Just Starting....Spousal vs Fiance Visa?

[BmoreJamaican2010 0]

Hello All,

Im new to the website, @ 5min! I want to marry my Jamaican Fiance, however I've seen blogs, websites and posts that say the Fiance Visa is the best way to go about getting him here and others that say the Spousal Visa is best? From my research so far, both require the same documentation however, im not too comfortable with the Finance (k-1_) process of writing an essay telling all my personal business to the government! Ive also read that they dont get as much priority as the Spousal Visa's and they get denied alot more often. Im aware of the sponsor requiremnts which i meet and neither one of us has a previous criminal or marital background. Hes actualy a football (soccer) player there, ive seen on the UCSIS website soemthing about atheles can come over on a visa to try and tryout for teams, which he plans to do when he gets here.

He has family here already in NewYork and Florida. And I have been to see him 2x inthe past 3months and planning to retrun in November, maybe to get married, idk?? So, I think that should be enough info for now. Any help or clarification, previous or current experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks Again,

BJ:)

[MRStee 19]

Welcome to VJ.. when you get a chance, stop over to the Yardie thread - (Yardie Party)

Some of the differences between K-1 and CR1 is first price - CR1 is cheaper, K-1 you have to file for AOS (have to wait to work), CR1(you can work when you come to the US)

What do you mean you don't want the government in your business? If that is the case you might as well not file cause they will be ALL in your business... They are going to do background checks.

Good luck whatever you decide!

[mandyu1 5]

welcome

As stated the K1 is more expensive but typically takes less time than the CR-1. With the K-1 you have to get permission to work and permission to leave the country before you receive your greencard. With a CR-1 you can work and travel internationally immediately. As for writing an essay, that is not the case, they just want a brief description of how you met in person, they don't want to know and don't care about your love story. The description is only 4-5 sentences. When it comes to the interview, regardless of which route you choose you will be asked personal questions about your lives and relationship, thats just the way it is. And like the other person said, they will be in your business for a long time. When you do AOS (if you go the K-1 route), and after your 2 yr greencard expires you will to do removal of conditions and that can get pretty involved. If you don't want the government in your business, then you should consider moving there. I'm not trying to be harsh but just being blunt. When dealing with immigration, you have to reveal a lot more of your personal life than you would in a relationship with someone who is already here. Good Luck in whichever route you choose!!

[MRStee 19]

welcome

As stated the K1 is more expensive but typically takes less time than the CR-1. With the K-1 you have to get permission to work and permission to leave the country before you receive your greencard. With a CR-1 you can work and travel internationally immediately. As for writing an essay, that is not the case, they just want a brief description of how you met in person, they don't want to know and don't care about your love story. The description is only 4-5 sentences. When it comes to the interview, regardless of which route you choose you will be asked personal questions about your lives and relationship, thats just the way it is. And like the other person said, they will be in your business for a long time. When you do AOS (if you go the K-1 route), and after your 2 yr greencard expires you will to do removal of conditions and that can get pretty involved. If you don't want the government in your business, then you should consider moving there. I'm not trying to be harsh but just being blunt. When dealing with immigration, you have to reveal a lot more of your personal life than you would in a relationship with someone who is already here. Good Luck in whichever route you choose!!

Agreed

[BmoreJamaican2010 0]

Ohh ok, I didn't realize, I didn't even think about that he wouldn't be able to work here! That does make a big difference to me.

Thank you guys! & I will visit Yardie!

[tokyo.lovers 6]

cr-1 is better, faster, and cheaper.

there is less work to do and then you don't have to rush off to do a crappy civil ceremony within 90 days and send more paperwork for that.

do cr-1.

[MRStee 19]

cr-1 is better, faster, and cheaper.

there is less work to do and then you don't have to rush off to do a crappy civil ceremony within 90 days and send more paperwork for that.

do cr-1.

It may have been better for YOU but K-1 worked just fine for us....

[Darnell 8,478]

Here's a comparison on K-3 vs CR-1 - the issues are almost the same -

Comparison on K-3 vs CR-1 - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/204324-wondering-if-i-made-a-mistake-marrying-in-us/page__view__findpost__p__3060767

[Fishlady 2]

I felt the K1 process was quick and not so difficult (interview was scheduled in 4 months of filing). 455.00 to file and 350.00 for the visa fee.

[BmoreJamaican2010 0]

One of our concerns would be that he would not be able to work while he was here on K-1visa? If Im correct...ur not able to work on a K-1 visa?

[Darnell 8,478]

Correct - ur not able to work whilst in country with a K-1 visa, until EAD or GreenCard in hand.

Edited August 14, 2010 by Darnell

[My4rmylife 0]

You have to consider the right choice for you and your fiance ....We K1 and had a beautiful wedding no civil ceremony.... There are advantages to both routes one is quicker... and one get no real preference over approval many many of the yardies in the thread MRStee mentioned did K1(actually the majority) and got approvals ... As far as Government in your business we live in the U.S the govt> is all up and through your business. You should check out some of the interview reviews ... they ask some really personal questions

[Sasha_Cool 0]

Also if you are a US citizen and your file for your spouse it will be quicker ( 5 Months) than to file for your spouse as a permanent resident (January 9th, 2009). Also, take into consideration of you income for K-1 visa you would only have to prove 100% of your income above proverty level versus spousal visa you would have to prove 125%. If, you or the SO has children it will play into your household number along with how long it will take to approve the petition. It took us exactly 5 months to receive approval because I was filing for both fiance and child. The one thing about a K-1 is that they have to wait until you get married to file EAD to work, but because we both have big families in Jamaica, we could not afford to get married in Jamaica at the time. We will have a civil wedding then through a reception party and once he gets working we can save up to renew our vows in Jamaica for both of our families to attend. Choose what best fits your situation.

[BmoreJamaican2010 0]

Also if you are a US citizen and your file for your spouse it will be quicker ( 5 Months) than to file for your spouse as a permanent resident (January 9th, 2009). Also, take into consideration of you income for K-1 visa you would only have to prove 100% of your income above proverty level versus spousal visa you would have to prove 125%. If, you or the SO has children it will play into your household number along with how long it will take to approve the petition. It took us exactly 5 months to receive approval because I was filing for both fiance and child. The one thing about a K-1 is that they have to wait until you get married to file EAD to work, but because we both have big families in Jamaica, we could not afford to get married in Jamaica at the time. We will have a civil wedding then through a reception party and once he gets working we can save up to renew our vows in Jamaica for both of our families to attend. Choose what best fits your situation.

Thanks Ms.Cool for that about the financing. I hadnt even thought about that yet. I am a citizen and neither one of us have any children. I do well on my own for now but all the plane tickets, phone cards and filing do add up! Me and the SO did disscuss him not being able to work once he arrived. And being that my family is still NOT very supportive of us,I plan to have to be the one to support us for a while, until he can work and even then im not sure how much of a help that will be.

Im not sure what I should or could do to prepare for that. On top of dealing with the family issues of me and my "big, bad and scary" Jamaican fiance. I try not to worry him too much about it,Im kinda am embarrassed that my family is so caught up in to "American stereotypes" of Jamaican men...maybe that will be a new thread, dealing with fam!

He does have family in Florida, so I suggested we move there to make the transition easier for him and they could help him with finding work, contacts things of that nature.

Thank You EVERYONE who has replied, this has been extremly helpful!BJ'

[Sasha_Cool 0]

Thanks Ms.Cool for that about the financing. I hadnt even thought about that yet. I am a citizen and neither one of us have any children. I do well on my own for now but all the plane tickets, phone cards and filing do add up! Me and the SO did disscuss him not being able to work once he arrived. And being that my family is still NOT very supportive of us,I plan to have to be the one to support us for a while, until he can work and even then im not sure how much of a help that will be.

Im not sure what I should or could do to prepare for that. On top of dealing with the family issues of me and my "big, bad and scary" Jamaican fiance. I try not to worry him too much about it,Im kinda am embarrassed that my family is so caught up in to "American stereotypes" of Jamaican men...maybe that will be a new thread, dealing with fam!

He does have family in Florida, so I suggested we move there to make the transition easier for him and they could help him with finding work, contacts things of that nature.

Thank You EVERYONE who has replied, this has been extremly helpful!BJ'

Well, I am of Jamaican descent and my sister, brother, aunts, grand aunts and his sister, grandmother, aunts and rest of family has warned my SO to don't show his ####, lol. Because some jamaican men did make it bad for other Good jamaican men that are there. I hope you decide to do the best that is for you and trust in yourself and believe that you have a good man, but he shows any signs of shadyness address them as soon as possible. My sister has a saying that sometimes you have some family that are badmind, meaning they are like crabs in a barrel and dont want to see you happy or prosper. This is your time of happiness and enjoy as much of it and for as long as it will last. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!