K-1 visa denied. Advice on next steps

[LoveinGhana! 55]

After my fiancé proposed, his family went to see my family to seek permission to court me, this is essential in my tradition, a must do, before engagement and wedding plans can proceed, I went to my visa interview yesterday and the CO denied my visa because she saw a picture of us at the traditional engagement occasion called "knocking on the door", (my fiancé wasn't present on this occasion, he was still in the US) and she said I was married and so ineligible for a K1 visa, I explained that that wasn't a marriage and that it was a traditional engagement occasion where my fiances family goes to seek permission from my family with drinks... What do you suggest for my next steps? Do I have a good case for an appeal or do I let it go and start all over?

Get married and file I-130. Ghana is a difficult Embassy so prepare for the spousal visa. Good luck!!

[Cyberfx1024 7,978]

I am sorry you got denied for the K1 visa. This is constantly being talked about on here for people being denied for the exact same thing.

[NanaX2 1]

What we did was the original knocking, I was wearing a regular knee length dress and flat sandals with even no make up on, with just 3 people from my fiances family and same as me... I didn't even have to wear the whole kente thing and have a party and friends were not invited. Apart from the original drinks his family brought we didn't do the whole engagement list and I wasn't even given an engagement ring. If I was going to leave my country to go marry someone, I'm sure our families were supposed to have this ceremony. Maybe what we should have done was lie, that's what they want.

I recently made a post on that topic...

What we know as "Knocking" has totally changed. Our people have condensed or combined "Knocking" and "Etire nsa" altogether. So the engagement is now the "etire nsa" which is the traditional marriage.

So for immigration purposes, you either have to not do it or do the "original knocking".

The original knocking involves just the elders, parents and sometimes, the girl is not even part at all. it's between a couple of elders from the both sides.

The moment the girl dresses up and everyone make elaborate preparation and dowry is paid. You are married.

To your question,

"You are too married for K-1 but not married enough for CR-1".

So go through the proper process to register your marriage and file I-130

Good luck!

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

What we did was the original knocking, I was wearing a regular knee length dress and flat sandals with even no make up on, with just 3 people from my fiances family and same as me... I didn't even have to wear the whole kente thing and have a party and friends were not invited. Apart from the original drinks his family brought we didn't do the whole engagement list and I wasn't even given an engagement ring. If I was going to leave my country to go marry someone, I'm sure our families were supposed to have this ceremony. Maybe what we should have done was lie, that's what they want.

Looks like you did exactly what the "KNOCKING" was supposed to be but unfortunately, our own people created the confusion. Some people will do just the knocking and call themselves married.hmm

It's unfortunate that lots of people have innocently paid for this confusion.

Unfortunately, there's no recourse for a denied K-1 visa. Your case would be allowed to "die a natural death" under the pretense of "reviewing".

So read about the Cr-1 and file .

[Transborderwife 4,666]

What we did was the original knocking, I was wearing a regular knee length dress and flat sandals with even no make up on, with just 3 people from my fiances family and same as me... I didn't even have to wear the whole kente thing and have a party and friends were not invited. Apart from the original drinks his family brought we didn't do the whole engagement list and I wasn't even given an engagement ring. If I was going to leave my country to go marry someone, I'm sure our families were supposed to have this ceremony. Maybe what we should have done was lie, that's what they want.

Nope, never lie

[soulstriker 274]

lying wont do anything postiive for you , it was lack of research , do the cr1 , research every single thing about it , ull do fine

What we did was the original knocking, I was wearing a regular knee length dress and flat sandals with even no make up on, with just 3 people from my fiances family and same as me... I didn't even have to wear the whole kente thing and have a party and friends were not invited. Apart from the original drinks his family brought we didn't do the whole engagement list and I wasn't even given an engagement ring. If I was going to leave my country to go marry someone, I'm sure our families were supposed to have this ceremony. Maybe what we should have done was lie, that's what they want.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

So sorry it happened to you too, Ghana likes to deny and not differentiate between 'knocking' (introduction) and traditional ceremony (trad wedding).

There is nothing to appeal, the discretion of the CO trumps everything, including common sense.

Marry, make sure you have a marriage certificate to submit (as it is now you are not married enough !) and file a CR1.

[Unlockable 7,306]

1. NEVER lie. It could result in a lifetime ban.

2. You missed the point of how this happened.

It is a ceremony that is recognized in that country. As a result the US government has to consider it based on the fact that it is recognized. As someone already mentioned many people do the knocking and consider themselves married. If it is culturally accepted then it has to be accounted for. You can't be married in one country and not married in another.

The US government is just trying to protect itself.

[pch1 64]

I am sure the CO at the embassy is aware of the traditions and the CO came to conclusion that was a marriage ceremony. Yes you can fight it and you might end up losing not to mention all the time you will be wasting.

Just like most suggested, CR1 is your pathway to the US.

[NanaX2 1]

Thanks everyone for your advice... We will get married and proceed with the CR 1.... Does anyone know how soon I can start with the CR 1 process? Do I need to wait for a couple of months before proceeding?

[Boiler 43,558]

You can file as soon as you are married

[NikLR 13,220]

Technically as soon as you have a marriage certificate.

After both being present for a wedding.

[abhi_meli 150]

this time do your homework very well and look and read all the necessary posts here pertaining to your circumstances or case...

[Caykay1 71]

After my fiancé proposed, his family went to see my family to seek permission to court me, this is essential in my tradition, a must do, before engagement and wedding plans can proceed, I went to my visa interview yesterday and the CO denied my visa because she saw a picture of us at the traditional engagement occasion called "knocking on the door", (my fiancé wasn't present on this occasion, he was still in the US) and she said I was married and so ineligible for a K1 visa, I explained that that wasn't a marriage and that it was a traditional engagement occasion where my fiances family goes to seek permission from my family with drinks... What do you suggest for my next steps? Do I have a good case for an appeal or do I let it go and start all over?

Unfortunately because there is a cultural difference, the embassy take any family introduction as marriage now. If the two families meet, they consider you guys married already. My friend faced the same problem and was told to go file for the right application. Good luck