K1 question?

[sparkles_ 456]

MENA ladies, got a quick question!

Do you guys think it would look weird in the eyes of a CO to start the K1 process, and have a large timespan from that last time the two people were together in person? I'm starting my senior year of my degree plus new job which is a lot harder than I expected, and M has a new job contract in Dubai. We just literally don't have the free time (more me than him) to meet again until mid/end of next year and that is cutting close to the 2yr mark. It seems like a lot of people file right after an in person meeting be it first, second, etc. Well...

I want to file around spring of next year once my divorce is finally finished(about time :/). It would have been a year since we've seen each other by then, will this look shady? Or will this maybe look better in that we have known each other longer? Plenty of ongoing relationship documentation between now and then by the way. I don't want to wait to visit again then file because I've heard with the same-sex filings now being allowed, the wait times are increasing. I should get in a trip to Dubai during the wait time though so more proof can be shown hopefully.

Opinions would be awesome. Sorry to ramble

[voxdei 2]

hello...We are on the same boat but mine is IR-1. I haven't seen my husband for more than 2 yrs now and he already filed the I-130. The VJ people said that it's gonna be okay as long as you have proof/letter of explanation in your interview. Still, we play safer if there are proofs to show about time spent together and continuous communication from all the gap years. Nevertheless, I'm also worried so we've been thinking to see each other in few months.

[Carie_Azan 35]

MENA ladies, got a quick question!

Do you guys think it would look weird in the eyes of a CO to start the K1 process, and have a large timespan from that last time the two people were together in person? I'm starting my senior year of my degree plus new job which is a lot harder than I expected, and M has a new job contract in Dubai. We just literally don't have the free time (more me than him) to meet again until mid/end of next year and that is cutting close to the 2yr mark. It seems like a lot of people file right after an in person meeting be it first, second, etc. Well...

I want to file around spring of next year once my divorce is finally finished(about time :/). It would have been a year since we've seen each other by then, will this look shady? Or will this maybe look better in that we have known each other longer? Plenty of ongoing relationship documentation between now and then by the way. I don't want to wait to visit again then file because I've heard with the same-sex filings now being allowed, the wait times are increasing. I should get in a trip to Dubai during the wait time though so more proof can be shown hopefully.

Opinions would be awesome. Sorry to ramble

as long as you meet the "2 year rule" your fine. remember, 2 years, not even one day over.

[sandinista! 1,816]

She would be fine in regards to "the rules", but what the consulate thinks of long gaps is entirely up to their discretion and whims. People get denials all the time over things over things that are technically ok per the rules, but raise big red flags for the interviewer when assessing relationship authenticity.

OP--It's another piece of the bigger picture, and the significance of the long gaps between visits is going to depend on you and your fiance's own unique relationship details. There's not a big, generic pie chart that you can plug different scenarios into and find within a tenth of a percent how big of a piece that issue is. I'm of the "more time knowing each other is really good and important" vs "going and spending a month with a guy after chatting online for 4 months is ideal" school of thought, but there is a wide range of opinion on that here.

I had long gaps in between visits and a long gap in between when i first started talking to my then fiancé, and first meeting in person. It worked for us, with the other aspects of our relationship. I had spent a grand total of of 13 days in morocco when we filed, but my husband had letters and such dating back over 3 years to bring to his interview.

[sparkles_ 456]

By the time of the interview he will have about 1.5yr of back-dated stuff with how the wait time is looking. Ugh, I am clearly tweaking too hard over this whole thing but I can't get it off my mind. like You said, sadly there isn't that chart....someone with a lot of free time and skills should make one!

[Nasturtium 500]

She would be fine in regards to "the rules", but what the consulate thinks of long gaps is entirely up to their discretion and whims. People get denials all the time over things over things that are technically ok per the rules, but raise big red flags for the interviewer when assessing relationship authenticity.

OP--It's another piece of the bigger picture, and the significance of the long gaps between visits is going to depend on you and your fiance's own unique relationship details. There's not a big, generic pie chart that you can plug different scenarios into and find within a tenth of a percent how big of a piece that issue is. I'm of the "more time knowing each other is really good and important" vs "going and spending a month with a guy after chatting online for 4 months is ideal" school of thought, but there is a wide range of opinion on that here.

I had long gaps in between visits and a long gap in between when i first started talking to my then fiancé, and first meeting in person. It worked for us, with the other aspects of our relationship. I had spent a grand total of of 13 days in morocco when we filed, but my husband had letters and such dating back over 3 years to bring to his interview.

^^That. I'm of the same school of thought. I think that they could see it as a problem, *BUT* in conjunction with the rest of your story and such, it may not be an issue. And yes, technically, the 2 year thing is in place. My advice is to address it up front. So if you haven't filed yet, maybe include it in your cover letter. I addressed our red flags in the cover and there was zero question about them. It could have been that as a whole, our story made sense, but I still don't think it hurts to mention what you did here-- about why you may not be going to visit any time soon and have not been for a bit.

[sparkles_ 456]

^^That. I'm of the same school of thought. I think that they could see it as a problem, *BUT* in conjunction with the rest of your story and such, it may not be an issue. And yes, technically, the 2 year thing is in place. My advice is to address it up front. So if you haven't filed yet, maybe include it in your cover letter. I addressed our red flags in the cover and there was zero question about them. It could have been that as a whole, our story made sense, but I still don't think it hurts to mention what you did here-- about why you may not be going to visit any time soon and have not been for a bit.

Thanks, I was wondering about putting all the possible red flag addresses in the cover letter. Should I include some sort of proof that I am actually a student and my standing? I do not want them to think I am lying about that portion and can get my NSLDS loan detail sheet from the aid dept. that lists me as fulltime since late 2011 and currently still enrolled, or is this too much? I suppose I could also get a copy of his work contract as well...

[sandinista! 1,816]

They took my husband's word for it that I was a student, it was a key part of why I didn't have more visits, etc. if it were me, I'd definitely mention it concisely in the cover letter, and maybe the loan detail sheet on hand at interview if it ever came up.

[sandinista! 1,816]

His work contract, same deal. I imagine the consulates have some idea how work contracts are usually set up in MENA? Hopefully someone with first hand experience with those will answer.

[sparkles_ 456]

His work contract, same deal. I imagine the consulates have some idea how work contracts are usually set up in MENA? Hopefully someone with first hand experience with those will answer.

I would assume so. Most work contracts in UAE for Egyptians, Pakistanis and other foreign workers that aren't highly skilled border on slavery when it comes to hours and leave or vacation time. Sigh.

Appreciate the reply

[Nasturtium 500]

Thanks, I was wondering about putting all the possible red flag addresses in the cover letter. Should I include some sort of proof that I am actually a student and my standing? I do not want them to think I am lying about that portion and can get my NSLDS loan detail sheet from the aid dept. that lists me as fulltime since late 2011 and currently still enrolled, or is this too much? I suppose I could also get a copy of his work contract as well...

I think they basically figure out you're a student from the other checks. We didn't have to supply any proof, but like Sandinista said, I would make sure your SO has it with him just in case for both his contract and your student status.