I129f September 2017 filers

[Naes 12,205]

25 minutes ago, Filipe Kramer said:

guys when do you think they are gonna start september cases? this week was a bit of a frustration to me since there was no much movement as far as k1 visa. Well, day 166 and my eyes are glowing looking at what is right on the corner.  I wonder if they are gonna get us started within 2 weeks. what do you think? also, when are you guys thinking you are gonna get married? I hope for my wedding around May  

This week had a lot of movement. They went up to August 29.

 

I'd expect not much before at least 175-180 days for September.

 

next week is 180 days for September 1 filers so most likely we will see some action.

[shawarma_frites 21]

1 hour ago, ChuAni said:

💯% Correct! "too married for k1, not married enough for CR1.

 

The most seen reasons for denial.

 

@shawarma_frites, @ana e jordan, @Mrsjackson try to visit #Ghana and #Nigerian Embassy Portals here on VJ and read about the denials some couples experienced. 

 

In Nigeria, a traditional marriage is seen as the person is married, and automatically 'ineligible for k1'. Some COs ask questions like 'Any Ceremony in Nigeria?' Even large engagement parties are frowned at, with all the reviews I've read.

So, let me get this straight...NOT following engagement traditions or celebrating genuine happiness of an engagement can be a red flag...but a large engagement party/ceremony can ALSO render one ineligible for a K1. 

 

I swear to god, sometimes there is no winning with USCIS. Some CO's must think some genuine couples are fake because they're not trying hard enough, or they're fake because they're trying too hard. 

 

Some people frontload and it works in their favor. Other people frontload and it looks suspicious.

 

.................................................................................

 

In Algeria, I had an intimate engagement ceremony at home with multiple traditional dresses and my fiancé in a suit. We also did henna.

 

In order to be married in Algeria, you must first register for a marriage license etc. like in the US, which we did NOT do.

We did draft a personal statement saying that we, as a couple are engaged, and had our signatures notarized. We thought that it was appropriate given that one of the required I-129F documents is a statement of intent to marry. We also included a secondary statement of intent to marry.

 

I hope the CO does not try to say that we're married, because that would be utter bullshit.

[ChuAni 1,191]

3 minutes ago, shawarma_frites said:

So, let me get this straight...NOT following engagement traditions or celebrating genuine happiness of an engagement can be a red flag...but a large engagement party/ceremony can ALSO render one ineligible for a K1. 

 

I swear to god, sometimes there is no winning with USCIS. Some CO's must think some genuine couples are fake because they're not trying hard enough, or they're fake because they're trying too hard. 

 

Some people frontload and it works in their favor. Other people frontload and it looks suspicious.

 

.................................................................................

 

In Algeria, I had an intimate engagement ceremony at home with multiple traditional dresses and my fiancé in a suit. We also did henna.

 

In order to be married in Algeria, you must first register for a marriage license etc. like in the US, which we did NOT do.

We did draft a personal statement saying that we, as a couple are engaged, and had our signatures notarized. We thought that it was appropriate given that one of the required I-129F documents is a statement of intent to marry. We also included a secondary statement of intent to marry.

 

I hope the CO does not try to say that we're married, because that would be utter bullshit.

I believe it depends on the Country and USEM. 

 

Go to your Country's (Algeria) Portal and verify these. Read the Interview Reviews and Ask questions about it.

[shawarma_frites 21]

4 hours ago, Naes said:

It is actually one of the biggest and most seen reasons of denial.

 

Cultural and Traditional ways of doing things are really important in the eyes of USEM.

they are also not eligible for CR1 or such, it is "too married for K1, not married enough for CR1"

Sure, but what if a traditional engagement ceremony is misinterpreted as a wedding by American standards?

[Naes 12,205]

Just now, shawarma_frites said:

Sure, but what if a traditional engagement ceremony is misinterpreted as a wedding by American standards?

That's what I was saying. (I realized it might look like I meant they don't take it as a wedding- sorry for that, i meant they might take it as a wedding)

 

They sometimes even take engagements as "married" because in some cultures it might be considered so. And even "only" religious ceremonies in some countries is counted as legally married without registration.

 

 

[shawarma_frites 21]

3 minutes ago, ChuAni said:

I believe it depends on the Country and USEM. 

 

Go to your Country's (Algeria) Portal and verify these. Read the Interview Reviews and Ask questions about it.

Verify what? Can you explain what you mean? 

 

I personally know the marriage procedures for a foreign spouse in Algeria because we considered it before deciding upon K-1.

[ChuAni 1,191]

8 minutes ago, ChuAni said:

I believe it depends on the Country and USEM. 

 

Go to your Country's (Algeria) Portal and verify these. Read the Interview Reviews and Ask questions about it.

http://www.visajourney.com/portals/index.php?country=Algeria

 

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Algeria

 

@shawarma_frites, ask other couples about their Interview Experiences and Veterans around.

Edited February 24, 2018 by ChuAni

[shawarma_frites 21]

6 minutes ago, ChuAni said:

http://www.visajourney.com/portals/index.php?country=Algeria

 

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Algeria

Ah, I've read those before. I had never heard of a CO in Algiers accusing a couple of marriage (either posted here or on other forums), but that doesn't mean that they wouldn't try to accuse us like in other countries. The system is rather capricious. 

[peterad 28]

 I don;t understand why people are arguing with the advice?

Just leave out the photos of your engagement party or traditional ceremony as its a big risk obviosuly!

Bring photots of time spent at their home, with their family etc but why complicate it by showing a ceremony that could be interpreted as marriage?

Why take the risk? 

[Naes 12,205]

26 minutes ago, peterad said:

 I don;t understand why people are arguing with the advice?

Just leave out the photos of your engagement party or traditional ceremony as its a big risk obviosuly!

Bring photots of time spent at their home, with their family etc but why complicate it by showing a ceremony that could be interpreted as marriage?

Why take the risk? 

Because most people believe their case is different and won't have that problem because it is genuine and they're honest.

[peterad 28]

3 minutes ago, Naes said:

Because most people believe their case is different and won't have that problem because it is genuine and they're honest.

No one on here is an authority or an expert but honestly, its a community trying to helpe ach other out, no one is being mean or judgemental, just realistic.

[Naes 12,205]

1 minute ago, peterad said:

No one on here is an authority or an expert but honestly, its a community trying to helpe ach other out, no one is being mean or judgemental, just realistic.

I agree... it's just people like to hear what they are already thinking and for someone to say "yes do that, there's one case I know of someone who knows that someone I've heard made it" 🤷‍♀️

[Naes 12,205]

16 minutes ago, HarmonyAndYoussef said:

I tried to reply yesterday but my phone kept closing out the site. Any way, I have never been negative towards anyone on here. and I've never not accepted anyones opinion. It seems like a small cult has been created and It makes people feel like they're doing something wrong. Your opinion is just that. An opinion. Morocco is one of the toughest embassies. There is no sequence of events to follow. MANY people say the entire process at the embassy takes about 3 hours with all of the checking in and moving to different windows. My post was about the fact that too many people are pretty much saying what to do and what not to do when really no one knows what is going to be asked. If I was applying from maybe London, I wouldn't be so overly prepared but I have 6 trips to show for so even if we took 10 from each that's 60 pictures. I'm not printing the entire conversation from start to finish but I took screen shots from WhatsApp, FB and Skype. 

 

Just seems that people can be very discouraging on here. It's not about trying to assist another, it's about making them feel like they don't know what they are doing and that's not ok. I get that you're a "veteran" but again, sharing your experience and just assuming what to do are two different things. I'll let my fiance know about the idea of 50 pictures or less. He might agree just based on price. and no, my tone isn't being snotty on here before someone gets the wrong idea. I just think if people want to share what they've done, that's awesome.. but don't message people and say "you shouldn't do this." ( not you, personally.)

I am not even sure why this is directed to me as half of these has nothing to do with me.

 

Entire process is not you showing and talking to them, it is waiting.

 

You wrote something, I wrote what I thought of it. 

Nobody has to follow that opinion, but then also don't get aggressive about people giving opinion after writing it in a public forum. Whenever someone says something that is different that you think the conversation always ends this way. (Maybe it just sounds like it but it is written word in the end)

 

I am no veteran, I just read. I don't care slightest what each person will do with their case.  I also don't think anyone cares that much either, you think people write here to make you feel bad or your case to fail?? no, everyone is trying their best to "direct" you as you say. People are not discouraging you, they are trying to help in the way they know.

 

However, it is extremely tiresome to watch someone go like this every time something is said to them.

 

[AntoinetteB 165]

Question do you have to have the title to a vehicle to use it as income? 

[Linkie 45]

Well, I don't know if this matters as such, and after reading this I hope I don't get rejected haha!
I've had 4 trips, each trip was between 1-3 months. Our application was pretty much front-loaded? so whether I've made this harder on me or not, gosh knows - I will definitely say that I added more than I needed to though!

As for the second step, because I front-loaded it, I wanted to just bring the following:

- 24 6x4 photos in this small photo album - with description 

- Updated conversations from September 2017 to present - trying to just stick to a few pages.

- I was GOING to add wedding preparations and plannings, like... where we're going and so on. Any proof I could find. 

 

 

Edited February 24, 2018 by Linkie