K1 problems and resubmitting

[Josh44 0]

Hi, I had filed for the K1 visa last year and even though one of the requirements is that you must see each other in the last 2 years, due to our customs I filed without seeing her in person and presented my case to the USCIS. They then asked for some further evidence of this custom etc and we sent back letters from our religious leaders etc and the USCIS approved it here.

They sent the interview date for my fiance which she went to where they grilled her for like 3 to 4 hours, took all her documents (everything except her passport) and sent her home saying further investigation. She told me that it didn't look good and that the interviewer didn't like her too much.. so I got scared and convinced my parents ( my dad ) who is very strict on our cultural beliefs to let me just see her being that we were there in India at that time so the parents could meet. I met her with my family took pictures just in case they denied my petition. Came back to the states and waited for them to send us a decision but they stalled and sent back the petition to the USCIS for reconsideration after like 3 months. Now recently I just received a letter stating that they can't make a decision because the time frame expired and they were closing this case. RIDICULOUS!!!

Now I'm fustrated because we wasted so much time and my mom who is not well wants to see my wedding here in the states as it is hard for her travel. Anyhow I'm going to re-file my petition for the K1 visa can i use those dates that I was in india and show all the pictures passport etc.. Will they hold the previous filing against me because I convinced my parents to see her? I really want to speed up the process can someone tell me exactly what to show as evidence so I can be approved this time!! And in the meantime how will she be able to get her documents back so that at least she can work.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi, I had filed for the K1 visa last year and even though one of the requirements is that you must see each other in the last 2 years, due to our customs I filed without seeing her in person and presented my case to the USCIS. They then asked for some further evidence of this custom etc and we sent back letters from our religious leaders etc and the USCIS approved it here.

They sent the interview date for my fiance which she went to where they grilled her for like 3 to 4 hours, took all her documents (everything except her passport) and sent her home saying further investigation. She told me that it didn't look good and that the interviewer didn't like her too much.. so I got scared and convinced my parents ( my dad ) who is very strict on our cultural beliefs to let me just see her being that we were there in India at that time so the parents could meet. I met her with my family took pictures just in case they denied my petition. Came back to the states and waited for them to send us a decision but they stalled and sent back the petition to the USCIS for reconsideration after like 3 months. Now recently I just received a letter stating that they can't make a decision because the time frame expired and they were closing this case. RIDICULOUS!!!

Now I'm fustrated because we wasted so much time and my mom who is not well wants to see my wedding here in the states as it is hard for her travel. Anyhow I'm going to re-file my petition for the K1 visa can i use those dates that I was in india and show all the pictures passport etc.. Will they hold the previous filing against me because I convinced my parents to see her? I really want to speed up the process can someone tell me exactly what to show as evidence so I can be approved this time!! And in the meantime how will she be able to get her documents back so that at least she can work.

If your visit to India was in teh last 2 years, yes, you can use the evidence from that trip. It should not be a problem for re-filing.

[sachinky 465]

OP--Can I ask what community/religion you belong to? You're a naturalized USC -- Indian-American, I'm guessing?

I've never heard of a can't-meet-in-person religious custom despite having been born and brought up in India. Most arranged marriages allow the prospective bride and groom to meet in a chaperoned environment.

Go ahead and refile a K-1. Read the guides carefully.

Edited December 28, 2009 by sachinky

[Bernie C 24]

Hi, I had filed for the K1 visa last year and even though one of the requirements is that you must see each other in the last 2 years, due to our customs I filed without seeing her in person and presented my case to the USCIS. They then asked for some further evidence of this custom etc and we sent back letters from our religious leaders etc and the USCIS approved it here.

They sent the interview date for my fiance which she went to where they grilled her for like 3 to 4 hours, took all her documents (everything except her passport) and sent her home saying further investigation. She told me that it didn't look good and that the interviewer didn't like her too much.. so I got scared and convinced my parents ( my dad ) who is very strict on our cultural beliefs to let me just see her being that we were there in India at that time so the parents could meet. I met her with my family took pictures just in case they denied my petition. Came back to the states and waited for them to send us a decision but they stalled and sent back the petition to the USCIS for reconsideration after like 3 months. Now recently I just received a letter stating that they can't make a decision because the time frame expired and they were closing this case. RIDICULOUS!!!

Now I'm fustrated because we wasted so much time and my mom who is not well wants to see my wedding here in the states as it is hard for her travel. Anyhow I'm going to re-file my petition for the K1 visa can i use those dates that I was in india and show all the pictures passport etc.. Will they hold the previous filing against me because I convinced my parents to see her? I really want to speed up the process can someone tell me exactly what to show as evidence so I can be approved this time!! And in the meantime how will she be able to get her documents back so that at least she can work.

Not too familiar with the India consulate but in Vietnam one meeting in person isn't going to cut the cake. You'd need multiple visits to convice a CO. Understand the situation with your mom and we wish her and your family the best but you really should take your time and gather/collect suffucient evidence to make a rock solid case. Maybe others with experience in the India consulate can relate on their experience and how many visits they recommend. (And remember, these are all only recommendations based on others experience, ultimatley the decision os yours to follow your own path. Best Wishes to you.

[EasternDE 35]

I'm not sure but I think that Punjabi marriage require the spouses to not have seen each other before the wedding.

In my opinion, your only option is to get married in India and then file for CR-1 at this point.

I think the main problem here is the conflict between the fact that american consulates don't like relationships which involve introduction from the family and the fact that this is the base of a traditionnal arranged indian marriage...

Which means even though you get married in India, and then file for CR-1, you'll still have a very hard case there.

(I'm french, but I was once engaged to a half punjabi pakistani man in another previous life...)

[sara..... 371]

i have a lot to say about this but will re-frame myself...........

plain and simple you have to meet at least once with in the last two years before filing.......you meeting with her should satisfy that ..........i hope that you took pics together with family so that you can prove that you have met with ur last petition.........trying to get k1 with out meeting...(one of the things that prolly messed that up is if u cant meet her how can they expect her to fly to u on k-1 with out marraige?)...... they will i believe look at ur evidence of meeting very carefully..............

sara