Duration of wait in US during K-1 process?

[Maliajannah 0]

How do you guys get to visit your fiances that much? Don't you guys have jobs or anything like that? No offense because I wish I could visit my fiance that much or him visit me that much. I haven't been with my fiance since January and I may or may not see him this year and I do its going to be about 4-7 days which is not much but better than none at all.

I wasn't offended by this comment, and I was surprised to see that others were because I read it and thought, "yeah! That's I good question, I wish I could visit my fiance that often too." I don't think you were trying to be offensive, just wishing you had the same kinds of luxuries... I wish I did too, but life isn't the same for all of us. Also, you might have something that others don't- remember everything balances out in the end. :-)

Good luck to you, I hope your visa journey is as smooth and painless as possible and that you and your fiance are able to appreciate all of the time you do have together.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I wasn't offended by this comment, and I was surprised to see that others were because I read it and thought, "yeah! That's I good question, I wish I could visit my fiance that often too." I don't think you were trying to be offensive, just wishing you had the same kinds of luxuries...

Different people react differently to comments. That's not all that surprising. What offended me was the placement of his otherwise generally valid question. In a thread where the poster comes out and says "I am a disabled veteran so therefore I am retired", I find it offensive that someone complains and says "Don't you guys have jobs?"

[john_and_marlene 162]

if no one in yer residence,

do NOT forward your mail -

instead - put in a 'hold order' at USPS -

you are waiting for the NOA-2 document, and you'll need this once she's in the USA, when filing for AOS.

----

Good Luck !

The maximum time the USPS will "HOLD" your mail is 30 days.

[MsNaNa 0]

I am disabled 100% which means I cannot work and get a monthly check from Uncle Sam for being injured during my service. I am able to spend as much time as the Russian and American governments will let me with my woman.

The fact that you get to spend as much time with your lady as you want is a blessing. Although you were disabled in service (Thank you... btw) you now get to spend your life with the one you love. That's just too cute. . As for your question, I think you've received well rounded answers. As long as your visa is valid to visit Russia you're free to come and go as you please. Just remember to have that Power of Attorney keep a keen eye on the mail, as you never know when something will finally be sent out (i.e - NOA1 or NOA2). Otherwise, ENJOY your trip.

@babyjk... I understand your question. These forums can be touchy. Don't take it any way. I too wish I could spend more time with my honey. I haven't seen him since April and it seems like a lifetime! lol. Just remember all in due time.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I don't think I was being touchy. To each their own.

[HeatDeath 430]

I was working as a teacher in Canada. That meant I could visit my USC now-wife for a week every March and 6-7 weeks every July-August.

Having sent the petition, there is very little else you, the petitioner actually do, and almost none of it needs you to be in the US. You will NEED someone reliable picking up your mail though.

USCIS will send you an NOA1 receipt in the next few weeks. This needs to be kept reasonably safe, like all immigration correspondence, but you don't have to do anything in particular with it.

Sometime in the next few months you may receive an RFE. You need a mechanism in place to find out about that very promptly, and to be able to respond to it immediately if it occurs. That's the big kicker. You can respond to an RFE from outside the US as long as you A ) find out about it in a timely manner, and B ) have all the necessary documentation available to you wherever you happen to be.

A few months from now, assuming everything goes well, you will be approved and receive an NOA2 approval notice. The NOA2, in particular, is very important - far more so than the NOA1. Your fiancee will NEED it for her Adjustment of Status process after she arrives, so you absolutely need a trustworthy mechanism in place to receive that and keep it safe.

A few weeks after that you will receive a letter from the NVC stating which consulate her visa application will be processed through, and giving you her consulate case number. Again, like the NOA1, this contains useful personal information and should be read and filed safely, but requires no particular response from you.

After that, you are pretty much out of the picture. You fill out the I-134 for her to take to the interview, sign and date any relationship evidence she is going to use, update and sign the letter of intent to marry, and go with her to the interview if it is generally warranted for that consulate, but all future immigration correspondence will be addressed to her at either her current foreign address or her future (with you) US address.

[MsNaNa 0]

I don't think I was being touchy. To each their own.

LOL... I know. Its just how everyone perceives things -on both sides- can be touchy. Que sera sera!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

During the K-1 process how long do I, as petitioner, need to remain in the States? I know the original filing needs to be from the US but how soon after I mail the packet can I leave? I am thinking of going back to Russia to be with my fiancee for a few months.

Also, I just got back a week ago from Russia on a Tourist Visa. Is there a waiting period before I go back? I am going to get a business Visa and plan on staying 3-6 months this time.

The packet can be mailed from anywhewre and at no time are you required to be in the United States. You are required to have a US address they can mail things to. You do not have to physically live there. You would not be required to have been in the United States at ANY time during the process.

That said, you DO need to provide an affidavit of support showing some income or funds to support your fiancee and that source of income must have a reasonable expectation of continuing after she immigrates. Unless you have a co-sponsor or a lot of assets to cover your obligation, spending the the time waiting in Russia couldcause a problem later.

[jken 2]

Well said! I am Canadian and Ken is retired, so we are fortunate that we get to spend quite a bit of time together. Ken was in the USN from 69-72 and served his country in Vietnam. Even though I am Canadian - I too Thank you for your service and sacrifices.

I have had the wonderful/emotional experience of spending Memorial Day in DC, twice now and each year I look forward to going back. I am glad I can be ther for Ken as I understand the pain he experiences when he is there.

Having said that.

I wish you a safe trip to Russia, have fun! and much luck and faith on this Visa Journey!

My Mother once told me...you have 2 ears and 1 mouth, hence you should listen twice as much as you speak.

God Bless

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

In reading the thread further, I see you have the income situation covered. Good luck. Visit as much as you want and as much as Russia will allow you on their visas. make sure you have a reliable source for checking your mail, you will need to respond to any RFEs if you get them in a timely manner.

[CyberSamurai013 69]

First off thank you for your service to the country. As a spouse of a Marine, I hear people tell that to my husband all the time and i appreciate any opportunity to say it to other members of the military.

The hardest job in the military is that of spouse. Without our families supporting us we would be unable to face the challenges we do so thank YOU!

Well said! I am Canadian and Ken is retired, so we are fortunate that we get to spend quite a bit of time together. Ken was in the USN from 69-72 and served his country in Vietnam. Even though I am Canadian - I too Thank you for your service and sacrifices.

I have had the wonderful/emotional experience of spending Memorial Day in DC, twice now and each year I look forward to going back. I am glad I can be ther for Ken as I understand the pain he experiences when he is there.

It is very hard for veterans to find someone who was not in the service yet understands fully what it is to serve. Not judging us for what we had to do is a huge burden as is facing our emotional scars with compassion. Thank you for all you do to support him and understand the hell he has been through!

Thank you all for your replies and advice, it is appreciated! I am going to move forward armed with new knowledge and deal with situations as they arise

[inloveVEN 46]

Hi

Most of the people start K-1 Path because they have to work in USA while the whole process, so is a good way to bring your loved one to start a new life.

but in your case, have you though about the possibility to get married in Russia? you can start the process there via CR-1/IR-1 using the different paths like DFC, for example. In this way you can live with your lady and wait till the moment that the whole process end. You know, probably your fiancée prefer to get married in Russia rather than in USA, close to her family. and they can go to the wedding, maybe in USA, she has no relatives.

This is just a different option and can it be used for you.

[CyberSamurai013 69]

Hi

Most of the people start K-1 Path because they have to work in USA while the whole process, so is a good way to bring your loved one to start a new life.

but in your case, have you though about the possibility to get married in Russia? you can start the process there via CR-1/IR-1 using the different paths like DFC, for example. In this way you can live with your lady and wait till the moment that the whole process end. You know, probably your fiancée prefer to get married in Russia rather than in USA, close to her family. and they can go to the wedding, maybe in USA, she has no relatives.

This is just a different option and can it be used for you.

I thought about it but my understanding was that Russia did not support DCF therefore the process would be longer and we would be better served with a K-1 visa.

[rogerj 0]

The maximum time the USPS will "HOLD" your mail is 30 days.

The United States Postal Service has another option, that worked well for me during 7 months in China last year. It is called "premium forwarding". You pay a fee of about $12 per week, and have your mail compiled for one week, then each weeks mail is packaged and sent "priority mail" to another location in the US. Mine was sent to my sister, and she scanned my mail and paid my bills, notified me by email of any other isues.