Hi all from Arizona

[Tumbleweed 0]

I also posted this in the K-3 section, before I saw this nifty introduction section, oops But...

Hi all,

I just wanted to introduce myself, not sure about the protocol here, but I am here for the long haul. My name is Deb, from Arizona, and just last week married whom I believe to be the most wonderful man in the world, who is a citizen of England. We are going through a lawyer to assist with all of the steps to get him here, to the US, so we can truly start our life together. However, going through a lawyer is still completely confusing to me, so I'll be around here a bunch maybe asking questions and looking for teachers of patience We are in the final stages of collecting the last of the documents needed for the I-130, then I guess it goes to a K-3 visa from there? Our lawyer has done his best to explain the process to us, but its still overwhelming...and even though he just left only 5 days ago to return to England, I am terribly impatient and while I realize this could all take up to a year, I am missing him terribly. But I guess we are all going through the same things...which is why I am really, really happy to be here! I'll be going to England in March to visit him, but in the meantime, I am hoping to learn, find peace and sanity, and hopefully remain optimistic for all of our sakes

My main frustration right now is that the I-130 won't even be able to be filed for a few more weeks, so I have a feeling its going to be a looooong time for all of this...but I'm committed to him, the process, and making the best of the time between now and him stepping of the plane here in the US for good.

Look forward to being here with you all!

[JohnC811 4]

Welcome to VJ I am in the process of a K1 visa for my fiancee in Brazil. I know it takes time to get all this done there are so many things to attend to. I have found even though we are separated by miles at the moment it seems the process has brought us closer as a couple, Every day either by MSN or Phone we talk and I call her every night before bed. We have many hurdles ahead but I know I have found the right one. and we will make it through this. I log on here every day to check the status of my visa application, and to read the wealth of information here from other couples doing the same as me. I wish you much luck an happiness in your journey.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

If your lawyer suggests a K-3, you should get rid of him or her ASAP.

[carolynhotstuff 252]

Hi Deb, I would also like to welcome you to VJ. The visa process can be difficult mostly because of all the waiting for papers to be prepared and processed. You are lucky that you will be able to visit with your husband during all the waiting. I haven't had a visit with my husband in over a year.

Like you, I didn't understand the visa process and hired a lawyer but as time went on and I kept reading visa journey I began to understand the process more and more.

The best advice I can offer you is not to file for the K-3. It is a waste of time and money as I'm sure the lawyer will charge for doing the paperwork. My lawyer told me to just file the I-130 and not to bother with the K-3.

Sometimes everything goes well and you move through each phase of the visa process with ease. Other times like with me and my husband there are some problems along the way. My husband had his interview and they wouldn't accept our co-sponsor even though our lawyer thought they would. It took us 2 months to find another co-sponsor and 1 month to get all his paperwork. So in total 3 months after his interview we are just sending the affidavit of support to the Embassy.

I hope you have a smooth journey through the visa process. Don't be afraid to ask questions here and also make sure you look over all the paperwork before you sign it looking for mistakes.

[Nik+Heather 121]

Hi Deb!

I'm the Heather part of Nik+Heather, and I'm the USC from AZ as well.

I'll add my vote to the others who have tried to warn you away from the K-3 visa. Maybe you have found the K-3 forum, and you should read the links that Darnell has posted over and over and over in there regarding the changes to the processing at the National Visa Center (that's where your approved petition goes after USCIS). Those changes were made several months ago, in February of this year. If your lawyer hasn't caught up by now, then they aren't really doing their job. There are a lot of references out there that the K-3 takes a shorter amount of time than the immigrant spousal visa, a CR-1. This information is outdated. The USCIS has been approving the I-130 (spousal petition) and I-129f (non-immigrant immediate relative petition - the additional thing you file to get a K-3) on the same day for a long time. Plus, the CR-1 is a vastly superior visa - you go straight to green card holder in one step. With the K-3, you have to do the visa and then when he gets here, apply for the green card in a separate process, costing another ~$1000! Of course, this is all good for the lawyer's pocketbook, because he can charge you for two filings instead of just one!

I wanted to also point out some of my favorite links and resources on this site, which you might find useful. At the top of the page there is a blue bar with white text (you may need to stretch your window sideways because the text wraps funny) you'll see several links up there. The first one I looked at was the guides. Check out the flow charts for an overview of the process and a general idea of time involved for each step. Next is immigration Timelines - this site collects a lot of statistical information, and can help you see what kind of time frame you're looking at. The stuff labeled as K-3 isn't very good data any more - there aren't enough samples and if you look at the dates for those who have left their timelines as K-3, they just aren't that recent. Lastly, you'll want the embassy info and reviews sections on the second line there. But that's later in the process. There's also a UK regional forum which you may feel like checking out, especially as your interview at the embassy comes around and you're looking for documents and experiences with that part of the process.

[Tumbleweed 0]

Thanks, everyone, for the responses and welcome! And I did verify with my lawyer yesterday that he is NOT going the K-3 route. He never said that, I just assumed that. We are doing I-130 then CR-1. So.....I feel much better now I am still learning all of this, and it means a lot to have the feedback from yall! Thank you

[cactus john 1]

Greetings Fellow ZONIE

I too am new on this, wife is Thai. I lived in Thailand for over 3 years and now have returned to Phoenix to work for a year or two. I've been back for 1 month now.

I too do not understand this whole system and getting ready to seek out a lawyer. Getting ready to file a I-30, or I should say prepare one for submittal..

Wife is coming for a visit next month and will start it then before she has to return to Thailand. (B2 Visa.)

Best of luck!

[Nik+Heather 121]

Greetings Fellow ZONIE

I too am new on this, wife is Thai. I lived in Thailand for over 3 years and now have returned to Phoenix to work for a year or two. I've been back for 1 month now.

I too do not understand this whole system and getting ready to seek out a lawyer. Getting ready to file a I-30, or I should say prepare one for submittal..

Wife is coming for a visit next month and will start it then before she has to return to Thailand. (B2 Visa.)

Best of luck!

Hi John, Not all lawyers (even ones who specialize in immigration) are created equal. Lots of us on here have filed successfully without one based on the guides and checklists on this site. At the very least become educated about the process here so you can tell if the lawyer you're interviewing is lying to you. Hiring one won't save you much time either, because you'll still have to dig up your documents and other information to go on or with the forms. Unless you have some major hang ups (criminal records, previous immigration problems on your Thai wife's side, etc) all a lawyer a lawyer's SECRETARY will do for you is organize your packet and mail it out a week or two later than you would have done it yourself. Some people find that it's worth it to their peace of mind to have a lawyer do it for them, but the process was supposedly designed for people to be able to do it themselves.

If you're worried about typos or mistakes, a friend or family member is likely to care enough to actually find them for you in exchange for a dinner out. Mebbes you can find someone who will look over your submission in exchange for your wife teaching her how to make that tasty thai iced tea you can get at the restaurants around here.

[cactus john 1]

Hi John, Not all lawyers (even ones who specialize in immigration) are created equal. Lots of us on here have filed successfully without one based on the guides and checklists on this site. At the very least become educated about the process here so you can tell if the lawyer you're interviewing is lying to you. Hiring one won't save you much time either, because you'll still have to dig up your documents and other information to go on or with the forms. Unless you have some major hang ups (criminal records, previous immigration problems on your Thai wife's side, etc) all a lawyer a lawyer's SECRETARY will do for you is organize your packet and mail it out a week or two later than you would have done it yourself. Some people find that it's worth it to their peace of mind to have a lawyer do it for them, but the process was supposedly designed for people to be able to do it themselves.

If you're worried about typos or mistakes, a friend or family member is likely to care enough to actually find them for you in exchange for a dinner out. Mebbes you can find someone who will look over your submission in exchange for your wife teaching her how to make that tasty thai iced tea you can get at the restaurants around here.

Well, have decided to do it ourselves as I do not want to pay for a lier oops, lawyer. No problems either in my or my wife's family ( criminal and or past immigration.. )

I feel overwhelmed sometimes just reading the instructions for the forms, but gunna give it a go, the 'ol college try so to speak.

Sorry it to so long to answer ya..

[O & C 3]

Welcome to VJ. Wishing you the best on your Journey!!