NOTE: FORDMURRAY IS AN IMMIGRATION LAW FIRM. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY CONNECTION WITH TLC’S “90 Day Fiancé.”
TO FIND OUT HOW TO APPLY FOR ” 90 Day Fiancé,” click here.
To learn more about lessons you can learn about the application process from the show, please keep reading. While FordMurray doesn’t assist in casting for 90 Day Fiancé, we’re able to assist in fiancé and marriage-based green card petitions.
Cable network station TLC seems to have found a winning formula with their reality TV show “90 Day Fiancé”. The show enters its sixth season in 2019, in addition to spawning spin-offs, special event episodes, and a web series. It follows couples pursuing a K-1 Visa, allowing foreign-born fiancés to come to the US for 90 days before getting married.
These programs present a stone soup of love stories and melodrama. Best served with a healthy side of disbelief – this is all about entertainment, after all. Some couples appear for their 15 minutes of fame, while some go through a process resulting in a future together in the US.
Believe it or not, there are some lessons that can be learned about the K-1 Visa by watching the show.
You Should Only Apply for a K-1 Visa if you Have a Real Relationship with Your Fiancé
In today’s digital age, there are numerous ways to meet the love of your life – regardless of where they’re born. Our attorneys have worked with people who met in study abroad programs, and while traveling. Even on international dating sites, just to name a few. Regardless of how you meet your fiancé, you’ll need to show evidence of a real relationship during your interview. Examples of evidence could include:
- Plane tickets to visit your fiancé
- Photos of you and your fiancé
- Social media posts of you and your fiancé
- Dated correspondence between you and your fiancé. Ex. letters, emails, and skype phone calls all work
Providing evidence for an interview is important. It is also important for you to have a real idea of who you are planning to marry. Talk about your future together and what married life looks like to you. Make sure you have mutual values and shared experiences. This will inform the decision to build a life together.
Your Family Should be Involved
Exceptions to this rule exist, but if your family/close friends don’t approve of your relationship, think of the reasons. In 90 Day Fiancé, there are examples of racism and closed-mindedness. Additionally, there are family members who are trying to protect their loved ones – the sponsors and the beneficiaries.
Don’t Ignore Red Flags
Many of the relationships in “90 Day Fiancé” are riddled with red flags, adding to the drama of the show. The fact is that during the visa application process, a fiancé visa will be evaluated, trying to prevent sham marriages. None of these “red flags” are impossible. We have worked with plenty of people from diverse cultural backgrounds who have potential warning signs. Your visa petition is taken as a whole. If you have any of the following red flags, you’ll want to be prepared for extra scrutiny.
During your visa application process, immigration officers will pay special attention to the following red flags:
Significant cultural differences
The most memorable couples we have worked with have dealt with cultural barriers and go on to have happy marriages. When there are no commonalities – different religious, ethnic, cultural, social, educational, or financial backgrounds, a red flag will be raised. Josh and Aleksandra overcame this obstacle in Season 3. Aleksandra, a former atheist, and partier converted to Mormonism. The couple spent time together in Prague, Russia, and in the United States before getting married.
Significant age differences
Age differences aren’t insurmountable, but they can put extra scrutiny on a K-1 visa application. It is especially important for couples with an age difference of over 15 years to show evidence of their relationship. David of Season 5 (48) showed his commitment to fiancé Annie (24) by moving to Thailand. He moved there for a prolonged period prior to applying for the K-1 visa.
Timeline and length of your relationship with your Fiancé
In matters of the heart, things move quickly – just ask 90 Day Fiancé couple, Justin and Evelyn. They met while attending the 2013 World Games rugby tournament. The couple said they fell in love after just seven days. She then moved to the US to marry Justin. How did they overcome this red flag? Despite their fast romance, they were able to show enough proof of their relationship. Their K-1 visa was approved and they are still married.
What to Do If You are Considering a K-1 Visa Petition for your Fiancé
When considering a K-1 visa petition for your fiancé, it’s important to be prepared for the application and interview process. In some ways, the K-1 petition is straightforward. As is the case with all immigration laws, it is important to be prepared. The best way to set yourself up for success is by hiring an experienced immigration attorney. Click here to schedule a complimentary consultation with senior counsel Aga Asbury (a big fan of 90 Day Fiancé). Download our complimentary Guide to Family Sponsorship and Fiancé Visas here.
