Help puhleeeez

[venotakix 0]

greetings! Im a US citizen, married to a Greek Citizen and just starting the process to move back to the US.

Questions:

1. I file the 1 130 and it gets approved..what next the K3? or do I file both simultaneously?

2. Upon approval of I130 and K3 Is there a time limit? (we are not sure when we will be ready to move..ie selling the house etc)

3. If the i130 and K3 are approved can we move to the US and can my husband work while waiting for his green card?

4. What if we dont know where we will be living once we move? (we will probably rent upon arrival but that will be done once in the US)

5. Is a sponsor necessary or can I sponsor my husband (note I have not lived or worked in the US for the last 11 years) I assume the sponsor has to show financials??

6. We have a daughter (US citizen but born in Greece) whom I have registered birth at the embassy and a US passport issued. Do I need to do any paperwork for her?

7. Thank you for your help, its really too much!!

[nickm 1]

If you are both living in greece, maybe you can go the DCF (direct consular filing) route. Look around the forum there is lots of info on DCF. Im no expert but i think it will apply in your situation.

You dont need both the K3 AND the I-130.. the I-130 is the petiton for the CR1/IR1 visa and therefore both are not needed.

Also the K3 will be closed if you file both together.

Your kids should be fine to enter as they have american passports.

Thats as much as i can say with much certainty, im sure one of the more knowlegdeable members will answer the rest of your questions.

[canadian_wife 1,827]

Agreed, you should follow the guides for DCF

http://www.visajourney.com/content/dcf

And the documents for the I-130

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

The K-3 was administratively closed earlier this year.

Once the visa is issued, you have 6 months to move to the US. The point of this visa is for couples whose return to the US is imminent, if you don't know when you are going to move, don't file yet. The Cr-1 is work authorized, you'll just need his SSN which can be issued with the cr-1 visa. Employers likely won't hire you or pay you until you have the SSN. Yes you can sponsor your husband, have you been paying US taxes while you have been out of the US?

Hope this helps

Good luck

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

1. As the others have said, forget the K3. You will file the I-130, probably via DCF (direct consular filing), which will lead to a IR01 if married more than 2 years (meaning 10 year greencard upon entry for your husband), or CR01 if married less than two years.

2. Once the visa is approved, he has 6 months to use it. He can travel once he moves to the USA, such as to sign papers for the house sale, but he must legally reside and spend most of his time inside the USA.

3. As you will do the IR-1, not the K3, yes he can work immediately. With the K3 he would have had to wait.

4. No problem as such, though it is useful to put a friend or family member's address on the forms, then change it once you have a home.

5. You are always primary sponsor, even if you have no money. You can have a co-sponsor in the USA, or you can sponsor on assets (such as property, savings, stocks)- some embassies require these to be USA based.

6. No paperwork, but you must mention her in the forms and your household size for the affidavit of support must include her.

[Darnell 8,479]

*** appears to be a DCF case, not a K-3 visa topic, moving to DCF forum ***

[venotakix 0]

>>>>>THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP! >>>>>>>>>

[venotakix 0]

Hi there

The IR 1 ...you say he can work immediately? Is that equal to a green card?

I ask because my husband has a job ready for him, but they require a green card in order to hire.

What exactly is an IR 1 ?

thanks )

[venotakix 0]

question:

My husband has a job lined up, BUT they cant hire without him having a green card

so I ask just to be sure...if Im in Greece, and apply, and get the IR1 approval, how long is it valid for? ie how much time can I spend in Greece before it expires?

Our entire move depends on the job, he cant get the job w/out the green card and Im afraid if I apply for the green card and have to wait a year to get it he will lose the job...

catch -22 anyone?

comments/advice is appreciated!

[Darnell 8,479]

re: green card -

--US Embassy puts a visa stamp in the passport

--POE puts in another stamp, sometimes called an I-551 stamp, in the passport, when coming into USA

--I-551 stamp acts as 'temporary green card' for 1 year

--actual green card arrives within 45 days after POE date

--DCF route, file I-130 at US Embassy/Greece - start to finish, about 4 months or less.

re: working in USA

--must have I-551 document

--must have SSN

--some companies will 'waive' SSN for a period of up to 90 days, but

--can get SSN at SSA office, about 2 weeks after POE date.

re: IR-1 approval

--usually good for 6 months

--have 6 months to 'transit into USA'

--validity duration of IR-1 visa not tied into I-551 document dates - I-551 stamp applied on first transit into USA, at the POE.

hth !

(please study the DCF guide here at VJ)

[talonclaw 0]

Hello @venotakix,

We are also looking possibly doing a DCF at the Athens Embassy. Can you please post/PM your experiene, especially the time taken etc.

Thanks

t