Nigerian going thru India? Red flags

[Abuchi&Denise 0]

Hi everyone.

Got some questions, and would appreciate your input. My fiancé is Nigerian but he works in Mumbai India and I was directed to ask some of my questions here in the South Asian forum, so I read thru some of the posts and it stirred many questions. My fiancé was planning on flying back to Lagos Nigeria to go thru (the K-1) immigration there. Then I was told he could possibly go thru Mumbai. He is living in Mumbai on a business Visa & has been there a year,

so question #1. Can he go thru Mumbai even though he not a national there?

#2. We felt like K-1 was better for us thru the Lagos office, but which would be better for us to go thru India (K1 or K3) (when I ask this I’m thinking fasts & easiest) note also that I will have a co-sponsor for my fiancé.

#3. Does anyone have a Nigerian mate that went thru India?

As I read thru the “success stories” post I became very excited because it seems faster & easier going through India than it is Lagos (except I don’t know if it applies for Nigerians) Then I was reading thru the “REJECTED” post and saw all the red flags mentioned & I became worried . And wondered maybe he should just fly back to Nigeria anyway because even though we have red flags, many Nigerians who have the same red flags we have, have made it through Lagos without being rejected, and I want to know what you think.

Red flag #1…I know I can’t file anything yet because my divorce is not final. But one of the red flags was about divorce. I would think that being open & telling them the truth would help, that I was in an abusive marriage (23 yrs) and after an emotional breakdown, started with counseling and decided to leave the marriage, and while I was trying to get the guts to leave, that’s when I met my fiancé online in a Christian chat room, I met him in 10-19-06 …but I didn’t leave the home until 3-9-07… I flew to India to meet him 3-15-07 and stayed till 4-15-07. Sounds bad I know, but my son age 22 & in military can vouch for me, he also will co sponsor my fiancé.

Red flag #2…We have a large age gap, I’m female age 48, he’s 30.

Red flag #3…Family Issues, I have 2 sons but they are older ages 17 & 22, both approve of my fiancé, they both know what we have been through, so they are happy for me.

My other family members like brothers & sisters, I don’t have a close relationship with because my husband separated me from them years ago, they haven’t been involved in my life for many years, they didn’t know the abuse and were shocked that I was divorcing & none know that I have even met another man. My mom is passed, my dad is 85, I have 7 brothers & sisters, I have one religious sister who thinks I should still be with my abuser. This part of my family will judge me not only for another man but also that he’s black & that he’s Nigerian…geesshhh it makes me so mad.

So question #4…Do you think there will be much of a problem if I am forward & upfront with them from the beginning, just as I have been here? If so what are your suggestions?

Thanks to everyone for reading my lengthy letter.

and for your input

Denise

[Saddle Bronc 124]

1. One can process at a consulate in a country where one is "normally resident" (meaning tempworkers/students can indeed process in the country where they are working/studying)
   
2. IMO, either go for K-1 or CR-1; don't go for K-3 (rather general, due to the design of the K-3, not specific to India)
   

On the red-flag questions, I can answer #4 only; it's more problematic for those who are not forward and upfront (doesn't mean things will necessarily be easy-smooth-sailing, but...)

[ELW 5]

Hi Denise!

Yes you have some red flags, but they can be a problem both in Nigeria and in India. Since your fiance is already settled and working in Mumbai, I would suggest doing a K1 through Mumbai. (Yes, it is certainly possible to apply in Mumbai, as CherryXS said.)

On a positive note, my husband is 15 years younger than me, and we got approved fine with no problem in India (Chennai). Many of us with red flags got approved; of course now and then there are denials, but that is the same in any country.

Regarding your family, sometimes they ask if the beneficiary's family approves of the match (for instance, they asked whether my husband's parents approved of our relationship, during the interview), but they usually never ask about the petitioner's family, so don't worry about that.

Here's wishing the two of you all the best!

[Charuhans 0]

You might want to google on news from recent weeks/months and also since the past few years regarding Mumbai/Narcotics Trade/Nigerians living in Mumbai. You will need a Police Clearance Certificate from Mumbai and no matter what people tell you here about spending some money and getting it, it might not work in this particular case as the news items will tell you.

Good Luck!!

[maya62 7]

Regarding your family, sometimes they ask if the beneficiary's family approves of the match (for instance, they asked whether my husband's parents approved of our relationship, during the interview), but they usually never ask about the petitioner's family, so don't worry about that.

Not to be contrary or anything but I'd try to get your fiance ready for that and/or any other question at the Consular interview phase. He may not know the answers to everything, but he needs to know they can ask that kind of question and he must answer honestly, even if it's to say "I don't know".

My fiance (now husband) was not asked what my family thought about our relationship, but he was asked for details about my family.

Best wishes!

Maya

[MrsAyilliath 0]

I know that my response to you may garner some angry responses but I'm going to be completely honest with you on my opinion. I'm a black woman who lived in India for a bit and I have to tell you that from observations and in MY OPINION it would be best for you all to do this in his home country. India is not (again in my opinion) the most accepting when it comes to Blacks in their country but especially Nigerians because they have been connected to so many negative acts ranging from drug trafficking to 420 scams. While I'm in no way saying your fiancee is connected to any of this, I am saying the actions of others can possibly affect him and your petition.

My husband read your post and wanted me to remind you that even if your fiancee returns to Lagos to file the visa request that he will need a police clearance certificate from Mumbai so be sure he has that in hand before he leaves. It will save you a headache later.

As far as your other read flags are concerned, it definitely helps that you spent a month with him. Just make sure you keep up with every little piece of evidence (receipts, pics, emails, phone records etc.). Have your sons write letters showing their support. Those can only help you and not hurt.

This post was not done to offend anyone. It's simply offering my obeservations and the opinion of myself and my husband. If you want help with anything feel free to PM me.

Good luck. You guys will be in my prayers.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I know that my response to you may garner some angry responses but I'm going to be completely honest with you on my opinion. I'm a black woman who lived in India for a bit and I have to tell you that from observations and in MY OPINION it would be best for you all to do this in his home country. India is not (again in my opinion) the most accepting when it comes to Blacks in their country

Actually, you are quite wrong on this one; there is a community of African-origin, the siddhis who have been on the Konkan coast for over 500 years--a community being there longterm can be considered as acceptance (especially given the societal attitudes of the Hindu majority).

but especially Nigerians because they have been connected to so many negative acts ranging from drug trafficking to 420 scams. While I'm in no way saying your fiancee is connected to any of this, I am saying the actions of others can possibly affect him and your petition.

My husband read your post and wanted me to remind you that even if your fiancee returns to Lagos to file the visa request that he will need a police clearance certificate from Mumbai so be sure he has that in hand before he leaves. It will save you a headache later.

As far as your other read flags are concerned, it definitely helps that you spent a month with him. Just make sure you keep up with every little piece of evidence (receipts, pics, emails, phone records etc.). Have your sons write letters showing their support. Those can only help you and not hurt.

This post was not done to offend anyone. It's simply offering my obeservations and the opinion of myself and my husband. If you want help with anything feel free to PM me.

Good luck. You guys will be in my prayers.

[Abuchi&Denise 0]

Thanks everyone.

I did indeed google the news of Nigerians in India and drugs etc...I have even talked to my fiance about it, so he's aware they will question him.

I was thinking that as far as the drugrunning of Nigerians in India is concerned, that it probably does't matter if my fiance goes thru Nigeria or India because Immigration is probaby well aware of it in both places simply because the eyes of immigration are on Nigerians and will question him about his being there in India for more than a year. I wonder if they would question him about coming back just to migrate to the US.

Anyway, i am thankful for all ur replies,

it really helps me to prepare.

Again, THX!!!!!!

Denise