How many times did you see your Fiance before the interview?

[beloved_dingo 1,939]

Having as much in-person time together as possible is important, especially for countries with higher fraud. Comparing your situation to others who went through a low-fraud country won't necessarily be helpful. Australia is low fraud, but my husband visited 3 times during the K-1 process (each visit was 4-6 weeks long).

 

Do you know if your case has any other red flags? (Like big age difference, different religions, etc.)

Edited May 25, 2022 by beloved_dingo

[Inveigh 69]

1 minute ago, beloved_dingo said:

Having as much in-person time together as possible is important, especially for countries with higher fraud. Comparing your situation to others who went through a low-fraud country won't necessarily be helpful. Australia is low fraud, but my husband visited 3 times during the K-1 process (each visit was 4-6 weeks long).

 

Do you know if your case has any other red flags? (Like big age difference, different religions, etc.)

Greetings Beloved_Dingo,

 

As far as red flags, I dont think there are many that can be found between us.

 

We are both the same age, speak the same language, and she is and atheist and I am agnostic. The only thing that would cause a red flag that I can think of is the fact that our countries are not level headed with one another.

[beloved_dingo 1,939]

1 minute ago, Inveigh said:

Greetings Beloved_Dingo,

 

As far as red flags, I dont think there are many that can be found between us.

 

We are both the same age, speak the same language, and she is and atheist and I am agnostic. The only thing that would cause a red flag that I can think of is the fact that our countries are not level headed with one another.

That is great that you are of similar ages and have common beliefs. I would just advise to try and visit each other as much as possible throughout the process to strengthen your case. The time you have spent together so far is sufficient for the initial filing but the CO is likely going to want to see more time has been spent together once you get to the interview stage. 

 

Good luck to you both going forward! It can be a very stressful process but it is so worth it once you can be with the person you love.

[SalishSea 16,862]

2 hours ago, JoshandSarah said:

We only saw each other once and on that one trip we saw each other, we filed and got engaged. Don't be too paranoid about this my friend.
Hope this helps! 

Helps too that your beneficiary is not from a country the United States officially designated as a state sponsor of terror.

 

In other words:  one short visit for NZ vs one short visit for Iran =apples and oranges.

[flicks1998 1,044]

32 minutes ago, Inveigh said:

Greetings Beloved_Dingo,

 

As far as red flags, I dont think there are many that can be found between us.

 

We are both the same age, speak the same language, and she is and atheist and I am agnostic. The only thing that would cause a red flag that I can think of is the fact that our countries are not level headed with one another.

We were together for over 2000 days, almost in a row.  Then Covid came and gave us a break   The only time during that period we were apart was when I was traveling around in the Middle East with a number of trips to Iran.  I thought Southeast Asians were hospitable, but then I spent time in Iran and nothing compares to that place, although Syria and Iraq come in a very close 2nd.  As you know, the governments and the general population are two different people.  I had quite of bit of interaction with the US govt during my time in Iran and the ignorance displayed between separating govt affairs with personal affairs was abundant.  

[SalishSea 16,862]

3 hours ago, flicks1998 said:

We were together for over 2000 days, almost in a row.  Then Covid came and gave us a break   The only time during that period we were apart was when I was traveling around in the Middle East with a number of trips to Iran.  I thought Southeast Asians were hospitable, but then I spent time in Iran and nothing compares to that place, although Syria and Iraq come in a very close 2nd.  As you know, the governments and the general population are two different people.  I had quite of bit of interaction with the US govt during my time in Iran and the ignorance displayed between separating govt affairs with personal affairs was abundant.  

I have wanted to travel to Iran since seeing Anthony Bourdain's show about going there.  Looks so beautiful and interesting.  On my bucket list if it ever opens up for Americans.

[flicks1998 1,044]

1 hour ago, Jorgedig said:

I have wanted to travel to Iran since seeing Anthony Bourdain's show about going there.  Looks so beautiful and interesting.  On my bucket list if it ever opens up for Americans.

It is open to Americans, unless there are Covid restrictions in place preventing travel.

 

Americans, along with British, Canadians and I believe Australians will need a guide with Americans required to be with a more experienced "guide".  A few of the trips I did was through Surf Iran and they were excellent in helping to prepare the paperwork as well as providing the guide.  Its not like going to North Korea where you have multiple minders follow you everywhere you go. I was given considerable leeway in Iran to move around quite freely, especially in Tehran.  In fact, I almost never had a guide with me around that city.  Surf Iran can also arrange trips to Shiraz, Esfahan, Tabriz, etc etc.

 

The visa can take some time, I believe each time I applied it took around 3 or 4 months where you will eventually be given a pin code and that is what you will use when applying at the local Iranian Embassy/Consulate.

 

I highly recommend going.  At no point in time did I ever feel threatened or in any danger.  One of my trips was a week after Iran shot down one of the US surveillance drones, but going through immigration and customs there were no issues.  The people are phenomenal.  Also, for being a relatively "closed off" country, the people are generally knowledgeable on what is going on in international affairs.  Many will ask you, is the Iran you see now the same as what is portrayed on TV.  Obviously the government is not great, but the general population is quite good.

 

 

[SalishSea 16,862]

32 minutes ago, flicks1998 said:

It is open to Americans, unless there are Covid restrictions in place preventing travel.

 

Americans, along with British, Canadians and I believe Australians will need a guide with Americans required to be with a more experienced "guide".  A few of the trips I did was through Surf Iran and they were excellent in helping to prepare the paperwork as well as providing the guide.  Its not like going to North Korea where you have multiple minders follow you everywhere you go. I was given considerable leeway in Iran to move around quite freely, especially in Tehran.  In fact, I almost never had a guide with me around that city.  Surf Iran can also arrange trips to Shiraz, Esfahan, Tabriz, etc etc.

 

The visa can take some time, I believe each time I applied it took around 3 or 4 months where you will eventually be given a pin code and that is what you will use when applying at the local Iranian Embassy/Consulate.

 

I highly recommend going.  At no point in time did I ever feel threatened or in any danger.  One of my trips was a week after Iran shot down one of the US surveillance drones, but going through immigration and customs there were no issues.  The people are phenomenal.  Also, for being a relatively "closed off" country, the people are generally knowledgeable on what is going on in international affairs.  Many will ask you, is the Iran you see now the same as what is portrayed on TV.  Obviously the government is not great, but the general population is quite good.

 

 

Thank you very much for the detailed info!

[Inveigh 69]

36 minutes ago, flicks1998 said:

It is open to Americans, unless there are Covid restrictions in place preventing travel.

 

Americans, along with British, Canadians and I believe Australians will need a guide with Americans required to be with a more experienced "guide".  A few of the trips I did was through Surf Iran and they were excellent in helping to prepare the paperwork as well as providing the guide.  Its not like going to North Korea where you have multiple minders follow you everywhere you go. I was given considerable leeway in Iran to move around quite freely, especially in Tehran.  In fact, I almost never had a guide with me around that city.  Surf Iran can also arrange trips to Shiraz, Esfahan, Tabriz, etc etc.

 

The visa can take some time, I believe each time I applied it took around 3 or 4 months where you will eventually be given a pin code and that is what you will use when applying at the local Iranian Embassy/Consulate.

 

I highly recommend going.  At no point in time did I ever feel threatened or in any danger.  One of my trips was a week after Iran shot down one of the US surveillance drones, but going through immigration and customs there were no issues.  The people are phenomenal.  Also, for being a relatively "closed off" country, the people are generally knowledgeable on what is going on in international affairs.  Many will ask you, is the Iran you see now the same as what is portrayed on TV.  Obviously the government is not great, but the general population is quite good.

 

 

Did you have to be there with a tour guide the 'entire' time?

Edited May 26, 2022 by Inveigh

[flicks1998 1,044]

41 minutes ago, Inveigh said:

Did you have to be there with a tour guide the 'entire' time?

I dont want to hijack this thread, so you can always PM for questions.  For nationalities that are "restricted" which includes US citizens, a guide was prearranged before my arrival.  This is a must for US, British, Canadian citizens as when you go through immigration, they will be able to see who your assigned guide is.  That guide will be approved by the government and immigration will know their names.  Only US citizens are required to be with a guide who has, I believe minimum of 5 or 7 years experience as a tour guide in Iran.  However, my guide was rarely with me except when traveling in different parts of Iran besides Tehran.  In Tehran, I came and went from the hotel whenever I wanted and went wherever I wanted.  I was always free.  In other cities such as Yadz, Shiraz, etc, I was with the guide when we ate or went to certain places, but many times, I just went out and about on my own.  The only true restriction I could not get around is I was unable to stay with local families.  It is very common for Iranians to invite you to their homes but as a US citizen, this was the only thing I found impossible without potential repercussions later. 

 

If you want more information, I can PM you.  There are some things you need to be careful of when applying for the visa, one of which is if you have visited Israel in the past, do not mark down on the papers that you have visited Israel   You can always ask State Dept for a 2nd valid US passport if needed.  I had multiple passports as even though Israel does not stamp your passport, I wanted a "clean" passport for my travels through Lebanon, Syria, Iran, etc.  Since you need a visa to enter Iran, they will not give you a visa if there is any evidence of being in Israel.  However countries such as Lebanon, they will spent 10 minutes looking for any potential entries to Israel (for example and entry stamp to Jordan, but no exit stamp).  Lebanon will either deny you entry or possibly detain you for certain periods.  

Edited May 26, 2022 by flicks1998

[waiting1234 25]

We spent over a year together before the interview 

[TBoneTX 43,413]

"Face time" is crucial in proving a bona fide relationship.

[JoshandSarah 52]

On 5/25/2022 at 3:38 PM, Jorgedig said:

Helps too that your beneficiary is not from a country the United States officially designated as a state sponsor of terror.

 

In other words:  one short visit for NZ vs one short visit for Iran =apples and oranges.

Sorry I spoke VisajourneyGodJorge.

[SalishSea 16,862]

3 hours ago, JoshandSarah said:

Sorry I spoke VisajourneyGodJorge.

lol so you disagree?  

[Kyleandandrea 16]

We currently live together in Panama. We have not been approved yet. If I had joined here earlier we would have gone with a marriage based visa, but you live and you learn.