Arya Samaj wedding with a legal marriage certificate from the government authority (India)

[sam3435 2]

US citizen filed for Indian spouse.

 

had arya samaj wedding (small wedding) then registered marriage with the gov't and got the certificate.

 

now reading stuff online that US consulates looking at this suspiciously. like #######. https://www.njimmigrationattorney.com/blog/2020/09/marriage-visa-based-on-arya-samaj-wedding/ 

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/AILA/AILA-Agenda-Fall-2019.pdf

 

anyone done this and faced issues? thoughts? everyone was done according to rituals but wedding was small. freaking out here. 

[Redro 4,611]

2 hours ago, sam3435 said:

US citizen filed for Indian spouse.

 

had arya samaj wedding (small wedding) then registered marriage with the gov't and got the certificate.

 

now reading stuff online that US consulates looking at this suspiciously. like #######. https://www.njimmigrationattorney.com/blog/2020/09/marriage-visa-based-on-arya-samaj-wedding/ 

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/AILA/AILA-Agenda-Fall-2019.pdf

 

anyone done this and faced issues? thoughts? everyone was done according to rituals but wedding was small. freaking out here. 

How often have you seen your spouse: before and after marriage? 

Website you linked says to show extra evidence attesting to how strong your relationship is...

Did you get married on first visit?

When was the last time you saw your wife?

Did you file online/ do you have an online account with USCIS? 

Is there a big age gap?

How did you meet?

ETA: What do you want people to look at in second link? It is 21 pages... 

Edited March 27 by Redro

[Family 4,025]

2 hours ago, Redro said:

ETA: What do you want people to look at in second link? It is 21 pages... 

Relevant bit is on page 10. 
‘If all ceremonies required were performed , then marriage is recognized as valid….link addresses problems in or before 2019, ( including mini/engagement ceremonies and straight out purchase of marriage cert from religious org)…so no need to panic. ..
 

[sam3435 2]

On 3/26/2024 at 5:59 PM, Redro said:

How often have you seen your spouse: before and after marriage? 

Website you linked says to show extra evidence attesting to how strong your relationship is...

Did you get married on first visit?

When was the last time you saw your wife?

Did you file online/ do you have an online account with USCIS? 

Is there a big age gap?

How did you meet?

ETA: What do you want people to look at in second link? It is 21 pages... 

 

On 3/26/2024 at 8:46 PM, Family said:

Relevant bit is on page 10. 
‘If all ceremonies required were performed , then marriage is recognized as valid….link addresses problems in or before 2019, ( including mini/engagement ceremonies and straight out purchase of marriage cert from religious org)…so no need to panic. ..
 

Hi both, I got my I130 approved in July. I also got DQ by NVC. waiting for interview letter from Mumbai consulate.

 

To answer Redro's question:

 

I have seen my spouse three times after our marriage. I went there for 11 days each (three times) within one year of the marriage (approximately) after our marriage - the trips were spread out.

Yes, I got married on the first visit. we started talking over the phone and video calls 6 months before marriage though.

Last time I saw my spouse in April 2023

USCIS I130 is approved with no RFE

not a big age gap

arrange marriage and one of a known relative within the family introduced our families. 

 

The thing is that we Arya Samaj Wedding and we only had 17 people present in our wedding - her family and my family. We did the religious ritual of walking around fire. We then legally registered our marriage in India. I saw a lot of posts about H4 visa, L2 visa being denied because consular officer is thinking that Arya samaj wedding is not a real wedding. I am just so nervous about this with my spouse. We have been waiting to get this over with and be with each other and we are already separated for 15 months (we have yet to receive our interview letter). 

[Family 4,025]

21 minutes ago, sam3435 said:

 

Hi both, I got my I130 approved in July. I also got DQ by NVC. waiting for interview letter from Mumbai consulate.

 

To answer Redro's question:

 

I have seen my spouse three times after our marriage. I went there for 11 days each (three times) within one year of the marriage (approximately) after our marriage - the trips were spread out.

Yes, I got married on the first visit. we started talking over the phone and video calls 6 months before marriage though.

Last time I saw my spouse in April 2023

USCIS I130 is approved with no RFE

not a big age gap

arrange marriage and one of a known relative within the family introduced our families. 

 

The thing is that we Arya Samaj Wedding and we only had 17 people present in our wedding - her family and my family. We did the religious ritual of walking around fire. We then legally registered our marriage in India. I saw a lot of posts about H4 visa, L2 visa being denied because consular officer is thinking that Arya samaj wedding is not a real wedding. I am just so nervous about this with my spouse. We have been waiting to get this over with and be with each other and we are already separated for 15 months (we have yet to receive our interview letter). 

Congratulations, you did a great job. 

[sam3435 2]

15 minutes ago, Family said:

Congratulations, you did a great job. 

Thank you. Edit from my post. Last time I went there was April 2024, not 2023.