Family reunification first time.

[TonyB]

Dear Ægteskabudengraenser,

Thank you for making such a great forum. I have a question regarding to my family reunification with my GF and really need your advice. A couple of days ago, I read about the case of the Danish astrophysician with his American wife, it made me quite worry because I don’t know if my family reunification would be rejected in the same situation.

I am naturalised Danish citizen and my GF is from non-EU country. We met in June 2016 in Holland and she had visited me for about 2 months in DK on her Dutch Schengen Visa.

Then I visited her for 5 weeks in January 2017. On March 2017, she has come visit me here in DK on the same visa which is valid until 31st June 2017.

Now, we are planning to get married and apply for family reunification and I have 2 questions.

1. Should we get married in her home country and apply via the Danish Embassy? Do you think it will take longer for the paperwork before she can come here?
2. Would it be better if we get married here in DK and apply for family reunification and send our paperwork directly to the immigration office and wait for the result?

But the thing that makes me still confused most and not quite understand is how the immigration will judge if our relationship has stronger tight here than in my GF’s country? If we apply here in DK, do I have to send all pictures and flight tickets plus hotel room where we have been together during the time we have been in EU?

I would greatly appreciate if you can give me suggestions of what should I do regarding to my family reunification case. I am already feeling worry when thinking about this paperwork and really want to avoid mistake as much as possible.

Thank you all so much in advance and I wish you all had a great Sunday.

Best regards,
TonyB

[skaanebo]

Where you decide to marry is not important. In practise it might be easier to marry in Denmark but it's entirely up to you.

Which country is your gf from? And what is your previous nationality? How many years have you been a Danish citizen?

[TonyB]

Thank you skaanebo for your reply.

Which country is your gf from? And what is your previous nationality? How many years have you been a Danish citizen?

My GF is Vietnamese. My previous nationality is Vietnamese. I have been a Danish citizen for a year. Both of us are over 30.

[mh1]

Where were you born, and how many years have you lived in DK, and how many (if any) in another country?

Those questions are important for evaluating whether you would have problems with fulfilling the attachment requirement (jointly more attached to DK than to any other country). Your GF should have visited DK at least once, so on her side things may be OK.

[TonyB]

Thank you mh for your reply.

Where were you born, and how many years have you lived in DK, and how many (if any) in another country?

I was born in Vietnam and have been living in Denmark since 2000. I have been living here only.

Your GF should have visited DK at least once, so on her side things may be OK

Does it matter if my GF has to have Danish Schengen Visa to visit Denmark or as long as it is a Schengen Visa, it should be ok?

Once again, thank you for your answer.

[mh1]

No, it does not matter, but it could be that the US would come to the conclusion that your attachment is not sufficient. I would definitely advice to prepare a plan B, which would be to use the EU-rules, and begin your married life together in the Netherlands or in Germany. Then move to DK after 3 months.

[TonyB]

Hej mh,

Thank you for your suggestion. I am also thinking about my case can be rejected due to the attachment requirements. Anyway, I will try to apply for my GF under national law first since I am working here and don't really not want to stop my job but if it turned sour then I would move to Malmo to apply under EU law.

Once again, thank you all for your suggestions.

Best regards,
Tony