Countries to stay in? What to do after applying...

[KOI 44]

Hello!

Last January we got our K1 rejected without appeal, we have traveled a bit meeting each other while working, now we will get married abroad. It has already been two years since we got engaged, and now we just want to start life. I've done tons of research (that I know how), and I'm trying to find a country that will let us both stay in while we await the Spouse Visa/greencard to process which can easily take another year or more. Most countries have a maximum stay of three months, and her country of origin is quite difficult to get multiple entry visa.

 

Where do you think is the most lenient, I am even able to work but with applying I almost hear nothing back (while here in the US I have absolutely no problem thankfully). Probably because of requiring sponsorship.

 

What have you others done in these times? There is no way we are just going to wait another year or more to possibly get denied again, because you know - politics, or even blackholed in AP (as one of our friends did, it's been three years for them and they are still in AP and USCIS refuses to give them an update)...We tried Canada but it didn't work out either, unfortunately - I even had very well paying job in Toronto and Canada decided to deny entry for my significant other.

 

Any help would greatly be appreciated.

[Going through 5,671]

If the k1 was denied for any inadmissible reasons, be aware that would still need to be overcome with the cr1.

 

Easiest (albeit can become expensive depending where she is located) solution would be for you to travel back and forth to her country as frequently as you can to visit during the process.

[KOI 44]

1 minute ago, Going through said:

If the k1 was denied for any inadmissible reasons, be aware that would still need to be overcome with the cr1.

  

Easiest (albeit can become expensive depending where she is located) solution would be for you to travel back and forth to her country as frequently as you can to visit during the process.

What do you mean by your first statement?

The reason she was denied, even the officer stated was purely because of the travel ban; otherwise, they said all our proof and documents were well received.

[Just Paul 4,595]

9 minutes ago, KOI said:

What do you mean by your first statement?

It does not matter where she applies from since there is a travel ban for Iranians. Although it was my understanding that a CO could ask / start a waiver for someone from a country with a travel ban.  I'll leave that for you to research on your own.

 

I am not sure where you can find a job overseas where she can join you as a spouse.   Here is a link for countries and the visa policy for Iranians (usually tourist)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Iranian_citizens  

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

Travel ban is on Iran to make changes for the US to be able to conduct proper security/background checks. One country awhile back made the changes and was removed from the list. So... it can be done, it's just that country choosing not to comply.

 

Move to Iran honestly would be easiest for you.

 

And even without the travel ban, because of the issues with verifying documents, doing background checks and such, she could have just ended up in endless AP like a lot do as you even mentioned, and that was before these "politics" you talk about. USCIS has nothing to do with AP also, it's the embassy that does that stuff.

[Lemonslice 4,841]

VJ User GlobeHopperMama moved to Seoul, South Korea.  You can read their story here: http://carlosandamy.blogspot.com/p/why.html

 

[carmel34 3,631]

Sounds like your options are 1) move to Iran to live with her, or 2) find a third country where Iranian citizens can get visas to get residency and move there with her if you can also get a visa for residency. A third option would be to wait out the process apart as most of us do, with visits to see each other outside the US during the process, and apply for a waiver because of the travel ban for Iranians to come to the US.  Any of these options will be long, expensive, frustrating, etc.  If you really love this person you will find a way to be together, I wish you both the best!

[SalishSea 17,829]

You’re aware that pursuing a CR-1 visa instead will not solve your problem of the travel ban?

[salhasl 113]

16 hours ago, KOI said:

Hello!

Last January we got our K1 rejected without appeal, we have traveled a bit meeting each other while working, now we will get married abroad. It has already been two years since we got engaged, and now we just want to start life. I've done tons of research (that I know how), and I'm trying to find a country that will let us both stay in while we await the Spouse Visa/greencard to process which can easily take another year or more. Most countries have a maximum stay of three months, and her country of origin is quite difficult to get multiple entry visa.

 

Where do you think is the most lenient, I am even able to work but with applying I almost hear nothing back (while here in the US I have absolutely no problem thankfully). Probably because of requiring sponsorship.

 

What have you others done in these times? There is no way we are just going to wait another year or more to possibly get denied again, because you know - politics, or even blackholed in AP (as one of our friends did, it's been three years for them and they are still in AP and USCIS refuses to give them an update)...We tried Canada but it didn't work out either, unfortunately - I even had very well paying job in Toronto and Canada decided to deny entry for my significant other.

 

Any help would greatly be appreciated.

OP, I know your case. Yours is a very unfortunate situation because you interviewed at a time when there was tremendous confusion even among the embassies. If you had interviewed a month or two before youd have your visa.  I have heard many K1's after you from Iran that were put in AP, not denied. Yours was an outright denial, which was in my opinion, improper. Many travel ban denials were eventually reinstated into AP around May of last year, which is why your case is even more intriguing. 

You have a hard decision to make. IF you know this is the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, start an IR1. With any luck the ban might be a thing of the past by the time you interview. But prepare for the worst, and be ready to spend 3-4 years in separation. Some people I know have pursued student visas out of european countries where both the spouses can study together. I am surprised why would canada deny your spouse a dependant visa if you had a job there.  What visa category did you apply to?

 

 

 

 

Edited March 25, 2019 by salhasl