Same-Sex Couple -- any tips, advice, or recommendations? [merged threads]

[demarian.kw 0]

I am an American male and last year in May 2017 I met an Egyptian guy while I was in Cairo. We started talking and now it's almost February 2018 and we have decided we want to marry. I have many messages of our conversations and I have many screen shots of video calls we've made on Skype and Zoom. I've bought wedding rings and I talked with a friend who recently married a Ukrainian man, and she recommended this website and gave me a lot of helpful information about her experience with the K-1 visa for her spouse. I feel that I have a pretty solid understanding and I will be asking more questions, but what I'm looking for right now is anyone who can tell me about their experience or give me tips if they've married someone from a Middle Eastern nation (especially if you've married someone from Egypt). I'd also like the same thing for anyone who's gone through or is going through the process as a same-sex couple (again, especially if from a Middle Eastern nation or Egypt). 

Edited January 24, 2018 by demarian.kw

[EandH0904 1,184]

If you fill out your profile with information it will connect you to the Egypt "portal" where you can find others who have gone through the process in Egypt. 

You can also click on the "portals" link and find Egypt on there. 

 

I will advise you that filing a K1 from a MENA country is always risky - they often do not approve K1s, and Egypt has a low approval rate for K1 visas (about 10-20 a month total). My suggestion would be to file your K1 AFTER your 2nd trip there - so that additional face time and proof you have together will be considered in the application. 

 

If you can get approval from his family, and if they are willing to write you affidavits of support that may be good proof as well. If his family does not know about his sexual orientation, even if you meet his family as being his "friend" and take photos with them it is also good evidence. 

 

Screenshots and chats and photos are somewhat secondary evidence. The bad part about your situation is you can't get married in Egypt if your K1 petition is not approved, so I would definitely front load it with as much information as you can and wait till after your 2nd or 3rd visit before you file. In the end, you want an APPROVED petition - not long administrative processing times or an unapproved visa. 

[demarian.kw 0]

Thank you @EandH0904 

I appreciate this information very much. 

I filled out my profile. How do I access the portal?

[noraliz73 243]

Is it going to be possible for your fiancé to get a tourist visa to visit you in the USA before you file for the K1 visa?  Or, can your family travel to Egypt to spend some time with you guys there?  The reason I am asking is that USCIS, etc. likes to see that at least one person's family approves and is involved.  I am assuming that your fiancé's family does not know he is gay?  Knowing what I know about Egypt, it is almost impossible to be "out" there.  It can be extremely dangerous! If you can arrange something where the two of you can actually be a couple in photos and have family and friends involved, that would help in your application.  Please be very careful in Egypt as a same-sex-couple.  You will need careful planning to prove that you have a bona-fide relationship. Since you have not filed yet, you have ample opportunity to do so.  I hope you have great success!

[EandH0904 1,184]

On a PC its the big blue/purple bar at the top, the left hand side of the menu says "Portals" on your phone you click on the profile at the top right and choose "portals" 

 

[TBoneTX 46,110]

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