pakistan Moving Abroad While Cr1 is Pending

[Khatera DS 11]

Hello, Members.

I have posted about my past experiences before but will now preface it briefly.

My now-husband and I were denied a K1 at the Islamabad Embassy in April, 2019. No clear/concise answer was given as to why, but there was no issues with paperwork.

On June 1, 2019 we married and I applied for a Cr1 from Cleveland, Ohio. NOA1 Sept, 1, 2019.

We were told our case was going to take an additional 6-8 months from the latest, current processing times. Again, no answer was given as to why. But it is "currently under review".

 

I feel strongly that I am looking at an additional 2-3 years, considering the current covid situation, backlog at embassy and then AP after CO interview. (I do feel we will be in a lengthy AP.) 

 

My question is then, would moving abroad help or hurt our case in any way? I am a disabled US veteran and receive a pension, so moving would not cause any money issues. I am only worried about being able to prove domicile at the time of the interview. 

 

I can maintain a US address at my mother's home, but what else would be helpful in establishing a US domicile? Or, would moving back to Pakistan be an automatic denial, at the time of the interview? 

 

Thank you. 

[canadian_wife 1,823]

Moving abroad, in itself, will not cause an automatic denial.  A very common reason for a denial of a fiance visa is failure to convince the CO of a legitimate relationship.  So moving together might help (without knowing the totality of your circumstances)

 

Some things you may want to consider.  Have you thought about overcoming the public charge rule?  Have you looked at the affidavit of support requirements?  How strict is the domicile requirements in Pakistan (in Canada they are super strict - so that is always an issue for us Canadians)

 

Good luck - thank you for your service. 

[Khatera DS 11]

12 minutes ago, canadian_wife said:

Moving abroad, in itself, will not cause an automatic denial.  A very common reason for a denial of a fiance visa is failure to convince the CO of a legitimate relationship.  So moving together might help (without knowing the totality of your circumstances)

 

Some things you may want to consider.  Have you thought about overcoming the public charge rule?  Have you looked at the affidavit of support requirements?  How strict is the domicile requirements in Pakistan (in Canada they are super strict - so that is always an issue for us Canadians)

 

Good luck - thank you for your service. 

Thank you so very much for your response. At the time of our K1 interview, I had already lived in Pakistan for 1 1/2. I only returned to the US after the denial and due to a medical condition. I do meet the income requirements and have a co sponsor, if needed. As far as the domicile requirements in Pakistan, I am unsure and the information seems to vary. If anyone knows more about the domicile requirements for Pakistan, any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you again.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

33 minutes ago, Khatera DS said:

Hello, Members.

I have posted about my past experiences before but will now preface it briefly.

My now-husband and I were denied a K1 at the Islamabad Embassy in April, 2019. No clear/concise answer was given as to why, but there was no issues with paperwork.

On June 1, 2019 we married and I applied for a Cr1 from Cleveland, Ohio. NOA1 Sept, 1, 2019.

We were told our case was going to take an additional 6-8 months from the latest, current processing times. Again, no answer was given as to why. But it is "currently under review".

 

I feel strongly that I am looking at an additional 2-3 years, considering the current covid situation, backlog at embassy and then AP after CO interview. (I do feel we will be in a lengthy AP.) 

 

My question is then, would moving abroad help or hurt our case in any way? I am a disabled US veteran and receive a pension, so moving would not cause any money issues. I am only worried about being able to prove domicile at the time of the interview. 

 

I can maintain a US address at my mother's home, but what else would be helpful in establishing a US domicile? Or, would moving back to Pakistan be an automatic denial, at the time of the interview? 

 

Thank you. 

Moving abroad will most likely strengthen your case. As far as domicile in the US you have your address at your mothers and you need to continue to file taxes. As long as you won't lose your pension while moving abroad, and it is well above the poverty guideline (for sponsorship purposes) I feel you would be fine. Have your husband look into what it takes for you to move to Pakistan but this may be a start. http://www.dgip.gov.pk/Files/Immigration.aspx

Edited July 28, 2020 by Luckycuds

[Kuchiki 170]

12 hours ago, Khatera DS said:

Hello, Members.

I have posted about my past experiences before but will now preface it briefly.

My now-husband and I were denied a K1 at the Islamabad Embassy in April, 2019. No clear/concise answer was given as to why, but there was no issues with paperwork.

On June 1, 2019 we married and I applied for a Cr1 from Cleveland, Ohio. NOA1 Sept, 1, 2019.

We were told our case was going to take an additional 6-8 months from the latest, current processing times. Again, no answer was given as to why. But it is "currently under review".

 

I feel strongly that I am looking at an additional 2-3 years, considering the current covid situation, backlog at embassy and then AP after CO interview. (I do feel we will be in a lengthy AP.) 

 

My question is then, would moving abroad help or hurt our case in any way? I am a disabled US veteran and receive a pension, so moving would not cause any money issues. I am only worried about being able to prove domicile at the time of the interview. 

 

I can maintain a US address at my mother's home, but what else would be helpful in establishing a US domicile? Or, would moving back to Pakistan be an automatic denial, at the time of the interview? 

 

Thank you. 

As long as you're a US Citizen, living abroad should not be a problem or a cause of concern provided you have a continuous source of income and that its above the USCIS's threshold. Also, you need domicile certificate only if you wish to work or take admission in public universities in Pakistan. This link might be of use to you http://ictadministration.gov.pk/services/domicile-certificate/

[Khatera DS 11]

6 hours ago, Kuchiki said:

As long as you're a US Citizen, living abroad should not be a problem or a cause of concern provided you have a continuous source of income and that its above the USCIS's threshold. Also, you need domicile certificate only if you wish to work or take admission in public universities in Pakistan. This link might be of use to you http://ictadministration.gov.pk/services/domicile-certificate/

Very helpful! thank you so much.

[Ryan H 3,813]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

[ProbeGT 47]

On 7/28/2020 at 2:06 PM, Khatera DS said:

Thank you so very much for your response. At the time of our K1 interview, I had already lived in Pakistan for 1 1/2. I only returned to the US after the denial and due to a medical condition. I do meet the income requirements and have a co sponsor, if needed. As far as the domicile requirements in Pakistan, I am unsure and the information seems to vary. If anyone knows more about the domicile requirements for Pakistan, any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you again.

Are you of Pakistani origin?  Asking because it is relevant to your question related to domicile.  

[Khatera DS 11]

29 minutes ago, ProbeGT said:

Are you of Pakistani origin?  Asking because it is relevant to your question related to domicile.  

No, I am not of Pakistani origin. 

[SalishSea 17,928]

The only issue I can see with moving abroad, which has come up for certain countries, is that family reunification visas (such as CR-1) are for just that:  family reunification.  It becomes not such a pressing issue if you're living together already.

 

This is just anecdotal from having been reading on VJ for many years.  

[ProbeGT 47]

3 hours ago, Khatera DS said:

No, I am not of Pakistani origin. 

Ok.  I was asking because if you (or your parents) are of Pakistani origin (including being born in Pakistan), it would enable you to get a national identity card, which will serve as your proof of domicile as well.  Otherwise, getting proof of domicile in Pakistan as a foreigner is very difficult.  Why would you need proof of domicile anyways?

[Ahmed&Freda 628]

5 minutes ago, ProbeGT said:

Ok.  I was asking because if you (or your parents) are of Pakistani origin (including being born in Pakistan), it would enable you to get a national identity card, which will serve as your proof of domicile as well.  Otherwise, getting proof of domicile in Pakistan as a foreigner is very difficult.  Why would you need proof of domicile anyways?

The Domicile is for USA.  She will have to prove Domicile to the US Embassy in Pakistan  at the time of the interview.   

Edited August 3, 2020 by Ahmed&Freda

[Khatera DS 11]

7 minutes ago, ProbeGT said:

Ok.  I was asking because if you (or your parents) are of Pakistani origin (including being born in Pakistan), it would enable you to get a national identity card, which will serve as your proof of domicile as well.  Otherwise, getting proof of domicile in Pakistan as a foreigner is very difficult.  Why would you need proof of domicile anyways?

Thank you. I already have my POC card. I was worried about being able to prove domicile in the US after moving. 

[Khatera DS 11]

1 hour ago, Jorgedig said:

The only issue I can see with moving abroad, which has come up for certain countries, is that family reunification visas (such as CR-1) are for just that:  family reunification.  It becomes not such a pressing issue if you're living together already.

 

This is just anecdotal from having been reading on VJ for many years.  

This is mainly my fear, as I know a couple who were denied for this very reason. Thank you so much for your comment. I have a lot to think about. 

[ProbeGT 47]

1 minute ago, Khatera DS said:

Thank you. I already have my POC card. I was worried about being able to prove domicile in the US after moving. 

Ok, great.  I was going to mention that (NICOP or POC).