Denied in Indonesia

[Expat1 971]

I did visit her in December. I went to Jakarta. We are in the process of getting the divorce done. Her big concern now is not being able to get the K-1. Does this happen often? I told her if it becomes a problem, then I would go there to marry her and start the process from here. I'm so new to all of this... I naively thought this would be easy but it's way more complicated than I'd thought! Nevertheless, I'm in it for the long haul... we just wish there was a "guarantee" of success.

By the way.... I have also contacted my congressman who is going to investigate the reasons for denial and has promised to send a "letter of support" of sorts when she re-applies. Has anyone had any success going at it from this direction?

D

Being denied as a tourist doesn't affect a K visa. Didn't for us.

[Expat1 971]

I don't know that congress persons have free time to help foreigners to find out denial reasons smh

They're paid to help us out with things like this

Signed: USC

[Expat1 971]

As others have mentioned, K-1 will be the best route.

As far as dealing with the embassy in Jakarta. I have nothing but good things to say about them. They were extremely responsive to emails, usually within 2 hours during business hours, and were very helpful and friendly. My wife came to the U.S. on a K-1 and we also had to do CRBA with the embassy for our son. We dealt with 2 different units at the embassy (CRBA and K-1) and both units were equally responsive and helpful.

Good luck on your journey and wish you the best.

Same here for the IV and CS sections.

The NIV folks are pretty nasty though. You missed a real treat.

[WandY 430]

Seems the best solution is to ask the guy that was successful after 7 attempts. He found the key to the door. Ask him.

[Amhara 460]

Seems the best solution is to ask the guy that was successful after 7 attempts. He found the key to the door. Ask him.

$160 visa fees * 7 attempts = $1,120. Ouch! Seems like quite the investment for him for the privilege to visit for 6 months, then return home.

[TBoneTX 45,329]

Your chances of getting approved on a K1 visa are actually much, much higher than on a tourist visa.

Or at least the chances of being considered. COs approach NIV applications with the presumption of "no," and they're supposed to approach IV applications (K-1, CR-1) with a neutral mindset.

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

$160 visa fees * 7 attempts = $1,120. Ouch! Seems like quite the investment for him for the privilege to visit for 6 months, then return home.

Seriously, with that kind of cash spent, he had enough for a K-1 AOS!

[Darrinos 6]

Amhara, thanks for the suggestions. Some of your questions were things I had not considered. You also said "Thank goodness for neutral third countries!" What do you mean by this?

Expat1, YES, it's frustrating for sure, but we have no choice but to play along. You said I'll have to "date her in her own country". What do you mean by that? I agree, going to Indonesia is definitely not a bad thing...such a beautiful place. Although I have visited her once, and hope to do so again in a few months, we do most of our "dating" via Skype. It's fun to go shopping, ride in the car, etc., without the traffic! Nothing, however, can replace being there, and even though we talk everyday, I miss her like crazy!

This woman is simply remarkable, and whatever I need to do, that's what I'll do to spend my life with her. Sounds like there may be many challenges on the road ahead, but again, if that's what it takes to be with this angel of a woman, point me toward heaven! I'll find the way. I appreciate everyone's comments so far. You've truly been helpful and kind.

Darrinos

[Darrinos 6]

WandY, his suggestion was to contact the congressman, but everyone here basically says that's a waste of time. It seems that the same thing doesn't apply to all countries/Embassy's/situations.

Darrinos

[Amhara 460]

Amhara, thanks for the suggestions. Some of your questions were things I had not considered. You also said "Thank goodness for neutral third countries!" What do you mean by this?

Meaning that if I had to visit my guy in Afghanistan, there was a high possibility that I could get my white girl head cut off. However, the chances of my murder drastically decrease in a neutral third country - I quite prefer that option.

[Darrinos 6]

So tell me... how do/did you all deal with the frustrations? I mean, the woman I dearly love, the woman that I long and ache for is on the other side of the planet. I cannot simply drive by, or even take a weekend trip. We cannot visit each other after a days work, a week or even every month. We cannot kiss or touch. It's like dying of thirst, and knowing where the water is, but not able to get there, or needing food, or air and unable to get to the source. I feel like Bubble-boy... I can see it all, but can't touch it. We love one another so very much, and enjoy our communication, and that's a good thing because without that, the distance would be fatal. I'm sure we're not the only two to ever feel such a way, so tell me... how did you deal with the distance, time and frustration? They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but how much fonder can it get? I truly believe that when it's all said and done, the things that we are dealing with will have been worth it. I'll call it a bargain.

Thanks,

Darrin

[Merrytooth 5,748]

You can just move to Indonesia instead.

Immigration is a 2 way street.

Edited February 25, 2016 by Merrytooth

[Amhara 460]

We knew it was going to be a long ride. We were committed and we were happy with each step that moved us forward. After my guy's interview, we were in AP for 59 days, but our case status switched to the very last step before the visa is issued. However, when other cases around ours was getting approved, we were not. We were stuck in that last stage for 40 days. We stayed focused more on our relationship than the visa. There were many times I wondered if I should go ahead and plan another trip or hold off and see if the visa would be issued.

Just stay focused on the next step because you will both have a lot of leg work. Research, research, research. See what you need to do now, and what you need to do next few steps ahead of you. Just be prepared and get moving, but be very patient. It's all worth it in the end!

[Darrinos 6]

And where do I find the definitions to all of these crazy acronyms and abbreviations? POE, NIV, AOS, NOA.... makes my head hurt!

[dwheels76 5,468]

And where do I find the definitions to all of these crazy acronyms and abbreviations? POE, NIV, AOS, NOA.... makes my head hurt!

Here ya go.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/us-immigration-glossary