Engagement ceremony after starting K1 visa process

[pooj97 89]

I am planning on submitting the K1 visa for my fiance by end of January/beginning of February with pictures of our trips together, proof of meeting/relationship, etc. Our parents want to hold a traditional Indian engagement ceremony near the end of May AFTER I submit the K1 visa packet. I know there have been accounts of the K1 visa being denied for those who have ceremonies like this because USCIS might think of it as a wedding ceremony, which is why I will not be submitting any pictures of us doing this ceremony when I send out the packet. However, how should we go about handling this at the interview, which most likely will be held after this ceremony? Should my fiance avoid saying anything about it altogether? Should he not mention anything about it? Thanks!

[Crazy Cat 39,456]

Might be better to just forget the traditional ceremony until after the marriage in the US.

[Pitaya 2,576]

Welcome to the forum.

 

As missleman mentioned, It may be wise to consider having the ceremony after getting married in the US. Another option is to forego the K1 visa, and go for a spousal visa instead. You can have all of the traditional ceremonies and festivities that you want, and not worry about having to try to evade or lie to a US Consulate officer during a K1 visa interview. Doing those types of things could only get you a K1 denial and a possible ban.

 

Good luck on your immigration journey, and Happy Holidays.

[payxibka 10,044]

3 hours ago, pooj97 said:

I am planning on submitting the K1 visa for my fiance by end of January/beginning of February with pictures of our trips together, proof of meeting/relationship, etc. Our parents want to hold a traditional Indian engagement ceremony near the end of May AFTER I submit the K1 visa packet. I know there have been accounts of the K1 visa being denied for those who have ceremonies like this because USCIS might think of it as a wedding ceremony, which is why I will not be submitting any pictures of us doing this ceremony when I send out the packet. However, how should we go about handling this at the interview, which most likely will be held after this ceremony? Should my fiance avoid saying anything about it altogether? Should he not mention anything about it? Thanks!

You need to ask this in the India regional forum to see what your fellow Indians advise 

[Greenbaum 12,258]

3 hours ago, pooj97 said:

I am planning on submitting the K1 visa for my fiance by end of January/beginning of February with pictures of our trips together, proof of meeting/relationship, etc. Our parents want to hold a traditional Indian engagement ceremony near the end of May AFTER I submit the K1 visa packet. I know there have been accounts of the K1 visa being denied for those who have ceremonies like this because USCIS might think of it as a wedding ceremony, which is why I will not be submitting any pictures of us doing this ceremony when I send out the packet. However, how should we go about handling this at the interview, which most likely will be held after this ceremony? Should my fiance avoid saying anything about it altogether? Should he not mention anything about it? Thanks!

Just a bit of caution with the use of the engagement ceremony photos and the visa process. Though it may not be true for your embassy but those in other countries have faced a higher amount of scrutiny when "engagement photos" are used for evidence of a continued relationship. Some applicants have used them in front of the CO and the CO interrupts the pictures of the engagement as a "wedding" and without notice DECLINES the visa application. This is typically a problem for those in India who dress in customary traditional clothing that is worn at a wedding. I'm not up on Vietnam and their customs but I just want to make you aware of it. I would hold the pictures close to the vest and only offer if they are asked by the CO. Just my experience and the experience of many others on VJ. Safe travels.