Moh&Tam

**Moved to MENA forum as the questions are consulate specific.

uhhh... you goofed up and need to study your geography more. Pakistan is not a MENA country nor even in the region. you kind of have to go through Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan to get to it. Just a few kilometers off!!

AmyWrites, I didn't miss the point you didn't read what I said "most cases are automatically put in AP" period! It doesn't matter the age, culture, same religion, red flags are not they just are sent there in almost all MENA cases.

There really isn't any red flags in my case but I am sure we will be put in AP when the time comes. Recently the cases at the Amman Embassy seem to be having a double standard as well depending on the CO.

Sandanista, I hope you weren't implying that I meant all immigration staff are ogres. I don't mean that in general alhumdolllah everyone I have had to talk with have been nice. I was just referring to the double standard in general. HUGS

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I am so sick of this double standard with immigration and even what I see here on VJ. If you are a man who is 15 or 20 yrs older than your sweet little oriental or russian bride, guess what?!! NO RED FLAGS!!! Heaven forbid your a a woman with a younger man.

Jen, I am sorry for all the joking and ridicule you have experienced. I say "go for it and more power to you!!". Who cares what people think. what matters is your happy!

Thanks to a few bad apples and given the fact it is the Middle East automatically most cases are put on AP. Even with the CO's in Jordan there seems to be a double standard. If you get a female CO they are more respectful while the one male CO will probably rake you over the coals and ask every question under the sun and all out short of saying "FRAUD" so I am sorry be prepared for anything and everything.

It won't hurt to be there for the interview so if you can try and be there. insha'Allah everything will workout!

Be sure you (and any co-sponsors) know the difference between the binding and non-binding affidavits!

Good luck!

what is the difference between binding and nonbinding affadavits? thanks!

Greetings to all! Hi I am a Filipino citizen and currently working as a nurse here in Kuwait my fiancée and i plan to get married he's also a Filipino -american citizen so he applied for k1 visa, he addressed the application in the American embassy of Kuwait in order to process the papers here in Kuwait instead of going back to Philippines . He got the 1st notice last July 11 then after that we did not hear any updates anymore, do you have any idea what will be our next step? What requirements do we need to prepare? And how long we will wait for the next update? Hopefully you can help me thanks in advance

Hi,

I am sorry I can't give you specific timeline because a direct consular filing is different then what most of us are doing by applying in the states. I do beliee they can go faster than the usual route.

So a couple of suggestions.

1. Make sure you have your copies of Police certificates you will need for Kuwait and your home country.

2. Make sure your fiancee has all his finances in order and another thing they will be asking for his domicile in the US

this could mean his actual home address if he owns one or using a family address of where you might be staying once

you both are in the states.

3. Check the K1 guide to make sure you have all documents ready or available.

Sorry, I can't offer more.

Has anyone had any experience with Calgary POE? I can't seem to find any reviews in the forum.

Hi,

I am not sure what your asking. Calgary, Canada is not a POE into the USA. Unless it shares a border than you must look for the name of the city it borders with on US side. Hope this helps.

Hi Clair,

Congrats on the fast action!! Okay now your case will be sent to NVC which can take 20-30 days to get your case number. Once that happens than you will be sent requests for fees and have to do your financial packet and final packet that will be sent to the embassy so that can be another 30-60 days+ depending on how fast you can pay fees and get all your

information in and all approved. Once all that is done than your case is forwarded to the embassy and an appointment is made by NVC. So you have a bit of time to work with where in which you might get your certificate in time. Something to think about! Best wishes!

Sarah you are just to funny!! But I agree I think I would rather enjoy the beach because it can still be quite hot in the desert regions during the day.

I would double check the date with the embassy. Another thing to consider is we are just finishing Ramadan and Eid starts Saturday so who knows how long the embassy will close so with all the shortened hours and there is an influx of student visas they might have extended their hours to meet the demands.

Hello,

I to have not changed by last name. I will do it once hubby is here and we do a ceremony here with my family and friends. I chose to do this because hubby is from Jordan and we had a marriage conract in Arabic then translated into English. It might have been accepted but its just easier and also money wise to do it once he is here. So you should be just fine.

she was over stressed and said she didnt want the marrigae and so, she wanted separaition...thats the reason she gave to the immigration to withdraw the case...now waht to do to re - apply again? will they aske me a lot of questions? is it possible to re - apply?

Hi,

Anything is possible! So don't give up! Are you sure your wife can do it this time? I think you both need to be prepared to answer a LOT of questions, because now they are probably going to be asking some serious questions about why it was stopped the first time. Plus you are going to have to prove even more why this marriage will work and be taken seriously. Your wife may need to write a letter explaining her decisions with total honesty.

Going through this process and being away from our loved ones is just so hard, that some people get to stresed and may think giving up is easier. So try and be strong and supportive of her. Is there anyway she can come visit you during this waiting game? It would probably help her!

WOW! Mo you need to be very careful! Will the fact that she can't have kids get your visa denied? NO! Lying? YES!!! Whatever you do, do not lie. Tell the truth if they ask that personal of a question "say birth control is not necessary for us" something along those lines.

As for the interview it is only for you to attend. Your wife can join you but they will be looking for you to answer all the questions correctly without her encouragement. If she is with you I have heard they have asked the spouse a question or two. You more than your wife need to make sure you know the answers to all potential questions to be successful at the interview.

I realise we are in Jordan, but I didn't add but the requirements to my I130. Alhumdollah it was approved without an RFE. What we are doing now at the NVC stage to get ready is copies of phone bills, cell phone bills, yahoo chats, and emails. Hubby has the original pics from the wedding and those taken during our visit. So insha'Allah that will be enough!

I am just more worried about AP then I am about interview approval. We knew each other 9 months before I got to Jordan, got married after 3 weeks, both divorced, close to same age, and lots of family support and approval. Insha'Allah it will be enough.

I just wonder how AP will work since one VJ'rs hubby got visa without AP.

OH this is a touchy subject and sorry everyone can't agree. It is my understanding that a seperate center has or will open to only handle those expected to file under the new amnesty program. I am grateful that this is opening up for the "children" I know to young men both just graduated from high school and what do they have for their future? Both are applying and one will be joining the Airforce once his papers are in order the second one will be going on to vocational school.

I just hope all works out all who are in the process of starting their new lives!!

It will run about the same as any other case but will be examined closely for why you stopped then changed your mind. Cover that area well.

I agree with NigeriaorBust. It will take about the same time. Get your bases covered was your partner just overstresed with the whole thing or maybe finances were not best to apply? If they ask just be totally honest and insha'Allah things will work out for the best soon for you both!

I think we definately need a permanent thread that one can view in their own time that talks about all aspects of abuse and have some share their stories, but also offer resources. Also need one on how to if your being scammed or not. Just a thought.

Sorry to hear about your interview date. But something to keep in mind when NVC made your appointment in general its just another day for them. Yet in the MENA and other muslim countries it is Ramadan and that right there hours are shortened, then will come Eid and days off for that, then last but not least the influx of student visas that need to be approved so the student can get to their college and university before school starts. They will be given priority due to the time line and most other interviews are slated for a later date to accomdate everything.

Hi,

That must be very frustrating, but unfortunately they will not consider grants, scholarships, or loans as part of your income. I wish they did because the I would be just fine. ARGHHH

Do you have someone who can cosponsor for you? Hope it all works out.

Hi Everyone,

This whole thing makes me so sad. The is not related to MENA but along the lines of a scammer 18 yrs ago I lost a very dear friend to a scam situation that ended in a tragic and abusive manner. My friend Phoebe was at court with a young lady from who was filapino married to an American man who brought her over from her country and started their life together. The scam was the young lady used her husband to come to the states to be with her boyfriend whom she saw on the side and eventually became pregnant by him. So at their divorce hearing the husband in the courtroom took out a gun. and killed his wife, her baby boy who was full term and my dear friend. Killing his wife was the ultimate form of abuse one can do.

It is just sad and deplorable that one seeks a truly loving and permanent relationship with an individual only to be abused, scammed, or both by them. I am grateful for VJ in the sense that there is enough stories shared here that can help others.

Wishing you all the best!

It has come to my attention that yet, another VJ member from the MENA region is suffering from physical abuse from her husband. He basically just arrived in the US (2 weeks ago).

I don't know about you, but I am fed up with this BS. It's time to take action. I propose we create some sort of anonymous/ confidential board amongst us to help each other out. The issue with anonimity was brought up at togetherforever13's thread; the fact that the perpetrators have access to read threads and even comment as guests.

While we come up with a strategy, can the moderators post some permanent topic on the Family Discussion portion of this website with information on domestic violence? I don't know if that alraedy exists or what else to suggest to put this in the forefront.

Maybe we can strategize by states, even cities. For example, if you live in NY and need help, you can count on the help of members living in the tri-state area.

I may be rambling here and even sounding ridiculous, but this is just unacceptable.

Hi,

This whole subject is so painful to read about. Can we have a permanent thread where those of us who are interested can post our email or yahoo id that is separate from VJ and then the person can contact us directly that way and the abuser would have no way of tracking like they could here? If we want to get one started I am in and happy to help!

Carry on....

Hi,

It takes about 30 days to get a number give or take. Then depending on your paperwork and fees look at another 15-30 days so estimate from start to finish 60 days at NVC before it is closed and moved on to the Embassy. Hope this helps.

Hi Everyone,

I have a couple of suggestions but first Viber and Skype are both available for Iphone and Android phones BUT your significant other has to have the same phone like phone and services in their country to use it. Also heads up on Frontier if you call a landline phone you can have 500 minutes for 24.99 to most countries also I have Tmobile and added for 15.00 unlimited international texting and and minutes to landline phones to Jordan but again this will apply to most countries. The operative word being LANDLINE phones!

Joe, my heart goes out to and the rest who have posted here it is heartbreaking to be away from loved ones and I truly believe all those hours we skype, viber, text, email, and phone calls gives us the time to truly know each other and building strong relationship to build on a future together. So be strong in the scheme of things this is just a short time in what will be a long and happy life for all of us, insha'Allah. HUGS!!!

I am sorry but either your friends info is very old or BS. I would like to say you have some favorable things in your favor especially when you were able to have both families attending your wedding a lots of support and acceptance. The fact that your age and background is similar is also a plus. I wouldn't worry about how short or long it was until you got married. Most CO's must realise that in muslim countries it is more common to marry than to date etc...

My husband I have 5 yr age difference and both divorced so I am not to worried about any red flags, but it seems mandatory AP is the norm for most countries in the region and that can last as little as a few weeks to a year or more.

So just have lots of evidence pics, phone bills, gifts, emails, chat logs, travel tickets, and anything else that would support your marriage.

Holler or send a PM if you need anything or just to chat.

I have seen weekends, middle of the night.

Yes, we got our approval at 12:39am on a Tuesday. So I am not sure about weekends but can testify to the odd hour approvals and emails. Hope you here something good!!

Hello- I have been reading the MENA forum for just a few months now, but it seems nearly everyone here has been warmly welcomed by their in-laws. My fiance's family vehemently disapproves (and certainly won't entertain any cordial introductions). I can't say I blame them, I'm sure a slightly older, divorced mother is not what they envisioned for him (our common religion notwithstanding). Actually, the patriarch of the family has yet to be informed because that will really be when SHTF (autocratic fathers are complicated like that, y'know?)

Anyways, we are almost at the interview stage and I'm guessing the CO will ask "How does your family feel about your fiancee?" Of course, the only option is to be honest about it and it may very well send up a fatal "red flag".

As we are well above the age of consent, I realize the family's express permission is not required per se, but family approval is very important to conform to cultural norms. I fear the CO will deny us based upon this unless this peculiarity can be solidly explained.

Did any of you have in-laws who objected to the engagement/marriage (to put it mildly)? How would one overcome this red flag, if it's even possible to do so? I mean, family dynamics vary widely within any culture (and good heavens, dysfunction is universal!). Does anyone have any advice as far as addressing this in the interview?

Hi,

I am so sorry for the familys attitude. I think telling the truth about the family and their attitude will come accross better than having never told the family. I would also think it would be bad to hold that against you for the simple fact their are many countries where the culture runs deep and your not first to experience this. I am sure this hurts you and your partner and express that but you won't let it be a hinderance to your relationship and future.

Just be honest and provide as much support as you can to prove your relationship and how happy you are. Wishing you two all the best insha'Allah.