US Moroccan marriage.

[mpaigels 0]

Hello! 

 

My fiance (Moroccan male) & I (American female) have decided to go the K-3 visa route! 

 

I am traveling to Morocco on December 8th & will be returning January 16th. 

 

We have so many questions regarding the process that it takes to get married in Morocco. 

We know that we will need to spend a couple days in Casablanca & Rabat to get some documents. And then travel to Marrakech to finish everything. 

 

I am extrlemley nervous about the process & would love to have some clarity. My fiance has gone to the family court and recieved a paper with documents needed to complete the process. But when he asked questions regarding these documents he got many different answers. 

 

1. Paystubs or proof of salary: Unfortuantley I am paid off the books. And I am paid cash. Could I use my previous years tax return? Or do I even need this documentation? (My finace was told by someone in the family court that I would not need this because I am female but was also told on a seperate occasion that I needed this) 

 

2. Certificate of religion: We don’t do this in the US. I understand males need this doccument if marrying a Moroccan. But as a female do I need this? (My fiance was told that I did need this. And the second time he asked they told him no). If I do need this.. What exactly do I do to get it or how to write it up? 

 

3. Police report: Would a local police report suffice? Or do I need an FBI criminal background check? 

 

Now in general: Do all these documents need to be notarized in the US? Or just let it be translated and notorized in Morocco? Does anyone have any contacts in regards to translators to use? Maybe any other contacts that we should use? 

 

Also. I am really nervous about the places that I have to go to in Rabat. I don’t speak Arabic or French. And I understand that I may have to enter the Ministry of Justice & the Ministry of Foreign affairs alone. What exactly am I supposed to do? Can I take the paperwork out with me & have my fiance help me fill it out & then take it back in? What should I expect? Just give me something to ease my mind. 

 

Last thing. In regards to traveling. This is my very first time traveling outside of the US. I am going to Morocco (Casa) on a direct flight from JFK (NYC). What exactly should I expect when I land in Casa? I know I have to fill out the immigration landing form. Whats is it like going through customs/immigration? What is the exact process.  Do they speak english? When do I pick up my luggage? Before or after leaving the gated area & meeting my fiance? 

 

As you can see, I am VERY nervous about all of this! 

Edited October 27, 2017 by mpaigels
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[Maryland 13]

May I ask ur age ? And your fiance age ?

[geowrian 22,337]

48 minutes ago, mpaigels said:

My fiance (Moroccan male) & I (American female) have decided to go the K-3 visa route! 

K-3 is obsolete. It's a relic from back when the CR-1/IR-1 was taking multiple years to process. Just go for the CR-1 visa instead to save yourself time and stress.

 

If you still decide to do the K-3 instead, expect the I-129F to get administratively closed at NVC (or denied if the I-130 is adjudicated sooner). The I-130 will remain open and continue the CR-1 visa path.

 

48 minutes ago, mpaigels said:

1. Paystubs or proof of salary: Unfortuantley I am paid off the books. And I am paid cash. Could I use my previous years tax return? Or do I even need this documentation? (My finace was told by someone in the family court that I would not need this because I am female but was also told on a seperate occasion that I needed this) 

I'm not sure on the process to marry in Morocco itself, sorry. But below is what is required for US immigration:

 

You will need to provide the most recent tax year's return (transcript preferred), as well as optionally providing the 2 years previous to that if you want. Generally, it's not relevant unless you are self employed or your income relies on things like tips, commissions, etc. However, it is very unlikely they will accept your statement of current income for a wage job with only a tax return. You should provide at least pay stubs, and an employment letter is preferred as well. If you don't have these, they are unlikely to accept your income at the necessary level.

 

Being female has no bearing on this...you must be able to show that you are able to support your spouse so they will not become a public charge, and 125% of the poverty level is the bare minimum to qualify. If you are under that, then it won't be approved without a joint sponsor. A joint sponsor can be any USC or LPR living in the US who earns enough.

Edited October 27, 2017 by geowrian

[TamaraN 72]

I haven’t gotten married in Morocco, but I have looked into the process in case my k-1 is denied. I will answer some of your questions the best I can, and there are many Moroccan couple on here who will be able to elaborate more. 

 

1. I don’t think you need this, but I’m not sure. I think your fiancé (since he is the man) will need to show proof of income and ability to support you. I could be wrong though.  Someone else will have to answer this. 

 

2. This document can be typed up, in Arabic, by your fiancé in Morocco and then you can have it stamped/notarized there. This is simple and shouldnt be a problem, as long as you are either Muslim, Christian, or Jewish.

 

3. I think you need an fbi criminal background check, which can take awhile to get, so start on that ASAP!!

 

 

When you arrive in Casablanca you will go through customs first, where you will fill out the declaration form and talk to a security officer, who will check your passport with and stamp it with a visa. They usually do speak English, but sometimes not that well. They normally just ask me why I’m coming to morocco and where I work/what kind of job I do. I’m a social worker and they don’t have social work in Morocco so sometimes my job is difficult to explain, especially with the language barrier. Make sure you have the exact address of where you will be staying while in Morocco. They will ask you for it, and won’t let you through without it.

 

You will collect your luggage after that, and then exit through an airport security bag scanner thing (the last time I was there, they didn’t make me stand in line and go through security, they just let me go outside, but I don’t know if this is common). Your fiancé will NOT be allowed inside the airport. Only ticketed passengers are allowed inside the airport. You will have to take your luggage outside and meet him there. 

Edited October 27, 2017 by TamaraN

[TamaraN 72]

I want to add that my answer to number one is regarding getting married in Morocco. For the spousal visa to the USA they will definitely want your information.

Edited October 27, 2017 by TamaraN

[nomadnoor 29]

Hi,

There is a lot of homework to be done

1. K-3 visas are no longer processed.  You will need to either do a fiance visa or a IR 1 / CR1 visa.

2. The paperwork you need from the US is listed here - https://ma.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/marriage-information/

3. Your fiance will need to go to the local court and get a list of the documents they require and its subject to the whims of the court officer you ask - it may or may not look like this list from my blog post -https://americanmuslimahsmusings.wordpress.com/2013/03/29/getting-married-in-morocco/

4.  Know that the timeline for the fiance visa is shorter but more likely to be denied to due Morocco being considered a "high fraud visa country," and that your fiance will be unable to legally work in the US for an amount of time where as the IR1/CR1 visa will allow him to land and get a green card (depending on the length of the marriage) get either a conditional - 2 year green card or a unconditional 10 year green card after landing in the US.

 

I wish you both luck!

 

Ally & Omar

[Ryan H 3,818]

Moved from K3 Process & Procedures to MENA regional forum.  Topic is Morocco specific.

Edited October 27, 2017 by Ryan H

[2far 185]

I would strongly recommend NOT marrying on the first trip.

Go to meet your fiance.  Spend time with him and his family.

Get comfortable with this place that you will surely be visiting often if you two marry.

Then, come home and think if this is really the path for you.

If it is meant to be, then you can marry on the second trip.

So many visas get denied when people get married on the first trip.  Of course, I know there are exceptions.

Multiple visits not only helps your chances of receiving a visa, but it's also good for your relationship and your future.

[Oliversmom 250]

When I got married in Morocco I took a letter from my employer stating my job title and salary and it was accepted. 

 

I just got a police clearance letter from local police department.  It was accepted and not questioned. 

 

I can't remember a lot of it as it was over four years ago.  But I do remember it was a long and frustrating process to get married in Morocco.  I think a lot of people had a easier time but we did not.  However, we WERE finally allowed to get married. 

 

I will also second what the other poster said about NOT getting married on the first visit.  I was all set to get married on the first visit.  But I heard from others that many get denied for this so I waited and got married on second visit. 

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

you will first traavel to US embassy in Casa for a letter of eligibility to marry / get this and all other US documents translated into Arabic (fee for this at embassy)

then travel to Rabat to Office of Foreign Minister get document stamped legal paper

then to have passport photos taken

then to doctor for medical exam

then to home city of financee for interviews with police and judge

not an easy process / there are instuctions for american on the Moroccan webpage listed above includes fees

 

[mpaigels 0]

5 hours ago, Maryland said:

May I ask ur age ? And your fiance age ?

Hello. Yes we are both 22 Years old. 

[Happytobe 164]

When we got married 5 years ago, I gathered and scanned documents to my hubby so he could take them to a translator prior to my arrival. Then we brought him the originals when I came. There’s a list of “approved” translators on the Consulate website. I brought as many documents as I could, as some people at the time were asked for one specific set of documents, but were then asked for others. Basically better to be safe than sorry; I brought some that were not necessary, but others had been asked for them. I brought pay stubs and a written letter from my employer. 

 

I used my my baptism certificate from when I was a baby to show “proof” of religion. You need to set-up an appointment on the Consulate website for the documents you need done there. At the time, I think they were making them about a month out. 

 

In Salé, one of the places, we were the first people in line. My hubby explained what we were there for, and he was allowed to come in, but we had to wait in separate lines (men & women). 

 

As as others have said, marrying on the first visit tends to be a red-flag. I may have seen one couple over the years get by with that, but she spent months there with him... The K-3 is, as others have said, mostly obsolete. Maybe 1% (being on the generous side) get processed as such anymore. Others have explained why above. 

 

My hubby knew a few people that he asked for assistance to move ours through and had let them know prior to my arrival on that trip to help things move along. Be prepared to bribe a person or two (not always necessary). Since you’ll be doing the majority of things in Marrakech (I think that’s what you had said) it should be smoother than in a more rural area. The only person we had to bribe was a clerk so that he would take our file upstairs to the judge... if we hadn’t, it would have taken us longer. 

 

Best of luck! You’ll have a lot to take in when you arrive. The very first time I went (prior to meeting my hubby) I experienced such culture shock, I still wasn’t thinking straight by the time I got home!  (I was only there 10 days that very first trip) 

[Malika87 0]

On 10/27/2017 at 2:46 PM, adil-rafa said:

you will first traavel to US embassy in Casa for a letter of eligibility to marry / get this and all other US documents translated into Arabic (fee for this at embassy)

then travel to Rabat to Office of Foreign Minister get document stamped legal paper

then to have passport photos taken

then to doctor for medical exam

then to home city of financee for interviews with police and judge

not an easy process / there are instuctions for american on the Moroccan webpage listed above includes fees

 

Hello...

did you do a spouse petition? If so, have you gotten everything done yet, how long did it took for everything. I just wanna know how long after I apply will my fiance get his visa.  I can't wait for him to be here. I will traveling to morroco for 3 weeks in April, this will be my 2nd trip. I'm kinda nervous 

 

Thanks

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

it is good you are making another trip 

casa embassy needs to see that 

it took us a long time as we have an age difference

you doing K1 for finance (as in 2016 they approved only 14) or CR1?

K1 now taking about a year and not guaranteed 

CR1 about 14 or more months (still no guarantee) 

Casa is hard even 2 moroccans were denied and an immigraiton worked

so be prepared

check the moroccan portal and read all past interviews

write to me anytime even whatsapp if you need