Older woman-Younger man...K1 or CR1/IR1?

[Malolyon 1]

Happy Sunday!

I'd love your advice on my situation. Met my guy in Accra in February 2023. Friends until we decided to be more in October 2023. We became engaged in April 2024 and filed the I-129F in June 2024. Since meeting in 2023, I've visited twice and will return in November. We have a 22 year age gap with me being the older one. Neither of us have been married nor have children. He's a Muslim and I'm considering reverting/converting (which was in the works prior to meeting him). We've heard the Accra embassy is tough on older-younger relationships and slow in their processing. Though we've also heard K1 processing is faster. We've heard we'd have to be married for two years before applying for the spousal visa. We're trying to figure out which is the better route....time wise and for likely approval. Your advice is greatly appreciated.  Thank you in advance. 

[Crazy Cat 41,837]

4 minutes ago, Malolyon said:

We've heard we'd have to be married for two years before applying for the spousal visa.

That is inaccurate.....although the more time you actually spend together, the better.  There is no requirement to be married for 2 years prior to submitting an I-130.

[Boiler 45,470]

I would go CR1

 

And make sure you prepare a strong case

[Malolyon 1]

2 hours ago, Boiler said:

I would go CR1

 

And make sure you prepare a strong case

Thanks for your feedback. By strong case, what do you mean?

[OldUser 6,636]

7 minutes ago, Malolyon said:

Thanks for your feedback. By strong case, what do you mean?

As much evidence of relationship as you can submit.

[Pinkrlion 2,716]

It’s hard to gage from a high crime embassy what to think. I do know woman who are older and did not have any problems but they dated for 5 years before they got engaged. Another couple they were both from the same island. 

[SalishSea 17,819]

5 hours ago, Malolyon said:

Happy Sunday!

I'd love your advice on my situation. Met my guy in Accra in February 2023. Friends until we decided to be more in October 2023. We became engaged in April 2024 and filed the I-129F in June 2024. Since meeting in 2023, I've visited twice and will return in November. We have a 22 year age gap with me being the older one. Neither of us have been married nor have children. He's a Muslim and I'm considering reverting/converting (which was in the works prior to meeting him). We've heard the Accra embassy is tough on older-younger relationships and slow in their processing. Though we've also heard K1 processing is faster. We've heard we'd have to be married for two years before applying for the spousal visa. We're trying to figure out which is the better route....time wise and for likely approval. Your advice is greatly appreciated.  Thank you in advance. 

You have your work cut out for you with red flag after red flag.   You will need to have as much time spent in person as possible, and CR-1 is more likely to be approved.

 

And in case of a denial, you’ll need plan B-  are you willing to move to Ghana?

[Malolyon 1]

5 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

You have your work cut out for you with red flag after red flag.   You will need to have as much time spent in person as possible, and CR-1 is more likely to be approved.

 

And in case of a denial, you’ll need plan B-  are you willing to move to Ghana?

I'm new to the immigration process, so please point out the red flags you are referring to. Thank you.

[Pinkrlion 2,716]

12 minutes ago, Malolyon said:

I'm new to the immigration process, so please point out the red flags you are referring to. Thank you.

High Fraud Country

Engaged in 6 months

Filed for Immigration 2 months after engagement

Different Religious Faiths

Older woman/younger man

Fertility

[SalishSea 17,819]

5 hours ago, Malolyon said:

I'm new to the immigration process, so please point out the red flags you are referring to. Thank you.

Pinkrlion nailed it.

 

All of these things combine to lead the consulate to believe it is a green card marriage.  You will have to overcome that via a preponderance of evidence.

[SalishSea 17,819]

Also-  I reread the original post, and I’m confused as to why you’re just now asking which visa is better, having already filed a petition.   Hopefully you realize that the only visa you may be eligible for is a fiancé visa, and that it you marry on the next visit, your current petition is voided.

[Malolyon 1]

On 8/19/2024 at 1:10 AM, SalishSea said:

Also-  I reread the original post, and I’m confused as to why you’re just now asking which visa is better, having already filed a petition.   Hopefully you realize that the only visa you may be eligible for is a fiancé visa, and that it you marry on the next visit, your current petition is voided.

I filed because I was concerned about the dates of our photos being submitted within 30 days of them being taken. I do realize at this time the fiance visa is the most appropriate and that it'd be voided if we married. Thank you for your feedback. 

[Malolyon 1]

On 8/19/2024 at 1:07 AM, SalishSea said:

Pinkrlion nailed it.

 

All of these things combine to lead the consulate to believe it is a green card marriage.  You will have to overcome that via a preponderance of evidence.

Understandable. Any suggestions for what to include for show a preponderance of evidence beyond trip verification and pictures? Thank you.

On 8/18/2024 at 8:15 PM, Pinkrlion said:

High Fraud Country

Engaged in 6 months

Filed for Immigration 2 months after engagement

Different Religious Faiths

Older woman/younger man

Fertility

Thank you for feedback. 

[Malolyon 1]

On 8/18/2024 at 2:03 PM, Crazy Cat said:

That is inaccurate.....although the more time you actually spend together, the better.  There is no requirement to be married for 2 years prior to submitting an I-130.

Thank you for the correct information. 

On 8/18/2024 at 6:22 PM, OldUser said:

As much evidence of relationship as you can submit.

Thank you.

[Malolyon 1]

On 8/18/2024 at 2:03 PM, Crazy Cat said:

That is inaccurate.....although the more time you actually spend together, the better.  There is no requirement to be married for 2 years prior to submitting an I-130.

Thank you for the correct information.