RFQ

I don't think it is strange at all. I am confused about whether or not I will become a US citizen when I am able to. I have seen posts and internet pages spouting on about how great it is to be a citizen, but I don't really see to many advantages to it myself. In fact one of the citizenship questions is "Name one benefit to being a citizen of the United States?" and the response is "Obtain federal government jobs; travel with a U.S. passport; petition for close relatives to come to the U.S. to live". To me the main benefit would be to be able to obtain federal government employment - because you know that is usually a well looked after employee.
If my wife was able to move to Australia with her kids we would have chosen that option rather then me coming to the US. I know it may sound like I am America bashing here, and I guess I am a bit, but don't get me wrong I am happy here with my wife. I just don't see it as important to become a citizen just to get a US passport. And I have seen how long the wait is to petition for family to come live here (the wait for my visa journey so far is long enough). If I could become the President then maybe I would think more seriously about it though. HAHAHAHAHA

They asked my father this when he renewed his green card. My father has been here for over 30 years and he said I am a Chilean citizen I was born there and that is my country. Chile doesn't allow dual citizenship unless someone was born in another country to Chilean parents (like me) are allowed dual citizenship. He then told the immigration officer that is and when Chile allows him to be a dual citizen he would proudly become a dual citizen with USA. They were very respectful and understood his position. My father since he is close to retirement age also mentioned that when he retires he would like to go live in Chile.
My fiance is also thinking of just being a permanent residence and not becoming a US citizen since he will lose his Chilean citizenship and when we are retirement age we would like to do the same thing as my parents.
Hope this helps. Good luck

I probably won't become a citizen. Not because I don't like America, but because I love being a Canadian. I love my country. Even though I will live and work in the USA I don't really feel the need to be a citizen. I know it means that I can't vote, but for now anyway, it doesn't concern me. The only reason I would become a citizen is if they told me that I could not receive my social security payment when I retire. As of now though, you do not have to be a citizen to draw your social security.
I am moving to the USA to be with my husband and share my life with him. I am not moving to the USA because I want to live there or am seeking a better alternative to where I am now. In fact, if he wanted to live in Canada I would be happy for him to emigrate here, it isn't about the country, it is about being together.
I might feel differently if I were emigrating to the USA from a poor/war-torn or governmentally unstable country though...

I will not apply for citizenship.
Norway does not allow dual citizenship (very few exceptions, which I won't bother going into, but safe to say I do not and will not ever qualify), so by gaining American citizenship I would have to give up my Norwegian one. No thanks. I love my country. I don't have the similar attachment to America. I like living here just fine, I LOVE vacationing here, but I'll never be, nor would I want to be, American (however you want to define "American"). I have my green card for a single reason, and that is my husband.

Seriously, if this is a major struggle for you, you probably should rethink the whole marriage and immigration thing. It only gets harder from here.
Sorry you're having a rough time. We're all along for a similar ride.

You have some significant red flags, but that does not mean your case is impossible. Many (or most) MENA men get AP, even with little or no age difference, and many complete the process successfully.
Your task (and by "your," I mean both you and your fiance) is to convince the consulate that your relationship is genuine. They will want to know how you met, how soon after meeting you became engaged, if you have met his family and if they approve, and much more. They may ask your fiance very sensitive questions about your age and ability to bear children, and why he would choose to marry someone who is old enough to be his mother (something that he would, frankly, be extremely unlikely to do with a woman of your age from his own country, for various reasons.)
Some of the questions may seem quite insulting. The consulate may focus on the friendship between your families, and suspect that an arrangement has been made simply for visa purposes. Be prepared to respond about all of these factors, and to give detailed and persuasive evidence that your relationship developed in a normal manner - from casual acquaintance, to close friendship, to the beginning of romance, to the decision to get engaged.
You have met in person 3 times, which is a positive factor, but 2 of the visits were quite short (5 days and 10 days.) It could only help your case to spend more time together in person, for longer periods of time. Photos of you with his family on various occasions could be extremely helpful as well.
Married couples with significant age differences seem to have somewhat of an easier time, as they are usually able to show much more evidence of ongoing relationship and mingled finances such as joint bank accounts, joint ownership of property, joint insurance policies, etc.
Some consulates are a bit more wary with K-1s. However, Amman is not nearly as tough as Casablanca. I hope this was helpful, and good luck.

Seriously, if this is a major struggle for you, you probably should rethink the whole marriage and immigration thing. It only gets harder from here.
Sorry you're having a rough time. We're all along for a similar ride.

Seriously, if this is a major struggle for you, you probably should rethink the whole marriage and immigration thing. It only gets harder from here.
Sorry you're having a rough time. We're all along for a similar ride.

Seriously, if this is a major struggle for you, you probably should rethink the whole marriage and immigration thing. It only gets harder from here.
Sorry you're having a rough time. We're all along for a similar ride.

Seriously, if this is a major struggle for you, you probably should rethink the whole marriage and immigration thing. It only gets harder from here.
Sorry you're having a rough time. We're all along for a similar ride.

Salaam, hello!
I live in Algeria so I know the "system" and consular office inside and out. I was married in Algeria, applied for the visa,etc
1 - No Algerian woman or man will get a tourist visa easily, so I would say forget about this. They are only offering student exchange, business and medical visas easily. And the family related one, well you don't met the requirements.
2 - To marry an Algerian woman in Algeria, as already mentioned you need to be Muslim. If you are not Muslim, not only will the family not agree but it's not lawful.
3 - If you don't met the income standards then you shouldn't apply for the visa. You will only be denied and waste the money. But I'm not sure if you are aware, but you can have co-sponsor or add any assets you have to make up the difference.
4 - If you are a Muslim, and would like to be married here in Algeria while you are here. First, you need to discuss this with her family. Then for religious reasons, find a imam who will marry you to her. Many imams are not willing to marry foreigners to Algerians in fear of visa scams. Your future FIL or BIL can help you find one.
5 - You need to get a certificat d' chahada (saying you reverted to Islam) They won't ask you for a cert issued in the US, but if you have one, it will only help. And if you were born into a Muslim family, well then the WHOLE process from dealing with the parents, to dealing with the governement and religious ministry will be easier for you. The process takes about 3months to be issued. The cert for this you start at the ministry of religion in your SO's home wilaya (province) Once you have done this, you can go ahead and apply for a marriage certificate at the daira (town hall) ... the process from there I can explain later. OR optionally taker her and her family to get married in Tunisia (the process is shorter there) I'm not sure if they require you to be Muslim there or not. Maybe ones married there can explain this.
6 - You can easily obtain a document from the registar in the US statting you have never been married. I did this for myself, when I came here and got married here with my husband.
Mom of 1, while yes I would say Algerians are traditional people, I wouldn't say they are not going to allow this marriage. There are traditional families where they do indeed try to seek marriages within their family but then others more modern open minded. I know several Algerian woman married to foreign man. One couple even living here in Algeria. I think it is all about niyaa(intention) of the couple.
And finally a final tip, if you can manage it, wy not bring your parents (or least one) when you go to visit the girl? This way everyone will feel more comfortable about your intentions.
If I can help in anything further, I am happy to ... just ask!

Eid Mubarak!!! Insha'Allah Allah subhanna wa ta'ala will replace our sins with good deeds and accept all of our fasts!

Wishing everyone a Happy Eid

Happy Eid everyone! Wishing Wael and I were in Alexandria celebrating with his wonderful family!

Eid Mubarak!!!!

Close to 500 people showed up early this morning for prayers at the rented room in the University. Most coming directly from the Islamic Center after staying up all night together since Iftar. They had a buffet style feast after the Eid prayers and a group of 50 Saudi men gathered and did traditional dancing to which everyone clapped and took pictures and video. It was the biggest most festive celebration I've witnessed since dh came and we started being part of the Muslim community where ever we are.
Here are the Eid ul-Fitr 2012 pictures from around the world in the Huffington Post this morning.
Enjoy!
My link

3eid Sa3eed

Photograph: Mohammed Saber/EPA

eid mubarak everyone!!

I see. If its' just you and your granddad, then you do want to list your child support on YOUR I-864 and then have him file an I-864a as your household member. I will caution you thought that particularly elderly sponsor's can be problematic because they may not be around to fulfill the sponsorship obligations which are terminated by death of the sponsor. You might want to add a letter explaining what your career will be and when, to help the Consular Officer make a favorable decision on the public charge concern.
You should also be aware that your circumstances are at least a partial fit for a common fraud scenario from N. Africa. If you are also significantly older and of a different religion than your husband, you've got some huge red flags to overcome.

Use the I-864 and below employment there is a self employment section. Just enter "Court Ordered Child Support" in that space and then add the child support to your employment income when stating total household income on line 23. Document the Child support with a copy of the court order and some kind of documentation you are actually receiving it. A few bank statements would do but some people have statements from their State agency if the payments pass through a State agency.
If your income was always zero on the tax returns, that's OK. Order "Tax Return Transcripts" from the IRS. They are free and take a week or ten days to get. Is your income still zero today, not counting the child support?

Are you sure you didn't misunderstand? As far as everything goes that I have ever seen and read, there is nothing illegal about getting married on a visitor visa. The illegal part is if you do so with intent of having the non-citizen stay in the US, and attempt to file an adjustment of status, or if one was to lie in the application process for the visa.

I deal with it like this... one smile and kind act at a time.
A few hours from me a mosque was burned to the ground during this past week, presumably arson since arson was a part of the attack at the beginning of the month. A good number of people from across this great country came together to fundraise on behalf of rebuilding the mosque, and in less than a week they had exceeded the 250,000k goal they set.

Are you sure you didn't misunderstand? As far as everything goes that I have ever seen and read, there is nothing illegal about getting married on a visitor visa. The illegal part is if you do so with intent of having the non-citizen stay in the US, and attempt to file an adjustment of status, or if one was to lie in the application process for the visa.

Are you sure you didn't misunderstand? As far as everything goes that I have ever seen and read, there is nothing illegal about getting married on a visitor visa. The illegal part is if you do so with intent of having the non-citizen stay in the US, and attempt to file an adjustment of status, or if one was to lie in the application process for the visa.

Are you sure you didn't misunderstand? As far as everything goes that I have ever seen and read, there is nothing illegal about getting married on a visitor visa. The illegal part is if you do so with intent of having the non-citizen stay in the US, and attempt to file an adjustment of status, or if one was to lie in the application process for the visa.