Moving to Ghana?

[MrsGrant711 0]

Less than a year ago, I filed a K1 visa application for my fiancé here in Ghana. Fast forward to June, after a second interview, he was denied. Up to today, we haven't gotten any NOIR or NOID so I don't know why exactly they denied....we just know they did.

So I'm currently in Ghana for what seems like the shortest trip ever, but we decided to go ahead and get married at the court so that we're not just waiting around for papers that probably won't help us in the long run. Yay, we're married!!! But.....I'm leaving. And I don't want to. So much so, that I'm thinking of coming back and staying in Ghana semi-permanently in January when my lease in the US is up. Then when he gets his visa, we'd both go back to the US together, if that's what we decide.

Has any USC here ever done that, or ever considered being the one to move? I literally would have no idea of where to start, and would love some advice because it seems that while my heart is saying this is a genius idea, my head is telling me that I've had much better. I think the biggest factor I'm worried about is financially related.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Africa: Sub-Saharan regional forum.

[sweetangel1 0]

Hey Mrs Grant, good to know you're in Ghana.. I'll love to talk to you both.. Hope u make me out...inbox me your private number

[JenniferNangel 137]

I've been in dr with my now husband and I'm currently pregnant. When I came here I "moved" to be with him but the pregnancy changed everything and now we are doing dcf to go back to USA because it's what's best for our child. I do not want to give birth here but hopefully we can get his visa before then.

[O&GForever 387]

Less than a year ago, I filed a K1 visa application for my fiancé here in Ghana. Fast forward to June, after a second interview, he was denied. Up to today, we haven't gotten any NOIR or NOID so I don't know why exactly they denied....we just know they did.

So I'm currently in Ghana for what seems like the shortest trip ever, but we decided to go ahead and get married at the court so that we're not just waiting around for papers that probably won't help us in the long run. Yay, we're married!!! But.....I'm leaving. And I don't want to. So much so, that I'm thinking of coming back and staying in Ghana semi-permanently in January when my lease in the US is up. Then when he gets his visa, we'd both go back to the US together, if that's what we decide.

Has any USC here ever done that, or ever considered being the one to move? I literally would have no idea of where to start, and would love some advice because it seems that while my heart is saying this is a genius idea, my head is telling me that I've had much better. I think the biggest factor I'm worried about is financially related.

Congratulations on getting married! That's very exciting. I understand how hard leaving is. I've done it three times and it never gets any easier.

Unfortunately with a K1 visa you won't ever receive a NOIR or NOID. When those visas are denied, they are sent back to the USCIS and left to expire. You should contact your Senator to make an inquiry to the embassy to find out why. My Senator sent an email to the embassy and a few days later we had a response with the reasoning. A lot of times it won't be an exact reason, but will also give a little info. Also, go over the questions your fiance was asked. That can give you some idea of what the consulate was concerned about and focused on. The reason for being denied will be important when you reapply since you will need to overcome whatever concerns they had with your first visa.

Moving to Ghana will have it pros and cons.

Pro: of course, is proof that you are willing to move there to be with him. Face-to-face time is like gold for this embassy and what better evidence of time spent together than living with your husband.

Con: the financial stuff. The spouse visa will take 12-18 months to get through Ghana. Do you have someone who is willing to sponsor your visa? Since you will be living in Ghana, it's unlikely you will make the required yearly salary to sponsor him yourself. But if you can line something up, then I don't see any other negatives of moving there.

If you have any questions about the CR1 visa, send me a message. I am happy to answer any questions you might have.

[MrsGrant711 0]

Sweetangel1, I sent you a PM.

Jennifer, I'm totally with you. The thing is, neither one of us have wanted to stay in the US permanently....we always wanted to go to the US, have kids, then come back to Ghana and let them come to international school and be raised here. But since his K1 was denied, I think we're both just scared that the same thing is going to happen when I file again. So when you decided to move though, did you plan to work?

[MrsGrant711 0]

OGForever, thank you! I definitely wasn't even thinking about the fact that I probably wouldn't be making enough in Ghana to prove financial support. You're absolutely right. But at the same time, I know my family would be willing to do the affidavit of support for the CR1 so I guess that will be okay.

I think the thing I'm worried about most is finding work here. I have a BS degree and a lot of experience in social services and things, and my fiancé is convinced that I'll find something, but I'm just not so sure.

[O&GForever 387]

OGForever, thank you! I definitely wasn't even thinking about the fact that I probably wouldn't be making enough in Ghana to prove financial support. You're absolutely right. But at the same time, I know my family would be willing to do the affidavit of support for the CR1 so I guess that will be okay.

I think the thing I'm worried about most is finding work here. I have a BS degree and a lot of experience in social services and things, and my fiancé is convinced that I'll find something, but I'm just not so sure.

That's fantastic that you think your family would be willing to support you. That will certainly help. I can't speak about finding a job. I would hope that having a college degree would help you get a little higher paying job, but I am not familiar with the job market there other than its low paying.

[Monalisa22 84]

OGForever, thank you! I definitely wasn't even thinking about the fact that I probably wouldn't be making enough in Ghana to prove financial support. You're absolutely right. But at the same time, I know my family would be willing to do the affidavit of support for the CR1 so I guess that will be okay.

I think the thing I'm worried about most is finding work here. I have a BS degree and a lot of experience in social services and things, and my fiancé is convinced that I'll find something, but I'm just not so sure.

Hello. Congrats on your wedding. Ghana is a beautiful country and I am so happy I had my wedding there. I don't want to throw negativity your way but you must be prepared for a denial at the embassy after your marriage. In my honest opinion I would live with my husband for a while in Ghana before petitioning him to the US. Due to high fraud many of the consulars will deny the visa believing your marriage is not bonafide. I would want to have strong evidence of a relationship. If it is denied the case will be sent back to USCIS to be revoked. That process can take years and you wont be with your husband unless your file from Ghana. I filed my petition on 9/17/2013. My husband had his interview 10/17/2014. He was denied due to 221g. Keep in mind we have a 2 year old child. They had my child's birth certificate with my husband's name on birth certificate and they still believed our marriage was not bonafide. I would not dare give birth in Ghana., The medical facilities are horrible, I had my baby in the US and unfortunatley my husband could be there. Our case was reaffirmed by USCIS 7/11/2016 and we are just waiting for a new interview. It's been 3 years since we began this process. My husband will eventually get his visa. But if I knew what I know now, i would have waiting to file the petition,. You need strong evidence of a relationship to prevent being denied. I hope things go well for you.

[JenniferNangel 137]

Sweetangel1, I sent you a PM.

Jennifer, I'm totally with you. The thing is, neither one of us have wanted to stay in the US permanently....we always wanted to go to the US, have kids, then come back to Ghana and let them come to international school and be raised here. But since his K1 was denied, I think we're both just scared that the same thing is going to happen when I file again. So when you decided to move though, did you plan to work?

My husband works here since dr doesn't hire women pregnant. The dcf process doesn't take that long from what I hear as soon as we get a visa for him we want to go to USA. I was selfemployed for many years so it shouldn't be too hard finding work and he wants me to stay home with the baby anyways. He does have a job lined up already with his uncle. I love it here also but I think I'm more a USA girl I'm all for vacations here but the giagantic spiders is a huge Nono for me plus he actually killed a trantula at his grandmothers house a few days ago ? I thought the spiders were big in USA boy was I way way wrong. I give you so much credit for moving to want to be with him in his country sure if I had to I would but it's not easy when you're accustomed to a certain way of living your whole life and it just changes. If I had to I would stay here of course I would my husband is my whole world ???

Also from what I've read Ghana is a very tough embassy to get a k1 visa but you truly want to start over in a different country go for it ??????

[MrsBonsu 138]

Hi, read your post, my question is how long do plan on living in Ghana with him? Since you have the sponsor stuff figured out, the only thing left would be to prove its bona fide, you can do DCF (direct consular filing) at Ghana embassy, may I suggest you contact your congressman or senator once your back here before moving to find out why it was denied, so you know how to prepare for the next filing, DCF will go faster when applying over there but you need to find the list of things you need in place before filing so for instance you have to live in Ghana for a certain amount of time, I don't remember the time frame, there is only certain proof they take so you just need to check everything before moving, good luck

[MeAlone 161]

I was visiting my fiance in Accra 3 times, it looks to me the cost of living there is more expensive than in US. Correct me if I am wrong, please

Tasha

[MrsBonsu 138]

I was visiting my fiance in Accra 3 times, it looks to me the cost of living there is more expensive than in US. Correct me if I am wrong, please

Tasha

Yes it can be expensive, if you ever notice when your out they always wanna charge more because of being American, this drives my husband crazy sometimes, but it's easier for me since I kinda look like them lol, there are times when he says for me to not talk so we pay regular price for things, that is how they are in Ghana

[MeAlone 161]

Yes it can be expensive, if you ever notice when your out they always wanna charge more because of being American, this drives my husband crazy sometimes, but it's easier for me since I kinda look like them lol, there are times when he says for me to not talk so we pay regular price for things, that is how they are in Ghana

yes, I understand that but the supermarket prices where high, no bargain there and I was buying just regular simple food, rice, fufu box, oil, spices, meat, fish, pasta, cassava and sweet potatoes some instant coffee, milk, bread, chicken, when local market is cheap, cassava huge and so cheap yet not everything is sold in local markets, mostly local produce, the rent is also comparable to US, not a cheap living but not easy to get a job and the pay is low, the local people told me they consider themselves lucky making $300 a month. Of course, I know, the local people doesn't rent in a good safe places like a foreigner does and have their ways to buy at a local low price, but for a foreigner is not a cheap living

Tasha

[Ghana1987 0]

I'm so sorry you were denied. My fiance also went for his interview in July 2016 and was denied. The CO told my fiance we were denied for the reason an old petition of my ex husband was still active. although we showed proof of me trying to cancel it with proof that USCIS received my request to cancel and were working on it.

Anyway, I contacted a senator and within a week we got the embassy response that they didn't believe our relationship was genuine. truthfully I hear this is the same respond to most K1 visa denied in Ghana. I'm now thinking of doing the CR1. As difficult as it is it seems its my best bet. I wish I could go to Ghana and live there also but worry about not having a sponsor. If you have sponsor and you have the means to be there then do it

being with your spouse is so important and will provide so much evidence. I wish you the best. As far as I know ghana clothes and food is a bit expensive especially if you are earning money like a Ghananian. I would work a year here in the States and save up before moving. I would also start some sort of business in Ghana. I hear being self employed there is the best. This is what I would do since I have also thought about being there with my fiance. the only thing that stops me is having a sponsor here in the states for me.

Wish you the best!