I don't know where to begin

[Quimat 154]

Hello everyone! I'm not sure where to even begin with this process and I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I have met my wonderful boyfriend of 1 year and he currently lives in Gambia. He initially contacted me on Facebook and at first I was skeptical, but it has been breathtakingly beautiful since we have talked. He is a wonderful man with a sweet soul and here recently we have talked about taking our relationship to the next level. This was actually my idea because I have fallen in love with him. I have no idea how to begin this process. I am currently a nursing school student and working on getting things in order for myself. I didn't expect to fall in love with someone thousands of miles away, but here I am. 

Anyways...I need help. I'm not sure where to begin this whole process. I have never been to Gambia. I have read that we have to have proof we have met in person and that worries me because I have children and I hate to be away from them for so long to travel, but I will do it for love. He is truly an amazing man and I just want to begin my life with him. Please give me some advice or anything so I can start this process to finally begin a life with the love of my life. 

[Crazy Cat 41,865]

I suggest you actually meet, get to know each other, then decide what path to take....starting here.  You need to know that immigration is a long, expensive process.

 

I moved this thread to "What visa Do I need?"

Edited December 18, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[Quimat 154]

I do plan to travel there to meet him and really get to know him. I just want to plan ahead. I'm aware the process is tedious and costly, I'm willing to go through it to get him here. Thank you.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

10 minutes ago, quisha said:

I do plan to travel there to meet him and really get to know him. I just want to plan ahead. I'm aware the process is tedious and costly, I'm willing to go through it to get him here. Thank you.

This is the first step, take it one step at a time before moving on to the next step. Don’t get pressured into marriage on your first visit, both because it’s just not a good idea in general and because it’s a red flag to USCIS. Get to know him well in person. This may mean a few trips,but the investment will be well worth it.
 

[Quimat 154]

23 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

This is the first step, take it one step at a time before moving on to the next step. Don’t get pressured into marriage on your first visit, both because it’s just not a good idea in general and because it’s a red flag to USCIS. Get to know him well in person. This may mean a few trips,but the investment will be well worth it.
 

Yes, we plan to take it slow. He has not pressure me into marriage at all, matter of fact, I was the one who initially mentioned marrying him. He never expressed a desire to consider moving here until recently. I don't mind at all to make the few trips if necessary. Thank you!

[C-ma'am 684]

Step one: Meet in person

[Quimat 154]

1 minute ago, C-ma'am said:

Step one: Meet in person

That is definitely going to be my first step...I've pretty much figured that part out. I just wanted to know what to expect afterwards in the event everything goes well upon meeting him. 

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

1 hour ago, quisha said:

That is definitely going to be my first step...I've pretty much figured that part out. I just wanted to know what to expect afterwards in the event everything goes well upon meeting him. 

That is dependent on wither you two get married, get engaged, or plan to get married later and file for the CR1 visa. As others have stated the VERY 1st STEP is meeting in person and going from there. Do not get married to quick because it can be a bad sign to USCIS. So go meet in person. have fun, and then decide what the next step you two want to do. 

[Quimat 154]

25 minutes ago, Cyberfx1024 said:

That is dependent on wither you two get married, get engaged, or plan to get married later and file for the CR1 visa. As others have stated the VERY 1st STEP is meeting in person and going from there. Do not get married to quick because it can be a bad sign to USCIS. So go meet in person. have fun, and then decide what the next step you two want to do. 

Oh I for sure won't rush into marriage and that would even be the same if  I was planning to marry an American man lol. I think I'm just overthinking things for now. You are right that I should just go, have fun, feel it out and then make that decision with him. Thank you.

[PaulaCJohnny 713]

2 hours ago, quisha said:

I do plan to travel there to meet him and really get to know him. I just want to plan ahead. I'm aware the process is tedious and costly, I'm willing to go through it to get him here. Thank you.

Love is amaaazing! But imigration process is not!

I recommend you to, before plan to bring him, ask him to apply for a tourist visa. He can visit you too right? 

 

Edited December 18, 2020 by Paula&Johnny

[Boiler 45,519]

Sounds much more practical for him to do the visiting with your commitments.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

16 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Sounds much more practical for him to do the visiting with your commitments.

With B visa refusals running above 72% for Gambia, probably not 

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

4 hours ago, quisha said:

Oh I for sure won't rush into marriage and that would even be the same if  I was planning to marry an American man lol. I think I'm just overthinking things for now. You are right that I should just go, have fun, feel it out and then make that decision with him. Thank you.

That is the key part is actually getting together and getting to know each other other than over the phone/internet. You know that you may like the person until you get to spend some time together, only to find out you don't like many of the things that person does. 

Also there is some key things you need to do while in Gambia such as: visiting and meeting his family, possible seeing his city or town/village, and just spending time together. 

 

[Quimat 154]

3 hours ago, Paula&Johnny said:

Love is amaaazing! But imigration process is not!

I recommend you to, before plan to bring him, ask him to apply for a tourist visa. He can visit you too right? 

 

I’m not sure about that because he’s never been out of his country and I have no idea how strict Gambia is. I don’t hear of many coming to America from there. 

4 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

With B visa refusals running above 72% for Gambia, probably not 

So they have a very high rate of not allowing them to come to the USA? 😕

Edited December 19, 2020 by quisha
Put in wrong word

[Quimat 154]

3 minutes ago, Cyberfx1024 said:

That is the key part is actually getting together and getting to know each other other than over the phone/internet. You know that you may like the person until you get to spend some time together, only to find out you don't like many of the things that person does. 

Also there is some key things you need to do while in Gambia such as: visiting and meeting his family, possible seeing his city or town/village, and just spending time together. 

 

Yes exactly, this is huge. We get along beautifully on the phone but it could very well change in person. I do worry that Gambia will be more strict on allowing him to eventually leave the country and come here.