Evidence of bona fide relationship included in initial cr1 filing?

[MaryJean 2]

My fiance and I met almost 2 years ago online. He lives in Egypt, and I will be flying there in March and we will be getting married on our first visit.  I know already that getting married on the first visit is going to be a red flag, and I'm also older than he is which is another red flag.  I have heard differing information about what evidence needs to be included in the initial CR1 filing. Obviously I will be including boarding passes and photographs while I'm there and anything else that I can collect from my trip.  However,  Some say that all of the screenshots of the video chats and call logs that I've been collecting since the first day of our relationship don't need to be included in the initial filing... only that you bring it to the interview. Is that correct? Has anyone had any experience with a similar situation at the US Embassy in Cairo?  I know that that is a tough Embassy to deal with, and because of the red flags in our relationship wouldn't it be best for me too front load all of our evidence with the petition, so that the consular officer sees it before the interview?  Thanks.

[Crazy Cat 39,213]

You are setting yourself up for failure....and you realize it.......SMH!

https://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

 

 

Visit more..........get to know your fiance......

Edited December 29, 2018 by missileman

[Crazy Cat 39,213]

One more thing:  The only thing which will overcome the red flags you mentioned is more time together.....

[aaron2020 11,651]

The best is to develop the relationship and eliminate as many red flags as possible before you file the I-130.

 

Red Flag: marry on 1st trip.  Best: don't marry on 1st trip.  Make a few trips and develop the relationship material for the I-130.

 

The saying is ####### in, then ####### out.  You start with a bunch of red flags, then you know what the results will be.

Search for user "Love to Teach"  on VJ and you can see the problems she had.  You are recreating her pattern and expecting a different result.  You will be disappointed.  

[JFH 12,189]

What’s the rush to get married? Would you marry someone here you’ve never met before? Take time to get to know each other, not just to improve your visa chances but to improve your relationship chances too. 

 

If it’s real love, it’ll be worth the wait. 

 

Curious as to how big the age gap is. A few years won’t be a huge issue. 

Edited December 29, 2018 by JFH

[JFH 12,189]

Just seen your previous thread - a 29-year age gap. This is not going to end well if you marry on the first visit and file immediately. You were told back in June how flawed this plan was. It’s too bad you didn’t take the advice then. Many people who commented on that original thread have been through the MENA embassies and speak with (often painful) experience. 

[aaron2020 11,651]

 

[JFH 12,189]

*~*~*procedural question moved from “progress reports” to “process and procedures”*~*~*

[Boiler 43,426]

You certainly need to front load your application but first need good evidence to submit.

[carmel34 3,529]

I am facing an age difference with my husband's CR1 application, and after much research, the only way you will be successful in overcoming it, is to submit evidence of more face time and visits to see each other (I am in currently in Brazil for my 7th visit), and lots of co-mingling of finances evidence.  Marrying on the first visit to see each other face to face and filing the I-130 shortly after is setting up your application for eventual denial then a long process of appeal or submitting more evidence or eventually trying again with more evidence and another I-130.  All of that could take years.  Why not listen to the advice, wait until you know each other better through multiple in-person visits, more co-mingling of finances, and then submit the I-130?  Whether you listen and follow the advice given or disregard it will probably lead to the same end result--you will not be able to be together in the US for many years.  And as others have asked, if you can never be in the US together, what are your plans?  Divorce him because you refuse to live in Egypt or some other country together?  Many experienced VJ members have posted advice based on years of dealing with similar cases--take it or leave it, but know going in that if you rush things it will likely be denied, leading to frustration and more waiting, so why not be proactive, patient, and more confident in the eventual outcome?  Food for thought, but good luck whatever you decide to do!

[John & Rose 7,237]

6 hours ago, MaryJean said:

My fiance and I met almost 2 years ago online. He lives in Egypt, and I will be flying there in March and we will be getting married on our first visit.  I know already that getting married on the first visit is going to be a red flag, and I'm also older than he is which is another red flag.  I have heard differing information about what evidence needs to be included in the initial CR1 filing. Obviously I will be including boarding passes and photographs while I'm there and anything else that I can collect from my trip.  However,  Some say that all of the screenshots of the video chats and call logs that I've been collecting since the first day of our relationship don't need to be included in the initial filing... only that you bring it to the interview. Is that correct? Has anyone had any experience with a similar situation at the US Embassy in Cairo?  I know that that is a tough Embassy to deal with, and because of the red flags in our relationship wouldn't it be best for me too front load all of our evidence with the petition, so that the consular officer sees it before the interview?  Thanks.

You have a huge uphill battle.  It will be difficult to prove legitimate relationship and the red flags you have stacked against you are significant.  The ONLY way to get this to work is to spend YEARS getting to know each other.  Without years of face to face time it will be difficult to prove that an american woman has truly attracted the love of an Egyptian man who is 29 years younger.  There is no chance for him to procreate and that is a huge part of his culture.  He is from a high fraud area and you have never met i n person.  I don't see an approval as being possible without years of FaceTime.  If you truly love him I respectfully recommend that you move to Egypt for a few years before you attempt a CR-1. 

 

Screen shots of video chats and chat logs do not prove anything.  They would be worthless in your case.  Front loading would require years of pictures together not just one trip worth.  

Edited December 29, 2018 by John & Rose

[Ahmed&Freda 628]

6 hours ago, MaryJean said:

My fiance and I met almost 2 years ago online. He lives in Egypt, and I will be flying there in March and we will be getting married on our first visit.  I know already that getting married on the first visit is going to be a red flag, and I'm also older than he is which is another red flag.  I have heard differing information about what evidence needs to be included in the initial CR1 filing. Obviously I will be including boarding passes and photographs while I'm there and anything else that I can collect from my trip.  However,  Some say that all of the screenshots of the video chats and call logs that I've been collecting since the first day of our relationship don't need to be included in the initial filing... only that you bring it to the interview. Is that correct? Has anyone had any experience with a similar situation at the US Embassy in Cairo?  I know that that is a tough Embassy to deal with, and because of the red flags in our relationship wouldn't it be best for me too front load all of our evidence with the petition, so that the consular officer sees it before the interview?  Thanks.

Speaking from experience of working with a tough embassy front loading and side loading and over compensating for red flags made no difference.  I would highly recommend NOT marrying on the first trip.   I know its very difficult (especially in our case where our faith makes dating difficult) but the embassy doesn't care much about the reason.   We have had 5 visits in under two years and lots of other evidence but we are still having a difficult time getting the visa.  Our only red flags are married on first visit and prior marriages (we were both married young and divorced).  

 

It's a very difficult and long road you have to have some tough skin and really know what you are doing to get through it.  This journey is not for the weak.

 

 

Edited December 29, 2018 by Ahmed&Freda

[JFH 12,189]

I’m just thinking about this....the OP must be older than me. I’m 44 and if a man 25 years younger than me said he found me attractive, sexy, beautiful etc, you betcha I’d be flattered. But if he said he wanted to marry me, without even spending time with me in person, I’d be very suspicious. I work with people 20 years younger than me, a smaller age gap than is being discussed here, and I have nothing in common with them. 

[Lemonslice 4,553]

10 hours ago, MaryJean said:

My fiance and I met almost 2 years ago online. He lives in Egypt, and I will be flying there in March and we will be getting married on our first visit.  I know already that getting married on the first visit is going to be a red flag, and I'm also older than he is which is another red flag.  I have heard differing information about what evidence needs to be included in the initial CR1 filing. Obviously I will be including boarding passes and photographs while I'm there and anything else that I can collect from my trip.  However,  Some say that all of the screenshots of the video chats and call logs that I've been collecting since the first day of our relationship don't need to be included in the initial filing... only that you bring it to the interview. Is that correct? Has anyone had any experience with a similar situation at the US Embassy in Cairo?  I know that that is a tough Embassy to deal with, and because of the red flags in our relationship wouldn't it be best for me too front load all of our evidence with the petition, so that the consular officer sees it before the interview?  Thanks.

Why not move to Egypt?  Unless your fiancé was a teenager when you met two years ago, you are most probably retiring soon.  Retiring on the beach by the Red Sea while your fiancé/spouse supports you sounds great to me.   

[bakphx1 785]

3 hours ago, JFH said:

I’m just thinking about this....the OP must be older than me. I’m 44 and if a man 25 years younger than me said he found me attractive, sexy, beautiful etc, you betcha I’d be flattered. But if he said he wanted to marry me, without even spending time with me in person, I’d be very suspicious. I work with people 20 years younger than me, a smaller age gap than is being discussed here, and I have nothing in common with them. 

It’s a textbook Green card marriage.  But the USC in these cases is always in love and is sure this time it’s different.  OP should save her time and money.