Same sex couple- embassy question for K1 visa

[stephenhart 0]

Hello everyone,

 

 

I've been browsing this site like a maniac before actually filling out the the I-129F form and gathering all the necessary documentation. Everything has been very helpful. However, what I haven't seen much of is information on same sex couples applying for a K1 visa. I am Honduran/American and my girlfriend is Honduran/Costa Rican. She is currently living in Honduras. Both are third-world homophobic countries in their own sense and I'm worried that that would influence getting her visa approved. I don't know how true this is, but I was told by a lawyer that the government is coming down harder on same sex couples and are more rigorous with the process. I don't know if he was trying to scare me into using his services or if this is a reality. I know there is an option for third country processing and to have the interview in another country under the right circumstances. I'm trying to figure out whether to request having her interview in Honduras or Costa Rica. There isn't much information about same sex couples for either of these countries in the consulate review page of this website. If I do decide to request having it in Costa Rica, is there additional documentation that I would need to include in the I-129F packet to have this happen? Proof of her CR citizenship maybe? I just want everything to go smoothly. It's hard having to be separated. We have known each other for over a year and have been together for 9 months. By the time we get an interviewed scheduled, I'm sure we will have been together for more than a year and that would work in our favor. I've visited her 3 times already. Any advice on this matter is welcomed. Thanks in advance

[John & Rose 7,241]

If you look around here there are many same sex couples.  I have never heard of any biases in any of their comments.  To me it seems like we all have the same questions regardless of sexual orientation.  Many have been approved without having to provide additional information.  

 

I strongly suggest you simply follow the procedures that all the rest of us do.  Love is love.  I have never heard of issues with the CO when it comes to same sex couples.  Be confident and strong.  Don't go out of your way to provide additional information as that may raise some red flags.  Stay the course and simply be another couple in love who has to go through this process.

 

I wish you the best.  Just relax and do exactly as they ask and you should be fine.

[geowrian 22,339]

Well said, @John & Rose.

 

The embassy goes by US law, which permits same sex marriages. Of course there could be some individuals who are biased and inject their own feelings into it, but this could happen with pretty much anything. I would suggest not worrying about the same sex aspect and concentrate on the relationship and gathering evidence of it.

[stephenhart 0]

Thanks for the reassurance. I still have the same question though: If I do decide to request having it in Costa Rica, is there additional documentation that I would need to include in the I-129F packet to have this happen? Proof of her CR citizenship maybe?

[Wisconsinbly 46]

We are a same sex couple. My wife is American and I'm from Russia. And while Russia isn't officially considered a third-world country, its view on same-sex relationships has been changing for the worst in the last few years. So I was worried about my K-1 visa interview, as well. But everything went smoothly for me. No inappropriate questions, no rude remarks. The officer was very indifferent, which I hope they all are.

 

What really helped me with worrying is realizing that the interview is conducted by U.S. officials. Like it was said above, the officers have to abide by the U.S. law. So even if they personally have a problem with gay people, they can't really express that at work. As far as local staff working at the embassy, I personally didn't have a problem with them, either; most of them wouldn't know the details of your case, and the people taking in the documents right before the interview have undoubtedly dealt with same-sex couples' cases before, so it won't come as a shock to them.

 

As far as which country to choose for the interview, I wouldn't know. But you said yourself they're both pretty homophobic. So maybe it shouldn't be a matter of their open-mindedness, but of your own comfort. Traveling to another country is costly, your girlfriend will have to take more time off her job, she might not be familiar with the city where the embassy is... I would consider these things too before making a decision.

[John & Rose 7,241]

11 minutes ago, avensteph said:

Thanks for the reassurance. I still have the same question though: If I do decide to request having it in Costa Rica, is there additional documentation that I would need to include in the I-129F packet to have this happen? Proof of her CR citizenship maybe?

Which location was used at the beneficiaries address in the petition?  I believe you should just use the location that is most convenient.  The CO will be a USC so they will abide by the US laws.  Don't overthink it but be resolved in making sure that the petition is correctly filled out no matter which location you choose.  

[geowrian 22,339]

Re: Where to interview...I suggest interviewing wherever the beneficiary currently lives. It doesn't really make sense to do the medical and interview in one place if you live elsewhere.

Edited September 15, 2017 by geowrian

[stephenhart 0]

Thank you guys very much for the assistance. You've all been very helpful

[marc941 137]

I had similar concerns with our interview in the Dominican Republic recently, but we had no problems.  I felt very comfortable in the embassy.  I didn't feel that anyone was judging us or treated us any differently because we are a same sex couple.

[Jing&Kuting 137]

Hi, 

 

we are a same sex couple too. You may want to check my post about my interview  I listed some stuff that could help.

[bakphx1 791]

We recently were approved in the Honduran embassy in Tegucigalpa.  No issues, and it the fact we are a same sex couple was never mentioned.  Everyone was very nice!

[stephenhart 0]

5 hours ago, bakphx1@aol.com said:

We recently were approved in the Honduran embassy in Tegucigalpa.  No issues, and it the fact we are a same sex couple was never mentioned.  Everyone was very nice!

That gives me a huge sense of relief, thank you!

 

I'll make sure to check out your post jing&kuting

Edited September 16, 2017 by avensteph