Filing for my Gambian husband

[Sheisyou 2]

I'm new to this entire process and I have a few questions after readying a lot of these forums I see for Gambia it takes a bit of time to get approved letter and and interview dates my first question is in see interviews aren't held in gambiaso my fiance would have to go to Senegal? Also what type of questions are asked at the interview he knows everything about me but I would like to be sure and prepared also if anyone would like to email me who's been through this or going through this now I would really appreciate any and all help and support I'll provide my email below also seeing that gambians don't have direct address what are some of the ways you all are filling out the address portion so that your fiance receives mail and updates from the uscis thank you for any and all help i receive 

(email removed)

Edited August 26, 2017 by Ontarkie
Removed personal information.

[KULtoATL 1,551]

Hey the US embassy is in Banjul, Gambia. Not sure what made you say Senegal

 

Here's a list of potential questions but the CO might ask other things concerning your relationship: 

 

[Maria1989 403]

On June 23, 2017 at 1:51 PM, KULtoATL said:

Hey the US embassy is in Banjul, Gambia. Not sure what made you say Senegal

 

Here's a list of potential questions but the CO might ask other things concerning your relationship: 

 

 

On June 23, 2017 at 1:25 PM, Antoinette bojang said:

I'm new to this entire process and I have a few questions after readying a lot of these forums I see for Gambia it takes a bit of time to get approved letter and and interview dates my first question is in see interviews aren't held in gambiaso my fiance would have to go to Senegal? Also what type of questions are asked at the interview he knows everything about me but I would like to be sure and prepared also if anyone would like to email me who's been through this or going through this now I would really appreciate any and all help and support I'll provide my email below also seeing that gambians don't have direct address what are some of the ways you all are filling out the address portion so that your fiance receives mail and updates from the uscis thank you for any and all help i receive 

Antoinettesuccessw@gmail.com

The title of this thread says Gambian husband, put your questions refers to your Fiance. Whatever the case, she was correct Banjul doesnt do Fiance or Spousal, Senegal does them. I filed out the address portion as he filled it out when he mails me things. The process is different for spousal tho. There is a thread in the Sub Saharan forum that discusses interviews although there arent many reviews for Dakar. I will say on the few occasions I emailed the Banjul Embassay they responded fairly quickly however the same has not been said for Dakar. I also believe that you can requests the packets by email once your case has been recieved from NVC. 

[Sheisyou 2]

Thank you to everyone who's responded to my questions. I've learned he has to go to Dakar, I'm almost don't with the application I said husband because we married traditionally there but not legally. I'm hoping we are approved

 

[Maria1989 403]

6 minutes ago, Antoinette bojang said:

Thank you to everyone who's responded to my questions. I've learned he has to go to Dakar, I'm almost don't with the application I said husband because we married traditionally there but not legally. I'm hoping we are approved

 

Make sure you are careful with how you file. If you married traditionally over there you will need to file Spousal and get the paperwork... If they see wedding pictures and you filed for Fiance they will deny... Its kind of hard like that you have to be one or the other. They will say you are married as a lot of people Only have tradtional ceremonies. Try and get your app in as soon as possible because they are moving slow

[LionessDeon 2,060]

12 minutes ago, Antoinette bojang said:

Thank you to everyone who's responded to my questions. I've learned he has to go to Dakar, I'm almost don't with the application I said husband because we married traditionally there but not legally. I'm hoping we are approved

 

That could cause you a problem.

 

Also, when you get a chance please complete your profile information with type of visa filed for, country, etc.  Its really helpful to others when trying to answer your questions.

 

Edited August 24, 2017 by LionessDeon

[Sheisyou 2]

Thank you I'm sending it off on September 13th I don't plan on mentioning the traditional wedding at all  honestly also when the request copies of passport and or birth certificate do we sign and date those pages? 

[Maria1989 403]

44 minutes ago, Antoinette bojang said:

Thank you I'm sending it off on September 13th I don't plan on mentioning the traditional wedding at all  honestly also when the request copies of passport and or birth certificate do we sign and date those pages? 

Make sure you are using the updated form... Do the G325, I think that's the number, so they text/email you when they receive it. I think the only signature that are required is on the petition and the Intent to Marry. I created labels and put them on my pages:

 

Birth Records and ID

Passport

Hotel Receipts

Flights (Boarding Passes and Itineraries)

Photos

Passport Photos ( you and him)

Intent to Marry (must be signed)

Call Logs/ Chat Logs

I put W-2 and Paystubs (not necessary)

 

Oh and they want all pages of the passport and  include the front and back cover of the passport as well.. I sent about 30 photos..... If you want you could put a small description on the photo

 

Me and Fiancé 5/17 at the beach

Me and Fiancé's Family at dinner 

 

Let me know if you need anything else..... Now basically sit tight because now the average wait time is about 4 months.... as opposed to last year when it was about 2.... 

 

 

[Sheisyou 2]

I'm honestly overjoyed that people are actually helping advising thank you soon much now Maria I'm sending copy of birth certificate and passport all pages is a copy of my Id necessary? And also were you approved? If so how long did it take to receive an approval notification? Also on the actual form I129f on parts that do not pertain to me I left them blank should I have put none in the spot? So you didn't sign your copies of passport or birth certificates? 

[Boiler 45,651]

Does anybody know you married traditionally, what happens when they do the background checks?

[Sheisyou 2]

His family knows yes people in his town know yes however how do you prove something like that besides pictures and a written statement there is no paperwork soo anyway I'm not married I'm single as that's what I check on all my paper work here at home and it's what i would check in ant country no marriage license no marriage 

[Villanelle 4,122]

Was it an Islamic marriage? Is so The Gambia recognizes it and if they do they USCIS will also. Thats how you know if you are "married" or "single" for USCIS. If the marriage is legally recognized in the place it was done then you are married for USCIS purposes. It doesnt matter if you have a marriage certificate or license. If it is a legal marriage where it was done then you are married. 

 

Just out of curiosity- does he consider himself married there? Like you said you dont fill out forms as married but rather single- what does he do there? Fill out as single or as married?

[Sheisyou 2]

But how do you prove something with no legal documents and how would they find out? 

 

[Sheisyou 2]

I haven't sent off anything yet so if I need to change the application I'm sending I will but how to I prove a marriage with no documents 

[Villanelle 4,122]

Okay so I understand what you are thinking. But you have to do things legally. So the concept of 'they dont know/how will they know" well,,, thats crazy. If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it- it still fell! LOL> Understand? A silent crime is still a crime. I hope you get what Im saying.

 

So was it an Islamic marriage? You never answered. I can try to help you if you explain things. Basically with out knowing exactly what happened- you can look up that countries website and see how to get proof of your marriage. For USCIS they consider marriage docs available and will want to see them-( Available. Certified copies of civil marriage certificates are obtainable from the Registrar General, Ministry of Justice, Marina Parade, Banjul.) Perhaps contact that agency and ask how to get a marriage certificate.