AKSinghSingh79

Don't give the OP false hope about an expedite. An expedite in his situation would be very difficult to prove. It is not as easy to get as you claim it is.
It would be a waste of time for him to pursue this route unless his wife was told she could have a high risk pregnancy.
He seems to be doing a fine job so far.
To the OP, expedites are hard to come by and are typically reserved for military personnel, humanitarian reasons, or serious medical problems. If you or your wife is not involved in any of these, don't waste time trying to get an expedite.
Good luck with the rest of your journey!

You should never toy with "playing married" when you're doing the K-1. A friend of mine was recently denied and slapped with material misrepresentation because they thought her and her fiance were already married. They didn't even do a religious "wedding" ceremony, only an engagement ceremony (Which might I add, is VERY common in India). I believe someone has already provided the link to my thread regarding this.
You should never ever make firm wedding plans while doing the K-1. You never know what bumps you are going to encounter along the way. You have to remember that you are not in a normal relationship and because of this, you may not have the flexibility to plan your wedding like people that are residents of the same country. If your wedding plans are that solid and cancelling them is not an option due to severe financial loss, then cancel your K-1 and instead file for the IR-1/CR-1. This is a much wiser decision than doing a "faux marriage" or trying to get an expedite based on financial trouble.

You should never toy with "playing married" when you're doing the K-1. A friend of mine was recently denied and slapped with material misrepresentation because they thought her and her fiance were already married. They didn't even do a religious "wedding" ceremony, only an engagement ceremony (Which might I add, is VERY common in India). I believe someone has already provided the link to my thread regarding this.
You should never ever make firm wedding plans while doing the K-1. You never know what bumps you are going to encounter along the way. You have to remember that you are not in a normal relationship and because of this, you may not have the flexibility to plan your wedding like people that are residents of the same country. If your wedding plans are that solid and cancelling them is not an option due to severe financial loss, then cancel your K-1 and instead file for the IR-1/CR-1. This is a much wiser decision than doing a "faux marriage" or trying to get an expedite based on financial trouble.

Is this a joke?
Those are the profound, insightful statistics that are used to justify a husband's announcement that he's decided about his wife's motherhood status?!
This is my favorite --- "Divorce is hard on children". Whoa, that's deep; I never realized that before. Shocking & enlightening info from those medical journals.

Exactly what I was thinking, the info provided by Olivia can be found just about anywhere. All the mumbo-jumbo stats is a pile a garbage as far as I'm concerned. Olivia you can quote out of those books until your blue in the face if that makes you feel better about giving up your right to have children. But I know plenty of doctors, residents, nurses and other medical staff (I work for a large health care organization) and I would say that the information from those books never stopped the majority of medical folks from getting married OR having children.
In reality, LIFE is a risk. Period. Are you going to allow books or stats (or your husband) to control your life?
Like the above post, God forbid my husband and I divorced but if so, thank God, I have my children.

Secrets and what is between you and your husband should be kept just that way, a fact that is reiterated over and over again, here in VJ.
Having said that, I wish only the best for you, Olivia. I'm sorry you would have to deal with such "heartbreaking" and possible "deal breaker" of a decision. No women should cry knowing she may not have children, with the man she loves, over excuses.
To be fair to you, Olivia...I ask the following questions? Why did Waleed even move to the U.S.? He was a successful doctor in Egypt, yes? Was it just for the education here in the U.S.? If so, why not start a family here and then once he finishes residency and/or his fellowship, move to Egypt? We have two friends like this. One is currently looking for a residency program (she just had a baby, four weeks ago) and the other, just yesterday, was accepted by a program in Texas. Both are Muslim and both had children in the U.S.
My mother, who is Coptic btw, raised two Muslim children in the United States, by HERSELF after my father passed. It can be done. If your husband is seeing "American children" in a bad light perhaps moving to bigger city with more Muslims will show him CAN be done. Knowing Islam and speaking Arabic outside if the Middle East is really not that difficult with the right influences.
Like many of the others, I believe these are all excuses. He knows that as a Muslim, a baby brings happiness and rizq to a home. So he should have no need to worry because God will provide as He sees fit for your family once a baby is born. Also, doesn't his sister or brother live here in the U.S. with their children? Aren't they in medical school or something like that and raising Muslim/Arabic speaking kids? I don't know....it just sounds like excuses to me.
Anyhow, sorry you have to deal with this and that you may never have children. Hopefully the love you have for each other will get you through this. I must say though, being a mother is a wonderful thing. Really it is. I can't imagine my life without my two boys. I've always wanted to be a mama.

I'm so confused - what do medical books have to do/say about marriage risk?

You should never toy with "playing married" when you're doing the K-1. A friend of mine was recently denied and slapped with material misrepresentation because they thought her and her fiance were already married. They didn't even do a religious "wedding" ceremony, only an engagement ceremony (Which might I add, is VERY common in India). I believe someone has already provided the link to my thread regarding this.
You should never ever make firm wedding plans while doing the K-1. You never know what bumps you are going to encounter along the way. You have to remember that you are not in a normal relationship and because of this, you may not have the flexibility to plan your wedding like people that are residents of the same country. If your wedding plans are that solid and cancelling them is not an option due to severe financial loss, then cancel your K-1 and instead file for the IR-1/CR-1. This is a much wiser decision than doing a "faux marriage" or trying to get an expedite based on financial trouble.

Actually, let me say, it is a MENA warning - when I look at my friends who are married to MENA dudes, the only ones that seemed to have worked out are the ones where the couples are similar in age and are able to bear children. I only know of one couple on here that had an age difference but are still together. I remember Debbie and her posts, I thought she and her husband would make it - and here we are, another scammer.
And yes, Americans get divorced all the time, however, some poor chick doesn't have to spend thousands of dollars on the front end to bring her dude over here.
Please know, I'm not against immigration and foreign relationships. I have many friends with great relationships with their MENA dudes, but they are in an exclusive group. So yes, when it comes to those red flags take them seriously. Not every guy is an azzhole, but ask yourself this question: if you don't have men beating down your doors in the US, what makes you think they're going to beat down your doors from afar without something to benefit them?

You should never toy with "playing married" when you're doing the K-1. A friend of mine was recently denied and slapped with material misrepresentation because they thought her and her fiance were already married. They didn't even do a religious "wedding" ceremony, only an engagement ceremony (Which might I add, is VERY common in India). I believe someone has already provided the link to my thread regarding this.
You should never ever make firm wedding plans while doing the K-1. You never know what bumps you are going to encounter along the way. You have to remember that you are not in a normal relationship and because of this, you may not have the flexibility to plan your wedding like people that are residents of the same country. If your wedding plans are that solid and cancelling them is not an option due to severe financial loss, then cancel your K-1 and instead file for the IR-1/CR-1. This is a much wiser decision than doing a "faux marriage" or trying to get an expedite based on financial trouble.

No, this is the opposite of what the OP should do. Have you not read the previous posts in which I and other members have CLEARLY explained the serious consequences of holding a mock wedding ceremony? Lying or concealing a ceremony is dangerous and if it were to be discovered it could result in severe penalties which could include a lifetime ban from the US.
I cannot stress this enough! Do not do anything reminiscent of a wedding of you are planning on applying for the K-1!
Please browse around the forums and see the trouble others have experienced for attempting to do a marriage-like ceremony during the K-1 before giving advice like this to the OP.

Not to offend anyone, but I'm sure I will.... I can't STAND it when people try to "get around" immigration laws and procedures. I'm sorry, but if "oh, we have a wedding date, and vendors, and people flying out, etc etc etc" could get you an expedite, then EVERYONE would be doing it. UGHHHHH, people, don't plan ANYTHING until visa in hand. Geesh

You should never lie when dealing with the government. COs have been known to pull up personal accounts such as facebook during the beneficiary's interview. If you have any pictures up that may look like a wedding, you're done. Why play with fire when you don't need to?
It's very simple. If the OP wants to get married, then they are advised to go the CR-1 route as this visa is for a married couple. If they want to remain as engaged throughout the immigration process, then go the K-1 route. The K-1 is not for "faux marriages" either. Get married or stay engaged.
Material misrepresentation is NOT to be taken lightly.

No, this is the opposite of what the OP should do. Have you not read the previous posts in which I and other members have CLEARLY explained the serious consequences of holding a mock wedding ceremony? Lying or concealing a ceremony is dangerous and if it were to be discovered it could result in severe penalties which could include a lifetime ban from the US.
I cannot stress this enough! Do not do anything reminiscent of a wedding of you are planning on applying for the K-1!
Please browse around the forums and see the trouble others have experienced for attempting to do a marriage-like ceremony during the K-1 before giving advice like this to the OP.

No, this is the opposite of what the OP should do. Have you not read the previous posts in which I and other members have CLEARLY explained the serious consequences of holding a mock wedding ceremony? Lying or concealing a ceremony is dangerous and if it were to be discovered it could result in severe penalties which could include a lifetime ban from the US.
I cannot stress this enough! Do not do anything reminiscent of a wedding of you are planning on applying for the K-1!
Please browse around the forums and see the trouble others have experienced for attempting to do a marriage-like ceremony during the K-1 before giving advice like this to the OP.

No, this is the opposite of what the OP should do. Have you not read the previous posts in which I and other members have CLEARLY explained the serious consequences of holding a mock wedding ceremony? Lying or concealing a ceremony is dangerous and if it were to be discovered it could result in severe penalties which could include a lifetime ban from the US.
I cannot stress this enough! Do not do anything reminiscent of a wedding of you are planning on applying for the K-1!
Please browse around the forums and see the trouble others have experienced for attempting to do a marriage-like ceremony during the K-1 before giving advice like this to the OP.

You should never lie when dealing with the government. COs have been known to pull up personal accounts such as facebook during the beneficiary's interview. If you have any pictures up that may look like a wedding, you're done. Why play with fire when you don't need to?
It's very simple. If the OP wants to get married, then they are advised to go the CR-1 route as this visa is for a married couple. If they want to remain as engaged throughout the immigration process, then go the K-1 route. The K-1 is not for "faux marriages" either. Get married or stay engaged.
Material misrepresentation is NOT to be taken lightly.

You should never toy with "playing married" when you're doing the K-1. A friend of mine was recently denied and slapped with material misrepresentation because they thought her and her fiance were already married. They didn't even do a religious "wedding" ceremony, only an engagement ceremony (Which might I add, is VERY common in India). I believe someone has already provided the link to my thread regarding this.
You should never ever make firm wedding plans while doing the K-1. You never know what bumps you are going to encounter along the way. You have to remember that you are not in a normal relationship and because of this, you may not have the flexibility to plan your wedding like people that are residents of the same country. If your wedding plans are that solid and cancelling them is not an option due to severe financial loss, then cancel your K-1 and instead file for the IR-1/CR-1. This is a much wiser decision than doing a "faux marriage" or trying to get an expedite based on financial trouble.

No, this is the opposite of what the OP should do. Have you not read the previous posts in which I and other members have CLEARLY explained the serious consequences of holding a mock wedding ceremony? Lying or concealing a ceremony is dangerous and if it were to be discovered it could result in severe penalties which could include a lifetime ban from the US.
I cannot stress this enough! Do not do anything reminiscent of a wedding of you are planning on applying for the K-1!
Please browse around the forums and see the trouble others have experienced for attempting to do a marriage-like ceremony during the K-1 before giving advice like this to the OP.

You should never lie when dealing with the government. COs have been known to pull up personal accounts such as facebook during the beneficiary's interview. If you have any pictures up that may look like a wedding, you're done. Why play with fire when you don't need to?
It's very simple. If the OP wants to get married, then they are advised to go the CR-1 route as this visa is for a married couple. If they want to remain as engaged throughout the immigration process, then go the K-1 route. The K-1 is not for "faux marriages" either. Get married or stay engaged.
Material misrepresentation is NOT to be taken lightly.

You should never toy with "playing married" when you're doing the K-1. A friend of mine was recently denied and slapped with material misrepresentation because they thought her and her fiance were already married. They didn't even do a religious "wedding" ceremony, only an engagement ceremony (Which might I add, is VERY common in India). I believe someone has already provided the link to my thread regarding this.
You should never ever make firm wedding plans while doing the K-1. You never know what bumps you are going to encounter along the way. You have to remember that you are not in a normal relationship and because of this, you may not have the flexibility to plan your wedding like people that are residents of the same country. If your wedding plans are that solid and cancelling them is not an option due to severe financial loss, then cancel your K-1 and instead file for the IR-1/CR-1. This is a much wiser decision than doing a "faux marriage" or trying to get an expedite based on financial trouble.

No, this is the opposite of what the OP should do. Have you not read the previous posts in which I and other members have CLEARLY explained the serious consequences of holding a mock wedding ceremony? Lying or concealing a ceremony is dangerous and if it were to be discovered it could result in severe penalties which could include a lifetime ban from the US.
I cannot stress this enough! Do not do anything reminiscent of a wedding of you are planning on applying for the K-1!
Please browse around the forums and see the trouble others have experienced for attempting to do a marriage-like ceremony during the K-1 before giving advice like this to the OP.

No, this is the opposite of what the OP should do. Have you not read the previous posts in which I and other members have CLEARLY explained the serious consequences of holding a mock wedding ceremony? Lying or concealing a ceremony is dangerous and if it were to be discovered it could result in severe penalties which could include a lifetime ban from the US.
I cannot stress this enough! Do not do anything reminiscent of a wedding of you are planning on applying for the K-1!
Please browse around the forums and see the trouble others have experienced for attempting to do a marriage-like ceremony during the K-1 before giving advice like this to the OP.

No wonder is taking so long, they sent my app to the wrong state!!

The Texas Service Center is not the same thing as the Dallas Lockbox. The Lockbox will process your payment and then forward on your petition and supporting materials to the appropriate Service Center -- as already noted, either California or Vermont. Whether you send it to the PO Box or via FedEx/UPS to the street address, it's going to the same place.
You can visit the Timeline link at the top of the page to see the timeline estimates.
If you file a petition for the K-1 Visa and get married before it's in your hand, you will essentially void the visa and will have to start over again with the IR-1/CR-1 visa process. The K-1 is for fiancé(e)s only!