Engagement. Is it really necessary?

[Mond27 28]

Hi guys! 

 

I have another question about the K-1 visa.

 

Me and my fiance didn’t have any formal engagement party, he didnt even propose. It’s more like, we just talked and thought about it and decided to get married since thats the purpose of having a relationship in the first place right? To find your other half. Now my main concern is are they going to question us since we didnt have any engagement party, I dont have any engagement ring? If so, during the interview, if ever they ask that kind of question, what will be the best rebuttal for this?

 

thank you in advance

[NikLR 13,227]

Doesnt matter.  Intent and ability to marry is what is important. 

[kanderson101 131]

We didn't ever get formally engaged either. I got a ton of feedback from VJ also saying that the engagement itself isn't important, as long as you can prove that your relationship is real and you both intend to get married once the visa is granted. 

[geowrian 22,337]

A formal engagement is not requirement. No ring is needed, nor does it help/hurt a case.. An engagement is is just a promise to marry. The signed letters of intent to marry within 90 days of entry will suffice just fine.

 

With regard to an engagement party...

Mind sharing what country the beneficiary is immigrating from? I'm certainly not an expert in the details of this, but there are some very limited circumstances where it's unusual in the culture not to have an engagement party, so it may raise an extra question as to why you didn't (in which case you just explain it). Anywhere else, an engagement party is more risky as the CO may mistake it for a form of a wedding.

[Mond27 28]

14 minutes ago, geowrian said:

A formal engagement is not requirement. No ring is needed, nor does it help/hurt a case.. An engagement is is just a promise to marry. The signed letters of intent to marry within 90 days of entry will suffice just fine.

 

With regard to an engagement party...

Mind sharing what country the beneficiary is immigrating from? I'm certainly not an expert in the details of this, but there are some very limited circumstances where it's unusual in the culture not to have an engagement party, so it may raise an extra question as to why you didn't (in which case you just explain it). Anywhere else, an engagement party is more risky as the CO may mistake it for a form of a wedding.

@geowrian I’m from the Philippines. I dont know I’m just worried about it

[Mond27 28]

18 minutes ago, kanderson101 said:

We didn't ever get formally engaged either. I got a ton of feedback from VJ also saying that the engagement itself isn't important, as long as you can prove that your relationship is real and you both intend to get married once the visa is granted. 

@kanderson101 yes I can really prove that our relationship is real. Just worried about the ring and the party though. 

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

[Mond27 28]

26 minutes ago, Ryan H said:

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

I’m sorry?

[payxibka 10,045]

1 hour ago, Margeee said:

@geowrian I’m from the Philippines. I dont know I’m just worried about it

You are worried for nothing

[ImagineMe 35]

2 hours ago, Margeee said:

I’m sorry?

They often mention if a post has to be moved to a more specific thread. So its posted so you and everyone knows it was moved.

[geowrian 22,337]

3 hours ago, Margeee said:

@geowrian I’m from the Philippines. I dont know I’m just worried about it

It's no issue.

[Sunnyland 639]

A ring or an engagement party does not make a relationship more genuine to the eyes of immigration. Those are not required. If you both want to marry and have met within the last 2 years then you should be fine. Have all your evidence of your relationship... Boarding passes, receipts, photos, etc.  A ring proves nothing to them, just that someone spent some $$$ on it, not that the relationship is genuine. IMHO.

[mc962 55]

1 hour ago, Sunnyland said:

A ring or an engagement party does not make a relationship more genuine to the eyes of immigration. Those are not required. If you both want to marry and have met within the last 2 years then you should be fine. Have all your evidence of your relationship... Boarding passes, receipts, photos, etc.  A ring proves nothing to them, just that someone spent some $$$ on it, not that the relationship is genuine. IMHO.

My understanding is that that bit was more important to the State Department/consulate, whose aim is to prove that the relationship is genuine and not something fake, immigration just cares if you can 'legally immigrate'. In that case, things like following traditions of the beneficiary's culture might be beneficial (although not necessarily required).

I approached it from the perspective of "you're trying to paint a (word) picture of how you two met and how your relationship has worked over the past time", which things like pictures, engagement rings, etc., can help fill in the blanks. But legally, I think all they mainly care about are the things that they mentioned in the Instructions.

[betelgeuse 5]

Don’t worry about it, many people choose not to have engagement party or don’t have a ring, that’s totally fine 

[bakphx1 789]

"Engaged" isn't a legal status, so I wouldn't stress over having some event. They'll focus on the marriage and the fact that you have spent time together. 

 

In theory they can ask when there was a proposal and the specifics of it, but I don't think they get into that unless things don't look right for some reason. 

 

I have read many interview experiences and the focus is usually pictures and visits.  Rings aren't considered so much because it's easier to just buy a ring for show than to spend time together.