newkidontheblock wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25, 2020 7:43 am

daeum_tnaot wrote:I would think that your wife would be happy enough with a marriage in another country?

I also was under the impression that you were applying for a fiance visa, not a spousal visa. So you got married in Cambodia and got the spousal visa to the US?

A big part of her happiness is marriage in the eyes of the family and community and validation by the entire village. Plus her older sister had been preparing for this moment for years, possibly decades. So no, she would not be happy to elope to another country and have a marriage that would be never recognized in Cambodia.

I want her to start the future, happy, not JUST happy enough. Never what her to think what if, I COULD have gone through with marriage in Cambodia BUT decided NOT to do it because I’m a cheapskate or couldn’t be bothered enough with the hassle? That would speak volumes about the relationship.

Every Khmer better half is different and unique.

Spousal visa is a stronger testament of a committed relationship than a fiancée visa. Married and having kids together is an even stronger evidence of commitment. The job of the embassy is to examine the relationship and make sure it’s not a fake marriage scam. Hence, potential for lot more challenging interview. Their other job is to make sure that the sponsor can afford to support them after bringing her over.

Fiancée visa is theoretically faster because there is less evidence to examine. But higher possibility of rejection because less evidence of committed relationship and financial support to back it up.

Good luck!