F1 Student Got Married in Vegas? (age gap relationship)

[whattodonext 0]

Hi, my situation's a little weird so bear with me...

I am a Canadian citizen, on an F1 student visa who just got married last night in Vegas. Here's where things get tricky: We have an age gap... a huge one. He is divorced and older than me by let's just say well over 30 years. He is originally from Britain, but holds US citizenship. We've been together over a year and have (I believe) sufficient proof of a relationship through emails, photos, trips etc. The catch is that he is extremely wealthy, and we intend to have pre-nup papers drawn up by a lawyer for his grown children's peace of mind (aka so they'll know I'm not about to run off with money that is rightfully theirs). That said, I don't know how things will work with accounts not necessarily being in both of our names?? On the bright side, since he is my sponsor, he more than financially qualifies.

I feel that with such a major age difference, things don't look good. At the very least, I look like a major gold digger (despite opting for a pre-nup). I feel our ages will obviously be a "red flag", but one we can overcome considering the fact that our relationship is real. Can they deny me based on the age gap in our marriage? I know of a woman who got married while on a visitor visa from Canada, and adjusted her status seamlessly... although her age in relation to her husband was only 7 years. ANY info or advice would be welcomed. As I write this, husband is contacting his legal team to see about filing the proper paperwork asap... I guess I'm anxious as I'm sure this is not a common scenario immigration deals with on a daily basis, and am unsure what the grounds for denial are in regards to age differences.

[Newbie608 103]

Naw, If you know your relationship is real, then there's nothing to worry about. Immigration don't care about how wealthy he is or if you are a gold digger. Age is just a number, who cares about that? Just prove to them that your marriage is real and you should be good to go.

Goodluck...:-)

[ChrisPG 30]

IThat said, I don't know how things will work with accounts not necessarily being in both of our names??

This will be somewhat of an obstacle since they expect to see the co-mingling of lives; however it doesn't necessarily need to be checking/savings accounts, items such as naming each other as beneficiaries on life insurance, car insurance, mortgages, utilities, gym memberships etc etc.

Can they deny me based on the age gap in our marriage? ... I guess I'm anxious as I'm sure this is not a common scenario immigration deals with on a daily basis, and am unsure what the grounds for denial are in regards to age differences.

It is probably more common than you and your husband are led to believe age gap marriages occur all the time. Secondly, age gaps are not a reason to base a denial off of, the USCIS has no jurisdiction to dictate the appropriate age of two people to spend their lives together.

As I write this, husband is contacting his legal team to see about filing the proper paperwork asap...

I would be wary about using attorneys who are not well versed in U.S. Immigration Law since they tend to interpret the law in what they believe it *should* be and not what it actually is. It also should be noted that attorney's are not really necessary to file the paperwork, but if you do decide, then AILA approved attorneys are the experts in immigration matters and they should be your first port of call.

Edited June 18, 2012 by ChrisPG

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You can't be denied for an age gap. You can be denied for a marriage that is not bona fide. Your job is to prove your marriage is real and not entered into for the purpose of evading US immigration law. That's it.

A very large age gap might indicate the relationship is not bona fide, but you just have to counteract that with proof that it is.

Edited June 18, 2012 by Harpa Timsah

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Well first it's a post-nuptial agreement, not a pre-nuptial agreement, because the former is done AFTER marriage and the latter done before.

As was stated, the lack of co-mingling of lives would be your main concern. You didn't reveal your age or his but a gap of 30+ years sounds worse between an 18 y/o and a 48 y/o as opposed to a 30 y/o and 60 y/o.. but I doubt your age difference will be a big concern if your relationship proof is sufficient.

[DandT14 272]

If immigration thinks logically, your husband had no reason to marry you except love. Or hot sex. In any case, he didn't do it so you would pay him. If you were the rich one and he was some dude desperate for money, I'd be more concerned. Besides, even with a pre-nup, there's no reason you can't have one joint account, right? Rich people often have several accounts. I'm sure he can add you to one or two. And you'll live together, so you should be able to prove that, eventually.

And congratulations on your marriage.

Edited June 18, 2012 by DandT14

[whattodonext 0]

If immigration thinks logically, your husband had no reason to marry you except love. Or hot sex. In any case, he didn't do it so you would pay him. If you were the rich one and he was some dude desperate for money, I'd be more concerned. Besides, even with a pre-nup, there's no reason you can't have one joint account, right? Rich people often have several accounts. I'm sure he can add you to one or two. And you'll live together, so you should be able to prove that, eventually.

And congratulations on your marriage

Thank you!! I guess I worry because unfortunately, there's sketchy people out there who prey on older folks for money/visas/etc and I'm sure an age gap like ours is a huge red flag. I read about a couple rejections this afternoon (younger girls and older men) on google, but they all seemed to be from 3rd world countries or 'mail order bride' type arrangements. I guess coming from Canada doesn't look as bad, but still! There's a huge generational difference that most folks can't wrap their minds around. I don't like feeling threatened by putting our relationship in the hands of people who don't even know us, and will likely judge very harshly. I guess if worst comes to worst, we'll head to Europe, but it would be unfortunate to have to uproot everything he has going on here...

Well first it's a post-nuptial agreement, not a pre-nuptial agreement, because the former is done AFTER marriage and the latter done before.

As was stated, the lack of co-mingling of lives would be your main concern. You didn't reveal your age or his but a gap of 30+ years sounds worse between an 18 y/o and a 48 y/o as opposed to a 30 y/o and 60 y/o.. but I doubt your age difference will be a big concern if your relationship proof is sufficient.

I just said pre-nup because some folks aren't familiar with the term post-nup... but yes you're right, close enough! haha. I will say that I am in my early 20's, and he is in his late 60's. We're entirely aware of how weird/creepy/suspicious that seems to some people. I guess we're just afraid of some closed minded moron handling the paper work, and judging right off the bat. It's unfortunate that people think that way, but at the same time I understand how bad it looks from outside our happy little bubble... a few years ago I might've thought the same thing! We're working on getting my name onto accounts/car insurance this week...

Thanks to everyone who replied... as far as paperwork, his lawyer is directing him to someone who specializes in immigration law and can get everything done properly. He was told it may be easier since we are already married and I am already in the country adjusting status and not applying for a fiance visa from elsewhere. It just makes me mad that we'll probably have to jump through hoops because of dishonest people who ruin the process for everyone else. Thanks so much for the advice and for not judging, God bless!

[JohnTheresa 0]

Well, if it makes you feel better, I am married to a guy who is 30+ years older than me, and who is not RICH! I am about to send my application, too. The USCIS's jos is preventing "green card fraud", that means you married somebody only for getting a green card. They are not moral judges, and can not turn you down even if you HAD married him for money.

[bt1 42]

This will be somewhat of an obstacle since they expect to see the co-mingling of lives; however it doesn't necessarily need to be checking/savings accounts, items such as naming each other as beneficiaries on life insurance, car insurance, mortgages, utilities, gym memberships etc etc.

It is probably more common than you and your husband are led to believe age gap marriages occur all the time. Secondly, age gaps are not a reason to base a denial off of, the USCIS has no jurisdiction to dictate the appropriate age of two people to spend their lives together.

I would be wary about using attorneys who are not well versed in U.S. Immigration Law since they tend to interpret the law in what they believe it *should* be and not what it actually is. It also should be noted that attorney's are not really necessary to file the paperwork, but if you do decide, then AILA approved attorneys are the experts in immigration matters and they should be your first port of call.

Edited June 18, 2012 by bt1

[unlockingsky 94]

i think you should be fine. go ahead and apply.

[ChrisPG 30]

Thanks to everyone who replied... as far as paperwork, his lawyer is directing him to someone who specializes in immigration law and can get everything done properly. He was told it may be easier since we are already married and I am already in the country adjusting status and not applying for a fiance visa from elsewhere. It just makes me mad that we'll probably have to jump through hoops because of dishonest people who ruin the process for everyone else. Thanks so much for the advice and for not judging, God bless!

-Adjusting status within the US is really no more difficult than obtaining a K1 or CR-1 visa-- you still need about the same kind of evidence, there is no way around it.

-You will jump through no more hoops than the rest of the people on this forum, the process and requirements are the same for everyone.