Coming back from Nigeria

[FranJosh 3]

I just came back from visiting my boyfriend in nigeria. We are engaged now. We have known each other for about 5 months and this is my first visit. I do work full time at a good job. I am a single mom with 5 kids. I was married and divorced twice. I am asking if I have any red flags. I want to file the fiance visa but i also plan on going back in February 2020 to visit. Any advice??

[zhuwanyu0917 26]

Only one visit, just met 5 months ago and divorced twice... Seems like three red flags on the horizon to me. The last probably doesn't matter too much compared with the first two though.

 

If I were you, I would make another visit in February 2020 and file the visa application then. Or have him visit you in the US if it is possible.

 

Good luck  

[zhuwanyu0917 26]

This is probably a bit too early but when it comes to the final step- interview, he has to hand in a I-134 form indicating your yearly income and you would be sponsoring him and your 5 kids. Please make sure that you meet income requirements for a household of 7 people or else you might need to find a co-sponsor. Best of luck again

 

[Crazy Cat 41,893]

Red Flags:

 

1.  Nigeria is considered, by many, to be the top tier of fraud locations.

2.  Engaged on 1st visit

Age difference?

Cultural differences?

What is his previous marital history

 

I suggest using the search function of this web site for "Nigeria".  Lagos is not an easy consulate for many people.  You could be looking at a long, expensive road ahead.  I am not judging.....but expect your case to get a lot of scrutiny at the consulate.  You will need a lot of convincing evidence, and many visits, imo.

Edited August 4, 2019 by missileman

[JeanneAdil 6,511]

missleman said it best

1. religious difference?

2. any previous K1 or CR1?

3.  age difference is a  big issue for Lagos

 

if you did an engagement party with photos ,  Lagos will consider this a marriage ceremony / it has happened to many (read posts from Nigeria)

2019 poverty guidelines for 7 (5 children and you and him) is $39,010 and if granted a visa you must make 125% of poverty guidelines after marriage in US (or CR1 application)

2020 poverty guidelines not out yet

 

According to the following site https://www.thebalance.com/federal-poverty-level-definition-guidelines-chart-3305843

 

Agencies help families who earn more than the federal poverty level. For example, some programs offer subsidies to families that are 150% of the federal poverty level. 

and

Medicaid is available to families whose income is 138% of the poverty level. 

 

you need to know all this to be aware that if Lagos thinks the bene could become a public charge ,  they will either deny or say a cosponsor is needed

 

AND YOU definately need more time together before filing a K1

for us in high fraud countries a 10 day or 2 week trip is just a vacation .  It is not enough time to get to know the person for a real relationship which is what you and he need to prove to immigraiton.   Slow down and take time to  make this all happen the right way.

 

[Boiler 45,538]

How many children does he have, will they be immigrating?

[Becci391 339]

Sounds like some red flags are in the air.

[FranJosh 3]

31 minutes ago, Boiler said:

How many children does he have, will they be immigrating?

He has no kids

We have the same religion

I make 83000 per year

My divorces are old

We are 7 years age difference 

I never applied for anything like this before

[FranJosh 3]

2 hours ago, zhuwanyu0917 said:

Only one visit, just met 5 months ago and divorced twice... Seems like three red flags on the horizon to me. The last probably doesn't matter too much compared with the first two though.

 

If I were you, I would make another visit in February 2020 and file the visa application then. Or have him visit you in the US if it is possible.

 

Good luck  

He was talking about coming this way next year he works for the government but I am confused because I was told a tourist visa for someone in nigeria is hard to get to americs

[Boiler 45,538]

Somebody with a solid situation can get a Tourist Visa, we tend to see those with few ties who are more likely to forget to go home.

[JeanneAdil 6,511]

15 minutes ago, FranJosh said:

He was talking about coming this way next year he works for the government but I am confused because I was told a tourist visa for someone in nigeria is hard to get to americs

Very hard to get and can be denied entry (if he gets tourist visa) as customs officer will ask where he goes and who he visits

as soon as he say gf (and he can not lie ) the officer would assume he is going to marry here and AOS in the states

he can try but the tourist visa application  will ask about applications for a US visa (ever applied for ) and he will have to say yes, if you have started the K1

 

all this being said ,  his chances for a tourist visa are slim to none

 

your best chances are to visit him several times spending quality time there 

i went for a month,  

then 2 months to marry

then 1 month later for a honeymoon

then 3 months for Ramadan with family

and another 3 months

 

still to help you more , please answer things 

no one really judges 

we all go thru this

we are here to help 

 

so,  is there a big age difference?

is there  a difference in religions?

Has he been married?

does he have children he wants to bring?

 

many fall in love at first site so we don't judge 

but be aware of high fraud countries and all you need to go thru to get this done right as a denied K1 can not be appealed and you would have to go back to marry and start all over again

Edited August 4, 2019 by JeanneAdil

[Crazy Cat 41,893]

19 minutes ago, FranJosh said:

He was talking about coming this way next year he works for the government but I am confused because I was told a tourist visa for someone in nigeria is hard to get to americs

He won't know unless he tries.........who is older?  Is it customary in his culture to marry into a family situation?  No one here is judging......we are asking the same questions we have seen in the past in similar cases.....

Edited August 4, 2019 by missileman

[FranJosh 3]

53 minutes ago, Boiler said:

How many children does he have, will they be immigrating?

I have answer this question above

[FranJosh 3]

1 minute ago, missileman said:

He won't know unless he tries.........who is older?  Is it customary in his culture to marry into a family situation?  No one here is judging......we are asking the same questions we have seen in the past in similar cases.....

For his family yes. I am older. He attended university there. I have answered all questions please read my above answers 

[zhuwanyu0917 26]

48 minutes ago, FranJosh said:

He was talking about coming this way next year he works for the government but I am confused because I was told a tourist visa for someone in nigeria is hard to get to americs

Yeah if I were you, I would go to his country and visit at least once or more times again  Yeah I learned it's hard for people in Nigeria to get a tourist visa but you won't know until you actually try! I am from China and I told them the truth about going to America and visiting my boyfriend (the US citizen) when I was applying for the tourist visa but I got approved because I showed them I had a steady job at home and other strong ties. Worst scenario, he gets declined loses two hundred bucks. This is just my personal opinion