Ghanaian Traditnal Engagement

[Reality 0]

Hello VJ members, pls help me out here. Is it ok to show your Traditional Ghanaian Engagement photos at your K 1 Visa interview. Im wondering if the consulars dont presume that to be marriage instead of engagement? Im confused. Has anybody submited his or her Ghanaian Engagement photos at the interview and got approved?. Pls help

[midge and isi 8]

We are planning on it. Ours was not fully traditional- we had a few 'American things'. It shows him giving me an engagement ring, kissing, and a blessing from his family. We did have a cake that his sister made so there are pictures of us feeding it to one another- not sure if that is always apart but it was done for us. (In a few weeks I can tell you how ours came out- I am not sure if others have used them...)

If they ask more at the interview- it was an engagment ceremony! Thats all it was. We do not considered our self married nor do our families. So how can they say that an engagment ceremony was a marriage??

For your initial packet you only have to show proof of meeting within the last two years- so this does not seem to be an issue for that- it may be more at the interview.

[midge and isi 8]

We also had matching outfits that one of his sisters make us! So all the pictures we are wearing the same fabrics- so i dont know how that will look- hopefully they will understand it....

[Zee Bee 61]

You can never presume to know what the CO will think at the interview but anything that looks even remotely like a wedding could be cause for more investigation, visa delay or even visa denial.

If I were you I would not include them.

[Aztec&Taino 144]

We are planning on it. Ours was not fully traditional- we had a few 'American things'. It shows him giving me an engagement ring, kissing, and a blessing from his family. We did have a cake that his sister made so there are pictures of us feeding it to one another- not sure if that is always apart but it was done for us. (In a few weeks I can tell you how ours came out- I am not sure if others have used them...)

If they ask more at the interview- it was an engagment ceremony! Thats all it was. We do not considered our self married nor do our families. So how can they say that an engagment ceremony was a marriage??

For your initial packet you only have to show proof of meeting within the last two years- so this does not seem to be an issue for that- it may be more at the interview.

I hope that showing these pictures does not work against you. I think I remember reading a post (I think the beneficiary was Nigerian) where they showed engagement pictures and they were asked if the petitioner gave gifts to the family and they answered "yes" and the interviewer denied the visa saying that they were married... I do not know the particulars of the culture and traditions in Ghana, but after having read that in some countries these ceremonies are close to being considered "the real thing" I would be afraid of showing something that might make them think this way...

Also, your timeline is LONG... You will have waited close to a year by the time your interview comes. I hope it all goes well and you can be in the US by the new year.

Best wishes!

[midge and isi 8]

We didnt exchange gifts- it was more of an engagement party- we had already been engaged for 7 months... so maybe i will just have the party pictures included- and not the ceremony... IDK i thought we were alset and now i dont know...

do you think that sounds better??

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

West Africa is a high fraud area and the CO's tend to look for alternate meanings in everything presented. There have been more than one Nigerian couple denied recently for a K1 on te basis that they are really married because they present pictures of engagement parties/ceramonies.

[Zee Bee 61]

West Africa is a high fraud area and the CO's tend to look for alternate meanings in everything presented. There have been more than one Nigerian couple denied recently for a K1 on te basis that they are really married because they present pictures of engagement parties/ceramonies.

Ditto.

Like I said above, if it even puts the idea in the CO's mind then its better to leave it out. The same goes for communication you may present between the both of you (text messages, email, etc). If you refer to each other as wifey, hubby etc etc then DO NOT INCLUDE THEM. A lot of people on here do (us included) but I made sure to not include that in the proof we sent.

[Aztec&Taino 144]

We didnt exchange gifts- it was more of an engagement party- we had already been engaged for 7 months... so maybe i will just have the party pictures included- and not the ceremony... IDK i thought we were alset and now i dont know...

do you think that sounds better??

I do not have the expertise to advise in such matters, but I would use caution based on other members' experiences. Check the regional forums and talk to other members who have already had the interview in Ghana. See what they think, ask what they included, and see if they can shed some light on your dilemma. Sometimes we worry too much, but sometimes these worries are a real cause of concern.

Best wishes!

[GhLove 4]

I absolutely HATE that our fiance's are coming from a "High Fraud" area... Sometimes I'm thinking, why couldnt he have just been from England or somewhere...lol But that wouldn't have worked because I absolutely LOVE Ghana, and him being from Ghana is probably the reason he is so honest, respectful, humble and responsible (which are all the reasons why I'm CRAZY about him). So I guess we are stuck dealing with petty issues like this. But I agree, if it at all apears like you are already married... Dont do it. I was thinking of including a picture of me in my Bridal gown (yes, I already bought it.. I know I know) just to show proof that we are planning a wedding. But I changed my mind when I thought about the fact that it may easily look like we have ALREADY had the wedding. So I guess its just the game that we gotta play for now. May Allah reward us greatly for this struggle.

[thelastpetitioner 218]

never the less,i think it can work either really in your favor or against you.keep in mind consulates issue visas and judge relationships based on traditions of the country.so,good luck with your decision.

[midge and isi 8]

AHHHAHH!! Lol.

I will include pictures with the family--- we have plenty of pictures so I guess I will keep those of the party out to be on the safe side.

Its hard because we are just getting back into having interviews in ghana so its hard to say- and i know every case is case by case-

[midge and isi 8]

I absolutely HATE that our fiance's are coming from a "High Fraud" area... Sometimes I'm thinking, why couldnt he have just been from England or somewhere...lol But that wouldn't have worked because I absolutely LOVE Ghana, and him being from Ghana is probably the reason he is so honest, respectful, humble and responsible (which are all the reasons why I'm CRAZY about him). So I guess we are stuck dealing with petty issues like this. But I agree, if it at all apears like you are already married... Dont do it. I was thinking of including a picture of me in my Bridal gown (yes, I already bought it.. I know I know) just to show proof that we are planning a wedding. But I changed my mind when I thought about the fact that it may easily look like we have ALREADY had the wedding. So I guess its just the game that we gotta play for now. May Allah reward us greatly for this struggle.

I completely Agree!! I have provided proof of wedding planning- emails with our minister, reception site, ceremony site, photographer, and dj- so at least it shows plans for October 2011... I made plans for going to try on dresses in January when school work is on break!

It is all a game! I guess I will leave this pictures out- we have plenty of proof and we have many other pictures! So whats a few I guess. they prob dont even look at most of them! but better safe then sorry...

[LemonMeringue 6]

Midge, keep in mind that once your fiance arrives in the US, the countdown starts and you only have 90 days to get married from the date of entry. With your proposed wedding date, he would have to arrive on July 22, 2011 or later. According to your timeline, he could possibly arrive in January or shortly thereafter. You would have no choice but to get married quickly and then have the big ceremony later that year just for your friends and family, unless if you have both already decided he would come later in the year. If I'm not mistaken though, the K-1 visa is only valid for one entry into the US from 6 months from the date of issue. Just keep an eye on your timeline.

[midge and isi 8]

We know that! And so does everyone else in regards to family and friends! There is a get legally married line in there as well! He knows that so if they ask about the october wedding he will tell them we will do the court house thing and this is just a celabration!

Thanks for the concern though!

Edited November 3, 2010 by midge.mij