LegitBachelor:
Yes there's a waiver. But we are being practical here. The US Embassy is aware of our culture and religion. They know our norms allow couples to meet before marriage. Note that "meet" doesn't imply sleeping together or meeting alone. The couples can meet in the presence of others. It's permitted in Christianity and in Islam. They also know it's permitted in our culture. So it will be near impossible for such waiver to be granted.

Excellent, I am also being practical.

You guys keep bringing up cultural differences. That's not the only basis for a waiver.

CrispyMentalist:


A K1 is still a non-immigrant visa even though technically it eventually leads to the beneficiary becoming an immigrant. However, this doesn't happen in all cases.Therefore, you need to satisfy all the requirements for a non-immigrant visa before you'll be issued one. I know a friend who went through the K1 process like I did and the petitioner eventually did not marry him when he got to the US. He ran out of Status when his marriage window lapsed. At that level, his stay became illegal.

The whole idea of being 'eligible" for a "visa" is to ensure you have enough motivation to return back to your home country when things go wrong. A job, property, etc., serve as some kind of proof that you'll return to your country if your fiancee doesn't marry you. That's why they typically ask you to provide "evidences that'll support your case"- they're not just limited to what they ask for.

Exactly.

To add to what you just said. Even though it's not explicitly stated that you submit evidence of ties to Nigeria, it's advisable you present such if you have any. It's not a crime to provide more evidence than required.

There are many cases of a beneficiary who is not working and has no financial records but was granted the K1 Visa. However there have been cases of refusal or administrative processing due to that. Imagine a scenario where the VO has little doubts of the petitioner being financially buoyant enough and also have little doubts about their true love for each other. Don't you think having strong ties to Nigeria will convince the VO that the beneficiary truly loves the petitioner and is willing to leave his country where he is doing well to be with his fiancee? Don't you also think that that strong tie is a form of assurance for the VO that the beneficiary would return back to Nigeria in case he breaks up with his fiancee before the 90days?

In summary, it's not a must the beneficiary must be working or must have a bank account for him to be granted a K1 Visa. It's not also a compulsory requirement to submit any documents proving such. But if one has a bank account with lots of transactions in it (even if the account is in the red) or is working, I advice he comes with evidence proving such. After all he submitted a DS-160 Non-immigration Form during his application for K1 Visa and in the form he provided info on his place of work and how much he earns on a monthly basis. It's not a crime if he goes with those documents as evidence to backup what he filled in on that non-immigrant form.

cc: sharpman1

EgunMogaji:


Excellent, I am also being practical.

You guys keep bringing up cultural differences. That's not the only basis for a waiver.

I also mentioned religion. I don't know if any country would have that in their laws (I definitely know Nigeria doesn't and this thread is specific for Nigerians). But if any country does, then that's also a justification for a waiver for the citizens of such country.

If the couple are requesting for the meeting waiver based on their personal values and convictions, then they are on a long thing as the US Consulate in Lagos would deny them outright. This is me being practical. This is what I'll tell my friend or my relative seeking guidance.

CrispyMentalist:

I know a friend who went through the K1 process like I did and the petitioner eventually did not marry him when he got to the US. He ran out of Status when his marriage window lapsed. At that level, his stay became illegal.

Not nice at all.

Did your friend come back? How did he deal with the situation?

LegitBachelor:
I also mentioned religion. I don't know if any country would have that in their laws (I definitely know Nigeria doesn't and this thread is specific for Nigerians). But if any country does, then that's also a justification for a waiver for the citizens of such country.

If the couple are requesting for the meeting waiver based on their personal values and convictions, then they are on a long thing as the US Consulate in Lagos would deny them outright. This is me being practical. This is what I'll tell my friend or my relative seeking guidance.

This thread is specific for Nigerians, the waiver is available for applicants from all over the world.

The justification for a waiver is not limited to religion or culture. There are other reasons.

EgunMogaji:


This thread is specific for Nigerians, the waiver is available for applicants from all over the world.

The justification for a waiver is not limited to religion or culture. There are other reasons.

OK then. It appears we are saying the same thing.

LegitBachelor:
Exactly.

To add to what you just said. Even though it's not explicitly stated that you submit evidence of ties to Nigeria, it's advisable you present such if you have any. It's not a crime to provide more evidence than required.

There are many cases of a beneficiary who is not working and has no financial records but was granted the K1 Visa. However there have been cases of refusal or administrative processing due to that. Imagine a scenario where the VO has little doubts of the petitioner being financially buoyant enough and also have little doubts about their true love for each other. Don't you think having strong ties to Nigeria will convince the VO that the beneficiary truly loves the petitioner and is willing to leave his country where he is doing well to be with his fiancee? Don't you also think that that strong tie is a form of assurance for the VO that the beneficiary would return back to Nigeria in case he breaks up with his fiancee before the 90days?

In summary, it's not a must the beneficiary must be working or must have a bank account for him to be granted a K1 Visa. It's not also a compulsory requirement to submit any documents proving such. But if one has a bank account with lots of transactions in it (even if the account is in the red) or is working, I advice he comes with evidence proving such. After all he submitted a DS-160 Non-immigration Form during his application for K1 Visa and in the form he provided info on his place of work and how much he earns on a monthly basis. It's not a crime if he goes with those documents as evidence to backup what he filled in on that non-immigrant form.

So you are saying that USEL gave a 221g stating that the reason the visa was not granted is because the beneficiary did into have a bank account?

I doubt this. Highly.

LegitBachelor:
OK then. It appears we are saying the same thing.

We are not.

You are limiting the usage of a water to cultural and religion. This is not correct.

I could expand on the other permissible justifications but I want intended applicants and beneficiary to read up on it.

EgunMogaji:


We are not.

You are limiting the usage of a water to cultural and religion. This is not correct.

I could expand on the other permissible justifications but I want intended applicants and beneficiary to read up on it.

The list is not exhaustive. I never said its ONLY cultural and religious reasons. I only listed the ones I know. I however said that providing cultural or religion as a reason doesn't cut it for the US Consulate here in Lagos, Nigeria. The application will most likely be denied

LegitBachelor:
The list is not exhaustive. I never said its ONLY cultural and religion. I however said that providing cultural or religion as a reason doesn't cut it for the US Consulate here in Lagos, Nigeria. The application will most likely be denied

As is most applications that shows they have met in person in the preceding two years.

There was a case of a USC whose application was denied even though she live with the beneficiary for months here in Nigeria.

No one has a clear case of what is approvable or not. One can only give ALL facts and let the applicants/beneficiary make a decision. Anyone reading this write up could wrongly assume that waivers are not approved in Nigeria. In fact, they are.

PS: The list is most definitely exhaustive.

EgunMogaji:


So you are saying that USEL gave a 221g stating that the reason the visa was not granted is because the beneficiary did into have a bank account?

I doubt this. Highly.

OK let me paint a scenario for you. Imagine someone who filled he earns millions per month while filling his DS-160 form and when the VO asked for his bank statement during the interview, he couldn't provide it. In that caese, the VO can place the K1 Visa on administrative processing pending when the applicant submits the bank statement.

LegitBachelor:
OK let me paint a scenario for you. Imagine someone who filled he earns millions per month while filling his DS-160 form and when the VO asked for his bank statement during the interview, he couldn't provide it. In that caese, the VO can place the K1 Visa on administrative processing pending when the applicant submits the bank statement.

That's a ridiculous scenario.

Financials form beneficiaries are not required for approval. Of course if a beneficiary should lay out the groundwork that solicits questions from the VO then he need to be prepared to back it up with proof.

This is akin to being stopped by a police officer who asks to see your drivers license and then you respond by saying you have no dead body in your trunk. Of course he would now want to see inside you trunk now that you brought it up.

In any case I'll yield to you guys. Like I said before, anyone that's serious about immigration should head to VJ.

EgunMogaji is out.

EgunMogaji:


We are not.

You are limiting the usage of a water to cultural and religion. This is not correct.

I could expand on the other permissible justifications but I want intended applicants and beneficiary to read up on it.

Here you go. Possible reasons for waivers below:

Who May File Form I-129F?

You may file this petition if you are a U.S. citizen and:

1. You and your fiancé(e):

A. Are legally free to marry and intend to marry within 90 days of your fiancé(e)’s admission to the United States;
and

B. Have met each other in person within the two years immediately before you filed this petition, unless you establish
that either:

(1) The requirement to meet your fiancé(e) in person would violate strict and long-established customs of your
fiancé(e)’s foreign culture or social practice, and that any and all aspects of the traditional arrangements have
been or will be met in accordance with the custom or practice; or

(2) The requirement to meet your fiancé(e) in person would result in extreme hardship to you;

For a beneficiary from Nigeria..... Number (1) won't work.

So....what extreme hardship will prevent the US petitioner from meeting the beneficiary at least once in 2 years?

From reviews, the consulate hardly approves a visa if requirement B is not met.

EgunMogaji:

There was a case of a USC whose application was denied even though she live with the beneficiary for months here in Nigeria.

Get your arguments right bro. No one says meeting of couples is a sure guarantee for the K1 Visa.

No one has a clear case of what is approvable or not. One can only give ALL facts and let the applicants/beneficiary make a decision.

No one have a clear case of what is approvable. Only the VO assigned to that application has. However informed applicants should know what's not approvable. I know what's not 100% approvable and I know what could limit ones chance even if there's still a little chance (say 5%) of it being approved. The use of tradition or culture as a reason for a request for waiver in Nigeria is not approvable. Take that to the bank. Use of other reasons is possible but the success rate is very low.

Anyone reading this write up could wrongly assume that waivers are not approved in Nigeria. In fact, they are.

Waivers due to cultural or religious reasons are not approved in Nigeria. Waivers due to other reasons, there's a chance.

PS: The list is most definitely exhaustive.

I don't think it is. This is because it's not spelt out in Black and White. For instance, I could provide a few example to justify that meeting is difficult due to extreme hardship. I could say:
1. Medical Condition of Petitioner
2. Financial Condition of Petitioner
3. Medical Condition of Beneficiary
4. Financial Condition of Beneficiary
5. War Torn Area of Beneficiary
6. Difficulty in getting Visit Visa by Beneficiary
7. etc

sharpman1:


Not nice at all.

Did your friend come back? How did he deal with the situation?

He overstayed. Fell in "love" with another American. Got married. Brought her to Nigeria for a traditional wedding. They lived in Naija for a while, about 18 months. He re-applied via the spouse route and was approved.

He had to prove that his previous petitioner put him through "hardship" after their relationship didn't work and that was the reason for his overstaying that visa.

Dude was lucky!

CrispyMentalist:


A K1 is still a non-immigrant visa even though technically it eventually leads to the beneficiary becoming an immigrant. However, this doesn't happen in all cases.Therefore, you need to satisfy all the requirements for a non-immigrant visa before you'll be issued one. I know a friend who went through the K1 process like I did and the petitioner eventually did not marry him when he got to the US. He ran out of Status when his marriage window lapsed. At that level, his stay became illegal.

The whole idea of being 'eligible" for a "visa" is to ensure you have enough motivation to return back to your home country when things go wrong. A job, property, etc., serve as some kind of proof that you'll return to your country if your fiancee doesn't marry you. That's why they typically ask you to provide "evidences that'll support your case"- they're not just limited to what they ask for.

LegitBachelor:
Exactly.

To add to what you just said. Even though it's not explicitly stated that you submit evidence of ties to Nigeria, it's advisable you present such if you have any. It's not a crime to provide more evidence than required.

There are many cases of a beneficiary who is not working and has no financial records but was granted the K1 Visa. However there have been cases of refusal or administrative processing due to that. Imagine a scenario where the VO has little doubts of the petitioner being financially buoyant enough and also have little doubts about their true love for each other. Don't you think having strong ties to Nigeria will convince the VO that the beneficiary truly loves the petitioner and is willing to leave his country where he is doing well to be with his fiancee? Don't you also think that that strong tie is a form of assurance for the VO that the beneficiary would return back to Nigeria in case he breaks up with his fiancee before the 90days?

In summary, it's not a must the beneficiary must be working or must have a bank account for him to be granted a K1 Visa. It's not also a compulsory requirement to submit any documents proving such. But if one has a bank account with lots of transactions in it (even if the account is in the red) or is working, I advice he comes with evidence proving such. After all he submitted a DS-160 Non-immigration Form during his application for K1 Visa and in the form he provided info on his place of work and how much he earns on a monthly basis. It's not a crime if he goes with those documents as evidence to backup what he filled in on that non-immigrant form.

cc: sharpman1

Beneficiaries can add whatever they think will boost their case and improve their chances. Information can not be too much with these people, they will simply ignore what they don't need.....

but i really don't think it is important to include the beneficiary's account statement unless it is specifically asked for.

EgunMogaji:


That's a ridiculous scenario.

Financials form beneficiaries are not required for approval. Of course if a beneficiary should lay out the groundwork that solicits questions from the VO then he need to be prepared to back it up with proof.

This is akin to being stopped by a police officer who asks to see your drivers license and then you respond by saying you have no dead body in your trunk. Of course he would now want to see inside you trunk now that you brought it up.

In any case I'll yield to you guys.

EgunMogaji is out.

You are very funny with your example.

In the DS-160, it was asked specifically if you are working and how much you earn. It's not like you offered that information without being asked.

So if I'm to use your scenario, then the police asked for drivers license and also asked if you have any dead body on the trunk (probably because there is an intelligence that there's been a murder incident). In that case you have to tell him you don't and then it's either he believes your word or he asks to see the booth of your car.

Same for the form. It's asked if you are employed and what is your monthly salary. So if you decide not to lie as a civilised person and fill it in but forgot to bring documentary evidence during the interview. If the VO in his wisdom has reasons to doubt what you filled on the form regarding your monthly income, the VO might request additional documentation don't you think? That's were administrative processing comes in

CrispyMentalist:


He overstayed. Fell in "love" with another American. Got married. Brought her to Nigeria for a traditional wedding. They lived in Naija for a while, about 18 months. He re-applied via the spouse route and was approved.

He had to prove that his previous petitioner put him through "hardship" after their relationship didn't work and that was the reason for his overstaying that visa.

Dude was lucky!

Wow. That was some real luck. The overstay would have been used against him.

sharpman1:




Beneficiaries can add whatever they think will boost their case and improve their chances. Information can not be too much with these people, they will simply ignore what they don't need.....

but i really don't think it is important to include the beneficiary's account statement unless it is specifically asked for.

Imagine if it was asked for during the interview and the person didn't come along with it. I think it's best not to take chances.

LegitBachelor:
G

I don't think it is. This is because it's not spelt out in Black and White. For instance, I could provide a few example to justify that meeting is difficult due to extreme hardship. I could say:
1. Medical Condition of Petitioner
2. Financial Condition of Petitioner
3. Medical Condition of Beneficiary
4. Financial Condition of Beneficiary
5. War Torn Area of Beneficiary
6. Difficulty in getting Visit Visa by Beneficiary
7. etc

All these stories won't cut it except for number 5.

The other reasons (1, 2, 3, 4) will mean that the petitioner may not be able to support the beneficiary so the beneficiary can become a public charge.

Number 4 is not an excuse at all. There are lots of visa free countries where they can meet.

sharpman1:


All these stories won't cut it except for number 5.

The other reasons (1, 2, 3, 4) will mean that the petitioner may not be able to support the beneficiary so the beneficiary can become a public charge.

Number 4 is not an excuse at all. There are lots of visa free countries where they can meet.

Exactly especially in the Nigeria situation. I totally agree with you. I am just trying to list out examples some applicants could give to justify extreme hardship.

sharpman1:




Beneficiaries can add whatever they think will boost their case and improve their chances. Information can not be too much with these people, they will simply ignore what they don't need.....

but i really don't think it is important to include the beneficiary's account statement unless it is specifically asked for.

The singular reason I support going to the interview armed with your bank statement, proof of work, etc is because the VO didn't return my bank statements and my printed whatsapp communication in my stack of evidence. He returned every other document to me. I remember some of the questions went like "what do you do... where do you work..."

My assumption was that he needed my bank statements as some sort of back office justification for my approval, based on the questions he asked. Again, that's just an assumption, I may be wrong.

NB: My reference all the while has been to consular processing (the interview stage) and NOT the initial K1 application.

CrispyMentalist:


The singular reason I support going to the interview armed with your bank statement, proof of work, etc is because the VO didn't return my bank statements and my printed whatsapp communication in my stack of evidence. He returned every other document to me. I remember some of the questions went like "what do you do... where do you work..."

My assumption was that he needed my bank statements as some sort of back office justification for my approval, based on the questions he asked. Again, that's just an assumption, I may be wrong.

NB: My reference all the while has been to consular processing (the interview stage) and NOT the initial K1 application.

Thanks for the insight.

Please enlighten me,is it possible for a US company to employ a Nigerian who resides in Nigeria,if possible under what type of US visa can the person qualify?

odigiri1983:
Please enlighten me,is it possible for a US company to employ a Nigerian who resides in Nigeria,if possible under what type of US visa can the person qualify?

Sorry wrong thread. This thread is for fiance Visa. Do a search for US Work Visa.

hi guys considering the current high spate of visa rejection. I have two questions does K1 visa have a high rejection rate like other non-immigrant visa? secondly does travel history affect ones chances of being issued a K1 visa?

jamoyakz:
hi guys considering the current high spate of visa rejection. I have two questions does K1 visa have a high rejection rate like other non-immigrant visa? secondly does travel history affect ones chances of being issued a K1 visa?

I can't say for sure if K1 Visa has a lower rejection rate compared to non-immigrant visa. However I know that one can qualify for K1 visa even if he doesn't qualify for a B1/B2 Visa.

No, travel history won't affect ones chances of getting a K1 Visa. However having travel history may boost ones chances.

Good morning Guys,

I have been contacted by the embassy concerning my K1 Visa application and was told to make payments, fill My DS-160 form and then schedule my interview date.

I have done all except scheduling interview date. Every time I go the ustraveldoc site to schedule an interview, it tells me there is no available appointment date. What could be the problem? Should I still wait or did I do something wrong?

LegitBachelor:
Good morning Guys,

I have been contacted by the embassy concerning my K1 Visa application and was told to make payments, fill My DS-160 form and then schedule my interview date.

I have done all except scheduling interview date. Every time I go the ustraveldoc site to schedule an interview, it tells me there is no available appointment date. What could be the problem? Should I still wait or did I do something wrong?

Congratulations on getting to this stage.

From what I read, I think they upload avaible times every month and the days are filled up in days.

So i suggest you keep checking everyday until you get an available date.

Good Afternoon everyone....Im a Nigerian but live in Senegal...i reduced my age to 22 years in 2016 when i did my international passport with the intention to travel for europe as a footballer unfortunately it didnt work out...last year i moved to Senegal been talking to this woman in U.S shes 40 years and we planning on getting married in Senegal but she insist she visit and then file for K1 visa then we can marry in U.S there after...she has book her ticket alrealdy. My problem now is the Age difference is the gap not too much because i told her im 37, now how can i convince her my real age wish is 30 since 1996 its in my passport which is 24years now. (My real age the gap is 10 years my passport age the gap is 16 years....is it possible to change my age in the passport?

Please any advice ..what should i do?

sharpman1:


Congratulations on getting to this stage.

From what I read, I think they upload avaible times every month and the days are filled up in days.

So i suggest you keep checking everyday until you get an available date.

Thanks. Was able to schedule finally. However, I have a major challenge. I noticed the DS-160 form number on the scheduled interview page is the one I used for my B1/B2 Visa application. I looked for how to change the DS-160 form number to the current one I'm using for the K1 Visa. I even had to cancel my appointment and reschedule but still didn't succeed. Please what do I do?

LegitBachelor:
Thanks. Was able to schedule finally. However, I have a major challenge. I noticed the DS-160 form number on the scheduled interview page is the one I used for my B1/B2 Visa application. I looked for how to change the DS-160 form number to the current one I'm using for the K1 Visa. I even had to cancel my appointment and reschedule but still didn't succeed. Please what do I do?

Please anyone who has scheduled an interview for the K1 should help here.