Katb El Ketab

[AnnAli 3]

I already know that this should not be done if filing for a K-1.

My question is:

Has anyone in this community been DENIED for a K-1 (or know anyone that has) for already having done the katb el ketab? On the other hand, has anyone been APPROVED having done the katb el ketab?

[Georgia16 2,858]

And what is a katb el ketab?

If it can be seen in any way possible as a marriage or anything like it the embassy will say you need CR-1 visa

[shorouq123 20]

I'm assuming you are talking about the islamic marriage not the legal one.. I have no knowledge of someone that did that but I can imagine your case getting denied if the USCIS know about it. I'm not sure honestly.

Do consider waiting until after entry or applying for another type of visas that is more appropriate like CR1.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

These threads might help you

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/278285-katb-el-kitab-is-a-legal-marriage-or-not/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/561593-i-need-assistance/

[Kastrs 723]

I would say do not do it, Islamically married is still some form of married

[AnnAli 3]

Hello and thank you.

It is an Islamic marriage contract / an Islamic prenuptial agreement.

Yes, it is my understanding that we will most definitely be denied a K-1 at the interview since we already went through the religious ceremony of marriage, and that we will be told to start over with (and that we should have done) a CR1/I-130.

On the other hand, this is all contradicted on the Embassy (Egypt) website:

"The only legal marriage for foreigners in Egypt is a civil ceremony performed at the local marriage court, which is in accordance with Islamic practice. Persons wishing a religious ceremony may arrange for one separately, but it is the civil ceremony that establishes the legal marriage."

What should we do? We are just days away from scheduling interview.

[Kastrs 723]

Yes you are in the situation now of being too married for a K1 and not married enough for a CR1, you should now make your marriage fully legal and file for a CR1 visa

[shorouq123 20]

Hello and thank you.

It is an Islamic marriage contract / an Islamic prenuptial agreement.

Yes, it is my understanding that we will most definitely be denied a K-1 at the interview since we already went through the religious ceremony of marriage, and that we will be told to start over with (and that we should have done) a CR1/I-130.

On the other hand, this is all contradicted on the Embassy (Egypt) website:

"The only legal marriage for foreigners in Egypt is a civil ceremony performed at the local marriage court, which is in accordance with Islamic practice. Persons wishing a religious ceremony may arrange for one separately, but it is the civil ceremony that establishes the legal marriage."

What should we do? We are just days away from scheduling interview.

In my opinion, since you already went through the long and troublesome process of the K1 visa, attend the interview anyways and be honest about your situation and see what happens. Worst case they tell you to file a CR1. Good luck!

Edited October 4, 2016 by shorouq123

[AnnAli 3]

Thank you, my dear friends.

Shorouq - that's what I think I am going to do. With less than 2 months until interview, what more do we have to lose other than more time? I am heartbroken.

[Laurel0708 21]

Honestly, if Egypt does not consider it a legal marriage, then it can't be seen in the US's eyes as a legal marriage, right?

For example, someone can perform a wedding ceremony, but that doesn't make it official unless you get a wedding license, sign the document, etc.

Ps. If you were applying for a K-1 VISA, why would you perform a ceremony that you knew might put your VISA in danger of being denied?

[Jojo92122 1,924]

Honestly, if Egypt does not consider it a legal marriage, then it can't be seen in the US's eyes as a legal marriage, right?

For example, someone can perform a wedding ceremony, but that doesn't make it official unless you get a wedding license, sign the document, etc.

Ps. If you were applying for a K-1 VISA, why would you perform a ceremony that you knew might put your VISA in danger of being denied?

Not right.

Many have been denied K-1 visa for ceremonial weddings. You can search VJ for many examples.

[soulstriker 274]

cr1 and your good to go , seems you didnt research thoroughly , this could of been avoided , no worries since u have cr1 as the next option

[Jojo92122 1,924]

Nothing resembling a wedding or marriage ceremony should be conducted before the K-1 visa holder enters the US. Any ceremony can put the K-1 at risk.

For example, a married couple could say they are single for the K-1 by not submitting their marriage certificate even though they have pictures all over Facebook. The burden would be on the couple to prove they qualify for a fiancee visa. It's not the burden of the US Embassy to prove they are married, so they can deny a visa on mere speculations that the couple is married based on circumstantial evidence.

[Cathi 5,771]

Hello and thank you.

It is an Islamic marriage contract / an Islamic prenuptial agreement.

Yes, it is my understanding that we will most definitely be denied a K-1 at the interview since we already went through the religious ceremony of marriage, and that we will be told to start over with (and that we should have done) a CR1/I-130.

On the other hand, this is all contradicted on the Embassy (Egypt) website:

"The only legal marriage for foreigners in Egypt is a civil ceremony performed at the local marriage court, which is in accordance with Islamic practice. Persons wishing a religious ceremony may arrange for one separately, but it is the civil ceremony that establishes the legal marriage."

What should we do? We are just days away from scheduling interview.

there is no gray area. You are married. Trust me, I married a Jordanian in Jordan and they are very specific in saying that if you have signed a marriage contract you are married.

[AnnAli 3]

We did the katb el ketab November 28, 2015. The K-1 application was submitted March 2016. So, we went in to this with the thought that we were not legally married, based on the definition of a legal marriage provided on the U.S. Embassy at Cairo website.

We fully disclosed our "situation" at the time of the petition. It has never been a secret! The "marriage contract" and its translation were sent with our petition. An RFE was issued, asking us to prove that this is not a legal/valid marriage in Egypt. A reply was sent with a civil status document (dated just days prior to reply) from the Ministry of Interior, showing the beneficiary as "single". It also included a reminder of the steps deemed necessary for a legal marriage per the embassy's website and emails that we attempted to go through these steps with no success. We were "approved" a week later.

We honest-to-God thought we were doing everything right and would have never wasted our time on a K-1 if there was any indication that we should have gone another route. I am so confused as to why we have made it this far and why we were not denied and re-directed.