Just submitted K-1 petition but may have ruined chances of getting approved

[Deeareg 0]

4 minutes ago, Kosi Wahala said:

The traditional Yoruba wedding attire is going to be a problem, but let me ask anyway...what exactly took place at your "wedding shower?" What exactly were you doing in the photos you sent? 

It was a get together of about 40 of his extended family and friends. The purpose was to announce and celebrate our engagement and to meet them. 

[Deeareg 0]

Thanks to all for the advice 

[Kosi Wahala 153]

4 minutes ago, Deeareg said:

It was a get together of about 40 of his extended family and friends. The purpose was to announce and celebrate our engagement and to meet them. 

I understand that, but what actually took place? Did you kneel for a blessing before his parents? Did he and his friends prostrate themselves before parents? Did you place a fila on your fiancé head? 

I am trying to get specifics of what happened, as the Lagos consulate typically looks at even the introduction as a wedding. 

Edited March 13, 2017 by Kosi Wahala

[Sholabite 5]

Play along and be prepared to let them know it is our custom and tradition to get engaged traditionally before actually getting married.  

You will be fine . Just prepare a strong statement to explain to them if incase they ask what's going on . Goodluck 

[O&GForever 387]

I think you need to ask yourself if your willing to potentially go through this process again and risk more time away from your partner. Believe me it's not easy or cheap. I don't know how strict the Nigerian embassy is, but there are many people on this site who have been denied because of being considered "married" when they technically weren't. 

 

My then fiance told the CO it was only an engagement party, we weren't married and that we were planning a ceremony in the U.S. All of which was true. The CO didn't care. He had already made up his mind that we were married based on two photos and denied us. When my Senator contacted the embassy, that stated that was the exact reason we were denied. Because of this we were separated for another year. I made three additional trips to spend time with him...including one to get married. And I had the additional expense of another visa, another medical exam and another police clearance. 

 

You can wait things out if you'd like to, but be prepared to run into some problems. Or since you are so early into the process, you can ask for your petition to be canceled, get everything back and resubmit a spouse visa. Yes, it would cost another visa fee, but in my opinion the money now would be worth it time compared to potentially another year to do the spouse visa after a denial. 

Edited March 13, 2017 by O&GForever

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

I agree with O&GForever,

cancel, get married and refile. Your petition already have been scanned so you cant just withdraw and refile as K-1. 

But "riding it out" is just going to be a waste of money for a denial.

Starting a CR-1 might take a little bit of planning to get started but at least it will save you from wasting a whole year on a K-1 and starting all over again.