A and F

Janet If you dont mind, may I ask you what is your age and the age of your husband. Actually age difference of 13 years is not a big deal if both husband and wife are mature. For example, if husband's age is 33 and wife is above 45, that age difference is not material. However for a guy of 20 years, if his wife is 34, no doubt that is a huge age difference because of their age groups.

When we submitted our petition, we got RFE from USCIC which was a huge concern for us. So many days of restlessness for me and my wife and we submitted evidence to prove it as a bona fide marriage. But in your case, I guess USCIS forgot that step LOL so they want to "add back" that step. Its just a wild guess.

Dont worry sister, I am pretty sure that you wont be discriminated on the basis of anything.

And one more thing. I have seen here on Visajourney, CHRISTIAN women marrying Muslim guys from Pakistan and they are living in the States. They are still Christian and visiting Pakistan to meet their in laws. You tell me yourself that do you expect from any Amerian female coming to Pakistan, risking her life, spending huge amount of money with an intention to get married and live with her husband, would deliberately make a blunder by getting married in such a way which would make her marriage CHALLANGABLE in US immigration system. I guess NOT and this is known by Embassies all over the world. Since ages, everyone knows that muslim guys can get married with women from JEWS and CHRISTIANS if you talk about marriage on the basis of religion.

In Pakistani society, once a marriage is celbrated publically, gives a clear cut message that it is socially, culturally, religously and morally right action. I guess US Embassy should never make "marriage on religious grounds" an issue as it is enough evidence that not only Islam allows it but also society accepts it wholeheartedly.

Regarding age difference, CAROLYNHOTSTUFF is prime example as you can see she has grown up kids living seperately and her husband got a visa. In Pakistani society a Pakistani guy getting married with a white woman MAY NOT be a red flag but a Pakistani guy marrying a black woman CAN be a red flag. Today we see people having kids and a very little age difference ending up in divorce and its very common in PAKISTAN.

So I would say, no matter what a person from the US working in American Embassy in Islamabad is thinking, or whatever he or she has been told about Pakistani "CULTURE", Pakistani society is a big society of 190 million people with so many different traditions, races, norms, class difference and languages. It might be an oppression and slave driving mentality if someone wants to torture a married couple but not justice, that he/she is making excuses of age difference, ethnicity, religion etc a reason to perceive marriage as not in good faith.

Therefore my message to all of you is, dont guess as every case is variable. You dont konw what embassies are doing as they are all professionals.

I dont think 13 years is a big age difference because Pakistani society is not like the one in 1970s or 1980s. In Pakistan I myself have seen people getting married with older women and such marriages are common in families where cousin marriages take place. Age difference or a Muslim man marrying a christian woman is not a red flag if you ask me.

I am in 3rd year of AP. Right now I am 2 years, 6 months, 21 days since my interview. Dont compare months with years because AP can range from few days to few years. Be strong and pray to God.

Guys be positive. You dont know but this AP has taken its toll from everyone. No one knows what I am feeling because everyone thinks taht his/her problem is bigger. Remember you and your spouse did, still do and would always love each other.

I am married for 4 years and 3 days. 20th February was our 4th wedding anniversary and we have been together for almost 2 months when my wife visited Pakistan. She has been to Pakistan twice and now her passport has 5 years Visa for multiple entries into Pakistan. I am in AP for almost 2 years 6 months and 11 days. Make DUA for us and for everyone who is away from his/her spouse.

Carolyn, do post photographs of you and your husband in the States.

I have been reading your posts and God knows it was way more disturbing to read about your condition than anyone else. Really your prayers were answered. I request you to pray for me since I am also married for more than 4 years and have been in AP for such a long time.

Actually things are totally different for different cultures. It can be understood by a simple example of looking at 6 and 9. Both are graphically same but one is upside down of the other. Similarly in our culture Marriage is a valuable thing and is very holy act. Whereas in many countries people use marriage for their fraudulent activities. So we all must pray to God that He give us patience and strength and unite us with our spouses permenantly as we all got married and completed a very important aspect of our life. You all pray for me and I pray for all of you that we all get united with our spouses permenantly and fulfil the dream of living together.

I am in AP for 2 years 6 months. Have patience and be hopeful.

Hello and Salam,

First of all, I would congratulate CAROLYN for that much patience and ultimately getting the visa. I am a silent observer of this forum. I am in AP for 2 years 6 months to be very precise. I am married for 4 years and that much time living alone, away from my beloved wife is taking its toll from both of us. Only God knows our pain, suffering and stress, but we wont complain as its fate. I would say to all of you to think positive and pray to God that he gives you patience and makes things easier for you. Remember, if you wont oppress anyone, nobody would oppress you. Just stay hopeful that one day you would be with your spouse and the dream which you have had to live with your life partner would come true. Tough times never last but tough people do.

Here I would reply with merely a simple concept which all of you can understand. Its called SUBSTANCE OVER FORM. Irrespective of my wife's salary, irrespective of anything, we have to see what is the legal position. In my opinion 50,000 US $ is also not a very good salary in US but that is irrelevant as opinions are opinions and reality is reality.

I know that I have to find a joint sponsor as consulate has already asked me to do so. However before finding a joint sponsor, I want to know the "LEGAL" position under US Immigration Law. Whether a Consular Officer has DISCRETION to accept assets or not has never been heard. Why I am having ambiguity is because of the information on US State Department website regarding I-864. On US State Department Website it has not been mentioned about discretion of Consular Officer and also they say that first the Salary of the principal sponsor would be considered then sponsor's assets are counted. For spouse the difference between Salary and Poverty Guideline the difference should be 3 times. Nowhere it has been mentioned that acceptance of assets is a 50/50 Chance. Furthermore our assets are HIGHLY Liquid. In any Legal system "foreseeable future" is considered. What confuses me is that when we have a reasonable salary and excessive amount of assets then WHY we should seek the help of a Joint sponsor. I dont think ever we would literally need any help from co sponsor Insha Allah.

I have heard that Consular Officers NOW have limited discretion regarding I-864. Dont know if its true or not. Also I have never heard of any precedent where consular officer asked for a joint sponsor on the basis that he/she wont accept Assets. If considering assets is a discretion of consular officer then why Department of State website doesnt say that to clarify the matter.

I have heard that Consular Officers NOW have limited discretion regarding I-864. Dont know if its true or not. Also I have never heard of any precedent where consular officer asked for a joint sponsor on the basis that he/she wont accept Assets. If considering assets is a discretion of consular officer then why state website doesnt say that to clarify the matter.

Hi VJ Members. I am facing a very strange problem regarding AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT (I-864).

We got married in Feb 2010. My wife had 2 daughters from previous marriage. Therefore the affidavit of support is for 4 members family and Poverty guideline for 4 members family is 27937.00 US Dollars for year 2011.

My wife had a steady job until last year when she decided to change the job and started working in a retail business. In the month of February my wife was informed that she got an inheritance and received 17000 US Dollars as first installment. The Trust informed her that she would get second installment later when the property which she had a share in as a heir would be sold. In May we got a letter from trust that the house has been sold and she would get the second installment sooner. We actually got second installment on July 26 2011.

Then she was informed in May that she has been accepted for a State job that would be starting from June, 15 2011.

At the date of sending AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT (I-864) which was June 19th 2011, she was drawing a salary of 21000 US Dollars with 8000 US Dollars in Bank and a share in inheritance of 21000 US Dollars (which was an estimate as per the price demanded for the property) BUT we actually got 50000 US Dollars. We attached Bank Statement, Email from the Lawyer and Web Shots of the property listing that was for sale along with the Will of her aunt.

When I went to US Consulate for CR1 interview, the consular officer told me that I need to find a joint sponsor because

1_ My wife has an unstable employment history

2_ My wife earned 15000 US Dollars in 2010 which is well below poverty guideline for 3 members and you are starved to death in a country like US in 15000 US Dollars (amazingly my wife and my daughters are alive). Since US economy is bad and that is why you need to find a co sponsor.

I asked consular officer that We have assets which are beyond 8 times the difference but officer said that its upon the discretion of Consular Officer. My wife has plans to write to her Senator and Congressmen but I want to know the legal postion here on this forum as we should do something based on true knowledge. Do we need to find a Co Sponsor or we can challenge the decision as US State website clearly states that first Income then Assets are counted. That clearly shows the conflict between US State Department's publicized information and actual incidents.