Age difference, high fraud country

[carmel34 3,620]

It's a simple formula of success/failure for high fraud countries with a big age gap, before filing any petition for a spouse or fiancé(e).  More time together, in person, over multiple visits to see each other, equals a greater likelihood of approval.  Little time together in person, over few visits, equals less likelihood of approval.  We see this pattern play out time and time again here on VJ.  My husband and I have a large age difference, and our courtship/marriage was relatively short.  We got married on my fourth trip to Brazil, and met on five more trips after marriage, before his visa interview.  He is now a US citizen.

Edited October 3 by carmel34

[apnzz 226]

Agree with everyone here, if you already identify that you have some red flags; age gap, high risk country.. then don't add to it. Marrying on the first time you meet in person is only going to add to that. Establish some time together first, a few visits etc. 

 

Regardless of the visa process, marrying someone you've never met in person a single time is a bit of a red flag. You have no idea what being with that person is like but you're gonna marry. If people here agree that is a red flag, you can only imagine what USCIS think and their job is to investigate and scrutinise a relationship to determine its authenticity.

[Cw1977 100]

4 hours ago, Scotty and JoJo said:

My soon to be wife is quite a bit younger than I, and is in Kenya, listed as one of two very high marriage fraud countries in Africa. 

 

Has anyone had any issues or denials based on either or both of these factors? We have never met in person, but have been 'together' for over a year and now want to tie the knot.

 

Thanks for any help

Scotty and JoJo

how big is the age gap? What someone thinks is large might not to another 

[pushbrk 12,859]

Significant time together in person, is the solution.  How many visits is not the issue. It's how much time together.  If you're planning a single visit for a week or two, don't expect success.  It seems you've developed a long distance relationship, without considering the practical side.  You're an adult.  You know the practical aspects are going to cost quite a bit of money and YOU will be the one doing the traveling.  My advice is to hold off on commitments to marry, until you've sorted out how you're going to make at least two trips to Kenya, and spend at least a 5 or 6 weeks total together.

[pushbrk 12,859]

2 minutes ago, Cw1977 said:

how big is the age gap? What someone thinks is large might not to another 

Yes, it matters but the really problematic age gaps from that region are when the American woman is significantly older than the African man.  (reverse age difference)

[Nous Eb 122]

If I were a USCIS officer and you would file with this story and get married first trip, it would be huge red flags all over for me. My first intuition would say 'green card marriage'. Doesn't mean it's true, but it certainly appears that way. If I were you I would follow the advice already given and meet multiple times for longer periods before getting married. An online relationship is not the same as living together. I would never marry and sponsor (you will be financially responsible) someone I had never met in person. That just sounds strange to me and I bet also to any USCIS officer. So spend the money on trips instead of a divorce!

Edited October 3 by Nous Eb

[pushbrk 12,859]

3 hours ago, Nous Eb said:

If I were a USCIS officer and you would file with this story and get married first trip, it would be huge red flags all over for me. My first intuition would say 'green card marriage'. Doesn't mean it's true, but it certainly appears that way. If I were you I would follow the advice already given and meet multiple times for longer periods before getting married. An online relationship is not the same as living together. I would never marry and sponsor (you will be financially responsible) someone I had never met in person. That just sounds strange to me and I bet also to any USCIS officer. So spend the money on trips instead of a divorce!

You point out a valid issue but it's pretty rare that USCIS challenges the validity of relationships, when reasonable evidence of relationship is presented.  The issue you speak of is far more common with Consular Officers at the interview stage.  USCIS doesn't issue visas.  That's Dept. of State's responsibility.

[Bunninuts 27]

19 hours ago, pushbrk said:

Yes, it matters but the really problematic age gaps from that region are when the American woman is significantly older than the African man.  (reverse age difference)

This simply isn't true. Age difference no matter the gender is looked at the same. You are suggesting that there is built in prejudice between the genders and that somehow only young men pray on older women. Fraudulent marriage attempts are of any gender of any age and will be investigated equally.

 

@Scotty and JoJo : Plan on making a visit to that country or she can apply to visit ours by applying for the visitor visa prior to next steps. There are plenty of folks that share their experiences on here and other forums where you gain a good background of what others have experienced with similar situation as yours. The I-129F (Fiance Visa) has a strict portion that states you must have met in person before applying. You have to explain how that meeting happened as well. I recommend reviewing the paperwork for the I-129F and the I-130 to know what the requirements are on paper and begin a checklist for yourself to acquire those actions. Choosing a human from another country is for the rich as the whole process if very costly. Many of us have to scrape to make it happen. Be realistic with what the next steps are and if you can acquire them. It may take a bit of time for saving money and gaining time off from work to invest in the relationship and visa process. If cost is an inhibitor, can any friends or family help you with donating to your cause of visiting Kenya to meet? I would also consider if you make enough to support your partner on paper. Those requirements are within the paperwork. You have to commit to being financially responsible for the person for 10 years. 10 whole years. You have to have supporting tax documents, pay stubs, a statement from your employer, and a letter from your financial institution.

 

There are a lot of hurdles to overcome. Whatever your path is from here, I wish you the best. 💜

[pushbrk 12,859]

3 hours ago, Bunninuts said:

This simply isn't true. Age difference no matter the gender is looked at the same. You are suggesting that there is built in prejudice between the genders and that somehow only young men pray on older women. Fraudulent marriage attempts are of any gender of any age and will be investigated equally.

 

 

There are regional differences to what is considered an issue with age differences.  A man marrying a woman thirty years his junior in the Philippines is culturally acceptable in the woman's culture.  A man from Morocco, who has never been married before, and in his twenties, marrying a divorced woman with children who is too old to HAVE children is extremely unusual.  So no, age differences are not "looked at the same".  In the context of US Immigration matters, very consideration takes totality of circumstances including local customs and accepted behavior into account.  This discussion and my assertions are all in that specific context.  All that said, in this case, the age difference is probably not an issue.

[TiffAndMike 54]

On 10/3/2024 at 12:22 PM, SalishSea said:

“Love to meet”?   
 

You cannot marry via the online Utah program and file a petition without meeting.

If you haven't seen each other in person and you are legally married, then that would be a super huge red flag. 

 

You are expected to of consumated your marriage.  That is stated in USCIS documents.  That's kinda of hard to do without seeing each other. 

 

I am 19 years older than my husband but that's my only red flag. I am not worried about it though as we have plenty of proof that our marriage is 110% legit and we are both in it for the right reasons.

 

We have both met each other's family as well. Before he and I ever got engaged, he came here on the visa waiver and spent almost 3 months with me. On his 2nd  visit, we got married in Vegas. Since then, I've been to visit him once and he has been to visit me once. 

 

my thoughts to you would be to consider a K1 visa instead of a IR1/CR1 visa. You only have to meet in person once and once she arrives, you have 90 days to marry or not.  Besides, the wait time for an IR1/CR1 is significantly longer these days compared to a K1. 

 

While someone might be great over the phone or on paper, doesn't mean they will be that way in person.  You need to spend an extended period of time living with someone to see their true self. You don't want to just jump being marrid and living with someone for it not to truly work out. 

 

Divorcing if it don't work out is the least of what you'd have to worry about.  You actually have to sign a 10 year contract with the government  which you agree to be financially liable for her. If you divorce and she goes on food stamps, section 8, ect., YOU have to pay the government back for the support she receives from them. 

 

Before my husband and I ever got engaged, I researched everything and I made 110% sure that our relationship was worth the risk.

[TiffAndMike 54]

I forgot to add, he and I have been together for slightly over 2 years, married for 1 now.  We see each other twice a year 

 

 

[Ontarkie 14,205]

Hijack post has been removed.  Poster already has an existing thread.~~