Against the Odds

[CoriandPhilemon 9]

Hello, 

I am feeling overwhelmed by the odds against us in Lagos. Is there anyone here who has recently been issued a marriage or K-1 visa and would be willing to tell me about it? What can we do to increase our odds? Coronavirus isn’t helping.. but I am looking for a foothold amongst so much uncertainty. 

[Quarknase 1,072]

1 hour ago, CoriandPhilemon said:

Hello, 

I am feeling overwhelmed by the odds against us in Lagos. Is there anyone here who has recently been issued a marriage or K-1 visa and would be willing to tell me about it? What can we do to increase our odds? Coronavirus isn’t helping.. but I am looking for a foothold amongst so much uncertainty. 

We’re not dealing with Lagos, but I’ve read some things. Do you have any of the most mentioned red flags such as

- big age gap (petitioner being much older)

- different religion

- children from prior relationships

- proposal during first visit

- how did you meet (was the beneficiary fishing for US partners on Facebook/social media)?

 

Facetime seems to be the best thing to overcome hurdles. How much time have you two spent together in person?

 

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

37 minutes ago, Quarknase said:

We’re not dealing with Lagos, but I’ve read some things. Do you have any of the most mentioned red flags such as

- big age gap (petitioner being much older)

- different religion

- children from prior relationships

- proposal during first visit

- how did you meet (was the beneficiary fishing for US partners on Facebook/social media)?

 

Facetime seems to be the best thing to overcome hurdles. How much time have you two spent together in person?

 

He is correct. All the above would not help your k1 case... an absence of them would.

 

I think I remember in a previous post you said you only met one time? If so you really need more visits- only 1x is almost a guarantee denial for k1.

 

Also I’m not sure how recent you are looking for info for but I did want to point out that CR1s aren’t issueD currently due to a ban on Nigeria immigrant visas and k1s haven’t been issued since COVID- US is not allowing k1s in at this time (except in extreme cases)

[Quarknase 1,072]

1 hour ago, Luckycuds said:

He is correct. All the above would not help your k1 case... an absence of them would.

 

I think I remember in a previous post you said you only met one time? If so you really need more visits- only 1x is almost a guarantee denial for k1.

 

Also I’m not sure how recent you are looking for info for but I did want to point out that CR1s aren’t issueD currently due to a ban on Nigeria immigrant visas and k1s haven’t been issued since COVID- US is not allowing k1s in at this time (except in extreme cases)

Second that - applying after one visit is probably blowing money out the window.

While we are not dealing with Lagos (and are married), we are also very conscious of general concerns since we have a 10 year age gap and different religious background.

The only thing that really helps here is spending time together and proof that living together has worked out. Would the beneficiary be able to move to Nigeria for a while, or at least spend some months there? We for instance have spent 4.5 months together in 2019, and so far 2 months in 2020 (covid made it hard to reunite, otherwise we would have been together for 4 months at this time).

Especially for Nigeria and Morocco we’ve seen reports of young men having multiple phones (one for each “fiancé”) and run with it until one works out. They don’t have interest in more than the required actual face time. Consular officers in these posts are well aware. Running this game is harder (though... still possible) when you actually live together abroad.

Please don’t think I’m suggesting anything regarding your relationship. I’m just explaining what you’re up against.

[CoriandPhilemon 9]

7 hours ago, Quarknase said:

We’re not dealing with Lagos, but I’ve read some things. Do you have any of the most mentioned red flags such as

- big age gap (petitioner being much older)

- different religion

- children from prior relationships

- proposal during first visit

- how did you meet (was the beneficiary fishing for US partners on Facebook/social media)?

 

Facetime seems to be the best thing to overcome hurdles. How much time have you two spent together in person?

 

Well, we’ve spent a total of 8 days together in person, but we’ve been together for nearly 2 years. I was hoping if we put together a strong packet with proof of longevity and extensive communication that it would tip the scales a bit in our favor. As far as red flags, the only one we have is the proposal. He did propose on our first visit but we’d been together for a year, and we have evidence of him discussing it with my mom for weeks before our trip. I don’t want to set us up for another heartbreaking denial.. we are both wanting to shoot our shot but I’m struggling to feel prepared. 

[CoriandPhilemon 9]

7 hours ago, Luckycuds said:

He is correct. All the above would not help your k1 case... an absence of them would.

 

I think I remember in a previous post you said you only met one time? If so you really need more visits- only 1x is almost a guarantee denial for k1.

 

Also I’m not sure how recent you are looking for info for but I did want to point out that CR1s aren’t issueD currently due to a ban on Nigeria immigrant visas and k1s haven’t been issued since COVID- US is not allowing k1s in at this time (except in extreme cases)

Thank you for that information; yes you’re right: just the one visit. 

[Quarknase 1,072]

9 minutes ago, CoriandPhilemon said:

Well, we’ve spent a total of 8 days together in person, but we’ve been together for nearly 2 years. I was hoping if we put together a strong packet with proof of longevity and extensive communication that it would tip the scales a bit in our favor. As far as red flags, the only one we have is the proposal. He did propose on our first visit but we’d been together for a year, and we have evidence of him discussing it with my mom for weeks before our trip. I don’t want to set us up for another heartbreaking denial.. we are both wanting to shoot our shot but I’m struggling to feel prepared. 

With 8 days in person I honestly don’t think you will reach very far.

You can read a bit about what @Jeanne Adil went through with Morocco embassy which I believe is considered second toughest after Lagos. 
You are aware that currently ALL visas for Nigerians are under a ban?

Maybe use the time for more visits and gathering of proof that you met his family, friends etc. Long distance communication doesn’t carry much weight with Lagos Embassy due to the above mentioned scam scheme.

[JFH 12,190]

The number one thing that will improve your chances, as you have already been advised on numerous previous threads, is more time together. One visit of 8 days is almost certainly going to be a denial for Nigeria. 
 

Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it will take a long time. But that’s just how it is when you decide to marry someone from a country with a high rate of visa denials. You will often see reference made on this forum to “high fraud” and “low fraud” countries. Someone once said it goes like this (and they were not wrong) when it comes to the likelihood of a visa being issued:

 

- low fraud countries

- medium fraud countries

- high fraud countries

- Nigeria

 

See this as a five-year project and you might be realistic with how long it will take to get the outcome you want. Remember a K-1 denial cannot be appealed. You would either have to start all over again (and pay all over again) or get married and start the spousal visa process (which also costs over $1000 with all fees). So you may as well spend that money on more plane tickets to see each other than multiple visa applications that lead to denials.

[JeanneAdil 6,510]

all the above being said a one time visit of 8 days would probably get a denial 

takes plenty of face time to get approved in Nigeria (tap the word portal above and read posts and embassy reviews from Nigeria as that is your best source for information on what you will go thru although i can also tell you most)

i spent month of June 2009 in Morocco with his family and applied July 2009 for k1 which was denied (still waiting for a reason why and i have asked)

married and spent 2 months in spring 2010 and month of November for honeymoon after appliying for CR1

another 3 months in 2011 for his CR 1 interview and was denied and i appealed the denial and won but court said to reapply to get my approval

so i applied and was given IR1 in 2015

 

My opinion (since Nigeria was added to the list of banned counties which was announced January 31,  2020 to start February 22nd -may have been 21st , you would be better to make another trip and get more face time and marry.  the CR1 is the cheapest way to do the process in the long run as AOS is expensive and the immigrant can  work when he/she arrives as they stamp 551 for work authorization on the visa till the green card arrives

this would give you the needed face time and more proof of the relationship (which is what they look for) 

all that is only my opinion but u do not have enough time together.  

any other red flags like

difference of religion

can not have children (expected in this culture)

big age difference

mulitple divorces

nigerian family does not approve (expecially the mother but any family member can object to a marriage)

 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-press-secretary-108/ 

 

 

Trust me freind ' No one here is going to say don't do this or forget it"  we believe in love,  being together and freedom to do this 

what we are saying "you picked a hard country (even before the ban )  and if you decide to continue ,  be prepared to have a lot of patience and spend a lot of money and time and pray the US and Nigeria work out their differences so the ban is lifted as one attorney site shows in a chart waivers from banned countries are hard to get.  see chart on following site 

 

https://www.shusterman.com/trump-travel-ban/

 

[retheem 566]

Wueeh! More grace to you. You will make it, you just have to work harder. Yahoo boys have shown the world things....

[HRQX 4,145]

11 hours ago, Quarknase said:

You are aware that currently ALL visas for Nigerians are under a ban?

Most Immigrant Visas are banned for Nigerian nationals: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/presidential-proclamation-archive/presidential-proclamation9645.html OP's fiance is applying for K-1 visa which isn't banned because it's a Nonimmigrant Visa.

Edited June 22, 2020 by HRQX

[Cathi 5,755]

A mere eight days together in real life over two years works against beneficiaries from low fraud of countries let alone people from the highest fraud country(Nigeria). The reality of the situation is that you are going to have a steep, uphill battle. If possible, I would plan a trip back to Nigeria to second more time IRL before applying. Good luck.

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

11 hours ago, CoriandPhilemon said:

I don’t want to set us up for another heartbreaking denial.. we are both wanting to shoot our shot but I’m struggling to feel prepared. 

Another denial? Do you mean this is not the first time you petition your fiancé? 

If that's the case, your best approach is: meet again, get married and file for a spousal visa.

Edited June 22, 2020 by Allaboutwaiting

[Sparkle Sparkle 914]

12 hours ago, Quarknase said:

With 8 days in person I honestly don’t think you will reach very far.

You can read a bit about what @Jeanne Adil went through with Morocco embassy which I believe is considered second toughest after Lagos. 
You are aware that currently ALL visas for Nigerians are under a ban?

Maybe use the time for more visits and gathering of proof that you met his family, friends etc. Long distance communication doesn’t carry much weight with Lagos Embassy due to the above mentioned scam scheme.

Not all visas are on ban, only immigrant visas

[SalishSea 17,835]

14 hours ago, CoriandPhilemon said:

Well, we’ve spent a total of 8 days together in person

Glaring red flag.

 

Lagos is a high fraud consulate, and unfortunately due to the history of male Nigerians defrauding female Americans to obtain immigrant visas, you will be scrutinized through a different lens than K-1s from other countries.  I am in no way suggesting this is your situation, but if I were you, I would have a concrete plan B in place, i.e. you may need to move there if you really want to be together.