Fiance has K1 interview in Beirut, Lebanon- Denied

[Unidentified 2,930]

Do they check social media? My husband has no pics of him and I have none of us. Just preference for us, I have some stalkers...lol Sorry to hear this.

Yes they do. Couples have been denied because they have posted pictures on Facebook of ceremonies looking too much like weddings. You should always be careful with what you post on social media. If you have people that are too curious (I'm not going to use the word stalkers because it's not the correct use of it) then change your privacy settings on Facebook.

[Unidentified 2,930]

So from what I understand. Not sure I do, but here it goes.

She and I don't have a facebook account. Never had.

I do have a flickr account--not sure if that counts as social media. I also have VJ account, with pictures, not sure if that counts as social media.

Question: So as an American, should I set up a FB account and post pictures since it is the American thing to do? Our K-1 petition is still at the NOA1 point. Would it be a good idea to do it now?

She's in Ethiopia, not sure if that is one of the countries of interest.

Any advice?

If neither of you have one I wouldn't bother getting one. They are just checking if you do have one and if you have any pictures of each other, signs that you're messaging each other etc. They will also check other social media sites. If you have enough of other evidence you're fine. They seem to check social media if the evidence you've sent in is thin or something about you and your evidence doesn't match up.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

So from what I understand. Not sure I do, but here it goes.

She and I don't have a facebook account. Never had.

I do have a flickr account--not sure if that counts as social media. I also have VJ account, with pictures, not sure if that counts as social media.

Question: So as an American, should I set up a FB account and post pictures since it is the American thing to do? Our K-1 petition is still at the NOA1 point. Would it be a good idea to do it now?

She's in Ethiopia, not sure if that is one of the countries of interest.

Any advice?

Forget Flickr and definitely VJ.

It is your choice to either convince them that you both don't have FB accounts nor are interested in one OR create one each and use it

to generate more evidence. Personal choice.

If someone already has one and is hiding a relationship then that can potentially raise a red flag for some CO's.

If you never had one then it's a different scenario but again every little bit of relationship evidence helps if you create one, print

photos, posts and main events (engagement) to submit from your pages and FB chats if you would use them.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Ethiopia is not really an easy country to get K1's approved.

[Jaime & Aisha 46]

We never message--she is illiterate; not sure if it would be strange for her to have a FB account under this situation.

We speak on the phone every day (most times 2 times), I submitted 6 months of logs. I go there every 4 months, for the past year. Submitted a letter from my (used to be) catholic priest attesting to have counseled us in marriage--being of different religious backgrounds. 3 good photos from each of the 4 trips. Boarding passes, and visa stamps. Engagement ring receipt, and photograph.

I'm not sure what else to provide. I have no problem with setting up a FB account, if it would help. I just don't like people I don't know having a look into my life. But no problem if that is what it will take.

Any advise?

Ethiopia is not really an easy country to get K1's approved.

Any guidance on that?

[Boiler 45,948]

This is not a Facebook issue, that was the straw that broke the camel's back.

[Unidentified 2,930]

We never message--she is illiterate; not sure if it would be strange for her to have a FB account under this situation.

We speak on the phone every day (most times 2 times), I submitted 6 months of logs. I go there every 4 months, for the past year. Submitted a letter from my (used to be) catholic priest attesting to have counseled us in marriage--being of different religious backgrounds. 3 good photos from each of the 4 trips. Boarding passes, and visa stamps. Engagement ring receipt, and photograph.

I'm not sure what else to provide. I have no problem with setting up a FB account, if it would help. I just don't like people I don't know having a look into my life. But no problem if that is what it will take.

Any advise?

Any guidance on that?

Do you have pictures of her with your family and you with her family?

[FarrahIdir 46]

Yes they do. Couples have been denied because they have posted pictures on Facebook of ceremonies looking too much like weddings. You should always be careful with what you post on social media. If you have people that are too curious (I'm not going to use the word stalkers because it's not the correct use of it) then change your privacy settings on Facebook.

Thanks, it's why I asked. I'm not at that stage yet and it's a different visa but I was curious never the less. Mine are set private but a lot were added for work so we don't know them in real. That's why we limit some things we post.

[Jaime & Aisha 46]

Do you have pictures of her with your family and you with her family?

My family (parents) lives in Texas. They are in their 70's. I think that answers that one.

She lives in a very rural part of the country. I have met, she is chaperoned, her male cousin (recent Ethiopia law school graduate), and sisters--during each trip. The cousin is representing her father who has to remain on the farm. Which is now currently on the wrong side of the unrest occurring in Ethiopia.

I'm now getting the sickening feeling from this trend that I better go ahead and plan on a K-3. It was my idea for the K-1, sounds like I am the dumb one.

I'll add the FB account to doc the wedding etc. I hope K-3 isn't banned in Ethiopia as well.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

We never message--she is illiterate; not sure if it would be strange for her to have a FB account under this situation.

We speak on the phone every day (most times 2 times), I submitted 6 months of logs. I go there every 4 months, for the past year. Submitted a letter from my (used to be) catholic priest attesting to have counseled us in marriage--being of different religious backgrounds. 3 good photos from each of the 4 trips. Boarding passes, and visa stamps. Engagement ring receipt, and photograph.

I'm not sure what else to provide. I have no problem with setting up a FB account, if it would help. I just don't like people I don't know having a look into my life. But no problem if that is what it will take.

Any advise?

Any guidance on that?

I don't either, then set your privacy setting to only those who you know.

Phone logs must show names, call length and date called.

If she can't read and write then you obviously can't submit chats.

Good that you go to see her so frequently and that's the biggest plus.....real time spend together.

The photos aren't enough for your embassy and you should have front loaded more with your petition so they will already have seen them

in your file before she interviews. Up the photos to a lot more also showing her family with you both. Be there for the interview !

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

My family (parents) lives in Texas. They are in their 70's. I think that answers that one.

She lives in a very rural part of the country. I have met, she is chaperoned, her male cousin (recent Ethiopia law school graduate), and sisters--during each trip. The cousin is representing her father who has to remain on the farm. Which is now currently on the wrong side of the unrest occurring in Ethiopia.

I'm now getting the sickening feeling from this trend that I better go ahead and plan on a K-3. It was my idea for the K-1, sounds like I am the dumb one.

I'll add the FB account to doc the wedding etc. I hope K-3 isn't banned in Ethiopia as well.

The K3 is no longer viable and will be closed administratively at NVC where you would then follow the path of the I-130, you would have to do a CR1 after marrying. Your K1 is already in process so why not see this through first. Your frequent visits are great evidence. Don't get rattled just yet. Keep the course.

[Jaime & Aisha 46]

I don't either, then set your privacy setting to only those who you know.

Phone logs must show names, call length and date called.

If she can't read and write then you obviously can't submit chats.

Good that you go to see her so frequently and that's the biggest plus.....real time spend together.

The photos aren't enough for your embassy and you should have front loaded more with your petition so they will already have seen them

in your file before she interviews. Up the photos to a lot more also showing her family with you both. Be there for the interview !

Unfortunately the logs are from a calling card. So they only show phone numbers called. I only use this card for her, cousin, sister, and uncle. I identified each in the front of the log so that they could see who I had called, when, and for how long. That went in the 'front-load', along with all the other evidence I could find, which include the letter from the priest. I just didn't send in a lot of pictures, just the 10 total (3 from each trip, and 1 extra). I also included the financial commitment form with letter from my employer---my financial situation is very very strong, and I was hoping that might tip the scales.

I mentioned in that submission my next trip, which was this past November.

"Be there for the interview"---of course that goes without saying. I have no problem going back and forth as many times as they like (29 hours each way), but will do whatever they want. It is very difficult for her to meet me, she has to travel all day in buses (several) to get to Addis--but never complains.

[Jaime & Aisha 46]

The K3 is no longer viable and will be closed administratively at NVC where you would then follow the path of the I-130, you would have to do a CR1 after marrying. Your K1 is already in process so why not see this through first. Your frequent visits are great evidence. Don't get rattled just yet. Keep the course.

Thank you.....NOA1 was received 2 Nov. Based on my review of the petitions submitted on that date: 63 are awaiting review, 52 have been approved, and 33 have received RFE. All the approvals occurred prior to 15 Dec. Most of the RFEs have occurred after 17 Dec, today there were 7 REF no approvals.

Yes, I am getting rattled. Again, thank you. I will keep the course.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Unfortunately the logs are from a calling card. So they only show phone numbers called. I only use this card for her, cousin, sister, and uncle. I identified each in the front of the log so that they could see who I had called, when, and for how long. That went in the 'front-load', along with all the other evidence I could find, which include the letter from the priest. I just didn't send in a lot of pictures, just the 10 total (3 from each trip, and 1 extra). I also included the financial commitment form with letter from my employer---my financial situation is very very strong, and I was hoping that might tip the scales.

I mentioned in that submission my next trip, which was this past November.

"Be there for the interview"---of course that goes without saying. I have no problem going back and forth as many times as they like (29 hours each way), but will do whatever they want. It is very difficult for her to meet me, she has to travel all day in buses (several) to get to Addis--but never complains.

Wherever you both stay together make sure you have hotel receipts if you do stay in a hotel, you did say she is chaperoned, to what extend when it comes to

both of you being in the same place ? Other than being in the country showing entry stamps what proof do you have of spending your visits together

in the same place at the same time ? Photos of you both in front of landmarks etc....up the pics to about 100-200 for Ethopia for the interview.

[Jaime & Aisha 46]

Wherever you both stay together make sure you have hotel receipts if you do stay in a hotel, you did say she is chaperoned, to what extend when it comes to

both of you being in the same place ? Other than being in the country showing entry stamps what proof do you have of spending your visits together

in the same place at the same time ? Photos of you both in front of landmarks etc....up the pics to about 100-200 for Ethopia for the interview.

I'm done for. 100-200. I've got maybe 10 more with us together. I have taken a lot (maybe 100 total) of her; she's the photogenic one.

We stay at a 'guest house' same used by locals--she picked it for cost, and I prefer it as not being "American" (safety to avoid those places frequented by Westerns). No credit cards at these places, all cash. I could get them to attest to our staying there, we are now friends--they save my room. She stays in the other room with family.

So this next trip prior to the interview, I should request her father come so we take photos together. I take a bunch of pictures with her, cousin, and sisters. I get a letter or receipt with back dates from guest house.

Anything else i could do this late in the game? Would a letter from her father, uncles, or cousins?

Anything----