K-3? K-1?

[aydi 0]

I'm confused as to what the best-possible approach is to bringing my foreign fiance into the US... I'm reading various, mixed opinions on which visa allows for fastest access, and which overall procedure is the most clear-cut for allowing my fiance residence.

I've asked her to marry me, but we're still a world apart! If I file for a K-1 visa I can bring her here to start the ~getting married process, but would it be easier to marry in another country and bring her here on the K-3? If I chose the K-3 option, would it be okay to bring her to the US, take her to Canada and marry, then come back and apply for it?

I would like to be sharing a home with my fiance by September of next year... How can I assure that all my next steps are in the right direction?

Thank you all for your time!

[Scott and Mhay 57]

What country is your fiancee from? Also, have you read the guides here? http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=guides

Generally speaking it is quicker to get a fiancee visa, but more expensive. The plus to a fiancee visa is you get to live together before getting married. As far as the K-3...that visa doesnt save much time over the CR-1. The only difference in the K-3 and CR-1 is with a CR-1 she canwork right away and will get a greencard. With the K-3 she will be able to stay for 2 years, but has to adjust her status, which is $1010 now and if she wants to work she will need to apply for work authorization...which costs more and takes about 3-6 months to get.

As far as marrying in canada..depending on where your fiancee is from, she might need a visa to go there too...not just a tourist to come to the US. You can marry anywhere in the world, but there are different requirements everywhere you go.

Please read the guides and try to decide on which way you want to go..also, knowing more information in you case would help to give better advice.

[aydi 0]

My fiance is from the UK; sorry for not mentioning that before.

I'm getting to be rather well-versed in the basic functions of the K visas, however I'm still not sure which is the best avenue for my fiance and I. I was once told by a lawyer during a consultation that marrying her first and trying to bring her here thereafter is easier than getting a K-1 visa, but I'm worried that marrying outside the country will look suspicious to USCIS when later trying to apply to bring her here to stay...

I've heard stories of people in the army and navy that marry overseas and bring their spouses back with them no questions asked, but is being married the trump card to all the K visa complications?

I'm not married to her yet, but assuming I want to have her living here by September next year... What's the fastest, safest route to making that happen?

[canadian_wife 1,823]

Many of us here on VJ have married their spouse outside of the US. Marry her where ever you choose, it has no baring on the visa process (unless you choose the K-3 then the interview will happen in the country of marriage). You aren't dealing with a particularly difficult consulate anyway.

K-1 is the fastest in your situation as you can apply today. For the spousal visa you have to wait, get married, then apply. If you choose to get married, go for the CR-1. It is faster and less expensive than the K-3 visa. Read the guides to choose what visa is best for you.

Good luck, congrats on the engagement and finding VJ!

[christeen 966]

K-1 is faster but you have to adjust status after marriage which must occur within 90 days...

If you get married outside the US... Definetly go the CR1 route... K3s are basically obsolete as they take just about the same time as the CR1, cost double and you cannot work or travel for months after entering the USA... With the CR1 you get a GC upon entry...