. The USC never thinks their relationship is fraud no matter the number of red flags they have. She was excited by the second interview and so sure that her stay made things unstoppable and the AP home visit results blew her world apart. It is because of cases like this I go into my beware of what you are doing rants, If I wake one person up to this kind of mess then all the people that hate me here are worth it.

[onye uwaoma 131]

I am glad the fraudster was uncovered before he found his way through immigration to USA... Though it hurt so bad, but, there's something to be happy about-which is the fact that the "wicked soul could not eat his cake and have it"... I know there's nothing near devastating to what has happened to the innocent USC but at least, her image was not battered... Such a wicked man she took as husband could have framed something up and file a vawa against innocent soul... This sucks so bad! Well, good will always triuph over evil, so let's all keep up the good work and wait for the reward in due course... My prayer is with all...

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

Unfortunately it happens every single day. Not only does it destroy the US petitioner mentally and often financially, it brings fraudsters to the US and ruins it for so many legitimate couples who spend years apart because someone took advantage of the system. This is especially true for MENA and African countries.

I know the woman involved in this relationship and yes it was a thing for her. She invested years and a lot of money in making it work. She kept her faith in the relationship through the process and it really hurt. The USC never thinks their relationship is fraud no matter the number of red flags they have. She was excited by the second interview and so sure that her stay made things unstoppable and the AP home visit results blew her world apart. It is because of cases like this I go into my beware of what you are doing rants, If I wake one person up to this kind of mess then all the people that hate me here are worth it.

My biological father (a British citizen) used my mother for a greencard in the hard job times of the 80s. She never really saw the red flags for what they were - that he would gain by coming to America and that he pushed moving there rather than staying in the UK and rushed into getting married. I think if anyone pushes you to choose America over their country then you know that perhaps they have more to gain from this relationship than you do.

There are people all over the world, not just African and MENA countries, and right next door that wouldn't hesitate to use another person for a quick buck or to get ahead in life. People really do need to take their blinders off sometimes and be sure that some random guy or girl that contacted them on the internet really loves them and doesn't just see them as easy prey.

Edited December 2, 2012 by Nola123

[pushbrk 12,883]

We had only met one time before the interview and that was when we were engaged. I was unable to go back before that due to my brother having terminal cancer. My brother has been deceased now for over a year. My husband never got to meet him. Anyway, back on topic. We were very naive when it came to Nigeria immigration and didn't find VJ until after we had filed. My husband didn't have a computer until we married. LOL. We are technically challenged. So when the I-129 was sent in all we had was a photo album (for those reading-dont't send an album)our text messages and no phone logs as we both had prepaid phones. We saved all our calling cards but they don't count anymore. The interview took all of 2 minutes. K-1 denied due to beneficiary only marrying to immigrate to us. I was sent email stating I could refile I-129 or go to Nigeria and marry. We married in Sept 2011 at which time I stayed 3 wks. Went back in Feb 2012 where we flew to Calabar to visit family and friends. Traveled again for our 1st anniversary in Sept 2012. There you have the short version. Back to my original question. Will 3 months spent consegutively together in Nija be enough time together to demonstrate that our marriage is indeed legitamate?

I think the key is you are going and staying as long as you can. You cannot stay longer. The cumulative evidence of time together and communication will present a vastly different case than at the K1 interview and that your chances should be significantly approved. However, you've only addressed time spent together. What about the rest of the circumstances like age and religious difference? Although time spent together is often the most important relationship evidence, Consular Officers are expected to consider the totality of circumstances, not just time spent together.

[AlexBa 5]

I think the key is you are going and staying as long as you can. You cannot stay longer. The cumulative evidence of time together and communication will present a vastly different case than at the K1 interview and that your chances should be significantly approved. However, you've only addressed time spent together. What about the rest of the circumstances like age and religious difference? Although time spent together is often the most important relationship evidence, Consular Officers are expected to consider the totality of circumstances, not just time spent together.

[AlexBa 5]

We are both the same age and of the same religion and happily married. I had put in a service request back in October and was emailed should have an answer in 60 days. I just hope we do actually receive an answer by the 22nd of this month. Looking forward to time with the hubby. Even though I am going to melt. LOL Anyway, thanks for the input. Have a good day!