Q27) We are a ‘NIKKAH ONLY’ case. Should we apply NOW or AFTER our rukhsati?
There is no clear cut answer to this. We have seen number of nikkah only cases getting through. However, we have also seen a slightly higher number of nikkah only cases ending up in interview or their process going preposterously lengthy. Majority of us believe it is best to wait and gather all rukhsati, walima and post marriage event photos and receipts and applying after that. However there are a few success stories of nikkah only cases getting through. In the end, it is you who has to evaluate all the risk factors and act accordingly.
You can apply as a Nikkah-only case, however burden of proof is on you to convince visa officer that your marriage is genuine and your reason to file as Nikkah-only is valid and accepted by Visa Officer.
EXPERT ADVICE: Try to avoid putting file as 'Nikkah-only'. If you cannot, then you must ensure you provide adequate reasoning. Before you write any reasons, you have to understand all the reasons - in your case - of not doing Rukhsati. If you are going to file as Nikkah-only case, then also show your progression from Nikkah to Rukhsati and Walima throughout the processing duration of your file.
If no Rukhsati is performed, then it means marriage isn't consummated and bride may remarry without stigma attached to divorce because she is still a virgin. If a Nikkah is performed, then it couldn't be dissolved without divorce regardless of whether or not the Rukhsati was done and the marriage was consummated but the bride and groom are 'properly' married in the eyes of the community until after Rukhsati.
Word of Advice: Don't rely solely on Nikkah-only cases which have gone through successfully, because refusal ratio is high. Rukhsati should be done to have less chances of refusal.
[ 05 Oct 2017 ] Post by Abdullah Salim
With utmost respect to all current Nikkah-only cases, and with complete understanding of the circumstances that might lead people to not do Rukhsati before applying. Lets look at it purely from a "Refusal Risk" or a "Complication Risk" point of view: it just doesn't add up.
The risk is too great in my humble opinion. Risking Nikkah-only applications even with the reason that it might not have been practical/convenient to do Proper Rukhsati before applying seems like an "avoidable" sub-optimal situtation. Especially so when LVO is exercising Extreme caution in making sure marriages "conform to Pakistani culture". Marriage is a life altering event. So is immigration and changing countries. Just sharing thoughts looking at whats been going on lately with several cases. Examples of Smooth rides of Nikkah only cases at LVO are few and far between and these seem more like outliers.
Some examples of 'Nikkah only' cases:
[ PS: You can search for more in Facebook groups by typing 'Nikkah Only' or 'Nikah Only' ]