Will age difference matter?

[Kelechi 0]

I am older than my finace` and at first it was a problem for me. But once I saw that he was a very mature man and it did not bother him at all then I began to settle into our relationship. What I am trying to say here is that depending on the person that gets your file is how they will react to the age difference. We are human and we carry around with us some things we were raised up with whether it be age, gender, creed, or whatever kind of negative mind set. But in the end it is all about the law and what a visa can be approved for and not approved for. It is best that we take our journey one day at a time and when we come up against a snag deal with it as it gets to us. Oh and by the way I am 45 and my SO is 33. So this is an 11 year gap.

[Together4ever 1]

We have an age difference higher then any mentioned here, he is younger and I am older, and are together and happily married. He was grilled about it in his interview, so be prepared that this may put a wee bit of a burden on both of you regarding "validity of the relationship" but its not the end of the world. Just stay focused on your relationship and it will shine through.

[garya505 2]

If your age gap was in the range of 15+ years, you might be put under closer scrutiny (Possible sign of fraud). But an age gap is no reason to deny an application. You have nothing to worry about.

My fiance and I have a age difference of 25 years and were put under no scrutiny whatsoever.

Maybe you should comment on something you actually KNOW something about.

Actually there are stories that a large age gap does result in closer scrutiny, and the consulate level, because they are looking for sings of fraud. That you had no problems w/ this issue, is your personal situation and no reason to belittle another person's comment by suggesting they don't know what they're talking about.

You don't know what you're talking about.

[bostonparis 0]

If your age gap was in the range of 15+ years, you might be put under closer scrutiny (Possible sign of fraud). But an age gap is no reason to deny an application. You have nothing to worry about.

My fiance and I have a age difference of 25 years and were put under no scrutiny whatsoever.

Maybe you should comment on something you actually KNOW something about.

Actually there are stories that a large age gap does result in closer scrutiny, and the consulate level, because they are looking for sings of fraud. That you had no problems w/ this issue, is your personal situation and no reason to belittle another person's comment by suggesting they don't know what they're talking about.

You don't know what you're talking about.

You sure haven't proven that you do... EVER!! Okay, that's not true - I've seen you add value here some...

[Minya's wife 25]

If your age gap was in the range of 15+ years, you might be put under closer scrutiny (Possible sign of fraud). But an age gap is no reason to deny an application. You have nothing to worry about.

My fiance and I have a age difference of 25 years and were put under no scrutiny whatsoever.

Maybe you should comment on something you actually KNOW something about.

Actually there are stories that a large age gap does result in closer scrutiny, and the consulate level, because they are looking for sings of fraud. That you had no problems w/ this issue, is your personal situation and no reason to belittle another person's comment by suggesting they don't know what they're talking about.

You don't know what you're talking about.

And you do because you were not scrutinized for your 25 year age difference? If this visa process as described by all here on VJ hasn't demonstrated how "different" each case can be, then I'm not sure what does. The OP posted a question, seeking answers from readers. Some will have had "scrutiny" because of the age difference, some NOT. This is not a right or wrong type of answer and about other's answers will not make yours more CORRECT.

-P

[Turboguy 6]

I think one of the biggest flaws in the visa systmem is that it rely on human judgement which is never a perfect or consistant thing.

I think just because one was not scrutinized about something does not mean we will all find the same result. On interviews, I heard of one where the only question asked was how are you today and others that we grilled till sweat poored down their brow. I have heard of cases that the evidence of a relationship was not even requested and others that were denied for insuffiencent evidence even though 30-40 photos were supplied along with hundreds of e-mails.

I will say again it is great that some have not been looked at but that does not mean that others won't be. I think the more input we get the more we will understand.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

I think alot depends again if your the man or the woman older and the embassy your going thru, naturally there have been all different cases. Its just to bad that (this human) is left to be the one deciding if you have a valid relationship or not. How many times have the real relationships been turned away and the fraud ones going thru???

[KansasDragon 1]

I've talked in person to about a dozen people with age differences of 20+ years, and none of them had any problems with the process.

Annie and I are at the 20 years apart range, of course I'm a kid at heart, and she's mature, so I think we're really the same age.

I don't think a 6 year difference in ages would even raise anyone's eyebrow. That is a very common difference even in USA couples, especially once you exceed the age of 35.

[joey-roseanne 0]

i should be filling the I-129f next week after i get the g-325a signature and letter of intent from my gf in Mexico. Everything is ready to go on my behalf but now that I think about it, will they be suspicious when they know that she's 31 and I'm 25?

She doesnt look that age. Actually I look older but in reality shes 6 yrs older than me. Will this be a factor down the road?

they are all right, age gap is not a problem..my husband is 3 times older than i am..but we get along great..we've been together for almost 2 years now..we had a lot of proofs of relationship when we apply for k-1..but they ask me for a parent consent during the interview..& it was approved! don't worry..goodluck!

[notrepetiteashley 0]

6 years is not that much. My mom is 11 years older than my stepfather. I doubt it will even be examined.

[KarenCee 3]

If your age gap was in the range of 15+ years, you might be put under closer scrutiny (Possible sign of fraud). But an age gap is no reason to deny an application. You have nothing to worry about.

My fiance and I have a age difference of 25 years and were put under no scrutiny whatsoever.

Maybe you should comment on something you actually KNOW something about.

Actually there are stories that a large age gap does result in closer scrutiny, and the consulate level, because they are looking for sings of fraud. That you had no problems w/ this issue, is your personal situation and no reason to belittle another person's comment by suggesting they don't know what they're talking about.

You don't know what you're talking about.

C'mon Gary, you should know by now that each petition is judged individually. What isn't considered a big deal for one might be a big deal for another. Don't stir the pot.

[Caladan 19]

So, put yourself in the mind of an adjudicating officer. They are wondering: is this couple legit? Or is someone just trying to get a green card?

An age gap isn't a problem all by itself. But it can be a flag, depending on the culture. So things you might want to ask yourself, as you sit there with your USCIS hat on:

Is your age gap really unusual for the fiancé's culture? For example, do men there usually marry much younger than themselves? Are couples normally the same age? Is there stigma for a young man marrying an older divorcée instead of a 17-year-old virgin? Does the country have a high risk of fraud (due to economics or impossibiitly of securing work or tourist visas)?

This is going to vary by consulate and country, so it's best to talk to people who have gone through your consulate in the regional forums. What might raise an eyebrow between a Moroccan-American couple might not merit a notice in a Canadian-American couple. What might be weird in a Canadian-American couple might be par for the course in the Phillipines.

But in any case, just be prepared with solid proof of relationship. (And a six-year difference is in all likelihood nothing to worry about.)

[Yulek 0]

So, put yourself in the mind of an adjudicating officer. They are wondering: is this couple legit? Or is someone just trying to get a green card?

An age gap isn't a problem all by itself. But it can be a flag, depending on the culture. So things you might want to ask yourself, as you sit there with your USCIS hat on:

Is your age gap really unusual for the fiancé's culture? For example, do men there usually marry much younger than themselves? Are couples normally the same age? Is there stigma for a young man marrying an older divorcée instead of a 17-year-old virgin? Does the country have a high risk of fraud (due to economics or impossibiitly of securing work or tourist visas)?

This is going to vary by consulate and country, so it's best to talk to people who have gone through your consulate in the regional forums. What might raise an eyebrow between a Moroccan-American couple might not merit a notice in a Canadian-American couple. What might be weird in a Canadian-American couple might be par for the course in the Phillipines.

But in any case, just be prepared with solid proof of relationship. (And a six-year difference is in all likelihood nothing to worry about.)

I agree completely with the post above. I spent two years as a consular officer working in a country where it was *extremely* rare to see relationships where the woman was significantly (more than 5 years) older than the man. Of course, it didn't mean that they were necessarily fraudulent -- many of them were fine -- but it was definitely a red flag. However, it really varies from country to country, consulate to consulate. If it's not really outside the norm for a woman to be older than her fiancee (as is the case i'n many western countries), the consular officer probably won't put much weight on the issue. Believe it or not, most consular officers are pretty familiar with the social norms of the countries to which they are posted. You can't do your job effectively if you aren't.

In the end, if you can show that your relationship is genuine, that's going to trump any age difference fo the consular officer. No CO I've ever met would return a case to USCIS just because of an age difference alone. There's always gotta be something else weird about it. I'm sure you'll be fine.

My two cents.

[Niels Bohr 72]

I know an old chinese, 94 years old, who married a female, 35 years old. His father in law is 80 years old.

Edited March 24, 2007 by consolemaster

[KathyB 0]

I did see this on the DOS website (from September 6, 2006), which supports what caladan and yulek have both said (and stated very well, I might add).

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services Tony Edson discusses travel to the United States, and how America continues to extend a welcome to international visitors in a USINFO webchat.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Bureau of International Information Programs

USINFO Webchat Transcript

Q [MyfairladyUSA]: Does the U.S. government discriminate in regards to age difference with fiancé visas?

A: Not at all. As with other visa categories, we are mostly interested in the applicant's explanation of why they wish to travel to the United States. We would expect an applicant for a fiancé visa, for example, to be able to explain how the relationship started and why he or she wishes to marry and live in the U.S. If there is a significant age difference, the consular officer may ask further questions about that age gap as a way of verifying that the relationship is a genuine one, but we do not discriminate against applicants on this basis.