Chance of approval despite age gap

[mmmarva 5]

Hello everyone, this just an inquiry as to approval for a spousal visa. My husband and I are over ten years apart. We met and became friends through a church setting where we later communicated through phone calls etc. We've met three times before our registry wedding in Nigeria . His mother and brother attended the registry wedding followed by a beautiful reception two days later of which his other siblings attended. I have met with his parents and his siblings on many occasions besides the wedding and the reception  in August 2017. I was in Lagos last week to visit my husband and family also. So in total we have met five times. I am a December, 2017 filer but is curious based on information I have read about Nigeria being amongst the high fraud countries. 

[rajeejunie 110]

2 minutes ago, mmmarva said:

Hello everyone, this just an inquiry as to approval for a spousal visa. My husband and I are over ten years apart. We met and became friends through a church setting where we later communicated through phone calls etc. We've met three times before our registry wedding in Nigeria . His mother and brother attended the registry wedding followed by a beautiful reception two days later of which his other siblings attended. I have met with his parents and his siblings on many occasions besides the wedding and the reception  in August 2017. I was in Lagos last week to visit my husband and family also. So in total we have met five times. I am a December, 2017 filer but is curious based on information I have read about Nigeria being amongst the high fraud countries. 

Although you shouldn't be too worried, do make it a point to carefully have receipts of the wedding, photos, chat logs, and visits before and after marriage. Make sure your spouse does visit a few times after being married and you take a lot of photos and boarding passes too. Good Luck!  

[mmmarva 5]

He doesn't have a visa to visit the US . I will make sure to copy and save all receipts . Thanks for your response 

[naija_glam 119]

You guys have met plenty of times, and have married. It seems like you guys can prove the marriage is genuine. As stated before copy boarding passes, but definitely include the receipts for your flights. Not all airlines include the full date (month, day, and year) on the boarding pass. Pictures of your ceremony along with the family members that attended. Also include plenty of pictures of you guys out doing other things. My friend, I know they say that Nigeria is a high fraud country, but if you have proof of your relationship, trust me you'll be fine.

[mmmarva 5]

I plan on including the stamp pages of my passport. Thanks for your response 

[pushbrk 12,110]

4 hours ago, mmmarva said:

Hello everyone, this just an inquiry as to approval for a spousal visa. My husband and I are over ten years apart. We met and became friends through a church setting where we later communicated through phone calls etc. We've met three times before our registry wedding in Nigeria . His mother and brother attended the registry wedding followed by a beautiful reception two days later of which his other siblings attended. I have met with his parents and his siblings on many occasions besides the wedding and the reception  in August 2017. I was in Lagos last week to visit my husband and family also. So in total we have met five times. I am a December, 2017 filer but is curious based on information I have read about Nigeria being amongst the high fraud countries. 

Your best evidence of a genuine relationship is the evidence of time spent together in person.  As for the age gap, what is "more than ten" and who is older?  To estimate the impact of an age difference we would need to know that.

[mmmarva 5]

He is 15 years younger than I am.  Thanks for replying 

[pushbrk 12,110]

33 minutes ago, mmmarva said:

He is 15 years younger than I am.  Thanks for replying 

OK.  Depending on how many visits totaling how much time, you have been together in person, that's probably not going to be an issue.  If you'll Google these exact words, "Are Older Women Marrying Younger Men Discriminated Against"  you'll see a link to a pretty good explanation of the issue

[Teemo 252]

2 hours ago, mmmarva said:

He is 15 years younger than I am.  Thanks for replying 

Well this is an issue not necessarily because they would think you entered into a sham marriage but because they may suspect he is using you to get a green card (you are the US citizen right?). Meeting 5x is solid, assuming you can prove they were meaningful encounters each time. But I think they will scrutinize him extra carefully, and there are probably some things they look for when they think one spouse is conning the other one. I guess one thing is looking at emails/texts that discuss intimate things (I don't mean x-rated, I mean discussing kids/finances/lifestyle/future life together etc) to see a genuine loving relationship. 

 

I don't mean to insinuate that is what is happening and I don't want to disrespect you or your marriage but that is the presumption you will have to overcome and I figure its easier for you to hear now than at the interview. 

[pushbrk 12,110]

26 minutes ago, Teemo said:

Well this is an issue not necessarily because they would think you entered into a sham marriage but because they may suspect he is using you to get a green card (you are the US citizen right?). Meeting 5x is solid, assuming you can prove they were meaningful encounters each time. But I think they will scrutinize him extra carefully, and there are probably some things they look for when they think one spouse is conning the other one. I guess one thing is looking at emails/texts that discuss intimate things (I don't mean x-rated, I mean discussing kids/finances/lifestyle/future life together etc) to see a genuine loving relationship. 

 

I don't mean to insinuate that is what is happening and I don't want to disrespect you or your marriage but that is the presumption you will have to overcome and I figure its easier for you to hear now than at the interview. 

Good points.  "Love" is really not the issue, but you've described what they are looking for in a bona fide relationship.  Not all bona fide marriages are between people who are "in love".  That's why it is not the issue here.  Making a life together is the issue.  That can be somewhat objectively measured, while love really cannot be.

[mmmarva 5]

I know their duty is to protect US citizens and they are train in that aspect , to see things  one would likely to overlooked in a relationship . Nevertheless, we will provide all the necessary information and proof . The age difference is not obvious, we look very close in age and I am sure they will see that I aged very well . Thanks for your feedback. 

[pushbrk 12,110]

22 minutes ago, mmmarva said:

I know their duty is to protect US citizens and they are train in that aspect , to see things  one would likely to overlooked in a relationship . Nevertheless, we will provide all the necessary information and proof . The age difference is not obvious, we look very close in age and I am sure they will see that I aged very well . Thanks for your feedback. 

They aren't protecting YOU, personally.  The issue is enforcing the law.  Immigration law is written so that spouse visas are for bona fide marriages, not fraudulent ones.  Realistically, the best you can do is the best you can do.  Whether it will be "enough" is a judgment call THEY will make.  It's not about "required".  It's about believing the relationship is bona fide.

[KazuriSana 324]

18 hours ago, mmmarva said:

Hello everyone, this just an inquiry as to approval for a spousal visa. My husband and I are over ten years apart. We met and became friends through a church setting where we later communicated through phone calls etc. We've met three times before our registry wedding in Nigeria . His mother and brother attended the registry wedding followed by a beautiful reception two days later of which his other siblings attended. I have met with his parents and his siblings on many occasions besides the wedding and the reception  in August 2017. I was in Lagos last week to visit my husband and family also. So in total we have met five times. I am a December, 2017 filer but is curious based on information I have read about Nigeria being amongst the high fraud countries. 

10 years only? If they question you about that, maybe hint to them that there is precedence for much bigger differences -- such as Donald J. Trump and his wife, Melania Trump. He is 24 years older than her.

[E & J 2018 132]

Well, I am 16 years older than my fiancée.  We have met twice and I am going to visit her again in July.

[mcdull 474]

if your marriage is genuine, you will be approved. 

 

I am 16 years older than my husband, I thought it would be an issue, but throughout our immigration process, not a question was asked.