K1 vs. K3

[oldskool 0]

I've lived with my girlfriend for the past 3 years and am moving back to America soon. I want to live with her forever, but don't know whether we should get married in Thailand or in America. I would like to spend the least amount of time apart from her, get married, and have her live and work in America with me. Basically, I'm just trying to find out if the K1 or the K3 is better.

I've read the paperwork and went over the data on this website (which has been very helpful) and this is what I've gathered.

the K1 seems to be quicker by a few months. according to my region, which is the Texas office, it seems to be quicker by about 4 months. It also appears that there are less forms to fill out initially to get the K1 going.

The only potential drawback to me seems to be that it may be a little more difficult to prove that one is truly a fiance in comparison with proving that you are married, since marriages will have signed forms.

The K3 seems to take longer and require more forms: the I-30 and the I-29. It's more expensive initially as well.

On the other hand, maybe it is easier to get approved because you have signed marriage papers to prove your relationship. I don't know anything about marriage costs in america either, but it seems like it might be cheaper to pay for marriage fees in thailand.

If anyone else has tried to weigh the options of K1 and K3 already and can help me out by listing the relative pros and cons, I would be totally grateful for your time and effort.

good luck to everyone on this board. i can tell that it's a long and often frustrating process, even though i haven't even started it yet.

[john_and_marlene 162]

I've lived with my girlfriend for the past 3 years and am moving back to America soon. I want to live with her forever, but don't know whether we should get married in Thailand or in America. I would like to spend the least amount of time apart from her, get married, and have her live and work in America with me. Basically, I'm just trying to find out if the K1 or the K3 is better.

I've read the paperwork and went over the data on this website (which has been very helpful) and this is what I've gathered.

the K1 seems to be quicker by a few months. according to my region, which is the Texas office, it seems to be quicker by about 4 months. It also appears that there are less forms to fill out initially to get the K1 going.

The only potential drawback to me seems to be that it may be a little more difficult to prove that one is truly a fiance in comparison with proving that you are married, since marriages will have signed forms.

The K3 seems to take longer and require more forms: the I-30 and the I-29. It's more expensive initially as well.

On the other hand, maybe it is easier to get approved because you have signed marriage papers to prove your relationship. I don't know anything about marriage costs in america either, but it seems like it might be cheaper to pay for marriage fees in thailand.

If anyone else has tried to weigh the options of K1 and K3 already and can help me out by listing the relative pros and cons, I would be totally grateful for your time and effort.

good luck to everyone on this board. i can tell that it's a long and often frustrating process, even though i haven't even started it yet.

You should look into DCF. You would not have to spend any time apart.

U.S. citizens residing in Thailand may file a Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) at the Bangkok office by mail or in person during normal business hours.

http://uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/ove...kok/aboutus.htm

Here's the guide: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...custom&page=dcf

[andy28 0]

hey there!

I was in your shoes and decided to go the K-1 route. I lived in Brasil with my fiance and when she had the visa in her hands we split for the states the next day. We just went to the courthouse today and payed $35 for the marriage license and will have to pay a little for the judge (we're having a civil wedding). It depends on what state you live in, but I don't think it's that expensive to marry.

We didn't want to get married in Brasil because we knew we we're going to live in the U.S. There is so much more paperwork and waiting in Brasil we decided to do everything here in the states.

If you've lived with your fiance for 3 years than I wouldn't be to worried about the interview. When I went to my interview the CO asked more questions about me than my fiance. They just want to make sure the relationship is legit and I think living together for 3 years makes that legit.

This is only my opinion on the K-1, but the DCF is also a nice option too.

good luck,

andy

[hafiz 1]

K1 is the way to go in your case

[aussiewench 9]

I've lived with my girlfriend for the past 3 years and am moving back to America soon. I want to live with her forever, but don't know whether we should get married in Thailand or in America. I would like to spend the least amount of time apart from her, get married, and have her live and work in America with me. Basically, I'm just trying to find out if the K1 or the K3 is better.

I've read the paperwork and went over the data on this website (which has been very helpful) and this is what I've gathered.

the K1 seems to be quicker by a few months. according to my region, which is the Texas office, it seems to be quicker by about 4 months. It also appears that there are less forms to fill out initially to get the K1 going.

The only potential drawback to me seems to be that it may be a little more difficult to prove that one is truly a fiance in comparison with proving that you are married, since marriages will have signed forms.

The K3 seems to take longer and require more forms: the I-30 and the I-29. It's more expensive initially as well.

On the other hand, maybe it is easier to get approved because you have signed marriage papers to prove your relationship. I don't know anything about marriage costs in america either, but it seems like it might be cheaper to pay for marriage fees in thailand.

If anyone else has tried to weigh the options of K1 and K3 already and can help me out by listing the relative pros and cons, I would be totally grateful for your time and effort.

good luck to everyone on this board. i can tell that it's a long and often frustrating process, even though i haven't even started it yet.

You should look into DCF. You would not have to spend any time apart.

U.S. citizens residing in Thailand may file a Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) at the Bangkok office by mail or in person during normal business hours.

http://uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/ove...kok/aboutus.htm

Here's the guide: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...custom&page=dcf

I agree. If you qualify to file through Thailand with DCF, I would definately look into that.