K1 visa in Algeria.... A problem

[jimmal 0]

Hello everyone.. I am new here and wanted to get some feedback on my situation. I am going to meet my fiancee in 1 week in Algeria. We have decided to do the K1 visa. Do the visas in Algiers go smoothly? I am hoping to file the I-129 papers in November for her. Then, she can go to the interview in March or April. Later, new June I will arrive again and we will leave. that is the plan for now.

Here is the problem.. her family is very traditional and insist on a marriage next June just before we leave. I understand that this goes against the terms of the fiancee visa.. but it is the only way that we can be together. They will not let me marry her till next year or I would do the K3 visa. Also, they will not let her marry me if I am going to leave without her. Any feedback will be appreciated.

[rmncm 0]

Sounds like you have no choice but to do a K3 or CR1 in a years time. You cant do a K1 and get married outside of the US.

[jimmal 0]

yes.. I know that I can't get married outside the us with a K1. but her family will not let her leave without being married first. And if she is married to me she must leave with me. not sure what to do??

[krystiandjon 0]

Well, you're going to have to explain to her family how the US visa process works. Either you marry her and she applies for a visa and leaves 6-12 months later or you apply for the K1, she moves to the US, you get married.

Would they be satisfied with a ceremony that was not legal before you leave together? You'd have to be very careful to make sure its not a legal wedding.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

yes.. I know that I can't get married outside the us with a K1. but her family will not let her leave without being married first. And if she is married to me she must leave with me. not sure what to do??

As mentioned above.

Marry her in her country. She cannot leave without a visa. (why exactly does she need to leave with you if you marry?)

File for the CR-1

Another option is for you to go live with her (marry her), meet the requriements for that country, and file for a DCF, then you get the visa and you both can travel back to the US.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Follow the law. Period. No easy way of saying it. What her family thinks/wants is completely irrelevant to the process. Print out the guides, read them for them.

Like brother bobby said, marry her there and apply for a K-3 or a CR-1. Or move there, marry; and file DCF if it is possible in Algeria.

[*Robert* 2]

It is possible to have a religious ceremony and NOT be legally married, which would not violate the provisions of the K-1 visa.

[jimmal 0]

Her family is not really happy with her marrying me as it is. So, needless to say.. it is a very delicate situation for me... needless to say I need to talk with the family about our situation with immigration. She has been fighting for the last year with her mother for me.. it is not like the usa at all. the big problem is the mother and father don't believe that I will return to get her after we are married..on my trip next week. I am hoping to convince them that I will return..

I cannot live in algeria and wait for the cr1 visa. financially that would be very difficult. needless to say... this is a very difficult situation

What is a DCF? I read here that they no longer do that in Algeria.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

If you cannot live in Algeria, then you can't do DCF.

That said, as difficult as the cultural situation might be; the laws are what they are. Good luck

[Ladylethal 12]

Needless to say, you should read the guides and then see what would be your best course of action for your particular case, and talking to her family is important regardless of what that route will be.

[Henia 11]

DCF is still done as of 3m ago in Algeria. But you need to be married before you file and have lived in DZ for 6m before filing.

You cannot explain to an Algerian family about the system. No way they will understand. Too much honour at stake for them. And if they agree then it's clear it's only visa marriage. (But this is something they allow their daughters to do)

Yes, it's true legally getting a nikah(islamic-religous marriage) is fraud but I know ppl do it. Do what you find is right for you ... but beware from the family and the system. I know read up on everything on the visas before going or filing .. then read up on the Algerian culture before acting there. Again bonne chance!