re-apply K1fiance visa in Ghana or do CR1? what is best?

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

We were approved for our second K1 filing and most are successful but I don't recommend it for Ghana.

As I said the CO there will question why you did not marry this time around and especially after being a few years in a relationship.

This is from experiences by Ghana members who have posted here. CO's also say marry and re file instead of just re file a K1

in Ghana.

Even if you fix the reasons of refusals they often still return because they are crazy.

So take your chances, either a second K1 with a 50/50 chance and a possible refusal again at which time you start over a

3. time with another fee or you get approved and marry here.

OR you file a CR1 and if returned you wait 12-18 months for a re affirmation without another fee.

Why not marry in Ghana and have another ( church ceremony) here with a big reception for friends and family ?

Unfortunately wedding dreams as to the how and where often end up secondary to the main thing, getting him here.

It is in essence your and your fiance's personal choice and decision and chance to take.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

As to needing a lawyer, no you do not need one IF you research and follow the guidelines here.

A lawyer can even slow you down and mess up your case not understanding Ghana.

Read the guides, read the forums, especially in regards to front loading and the NVC phase, look for the recent NVC thread

after your petition is approved to navigate the bit more complicated 'what do I send when' issue.

[Ghana1987 0]

I think you should choose what is more important the big wedding in the USA or your partner coming to the states.

You asked what options were best and everyone told you their opinion. From what is read Ghana denies alot. Maybe a second K1 wont be denied BUT its a big risk. A CR1 is not a guaranteed approval either.

Its a tough embassy.

But reading your post i cant help but read how you wedding plans seems to be more of importance.

You can always marry in Ghana and then have your wedding stateside.

I would evaluate whats more important to you.

Oh my, I never said anything about having a big wedding nor Did I ever say it was of more importance then having my love one reunited with me.

I mentioned how It would be a blessing to have the wedding here but if its not possible then of course I will marry in Ghana. Being together is what is most important. If a wedding is all that I wanted then believe me I would not have posted the question on If I should re apply for the K1 or just do the CR1. Also thank you for re mentioning what others have posted about the K1 and the CR1 not being a guarantee. I kind of sort of got that when I posted the question and others before you commented on it. Just wanted to know what others would think is best since the Ghana embassy is tough and Well being away from my fiance is also heartbreaking and yes more then a wedding in the states.

[Ghana1987 0]

I like your advice and I believe the same, 2nd K1 means a condition to marry and a condition to stay married, not many cheaters go this way, also it shows the genuine love to the same person, not another one, the same and not being afraid to be attached for more than 2 years conditions. I am doing the 2nd K1 by the way and I hope it shows as it is the real love and wish to be together, though our 1st K1 NOA2 was approved and we didn't make it to the interview

Tasha

are you also dong the second K1 with Ghana embassy?

and thank you for your comments.

[Ghana1987 0]

We were approved for our second K1 filing and most are successful but I don't recommend it for Ghana.

As I said the CO there will question why you did not marry this time around and especially after being a few years in a relationship.

This is from experiences by Ghana members who have posted here. CO's also say marry and re file instead of just re file a K1

in Ghana.

Even if you fix the reasons of refusals they often still return because they are crazy.

So take your chances, either a second K1 with a 50/50 chance and a possible refusal again at which time you start over a

3. time with another fee or you get approved and marry here.

OR you file a CR1 and if returned you wait 12-18 months for a re affirmation without another fee.

Why not marry in Ghana and have another ( church ceremony) here with a big reception for friends and family ?

Unfortunately wedding dreams as to the how and where often end up secondary to the main thing, getting him here.

It is in essence your and your fiance's personal choice and decision and chance to take.

Ebonoluwa, you have helped me in the past and I have ready many responses from you on other peoples post. Thank you so much for taking the time to truly help me. I agree with you about not wanting to take chances with Ghana. honestly it seems I have a hard decision.

This is a copy of the email the Ghana embassy wrote to my senator regarding why we were denied the K1 visa.

"I have examined the case notes and see that the interviewing officer decided to return the petition to USCIS for review and possible non-revalidation. The action followed the officer’s development of evidence that would convince a reasonable person that the claimed relationship is a sham entered into to evade immigration laws (9 FAM 504.2-8(A)(2)(5)©). When USCIS receives returned K1 petitions, they do not send the petitioner a Notice of Intent to Revoke (NOIR) as they do with I-130 petitions. Therefore, the petitioner can either file another K1 petition or marry the beneficiary and file an I-130 spousal petition.

Sincerely,

Consul General

U.S. Embassy – Accra, Ghana"

I also started communication with my fiance Feb 22, 2015 so it has not been over 2 years yet?

I find it odd the CO in Ghana would tell us to either file another K1 or marry and do basically the CR1?

Anyway thanks for your help. I will try to keep investigating and perhaps find others who have similar experiences to me.

This time I will definitely front load.

[Anitafeliz 1,133]

Oh my, I never said anything about having a big wedding nor Did I ever say it was of more importance then having my love one reunited with me.

I mentioned how It would be a blessing to have the wedding here but if its not possible then of course I will marry in Ghana. Being together is what is most important. If a wedding is all that I wanted then believe me I would not have posted the question on If I should re apply for the K1 or just do the CR1. Also thank you for re mentioning what others have posted about the K1 and the CR1 not being a guarantee. I kind of sort of got that when I posted the question and others before you commented on it. Just wanted to know what others would think is best since the Ghana embassy is tough and Well being away from my fiance is also heartbreaking and yes more then a wedding in the states.

Im glad hes more important.

And i really hope it works in your favor. Ghana is tough!!!'

I would go the safest route.

Sorry you have to restart all over again.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Ebonoluwa, you have helped me in the past and I have ready many responses from you on other peoples post. Thank you so much for taking the time to truly help me. I agree with you about not wanting to take chances with Ghana. honestly it seems I have a hard decision.

This is a copy of the email the Ghana embassy wrote to my senator regarding why we were denied the K1 visa.

"I have examined the case notes and see that the interviewing officer decided to return the petition to USCIS for review and possible non-revalidation. The action followed the officer’s development of evidence that would convince a reasonable person that the claimed relationship is a sham entered into to evade immigration laws (9 FAM 504.2-8(A)(2)(5)©). When USCIS receives returned K1 petitions, they do not send the petitioner a Notice of Intent to Revoke (NOIR) as they do with I-130 petitions. Therefore, the petitioner can either file another K1 petition or marry the beneficiary and file an I-130 spousal petition.

Sincerely,

Consul General

U.S. Embassy – Accra, Ghana"

I also started communication with my fiance Feb 22, 2015 so it has not been over 2 years yet?

I find it odd the CO in Ghana would tell us to either file another K1 or marry and do basically the CR1?

Anyway thanks for your help. I will try to keep investigating and perhaps find others who have similar experiences to me.

This time I will definitely front load.

Yes, in writing they say re file a K1 or CR1 but mostly I hear from Ghana members who had their petition returned that the CO's

parting words were to marry and file a CR1.

I am sure there are Ghana couples who had an approval for their 2. K1 but I have none that come to

my mind right now or where they posted recently. I will do a search. I hope they post.

One thing that would justify filing a 2. K1 and if returned you can jump immediately into a CR1, whereas a returned CR1

will take a good 12-18 months to wait out.

If you brace yourself for a potential failure and won't crash emotionally then try a K1 but don't be surprised if it is refused.

Then your 3. filing should be a CR1.

Talk about the pros and cons with him and see what direction you both agree to flow with.

You don't need to make a decision this week or next, give yourself the time until you feel confident which route you

want to go.

We took several months of a break after our refusal after 16 months of AP and I couldn't deal with anymore BS from

immigration so after a little break we decided to marry which also didn't work out (very long story) and I had to leave

not married like Bridezilla on steroids. So I know exactly what you are going through.

Our 2. K1 was shaky, not easy and I had a stokes interview on the phone 4 hours after he was interviewed.

The CO told me he definitely can see our love for each other just from the photos but he still had some questions.

We were then quickly approved. He was a very nice CO compared to the gassy dragon we had before.

Others fly through 2. K1's with ease.

I have elaborated because I have lived this mess for so long and just wanted to let you know I totally understand.

Best wishes whatever you decide !