10 Mistakes to Avoid when You Apply for a Fiance Visa
Getting a fiancée visa can be a stressful process, no matter how in love you might be. You might even say that the more in love you are, the more stressful the legal process can be!
It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Here are ten common mistakes that draw out the process–common mistakes you can easily avoid.
1. Not Getting a Visa Lawyer
Getting a lawyer is probably the biggest step you can take to avoid hardship during the visa process. They know all the forms you should fill out, all the procedures and protocol you need to follow, and can make recommendations specific to your case.
2. Not Being Prepared for the Interview
The interview process can be nerve wracking, no matter how honest you and your loved one’s intentions are. U.S. consul officials are constantly on the lookout for anyone who’s trying to “get one past” them.
If you act nervous, you may be sending out detrimental vibes. One thing that can help you to be calm and relaxed is to know 100% that all of your paperwork and other “official” business is in order.
3. Not Supplying the Consistent Documentation
It’s important to make 100% sure that you supply everything the consul officer asks for. It’s important to make sure that the basic information (name–including middle or other names), birth date, place of birth, current residence, etc.) is the same on all of these documents. If they are not, be sure your fiancée can give a good reason why!
4. Applying Shortly After Being Refused another Kind of Visa (Such as a Work Visa)
Nothing says “shady” like applying for a fiancée soon after being refused for another kind. If you and your spouse-to-be find yourselves in this circumstance, find a good visa attorney and see what your options are.
5. Not Having Your Fiancée’s Required Documents at the Ready
This is important for many reasons. If your fiancée doesn’t have his or her required documents, it’s a good idea to get them ASAP.
6. Not Having Your Required Documents Ready
The U.S.C.I.S. really can be a stickler! You’d think it would be unnecessary to provide your own birth certificate, to say nothing of all of the other documents you need to show.
Even if you already have multiple forms of ID (such as a state-issued photo ID and, presumably, a passport), you still may need to show your own birth certificate if you want the fiancée visa process to be an easy one.
7. Giving Up Too Easily
Unfortunately, a large percentage of these visa petitions get shot down, the first time around when you apply without a lawyer.
Sometimes you simply haven’t filled out all the right paperwork. A visa lawyer can save you a lot of time, stress, and heartache; he or she will know all the right forms you need to fill out, and will make sure you do so–and do it right!
8. Putting False Information on Your Forms
Consulate officials will subtly cross-examine your spouse-to-be, and/or ask trick questions, just to make triple-sure the information on the forms is correct. Lying on paper (or for that matter, in the interview) is not only unnecessary–it’s a good way to get denied entry into the U.S.
9. Not Getting Married On Time!
You will typically have 90 days after the visa is secured, in order to get married. Don’t try and make it the “perfect” wedding, if that will somehow push you past the 90 day date. The U.S. consulate does not joke around!
This may mean that you can’t set an exact wedding date as far in advance as you would like. That’s okay. Just tell both families what the situation is, letting them know the approximate time of year you plan to get married, and then let them know more as soon as you’re clear with your fiancée’s approval.
10. Trying to Do Everything Yourself
This is the biggest mistake most people face. If you’ve never applied for a fiancée visa before (and chances are, you haven’t), the whole process can seem confusing–even daunting. A visa lawyer or even anyone with experience can help you make the process go faster. You owe it to yourself, as well as to your spouse-to-be!