Engagement Ceremony - First Cousin Marriage

[Twatzi13 1]

Hi,

Is an engagement ceremony really necessary in obtaining a fiancee visa? I understand that having an engagement ceremony is quite significant in the Vietnamese culture, but I also understand that marriage between cousins are highly frowned upon. I'm so stressed out as to what I have to do in my situation. If we don't have an engagement ceremony, chances are that they will automatically deny our petition. any advice guys?

[Penguin_ie 5,995]

Why don;t you want to have the party? Are you afraid too few people will show up for it to look real?

[Dan_P 5]

First cousin marriage is suspicious to the co. You should be extra careful and get a lot of evidence when filing. I think, if you file without an engagement party, especially to a first cousin, then that could be a red flag. Even first cousin marriage is a red flag in itself.

In the US, first cousin marriage is not very common and in fact illegal in many states.

To answer your question, the consulate will not automatically deny your case, so long as you meet all the requirements, then they will allow you to have an interview at the consulate. The co cannot automatically deny you either, but if they think foul play is involved, they will try their very best to investigate further and potentially making it extremely difficult.

Edited January 30, 2013 by Dan_P

[RandT 0]

Hi,

Is an engagement ceremony really necessary in obtaining a fiancee visa? I understand that having an engagement ceremony is quite significant in the Vietnamese culture, but I also understand that marriage between cousins are highly frowned upon. I'm so stressed out as to what I have to do in my situation. If we don't have an engagement ceremony, chances are that they will automatically deny our petition. any advice guys?

We had family dinner with about 15 family members. Took few pictures and we labeled them "engagement ceremony" for evidence. We didn't get any problem with that at the interview.

I think that's the least you can do if you can't have the traditional engagement ceremony.

[Twatzi13 1]

We had family dinner with about 15 family members. Took few pictures and we labeled them "engagement ceremony" for evidence. We didn't get any problem with that at the interview.

I think that's the least you can do if you can't have the traditional engagement ceremony.

You're right. I should have at least some sort of ceremony to celebrate the engagement. I just hope enough people will show up.

[quann 26]

We had family dinner with about 15 family members. Took few pictures and we labeled them "engagement ceremony" for evidence. We didn't get any problem with that at the interview.

I think that's the least you can do if you can't have the traditional engagement ceremony.

did you marry your first cousin?

You're right. I should have at least some sort of ceremony to celebrate the engagement. I just hope enough people will show up.

you should "front-load" alot of history and background to address this BLINKING RED FLAG. be sure all your i's are dotted and t's crossed on everything so they can't just find an excuse to deny your case right away.

[RandT 0]

did you marry your first cousin?

haha...No. I don't know anyone who married their first cousin. I believe it's not allowed in Vietnamese tradition.

I heard of Chinese marrying their first cousin but not Vietnamese. Maybe the poster is "nguoi Hoa".

Edited February 4, 2013 by RandT

[KennyJ 10]

Hi,

Is an engagement ceremony really necessary in obtaining a fiancee visa? I understand that having an engagement ceremony is quite significant in the Vietnamese culture, but I also understand that marriage between cousins are highly frowned upon. I'm so stressed out as to what I have to do in my situation. If we don't have an engagement ceremony, chances are that they will automatically deny our petition. any advice guys?

First cousin marriage is a no-no in Vietnam and it wont be recognized as a valid marriage in Vietnam. It is considered as incest in Vietnamese tradition.

[bobtrann 0]

Actually, the muslim minority (the Chams) in Vietnam do marry their first cousin.