American + Egyptian Same-Sex Couple -- tips, advice, and recommendations

[demarian.kw 0]

I am an American male and I met an Egyptian guy in Alexandria early in 2019. We have been talking a lot and we've pursued a relationship and I have visited twice. We've decided we want to marry. We both come from conservative, Christian families and neither of us are "out" to our families because we know they would not approve. He plans to present me to his family as a "friend" and we will likely take pictures together with his family whenever possible because I know this would be good evidence where there is lack of family support affidavits. I will be visiting him at least once a month for a few days at a time in 2020. In July 2020, I plan to spend almost the entire month with him. I will save the tickets and receipts and we will take several photos. I have many screenshots of our WhatsApp conversations and will continue to keep them. 

 

I feel that I have a pretty solid understanding of how the K-1 visa works, 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 MENA country (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 MENA country or Egypt).

 

I'm not really sure what the best way is to go about this. Once I get him to the U. S. A., he cannot go back to Egypt. I've considered us getting legally married in Ecuador or Mexico or another place, but all those options would involve him going back to Egypt for an indefinite amount of time while we file for a visa to bring him to the USA as my spouse. So, our only real option is for the K-1 visa. 

 

Does anyone have any advice? What are some things that he and I can do that can better solidify our application when we decide to file (most likely December 2020). I want to be able to front-load the application with as much information as possible, because I know that filing a K1 from a MENA country is risky because many of the K1s from this region aren't approved. 

[designguy 1,179]

Men from MENA countries often undergo AP that is longer than those from other countries that has nothing to do with the relationship being same sex or not. 
 

As you noted this region has higher denial rates for the K1. It seems that you will be spending quite a bit of time together if you plan to go to Egypt every month this year (note: you probably want to double check what the Egyptian visa allowances are). 
 

You have already met the requirements to file the K1 now and it will be at least 6-9 months before the interview so you have time to build up more visits/evidence. 
 

If you really want to pursue the K1 I would say the sooner you start the process the sooner you will have an answer. Otherwise plan on getting married in another country that allows it and just don’t mention it to the families. The immigration officers are not going to be expecting photos of a giant wedding party if the couple are in a same sex relationship and coming from areas where it is not accepted 

[demarian.kw 0]

1 minute ago, designguy said:

Men from MENA countries often undergo AP that is longer than those from other countries that has nothing to do with the relationship being same sex or not. 
 

As you noted this region has higher denial rates for the K1. It seems that you will be spending quite a bit of time together if you plan to go to Egypt every month this year (note: you probably want to double check what the Egyptian visa allowances are). 
 

You have already met the requirements to file the K1 now and it will be at least 6-9 months before the interview so you have time to build up more visits/evidence. 
 

If you really want to pursue the K1 I would say the sooner you start the process the sooner you will have an answer. Otherwise plan on getting married in another country that allows it and just don’t mention it to the families. The immigration officers are not going to be expecting photos of a giant wedding party if the couple are in a same sex relationship and coming from areas where it is not accepted 

Thank you. I travel to Egypt often (several times over the past two or three years). I have a multiple entry visa that allows me to visit for 30 days at a time for six months. 

 

The problem is that I'm unsure of when I should file the K1 petition. I'm currently living and working in Kuwait. After the month of visiting him all of July 2020, in August or September I intend to go back to the States and get a job because I know that the Fomr I-134 form for the support affidavit will most likely be requested and I want to make sure that I'm able to have that. That's why I said I would likely file in December after I've (hopefully) been working a few months and have proof of that income. But I'm not sure. 

[Boiler 46,025]

The time line is all yours as far as filing is concerned, and the main issue we see on this forum is people wanting to rush things not delay them.

[Maggie wallace 4]

On 1/10/2020 at 8:36 AM, demarian.kw said:

I am an American male and I met an Egyptian guy in Alexandria early in 2019. We have been talking a lot and we've pursued a relationship and I have visited twice. We've decided we want to marry. We both come from conservative, Christian families and neither of us are "out" to our families because we know they would not approve. He plans to present me to his family as a "friend" and we will likely take pictures together with his family whenever possible because I know this would be good evidence where there is lack of family support affidavits. I will be visiting him at least once a month for a few days at a time in 2020. In July 2020, I plan to spend almost the entire month with him. I will save the tickets and receipts and we will take several photos. I have many screenshots of our WhatsApp conversations and will continue to keep them. 

 

I feel that I have a pretty solid understanding of how the K-1 visa works, 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 MENA country (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 MENA country or Egypt).

 

I'm not really sure what the best way is to go about this. Once I get him to the U. S. A., he cannot go back to Egypt. I've considered us getting legally married in Ecuador or Mexico or another place, but all those options would involve him going back to Egypt for an indefinite amount of time while we file for a visa to bring him to the USA as my spouse. So, our only real option is for the K-1 visa. 

 

Does anyone have any advice? What are some things that he and I can do that can better solidify our application when we decide to file (most likely December 2020). I want to be able to front-load the application with as much information as possible, because I know that filing a K1 from a MENA country is risky because many of the K1s from this region aren't approved. 

Hi , you don't have to marry him prior to his arrival to the US . You can only file for k1 then when it's approved you get married in the US within 90 days of his arrival.  This is why they made a k1 visa , because they know some marriages wouldn't be legal in certain countries , like a Muslim woman to a non Muslim man or same sex marriage . So, you have enough evidence but I wouldn't tell them at the embassy that your fiancee's Are aware of your relation . Be careful not to say something untrue or you can't prove to the embassy because if you read many stories here talked about the embassy making phone calls or even visits to beneficiaries family . They know very well that in the middle East same sex relation isn't accepted  , so they understand that it is not uncommon for young people whether boy or girl to tell their parent's about same sex relation . 

The other thing what they do in Egypt and MENA countries is that they wouldn't type your name on his visa . They would only type your initials upon his request  to avoid Harrasment by the airport officials.   

 

[AmerEgypticaan 0]

curently going through this process, we have received info that it is submitted to the consulate.... but unsure how to go about getting the police certificate? help???

[justmeboys 0]

hello, we're gonna through the same process, i met a guy online a few years ago and we clicked.

can you help in any way?

i am from cairo egypt and he's from Louisiana

On 3/13/2020 at 10:39 AM, AmerEgypticaan said:

curently going through this process, we have received info that it is submitted to the consulate.... but unsure how to go about getting the police certificate? help???

can you explain more?

what did you do till now?

do you have to declare this marriage in egypt? given that i am egyptian and muslim and religious, this is very harsh

[powerpuff 6,748]

Zombie thread closed. The members have not logged on 3-4 years. Please start a new thread if you have questions.

 

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