Evidence of bonafied marriage

[zozomike 9]

Mary and I met online in 2017, and I traveled to meet her in Sri Lanka January 2018. We spent a month together, and became serious. I have since traveled to her four times, staying 30 days each visit. We were advised to pursue a K1 visa as it could be quicker, that did not turn out to be true.

I filed an exhaustive (exhausting) professionally prepared I-29F 09/14/2018. In April 2019 Mary had her interview at the Colombo Embassy.  The CO sent a scribbled request for more info on my income and prior relationships. This was promptly sent. My income had just about doubled in the prior two years, so ??. And I have been married/divorced three times, and had previously brought a Philippina on fiancée visa, who decided she would not like to live here and returned to her family. As to that experience most of my records had been lost, and my memory had blotted it out, (I am 72 so erasing memories is fairly easy)

Mary and I had no additional info from the Embassy, so Sept 2019 I sent a query, which received a sort of auto reply. At the suggestion of the consultant I contacted my US Senator, and his office was quick to help. In November 2019 Mary was called to Colombo to “answer a few questions” When she arrived however a secretary handed her back her documents and said “a visa could not be issues in this circumstance” She was not afforded any explanation. Eventually a letter was forwarded by the Senator stating the visa was denied, but offering no reason, and my subsequent entireties have been ignored.

I traveled to Mary Dec 2019, and we decided to pursue the K3 and were married 01/03/2020. We are working without consultant on this, I have since retired and have the time. In trying to document bonafide marriage, I have tried to open a joint account at three banks, (in which I already have accounts) and have been denied as she is not present, or a legal resident. She has tried her bank in Sri Lanka and had the same answer. 

Has anyone any advice on proving financial blending, (other than documenting the monthly budget I send?)

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

Who advised you to pursue a K-3?  K-3 visas are basically dead.  Last year only 5 were issued world-wide.  The I-129F will be closed administratively, and will continue as a CR-1.  A CR-1 is superior, anyway, imo.

So, you have no idea as to why Mary's visa was not approved?  I am sorry to say this, but marriage might not have solved the issue.  To answer your question, couples who are living in separate countries are not expected to have joint bank accounts.  I have seen very little , if any, success in adding foreign spouse who are not present in the US.  I would concentrate on other evidence such as continuing communication and proof of time actually spent together.....I wish you the very best......Good luck.

 

"Tales of the Green Card"

Edited February 11, 2020 by missileman

[Boiler 45,467]

How old is Mary?

[zozomike 9]

Missleman, you are quick!  I guess I used the wrong term ( K3) shows my learning curve. We have been unable to learn why the fiancee visa was denied. The only comment was

 

"Our review of Department records confirmed that Mary L. was interviewed at the U.S. Epbassy, Colombo, on Apri! LL,2AL9. After the interview and a thorough review of her visa application and subsequeni information provided by the petitioner, the consular officer fou.nd that she was not eligible for the visa category in which she was applying. The fiancde petition (Form l-129F) filed on her behalf will be returned to U. S. Citizenship and lmmigration Services (USCIS). Once it has been returned, the Department of State no longer has jurisdiction over this case"

 

I do not understand  The I-129F will be closed administratively, and will continue as a CR-1.  A CR-1 is superior, anyway, imo" when I go to CEAC it gives error of Invalid case number. So I am lost..

 

 

Edited February 15, 2020 by Ryan H
Reason for edit: to remove full name.

[zozomike 9]

Marys age is 46, so that may be an issue, We also applied for her two teenage sons. Her age, my previous relationships, ( all of which ended amicably and no issues there, even my midlife love of Philippina Maricel. ) my Income and legal histories are spotless. 

[arken 4,197]

If you have any life insurance or health insurance, you can add your wife as beneficiary. You can add her as beneficiary in your banking account. With your age gap and relationship history, they may suspect she may just be in relationship with you with sole purpose of immigration and not to be with you. So it’s on you two to overcome that. I would suggest spending time together a bit more. You said you are retired, so i guess you can go there and live with her for a bit that would bolster your bonafide marital evidence.

 

 

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

On ‎2‎/‎11‎/‎2020 at 7:18 AM, zozomike said:

Missleman, you are quick!  I guess I used the wrong term ( K3) shows my learning curve. We have been unable to learn why the fiancee visa was denied. The only comment was

 

"Our review of Department records confirmed that Mary L. was interviewed at the U.S. Epbassy, Colombo, on Apri! LL,2AL9. After the interview and a thorough review of her visa application and subsequeni information provided by the petitioner, the consular officer fou.nd that she was not eligible for the visa category in which she was applying. The fiancde petition (Form l-129F) filed on her behalf will be returned to U. S. Citizenship and lmmigration Services (USCIS). Once it has been returned, the Department of State no longer has jurisdiction over this case"

 

I do not understand  The I-129F will be closed administratively, and will continue as a CR-1.  A CR-1 is superior, anyway, imo" when I go to CEAC it gives error of Invalid case number. So I am lost..

 

 

Have you already filed a petition(s) since marrying Mary?  

Edited February 15, 2020 by Ryan H
Reason for edit: to remove full name in quote.

[zozomike 9]

Yes I plan to travel there again soon. We chat twice per day. And have 3 years records of that. The beneficiary idea is one I had not thought of. Thank you. We are working on affidavits from neighbors and family. Her large family is VERY supportive. However immigration is 

1 minute ago, missileman said:

Have you already filed a petition(s) since marrying Mary?  

No we are working on that. I just returned to New Mexico from Negombo ( her home) We are working on assembling affidavits from family, neighbors etc. She is obtaining new certificates and translations. 

[zozomike 9]

15 minutes ago, arken said:

If you have any life insurance or health insurance, you can add your wife as beneficiary. You can add her as beneficiary in your banking account. With your age gap and relationship history, they may suspect she may just be in relationship with you with sole purpose of immigration and not to be with you. So it’s on you two to overcome that. I would suggest spending time together a bit more. You said you are retired, so i guess you can go there and live with her for a bit that would bolster your bonafide marital evidence.

 

 

Oh the beneficiary idea is a good one. Thank you. I just returned from Negombo ( her home)  Will be back there with her ASAP. Goodness knows, there are many things they could suspect, and what you point out is one. 

[carmel34 3,621]

will

living will

power of attorney

all three for both of you, with spouse as beneficiary/agent

spouse as beneficiary on everything, life insurance, health insurance, dental, vision, retirement accounts, bank accounts, etc.

joint credit card account

 

all those can be done while living in separate countries, to show financial co-mingling as a married couple

 

my husband and I sent all the above plus evidence of many trips to show time together and were approved with a 28-year age gap

 

make sure you are with her for the visa interview in 1-2 years at the end of the process, know everything about each other if questioned

 

good luck!

Edited February 11, 2020 by carmel34

[zozomike 9]

Wow, you folks are amazing. I just posted this morning, and already wonderful responses. Thank you so much. 

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

1 minute ago, zozomike said:

Wow, you folks are amazing. I just posted this morning, and already wonderful responses. Thank you so much. 

Well, imo, there is still the question of why the fiance visa was denied........Was she married before?  If so, did she show proof that she was free to marry?  Did you show evidence that your prior marriages were legally dissolved?

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Question to those with more experience in this, is there anything to read into the specific wording of 

2 hours ago, missileman said:

she was not eligible for the visa category in which she was applying.

(as opposed to some kind of general denial wording) - this seems to specifically say the problem is with her as opposed to the relationship, etc. As asked above, could she prove free to marry?

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

Just now, SusieQQQ said:

Question to those with more experience in this, is there anything to read into the specific wording of 

(as opposed to some kind of general denial wording) - this seems to specifically say the problem is with her as opposed to the relationship, etc. As asked above, could she prove free to marry?

Personally, I'm not sure if that is just standard language or a statement relating to her specifically.....good question, @SusieQQQ

[zozomike 9]

7 hours ago, missileman said:

Well, imo, there is still the question of why the fiance visa was denied........Was she married before?  If so, did she show proof that she was free to marry?  Did you show evidence that your prior marriages were legally dissolved?

Indeed, we labored long to prove that, for both of us. Yes she was married before. Yes the divorce was certified by her court and translated. All those customary hurdles were addressed. The consultant I hired actually drafted all the petition with our docs. and we approved. The why has confused the experienced consultant as well as us. As I have nothing to hide following is a cover letter I sent which iterates all the contents: 

 

Edited February 12, 2020 by Ban Hammer
personal info removed