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Nah, not seriously. You should be concerned with the more important questions about this process. You know things like:

1. Do you get a white border around the photos? On one hand it's not often done, but on the other hand USCIS and the consulate might take it as a sign of the seriousness of your relationship.

2. Should the aspect ratio of your pints be 4:6 or 2:3? A 4:6 aspect ratio might be impressive, but perhaps we shouldn't go nuts and stick with a 2:3 ratio to keep it traditional. You wouldn't want to run afoul of the government with a 4:6.

3. Red eye correction or no red eye correction? It's always possible that the CO who is carefully examining your 150 photographs will find one with red eye, and then will deny you based on section (2)(B)(iii)(d) of the INA, which clearly states that COs have the authority to issue a denial based on the amount of red in your eyes in that picture that you took when you went to the beach with your fiancee that one "special" time. That being said, red eye correction could be seen as a form of document falsification, and come back to haunt you when you are doing AOS.

4. Print resolution of your photographs. If you print your photos using an advanced printer that gets 4800 dpi, the CO who is charged with counting all of the pixels in 150 or so photos might be impressed and assume that you have enough money to satisfy the poverty line requirements. However, they might also be suspicious as to how you could legitimately afford such a printer when they match it up with your fiances. Choose wisely.

I tell you with all serious that the four above mentioned points are more important to the success of your petition than whether you choose to print with a glossy or a matte finish.

At first I wasn't going to give your replies a second glance but so you are able to fall asleep tonight, here you go.

This site is for help not condescending remarks, regardless of the simplicity or content of the question. It seems that everybody but you understands that. If you think the question is pointless to you, fine don't respond to it. Do something productive with your time instead of wasting it by expressing your irrelevant feelings on the topic. You think 100 photos is an overkill? Fine too. Simply state it, or not, and move on. In the end, it's our petition and we are paying the fees to file it.

Glossy? Matte? Long hair? Short hair? Don't care? FINE. We were asking because we haven't done this before and wanted to know what everybody else did to get some ideas. Regardless of your feelings, we wanted to know and we are entitled to ask the question even if it's not an obligation of the members of VJ to answer.

To be perfectly honest, I'm not filing to be thoughtful or sweet to the adjudicator. I'm filing to prove my relationship so that I am able to get my fiance to the United States and we can pursue our relationship like "everybody else". If 100+ photos happens to make me feel like I am doing that then by all means I will send them. It's wonderful that your relationship and the events within it can be shown in 3 photos, and many others have been able to do the same, but my fiance and I feel our relationship can not be expressed in that amount, so we are doing what we deem appropriate to prove it. Everybody is different and everybody has different standards, and all are fine within reason. I don't believe there is a photo minimum/maximum it's just a matter of personal choice.

P.S Different consulates have different varying levels of fraud. Therefore, high fraud consulates usually need/want/ a bit more evidences than consulates with a lower rate of fraud. I bet a lot of officials are content with 5 photos but some require you to jump through hoops to achieve your dream. Some of us feel the need to provide a large percentage of our ~proofs~ to avoid problems down the line. I think it's better to have more than not enough. Immigration is a privilege not a right and I will do everything to prove that I am deserving of being the granted the opportunity to have this PRIVILEGE. That's my perspective, and you are entitled to yours. But if you don't possess the ability to not be pretentious about it I would greatly appreciate it if you saved your two cents for somebody who could really make use of it. Good day to you.

On the first box of Street and Number, you can put "See Attached". Then, you provide additional page with the complete address. On top of the page, you need to put a header, G-325A, Biographic Information then label it, Applicant's residence last five years.

Thank you so much!

Hello everybody, I will be filing a K-1 petition for my Moroccan fiance in September. I have a few questions about the G-325A forms. We have called USCIS to ask about these questions but did not receive substantial answers and they told us to consult outside sources or professionals so here are our questions!

1.) Due to the bad record keeping in Morocco, my fiance's father doesn't have a birth month or day, only a year. Should we only put the year? What should we do in regards to that?

2.) In Morocco there are regions and within those regions are provinces and prefectures. When we are writing his address in the "Applicant's address last 5 years" in the "Province or state" blank should we write the general region or specific province? If the province is too long to fit in the space what should we do about that? {so far we are unable to find abbreviations of these provinces}

3.) My fiance graduated in June 2011 and during his academic studies he participated in internships and a summer job. Some of the internships were unpaid and others were paid. Some of these internships we don't have proof of interning at these locations. Should we include all the internships {paid and unpaid} on the employment portion of the G-325A, or just include the paid ones?

Thank you everybody for your time and assistance!

I appreciate your pieces of advice which are really helpful to a new rider of this journey. Being raised in a conservative family doesn't allow the person to date, this is the reason why most Moroccan men tend to marry which might look prompt and out of the ordinary in the eyes of the officials. Basically, it is a cultural difference misunderstanding which apparently affects the whole process. Consequently, this impact lots of couples emotionally. There is not a huge difference of age like I mentioned earlier but they might consider it a red flag, it is nothing but 5 years difference, but who knows!!

My fiance's family is somewhat conservative too! I'm Muslim as well but there are still cultural things that I had to get acquainted with. Though the typical Moroccan/Muslim family has religious and cultural standards, most families have nothing against getting to know somebody for a courtship especially if you explain to them the situation and include them in some of your outings/etc. The first time I visited I stayed in a villa with my fiance, mom, and his mom. It was time for us to get to know each other outside of skype sessions and to get comfortable. We went to visit his other family for dinner and lunches and I got to know them away from skype as well.

I think it's so essential for us as Muslims to not hide our companions/fiances/etc, if you do things in a halal manner {whether its for your family or for Allah} while still getting to know your fiance in the meantime, it's fine and dandy! Once your family knows your fiance, they won't really have much to say in terms of haram/halal. And if they do, I can assure that they'll have much less critisisms when they meet a face face&personality {which is your fiance!} instead of just knowing about "some American woman" and therefore assuming many things {and even assuming your intentions towards her}.

I'm here on my second visit spending Ramadan with my fiance and his family in his house and since his mom is here nobody has said much about it. We even went to the police and explained the situation that I'm staying here so that there is no legal dispute either. The people around you that aren't your family are so irrelevant to you and your relationship. Don't let judgemental individuals disrupt the progression and flow of your relationship! But also keep in mind the norms of both cultures and try to find a happy balance

Some of what I said may not apply to your situation but I don't want you to feel like cultural norms affect everything because there are ways to handle and succeed in a long distance relationship in an acceptable manner to your family and society {though maybe not conventional due to distance} Good luck anyways!!!

The first time I went I kept it sort of light, I got my future-mom-in-law a personal tea brewing cup {basically there is a strainer WITHIN the cup so you put the tea in the top and then just pour hot water in and bam! instant personal tea} with really pretty cherry blossoms covering it and I gave her a beaded necklace that was my grandmothers. I also brought some cookies {which unfortunately were crushed in my bag but tasted fine all the same lol} For my future sister in law I gave her some baby items for her newborn. I brought Ahmed quite a bit of coins because he collects them, I also had a hockey jersey for him but unfortunately I forgot it

As for this time, I got my sister-in-law some bracelets, earrings, a nice make-up palette from the local Sephora, and some braided headbands to either bling out her hijab {lol} or just to wear in the house! I will also get her baby some age appropriate toys. I got my mom in law a pair of really soft Pajamas from JCpenney and am going to print a photo out of us and put it in a nice photo frame. I got Ahmed some t-shirts, shorts, and am in the process of making him a personal home-made gift.

I'll also pick up some chocolates for the rest of the family because I don't know their preferences in gifts so I will just stick with something general that still shows I put some effort into remembering.

Another advice is check the ingredients of any food you may bring to make sure there is no pork/gelatin/alcohol products in what you bring!

My story is a lot like @happytobe's. I decided to take the move from text chat to webcam after about a month. Ahmed was respectful and since I'm a Muslima he said we didn't have to webcam unless I felt comfortable. I was curious about if he was real or just a ghost (lol) so I clicked the video button on skype and it all started off from there and then afterwards we webcammed everyday for like 6-7 months until I made the 1st visit!

I am really glad that I took that step because sometimes you can really misunderstand the tone of text chat {atleast I can.. sometimes I make jokes or sarcastic comments and expect people to just get it..unfortunately it doesn't work that way!}, and like others have said, I was able to get a feel for his mannerisms, expressions, etc. I didn't want to just go all the way to Morocco for somebody I didn't feel comfortable with or felt like I hardly knew.

It worked for me and like I kind of said above it helped me feel more sure and safe in his intentions in me {for example, I could see a glimpse of what his home-life is like, how he responded to certain questions, his reactions to things, etc} we also did fun things like sit in different places in our homes or outdoors, we gave tours to each other of our house, and he watches me cook and occasionally will make dinner when I eat dinner so we can pretend that there isn't an ocean between us and it's just normal dinner time!

It also helped when we introduced family members to each other so that they could see us together and that we could begin to build a relationship with them too. Also we felt that it would ease their worries. I don't think either of our parents would be so accepting to our relationship if they hadn't seen the way we act and communicate with each other. We are still really young so I feel like our family would disapprove if they couldn't put a face, personality, and voice to this strange new person their child found love within. It's so easy to reject something/somebody you don't know, especially when they are so far away and you met them online. Which is why I felt like webcamming gave me, & my family, a better insight into how Ahmed acts/reacts/etc. Of course, being physically together was eons better but I feel like webcamming for me was an integral part of our courtship {I sound quite Victorian here saying courtship, don't I? LOL} because if we never webcammed I probably wouldn't have felt comfortable going all that way regardless of my feelings for him. Like I said, made me feel more secure and sure, not only of him but of his surroundings, family, so on and so forth.

but most of all my favorite part about webcamming is that I got to see his smile everyday and that's something I couldn't do without for even a day!

Sorry that was so long lol

Good job and good luck for the rest of your process!!! :")

~Is your wife Muslim? If not, does your family approve? What about her family?

~Why not somebody from Morocco?

These are 2 questions you might be asked so you should have an answer!

You guys seem like you are on the right track and have everything they could ask for based on what I've read on the boards!

As Gegel said, as long as you know you are telling the truth and you truly love her, everything should be fine so clear your mind and just relax.

Good luck and may Allah bless you in your process and in this upcoming Ramadan as well!

I hope you guys all hear something SOOOON!

We never met one another yet in person because he is Muslim and according to his custom too we can't meet before marriage. We just met on internet.

I'm Muslim too. As long as as there is a mahram [basically a chaperone] of you OR him there (from what I understand you aren't Muslim, so it would be his Mahram rather than yours) @belinda63 and the others are right. You have to meet him SOMEWHERE. As for joint sponsoring, I must get one too because I am also a student. You can ask close friends, family members, etc but you can't really hire somebody to do such things. I would suggest searching for additional jobs and most importantly meet him, not only for this process, but to reaffirm your relationship in person!

Whatever you both decide doing I know God will bless you both!!!

I know you are such good people

Insha'Allah!! Thank you so much :) You're wonderful!

Echoing what others have said, you should make the decision on whether or not to have the party based on your emotional and financial needs as a couple and not on how it will look to immigration. Weddings and engagement parties are special and you'll remember them forever! I do remember someone posted a WikiLeaks article from Casa some time ago that suggested that the consulate had seen a fraud pattern including wedding or engagement celebrations that looked more like photo ops to the CO's than like culturally appropriate large parties typically seen in Moroccan-Moroccan relationships, so I guess that's something to be aware of. On the other hand, we've seen plenty of couples on VJ who provided evidence of engagement parties who were successful whether because of or in spite of that evidence. I especially agree with what Sandinista and Foreverwaiting said. I don't think you two are starting off with the demographic that causes the most suspicion to begin with, and I think taking things slow and having lots of visits is beneficial both for immigration and IMHO even more important for the natural development of the relationship.

Congratulations, by the way!

Thank you ma'am! Yeah, that's what I was saying earlier. I don't want to spend my happiest moments thinking what "looks good" or as you said, just doing it for a photo op! lol. I want it just to be natural, mutually agreed upon, and for our personal benefit. If we have a party we'd do it in a typical ceremony except it would be at his house but it would be the usual gathering with all his family and my parents there celebrating with us. We rather have a well thought out and genuine event rather then something just for the sake of immigration, like you said. This is something for us and only us, regardless of what it will (or won't) do for the results of our process. As for the visits, yes you are totally right. We enjoy them for the sake of being around each other while learning and loving more about each other! I really appreciate your response and I can't thank you enough (and the others) for replying because it gives me a lot of insight and help! Thank you!!!

@Moh&Tamz Yeah, we are thinking about it and throwing ideas out there. I think you make a great point of "you only do this once in your life". We began to think about the engagement party because we don't want to leave any of our family members out especially since Ahmed's mother won't be able to come to the U.S for our wedding so I thought it could be nice to plan an engagement so that everyone can be there and see us together in one place at least once! We'll probably have a Moroccan style wedding in Morocco later in life when we can afford it but we don't know yet, like I said in previous posts it seems to be out of our financial capabilities. We are just getting all excited now and sharing ideas lol

@SarahandAnis Yes girly, I know where you are coming from with this. There is a line between what you want, what you need, and what is financially possible. Sometimes you have to sacrifice some things to be able to achieve the big stuff. Insha'Allah you will have a Tunisian party one day! Like I said before, we are just seeing what others did and taking it as it comes! If it happens, great. But if we have to prioritize other things, then that is just how it is!!!

@Nicky&Imad That sounds WONDERFUL! I'm so glad that you had such a wonderful time! Yeah, if we do it, it will just be for our enjoyment and memories not solely for the process. We were just curious if it played any part in the process especially since these parties are really integrated in Moroccan culture, but again it will be for our own benefit. We already promised each other to not do things just because a long process awaits us and we need proof but to do things because we have a life to live and enjoy with each other and we deserve to do these things without the k-1 process looming over every decision we make! Of course we think very seriously about how decisions will effect our process but we told each other we won't base our happiest moments around it.

@Dmiles I read your website and it's so nice! Your guests will have such a wonderful time attending and seeing all the sites. Did you make that site yourself? I hope your ceremony goes beautifully and like I said I wish I would be in Morocco at the time so I could maybe see you briefly and atleast give you my well wishes!

Hi Margaret,

Gonna get off the topic for just a sec as I think it may help just a bit for you both. After reading so many good and bad stories regarding couples getting engaged to soon or getting married to soon just after meeting, made me realize something about our case that may have helped Mohammed get his visa since our red flags were huge.

I met Mohammed in 2008 online and travelled to Morocco in March of 2009 for 3 weeks. I didn't spend the entire time with Mohammed as I had another good friend and she lived here in the States and was going back home and wanted to know if I would like to come to Morocco and spend some time there with her and her family. I agreed and off I went. Actually, I only spent the last week meeting up with Mohammed and sharing some dinner time and lots of coffee time at the coffee houses. It was until the last few days of my trip that I met his Mother, and two sisters and their family......

Thank you for your response and help! We were just throwing the idea out there since we didn't really know when we were going to have it (summer or winter) and seeing what the feedback would be. I was actually thinking about the January engagement party, hopefully all our family members will be able to attend so we can have it then. His mother might be going to live with his sister in Mozambique so we'll see what happens! Thank you for your feedback though, it made me reevaluate what we should do... and not do! Helpful as always thank you again.

@John and Camie That sounds like a lot of fun! Too bad me and my fiance don't drink lol but all that matters is that you are in great company and spirit!

@sandinista! You're so right! The prices are out of the roof. If we have one, we'll probably go with what Darlene [foreverwaiting] suggested and wait until January when we have more time to plan and decide what we want to do. The only downside is that our plans might not go as we wish because family members might not be in the country. We'll see what Allah and time determines and we'll decide then!

Oooooh my hair is SUPER curly and dredlocks really easily, you would think wearing the hijab could cure some of my curly hair knots from hell but alas, no it doesn't lol. (My hair can also be really coarse and my excema will freak out if I use the wrong products eww) I use an olive oil based shampoo called "organic root stimulator olive oil creamy aloe shampoo" link here : http://www.organicrootstimulator.com/products/1

It works awesome and cleans my hair but doesn't leave it with that harsh squeeky feeling! I would definately recommend it!

yes i had an engagement party

it was great i used a restaurant and i had about 22 guests

my mom sisters and close friends were there

it is not mandatory to have an engagement party at all thats your choice

i am not sure whick packet your talking about but we had a party after we got engaged so none of those pic were sent in with our packet but we did send pics, ticket subs, stamps from passport to show how much time he visited

the amount of money you spend on your party depends on the place and the amount of persons you invite

good luck

Thanks lady! Oops, sorry I forgot to specify on the packet! I was referring to the I-129F fiance visa packet! Thank you for your response :")

We didn't have one, and it wasn't a factor in approving the visa or not. I can't remember if my husband was asked about it or not. I believe it wasn't a factor because we were both in our later 30s at the time of our marriage & it was my husband's 2nd marriage. If they asked him about it he answered honestly saying we were having a celebration in the USA bc it was the way I wanted it.

I would say if you don't want to have one, don't have one & be able to explain why.

We may or may not. It's our first marriage but it will be extremely expensive and difficult to not only bring both my parents to Morocco during the summer months (most expensive airline tickets urrrghhh) but also to buy all the food, outfits, etc. We haven't decided but we were just curious as to what others did and if this was a matter we could possibly put off until a later time when the funds permit. Thank you for your response though! It was helpful so that we can successfully deal with what is to come.

Though me and my fiance have already gotten engaged we are debating on having a formal big engagement party since both our families are already aware and supporting of our relationship and future marriage, I wanted to get some input from the ladies (and gentlemen) that have already been through it! I wasn't sure if this was appropriate to post in the K-1 discussion forums so I decided to post it here.

~Did you have an engagement party?

~What was it like? [foods, # of guests, etc] (feel free to add as many details as you want)

~Where did you have it?

~Which family members attended?

~Do you think it's mandatory to have an engagement party? Did you include basic evidence of the party in your packet? [photos, receipts, etc]

~How much was spent on your party?

I am 5'0 and Ahmed is 6'1 lol

Have a safe and wonderful trip!

Hi MrsJohnson! I am deeply sorry to hear about what you are going through. I honestly think that you need to have a long hard discussion with yourself and map out all the pros and cons of this relationship. Think about your potential future. Do you want to put any future children/family members/etc into this situation? Is this the quality of life you want for YOURSELF? After you think about this (if you haven't already, it seems as if you have) then you need to go to him about it. Tell him what a marriage entails, it isn't a part-time job or part-time GAME. A heart is nothing to be fooled with especially when not only your heart is involved, but also finances and a significant amount of sacrifice.

As a married couple, you guys have to coexist and sacrifice to make things work. If he's not willing or emotionally able, then it's time to say goodbye. You as a human deserve so much more than that and I don't think you want your future to consist of snooping in on his cellphone and worrying if there is another woman in his life. A relationship needs trust, and if it isn't there and has no potential to be there, then you don't need to be in this situation.

My only advice is to think about yourself, think about him, and be as rational as possible in this circumstance. You seem like a wonderful giving woman and if he can't appreciate it then there is a million other men in the world that can. Best of luck.

Through my research here on VJ, they might ask you....

~why you love her,

~ WHEN you began to love her

~about how her family and your family feels about the relationship

~Has she met your family? when/where/how did she meet them?

~ how you proposed or decided on marriage/engagement

~possibly about the age difference and how you, your fiance, and your families view it

~ questions about you, what you do in Morocco, your history, and why you want to go to the U.S.A

+ the rest of the basics such as education, family, job, divorces, children from previous marriages (and how you get along with them if she has them), future plans, etc.

Also, inluvnwaiting makes a great point about the children issue. You should be ready to give valid and honest explanations to more personal questions such as that... I feel like once you file, nothing is too personal to ask! LOL

Through other sites I read they MIGHT ask you

~why you didn't choose somebody in your own country?

~ Why not a Moroccan American?

~ Why not a Muslim (or whatever religion you follow)?

(I feel like some of these questions are a little imposing or rude because you can't really choose where or when you'll find love, but all in good reason I guess. Unfortunately, some true and honest couples get denied while many fraudulent couples roam free :/ so just be sure of yourself and your relationship and insha'Allah God will put what's best in your destiny)

Just know your fiance like the back of your hand, not just for this process but also for your future. I feel like a genuine interest in your love and her life will provide you with the knowledge you need to answer any questions that may be asked!

I haven't filed yet BUT there is so much helpful information and many helpful people on VJ that are more than happy to help you, regardless if you have succeeded, failed, or haven't even begun your journey. Good luck and I hope that everything turns out for the best!

I'm choosing to write a one page single-spaced "how we met" especially since my relationship with my fiance was primarily developed via the internet and I feel like I need to elaborate. I think it's just nice to include the facts with some details especially since my fiance is also from a high fraud country and again I feel that need to elaborate a bit just to create a timeline like "Jamie and Sveta" mentioned. The choice is yours because guides say you can go up to one page! but I wouldn't go over 1 page and I would stick with relevant and important who/what/whens/ and wheres!

This is so relieving! Thank you Miben and JEC777 for your helpful answers

Thank you for your input. I have went over the instructions many times, as my fiance has as well, but no luck in learning anything about the p.o box issue so I will call the USCIS and see what is preferred.

I am thinking including it in the cover letter and putting an additional explanation in the packet will be acceptable and just putting his physical address in where it's needed to avoid any confusion or rejection.