I got engaged!!

[papi]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: I got engaged!!, posted by utopiacowboy on Jul 4, 2005

probably more complicated than the k1 but sounds like a reasonable option for guys that want to marry abroad

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: I got engaged!!, posted by papi on Jul 4, 2005

[This message has been edited by utopiacowboy]

It's actually simpler than the K-1. You file an I-130 and after it gets approved and you go through the NVC, she has an interview at the embassy and enters with an immigrant visa. Her green card comes in the mail a few weeks later. Contrast this with the K-1: You file an I-129F which gets approved and she gets a K-1 visa. After she enters, you have 90 days to get married. After you get married you have to file an I-485 to adjust her status which depending on the local office you're dealing with, may take years. In the meantime if she wants to work you have to file an I-765 to get an Employment Authorization Document.  If she wants to return home for a visit in the meantime without being deemed to have abandoned her application for adjustment, you have to file an I-131 for Advance Parole. That's simpler?? Faster yes but simpler definitely not. One last thing, the clock for citizenship doesn't start to run until she has permanent resident status. For a spouse entering with an immigrant visa, the three year clock starts running the day she arrives. For a K-1 fiancee, it doesn't start to run until the AOS application is approved and that may take a year or two, less if you're lucky.

[papi]

... in response to Why more complicated?, posted by utopiacowboy on Jul 4, 2005

I dont know much about the I130. So you are telling me it is easier to marry say someone in the beloved land of Colombia and get her here quicker and easier than the k1??? Are you certain about this??? how long does the process take???

[Ray]

... in response to I130, posted by papi on Jul 4, 2005

Papi,

There is no quick or easy way to bring a foreign spouse here, unless she already has a visa when you meet her. I think you may be looking at this whole process bass-ackwards. My advice is to:

1. Find that special lady

2. Wait until you are both absolutely certain that you want to marry

3. Discuss all the options and decide together whether you want to marry over there or marry here

4. File the correct petition for the marriage option you chose

There is no rule on which visa option (K-1/K-3/CR-1) is better. It all depends on the individual couple’s situation and desires. Personally, I decided to leave the choice of wedding options up to my bride and we had a traditional wedding in the Philippines. It worked for us and that was one of the smartest decisions I have ever made :-)

Ray

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Forget "Quicker and Easier", posted by Ray on Jul 4, 2005

What is best really depends on an individual's circumstances and desires. What works for one may not be the best choice for someone else. And often there are things to consider other than simply what will get her here fastest. No, you couldn't describe any of the options as fast or easy.

[papi]

... in response to Forget "Quicker and Easier", posted by Ray on Jul 4, 2005

well my friend, I get asked a lot about the immigration process and just got an education on the I-130 - I had no idea it was even an option. I thought you had two choices: K1 and K3 and always leaned towards K1 if someone asked. Nothing about this project is quick or easy but I was led to believe that the K3 has become a real bottleneck. As far as finding the right lady, that is a whole other program

[Ray]

... in response to Re: Forget "Quicker and Easier"..., posted by papi on Jul 4, 2005

Just a note: you can not file for a K-3 unless you file the Form I-130 first.

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to I130, posted by papi on Jul 4, 2005

If all you care about is getting her in the US the fastest way possible, the K-1 is still the way to go. However as I pointed out and as JK points out in his subsequent post, there is less paperwork in the long run. It wasn't a feasible option before because it was taking the service centers years to approve I-130s but now that they are up to speed, it's a viable option.

[Ray]

... in response to Not quicker but in the long run less pap..., posted by utopiacowboy on Jul 4, 2005

Cowboy,

Before the K-3 visa went in to effect in 2001, the average time to process a visa for your spouse was probably close to a year, depending mostly on which Service Center you were using. After I returned home following our wedding and honeymoon in 2000, I filed the I-130 petition in California and she was here in time to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. Total visa processing time for the CR-1 was just about 9.5 months. For some guys filing in Texas at that time, they waited about 18 months.

Ray

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to I-130 not really that bad, posted by Ray on Jul 4, 2005

They went downhill after that. At one time it was taking Texas 2 years to approve an I-130 for a spouse.

[jediknight]

... in response to I130, posted by papi on Jul 4, 2005

[This message has been edited by jediknight]

after speaking to gary bala in barranquilla, it appears that a K1 will physically get her here faster but you'll have to deal with a more complicated process of getting her papers, ie green card, SS card, permission to travel, etc. getting married in colombia and doing it the other way will take about 3-8 months depending on the center but she enters with all of the paper work. that's the route we'll be taking.
JK

[papi]

... in response to Re: I130, posted by jediknight on Jul 4, 2005

this (I130) was all news to me - sounds like a good plan

[Frank O]

... in response to I got engaged!!, posted by jediknight on Jul 3, 2005

Way to go. I think the way you described things you did NOT rush it. ONce again Congratulations & God bless!!