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saigonlove

K1 Engagement Ceremony vs Wedding Ceremony. Will having them affect my interview?

By saigonlove in Vietnam

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saigonlove Newbie

saigonlove   1

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Vietnam
 Timeline
Posted

Thanks in advance for your reply. I've done some research already but still am unclear on whether or not it is advisable to have a traditional Wedding ceremony. I'm applying for K1 Fiance Visa and I understand you must marry in the US within 90 days.

My question is can I have a wedding ceremony in Vietnam and not register to be married before the interview? Meaning not be officially recognized as married in Vietnam. Will it affect the interview? Will I be at risk for denial?

I've read in some support groups (facebook group K1visa.vn) saying it's fine as long as you don't "dang ky ket hon" or have it formally recognize.

What is your opinion on this? If you have successfully been issued a K1 visa, did you have a Wedding ceremony or only an Engagement ceremony?

 

Thank you

geowrian Grand Master

geowrian   22,337

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

Others who have had an "unofficial" wedding have been deemed "too married" to qualify for a K-1 visa. I would not suggest it personally. Proceed at your own risk.

One recent case:

 

Edited by geowrian

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

Suss&Camm Experienced

Suss&Camm   2,213

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Sweden
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

Definitely advise against it. There are many more threads as the one posted.

Edited by Suss&Camm

K1 Visa & AOS

Spoiler

2016-03-19         i-129F Sent
2016-03-24         i-129F NOA1
2016-06-14         i-129F NOA2
2016-07-08         NVC Rec'd
2016-07-12         Case #
2016-07-13         NVC Left
2016-07-14         Consulate Rec'd
2016-07-19         Medical
2016-08-11         Interview Date (approved)
2016-09-06         Issued
2016-09-09         Visa In Hand
2016-10-19         POE Dallas Fort-Worth
2016-10-30         Our Halloween Wedding

2016-11-16         AOS package sent (i-485, i-131, i-765, i-864, g-325a, DS-3025)
2016-11-17         AOS package delivered to Chicago lockbox
2016-11-23         NOA1's by e-mail and text (@ 10:30 pm CT)
2016-11-26         NOA1 hard copies
2016-12-03         Biometrics appointment in mail
2016-12-07         Biometrics (Early walk-in Desoto, appointment was for Dec 13th)

2017-02-17         Notice of card in production by email and text (@8:00 am CT, i-765) - Day 92

2017-02-22         Notice of approval by email and text (@1:00 pm CT, i-765 and i-131) - Day 97

2017-02-22         Notice of card being mailed by email and text (@7:00 pm CT, i-765) - Day 97

2017-02-25         EAD/AP combo card arrived in mail - Day 100

2017-03-03         Notice of green card in production by email and text (@4:00 pm CT, i-485) - Day 106

2017-03-03         Notice of approval by email and text (@6:00 pm CT, i-485) - Day 106

2017-03-11          Green card arrived in mail  - Day 113

2018-12-03          First day to file for ROC (i-751)

 

giphy.gif

Unlockable Mentor

Unlockable   7,315

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
Posted

You keep saying ceremony.

 

Just have a small party or something. It is not the end of the world if you don't have a huge ceremony. Don't risk being with your future wife.

“When starting an immigration journey, the best advice is to understand that sacrifices have to be made... whether it is time, money, or separation; or a combination of all.” - Unlockable

frontgear Proficient

frontgear   194

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Vietnam (no flag)
 Timeline
Posted
On 9/30/2017 at 1:48 AM, Tran said:

What about just an engagement ceremony? Would that be ok?

An engagement ceremony and/or reception is perfectly fine. We had one and took a lot of pictures to submit with our I-129F.  We also had a Đám Hỏi sign hanging at the entrance to the reception room. The CO who interviewed my then-fiancee even commented that "you look really nice in that long dress at your engagement reception!"

 

Some people would recommend against it but most COs are well familiar with VN customs and they expect to see some sort of ceremony and/or reception so don't be discouraged by other people's comments. Again, an engagement ceremony is OK but a wedding ceremony is a no-no.

geowrian Grand Master

geowrian   22,337

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted
Just now, frontgear said:

Some people would recommend against it but most COs are well familiar with VN customs and they expect to see some sort of ceremony and/or reception so don't be discouraged by other people's comments. Again, an engagement ceremony is OK but a wedding ceremony is a no-no.

Exactly. They look at the local customs. An engagement celebration is common in some cultures (or even a social expectation), so that's fine. In others, it has caused the CO to believe they may have actually gotten married.

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

 
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