New here, getting ready to begin the process.. ..(?)

[Ryan76 46]

Hello all. There is a wealth of information here. I have done some topic searches and I'm not finding exact answers to a couple questions so please forgive me, I know I will ask questions that have been asked a million times. I'm just looking to be pointed in the right direction.

My situation: 2 years ago while taking a spanish class in college I made a pen-pal in Colombia. We exchanged friendly emails for about a year, then (long story short) we developed feelings for each other. We talked for another year, and then I spent most of July 2010 with her in Colombia on vacation. I loved her so much more once we were face to face, and she felt the same way. I met her entire family and they are wonderful, and they support us 100%. My family is also supportive and excited.

Question 1: What is faster, k-1 fiance visa or get married first in Colombia and then apply for a spousal Visa? I have the paperwork for a k-1 fiance but I want to be sure I am choosing the right path. If I go to Colombia and we get married, could I still do a k-1 visa (if that's the quickest way)and have the intention on having a second "official" wedding in the U.S.?

Question 2: Very soon I will advise her of the forms she needs to begin filling out, and she will have to send me her signed forms. What is the best way for us to mail stuff like this back and forth? I have sent her 5 different cards/letters, and she's only received 3 of them. I don't want to be sending important information through the regular mail if they will disappear. Could I use Fedex or some shipping agency where she could pick up the package in an office? Can you recommend one? I wish we could fax or email this stuff back and forth, but it all needs her signature.

Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks!

[dakay ♥ 10]

Q1: IMO, both paths take about the same time, the big difference is that the CR1 visa is cheaper than the fiance visa (K1) and can skip the AOS step when she arrives to USA. But if you get married in Colombia you can´t apply for K1 visa, you have to apply for spouse visa (CR1) and then get a second wedding in the US.

Q2: You can use Fedex, Deprisa, or Coordinadora International, is certified mail and provide good service

[Ryan76 46]

Q1: IMO, both paths take about the same time, the big difference is that the CR1 visa is cheaper than the fiance visa (K1) and can skip the AOS step when she arrives to USA. But if you get married in Colombia you can´t apply for K1 visa, you have to apply for spouse visa (CR1) and then get a second wedding in the US.

Q2: You can use Fedex, Deprisa, or Coordinadora International, is certified mail and provide good service

Thank you!

I'm going to look into the K-1 and CR1 some more this week and then make a decision. That gives me a lot to think about. Thanks again

[TashaK 1]

From what I understand, the K1 is slightly faster than the CR-1, but like yakad said, you have to do the AOS, which costs a lot more. The good thing about the K1 is that you don't have to be apart once you're married, which is why that's what my fiance and I chose. We'd rather be apart while we're engaged and not be separated once married. There's a comparison chart of VJ here that may help:

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

Good luck with whatever you choose!

[J&N* 68]

There's no best route to go, just like there's no right "bed", you just pick what will work under your circumstances best.

If she wants her whole family to attend the wedding, have it in Colombia, but you'll have to live apart while being married for a while.

If you go with the K1, she'll still need to do the AOS, can't leave the country, can't work, but you'll be together since day 1 of the marriage.

Depends on what you TWO could stand to live with.

Best of luck!

[Ryan H 3,812]

Question 1: What is faster, k-1 fiance visa or get married first in Colombia and then apply for a spousal Visa? I have the paperwork for a k-1 fiance but I want to be sure I am choosing the right path. If I go to Colombia and we get married, could I still do a k-1 visa (if that's the quickest way)and have the intention on having a second "official" wedding in the U.S.?

There is not much difference between the two in regards to processing time from application to interview. CR-1 applications have the extra processing step at the NVC between the time they are processed at the appropriate USCIS service center and the time it is sent to the embassy in Bogotá. The only way you could get married and still apply for a K1 is to not officially register the marriage with the local authorities. People have used the term "engagement party" when going this route. You would not use the term wedding or refer to each other as husband and wife if this was your plan, as a VO would think you are married and say, you have to apply for the CR-1. There are many differences in cultures as to what constitutes marriage. IMO, if you decide to get married in Columbia, just make it official and go the CR-1 route.

Each case is different and different routes work better for different people. The two of you will find the route that is best for you.

Good luck on your journey and best wishes to you both!

[Ryan76 46]

Thank you all for the advice. I have another couple questions (I have a feeling I will be saying that often!) if anyone cares to help.

I'm in the process of filling out the G-325 to get the ball rolling. I've only met with my immigration lawyer once so far (Trying to keep the costs down) and I could have sworn he said me and my fiance both needed to provide "Certified copies of birth certificates". But last night i was skimming visajourney.com and I read a checklist that said only I (the US citizen) need to send a birth certificate. Also, will they accept scans of a Birth Certificate, or does she actually have to mail her Birth Certificate to me? Can someone set me straight on this?

[J&N* 68]

Isn't she the beneficiary? You don't need to send a copy of her birth certificate with the I-129F, just yours.

Your lawyer is a dork, fire him, you don't need a lawyer, save your money.

She will need to take her birth certificate with her on her interview, that's all.

[Ryan76 46]

Isn't she the beneficiary? You don't need to send a copy of her birth certificate with the I-129F, just yours.

Your lawyer is a dork, fire him, you don't need a lawyer, save your money.

She will need to take her birth certificate with her on her interview, that's all.

Thank you Junita, and congrats on everything working out for you!!

Yes, she is the beneficiary. She lives in Colombia and I live in the U.S.

I also have been wondering about whether or not I "needed" a lawyer. So far I have only met with him once, and in a 3 minute span he told me a lot of information. I tried to take notes on it all, but it is possible I wrote something down wrong. Anyway, the only reason I wanted to use a lawyer was because I was told they could quickly give me status updates and contact the visa govt. offices much easier than I could.

I'm glad you mentioned the I-129F. Is that the letter I have to send to Immigration services? My lawyer gave me 2 blank G-325 Biographic Information sheets, and a generic template for a letter we both need to write (separately) and send to Immigration services. I was told they both were to be sent at the same time. Is this correct or do I need to do the letter first and then the G-325?

Edited September 29, 2010 by Ryan76

[J&N* 68]

You definitely don't need a lawyer, you need to read more though, postpone sending anything until you become a visa geek.

the I-129F is a separate form, you submit it along with the 2 biographic forms + some other requirements.

Read the guides, they're just great! They have everything you need! Spend time getting familiar with the website

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

[dakay ♥ 10]

if you case does not have criminal records, deportations problems, etc you do not need a lawyer, don't waste your time and money, in general the process with the consulate in Bogota is not difficult.

Explore this site, please read the guidelines, here also you'll find the forms and examples, VJ is a great resource that makes it easy to start the visa process.

If you have a question no matter what you will always find an answer on this board!

[Aztec&Taino 144]

Hello all. There is a wealth of information here. I have done some topic searches and I'm not finding exact answers to a couple questions so please forgive me, I know I will ask questions that have been asked a million times. I'm just looking to be pointed in the right direction.

My situation: 2 years ago while taking a spanish class in college I made a pen-pal in Colombia. We exchanged friendly emails for about a year, then (long story short) we developed feelings for each other. We talked for another year, and then I spent most of July 2010 with her in Colombia on vacation. I loved her so much more once we were face to face, and she felt the same way. I met her entire family and they are wonderful, and they support us 100%. My family is also supportive and excited.

Question 1: What is faster, k-1 fiance visa or get married first in Colombia and then apply for a spousal Visa? I have the paperwork for a k-1 fiance but I want to be sure I am choosing the right path. If I go to Colombia and we get married, could I still do a k-1 visa (if that's the quickest way)and have the intention on having a second "official" wedding in the U.S.?

Question 2: Very soon I will advise her of the forms she needs to begin filling out, and she will have to send me her signed forms. What is the best way for us to mail stuff like this back and forth? I have sent her 5 different cards/letters, and she's only received 3 of them. I don't want to be sending important information through the regular mail if they will disappear. Could I use Fedex or some shipping agency where she could pick up the package in an office? Can you recommend one? I wish we could fax or email this stuff back and forth, but it all needs her signature.

Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks!

Congratulations on your engagement! What a sweet story, to have met her first as pen pals as you practiced your Spanish

Historically, the K1 visa has been faster than the CR1, but it is also more expensive. Yet, you need to really ask yourself, do I want to start out my marriage by being away from my wife for about 8 months? For some of us, this question has determined our choice for the K1. Also, 3 more months of wait are an eternity when you are in love!

Best wishes on whichever route you choose to take.