Too early to file?

[Curlyk 2]

Hi everyone!

New here, hope this is the right place to post. 
I met my fiancé 4 months ago, and traveled to see him in Morocco 3 months ago. I would like to petition for him through the k-1 route by the end of this month, but I’m wondering if this is too soon? Will this be a red flag? I have heard Morocco is considered high fraud, so don’t want to jump the gun if it will just be denied due to recent meeting. We traveled together for 2 weeks in Morocco, so we have a ton of photos. I also met his family, who we also have photos with. My sister joined me on the trip, so she is in many of the photos as well. I will be returning to Morocco at the end of December. Is it better to wait until after my second trip to complete the I-129f? Would like to do it as soon as possible, but want the best chances for us. I have done research for k1 vs cr1 and opting for k1 route. Would appreciate any advice. Thanks! 

Edited November 11 by Curlyk

[Edward and Jaycel 165]

Personally, I would wait until after the 2nd trip. That's what Jaycel and I did. My second "trip" was me moving to the Philippines for a year, and granted not everyone can do something like that, but I would at least wait until you have spent more time to overcome any hurdles at the embassy. If possible I would even make a third trip to see him while the I-129F is in process to strengthen your relationship and your case even more.

[EmilyW 1,434]

Paging @Jeanne Adil.

 

From what I understand, you're moving fast.  Are there any other red flags, such as an age difference, different religious beliefs etc?

 

[Curlyk 2]

36 minutes ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

Personally, I would wait until after the 2nd trip. That's what Jaycel and I did. My second "trip" was me moving to the Philippines for a year, and granted not everyone can do something like that, but I would at least wait until you have spent more time to overcome any hurdles at the embassy. If possible I would even make a third trip to see him while the I-129F is in process to strengthen your relationship and your case even more.

I wish I could move abroad like you, but my job is quite demanding. What a wonderful experience for you! What specific hurdles, if you don’t mind me asking? I’m planning another trip next year, though my travel is limited by work. I know the K-1 process takes time, which is why I was considering filing sooner. I thought the wait could be a good opportunity for us to strengthen our relationship. Throughout the process, do you send additional updates about visits, or only if they request more evidence?

[smilingstone 172]

When you say you met 4 months ago, do you mean that you first made contact with each other 4 months ago, or that you first met in-person (but have known each other some time prior to) 4 months ago?

 

If it's the former, huge red flag.

If it's the latter, not so much a red flag but considering it's Morocco it will likely be scrutinised.

 

Morocco is high fraud so you're going to want to really bolster your case with as much documented evidence as possible. 2 weeks worth of pics from a single trip isn't going to be as strong as evidencing multiple trips during a longer relationship timeline. For context, me and mine knew each other nearly 6 years before finally meeting and by the time we filed, I'd made 2 trips.

 

[powerpuff 6,697]

Morocco is high fraud and has a higher denial rate than other consulates. It’s great that you’re looking ahead. I would definitely wait until the second trip to file. 
 

The other reason I don’t recommend filing after the first visit is that even if you do meet after filing now and bring that proof of relationship to the interview, consular officers aren’t obligated to look at it. There are many stories where CO didn’t even ask for it and made a decision solely on what’s provided in the I-129f petition. At my interview, he didn’t take that evidence in even though I brought it with me.

 

If you fiancé was from Philippines for example, I would definitely advise to NOT wait because they literally hand out K1 visas like candy and vast majority are approved.

Edited November 11 by powerpuff
Grammar

[Curlyk 2]

46 minutes ago, EmilyW said:

Paging @Jeanne Adil.

 

From what I understand, you're moving fast.  Are there any other red flags, such as an age difference, different religious beliefs etc?

 

We are close in age (23 & 27), and have different religions, but we’re both open minded and have had many discussions about what life would look like due to that. Our families are supportive as long as we’re happy. There are no major differences outside of religion, we get along well and communication is great. No previous marriages, no children, the only red flag is our relationship timeline. 

[Curlyk 2]

14 minutes ago, smilingstone said:

When you say you met 4 months ago, do you mean that you first made contact with each other 4 months ago, or that you first met in-person (but have known each other some time prior to) 4 months ago?

 

If it's the former, huge red flag.

If it's the latter, not so much a red flag but considering it's Morocco it will likely be scrutinised.

 

Morocco is high fraud so you're going to want to really bolster your case with as much documented evidence as possible. 2 weeks worth of pics from a single trip isn't going to be as strong as evidencing multiple trips during a longer relationship timeline. For context, me and mine knew each other nearly 6 years before finally meeting and by the time we filed, I'd made 2 trips.

 

We met online 4 months ago, and in person a month later. My understanding was that in the I-129f, they ask for your in-person meeting description, not the initial contact. Correct me if I’m wrong, please. Does initial contact date need to go in the application, or is this addressed in the interview? By then, we’ll have known each other much longer. The other option I was considering was having him come on a tourist visa (idk the likeliness of that getting approved), that way we can spend more time together and it could boost the evidence for our case before having him go back and filing the k-1. My job makes it hard for me to travel, but I will be making another trip in December and sometime later next year. Just honestly don’t want to waste time knowing how long the k-1 can take. Trying to get an idea of how long is necessary to wait before I file. 

[Curlyk 2]

30 minutes ago, powerpuff said:

Morocco is high fraud and has a higher denial rate than other consulates. It’s great that you’re looking ahead. I would definitely wait until the second trip to file. 
 

The other reason I don’t recommend filing after the first visit is that even if you do meet after filing now and bring that proof of relationship to the interview, consular officers aren’t obligated to look at it. There are many stories where CO didn’t even ask for it and made a decision solely on what’s provided in the I-129f petition. At my interview, he didn’t take that evidence in even though I brought it with me.

 

If you fiancé was from Philippines for example, I would definitely advise to NOT wait but they quote literally hand out K1 visas like candy and vast majority are approved.

This is great to know. I was really confused about how they would get updated information regarding additional visits, but now I understand better. Thank you. Definitely will be waiting until after the 2nd visit. I don’t want to ruin our chances by acting prematurely. 

[Edward and Jaycel 165]

28 minutes ago, Curlyk said:

I wish I could move abroad like you, but my job is quite demanding. What a wonderful experience for you! What specific hurdles, if you don’t mind me asking? I’m planning another trip next year, though my travel is limited by work. I know the K-1 process takes time, which is why I was considering filing sooner. I thought the wait could be a good opportunity for us to strengthen our relationship. Throughout the process, do you send additional updates about visits, or only if they request more evidence?

 

Yes I was lucky at the time to have been offered a contract position where I could work remotely anywhere in the world. The hurdles I'm thinking of are specifically at the embassy interview and your fiance speaking about your relationship timeline to the Consular Officer conducting the interview. Especially in an embassy that is considered high-fraud, I would rather them to be able to honestly say that you filed for them after a second visit of getting to know each other and were sure that you wanted to spend your lives together, rather than saying that you filed after the first visit, having known each other only 4 months. I get it, because Jaycel and I knew for certain after my first visit there that we wanted to pursue this option but we decided to wait since we had a red-flag ourselves (Large age-gap). This helped overcome any doubts with USCIS when we filed and she had lots of proof of relationship evidence when the time came for her embassy interview for the visa. And you never know with USCIS... they have been reducing the processing times lately for K-1s, it could still take a year or more for their approval to come or it could take 3-4 months (I've seen both extremes recently). And you cannot delay a K-1 petition for very long if at all. You are on whatever timeline that is thrust upon you.

[TBoneTX 45,288]

1 hour ago, powerpuff said:

even if you do meet after filing now and bring that proof of relationship to the interview, consular officers aren’t obligated to look at it.

This VERY overlooked factor is crucial (I speak from disastrous personal experience), especially at a high-fraud consulate.

 

The consulates cannot ignore or dismiss relationship evidence that USCIS has first seen, so make at least the second visit, collect voluminous evidence of a bona fide relationship, and include it in the I-129F petition filing.  I also suggest that you be available on or around the consular premises during the eventual visa interview.

 

Our Casablanca expert, JeanneAdil, should be along eventually.  Meanwhile, read the write-ups about Casa via the dropdown tab "Office Reviews & Info" atop any VJ page.

[JeanneAdil 6,504]

even if you do meet after filing now and bring that proof of relationship to the interview, consular officers aren’t obligated to look at it.

 

That is real BIG  /CO at interview in Casa will not look at additional evidence of more trips, etc.  

 

I don't often say this but in your case i would go the K1 route (after another trip)

Sounds like u r only able to get the short 2 week vacations and not time enough to complete a Moroccan marriage

Ages are at your advantage

Muslim man can marry Christian or one of the Jewish faith in Morocco / no issues there

Muslim woman has to marry Muslim man.

 

He will not be able to work until the AOS process is complete so look at the cost to support him (healthe care insurance is the biggy)

Be sure when u are granted the K1 visa , u go for his SS number quicktly as it helps in adding him to insurances and for DL

 

allah yekbel

Jeanne 

[smilingstone 172]

1 hour ago, Curlyk said:

My understanding was that in the I-129f, they ask for your in-person meeting description, not the initial contact. Correct me if I’m wrong, please. Does initial contact date need to go in the application, or is this addressed in the interview?

 

In the I-129F application, your focus is evidencing that you have met within the last 2 years (which you have), but it is also advisable that you include a statement of your circumstances meeting. You can use this document to provide further details on the context of how you met, how long you've known each other, how/when you reached the decision to get engaged, etc. For reference, our document was 2 sides in length. This isn't required as part of the application, but it is good practice - why would you not provide context?

 

When me and mine completed our statement, we provided detail from the time we first became acquainted (as friends), how our relationship developed and then leading up to our in-person meetings, ending with our decision to want to start a life together. 

 

How you met and for how long you have been together may also be asked in the interview. It's very relevant detail, despite not being specifically asked for in the I-129F application.

 

Here's a rundown of everything we included in the first application:

 

1)      Two Passport-Sized Photos (Petitioner, Beneficiary)

2)      Form G-1145 for E-Notification of Application Acceptance (1 Page)

3)      Application Fee via Cashier’s Check

4)      Form I-129F, Petition for K-1 Fiancé(e) for [MY NAME] (14 Pages)

5)      Proof of Meeting Within the Last 2 Years:

-          Confirmation of Approved ESTA for [MY NAME] (5 Pages)

-          Airline Tickets & Flight Itinerary [November 2023] (3 Pages)

-          Airbnb Reservation [November 2023] (1 Page)

-          Boarding Passes to and from the USA for [MY NAME] [November 2023] (2 Pages)

-          Picture Together [November 2023] (1 Page)

-          Airline Tickets & Flight Itinerary [March 2024] (2 Pages)

-          Boarding Passes to the USA for [MY NAME] [March 2024] (1 Page)

6)      Proof of Relationship:

-          Communication Transcripts (10 Pages)

7)      Fiancé Letter of Intent to Marry within 90 days, executed by Petitioner (1 Page)

8)      Fiancée Letter of Intent to Marry within 90 days, executed by Beneficiary (1 Page)

9)      Statement of Circumstances of Meeting (2 Pages)

10)   Proof of United States Citizenship for [USC NAME] (2 Pages)

11)   Passport Copy for [MY NAME] (1 Page)

12)   Form I-94, Travel History for [MY NAME] (2 Pages)

 

And here's a run down of everything I intend to take to my interview (still a work in progress), as well as copies of the above:

 

1)      Further Evidence of Relationship:

-          Pictures Together [October - November 2024] (2 Pages)

-          Excursion Activities [October – November 2024] (2 Pages)

-          Airline Tickets & Flight Itinerary [October - November 2024] (3 Pages)

-          Boarding Passes to and from the USA for [MY NAME] [October - November 2024] (2 Pages)

-          Communication Transcripts (12 Pages)

2)      Updated Fiancé Letter of Intent to Marry within 90 days, executed by Petitioner (1 Page)

3)      Updated Fiancée Letter of Intent to Marry within 90 days, executed by Beneficiary (1 Page)

4)      Updated Form I-94, Travel History for [MY NAME] (2 Pages)

Edited November 11 by smilingstone

[Edward and Jaycel 165]

3 minutes ago, smilingstone said:

 

In the I-129F application, your focus is evidencing that you have met within the last 2 years (which you have), but it is also advisable that you include a statement of your circumstances meeting. You can use this document to provide further details on the context of how you met, how long you've known each other, how/when you reached the decision to get engaged, etc. For reference, our document was 2 sides in length. This isn't required as part of the application, but it is good practice - why would you not provide context?

 

When me and mine completed our statement, we provided detail from the time we first became acquainted (as friends), how our relationship developed and then leading up to our in-person meetings, ending with our decision to want to start a life together. 

 

We included a ton of relationship evidence in our I-129F petition also, knowing that the embassy / Consular Officer could see the whole I-129F packet. Besides Philippines being an easier embassy to get K-1 approval, we think this is why Jaycel's interview only had 4 or 5 questions and was over in just a couple of minutes long with a verbal approval at the time and visa issued within 3 days

[Curlyk 2]

On 11/11/2024 at 11:50 AM, TBoneTX said:

This VERY overlooked factor is crucial (I speak from disastrous personal experience), especially at a high-fraud consulate.

 

The consulates cannot ignore or dismiss relationship evidence that USCIS has first seen, so make at least the second visit, collect voluminous evidence of a bona fide relationship, and include it in the I-129F petition filing.  I also suggest that you be available on or around the consular premises during the eventual visa interview.

 

Our Casablanca expert, JeanneAdil, should be along eventually.  Meanwhile, read the write-ups about Casa via the dropdown tab "Office Reviews & Info" atop any VJ page.

Yes, for sure was planning to be in the area during the future interview. Thank you so much!!