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[sarah and hicham 3]

Hope you have done your homework. You are dealing with one of the meanest consulates in the state department. Almost two weeks together aint gonna hack it at the interview. You need to make more trips, or spend more time together.

Youre in for a long wait.

Now that's the way to welcome someone!

Our K-1 process took under 6 months. Some take longer, especially with longer processing times at USCIS lately. Don't worry too much.

Edited November 29, 2007 by sarah and hicham

[Skouri 2]

Welcome aboard … be patient and have a strong faith !!!

[polarbear 0]

Welcome to VJ! There is great advice here, don't be afraid to post questions, even if you think they might be silly

[desert_fox 32]

Hope you have done your homework. You are dealing with one of the meanest consulates in the state department. Almost two weeks together aint gonna hack it at the interview. You need to make more trips, or spend more time together.

Youre in for a long wait.

Now that's the way to welcome someone!

Our K-1 process took under 6 months. Some take longer, especially with longer processing times at USCIS lately. Don't worry too much.

If you read her orig post, she is looking for advice. Some have said the 'have patience'. I only told her the facts in which the rest of you are in denial. As a matter of fact, I gave her excellent advice.

[sunbird2013 0]

Hope you have done your homework. You are dealing with one of the meanest consulates in the state department. Almost two weeks together aint gonna hack it at the interview. You need to make more trips, or spend more time together.

Youre in for a long wait.

Now that's the way to welcome someone!

Our K-1 process took under 6 months. Some take longer, especially with longer processing times at USCIS lately. Don't worry too much.

If you read her orig post, she is looking for advice. Some have said the 'have patience'. I only told her the facts in which the rest of you are in denial. As a matter of fact, I gave her excellent advice.

Thank-you so much everyone for replying! I remember reading here a while back that the Consolate in Morocco is about the most difficult for a person to get a visa. This is why I complain to him a lot. I tell him this and that needs to be done/taken care of. Maybe I am a perfectionist at heart. He lovingly calls me hamka. LOL And yes I do plan to visit again before the official paperwork gets sent. I want to have a formal engagement celebration when I am there next. My family here is finally warming up to him. Unfortunately I must learn patience. He tells me "we have time". That must be the postal service mantra too. But then again, I do work for the Feds and have had to deal with that for a while now. Hurry up and wait. LOL I guess maybe my first steps is to look at the guides and print the forms and start gathering all I may need. Is an immigration lawyer needed? Would one really help more? Would it be better for him to get the lawyer or me? Also, tax time is almost upon us. From what I remember, these are valuable forms as well to have for proof of support.

For those with loved ones from Kenitra or have been there, what is up with the toilets?!?! And I wish I would have known to bring better walking shoes. I had blisters. LOL And I wasn't prepared to know his mother so well when she took me to the hammam.

Thanks again for all the wonderful welcomes. Sent patient thoughts to me.

[sereia 0]

welcome aboard! and glad you enjoyed morocco. a hammam is an amazing experience. i wish we had them here! (and my husband does soooo much more than me.)

i also agree with desert fox in saying you need to visit him more times. not once more....3, 4, 5, 6+,...as much as you can. and for as long as you can. people do get approved having met only once, but for your sake, i suggest getting to know him a little better in person. get to know his culture and religion better before you rush to decide if you want to marry him. buy books, talk to people, ask him questions, and spend time with him/his family/his friends!

good luck in whatever decision you make!

[Becky&Sam 0]

Welcome Sunbird2013. Basically just as others have said gather as much documentation as you can and get lots of patience together as well!!! Good luck!!!

[JeanneVictoria 55]

Hello and welcome!! Good luck in your journey!

[Aymerlu 3]

Welcome to VJ!

[Nutty 2]

I think my advice goes not only to you.....About being American and marrying someone from a "third world" (I use this term losely).....

Before I go further....I want you all to know that this is not a negative view of anyones relationship. Because I do know that good relationships can blossom between two cultures. However, I also want to offer some advice on how to be wise in your decisions.

I lived in India and Thailand off and on over the past 12 years. Understand one thing, America is considered the richest and most powerful country and many people would jump at any opportunity to move here. Being an American, I was often exposed to negative views people had of our government. The flip side was the overwhelming desire by many to come here "to get rich, to have better opportunities..." Often I was asked how to help with immigration issues..."How can I get a visa to go to USA? Can you help me?" "Nutty (not my real name), can you find me a nice American girl so that I can go to USA?" My Thai girlfriends, "He loves me and will take good care of me IN USA!" Often I was the object of mens attentions not just because I was a nice, attractive lady. But I also came with the added plus of being a potential pathway to the USA.

Now I don't begrudge anyone who wants to improve their situation and if romantic liasons are mutally beneficial...Who am I to complain?

However, for me personally, I did not want to viewed as "ticket to the US." So when I met my current husband, I made it clear I prefer to live in his country or a third party country together...And we did. I was satisified that he married me FOR ME. And that he was quite content to live in his country with me as his wife. (We only decided to move to USA because of my mother).

So my suggestion to you is...Tell your significant other that you would prefer to live in their country. See what their reaction is...It will help you to decide what path to take.

Best of luck.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Hope you have done your homework. You are dealing with one of the meanest consulates in the state department. Almost two weeks together aint gonna hack it at the interview. You need to make more trips, or spend more time together.

Youre in for a long wait.

Now that's the way to welcome someone!

Our K-1 process took under 6 months. Some take longer, especially with longer processing times at USCIS lately. Don't worry too much.

If you read her orig post, she is looking for advice. Some have said the 'have patience'. I only told her the facts in which the rest of you are in denial. As a matter of fact, I gave her excellent advice.

Thank-you so much everyone for replying! I remember reading here a while back that the Consolate in Morocco is about the most difficult for a person to get a visa. This is why I complain to him a lot. I tell him this and that needs to be done/taken care of. Maybe I am a perfectionist at heart. He lovingly calls me hamka. LOL And yes I do plan to visit again before the official paperwork gets sent. I want to have a formal engagement celebration when I am there next. My family here is finally warming up to him. Unfortunately I must learn patience. He tells me "we have time". That must be the postal service mantra too. But then again, I do work for the Feds and have had to deal with that for a while now. Hurry up and wait. LOL I guess maybe my first steps is to look at the guides and print the forms and start gathering all I may need. Is an immigration lawyer needed? Would one really help more? Would it be better for him to get the lawyer or me? Also, tax time is almost upon us. From what I remember, these are valuable forms as well to have for proof of support.

For those with loved ones from Kenitra or have been there, what is up with the toilets?!?! And I wish I would have known to bring better walking shoes. I had blisters. LOL And I wasn't prepared to know his mother so well when she took me to the hammam.

Thanks again for all the wonderful welcomes. Sent patient thoughts to me.

Welcome to the MENA forum, Sunbird !

Desert Fox has a rather abrupt style (and yes sometimes he can be outright rude) but there is actually some truth in what he said here. Casablanca is a very tough consulate, and is known for scrutinizing petitions very closely. It's true that some cases have passed through very quickly with no hitches, but on the other hand quite a few couples have seen their cases returned due to "invalidity of relationship." And often these returned cases involve very short relationships, very little time spent in person together, or engagements/marriages arranged very soon after first meeting.

The more documentation you have showing the progression of the relationship, the better. Keep records of your emails, online chats and phone calls, and make sure to keep those cards and letters with the original mailing envelopes. Take lots of photos showing you two together at obviously different times and different occasions, and keep all your airline ticket stubs, hotel receipts, etc.

I think making another trip -- or several -- before filing your paperwork is the best idea of all (and not just for your immigration case, but for the development of your relationship.)

I am not familiar with the details of your case, so I cannot say whether an immigration attorney might help you or not. But if you decide to use a lawyer, make sure you retain one with an excellent reputation for dealing with immigration cases -- many people have had their cases really messed up because of incompetent legal advice.

And yes, immigration will want to see your tax records to ensure you qualify for the support requirement (unless you have a co-sponsor.) The K-1/fiance visa process is different than the K-3/spouse process, which is also different than the CR-1/IR-1/spouse process. Read the guides here on VJ -- they will answer most of your questions.

Wishing you all the best !

-MK

[Jenn! 918]

So my suggestion to you is...Tell your significant other that you would prefer to live in their country. See what their reaction is...It will help you to decide what path to take.

I don't think this would tell you much of anything, really. Everyone says, "well my SO said he'd be ok with me moving there, so I know he's not using me for a green card". People with bad intentions will tell you what you want to hear.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

So my suggestion to you is...Tell your significant other that you would prefer to live in their country. See what their reaction is...It will help you to decide what path to take.

I don't think this would tell you much of anything, really. Everyone says, "well my SO said he'd be ok with me moving there, so I know he's not using me for a green card". People with bad intentions will tell you what you want to hear.

Ding ding ding again !

[Ban Hammer 13,490]

So my suggestion to you is...Tell your significant other that you would prefer to live in their country. See what their reaction is...It will help you to decide what path to take.

I don't think this would tell you much of anything, really. Everyone says, "well my SO said he'd be ok with me moving there, so I know he's not using me for a green card". People with bad intentions will tell you what you want to hear.

but it can weed out those that are less than genuine.

[ya falaha! 0]

Agreed

Plus, games and tests aren't a hot way to start a life together. You have to make up your mind whether you trust your SO's intentions or not. If not, don't bother petitioning in the first place.

So my suggestion to you is...Tell your significant other that you would prefer to live in their country. See what their reaction is...It will help you to decide what path to take.

I don't think this would tell you much of anything, really. Everyone says, "well my SO said he'd be ok with me moving there, so I know he's not using me for a green card". People with bad intentions will tell you what you want to hear.

Ding ding ding again !