Non-Africans marrying Sub-Saharan Africans

[Gretch 11]

When I browse through these topics it seems like most people who are petitioning for an African beneficiary are married/engaged to someone from their home country, which has a different set of issues (although we still have some things in common... like the wait!). Who else is an American citizen without African heritage, petitioning for an African national? (Or has finished the process?) I'd love to share experiences.

I guess it's fairly unusual for a Rwandese to marry an American, based on reactions from government officials... I'm a little worried about how the interview will go. Not sure if it is an American employee or a Rwandan one who will conduct the interview. It seems like some Rwandese are a little suspicious of the situation and don't believe Americans take marriage very seriously, so I'm afraid they might really grill my husband for details if his interviewer is Rwandan. And for that reason I wonder if he should not choose to do his interview in the local language (it says they can choose one of three languages). Maybe if he asks for English they'll give him an easier time.

[Oladana 3]

Husband is Nigerian, I am a American. HE CAME ON A K1 visa and was approved without any RFEs

[soulstriker 274]

how does petitioning for someone who has the same African heritage have issues?

[Gretch 11]

There are always issues involved in immigration, aren't there? But many of them are different for people from the same vs different cultural/ethnic backgrounds.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

We are a mixed race couple. Other than an a bad first K1 experience the rest was ok. Yes people on both sides had issues with the process but you can't give into nay sayers

[Boiler 43,859]

Your basic premise is wrong, have a look through the MENA forum.

Rwanda, well I can not recollect seeing many cases.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

If your fiance speaks English well enough then let him interview in English. Be on the premises for the interview so you can start to troubleshoot

if something goes wrong.

It is not really helpful to generalize as each couple has their own red flags and/or unique circumstances.
Sometimes nationals will assist with the interview, especially in a different language and I have read where they sometimes don't end so well.

It turns into a he said she said kind of thing.

If you go for the interview perhaps you would be allowed in but at least they know you are there.

The overall view of you as a bona fide couple that you show to the CO is what counts, a hopefully front loaded package and quality ongoing

relationship evidence again for the interview with him being able to answer all questions by fully knowing you and about you.

Best wishes.

[soulstriker 274]

There are always issues involved in immigration, aren't there? But many of them are different for people from the same vs different cultural/ethnic backgrounds.

so give me some examples then your kind of being vague what sort of issues do ppl of the same heritage have to deal with it exactly

[Gretch 11]

I'm sorry if I've caused offense somehow. My point is that I don't KNOW what the issues are when an American citizen marries someone from their hometown in Africa. I just know that there are some differences. I get asked by every government official why I would want to marry someone from their country, as if there's something strange and possibly wrong about it. I doubt that happens when, for instance, someone who immigrated to the US from Senegal and is now a US citizen wants to marry a Senegalese national.

Most of the posts I read on this SSA forum seem to be from people who are immigrants themselves, or perhaps first-generation Americans. (I don't know why my "basic premise is wrong", I just stated my impression, and I'm talking about SSA, not MENA.) I was interested to hear from people who have experiences more similar to mine. I appreciate the encouraging words and advice above, which are what I was hoping to find.

If this topic is somehow offensive, it can be closed.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

I'm sorry if I've caused offense somehow. My point is that I don't KNOW what the issues are when an American citizen marries someone from their hometown in Africa. I just know that there are some differences. I get asked by every government official why I would want to marry someone from their country, as if there's something strange and possibly wrong about it. I doubt that happens when, for instance, someone who immigrated to the US from Senegal and is now a US citizen wants to marry a Senegalese national.

Most of the posts I read on this SSA forum seem to be from people who are immigrants themselves, or perhaps first-generation Americans. (I don't know why my "basic premise is wrong", I just stated my impression, and I'm talking about SSA, not MENA.) I was interested to hear from people who have experiences more similar to mine. I appreciate the encouraging words and advice above, which are what I was hoping to find.

If this topic is somehow offensive, it can be closed.

There are only 49 members listed on the Rwanda members page, don't know why there are so few.

Your topic is not offensive.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

so give me some examples then your kind of being vague what sort of issues do ppl of the same heritage have to deal with it exactly

Couples of the same nationality do have their own issues. Many are scrutinized with DNA tests to make sure children are truly theirs

and not a niece or other relative or friend's child being smuggled in for example.

Another is extensive AP investigations making sure the couple is truly bona fide and not a relative or friend paying the other for a visa,

especially when they have known each other for a very long time.

This happens more in high fraud countries of course, Nigeria, Ghana etc.

There is not a big exodus going on from Rwanda as compared to Nigeria with 2799 members so the OP has a valid point to question why this is.

[soulstriker 274]

I'm sorry if I've caused offense somehow. My point is that I don't KNOW what the issues are when an American citizen marries someone from their hometown in Africa. I just know that there are some differences. I get asked by every government official why I would want to marry someone from their country, as if there's something strange and possibly wrong about it. I doubt that happens when, for instance, someone who immigrated to the US from Senegal and is now a US citizen wants to marry a Senegalese national.

Most of the posts I read on this SSA forum seem to be from people who are immigrants themselves, or perhaps first-generation Americans. (I don't know why my "basic premise is wrong", I just stated my impression, and I'm talking about SSA, not MENA.) I was interested to hear from people who have experiences more similar to mine. I appreciate the encouraging words and advice above, which are what I was hoping to find.

If this topic is somehow offensive, it can be closed.

no need just wanted more clarification , your good

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

If there is a non normal difference in the couple ( older than child bearing woman marrying a young man , religions that are in conflict in the country marrying, highly educated marrying someone that didn't complete primary education ) then there shouldn't be too much trouble ( Read up on red flags ) You just need to document your relationship far more than if you dated the person next.

[Eric&Tasha 5]

I am an American and my fiance is a Nigerian man living in Ghana. We do have differences but mostly because many long distance misunderstandings, we have also a big difference in age yet we love each other, love is universal, no borders.

Tasha

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

I am an American and my fiance is a Nigerian man living in Ghana. We do have differences but mostly because many long distance misunderstandings, we have also a big difference in age yet we love each other, love is universal, no borders.

Tasha

A white USC with a much younger Nigerian interviewing in a 3rd country is really looking for an uphill battle. Hopefully you met in his country and have a longer stay and spent time with his family