Should I K1 or DCF or can we do both?

[Jesse&Iva 0]

Hello everyone!

This is our first post and we want to say how much we love this site! It has been so helpful. I live in New York and Iva lives in Bulgaria and we are about to start the K1 process, but I am also planning on moving to Bulgaria so we can be together while we wait. If I stay there for 6 months and we get married then we can do the DCF, right? I think I should start the K1 before I head back to Sofia and just not use it if we can do the DCF after I have been a resident for 6 months. Does anyone see any problems with this?? I work from home anyways, so the only difference is that I would be working evenings while I am there. I think it is a good plan, and we would always have the K1 as backup in case I need to come back to NY before I can gain residency in Bulgaria. Does anyone have any words of warning or see any red flags? Also, after looking at all the K1 forms I don't think we need a lawyer but I am still kinda open to getting one, or maybe just a do it yourself kit, I would pay $50 to have a nice checklist at this point. Any recommendations?

Thank You!

Jesse and Iva

[Chica Yeyé 41]

If you are able to move there and live there through the process, I say go with the DCF option. Absolutely.

Do you need a lawyer? Most folks do it by themselves, unless they have special circumstances.

Welcome to VJ,

[Sinergy 3]

whatever you choose, if you dont have a complicated case, i wouldnt use a lawyer

[just_friend 2]

Hello Jessi and Iva. As far as i know you can't do both K1 and DCF. So you have to choose either to start with the k1 process and wait with her in Bulgaria or live here (am in bg) for 6 months, get married and apply for k3 in the us embassy in Sofia. I don't know which one is better. we decided to go with K1 but that's completely up to you. And yes I think you will need a lawyer even for an advice. If you want and do your homework well you will be able to go trough without him but i see you are confused which path to take so my advice is see a lawyer and just listen to what he has to say.

Good luck on your journey and have a lot of patience. You'll need it.

sorry for misspelling your name Jesse

Edited January 14, 2009 by just_friend

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Hello Jessi and Iva. As far as i know you can't do both K1 and DCF. So you have to choose either to start with the k1 process and wait with her in Bulgaria or live here (am in bg) for 6 months, get married and apply for k3 in the us embassy in Sofia. I don't know which one is better. we decided to go with K1 but that's completely up to you. And yes I think you will need a lawyer even for an advice. If you want and do your homework well you will be able to go trough without it but i see you are confused which path to take so my advice is see a lawyer and just listen to what he has to say.

Good luck on your journey and hava a lot of patience. You'll need it.

sorry for misspelling your name Jesse

if you do Direct Consular Filing; you are NOT applying for a K-3; rather a CR-1 immigrant visa.

[just_friend 2]

you're correct. sorry for the mistake

[Shad and Dani 3]

Hello everyone!

This is our first post and we want to say how much we love this site! It has been so helpful. I live in New York and Iva lives in Bulgaria and we are about to start the K1 process, but I am also planning on moving to Bulgaria so we can be together while we wait. If I stay there for 6 months and we get married then we can do the DCF, right? I think I should start the K1 before I head back to Sofia and just not use it if we can do the DCF after I have been a resident for 6 months. Does anyone see any problems with this?? I work from home anyways, so the only difference is that I would be working evenings while I am there. I think it is a good plan, and we would always have the K1 as backup in case I need to come back to NY before I can gain residency in Bulgaria. Does anyone have any words of warning or see any red flags? Also, after looking at all the K1 forms I don't think we need a lawyer but I am still kinda open to getting one, or maybe just a do it yourself kit, I would pay $50 to have a nice checklist at this point. Any recommendations?

Thank You!

Jesse and Iva

DFC all the way! I would just make sure you legally establish residency in BG. You can only stay there 90 days within a year period as a tourist. Also, what kind of work do you do? I would LOVE to work from BG while spending time with my financee

[Jesse&Iva 0]

I think we are going to start the K1 now while I get everything in order to head to Bulgaria, since it's gonna take me a couple months. We can always cancel the K1 if the DCF seems like it is going to work out. I'm not 100% sure what the rules for residency are yet. If I have to come back to the US for a week or two I want to be sure it won't mess up the DCF. I will find out soon and post it. I do tech support so as long as I have an internet connection I'm all set to work wherever, But I can't change what time I work.

Thanks for all the replies!

Jesse and Iva