Marrying a US service man

[moveusa 0]

Brand new here and hope someone can help me get started. This whole process seems so complicated!

I am a UK resident, born and lived here all my life, and very happily fallen in love with a US serviceman. He will remain in the military for another 3 years or so and in the next 18 months/2 years we plan for me to go live there. (He has to go serve in Iraq again for 12 months from this October). So on his return we then plan my move over there.

So my question really is where do I start? We are happy to marry if that is the best way, but just wonder about the timing of that considering he will be out of the US for 12 months soon. Once he is back from active service we don't want to have to wait any longer than necessary for my move there to happen.

Any advice gratefully received. Many thanks.

[✿Ice Rain✿ 0]

Hi,

Just wanted to Welcome you here at VJ.

I honestly dont know how to advise you with that situation. I married a US service man also.

But to start with , i think just kindly please read the instructions first about the 129-F(for fiance and spouse of US citizen) and IR-130 (for immediate relative of US citizen spouse, unmarried son or daughters under 21 yrs of US citizen and parents of US citizen)

you will find it here:

Form 129-F : http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-129Finstr.pdf

Form 130: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-130instr.pdf

Official website for USCIS is www.uscis.gov

Or you can also read the guide here at VJ.

Hope this helps a bit. Thanks.

Brand new here and hope someone can help me get started. This whole process seems so complicated!

I am a UK resident, born and lived here all my life, and very happily fallen in love with a US serviceman. He will remain in the military for another 3 years or so and in the next 18 months/2 years we plan for me to go live there. (He has to go serve in Iraq again for 12 months from this October). So on his return we then plan my move over there.

So my question really is where do I start? We are happy to marry if that is the best way, but just wonder about the timing of that considering he will be out of the US for 12 months soon. Once he is back from active service we don't want to have to wait any longer than necessary for my move there to happen.

Any advice gratefully received. Many thanks.

Edited March 22, 2008 by SHAPE OF MY HEART

[moveusa 0]

Hi,

Just wanted to Welcome you here at VJ.

I honestly dont know how to advise you with that situation. I married a US service man also.

But to start with , i think just kindly please read the instructions first about the 129-F(for fiance and spouse of US citizen) and IR-130 (for immediate relative of US citizen spouse, unmarried son or daughters under 21 yrs of US citizen and parents of US citizen)

you will find it here:

Form 129-F : http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-129Finstr.pdf

Form 130: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-130instr.pdf

Official website for USCIS is www.uscis.gov

Or you can also read the guide here at VJ.

Hope this helps a bit. Thanks.

Brand new here and hope someone can help me get started. This whole process seems so complicated!

I am a UK resident, born and lived here all my life, and very happily fallen in love with a US serviceman. He will remain in the military for another 3 years or so and in the next 18 months/2 years we plan for me to go live there. (He has to go serve in Iraq again for 12 months from this October). So on his return we then plan my move over there.

So my question really is where do I start? We are happy to marry if that is the best way, but just wonder about the timing of that considering he will be out of the US for 12 months soon. Once he is back from active service we don't want to have to wait any longer than necessary for my move there to happen.

Any advice gratefully received. Many thanks.

[moveusa 0]

Hi,

Just wanted to Welcome you here at VJ.

I honestly dont know how to advise you with that situation. I married a US service man also.

But to start with , i think just kindly please read the instructions first about the 129-F(for fiance and spouse of US citizen) and IR-130 (for immediate relative of US citizen spouse, unmarried son or daughters under 21 yrs of US citizen and parents of US citizen)

you will find it here:

Form 129-F : http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-129Finstr.pdf

Form 130: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-130instr.pdf

Official website for USCIS is www.uscis.gov

Or you can also read the guide here at VJ.

Hope this helps a bit. Thanks.

Brand new here and hope someone can help me get started. This whole process seems so complicated!

I am a UK resident, born and lived here all my life, and very happily fallen in love with a US serviceman. He will remain in the military for another 3 years or so and in the next 18 months/2 years we plan for me to go live there. (He has to go serve in Iraq again for 12 months from this October). So on his return we then plan my move over there.

So my question really is where do I start? We are happy to marry if that is the best way, but just wonder about the timing of that considering he will be out of the US for 12 months soon. Once he is back from active service we don't want to have to wait any longer than necessary for my move there to happen.

Any advice gratefully received. Many thanks.

Many thanks for the reply. Nice to hear from someone in similar circumstances. I will look into the info you mentioned and am sure will spend lots of time over the next couple of years filling in forms etc but it will all be worth it!

[Liebi 0]

My husband is in the military too and did some trips to Iraq already. It's hard to deal with but it will make you stronger as a couple. Just hang in there!

Is he currently in the UK with you, as in stationed there? Or is he in the US? If he is stationed in the UK consider DCF (Direct Consular Filing), would save you alot of time and hassle, if he is not stationed there, you don't have that option.

Start with reading the guides here on VJ, they are really help ful and give you a good insight look on what to expect referring to timing, documents to fill out and fees to pay. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=guides

Also go through the FAQ's http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1faq.htm

Here is a comparison of the different visa types, helpful as well http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=compare

You could go the K-visa route (K1 for fianceés, K3 for spouses) or the CR1/IR-1 route, if you decide to get married before he leaves to Iraq. The waiting time for a CR1/IR-1 visa is longer than for a K-visa (but since he will be in Iraq that wouldn't be much of a problem, I assume), but once issued you can come to the US, your Permanent Resident Card will be mailed to you automatically and you can get a job right away. With a K-visa you have to adjust status which takes an additional 3-4 months.

[Army_Wife 2]

Brand new here and hope someone can help me get started. This whole process seems so complicated!

I am a UK resident, born and lived here all my life, and very happily fallen in love with a US serviceman. He will remain in the military for another 3 years or so and in the next 18 months/2 years we plan for me to go live there. (He has to go serve in Iraq again for 12 months from this October). So on his return we then plan my move over there.

So my question really is where do I start? We are happy to marry if that is the best way, but just wonder about the timing of that considering he will be out of the US for 12 months soon. Once he is back from active service we don't want to have to wait any longer than necessary for my move there to happen.

Any advice gratefully received. Many thanks.

Hi, just thought I'd add this thread link for you

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;pid=1605916

and let you know, that there is a military expedite for those who are deploying.

The K1's are coming through pretty fast anyway at the moment, but if you're looking at marrying before he goes to Iraq, then definately use the expedite option as it will save you a lot of time and hassle ..... plus, you know it will be guaranteed to be all tied up by the time of his return, and you can be there to greet him when he gets back.

I personally would go CR1 (I-130) if you get married as you will be able to travel freely in and out of the US immediately on reciept of the visa .... K1 and K3 still require an application for travel (parole thing) which can hold you in the US until approved ..... not a fun thought if he's already shipped out.

The type of visa you apply for is purely your own decision, but read all the guides, and take into consideration the time element.

Definately apply via the U.S. Embassy in London directly if he's station here in the U.K. .... it's way faster!

But most importantly don't forget the military expedite ..... it may be awful and scary that he's going, but using those orders to speed up your process will cut down on a lot of the insanity involved with waiting for an approval with an unknown time limit.

Welcome to VJ and goodluck on your journey

Sarah x

[moveusa 0]

Brand new here and hope someone can help me get started. This whole process seems so complicated!

I am a UK resident, born and lived here all my life, and very happily fallen in love with a US serviceman. He will remain in the military for another 3 years or so and in the next 18 months/2 years we plan for me to go live there. (He has to go serve in Iraq again for 12 months from this October). So on his return we then plan my move over there.

So my question really is where do I start? We are happy to marry if that is the best way, but just wonder about the timing of that considering he will be out of the US for 12 months soon. Once he is back from active service we don't want to have to wait any longer than necessary for my move there to happen.

Any advice gratefully received. Many thanks.

Hi, just thought I'd add this thread link for you

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;pid=1605916

and let you know, that there is a military expedite for those who are deploying.

The K1's are coming through pretty fast anyway at the moment, but if you're looking at marrying before he goes to Iraq, then definately use the expedite option as it will save you a lot of time and hassle ..... plus, you know it will be guaranteed to be all tied up by the time of his return, and you can be there to greet him when he gets back.

I personally would go CR1 (I-130) if you get married as you will be able to travel freely in and out of the US immediately on reciept of the visa .... K1 and K3 still require an application for travel (parole thing) which can hold you in the US until approved ..... not a fun thought if he's already shipped out.

The type of visa you apply for is purely your own decision, but read all the guides, and take into consideration the time element.

Definately apply via the U.S. Embassy in London directly if he's station here in the U.K. .... it's way faster!

But most importantly don't forget the military expedite ..... it may be awful and scary that he's going, but using those orders to speed up your process will cut down on a lot of the insanity involved with waiting for an approval with an unknown time limit.

Welcome to VJ and goodluck on your journey

Sarah x

Thank you for your response. It's great to make contact with other people in very similar situations and helping to begin understanding this whole process.

I think we will only get round to getting married when he returns from Iraq in Oct/Nov 09. He is stationed in Hawaii, has been for a few years and will be when he returns. I am visiting him in 8 and a half weeks for a 3 week holiday and hopefully we will see each other again before he gets deployed in Oct.

On this holiday we are working out what we should do and when - we met 8 months ago, so a young relationship but when you know you've met the one, you know! My target date for being there is late 2009 or early 2010 so hopefully we can do that.

Interesting to hear about the military advantage but I guess that won't come into it for us unless we planned to marry in June when I am there, which to be honest I don't how feasible that is for us.

I wish you both the best of luck - how difficult is it for you to be married but not together? Whereabouts in the US are you heading?

Thank you, Good luck

Rachel x

[Army_Wife 2]

Brand new here and hope someone can help me get started. This whole process seems so complicated!

I am a UK resident, born and lived here all my life, and very happily fallen in love with a US serviceman. He will remain in the military for another 3 years or so and in the next 18 months/2 years we plan for me to go live there. (He has to go serve in Iraq again for 12 months from this October). So on his return we then plan my move over there.

So my question really is where do I start? We are happy to marry if that is the best way, but just wonder about the timing of that considering he will be out of the US for 12 months soon. Once he is back from active service we don't want to have to wait any longer than necessary for my move there to happen.

Any advice gratefully received. Many thanks.

Hi, just thought I'd add this thread link for you

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;pid=1605916

and let you know, that there is a military expedite for those who are deploying.

The K1's are coming through pretty fast anyway at the moment, but if you're looking at marrying before he goes to Iraq, then definately use the expedite option as it will save you a lot of time and hassle ..... plus, you know it will be guaranteed to be all tied up by the time of his return, and you can be there to greet him when he gets back.

I personally would go CR1 (I-130) if you get married as you will be able to travel freely in and out of the US immediately on reciept of the visa .... K1 and K3 still require an application for travel (parole thing) which can hold you in the US until approved ..... not a fun thought if he's already shipped out.

The type of visa you apply for is purely your own decision, but read all the guides, and take into consideration the time element.

Definately apply via the U.S. Embassy in London directly if he's station here in the U.K. .... it's way faster!

But most importantly don't forget the military expedite ..... it may be awful and scary that he's going, but using those orders to speed up your process will cut down on a lot of the insanity involved with waiting for an approval with an unknown time limit.

Welcome to VJ and goodluck on your journey

Sarah x

Thank you for your response. It's great to make contact with other people in very similar situations and helping to begin understanding this whole process.

I think we will only get round to getting married when he returns from Iraq in Oct/Nov 09. He is stationed in Hawaii, has been for a few years and will be when he returns. I am visiting him in 8 and a half weeks for a 3 week holiday and hopefully we will see each other again before he gets deployed in Oct.

On this holiday we are working out what we should do and when - we met 8 months ago, so a young relationship but when you know you've met the one, you know! My target date for being there is late 2009 or early 2010 so hopefully we can do that.

Interesting to hear about the military advantage but I guess that won't come into it for us unless we planned to marry in June when I am there, which to be honest I don't how feasible that is for us.

I wish you both the best of luck - how difficult is it for you to be married but not together? Whereabouts in the US are you heading?

Thank you, Good luck

Rachel x

Hi Rachel,

These long distant relationships are not easy, but are definately worth it in the end.

I'm going to be in Atlanta, Georgia. Which is nice, but I won't be as close to the beach as you in Hawaii.

Don't worry about it being a young relationship ..... 8 months on here seems to be quite a long time by some standards ..... Kip and I have known each other since October 2005 .... and to be honest, we're beginning to wish we'd started the immigration process sooner as the waiting is now becoming quite a chore, and much harder now that we're married.

Originally we planned to marry in July 2008 but decided at Christmas 2007 to 'just do it' .... and it was surprising how easy it was to put together in 10 days .... however, if we'd known the K1 route would've been 'that' much quicker, I think we'd have held on and done it in the summer.

One thing I would bear in mind in your decision process, is the length of time the visas take, and whether you'd like it all to be over and done with quickly (well, as quickly as USCIS can work) in preparation for when your partner gets back from Iraq, or whether you want to start the process once he's arrived home in 2009, therefore keeping you apart for longer ..... I would really think about this carefully, as you have the golden ticket for an expedite in your hand.

Without that expedite .... we're currently looking at around a year of separation (CR1/IR1) while waiting for this process to 'speed' it's way through the system .... and I'll tell you now, it sucks ..... if I had to deal with another deployment previous to applying for this process, I think I'd have cracked.

A K1 will still set you back approximately 6 months ..... though some are speeding through quickly at the moment, but we don't know how long that could last.

Plus, with a K1, you'll need to apply for a Travel Document once in the States, so you can leave the US for trips while waiting for the rest of the process to wind it's merry way through the system ..... everywhere seems wonderful until you find yourself NOT allowed to leave, and I have no idea how long those documents take to come through ..... so, please, think about everything very carefully.

Goodluck on which ever method you take,

Sarah x

[moveusa 0]

Brand new here and hope someone can help me get started. This whole process seems so complicated!

I am a UK resident, born and lived here all my life, and very happily fallen in love with a US serviceman. He will remain in the military for another 3 years or so and in the next 18 months/2 years we plan for me to go live there. (He has to go serve in Iraq again for 12 months from this October). So on his return we then plan my move over there.

So my question really is where do I start? We are happy to marry if that is the best way, but just wonder about the timing of that considering he will be out of the US for 12 months soon. Once he is back from active service we don't want to have to wait any longer than necessary for my move there to happen.

Any advice gratefully received. Many thanks.

Hi, just thought I'd add this thread link for you

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;pid=1605916

and let you know, that there is a military expedite for those who are deploying.

The K1's are coming through pretty fast anyway at the moment, but if you're looking at marrying before he goes to Iraq, then definately use the expedite option as it will save you a lot of time and hassle ..... plus, you know it will be guaranteed to be all tied up by the time of his return, and you can be there to greet him when he gets back.

I personally would go CR1 (I-130) if you get married as you will be able to travel freely in and out of the US immediately on reciept of the visa .... K1 and K3 still require an application for travel (parole thing) which can hold you in the US until approved ..... not a fun thought if he's already shipped out.

The type of visa you apply for is purely your own decision, but read all the guides, and take into consideration the time element.

Definately apply via the U.S. Embassy in London directly if he's station here in the U.K. .... it's way faster!

But most importantly don't forget the military expedite ..... it may be awful and scary that he's going, but using those orders to speed up your process will cut down on a lot of the insanity involved with waiting for an approval with an unknown time limit.

Welcome to VJ and goodluck on your journey

Sarah x

Thank you for your response. It's great to make contact with other people in very similar situations and helping to begin understanding this whole process.

I think we will only get round to getting married when he returns from Iraq in Oct/Nov 09. He is stationed in Hawaii, has been for a few years and will be when he returns. I am visiting him in 8 and a half weeks for a 3 week holiday and hopefully we will see each other again before he gets deployed in Oct.

On this holiday we are working out what we should do and when - we met 8 months ago, so a young relationship but when you know you've met the one, you know! My target date for being there is late 2009 or early 2010 so hopefully we can do that.

Interesting to hear about the military advantage but I guess that won't come into it for us unless we planned to marry in June when I am there, which to be honest I don't how feasible that is for us.

I wish you both the best of luck - how difficult is it for you to be married but not together? Whereabouts in the US are you heading?

Thank you, Good luck

Rachel x

Hi Rachel,

These long distant relationships are not easy, but are definately worth it in the end.

I'm going to be in Atlanta, Georgia. Which is nice, but I won't be as close to the beach as you in Hawaii.

Don't worry about it being a young relationship ..... 8 months on here seems to be quite a long time by some standards ..... Kip and I have known each other since October 2005 .... and to be honest, we're beginning to wish we'd started the immigration process sooner as the waiting is now becoming quite a chore, and much harder now that we're married.

Originally we planned to marry in July 2008 but decided at Christmas 2007 to 'just do it' .... and it was surprising how easy it was to put together in 10 days .... however, if we'd known the K1 route would've been 'that' much quicker, I think we'd have held on and done it in the summer.

One thing I would bear in mind in your decision process, is the length of time the visas take, and whether you'd like it all to be over and done with quickly (well, as quickly as USCIS can work) in preparation for when your partner gets back from Iraq, or whether you want to start the process once he's arrived home in 2009, therefore keeping you apart for longer ..... I would really think about this carefully, as you have the golden ticket for an expedite in your hand.

Without that expedite .... we're currently looking at around a year of separation (CR1/IR1) while waiting for this process to 'speed' it's way through the system .... and I'll tell you now, it sucks ..... if I had to deal with another deployment previous to applying for this process, I think I'd have cracked.

A K1 will still set you back approximately 6 months ..... though some are speeding through quickly at the moment, but we don't know how long that could last.

Plus, with a K1, you'll need to apply for a Travel Document once in the States, so you can leave the US for trips while waiting for the rest of the process to wind it's merry way through the system ..... everywhere seems wonderful until you find yourself NOT allowed to leave, and I have no idea how long those documents take to come through ..... so, please, think about everything very carefully.

Goodluck on which ever method you take,

Sarah x

Sarah - apologies for more questions! whats the difference between a CR1 and IR1 or are they the same thing? And as I am going to see Fred in June in the US - then how would I enter the US if we had plans to marry?

Fred will leave the military in 2 or 3 years and then Georgia, Atlanta is on our shortlist of places to live. Hawaii is nice and fantastic weather, but I am not certain I can see us living there for long term. There are such strong military connections there that I feel once Fred has retired a total change of environment will be a good thing.

I am doing lots of research now, and beginning to understand the language of USCIS so will try not to bug you too much!

Take care

Rachel x