Morocco Casablanca Consulate

[Lottaair 8]

Can someone help me with this question. 

My fiance does not speak English very well and we communicate a lot through goigle translate if there is a complicated discussion.  Can someone please tell me if my finance needs to know English for his interview? 

Will he still get approved although he is not 100% fluent in English?  I do not speak Arabic but we get along 100%. 

[debbiedoo 2,339]

well if they're going to move here, English lessons would probably be a good idea 😕

 

you can ask for a translator at the consulate

[Lottaair 8]

Will this rely heavily on his approval or denial?

[debbiedoo 2,339]

1 minute ago, Lottaair said:

Will this rely heavily on his approval or denial?

Morocco is a notoriously hard consulate.

 

it very well could affect it, it is entirely up the the CO.

 

Combine that with any other red flags and you may have an issue.

[geowrian 22,335]

The language she uses at the consulate (she doesn't have to interview in English) won't impact the decision.

The difficulty in communication due to a lack of common language might be an issue. Others have used similar methods to communicate with success at the interview. That said, Morocco is notoriously difficult, and K-1s are very difficult to obtain there.

It will come down to what evidence you do have of a bona fide relationship versus any evidence implying otherwise.

 

Do you have any red flags (difference in religion, age difference, etc.)? Past marriages? Children (on either side)?

How much time have you spent in person with each other, and over how many trips?

What other evidence was submitted previously? What new evidence will be submitted?

[Lottaair 8]

Here goes my story:

We met several months ago and have been dedicated to one another every since. We talk (video) twice a day and text all day. I just recently went to see him last month and took care of the paperwork for things I needed from him. He wrote in his native language on the I-129F . I also gathered his passport photo and he signed a letter of intent to marry. I have gathered a booklet with pictures of us and records of our conversation. Pictures also include his family and friends everyone I met while I was there. We also had a morrocan engagement ceremony as well with pictures to prove it. I got a letter wishing us well from one of his uncles that does speak English.  Neither one of us have been married before or have kids. I truly hope to submit this paperwork before Christmas. Will this be enough?  I do plan to go in the summer as well depending on his paperwork status. But I dont want this to delay my waiting time for him to come in 2019. It is very difficult with their rules there. Since we are not married.... that's why I wish to have him here asap.

[Lottaair 8]

Btw I am a woman my finance in Morocco is a man! We are 9yrs apart I'm older than him. 

[geowrian 22,335]

Thanks for the update.

Well....I really don't like saying this but it sounds like you have an uphill battle IMO. There are a few potential issues that will make getting a K-1 from Morocco quite difficult:

1. Fairly quick meeting then filing of the I-129F.
2. Only 1 or 2 visits in person (I wasn't sure on the number based on the description provided).
3. The engagement ceremony photos - if submitted - may cause the IO for the I-129F or CO for the visa to consider you "too married" for a K-1 visa. I would suggest not sending these or mentioning it unless asked...it provides no benefit and can result in a denial.
4. Age difference with the female USC being older may be considered not in the cultural norms, increasing scrutiny of the relationship. I'll defer to others here if 9 years difference is enough to be considered out of the norm.
5. Lack of a common language.
6. Make sure you both either sign the letter of intent to marry or that you each sign your own letter.

Is there a difference in religion?

[Lottaair 8]

Please note that I am new to this I do not know any of the acronyms you just used in your response, therefore I dont understand. 

I cannot afford to keep flying back and forth I'm not rich in any way possible. We are both in our 30's.

He is Muslim and I am not. We are both ok with that. 

He plans to learn English but personally it's not happening quick enough for me.but that's a subject I have to be patient on. 

I read where someone else had a morrocan ceremony also on here..the consulate thought they were already married but it's the traditional engagement. But they were approved It is important in their country. I'd like to have a family soon I cannot do that with us being so far apart. 

[geowrian 22,335]

2 minutes ago, Lottaair said:

Please note that I am new to this I do not know any of the acronyms you just used in your response, therefore I dont understand. 

IMO = In My Opinion

IO = Immigration Officer (the person who adjudicates the I-129F at USICS)

CO = Consular Officer (the person who handles the interview/case at the embassy/consulate

USC = US Citizen

 

2 minutes ago, Lottaair said:

I cannot afford to keep flying back and forth I'm not rich in any way possible. We are both in our 30's.

I 100% understand. My now-wife is from the Philippines. I am in my 30s as well.

That said, neither of these matter to the CO who determines if they get the visa or not. There is  history of high fraud from Morocco for fiance and marriage visas, unfortunately, and therefore they are very strict with cases.

 

2 minutes ago, Lottaair said:

He is Muslim and I am not. We are both ok with that. 

That's fine and I completely understand. That's absolutely a very personal decision on religions.

At the same time, this is a big red flag for Morocco. I cannot change facts.

 

2 minutes ago, Lottaair said:

I read where someone else had a morrocan ceremony also on here..the consulate thought they were already married but it's the traditional engagement. But they were approved It is important in their country. I'd like to have a family soon I cannot do that with us being so far apart. 

I'm certain many others have done so perfectly fine.

I'm also aware of quite a few people who have been refused due to this reason. It's not uncommon to see it happen to somebody.

The advice to provide the photos is what it is. You are free to take any advice you receive or not. The advice is intended to minimize the chance of refusal.

[CJlove 147]

43 minutes ago, Lottaair said:

 We also had a morrocan engagement ceremony as well with pictures to prove it. 

In the past few days, I’ve read few stories about Moroccan engagement party. I guess this is fairly common in Morocco. Since, I’ve read that this raises a red flag, I have a question. Doesn’t the CO know that this is common trandition in Morocco? If so, then why would this ceremony raise a red flag? 

[geowrian 22,335]

18 minutes ago, CJlove said:

In the past few days, I’ve read few stories about Moroccan engagement party. I guess this is fairly common in Morocco. Since, I’ve read that this raises a red flag, I have a question. Doesn’t the CO know that this is common trandition in Morocco? If so, then why would this ceremony raise a red flag? 

The concern is people have actually married and then tried to do a K-1 since it's faster than a spousal visa. Past abuse -> current scrutiny.

 

An engagement party itself is not an issue. But the specifics involved with it can raise doubt if there was a marriage involved or not. Things like wearing formal wedding attire, having an officiant or religious leader present, an exchange of rings, etc. starts to look like an actual wedding.

Edited December 10, 2018 by geowrian

[CJlove 147]

1 minute ago, geowrian said:

The concern is people have actually married and then tried to do a K-1 since it's faster than a spousal visa. Past abuse -> current scrutiny.

 

An engagement party itself is not an issue. But the specifics involved with it can raise doubt if there was a marriage involved or not. Things like wearing formal wedding attire, having an officiant or religious leader present, an exchange of rings, etc. starts to look like an actual wedding.

I see. It makes sense now. Thank you for explaining!! 🙏🤗

 

[RJandHamid 1,128]

The odds are stacked against you right now. The fact that you have only visited him once, you are 9 years older, and that he isn't able to communicate in English very well all work against you. 

 

If you want the visa to be approved, you need to realize that there is no easy path to a visa in Morocco. Make at least one more visit, preferably more. Don't file the I-129F until you have visited a 2nd time. Yes, visiting is expensive, and yes it takes time which is something you feel like you don't have because you just want to be together. However the heartbreak and stress of a K1 denial will hurt and frustrate you both. 

 

Actually, I'd recommend going on a 2nd and getting married and filing the CR1 spousal visa. They have a slightly higher chance of approval, plus an opportunity to reaffirm the petition should he be denied (though this does take some time). The CR1 visa only takes a few months longer than the K1 to be processed, and it's ultimately the cheaper and better visa. 

 

Also whatever route you chose, try to help him find and enroll in some free English courses. It's important that he can prove he can communicate effectively with you.

 

Engagement ceremony generally isn't a problem, unless it looks like a marriage ceremony. Usually a CO can tell the difference.

[debbiedoo 2,339]

4 hours ago, Lottaair said:

 

I cannot afford to keep flying back and forth I'm not rich in any way possible.

 

He plans to learn English but personally it's not happening quick enough for me.but that's a subject I have to be patient on. 

I read where someone else had a morrocan ceremony also on here..the consulate thought they were already married but it's the traditional engagement. But they were approved It is important in their country. I'd like to have a family soon I cannot do that with us being so far apart. 

too married for a K1. not to mention with only one visit and you dont speak the same language, it would be unlikely to be approved anyways

 

seriously, how do you two COMMUNICATE? relationships are hard enough when you DO speak the same language. toss in cultural and language differences and nuances, and it can get ugly fast

 

 

5 hours ago, Lottaair said:

We also had a morrocan engagement ceremony as well with pictures to prove it. I got a letter wishing us well from one of his uncles

Will this be enough?  I do plan to go in the summer as well depending on his paperwork status. But I dont want this to delay my waiting time for him to come in 2019. It is very difficult with their rules there. Since we are not married.... that's why I wish to have him here asap.

nope nope nope nope nope nope nope

 

you havent known each other long.

youve only met once

you had a ceremony

yadda yadda yadda

 

do your research. read related threads.

 

as is, this wont end well for you