ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaOh now we are applying for IR-1/ CR-1 so ???
It took us about 2 weeks to get married in Morocco but it definitely was a chore. Be ready to push your paperwork through yourself.
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2011-11-16 11:11:00
Middle East and North AfricaMoroccan Spouse, filing taxes jointly
Yes, they will allow him in. He needs to have his passport certified by a consulate since Morocco is not part of the Hague convention. It costs like $35 or something close to that. I believe that is still listed on the consulate's website.
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2012-05-15 14:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaMoroccan Spouse, filing taxes jointly
So the first step is to get him an ITIN. This can be done by having him take his passport to the consulate and have it certified. What I did was married filing separately, sent my federal return to TX where the ITINs are processed along with the certified copy of his passport and it delayed the return about 4 weeks if i remember correctly. Is there a reason you would like to file jointly?
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2012-05-11 09:18:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Dictator - offensive?
Wow, if my post gets you that riled up then you probably shouldn't see the movie.
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2012-05-21 13:30:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Dictator - offensive?
We actually saw this movie last night and both laughed out loud through the majority of it. Obviously don't go if your brow is too high, you can't have a little fun or don't like "sophmoric" humor (and if that pertains to you: get over yourself and learn to take things less seriously). The last 15 minutes are probably the best of the entire film and it is great at mocking the idiotic ideas people have about arabs. It basically takes every single stereotype, exaggerates it and rolls it up into a super funny hour and a half. It is definitely not a movie any child should see so get a babysitter, have a date night and enjoy!
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2012-05-21 12:22:00
Middle East and North Africaconfusion at interview in Casablanca
We actually had no luck having people respond to e-mails which is why I would just call. I think the important thing for them to see is that you are involved and are not backing down from this. Whether you choose to e-mail or call, just find the method that gets you noticed.
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2012-06-11 08:54:00
Middle East and North Africaconfusion at interview in Casablanca
This sounds incredibly similar to our experience. My husband's first interview was full of trick questions, for example, she asked him what I have done in my 29 years of life, at the time I was only 26 so he corrected her by saying that his wife is 26. She then went on to tell him that he doesn't know my age and knows nothing about me. My husband stayed firm in stating and restating my birth date and even offered to show her my birth certificate because he of course brought a copy. After hearing how the interview went we were very nervous. I called the consulate the day after his interview and asked why we were denied, they explained that we weren't and were just in AP. Our AP lasted about 5 weeks if I remember correctly and then he was called in for a second interview. The second interview was extremely nice and easy. She asked him to tell her about me and after a few seconds said it was enough. I, of course, called the consulate immediately after his interview and was told that he should stay in Casa because he would be issued the visa the next day.

My recommendation to you is to call them daily and be as nice and sweet on the phone as you can to whoever answers. Just explain that you just want to follow-up on the case and tell them how much you appreciate their help. I talked to the same person almost every day and he ended up being very forth coming with information for us.
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2012-06-11 08:33:00
Middle East and North AfricaNew here and hoping to learn - Morocco
Just take a sleeping pill and sleep through the flight or maybe try hypnosis!
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2012-06-14 13:07:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe hoping not to be denied at Casablanca thread

Glad to hear rverythings going well. As for us we are preparing for the move and transition. It's exciting.
Re: any things and/or products specific to Morocco that your husbands were happy they brought over or if they didn't they regret it?
Anyone know of interviews coming up? Things have seemed quiet at casa lately.



We both wish he would have brought over some olive oil. We also forgot to bring some home with us the last time we went back to visit together.
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2010-08-30 14:01:00
Middle East and North AfricaIt's Finally Done!

I, too, heard about this on the WCCO radio yesterday. I thought they said it was the largest gathering of Oath ceramoy ever in the nation.

A big congrats to your hubby and you! Very exciting!!!



Yeah, it was absolutely amazing to see that many people. There were 100 countries represented and as they read the countries (from smallest number of people taking the oath to largest) the people there were asked to stand. Morocco was about 2/3 of the way through with 4 members, Canada had like 30 I want to say, a few Asian countries had 40-60 and the last country to be read had about 600-700 people. It was a very cool experience!
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2012-09-07 15:02:00
Middle East and North AfricaIt's Finally Done!
Thanks, everyone! Seriously, it's so hard to even believe at this point. I keep thinking that I should be gathering documents for the next form we have to fill out :)
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2012-09-07 14:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaIt's Finally Done!
I am so incredibly happy writing this post, yesterday my husband became a US citizen along with 1,509 other people in Minneapolis, MN. Yesterday marked the end of the exciting, stressful and seemingly endless journey that we have been on since 2007 when we met, fell in love and married. Overall our journey was relatively easy; my husband passed all of his interviews and we never had an RFE. But I don't think it would have been this way without the help of all of you. We will continue to visit this site periodically and I hope that the knowledge we've accumulated will come in handy for those still going through the process. Good luck to everyone!
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2012-09-07 10:29:00
Middle East and North AfricaMarriage -help plz-
It took us 2 weeks 2 days to get married in Morocco and we were very organized and basically sat in people's offices to make sure they were working our stuff first. Plan 3 weeks to be safe.
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2013-02-08 11:04:00
Middle East and North AfricaCraziest interview questions
I agree, it's all about how they handle the question. My husband was asked to tell the interviewer what I had done in my 29 years of life. I was 26 at the time and so he corrected her with my age and birth date. She fought with him saying that he didn't even know his wife's birthday but that was definitely just a test. He remained calm and sure in his answers which was important.
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2013-02-08 11:09:00
Middle East and North AfricaJust a little whining and feeling sorry for myself

Leaving my husband in Morocco was the worst feeling in the world.  I still hate airports because they represented the sadness that I used to feel when I would have to fly back home.  That being said, as hard as it is, try to think positive about it.  You will be coming home to start your petition and then you're one step closer to starting a life together permanently.  It's going to suck when you leave, there's no way around it.  I remember how it felt and there is nothing that will help make it better.  Try to immerse yourself in work or studies to help take your mind off of it. 


New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2013-05-23 13:27:00
Middle East and North AfricaCR1 interview-Need to fix my certification of marriage

I think it only took a week to fix our issue.  It wasn't long at all. 


New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2013-06-11 10:09:00
Middle East and North AfricaCR1 interview-Need to fix my certification of marriage

Yeah, that's exactly what they did for us.  They couldn't correct the actual contract but they gave me another page that mentioned the contract and I sent the contract and that other page (had both translated to english) in our packets.  The consulate never had a problem with it.


New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2013-06-06 10:19:00
Middle East and North AfricaCR1 interview-Need to fix my certification of marriage

No, the issue with ours was related to my job.  At that time I worked in customer service and they put Customs Officer.  So that was the correction they made.  We have never had any issues with it, no RFEs, no issues at the consulate.  My husband received his visa right away and is now a US Citizen. 


New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2013-06-05 11:32:00
Middle East and North AfricaCR1 interview-Need to fix my certification of marriage

We needed our marriage contract corrected too, but we did that before we even submitted the paperwork.  I noticed it was incorrect a few days after we had it done.  We went to the Adoul that did the contract and he wrote a correction that referred to the contract.  So when we submitted the paperwork i just included that correction that he wrote and had notarized.  If i remember correctly, that didn't take long at all.  probably just a week or so. 


New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2013-06-03 15:20:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhat do your husbands do for work when they arrive to USA?

My husband started out working in the produce department at a grocery store.  It was a very low stress job that allowed him to communicate with people and gain some confidence.  He went back to school as well right away and has moved into the industry he's studying. 


New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2013-05-10 13:31:00
Middle East and North AfricaCAIRO'S FINAL REVIEW CLUB

Cairo, thanks for the update. You beat me to it, but I was thinking the same reason that the DOS told you, that they were unreachable due to all the Americans calling in request to seach for family/friends in the Haiti crisis. I am not sure why the embassy is not returning emails. As for us, I decided to only call the DOS every couple weeks. It's only been two months of the seven that they told us we have to wait....so I am trying to be as patient as I can but it's hard because I miss my husband terribly. InshaAllah, we will all hear something soon.


I hope it doesn't take 7 months! This must be very hard on you. Are you planning a visit anytime soon?
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2010-01-20 13:46:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhat was it like to see him for the first time?

The first time I met my husband in person was at the airport in Tangier.  I also did the primping during my layover in Madrid, I was very grateful to have that time since the flight from Minnesota to Madrid was quite long.  When I got in line for customs I was stuck in the slowest possible line so I ended up being the last person from that plane (at that time Tangier's airport was quite small).  So after finally getting through customs I was supposed to walk through these big doors out to where the people would be.  It took me about 5 minutes to finally get the nerve up to go through the doors.  When I did, I saw him leaning against a wall with his friend.  We both saw eachother and I walked up to him.  He kissed both my cheeks and then we had to go find his other friend who was sent running through the airport to look for me because I was so late they thought maybe I got lost. 

 

It was great that he had a friend with, we were able to sit in the back seat of the car on the way to his city and it gave us plenty of time to chat and relax.  That feeling of seeing him for the first time though... one of the happiest moments in my life.  We were married a couple weeks later and now we're having our first child! 


New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2013-05-30 10:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage in Morocco????
My marriage contract does not list my religion. I don't know where they would get that. In the translation to english however, it does list me as a spinster and my husband as a bachelor.... I didn't think that was too fair! I was only 25 at the time and already a spinster!
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2011-05-25 07:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs this going to be a problem? IRS 2010 filed single but married...

First IRS allows you to file as single or married when you have spouse without SS card. You do not have to claim her as a dependent. But you can. To do this, you have to file a W-7 for a ITIN (individual taxpayer Identication Number) So, if she is working, you have to pay taxes on her income earned outside the country. The W-7 can only be applied for with your federal Tax Returns. You have to enclose copy of marriage certificate, her birth certificate, (both translated and certified in English, passport (all pages), and National ID card.I sent mine in Feb 21st and got my return in July. So, you can see the good and bad points of this. But it does prove joint accounts so I did it. With the ITIN, you are able to add her to bank or savings to show joint account also to immigration and at embassy interview. Hope this helps.
H



That is not 100% correct, if you do not want to apply for the ITIN you would file "married - filing separately" You should not file as single. You can certainly amend it later on if you do file as single but you really should file as married.
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2011-07-12 17:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs this going to be a problem? IRS 2010 filed single but married...
I don't think it really should be a question of whether it turned out fine for some or not. I'm a tax analyst and can say that if you are married you should be filing as married. You can choose to file separately or jointly, but you should be filing as married. Requesting an ITIN is very simple and only delays your federal return by a couple of weeks. Well worth the hassle to comply with the law!
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2011-07-12 14:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion about when to send in evidence for IR-1/CR-1 visa (and a few other questions)(

Ouch, at least some (if not all) of that should have been submitted with the I-130. However, you have a second chance for submission, see my next answer.



Send it with the DS-230 package. The interview, especially in Casablanca, is not the time to try and submit evidence for the first time when it could have been submitted earlier.




By sending those kinds of items to the NVC, it will likely slow the case down. However, given that your husband will have to interview at a very tough Consulate, it's essential that those items you have be part of the file a CO will see prior to the interview. As I said before, the ideal time to submit such evidence is when the I-130 is filed, however, since that ship in your case has already sailed, you have a second chance to submit items along with the DS-230 package.


I agree, you definitely want to frontload the application with Casa. However, make sure you make copies of everything and bring it with you to the interview. They have a habit of asking for information you have already submitted. The interview will also be a good time to bring additional evidence. Try to make it there for the interview if you can and even an additional trip before wouldn't hurt. My husband and I married on my first trip there and I made a second trip there before we sent in our application and we had no problems. We also front loaded the application. Make sure you also include some affidavits from your friends and family as well as his.
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2011-08-15 08:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 interview given 221g ask to wait 2 weeks
My husband got his passport back after the interview and we were issued a visa with no problems. In fact, I called the consulate and the person I spoke to told me we were approved but had to wait for the name checks and such to be completed.
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2011-06-01 10:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFedex packages to Morocco-Pros and Cons
You aren't necessarily dealing with 1 company in both countries. Last time I checked Fedex didn't have any home offices in Morocco, once the package arrives in Morocco and goes out for delivery it is handled by servicing companies for Fedex. Fedex basically loses visibility once the package arrives in Morocco and can be held by customs for any amount of time.
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2011-10-26 09:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow are Moroccan Spouses Fairing in the U.S.?
My husband has had a very easy time here in America. I know he misses his family back in Morocco but he was able to find work quickly, start college, become a Certified Nurisng Assistant, find a better job as a CNA, and is awaiting the decision of whether he was accepted into nursing school or not. He came to America speaking, writing and reading English very well and has tested into higher college classes than I did in Math and science. He's made several friends at the mosque and we have been able to share in holidays with them. I do my best to make holidays special for him and cook Moroccan for him. I know he's happy to be in America but I believe he wouldn't be here if it wasn't because of me. All in all, I am very proud of how well he has done here and feel like we're very lucky that he was able to find work so quickly here.
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2011-11-13 13:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNew Fastest NVC Process Final Version - 1.5
QUOTE (lotofpatience @ May 12 2008, 10:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
To all VJ guys...

Here is the final draft of the NVC document. I have added the NVC's crazy RFE message too here. I encourage everybody to use this version 1.5 and discard all my previous versions.

If you follow this path, you can get out of NVC in one month time good.gif good.gif good.gif

Good luck to everybody star_smile.gif star_smile.gif star_smile.gif



Where is this document located?
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2008-07-11 10:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresbonafide relationship
Pictures... letters... e-mails.

I'm not sure if skype has a log unless you've told it to save your chats/calls. I know you have to change a setting on MSN to save all conversations to your computer.
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2009-09-18 12:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresReally at a dead end over erroneous tax filing
Yeah, I filed Married filing separately because I claim none of his income and he has no US taxable income.

I actually didn't have his ITIN when I filed, however I had sent in the application. My tax person just put Petitioned in the section for it. My husband received the ITIN about 3 weeks after I petitioned for it.

Edited by bowlerbabe770, 17 October 2008 - 07:27 PM.

New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2008-10-17 19:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresReally at a dead end over erroneous tax filing
Yeah, the ITIN is really easy to obtain. The passport biographic pages need to be photocopied and they need to be certified from a US Consulate or Embassy or if the country is part of the Hauge or Hague convention it can be done from a person who is authorized to certify for the US. My husband just took the ITIN application, you can get that from the IRS website, to the Consulate in Casablanca and they certified the copies of his passport along with witnessing his signature on the form itself.

Super easy to do!
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2008-10-17 17:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNew Job
QUOTE (WaitingforRakesh @ Dec 9 2008, 05:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You have to do an updated Avid of Support when the CR1 case gets to the NVC anyway or to the consulate if you go the K3 route. You would include the updates with that, such as increase in salary and if your bank accounts have more money, home is paid off more. As long as your old salary and position was in line with the poverty guidelines, there is nothing to worry about.

Congradulations on your promotion!



Thank you, and thank you for the information! My old job, and obviously my new job are above the guidelines. I've never been concerned about that. but i didn't want a descepency in the information they have on file for me.

Thanks again though!
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2008-12-10 15:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNew Job
I was recently promoted to a new position. On all of my paperwork my job title is listed as my old job. Is there a need for me to write and inform the USCIS of my promotion?

Thanks!

Edited by bowlerbabe770, 09 December 2008 - 03:11 PM.

New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2008-12-09 15:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2!!!
QUOTE (Waldo @ Feb 4 2009, 07:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
congratulations. If you sent in the I129F why are you posting this in the CR1?



Because both my CR1 and I129F were approved. I am following both tracks right now until one is faster. I'm hoping the CR1
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2009-02-04 20:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2!!!
Hey Everyone!!

Just when I least expected it I received the e-mail indicating the I130 and the I129F have both been approved on the same day!!!!

Hopefully the next stage will go smoothly!!!
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2009-02-04 20:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApproved
Congrats and best of luck!!!!
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2009-02-05 09:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiche Anthropometrique
QUOTE (Jenn! @ Feb 5 2009, 09:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The police station had never heard of it? It's just the police report, so that seems surprising. In which city does your husband live?

ETA: Maybe they don't understand the French? It's "Hussen Sira" in arabic.



He lives in Tetouan. The police station said that they would provide him with the only police certificate that they have to provide. He's going to check with the courts tomorrow to see if they know anything different and I e-mailed the consulate... not sure if they'll have any other information. I just really want to make sure all the documents that are needed are obtained... We've been apart too long already smile.gif
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2009-02-05 22:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiche Anthropometrique
QUOTE (jasman0717 @ Feb 5 2009, 07:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Did you try googling it?



Yeah, but it's all in french and I don't speak french. I just wanted to know if other people from Morocco had done this so I can find out what they were able to provide
New BeginningsFemaleMorocco2009-02-05 21:11:00