The hoping not to be denied at Casablanca thread #2

[Hobidyali 267]

Hello guys,

 

For all of us waiting on our k1's and cr1's, how are you holding up? How do you deal with the wait and stress of it all and WHY is Casa so difficult to get a visa out of?

 

I sure hope that we all get our approvals and that it all works out the way it is meant to but in the mean time, any pointers about Casa? How to cope ? Any hope? Really hoping for an approval and not the oh so famous denial that Casa seems to always be blessing people with :/

[RJandHamid 1,133]

It's difficult because there is a history of visa/marriage fraud in Morocco. That's the sad reality. It doesn't mean that all Moroccans are bad people out to try to fraud their way into the US, but it has and does happen. It means that those going through the Casablanca consulate need to front-load their petitions with lots and lots of relationship evidence. It means slowing down and making several trips to Morocco, instead of filing and or getting married after just 1 visit. This is especially true if there is a 7+ year age difference between the couple. Yes, it is hard to come up with the time/money to make these multiple trips, but anyone going through Casablanca needs to take the time to gather this evidence, in order to try to avoid the heartbreak and stress of denial. 

 

One thing that I've noticed from petitioning my husband through Casablanca and browsing these forums for awhile now, is that people often don't put as much importance on front-loading the petition as they should. They include a bit of relationship evidence and think "I'll have my fiance/husband bring more evidence to the interview". This almost never works though, because the officers in Casablanca seem to make an initial decision based on the evidence included in the I-129F I-130 petitions. Rarely do they look at any additional evidence during the interview. It's not impossible to get a visa through Casa, but it's also not as simple and straightforward as many other countries where meeting the minimum requirements is generally enough to grant a visa. 

[Hobidyali 267]

Are there any upcoming interviews for any of you guys? It would be nice to have this be an interactive thread where we all share our thoughts on a consistent basis for encouragement and venting purposes, truth be told I am sure we all need it dealing with this process 😄

 

 

[Hobidyali 267]

29 minutes ago, RJandHamid said:

It's difficult because there is a history of visa/marriage fraud in Morocco. That's the sad reality. It doesn't mean that all Moroccans are bad people out to try to fraud their way into the US, but it has and does happen. It means that those going through the Casablanca consulate need to front-load their petitions with lots and lots of relationship evidence. It means slowing down and making several trips to Morocco, instead of filing and or getting married after just 1 visit. This is especially true if there is a 7+ year age difference between the couple. Yes, it is hard to come up with the time/money to make these multiple trips, but anyone going through Casablanca needs to take the time to gather this evidence, in order to try to avoid the heartbreak and stress of denial. 

 

One thing that I've noticed from petitioning my husband through Casablanca and browsing these forums for awhile now, is that people often don't put as much importance on front-loading the petition as they should. They include a bit of relationship evidence and think "I'll have my fiance/husband bring more evidence to the interview". This almost never works though, because the officers in Casablanca seem to make an initial decision based on the evidence included in the I-129F I-130 petitions. Rarely do they look at any additional evidence during the interview. It's not impossible to get a visa through Casa, but it's also not as simple and straightforward as many other countries where meeting the minimum requirements is generally enough to grant a visa. 

My fiance and I have had three trips total, we do have an under 10 year age gap. Are only three trips and the age gap grounds for a denial? When you say frontloading ,you mean providing extra on the app correct?

 

I sent the packet off on July 26th and have yet to receive the NOA1, from what I have read it takes a while, how long do you know?

 

Also, was yours a k1 or cr1? What was his experience at the interview?

 

 

Edited August 6, 2018 by Hobidyali

[RJandHamid 1,133]

We did the K1 visa. I filed the petition in December 2016 and he arrived in the US in July 2017. The process is taking a few months longer now. I made 4 trips to Morocco before filing the I-129F petition, and 1 additional trip while we waited for the interview. We are close in age, neither of us had been married before. His interview was simple, he was asked about my visits and was asked to tell the officer about himself as well as about me and what I do for a living, what are my hobbies, ect. My husband's English is pretty good, so he didn't have any problems doing the interview in English and understanding and responding to the questions. 

 

Yes, front-loading means to include a lot of relationship evidence with the petition, beyond what is asked for in the I-129F instructions (basic requirement is to have met once within the past 2 years). As for your case, it's hard to say. 3 trips is generally a good amount. How long was each trip? Did you include evidence (passport stamps, boarding passes, receipts, ect) from each trip? I'm assuming you met his family/friends and took photos with them to include in the petition? 

 

It's currently taking around 5-7+ months for NOA2 approval. From there, your case will be forwarded to the NVC and given a case number. That takes around 1-2 months. After it is assigned a case number, they will forward the case to Casablanca. You'll request an interview date and they usually schedule the interview about 1 month out after receiving the case and your request for an interview (done by email). 

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

12 minutes ago, Hobidyali said:

My fiance and I have had three trips total, we do have an under 10 year age gap. Are only three trips and the age gap grounds for a denial? When you say frontloading ,you mean providing extra on the app correct?

 

I sent the packet off on July 26th and have yet to receive the NOA1, from what I have read it takes a while, how long do you know?

 

Also, was yours a k1 or cr1? What was his experience at the interview?

 

 

 

Depends on length of trips also. Three trips and say each are for 3-4 days is nothing; but three trips each being say 2-3 weeks is much more substantial.

 

Each case is unique so can't generalize entirely off the age gaps... generally the red flag for age comes up when the beneficiary (Moroccan) is male and younger than the female petitioner. Also difference in religions can cause issues. Family acceptance/knowledge of the relationship....

 

And NOA1 can take up to 30 days but generally couple weeks.

 

Also issue isn't with USCIS for the I-129f petition or I-130... it's with the embassy there in Morocco

Edited August 6, 2018 by Ben&Zian

[Boiler 45,902]

It is very difficult to generalise, on VJ we tend to see cases that would raise eyebrows at any Consulate, so depends.

 

I have no idea how representative the case we see are.

[Hobidyali 267]

37 minutes ago, RJandHamid said:

We did the K1 visa. I filed the petition in December 2016 and he arrived in the US in July 2017. The process is taking a few months longer now. I made 4 trips to Morocco before filing the I-129F petition, and 1 additional trip while we waited for the interview. We are close in age, neither of us had been married before. His interview was simple, he was asked about my visits and was asked to tell the officer about himself as well as about me and what I do for a living, what are my hobbies, ect. My husband's English is pretty good, so he didn't have any problems doing the interview in English and understanding and responding to the questions. 

 

Yes, front-loading means to include a lot of relationship evidence with the petition, beyond what is asked for in the I-129F instructions (basic requirement is to have met once within the past 2 years). As for your case, it's hard to say. 3 trips is generally a good amount. How long was each trip? Did you include evidence (passport stamps, boarding passes, receipts, ect) from each trip? I'm assuming you met his family/friends and took photos with them to include in the petition? 

 

It's currently taking around 5-7+ months for NOA2 approval. From there, your case will be forwarded to the NVC and given a case number. That takes around 1-2 months. After it is assigned a case number, they will forward the case to Casablanca. You'll request an interview date and they usually schedule the interview about 1 month out after receiving the case and your request for an interview (done by email). 

Yours was definitely fast processing, that's awesome. 

 

My fiance speaks really good english, when we first met it wasn't but as time has passed he has definitely improved.  In the app I did include all boarding passes and stamps, pictures with his family and parents. Each trip was roughly a few days shy of two weeks, the first being the longest at 3 . 

 

I am a bit worried about the age gap even tho we are both still young, mid twenties early thirties but the horror stories I've read have me worried to be honest.

 

How has he adjusted to the U.S.? Wat advice would you give for all of us on this journey?

 

What do I need to start preparing for his interview if anything?

 

Thanks again

[Hobidyali 267]

42 minutes ago, Ben&Zian said:

 

Depends on length of trips also. Three trips and say each are for 3-4 days is nothing; but three trips each being say 2-3 weeks is much more substantial.

 

Each case is unique so can't generalize entirely off the age gaps... generally the red flag for age comes up when the beneficiary (Moroccan) is male and younger than the female petitioner. Also difference in religions can cause issues. Family acceptance/knowledge of the relationship....

 

And NOA1 can take up to 30 days but generally couple weeks.

 

Also issue isn't with USCIS for the I-129f petition or I-130... it's with the embassy there in Morocco

We do have an age gap of 7 years, I am older but im in my early thirties so not anything to major I dont think . His family does know, I have stayed with them during the trips there and are very supportive and approve of our relationship.

 

What do you mean by,Also issue isn't with USCIS for the I-129f petition or I-130... it's with the embassy there in Morocco???

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

1 minute ago, Hobidyali said:

We do have an age gap of 7 years, I am older but im in my early thirties so not anything to major I dont think . His family does know, I have stayed with them during the trips there and are very supportive and approve of our relationship.

 

What do you mean by,Also issue isn't with USCIS for the I-129f petition or I-130... it's with the embassy there in Morocco???

 

USCIS will approve most petitions if given the paperwork and information needed. The embassy during the interview stage is the final decision on the cases (whether K-1 or CR-1, they have final say).

[Hobidyali 267]

13 minutes ago, Boiler said:

It is very difficult to generalise, on VJ we tend to see cases that would raise eyebrows at any Consulate, so depends.

 

I have no idea how representative the case we see are.

So you believe that the cases that come on here for guidance are ones that are complex ,is that what you mean? You know I was wondering about that, I have read thru the Morocco consulate reviews and there are alot of denials and issues during the interview, it has also led me to believe that infact only negative reviews are posted and the positive ones not because of maybe the reason that you think. hmmm thats def interesting.

Edited August 6, 2018 by Hobidyali

[Hobidyali 267]

4 minutes ago, Ben&Zian said:

 

USCIS will approve most petitions if given the paperwork and information needed. The embassy during the interview stage is the final decision on the cases (whether K-1 or CR-1, they have final say).

Are all petitions approved or not even before the person interviews? It just seems that way based on all that I have read.

 

Also, was yours a k1 or cr1? And if so, how did your partner adjust?

 

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

3 minutes ago, Hobidyali said:

Are all petitions approved or not even before the person interviews? It just seems that way based on all that I have read.

 

Also, was yours a k1 or cr1? And if so, how did your partner adjust?

 

 

All petitions, whether the I-129f (for K-1) or I-130 (for CR/IR-1) are approved first state side. As long as relevant information is given and all paperwork, they generally get approved. Some get denied for various reasons  though. Then they go to the embassy level in the country of the beneficiary. The state side processing of the petitions basically is approval to be allowed to interview for the visa. The embassy has final say whether to issue the visa itself or not. They know the local culture and use their knowledge and training to determine whether the relationship is real or not. That's why some have said front loading petitions for certain countries is key because sometimes the CO's don't even review material brought to the interview, they generally make a determination of approval or denial off the original approved petition.

 

As for us, it was a K-1 visa. And he has adjusted just fine. He spent 18 months about in the US prior to us meeting on two internships in NY state so he didn't have much to get used to other than us being in Texas so it was a bit different naturally.

Edited August 6, 2018 by Ben&Zian

[RJandHamid 1,133]

16 minutes ago, Hobidyali said:

Yours was definitely fast processing, that's awesome. 

 

My fiance speaks really good english, when we first met it wasn't but as time has passed he has definitely improved.  In the app I did include all boarding passes and stamps, pictures with his family and parents. Each trip was roughly a few days shy of two weeks, the first being the longest at 3 . 

 

I am a bit worried about the age gap even tho we are both still young, mid twenties early thirties but the horror stories I've read have me worried to be honest.

 

How has he adjusted to the U.S.? Wat advice would you give for all of us on this journey?

 

What do I need to start preparing for his interview if anything?

 

Thanks again

Honestly the adjustment was/is very difficult. Sitting around for 5 months without a job waiting for the EAD was rough. The US is so much different than Morocco. He misses his family and friends. Now that he's working, he's starting to adjust better, but it's still a struggle sometimes. He'll need a lot of love and support from you. 

 

As for the interview, you don't really need to start preparing anything yet. Once the petition is approved (NOA2), you can start gathering the financial documents that he will need for the interview. 

 

Another piece of advice I have is to start saving up for the AOS process now for when he gets here. It currently costs $1225, and that includes the I-485 (green card), I-131 (Advanced Parole) and I-765 (Work Authorization). You will want to file this soon after he arrives and you get married so he can begin working/traveling and waiting for the green card interview. 

[Hobidyali 267]

3 minutes ago, Ben&Zian said:

 

All petitions, whether the I-129f (for K-1) or I-130 (for CR/IR-1) are approved first state side. As long as relevant information is given and all paperwork, they generally get approved. Some get denied for various reasons  though. Then they go to the embassy level in the country of the beneficiary. The state side processing of the petitions basically is approval to be allowed to interview for the visa. The embassy has final say whether to issue the visa itself or not. They know the local culture and use their knowledge and training to determine whether the relationship is real or not. That's why some have said front loading petitions for certain countries is key because sometimes the CO's don't even review material brought to the interview, they generally make a determination of approval or denial off the original approved petition.

 

As for us, it was a K-1 visa. And he has adjusted just fine. He spent 18 months about in the US prior to us meeting on two internships in NY state so he didn't have much to get used to other than us being in Texas so it was a bit different naturally.

I definitely agree that it will definitely be different for him once he's here, just the same way that it was for me going there, it's def a culture shock .

 

What would the reasons for denial be state side? We have no issues with record, nothing that really stands out for a denial ☹️ but I do see that Casa is just a very hard consulate as a whole.

 

I see that you are in Katy, my brother lives there , I lived there a few months last year. Such a nice city and def one that I feel he could eaily transition into for sure.

 

Any tips for us waiting ?