In love-Tourist visa or Fiance visa?

[Bernie C 24]

Bryant - we do know what your going through and how difficult it is. I would have loved for my finacee (my wife now) to have been able to come to the US on a visitor visa. However it is nearly impossible for a young Vietnamese girl to get a visitor visa to the US. So I made two trips to Vietnam before we applied for the K-1 and then two additional visits before the interview. Its a very tough consulate and everything there is presumed to be fraudulent so the burden is upon us to prove otherwise.

Hang in there man - if your love is true it will be everlasting and you will find your path to be together! Take some time and do plenty of research, your always welcome here to ask questions. Some we can answer, some we can try to advise on, and some will be deciions that you will encounter that must be decided upon by the two of you.

Good Luck and Best Wishes - Hope you have a nice Memorial Day Weekend!

[Vivi6 12]

I like this idea. Maybe we could apply for the tourist visa, and if she gets denied we can spend a few days together in a country that doesn't require any visas. Maybe we could apply for the K-1 visa, and do this while we wait.

Not an expert about Russia but...why would they denied a tourist visa? How many times has she been in the US? A job and parents you live with seem pretty legitimate ties to your country...and if she buys a return ticket after she gets the visa and arrives in the US, that should really not be an issue. But, like I said, I don't know if it's hard for Russians to get tourist visas, as I am Italian and I am under the visa waiver program.

I think meeting somewhere else like people are suggesting is a good idea too. Europe in general should not be an issue either, but teh Carribean seem fun!

[inloveVEN 46]

Hi

why dont you try a B1/B2 visa, it is not impossible, I think it could be the less expensive way to see you both.n Sometimes we believe we are going to find a NO for answer. I have friends, that you wouldn't even think that they could reach a visitor visa and they got it.

Also you can fly to Russia again, and take care about what you think is dangerous, ( p.e. Just drink bottled water :-) ), comm´n man, you are in love is time to take those challenges in name of love.

I do agree with every other opinions, K-1 path involves money, stress, papers, interviews, and the most important thing, it was made for marring proposal, this is an one-way visa, and you have to get merry within the next 90 days.

[antoneya 9]

Bryant - If she has been in the US a few times already and has always left on time, than she has a very good chance of getting the Tourist visa. It shows that she hasn't abused the system even thought she had perfectly good opportunity to do so. Also having sizable amount in a bank account, property and/or commitments like school or work will help. Go for the tourist visa the worst that is going to happen is they are going to say No (you will lose your fees), if they do say no than you can explore the idea of going to another country.

[Cortr 3]

You would be crazy to file for a K-1 if you're not sure you want to get married. You're both young - take your time, and don't do something stupid (especially something stupid like misrepresenting yourself with the government in a visa application, that could screw your chances up of ever getting her here in the future).

I like the idea someone posted about meeting in the Dominican Republic. That sounds fun.

[Waitinggent 2]

As someone else posted, the fact that she has been here 3 times, and left timely, gives her a reasonable shot at a tourist visa. If you don't like meeting her somewhere else, give the tourist visa a shot.

A previous poster suggested meeting in Europe. Although it is easier to get a visa to travel to non-soviet Europe, than to the USA, a Russian can still have problems getting a visa to a non-soviet European country. Countries where she can go to without a visa include Egypt, Turkey, Thailand, Chernogoria (formerly Montenegro), Cyprus, Dominican Republic and Ukraine. All have beautiful beaches, and if she is like all the Russian women that I know, she loves the sea. Oh, I forgot. She can also go to Cuba without a visa :-)

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

I agree with everyone who says it's not right to go for K-1 if our intent is not to marry. Our preference is to just continue to date, and then figure out when marriage will be suitable for the both of us, but i guess K-1 is not the right thing to do in this instance. She was previously in the US last summer on the J-1 visa. She left on time, and did not break any laws.

Can anyone tell me if sponsoring her tourist visa (is it possible to be a sponsor for a tourist visa?) will help her case?

You need to check out her former J visa and find out whether or not there was a two-year home residency requirement tied to it.

Look at the visa itself in her passport. Look at the DS-2019 which is part of that visa. The information is more likely to be on the DS-2019.

Also study this link:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html#1

Many J visas DO NOT have the two year requirement. But some do and understanding this should be a part of your plan.