21 Year Age Gap / Senegal

[Suzi-by-the-Sea 0]

Greetings! 

I am about to embark on the K-1 Journey by petitioning for my love who resides in Senegal. He is 21years younger: he is 28 and I am 49. I have read about such age gaps being a definite problem or no problem whatsoever. We are 100% legit and will spend our lives together somehow someway. Idealy we will successfully get through this process, God willing. Any kind and helpful guidance is truly appreciated. 

 

Best to All!

 

Hopefully I have posted this is the correct place ... not quite sure how to navigate the site yet.

Edited February 11, 2017 by Suzi-by-the-Sea

[Ash.1101 1,755]

The best way to determine if age gap is an issue is by asking yourself "Is this out of the norm for the foreign fiances local culture?" I'd assume that it's not the culture in Sengal for a man in his late 20's to marry someone much older than him and potentially out of child bearing age.


Saddly, as we have to let a lot of people know, being "legit" or "in love" or having the feeling of "our love is real!" isn't enough for USCIS. Proof is what they want, the more red flags you have, the stronger the proof they'll want.


How many times have you met in person and for how long?
Do you know his family, as in you've met them?
Do they approve of the relationship?
How long have you been dating?
Where did you meet?

Edited February 11, 2017 by Ash.1101

[Pinkrlion 2,607]

You have to provide a lot of evidence that it is a bonafide relationship.  How many times have you physically seen each other within the past two years prior to you filing?  They want to see more than computer interaction via skype or FB.  Write a timeline on your relationship and look at it as a stranger reading about your relationship, if you have questions or doubts about what you wrote, then the CO will as well.  

[Boiler 43,430]

As we like to say on VJ, age is just a number.

 

The important thing is that you are together, whether it be he is the one to move, or you are the one to move.

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

Do agree you can always over come thing; but as was stated also, I am doubting that this type of age gap is a common thing for a younger male in his home country. This most likely will be a big red flag to the embassy. USCIS in the sense of the petition could care less, the embassy is the one you have to prove it to.

 

With such an age gap, a lot of evidence of relationship is needed, and not just chat logs, but maybe 3-4 visits in person even of decent length. It might not go easily; but it can be overcome. 

[Penguin_ie 5,985]

Yes a large age gap is a red flag, especially in Africa, especially when the woman is older and past child bearing age.

That doesn't mean you will definitely be denied, but it will be more difficult to get approved; the best thing you can do is have lots of "face time", ie time spend together, either in his country, the USA, or a third country.  Bonus if you cna actually live together a few months and/ or your family comes to meet him (especially if you have kids).

[JackandRed 16]

Hello: From personal experience definitely more face time with your spouse is needed as well as documentation to prove the validity of the relationship.  My husband and I were denied the first time. Now waiting for response to provide more evidence.   This is a tough embassy. Just believe and have faith. Eventually it will all work out. 

[COMCOM 0]

The age gap between my fiance and i is 21 though not US embassy in Senegal but i believe no matter what country you hail from, if you are able to provide much evidence and your relationship is real,  your visa will be approved.

After my interview, the co said everything is ok, your visa will be issued as soon as we receive your passport with a translated paper and the missing medical. I am yet to send it. 

My fiance visited me twice within 1 year and 5 months. And during each visit, she spent 15 days with me. We had to provide lots of evidence like engagement pictures, Skype, fb, whatsapp and call records. There were no family members on our pictures or even friends. Just the both of us only, and in different places. The only picture that included other people was the one we took when we went to church together. Though the co asked what my family think about my relationship, if I had spoken with any member of her family member. 

So I believe you have to front load your packet 3 so the embassy will review all before your interview. Don't forget to keep praying because with God all things are possible. 

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Each embassy can vary a bit on this.  Being prepared and doing your research ahead of time can be your saving grace.

Cultural customs and norms are of importance. Issues of age gap, especially where woman is older and possibily no longer of child bearing age and different religions are important to address and overcome.

Facetime, proof of regular and consistant correspondence, and frontloading (the initial petition) are important.  It can be done.  Good Luck!

 

Just a note:  Sending in extra relationship evidence with packet 3 is what we call sideloading.

Edited February 22, 2017 by LionessDeon