Pulling my hair out

[kevs1girl 0]

I posted my introduction a few days ago, but didn't give alot of background info regarding my situation...not sure if this is the correct place to put this..but here goes.

I've known Kevin for 2 years, he is in Ontario and I'm in Arizona. We met online, we've never met in person ...sure, we've seen pics of each other, talk nightly on the phone etc, but the fact remains we've never met. We became extremely good friends, he comforted me through a nasty relationship that ended horribly, and we recently took the step to the next level in our relationship. We've decided that we want to marry, and although we both know that there is no "get rich quick" option for this process, we are both impatient. Looking over all this information we are both to the point of pulling our hair out. We've looked at so many different visa options and it might be that we're taking in too much info all at once and it's causing us to feel overwhelmed, but it seems that when I read info on one type then read info on another type it totally contradicts the first bit of info I've read. We aren't quite sure what our best option is with the shortest amount of time possible. Should we visit first to satisfy the requirement of meeting within 2 years of filing? Should I just file the fiance thing before we meet? Should he visit and we marry while he's here and then file the K3? Is that even an option? I've read so much info I feel like my eyes are gonna bleed

I feel I'm pretty well educated...but when I read some of this info I feel like I'm reading a foreign language. If anyone can offer up some advice (might wanna put it in kindergarten terms because apparently I'm not grasping this info well)

I would greatly appreciate it, we would greatly appreciate it.

Edited February 17, 2009 by kevs1girl

[Otto 83]

Should we visit first to satisfy the requirement of meeting within 2 years of filing? Absolutely - 100% yes. Should I just file the fiancé thing before we meet? No - do not do this - you will waste your time and money. Should he visit and we marry while he's here and then file the K3? NoIs that even an option? Not an option I've read so much info I feel like my eyes are gonna bleed

If you're not already married - a K1 is your only option.

Should you decide to marry - he'll need to remain in Canada until the Visa is issued. You have two options if married. CR-1 and/or K3. CR-1 may take a bit longer, but once he's in the US, he won't have to wait to get a PR/Green Card (saving you time and money).

K1 is the quickest, but has drawbacks once in the US (but again, its the only option if not already married).

[Y's_habibitk 2]

Should we visit first to satisfy the requirement of meeting within 2 years of filing?

IMHO, you should do this regardless.

As far as the process:

for the K-1: You will have a difficult time justifying why you havent met in 2 years. It's usually medical or religious reasons that are accepted, from what I understand.

Spousal visas: this will take longer. If you are ok with remaining engaged..I would file a K-1, they are super fast compared to the CR1's and K3's.

But, meet him first for goodness sakes!

[Furious Biscuit 0]

Just echoing the 'meet him first' thing.. online and offline are two different things. I once hosted someone in my home who was visiting the UK and they were 100% completely different in person - in the bad, rude, inconsiderate way. I'm not saying he will turn out like this but just meet eachother casually (or as casually as possible in long distance) first, is my opinion

Edited February 17, 2009 by Furious Biscuit

[Slightly Bonkers 0]

Should we visit first to satisfy the requirement of meeting within 2 years of filing? Absolutely - 100% yes. Should I just file the fiancé thing before we meet? No - do not do this - you will waste your time and money. Should he visit and we marry while he's here and then file the K3? NoIs that even an option? Not an option I've read so much info I feel like my eyes are gonna bleed

This is an option.

He is able to come to the US and get married and leave and then you can apply for K3 or whatever.

Like some said K1's tend to be quicker but you really need to make your own decision on which is best for you based on lots of things including when you want to spend time apart, before or after the wedding.

[Craneman 2]

I posted my introduction a few days ago, but didn't give alot of background info regarding my situation...not sure if this is the correct place to put this..but here goes.

I've known Kevin for 2 years, he is in Ontario and I'm in Arizona. We met online, we've never met in person ...sure, we've seen pics of each other, talk nightly on the phone etc, but the fact remains we've never met. We became extremely good friends, he comforted me through a nasty relationship that ended horribly, and we recently took the step to the next level in our relationship. We've decided that we want to marry, and although we both know that there is no "get rich quick" option for this process, we are both impatient. Looking over all this information we are both to the point of pulling our hair out. We've looked at so many different visa options and it might be that we're taking in too much info all at once and it's causing us to feel overwhelmed, but it seems that when I read info on one type then read info on another type it totally contradicts the first bit of info I've read. We aren't quite sure what our best option is with the shortest amount of time possible. Should we visit first to satisfy the requirement of meeting within 2 years of filing? Should I just file the fiance thing before we meet? Should he visit and we marry while he's here and then file the K3? Is that even an option? I've read so much info I feel like my eyes are gonna bleed

I feel I'm pretty well educated...but when I read some of this info I feel like I'm reading a foreign language. If anyone can offer up some advice (might wanna put it in kindergarten terms because apparently I'm not grasping this info well)

I would greatly appreciate it, we would greatly appreciate it.

If you have not met in the 2 years BEFORE filing, supply proof when filing, do not file for a K-1.

It will be denied.

Easy enough to travel to Canada all you need is your passport.

[Anh map 2,098]

You must have met at least once prior to the filing. Read the form instructions here: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-129Finstr.pdf

I echo the other comments that online and in person can be different.

[Jasman0717 9]

Start by reading the guide here on VJ, I think it will help you a lot. Good luck

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I posted my introduction a few days ago, but didn't give alot of background info regarding my situation...not sure if this is the correct place to put this..but here goes.

I've known Kevin for 2 years, he is in Ontario and I'm in Arizona. We met online, we've never met in person ...sure, we've seen pics of each other, talk nightly on the phone etc, but the fact remains we've never met. We became extremely good friends, he comforted me through a nasty relationship that ended horribly, and we recently took the step to the next level in our relationship. We've decided that we want to marry, and although we both know that there is no "get rich quick" option for this process, we are both impatient. Looking over all this information we are both to the point of pulling our hair out. We've looked at so many different visa options and it might be that we're taking in too much info all at once and it's causing us to feel overwhelmed, but it seems that when I read info on one type then read info on another type it totally contradicts the first bit of info I've read. We aren't quite sure what our best option is with the shortest amount of time possible. Should we visit first to satisfy the requirement of meeting within 2 years of filing? Should I just file the fiance thing before we meet? Should he visit and we marry while he's here and then file the K3? Is that even an option? I've read so much info I feel like my eyes are gonna bleed

I feel I'm pretty well educated...but when I read some of this info I feel like I'm reading a foreign language. If anyone can offer up some advice (might wanna put it in kindergarten terms because apparently I'm not grasping this info well)

I would greatly appreciate it, we would greatly appreciate it.

K-1 is fastest but requires AOS after he is here, not such a big deal really and you get to be together while you do it. You DO need to meet in person at least one time in order to petition for this visa.

[Kevin&Leilei 1]

I'll never understand how anyone can decide to marry before ever meeting in person.

[kevs1girl 0]

I'll never understand how anyone can decide to marry before ever meeting in person.

Thanks to everyone who has been helpful in this.

As far as this comment, I may not have met him, but we've had daily contact for 2 years, we know each other very well. I don't know him any less than the man I knew in a previous relationship who was abusive, which I knew him before hand, had children with him and never thought in a million years he was like that...I'll never understand how anyone could marry a man like that.

[Kevin&Leilei 1]

Sorry to hear about your previous relationship. No one deserves that.

I'm sure you do know him well, and in all likelihood you'll get along great in person. I knew someone once for about seven months before meeting her in person, and she was quite different from what I expected. She had hidden some aspects of her personality from me.

I see marriage as a huge decision that should never be taken lightly, so please, meet each other, and spend some time together, before you take any more steps. You are lucky enough that you live relatively close to each other (compared to many of us on VJ), and either of you can fairly easily visit the other. Take advantage of that.

[Wis-Can 0]

Sorry to hear about your previous relationship. No one deserves that.

I'm sure you do know him well, and in all likelihood you'll get along great in person. I knew someone once for about seven months before meeting her in person, and she was quite different from what I expected. She had hidden some aspects of her personality from me.

I see marriage as a huge decision that should never be taken lightly, so please, meet each other, and spend some time together, before you take any more steps. You are lucky enough that you live relatively close to each other (compared to many of us on VJ), and either of you can fairly easily visit the other. Take advantage of that.

I agree. I am from Canada and my sweetie is from Wisconsin. We've none each other for over two years now, both of us have travelled back and forth several times, spending as much time together as well can. We talk on a daily basis. Our first meeting was almost 10 months after we meet, and being with someone in person is a whole lot different then an online relationship. Marriage is a hugh decision, which is why we are still 2 years of visiting to make sure this is right for us. I know we love each other but a couple weeks here and there, you really don't get enough time to see the real person. Its like a vacation....not reality. That's why we opted for the K-1 Visa. We knew it was going to probably take almost a year to complete so it gave us another year of visiting one another. My opinion to the OP, meet, several times if you can, spend quality time together and really get to know each other in person. You are lucky enough to be so close compared to most on here.

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

[marieke 1]

Sorry to hear about your previous relationship. No one deserves that.

I'm sure you do know him well, and in all likelihood you'll get along great in person. I knew someone once for about seven months before meeting her in person, and she was quite different from what I expected. She had hidden some aspects of her personality from me.

I see marriage as a huge decision that should never be taken lightly, so please, meet each other, and spend some time together, before you take any more steps. You are lucky enough that you live relatively close to each other (compared to many of us on VJ), and either of you can fairly easily visit the other. Take advantage of that.

Totally agree. You will be together forever right? A few trips to Canada in the next few months wont hurt! You can start getting things ready now and file in 6months. Collect as much as you can, like flight confirmations, reciepts, photos together (!) and all the other BS they need.

You'll be fine. Calm down on the research for a while and get on those airline websites!

[Niel&Femi 0]

Well i think K-1 might be god for you, because it is the fastest among all other visa, but you must have meet in person at least once before you can file for it except in condition that did not make both of you to meet in person.

but i suggest that you should start planing or he should start planing to come visit so that you cold file immediately you get back or while he is there with you.

i wish you best of luck