B-2 we save for the CR-1?

[nostrich 0]

Hi there.

Having decided to pursue a CR-1 visa, I married my American girlfriend in the US a few weeks ago, and have since returned to the UK (sad face).

We can't afford to apply for the CR-1 just yet, since we both have relatively limited incomes, so I'm visiting her under the VWP for now. Last night, however, I stumbled across the B-2, which sounds like a perfect way to be able to stay longer than 90 days while we save; the 90 day trips are rather a drain on our limited income and are making saving a lot harder. So if I could get a B-2 and stay a little longer (we think somewhere between 6 months and a year would be long enough to save enough), that would be just great.

Best bit: from what I've read, it sounds fairly inexpensive -- looks like less than $300 to me.

Is this as perfect as it sounds? Have I understood this correctly? Is it likely to affect my chances of being given a CR-1 later on?

[English Muffin 59]

It's very difficult to get a B2 visa from the London Embassy if you're eligible to travel under the VWP. If you do try and it's refused you'll have to declare it every time you enter under the VWP in future and will likely end up in Secondary each time.

[payxibka 10,045]

Hi there.

Having decided to pursue a CR-1 visa, I married my American girlfriend in the US a few weeks ago, and have since returned to the UK (sad face).

We can't afford to apply for the CR-1 just yet, since we both have relatively limited incomes, so I'm visiting her under the VWP for now. Last night, however, I stumbled across the B-2, which sounds like a perfect way to be able to stay longer than 90 days while we save; the 90 day trips are rather a drain on our limited income and are making saving a lot harder. So if I could get a B-2 and stay a little longer (we think somewhere between 6 months and a year would be long enough to save enough), that would be just great.

Best bit: from what I've read, it sounds fairly inexpensive -- looks like less than $300 to me.

Is this as perfect as it sounds? Have I understood this correctly? Is it likely to affect my chances of being given a CR-1 later on?

$131 visa application fee..

No effect on a future immigrant visa application as long as you never overstay you visits

[nostrich 0]

So it's probably best not to bother? Any way to increase my chances of being given the visa?

[English Muffin 59]

Having a USC wife makes your chances of getting a B2 even harder I'm afraid.

Edited December 3, 2009 by English Muffin

[christeen 966]

We have been married for over 6 years and just recently did the GC. Years ago we talked to the consulate about getting a B2 and they advised us not to get one since we were married there would be the possibility that it would be denied for fear that he would just stay and file AOS... They advised that if the B2 application was denied then it could create problems for my husband entering under the VWP and the C1D visa he had (he was a crewmember)...

They advised us that if he wanted to stay over the 3 months to request an extension of the VWP entry and it would most likely be extended for an additional 3 months for a total stay of 6 months... It ended up that we did not have to do that as he was called back to work on the ship...

This was approx 4 years ago, not sure if anything changed but that was our experience from Italy Milan consulate

[Darnell 8,478]

initial filing fee for CR-1 is 355, yes? surely between the two of you, you can scrape that together.

If you can't, then I foresee other problems.

[English Muffin 59]

It's not possible to extend the VWP, 90 days is all you get.

[nostrich 0]

"initial filing fee for CR-1 is 355, yes? surely between the two of you, you can scrape that together. "

Really? This is going to sound so dumb, but for some reason we thought it was a lot more. I bet I'm thinking of the K-1 or something.

It sounds like we're best not bothering with the B-2, but this is encouraging if true.

[payxibka 10,045]

"initial filing fee for CR-1 is 355, yes? surely between the two of you, you can scrape that together. "

Really? This is going to sound so dumb, but for some reason we thought it was a lot more. I bet I'm thinking of the K-1 or something.

It sounds like we're best not bothering with the B-2, but this is encouraging if true.

Other than incidental expenses, the primary fees are

CR-1

$355 for the petition

$400 for the visa

$xxx for the medical exam...

K-1 is

$455 for the petition

$131 for the visa

$xxx for the medical

$1010 for the green card after marriage

Edited December 3, 2009 by payxibka

[Darnell 8,478]

"initial filing fee for CR-1 is 355, yes? surely between the two of you, you can scrape that together. "

Really? This is going to sound so dumb, but for some reason we thought it was a lot more. I bet I'm thinking of the K-1 or something.

It sounds like we're best not bothering with the B-2, but this is encouraging if true.

ya - is

355 initial filing

then at nvc - 400 for immigration fee, 70 for AOS fee.

then is medical fee for a hospital...

and that's it..

But for today, focus on 355 (is 345 ? ) .. sell some candy door to door, if necessary. Or have a boot sale.

[christeen 966]

It's not possible to extend the VWP, 90 days is all you get.

Guess that we got bad info those years back...

to OP, if financially you cannt afford the initial filing, you will have some issues proving that you can financially support the intending immigrant. Since it sounds like you will need a co-sponsor, perhaps you can see if they can assist you with the filing fees...

[nostrich 0]

I was totally wrong. We can afford that just fine. What I thought it was was WAY WAY off, for some reason. Thanks for that everyone, that's REALLY helped us out. I feel so dumb.

While I have everyone's attention!: If I were to re-enter the US under the VWP, within a month of leaving, is that likely to raise any eyebrows? I waited 3 months last time and it wasn't a problem, but I'm hoping to be back before new year this time.