Australian experience with this?

[Munchkin 0]

Hi guys, I'm an Australian and my girl is from the U.S.

I've been reading so much on immigration over the last few months, and it seems incredibly complex...

From what I can see, there may be a few things standing in the way of my girl and I remaining together..

We met in August 2008 online, and fell for each other very quickly. In March 2009 I flew out and we held each other for the first time at JFK Airport.. I stayed in the U.S for over 2 months on a visa waiver.. then came home to Australia.. being apart for the next 5 months was terribly heart breaking... I'm sure many on here know that pain... It was truly horrible, and I still feel sick just thinking about it.

Late 2009 I flew back out and entered the U.S on the visa waiver program again, I spent another 2 months with her, and then she flew back with me to Australia (also on an ETA visa waiver thing)...

Everyday is an absolute joy for us... When you've been away from the love of your life for so long, you take absolutely NOTHING for granted.. Just waking up and being able to look at your baby, and to eat breakfast and spend the day together is worth more then anything.

We want to be married, we are committed to each other and have lived with each other for over half a year... the thought of not being able to stay together, to be split back to our countries, is devastating.. Five months was brutal and I can't imagine possibly doing that again. However, the cost of travelling to the U.S to live without work is alot, and it also is for her to do that here.. We need to be able to live together in one of the countries where at least I can work to support us.

The major problems I see are these; I am 20 and she turn's 18 next month. I can already hear the colletive cringing of the VJ'ers haha.

We are saving all visa applications, either her extending her visa here in Australia, or us being married, until her 18th birthday.

How much of a problem will it be that I am 20 and she is 18?

The other problem is work- I have not had steady employment because I have spent so much time in the U.S. Over the last 12 months, I have spent over 5 months in the U.S. Right now I am unemployed (We arrived in Australia a few weeks ago..) and I am seeking work as best as I can.

We are in this for the long haul and are looking for long term options for us to be able to live together and one day be able to have a family together. I know this is a long shot, but I am wondering: Is it possible for her to one day have Australian Citizenship, and me to have U.S citizenship ( so both of us have an Aust and a U.S passport) so that we can live in either country and visit family in both without having to go through many processes each time?

So I'm wonderng what out best options are for remaining together.. Any information appreciated... Thanks!!

Edited January 30, 2010 by Munchkin

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Overwhelming YES to all questions except the age one, as long as it's legal there's no problem!

Please come on over to these threads:

- http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=183541 - this one is lots of Aussies just kinda chatting and supporting each other

- http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=206016 - this is the Aussie experience GETTING to the US (except the first lot of paperwork) which should explain the Aussie way of things for a FIANCEE visa.

- http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=235331 - this one is the AOS part (which is AFTER you get to the US). You don't really need it now but it will give you an idea of what to expect.

First you need to decide exactly what you want. Personally having gone through the K1 (fiancee) process i would recommend the CR1 process. To achieve this you would have to get married first, then remain in your country while it's processing. It takes around 6 months (sometimes a little longer) to be together but you are able to visit in the meantime. Here is the CR1 guide: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide1

The second hurdle is the income. Here are the requirements: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf and you will need either her, or someone else willing to be a joint-sponsor to make the appropriate income requirements for their household size. Family members (like mum or dad) are typically used but if you can find a friend or other family member to help out then that's fine too.

Finally in terms of US and Aussie passports... you will need to be married to your gf for 3 years (and be in the US) before you are able to apply for US citizenship. If you then would like her to have Aussie citizenship she would need to do the same sort of process YOU did in order to obtain Aussie citizenship.

Hope that gives you some ideas!

Edited January 30, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[Krikit 1,165]

Welcome to VJ. You'll want to take a look at The Guides to make an informed decision on which visa best suits your needs. In the meantime, I am moving your thread from the K-3 forum to the General Immigration Discussion.