Yardies, at home and a farrin' (Part 3)

[Marlita 0]

Hello All,

I'm a Newbie, as my little heart to the left calls me :

Since I am new to all this stuff I have a few questions, because this all is very confusing for me. First I must say that I am not married or engaged. My man does live in Jamaica, but no talks of marriage really yet. I however am the type of person that likes to get as much information and knowledge beforehand, as to make a sound decision.

So my questions to you all are:

1. Is it better to get married and file for a marriage visa or to wait and do the fiance visa. I think I heard somewhere that on average the approval timeline is shorter if you apply for a fiance visa.

2. If you do obtain a finace visa, can the SO from Jamaica go back and forth to JA and USA during this 90 days? Meaning can you get the K1 visa go to the States and then go back to JA to get married in JA, and then back to the states again. All within your 90days.

Thanks guys. By the way....I LOVE this site!

[nyseness 0]

Hello All,

I'm a Newbie, as my little heart to the left calls me :

Since I am new to all this stuff I have a few questions, because this all is very confusing for me. First I must say that I am not married or engaged. My man does live in Jamaica, but no talks of marriage really yet. I however am the type of person that likes to get as much information and knowledge beforehand, as to make a sound decision.

So my questions to you all are:

1. Is it better to get married and file for a marriage visa or to wait and do the fiance visa. I think I heard somewhere that on average the approval timeline is shorter if you apply for a fiance visa.

2. If you do obtain a finace visa, can the SO from Jamaica go back and forth to JA and USA during this 90 days? Meaning can you get the K1 visa go to the States and then go back to JA to get married in JA, and then back to the states again. All within your 90days.

Thanks guys. By the way....I LOVE this site!

Hi Marlita,

Welcome to the thread!!!

1. It really depends on your situation. Yes the K1 (fiance visa) is a lot faster then the K3 and CR1/IR1 (spousal visa). I personally think the CR-1 is the better visa in the long run but not everyone want to wait it out. The K1 is K3 is pretty much the same thing once you arrives in the states b/c you have to do the AOS. If you're more concern w/the speed then the K1 would be your best bet, then the K3 (spousal visa). I am also married but we decided to go the CR1 route b/c it was less expensive and of course the better visa overall.

2. One you visa arrived in the states after he recv his K1 you have 90 days to get married and file for the AOS. He will not be able to leave the country within that time frame or you will need to start over and re-file for him.

Anna

[doodle 0]

The K1 is used strictly for people who are going to get married in the US within the 90 day period. He will not be able to go back to Jamaica during this time. After marrying you can apply for advance parole which will be a document that allows him to travel before he gets his green card. we applied for it and got our green card so soon after the advance parole arrived it wasn't really worth it. But sometimes it can take a long time to get a green card so if he knows he's going to need to go home then you should definitely pay and file for it.

I recommend the K1 because I had to be with my man asap.

[Marlita 0]

Hello All,

I'm a Newbie, as my little heart to the left calls me :

Since I am new to all this stuff I have a few questions, because this all is very confusing for me. First I must say that I am not married or engaged. My man does live in Jamaica, but no talks of marriage really yet. I however am the type of person that likes to get as much information and knowledge beforehand, as to make a sound decision.

So my questions to you all are:

1. Is it better to get married and file for a marriage visa or to wait and do the fiance visa. I think I heard somewhere that on average the approval timeline is shorter if you apply for a fiance visa.

2. If you do obtain a finace visa, can the SO from Jamaica go back and forth to JA and USA during this 90 days? Meaning can you get the K1 visa go to the States and then go back to JA to get married in JA, and then back to the states again. All within your 90days.

Thanks guys. By the way....I LOVE this site!

Hi Marlita,

Welcome to the thread!!!

1. It really depends on your situation. Yes the K1 (fiance visa) is a lot faster then the K3 and CR1/IR1 (spousal visa). I personally think the CR-1 is the better visa in the long run but not everyone want to wait it out. The K1 is K3 is pretty much the same thing once you arrives in the states b/c you have to do the AOS. If you're more concern w/the speed then the K1 would be your best bet, then the K3 (spousal visa). I am also married but we decided to go the CR1 route b/c it was less expensive and of course the better visa overall.

2. One you visa arrived in the states after he recv his K1 you have 90 days to get married and file for the AOS. He will not be able to leave the country within that time frame or you will need to start over and re-file for him.

Anna

So what is the difference in the K3 and CR1? And what does AOS stand for again? I try to look up some of these things but its not that easy to find. My head is spinning with the acronymns. But I will soon get it.

So it sounds as if I should get married In JA before he moves to the US on his visa otherwise we would have to have a wedding in the States. It would be better to have awedding in jamaica, just cause thats the only way his family would be able to participate.

[Minfay 0]

Welcome Marlita!!

We went the K-1 route and (last year) it took almost 6 months to the day from when we filed to when we got the interview. Got married two months after he arrived in the States.

AOS = Adjustment of Status

Edited March 7, 2007 by Minfay

[nyseness 0]

Hello All,

I'm a Newbie, as my little heart to the left calls me :

Since I am new to all this stuff I have a few questions, because this all is very confusing for me. First I must say that I am not married or engaged. My man does live in Jamaica, but no talks of marriage really yet. I however am the type of person that likes to get as much information and knowledge beforehand, as to make a sound decision.

So my questions to you all are:

1. Is it better to get married and file for a marriage visa or to wait and do the fiance visa. I think I heard somewhere that on average the approval timeline is shorter if you apply for a fiance visa.

2. If you do obtain a finace visa, can the SO from Jamaica go back and forth to JA and USA during this 90 days? Meaning can you get the K1 visa go to the States and then go back to JA to get married in JA, and then back to the states again. All within your 90days.

Thanks guys. By the way....I LOVE this site!

Hi Marlita,

Welcome to the thread!!!

1. It really depends on your situation. Yes the K1 (fiance visa) is a lot faster then the K3 and CR1/IR1 (spousal visa). I personally think the CR-1 is the better visa in the long run but not everyone want to wait it out. The K1 is K3 is pretty much the same thing once you arrives in the states b/c you have to do the AOS. If you're more concern w/the speed then the K1 would be your best bet, then the K3 (spousal visa). I am also married but we decided to go the CR1 route b/c it was less expensive and of course the better visa overall.

2. One you visa arrived in the states after he recv his K1 you have 90 days to get married and file for the AOS. He will not be able to leave the country within that time frame or you will need to start over and re-file for him.

Anna

So what is the difference in the K3 and CR1? And what does AOS stand for again? I try to look up some of these things but its not that easy to find. My head is spinning with the acronymns. But I will soon get it.

So it sounds as if I should get married In JA before he moves to the US on his visa otherwise we would have to have a wedding in the States. It would be better to have awedding in jamaica, just cause thats the only way his family would be able to participate.

Let me see if I can explain the difference btw the K3 and CR-1....it can be a little tricky. Well let's break it down and I'll explain both.

The K3 (non-immigrant visa) is a spousal visa but it's works like the K1. You first will have to file the I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) then once you recv the NOA1 you can then submit the I-129f. The rest of the process is the same as the K1 (but as a spouse not a fiance) and once your spouse arrives in the states he will then have to file the AOS (Adjustment of status). The K3 is a mutiple visa so he will be able to travel back and forth w/o paying extra for the Advance Parole (travel docs). But he will of course need to file the EAD to be able to work.

The CR-1 (immigrant visa) is a little different. You also start it off like the K3...you submit the I-130 but you wait for an approval. In my opinion I think this is the better visa b/c when you husband arrives he will recv his SS card shorty and be able to work w/o add'l ppwrk or fees. It is also cheaper then both the K1 and K3, just takes longer.

You first have to apply for the CR-1 by submiting the I-130 but can decide later on if you want to go the K3 route or wait out the CR-1. I too like to ask lots of questions to know what my options are BEFORE I make a decision. I think it's only natural so ask away. There are a few ppl here that are doing the CR1 so if you have any add'l questions you can ask away and someone would be glad to help. You are correct.,,if you want to get married in JA then the spousal visa is right for you.

[Minfay 0]

You're good Anna -- I never understood the difference before that.....thank you! But, I gotta admit it's still confusing.....that's why we did the K1

[Susanwill 0]

Congratulations Lovelyjodie!

When to you plan on coming to the States and where is that?

I am waiting til I get the visa in my hand before i book a flight and I will be going to brooklyn new york

Congrats! Jodie

[nyseness 0]

Alright ladies....it's been 60 days and I'm getting restless waiting for this NOA2. I have tried any and everything to keep me busy but today is not is one of those days. I have been checking online all day and of course no touches or changes in my status. I know it is still a tad bit early but MAN..I'm dying over here. Javon tells me to relax b/c it will take time but it's really starting to affect me now. I was ok up for the most part but I woke this morning w/nothing on my mind but this stupid NOA2. I think it's starting to bother me b/c I really really really want an interview around our b-day in Aug or the 1st wk of Sept.

I also think it has something to do w/this conversation I had w/an ex-adjudicator immigration officier. I don't know if anyone remember but my NOA date was a little wierd. Although the USCIS website says my petition was recv'd on 1/6 the actual NOA says 12/29. He of course told me to go by the date on the I-797 since it was issued in writing. So since then I'm been anxious b/c CSC is now approving I-130 petitions w/a Dec date.

[Shemmy 4]

Good evening VJ family.

Congrats lovelyjodie

Welcome Marlita. I like the K1 because of the 90 day period....time adjust to each other before getting married. 90 days isn't a long time but at least time to get to know each other better. Some of my Jamaican male friends could not adjust and moved back to JA. The adjustment is much harder than the visa process. I know lots of horror stories...

Please don't forget that visas are not guaranteed....married or not. I work for the State Department so I hear terrible stories all of the time...two of my friends are visa specialists...all of the approvals and denials come to their office. Kingston is a high fraud visa Embassy so they tend to be harder on Jamaicans. Luckily, there has not been any denials (except for ganga use) on this thread. I see cables messages from other countries and trust me....we are lucky.

Whatever you you decide...we'll be here for you.

[Marlita 0]

Good evening VJ family.

Congrats lovelyjodie

Welcome Marlita. I like the K1 because of the 90 day period....time adjust to each other before getting married. 90 days isn't a long time but at least time to get to know each other better. Some of my Jamaican male friends could not adjust and moved back to JA. The adjustment is much harder than the visa process. I know lots of horror stories...

Please don't forget that visas are not guaranteed....married or not. I work for the State Department so I hear terrible stories all of the time...two of my friends are visa specialists...all of the approvals and denials come to their office. Kingston is a high fraud visa Embassy so they tend to be harder on Jamaicans. Luckily, there has not been any denials (except for ganga use) on this thread. I see cables messages from other countries and trust me....we are lucky.

Whatever you you decide...we'll be here for you.

Thanks sjb1221, and everyone for their help. Sometimes I am on this forum and it seems you guys are talking in another language with all the acronymns and numbers and such. I'm still trying to figure out what "touched" means. All in all, I am sure you all know how difficult it is to be away from the person you love, and it seems even more difficult to get them closer to you. But all in good time. I can only imagine some of the culture and shell shock our SO's go thru when coming here to the states. In a way that makes me think the K1 is a good choice because of the short term (90dy) option. But then again the CR 1 seems a better choice overall. Well I'll see how it goes.

We will be seeing each other again (2 weeks) with my mother and sister this time around, so thats gonna be good for him to see me interact with my family, plus its a great way for them to meet him and his family.

[BelwinMills 0]

Hello All,

I'm a Newbie, as my little heart to the left calls me :

Since I am new to all this stuff I have a few questions, because this all is very confusing for me. First I must say that I am not married or engaged. My man does live in Jamaica, but no talks of marriage really yet. I however am the type of person that likes to get as much information and knowledge beforehand, as to make a sound decision.

So my questions to you all are:

1. Is it better to get married and file for a marriage visa or to wait and do the fiance visa. I think I heard somewhere that on average the approval timeline is shorter if you apply for a fiance visa.

2. If you do obtain a finace visa, can the SO from Jamaica go back and forth to JA and USA during this 90 days? Meaning can you get the K1 visa go to the States and then go back to JA to get married in JA, and then back to the states again. All within your 90days.

Thanks guys. By the way....I LOVE this site!

Hi Marlita,

Welcome to the thread!!!

1. It really depends on your situation. Yes the K1 (fiance visa) is a lot faster then the K3 and CR1/IR1 (spousal visa). I personally think the CR-1 is the better visa in the long run but not everyone want to wait it out. The K1 is K3 is pretty much the same thing once you arrives in the states b/c you have to do the AOS. If you're more concern w/the speed then the K1 would be your best bet, then the K3 (spousal visa). I am also married but we decided to go the CR1 route b/c it was less expensive and of course the better visa overall.

2. One you visa arrived in the states after he recv his K1 you have 90 days to get married and file for the AOS. He will not be able to leave the country within that time frame or you will need to start over and re-file for him.

Anna

Welcome yardie Marlita.

I agree with Anna the CR-1 Visa is the best choice it maybe longer but it is the least expensive option. He then can leave anytime after arriving to go visit family and friends in JA. You will also won't have to do any paper work once he arrives for 2 years.

[BelwinMills 0]

Hello All,

I'm a Newbie, as my little heart to the left calls me :

Since I am new to all this stuff I have a few questions, because this all is very confusing for me. First I must say that I am not married or engaged. My man does live in Jamaica, but no talks of marriage really yet. I however am the type of person that likes to get as much information and knowledge beforehand, as to make a sound decision.

So my questions to you all are:

1. Is it better to get married and file for a marriage visa or to wait and do the fiance visa. I think I heard somewhere that on average the approval timeline is shorter if you apply for a fiance visa.

2. If you do obtain a finace visa, can the SO from Jamaica go back and forth to JA and USA during this 90 days? Meaning can you get the K1 visa go to the States and then go back to JA to get married in JA, and then back to the states again. All within your 90days.

Thanks guys. By the way....I LOVE this site!

Hi Marlita,

Welcome to the thread!!!

1. It really depends on your situation. Yes the K1 (fiance visa) is a lot faster then the K3 and CR1/IR1 (spousal visa). I personally think the CR-1 is the better visa in the long run but not everyone want to wait it out. The K1 is K3 is pretty much the same thing once you arrives in the states b/c you have to do the AOS. If you're more concern w/the speed then the K1 would be your best bet, then the K3 (spousal visa). I am also married but we decided to go the CR1 route b/c it was less expensive and of course the better visa overall.

2. One you visa arrived in the states after he recv his K1 you have 90 days to get married and file for the AOS. He will not be able to leave the country within that time frame or you will need to start over and re-file for him.

Anna

So what is the difference in the K3 and CR1? And what does AOS stand for again? I try to look up some of these things but its not that easy to find. My head is spinning with the acronymns. But I will soon get it.

So it sounds as if I should get married In JA before he moves to the US on his visa otherwise we would have to have a wedding in the States. It would be better to have awedding in jamaica, just cause thats the only way his family would be able to participate.

We got married in JA for that reason. His mom could come and all his close friends. My close friends from Jamaica came to past students and teacher friends. We had 60 people there it was great rented a villa for a week with 19 members of my family, my girls and his guys. It was beautiful and I couldn't ask for a better day. If you want to go this route start savings. When you get to this step I know a wonderful wedding planner in JA.

[lovelyjodie 0]

Hello All,

I'm a Newbie, as my little heart to the left calls me :

Since I am new to all this stuff I have a few questions, because this all is very confusing for me. First I must say that I am not married or engaged. My man does live in Jamaica, but no talks of marriage really yet. I however am the type of person that likes to get as much information and knowledge beforehand, as to make a sound decision.

So my questions to you all are:

1. Is it better to get married and file for a marriage visa or to wait and do the fiance visa. I think I heard somewhere that on average the approval timeline is shorter if you apply for a fiance visa.

2. If you do obtain a finace visa, can the SO from Jamaica go back and forth to JA and USA during this 90 days? Meaning can you get the K1 visa go to the States and then go back to JA to get married in JA, and then back to the states again. All within your 90days.

Thanks guys. By the way....I LOVE this site!

Hi Marlita,

Welcome to the thread!!!

1. It really depends on your situation. Yes the K1 (fiance visa) is a lot faster then the K3 and CR1/IR1 (spousal visa). I personally think the CR-1 is the better visa in the long run but not everyone want to wait it out. The K1 is K3 is pretty much the same thing once you arrives in the states b/c you have to do the AOS. If you're more concern w/the speed then the K1 would be your best bet, then the K3 (spousal visa). I am also married but we decided to go the CR1 route b/c it was less expensive and of course the better visa overall.

2. One you visa arrived in the states after he recv his K1 you have 90 days to get married and file for the AOS. He will not be able to leave the country within that time frame or you will need to start over and re-file for him.

Anna

Welcome yardie Marlita.

I agree with Anna the CR-1 Visa is the best choice it maybe longer but it is the least expensive option. He then can leave anytime after arriving to go visit family and friends in JA. You will also won't have to do any paper work once he arrives for 2 years.

I really want to Thank everyone for their good wishes and support. I still can't believe its over.

[BelwinMills 0]

Alright ladies....it's been 60 days and I'm getting restless waiting for this NOA2. I have tried any and everything to keep me busy but today is not is one of those days. I have been checking online all day and of course no touches or changes in my status. I know it is still a tad bit early but MAN..I'm dying over here. Javon tells me to relax b/c it will take time but it's really starting to affect me now. I was ok up for the most part but I woke this morning w/nothing on my mind but this stupid NOA2. I think it's starting to bother me b/c I really really really want an interview around our b-day in Aug or the 1st wk of Sept.

I also think it has something to do w/this conversation I had w/an ex-adjudicator immigration officier. I don't know if anyone remember but my NOA date was a little wierd. Although the USCIS website says my petition was recv'd on 1/6 the actual NOA says 12/29. He of course told me to go by the date on the I-797 since it was issued in writing. So since then I'm been anxious b/c CSC is now approving I-130 petitions w/a Dec date.

Anna hang in there I know its tough. Mine took 55 days the average is 60-90 days. If you have problems call the sentors office to help. I have arranged a day to go in and have them look over all my items for the interview. They are very help full at Denise H's office. His office even called to check up on things to see how everything was going. Make sure you pm me when you get your NOA2 and I will help you with James Shortcuts they saved us like 2 months.

Dwain at times thinks I am going crazy at least we don't go crazy at the sametime. Both you and I have been together with our guy for almost a decade so it is very ruff.. If you need anything let me know.

Jax