Prep for visa interview & worried about our 'red flags'

[Nova36 2]

I am a little nervous about my fiancé's interview. I am really worried about the 'red flags'

I just want to be prepared and make sure I have my things ready to go.

Our story:

The end of 2013 I started to separate from my ex husband. We were officially separated from February 2014 (I moved out). It took us months to come

to a separation agreement, he still wanted to stay in our (then home) until he found a place, and we can sell our home.

In the middle of all that (in April) 2014, I met my now fiancé online.

We started to talk as friends, as our relationship grew, and bloomed over the summer,

we decided to take things to the next level.

At this point my home was sold in October '14, and divorce was finalized in Nov. '14 (the ex wouldn't sign papers till the house was sold)

Then I went and met him (fiancé) and his family in December '14.

Fiancé proposed, I accepted.

I came back in January 2015 and sent a petition in mid April and we were approved. Now waiting for an interview process.

I have emails, photos (from 2 visits), screen shots of text messages, text message from his family I keep in contact with

I also have copies of my airline tickets (I went to see him 2 times so far)

Passport stamps

He has receipt from my ring as well.

Statements from 1 of my friends, my mom, & his father stating we are in a bona fide relationship.

Intent to marry from the both of us.

I guess I'm just worried they will look at these:

-I was married 2 times, I was really young the 1st time, I got married 8 years later to someone who had substance abuse problems that's why we split

-I got engaged shortly after my divorce was finalized

-I am older then my fiancé (8 years)

I know and understand it's not guaranteed visa approval ever for anyone.

Does anyone have any tips, advice on what to prepare or how to prepare other then the things I have.

I was planning on being there for the interview as well.

BTW....I am the petitioner

[Pennycat 880]

I think a lot of this depends on what country and how exactly you met in the first place.

[Tag&Polina 7]

Nova if you've gotten to the interview stage of the visa process, there are no red flags to be concerned about. Your past is just that, your past. They are not there to judge you on your previous relationships or experiences. As long as you have told your fiancé your history, that's really the only person it should matter to. If your applying for a K1 visa, I think it's safe to assume she accepts and loves you for who you are.

As far as the interview goes, they want to know more about your current relationship and how authentic it is. I would focus more on that then anything else. If you really are concerned about any issues from your past, have your fiancé read the exact same thing you just posted and make sure you're on the same page should any questions arise.

Best of luck to you both.

Tag

[Amhara 460]

I think your past could cause a problem more depending on the embassy the interview will be, the norms of your fiance's culture, and who your fiance is. Just have as much proof of relationship as possible. Without knowing the temperature of the embassy (approval rates), getting advice on this will be difficult. Some countries are considered 'high fraud' for these types of visas and cases will be scrutinized more. Some countries are considered 'high risk' in that the citizens may have less than friendly intentions or less reliable security infrastructure. Other countries, just show up with enough papers and the visa is issued in a few days. Just be ready with the truth - it's all you really can do.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

You didn't say what country as that is half the battle. Please fill out your timeline.

8 years is not a large age gap and you will be fine with that.

Short gaps between relationships is seen as a red flag and you should be able to provide your fiance with evidence that the time your ex lingered

and didn't move out had specific reasons. Submit proof in case he will need it.

The past definitely does count and has an influence on your present relationship.

Large age differences and short gaps in between relationships can be viewed as fraud indicators and people saying the past doesn't count is

incorrect. Everything counts in front of the CO. USCIS approval has nothing to do with what the CO will assume or suspect.

Just be ready for the CO to dig in that past and you will be ok.

Being there in support of your fiance for the interview will help too.

Good luck !

[Nova36 2]

You didn't say what country as that is half the battle. Please fill out your timeline.

8 years is not a large age gap and you will be fine with that.

Short gaps between relationships is seen as a red flag and you should be able to provide your fiance with evidence that the time your ex lingered

and didn't move out had specific reasons. Submit proof in case he will need it.

The past definitely does count and has an influence on your present relationship.

Large age differences and short gaps in between relationships can be viewed as fraud indicators and people saying the past doesn't count is

incorrect. Everything counts in front of the CO. USCIS approval has nothing to do with what the CO will assume or suspect.

Just be ready for the CO to dig in that past and you will be ok.

Being there in support of your fiance for the interview will help too.

Good luck !

oh yeah I need to do the timeline, but the country is Lebanon. I think the approval for the embassy is not bad.

You're right, I'm just thinking what evidence can I show or prove. In my divorce decree it does state we were separated since Feb 2014.

Maybe I can find the separation agreement, I can't recall the details of it, besides the property, which didn't have his name on it.

He moved out sometime in Aug of last year, maybe I can find some proof of the home being listed in August. I think maybe that is my best bet.

[TBoneTX 46,963]

Can you be on or near the consular premises at the time of the interview, and give him your U.S. passport to shove under the window to the consul as a first action?

Edited August 27, 2015 by TBoneTX

[AB loves AG 54]

Nova if you've gotten to the interview stage of the visa process, there are no red flags to be concerned about.

Tag

Not true, that's the point where all that can be brought up.

[Jawaree 719]

If theres red-flags it could get questioned at interview, I don't think the age

is a red-flag or even the past marriage especially if you did not petition

that spouse, but the CO will probably look at the speedy proposal after

just meeting face to face (ppl have been approved after 1 visit) but as some

stated it depends on the country your fiancé is from, its a known fact

many is trying to leave areas of unrest ,due to economic reasons & immigration

benefits (not implying that's your case)..It would be great to visit when his interview

is scheduled

[Nova36 2]

I think I really should be there.

And give him my passport.

Previous marriages were not petitioned at all.

What if I bring another affidavit/statement

From friends or even my therapist?

Stating our relationship is on going.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Ongoing relationship proof of you and your fiance should always be brought, skype, chats, phone logs, visits etc.

Affidavits from friends and family attesting to your genuine relationship are fine, I would not bring one from the therapist.

The number 1 issue with quick divorce and new petition is that many petitions have been found fraudulent due to the fact that couples

divorce and marry someone to bring them over for money and then divorce them and re marry their former spouse. Happens all the time.

[Pennycat 880]

I'd say you definitely should be there if at all possible, that goes for anyone petitioning from any country. If it helps at all, the issues with the "red flags" (divorce and quick relationship, age gap) are not as bad as they could be. 8 years age gap isn't all that significant in the grand scheme of things (less usual for woman-older-than-man, yes, but it's still not one of these 25+ year age gaps that can and do happen). It would be much bigger of a red flag if he also was recently divorced and engaged so quickly. Read this for a perspective on what the CO's are up against when trying to make decisions: http://cis.org/marriagefraudA divorce and quick engagement for him could present like the "i do, i don't, i do" thing they discuss. But it was you, not him so that's good.

[Nova36 2]

Ongoing relationship proof of you and your fiance should always be brought, skype, chats, phone logs, visits etc.

Affidavits from friends and family attesting to your genuine relationship are fine, I would not bring one from the therapist.

The number 1 issue with quick divorce and new petition is that many petitions have been found fraudulent due to the fact that couples

divorce and marry someone to bring them over for money and then divorce them and re marry their former spouse. Happens all the time.

I understand that's a number 1 issue. But that's not my issue here. It was not a 'quick' divorce. I was separated since Feb.

Unfortuantly because of the property I had to sell and the date for the actual divorce filing kept being pushed back,

the hearing for the divorce ... it ended up to be in November.

I'd say you definitely should be there if at all possible, that goes for anyone petitioning from any country. If it helps at all, the issues with the "red flags" (divorce and quick relationship, age gap) are not as bad as they could be. 8 years age gap isn't all that significant in the grand scheme of things (less usual for woman-older-than-man, yes, but it's still not one of these 25+ year age gaps that can and do happen). It would be much bigger of a red flag if he also was recently divorced and engaged so quickly. Read this for a perspective on what the CO's are up against when trying to make decisions: http://cis.org/marriagefraudA divorce and quick engagement for him could present like the "i do, i don't, i do" thing they discuss. But it was you, not him so that's good.

Exactly you have a point. It would be different if the roles were reverse and it was him that was in my shoes and

I was in his.

I'm just trying to find the best way to present our case. Thanks for all your responses.