Apply for B2, Marrying in the US, Then applying for CR-1 after arrival of marriage certicate while still in the US

[lost_at_sea 995]

hmmmm, I agree. We were thinking that if the B2 Plan didn't work, we could still go with our original for the K1 instead. I read on the state department website their is a 21% chance of him as a residentof morocco getting denied, so we're kinda hoping for that route to work first. The real question is do we be completely honest about our marriage plans or do we we just stick with the visiting route? I was kinda hoping that sheer honesty and demonstrating a complete understanding of what our options are would show us some mercy LOL. But we are definitely prepared for the K1 route worst case scenario.

Well, you've got no choice about the honesty part. Lying is likely to end you in more trouble than not (not that I think you're suggesting that, but just in case).

From what I hear of B1/2 visa interviews, the applicant often doesn't get a ton of time to talk about, or explain, the reasons for visiting the USA nor much opportunity to show their strong ties to back home. I think showing very strong ties back home is vital (rental/mortgage info for home, letter from employer allowing the time off work etc.), so definitely go loaded with that in-hand ready to put in front of the interviewer.

The application form for the B2 will ask if there are any relatives in the USA (including fiancé(e)s, it explicitly states that) so it's not something you can hide - it's bound to come up at the interview, and he may not even be given the option to explain - and there's not really much you can provide in terms of evidence that will proof that she'll be back after the wedding (which is why the VERY strong ties home will be so vital).

Simply saying, or writing a letter to attest, that you understand your options and really, truly, pinky-swear to follow the rules won't carry any weight compared to really good, documentary, binding evidence to his need to be back in Morocco after the visit, and even then, well... Yeah. It's a really hard sell!

I really don't think the odds are great, so I'm glad you're still considering the K1!

Edited December 27, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[AmyWrites 593]

If you have no intent to immigrate, why do you need a B2 for six months AND an extension? Plenty, in fact most, couples make sure their documents are in order even if they're not physically together. Sounds fishy.

He'll probably get denied anyway, being from a high fraud country and all. Better is K-1. They're not stupid, if you lie about your intentions they WILL find out. There is little to no "mercy" with immigration processes.

Actually, forget the K-1, I'd go for CR1 right now.

[HollyGolightly 72]

hmmmm, I agree. We were thinking that if the B2 Plan didn't work, we could still go with our original for the K1 instead. I read on the state department website their is a 21% chance of him as a residentof morocco getting denied, so we're kinda hoping for that route to work first. The real question is do we be completely honest about our marriage plans or do we we just stick with the visiting route? I was kinda hoping that sheer honesty and demonstrating a complete understanding of what our options are would show us some mercy LOL. But we are definitely prepared for the K1 route worst case scenario.

I'd say you be honest and tell them truthfully what your intentions are for applying for the B2, but if you do that chances are you'll be denied the visa. I had a friend wear her huge diamond engagement ring to a B2 interview, got asked about it and was denied outright without ever been given a chance to explain and she had really strong ties (business, bank accounts, properties and family) to her country. Give the B2 a shot and good luck!

[alicia98981 128]

If you have no intent to immigrate, why do you need a B2 for six months AND an extension? Plenty, in fact most, couples make sure their documents are in order even if they're not physically together. Sounds fishy.

He'll probably get denied anyway, being from a high fraud country and all. Better is K-1. They're not stupid, if you lie about your intentions they WILL find out. There is little to no "mercy" with immigration processe.

Actually, forget the K-1, I'd go for CR1 right now.

I'm guessing in your self righteous attempt to be negative you miss the part about extending to wait for all paperwork to be finished in the US? The premarital counseling is 8 weeks long. It takes weeks to get a marriage certificate which we need before we can start the I130. Why should he spend those weeks waiting the majority of the months it will take to finish the cr1 in morocco when he can finish out his b2 here and go back and wait the last portion of it? Why not file the documents here together eliminating time and costs to gather them? This is only an alternative I was asking for advice on, not a bash session. I asked for for advice, not ugly attitudes . .

[NikLR 13,227]

Not all premarital counselling is 8 weeks long. I know people who only did maybe 4 sessions in the period of 2 weeks. For your church it may be that way however, which would eat up a great deal of his stay obviously (and also most of your 90 days for a K1...) Also there are many states where you can get the marriage certificate same day, double check on your state/county. You may just need to shift the wedding to another county to make it quicker.

Anyhow the point is, with Morocco as the country of origin, the chances of a B2 is VERY slim. You can try but don't get your hopes up. Also never lie to the consular officer, this leads to misrepresentation and a lifetime ban which obviously isn't the route you're wanting to go.

Best of luck to you.

[belinda63 3,038]

Even being married you are going to need a lot of proof of relationship. There have been many married couples who were denied at this embassy. Gather anything and everything you can. Photos, family affidavits, multiple visits, make sure his neighbors and friends know about you, do everything you can to make sure you can prove a real relationship.

[enlijoe 20]

Just so you know getting a B-2 visa being up front and honest is best. My fiance was bale to get one quite easily. She is from China and all we did was show strong ties to home and a letter from each of use understanding that we can not marry while on the B-2 and that we are going to go through the proper path of getting the K-1. Each step of the way we let them know yes we want to get married but will not on the B-2. She was issued the B-2 good for one year multiple entry. When she got to the POE she was even given a 6 month stay even though the tickets showed she was only going to be here for one month.

The big thing here is to be honest and not try to outsmart the system. You can not have your fiance stay in the US while you wait for processing to complete. You can visit for as long as they will let you but there is much to do in the home country for a K-1 and it can not be done while in the US.

Remember the immigration officers are trained to sort out people that are not telling the truth and if you are withholding something that will look like a lie. They may not know what the lie is but that will not matter and you will get denied.

When dealing with the US immigration always give them more then they ask for. If you read the laws it is your responsibility to prove you will return home for a B-2 not there responsibility to find out if you are going to. They are to assume all applicants will not return home.

[alicia98981 128]

Not all premarital counselling is 8 weeks long. I know people who only did maybe 4 sessions in the period of 2 weeks. For your church it may be that way however, which would eat up a great deal of his stay obviously (and also most of your 90 days for a K1...) Also there are many states where you can get the marriage certificate same day, double check on your state/county. You may just need to shift the wedding to another county to make it quicker.

Anyhow the point is, with Morocco as the country of origin, the chances of a B2 is VERY slim. You can try but don't get your hopes up. Also never lie to the consular officer, this leads to misrepresentation and a lifetime ban which obviously isn't the route you're wanting to go.

Best of luck to you.

you're right, probably best to stick with the K1 instead of trying to find loopholes . . .

[La Isla Bonita 22]

It's legal to marry on a tourist visa (and have the intent to do so) but it's not to have intent to marry AND THEN STAY. That would be visa fraud.

I posted one issue almost similar to this about a friend of mine who was in a rush to go to the states because her B2 visa was about to expire or already expired this month to marry his bf and decided to stay. She left September and after two weeks got married and now saying she applied adjustment of status and get approved. If true, then Im happy for her getting ahead of everybody who are waiting patiently, wishing and praying when to be reunited with their loved ones and I am one of you who is struggling with this visa journey of ours.

[Peter_Pan 661]

I think I've said it before, I think people on tourist visas should not be allowed to adjust. Certainly, not well before former K1s. An adjustment from B1 takes 3 months, if that, whereas I am approaching 11 months (and people have gone past one year already), just because I did the right thing.

Now, on topic - B1 for Morocco - very unlikely, unless he has huge ties. A fiance in the US is a big red flag. Generally, K1 visas are easier to obtain than tourist visas, and even those are challenging for Morocco. Do you have red flags, like big age difference? He should probably join the Army, might not make it in time for the Air Force (he already needs to have a green card in hand to enlist).

[Ismael&Blair 66]

I agree with the others who said the odd of getting a B1 is almost slim to none of a chance. It's rare that people from Morocco who applies for a visitor visa will get approved even if they get the support from the host family. People who have gotten tourist visas to come to America must have an extraordinary connection to America.

I would guess families of "royalty" or government connection or someone who is so established like owning their own business like Venezia Ice. But sending a son over for a visit would not be a viable reason when it's an applicant coming from Morocco. Sad to say. It's just that scrutinized and biased.

Why can't you get married in Morocco and then go the CR1 route? That would be the most logical way if you really want to be married as husband and wife before being deployed.

[alicia98981 128]

I agree with the others who said the odd of getting a B1 is almost slim to none of a chance. It's rare that people from Morocco who applies for a visitor visa will get approved even if they get the support from the host family. People who have gotten tourist visas to come to America must have an extraordinary connection to America.

I would guess families of "royalty" or government connection or someone who is so established like owning their own business like Venezia Ice. But sending a son over for a visit would not be a viable reason when it's an applicant coming from Morocco. Sad to say. It's just that scrutinized and biased.

Why can't you get married in Morocco and then go the CR1 route? That would be the most logical way if you really want to be married as husband and wife before being deployed.

we want to marry in the US so that my family can be there, my dad can perform the ceremony since he is a minister, and because my dad is traditional and wants to meet him before we marry - essentially my dad wants him to ask permission. Not to mention with this possible deployment coming up, I rather he have already have met my family, us to be already married, and him waiting in a place he's familar with such as morocco while waiting for the cr1 to pass. During that time if I am deployed, at least he can spend that time waiting in moroccoand we can start our marriage after I return. Neither of us like the idea of him spending his first few months alone in foreign country without me while I'm deployed.

I think sometimes in these immigration situations people tend to forget that these are life changing family events and some people are so focused on actually being married and being together that they forget that. I'm not going to marry someone who has not met my family that's just silly. I really hope we can at least be given a chance instead of really being at the mercy and whims of someone's preconceived opinion . . .

[Ismael&Blair 66]

I think sometimes in these immigration situations people tend to forget that these are life changing family events and some people are so focused on actually being married and being together that they forget that. I'm not going to marry someone who has not met my family that's just silly. I really hope we can at least be given a chance instead of really being at the mercy and whims of someone's preconceived opinion . . .

Yes, you are right about marriage being a life changing family event and hopefully someone will give you a chance and not have a preconceived notion. But to the USCIS & NVC, when you marry someone outside of the United States of America and especially from a country that has a "high fraud" reputation, normal people like us will be at their mercy and your fiance's chances of being approved as a visitor and when there is an intent to marry & start immigration process is just about being zero.

Yes, in an ideal situation, I would have also liked to have done it the traditional and had my husband meet my family first in person too. (Thank goodness for Skype & Facetime) But the harsh reality, after doing research and knowing the track record of how the US government and immigration process for approvals on the different types of VISAs. That is why we felt the CR-1 would be our choice. We knew we wanted to be together and for us it was more between us than involving everyone else in the family. We wanted to be husband and wife most importantly because of his Muslim faith. Secondly, we want to be together and live together in the same household. So we felt the quickest and the more of sure way of being approved.

Before we started the VISA process, I thought for sure I being a US Citizen by birth, a law abiding & tax paying property owner, with definitely more than a qualifying income and a stable career, they HAD to approve me and fast too. I thought this whole immigration process was like applying for a passport. Boy was I wrong.

Well, we still had to do our time being separated and go through the almost year long (10 months) process (all three parts-USISC, NVC, & Consulate) but I am happy to say he is here with me now spent our first Christmas together with my parents too. And would I have wanted it this way?! No, but life is full of surprises. I would have loved to have had it the similar way you want it. I did get a lot of heat for not doing it the proper traditional way from my parents. But life goes on and it worked out at the end. My wedding in Morocco was perfect, beautiful and wonderful too. Good luck and I do hope the best outcome for you guys!

[Justine+David 218]

I'm very sorry, but getting a tourist visa from Morocco is probably 99% denial chance. People are also denied routinely even for K1 visas and CR1s through Casablanca; you should go read the "MENA" forum; "Middle East and North Africa" to see what you're up against. This is because Morocco is considered a high-risk country for fraud. Unfortunately, we have seen this through many of our own cases, which you can read about in the "Effects of immigration benefits and changes to family" or something like that forum.

You can try if you like for the tourist visa, but I strongly feel that it is a waste of money. I understand if you want to try all avenues though, and it won't affect his future immigration visa, so you really have nothing to lose except the fee.

When you do try for a marriage visa, make sure to read that forum I mentioned very carefully and follow the advice, especially in regards to relationship proof and what to do on the interview day.

I wish you the best of luck. Keep us posted on how it goes.

Edited December 28, 2013 by Justine+David

[shayma 22]

you shoukd do the k1 visa belive me the b2 will be a wast of money ..... i know that since ur in the military your processing time is alot faster than the rest of us.. good luck dear:)