what is best for me K1 or K3

[Brian&Lia 0]

Hello all,

My situation.

I am US citizen working on contract in Saudia Arabia until April 2010. I don't have the luxury to just leave here at any time. I have vacation in October and plan to meet my fiance in the USA and would like to get married. She will return to Brazil after my vacation until I complete my contract in Saudi Arabia in April.

She is from Brazil has visitor visa and been to the USA many times.

1) Can we get married in October?

2) Does this pose a problem or is it best to wait and file K1?

3) Can I start K3 filing now or have to wait until married if we can in fact get married in October?

Oh...we prefer not to wait to get married.

Thank you...this whole proess is killing us.

[Otto 83]

1) Can we get married in October? You may, yes.

2) Does this pose a problem or is it best to wait and file K1? People come to the US to get married every day - even non-citizen couples. Doing so eliminates the K-1 though, leaving you with either the K-3 or CR-1 options.

3) Can I start K3 filing now or have to wait until married if we can in fact get married in October? No - must be married at the time you file.

Do you plan to return to the US once your contract is up in April?

The K-1 may not be your best choice given what you've described - I mean October is very close now - if you're determined to get married in October, then you're only other alternatives are the K-3 or CR-1.

Edited August 26, 2009 by Otto und Karin

[Brian&Lia 0]

1) Can we get married in October? You may, yes.

2) Does this pose a problem or is it best to wait and file K1? People come to the US to get married every day - even non-citizen couples. Doing so eliminates the K-1 though, leaving you with either the K-3 or CR-1 options.

3) Can I start K3 filing now or have to wait until married if we can in fact get married in October? No - must be married at the time you file.

Do you plan to return to the US once your contract is up in April?

The K-1 may not be your best choice given what you've described - I mean October is very close now - if you're determined to get married in October, then you're only other alternatives are the K-3 or CR-1.

Yes, I plan to return to the US in October and live.

We really want to marry in October. If my finace comes to US under Visitor Visa would that be a problem?

After we are married we can file K-3 or CR-1 while I am in Saudi for the next few months correct?

[Rosie and David 1]

The K-1 would be best the K-3 is for already married couples and you are not here for her arrival.

My reason is this on the K-1 Visa

First it will take about 6 months to get through the process. Filing and then her

interview in her country. that puts you into about Febuary 2010.

Next she would be granted a K-1 Visa to come to the U.S.A. and marry you.

NOTE the Visa is a ONE ENTRY Visa but is good for 6 month and does not have to be use right away.

6 months is about July 2010.

That means the time table would work for you.

also note DONT GET MARRIED IN SECRET, AND DONT LIE ABOUT ANYTHING.

Your problem is more the Forms and Documentation and the cost of Mailing these things back and fourth.

GOOD LUCK

Rosie and David

[Corinthians 7]

Yes, I plan to return to the US in October and live.

We really want to marry in October. If my finace comes to US under Visitor Visa would that be a problem?

After we are married we can file K-3 or CR-1 while I am in Saudi for the next few months correct?

I'm not familiar with CR-1, but I bet K-3 could work for you. If you had all of the papers prepared to send in right after your marriage, the whole process could be finished or close to it by the time you come back. You might want to read the guides to see if you could pull it off; plus it is better than listening to a bunch of random opinions. The other catch is that once you file, it could make it more difficult for your fiance to travel back and forth with the tourist visa.

[Otto 83]

1. Yes, I plan to return to the US in October and live.
2. We really want to marry in October. If my finace comes to US under Visitor Visa would that be a problem?
3. After we are married we can file K-3 or CR-1 while I am in Saudi for the next few months correct?

1. The first part is confusing - in your original post you say you will remain in Saudi until April 2010.
2. If your fiancé can get a tourist visa (not always an easy thing), yes - you can get married. She will not be able to remain however, and must return to Brazil.
3. Once married - yes, you can file for either the K-3 or CR-1. If this is your chosen path, it is recommended you follow the CR-1 path (has some benefits that make it worth the possible extra time it takes). (See "What Visa Do We Need?" in the Guides section for some details.)

[daboyz 36]

Yes, I plan to return to the US in October and live.

We really want to marry in October. If my finace comes to US under Visitor Visa would that be a problem?

After we are married we can file K-3 or CR-1 while I am in Saudi for the next few months correct?

I'm not familiar with CR-1, but I bet K-3 could work for you. If you had all of the papers prepared to send in right after your marriage, the whole process could be finished or close to it by the time you come back. You might want to read the guides to see if you could pull it off; plus it is better than listening to a bunch of random opinions. The other catch is that once you file, it could make it more difficult for your fiance to travel back and forth with the tourist visa.

K-3 is obsolete these days. Either go for the K-1, or get married and file for CR-1.