U.S. Embassy Did Not Issue Visa Due to "Too Short of a Relationship"
I was introduced to my fiancee last November 2008. While getting to know her, I was also finalizing a divorce. In January 2009, I visited my fiancee and we fall in love and got engaged during my trip, while on the back-burner my divorce papers were taking care of themselves finalized while I was on my trip. When I return back to the United States I put together all the necessary paperwork for fiancee visa and everything was approved on US side, then during my fiancee's recent interview (Sept 2nd 2009) at US embassy, the officer ask her about my ex and kept prying at her asking why she didn't know anything of my ex. My fiancee told the consular "his past history is his past history and all he told me was, 'he was married once before and his ex-wife was a bad person. That's it...they are no longer together. He left it at that.'" My fiancee answered to the best of her knowledge and this was the just of what I told her of my ex and all that she knew at that time. Well, the consular decided based on his own judgment stating, "why did we start a relationship if I was going through a divorce and why after only 2-3 months decided to get engage?". When he questioned this, I became very confused and wondered how can he based my love life on a time period and my past since we have the finalized divorce paper. Now our paperwork has been sent back to the US for possible revocation. All our papers and documents are sufficient. We have pictures, videos, letters, phone records.etc to prove our relationship but it seem like it's still not enough. Can someone tell me what we need to do from here?
Re: U.S. Embassy Did Not Issue Visa Due to "Too Short of a Relationship"
Although I'm not the consular officer, and only he can tell you for sure, it sounds to me like the problem was less what she said and more what you said. When asked about the short-term nature of your relationship and the rapid progression from divorce to engagement to marriage, you "became very confused" and rather than explaining you apparently starting to question what right he had to even ask you that question.
If you get a denial letter, the letter will include information on how to appeal (by filing USCIS Form I-290B with the office that made the decision). You can then either appeal, or build your relationship and try for another visa at a later date. The denial of a K1 visa is "without prejudice" meaning that the denial shouldn't affect your subsequent application; but you may want to consult an immigration lawyer before reapplying to make sure that you've resolved the issues that are most likely to be of concern.
Re: U.S. Embassy Did Not Issue Visa Due to "Too Short of a Relationship"
Thank you for taking the time to read my post and offer some sound advice. I understand you read/reply to thousands of posts; however just to have someone give feedback to our situation is very relieving. I am "confused" because my emotions has gotten the best of me and I'm still somewhat perplex about the immigration process. Anyhow, I know you are probably tired of reading my cheese and wine drama. Again, I truly appreciate your response and just to get feedback from someone is good.
PS keep doing what you do because it might not mean much to some, but it means a world of difference to someone like me who's going through a very stressful period in life
Re: U.S. Embassy Did Not Issue Visa Due to "Too Short of a Relationship"
Sorry to be just now seeing this:
There are some websites out there (sorry, I don't have the bookmarks) full of tips from people doing immigration on a K-1 Fiance(e) Visa.
Having done this myself (brought fiance over from Canada) (well, now, ex-husband)....
Overdue everything in your application package.
They want to see EVERYTHING. Ours was 400 pages. And took me 2 months to assemble everything.
They want photos of you with each others family members. They want photos of you in each others country (Example: Us in front of major stadium in his country, in West Edmonton Mall, major lighthouse in Michigan, photo of him and my mom, photo of me with his family).
They want correspondence. Yes, print out those Instant Messages. Make copies of those Birthday cards. Copies of phone bills.
They want proof you can support both of you, so yes, paystubs, bank statement, letter from your bank saying how long you have had an account and a years account history. Letter from your employer saying how long you've been employed, how much you make.
Trust me....they want EVERYTHING. And it is easier to give them too much info than not enough.
It took 4 months to get approved. Then more time for him to do the Medical Exam, Interview, etc.
It's a time consuming and expensive process, but worth it if you really love the other person.
Good luck to you.
PS: Be sure to keep a copy for yourself of the entire package.