What steps to take? Suggestions?

[John*&*his*GG 2]

Hi my name is John. I'm an American in St. Louis Mo. I have met a wonderful woman online and we have kept a relationship for 7 months this week. We want to take things to the next step and even are considering marriage or at least it seems where it is heading. Currently I am looking for work so I know that is my first step.

Just a bit of background on myself I am currently going to school and never been outside the USA. I am 32 not working and haven't been able to work for 8 years for medical reasons and now looking for work since I have been able to keep up with school and maintaining a 4.0 gpa.

Background on my girlfriend she is 26. She is originally from the Philippines but currently in Amman, Jordan on a work visa. She is a RN and a private nurse there. She is ready to leave and wants to be with me here in St. Louis. Her work visa is done next Nov 2011 but would like to be here sooner than that.

I'm not completely clueless about visas or about our options but close. I would like to know what would be the quickest and easiest route to get her here. I don't expect anything to be quick or even easy but I am just looking the best way to get her here and for us to be together. However, I'm not sure of where to even start. Please if anyone has any suggestions and even tips of how to pass the visas. Also of what steps to take and what is going to happen and what to expect.

Thanks

[Anh map 2,098]

You will have to meet face to face prior to submitting a fiancee petition.

[John*&*his*GG 2]

You will have to meet face to face prior to submitting a fiancee petition.

Thanks and I'm actually trying to figure out the best way to do that. We have considered having me visit her in Amman but we both have been worried about my safety. At this point we are just looking for a way for her to just get here. I know once I have a job that part would be easier but from there what steps to take to get her here with me.

[canadian_wife 1,829]

For her to move to the US to be with you, you can file the K-1 fiance visa - however, to file that petition, you must have met in person within the last 2 years. Since you do not meet that requirement, you cannot file the K-1 fiance until then

You may also marry and petition for a spousal visa, however since you are not currently married, you do not qualify for a spousal visa

So as of now, you do not qualify for a spousal visa nor a fiance visa.

1st step must be to meet.

Then you may decide how to proceed

good luck

[John*&*his*GG 2]

What about work visa or a tourist visa are those likely for her to get to come over? Do I have any other options than to go to Amman?

[canadian_wife 1,829]

A work visa would require a US company to sponsor her. Unless she has a job lined up and a US company willing to pay the thousands of dollars for the visa, she currently does not qualify for that

She can apply to a US school and apply for a student visa. She may also apply for a tourist visa, but she'll need to show strong ties to her country to show she MUST return

You may also meet in a 3rd country that you can both travel to.

However, the meeting requirement is not one that is side-stepped

Good luck

[John*&*his*GG 2]

A work visa would require a US company to sponsor her. Unless she has a job lined up and a US company willing to pay the thousands of dollars for the visa, she currently does not qualify for that

She can apply to a US school and apply for a student visa. She may also apply for a tourist visa, but she'll need to show strong ties to her country to show she MUST return

You may also meet in a 3rd country that you can both travel to.

However, the meeting requirement is not one that is side-stepped

Good luck

Once I have a job I can sponsor her for the tourist for us to meet? Also if we apply for the fiancee visa at the same time that she is here can we get married that way or will she have to go back home? Also if she gets a work visa can we get married once she comes over on that?

[canadian_wife 1,829]

You don't sponsor her for a tourist visa, she applies herself showing her ties to her country

No, you cannot marry THEN apply for a fiance visa. Fiance visas are for fiances, not spouses. When you meet, if you decide to marry you can then petition for a spousal visa. If after you meet but do not marry, you can petition for a fiance visa

If she gets a work visa, you may marry her while she is in the US on a work visa

GOod luck

[John*&*his*GG 2]

You don't sponsor her for a tourist visa, she applies herself showing her ties to her country

No, you cannot marry THEN apply for a fiance visa. Fiance visas are for fiances, not spouses. When you meet, if you decide to marry you can then petition for a spousal visa. If after you meet but do not marry, you can petition for a fiance visa

If she gets a work visa, you may marry her while she is in the US on a work visa

GOod luck

Sorry I stated that wrong. I meant could she get a tourist visa, come here, visit me then can we apply for the fiance visa? Same for work visa?

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Once you have met, you can petition for a fiance visa (but she will have to return). A work visa is different, she needs a company to sponsor her which can take a long time.

Good luck

[John*&*his*GG 2]

Once you have met, you can petition for a fiance visa (but she will have to return). A work visa is different, she needs a company to sponsor her which can take a long time.

Good luck

Ok I have one more question then I think you answered all my questions. Assuming we meet in a 3rd country, I have a job by then, and we decide when we meet we want to get married. What then? Do I just come back to the USA and file from here the fiance visa? Or Do I have to fly there to Amman anyways? Will we both have to fill out paperwork? Will we have to file just in the USA where will live or is there paper work in Philippines or Jordan she will need? Will she have to go to either? or All online or something I can do?

Also assuming she gets approved for a tourist or even a work visa is she able to fly straight to St. Louis or is there an entry point she will have to stop at first?

Final question (sorry I have so many) when you say ties is her work visa in Jordan enough or will she need something more than that?

Thanks so much for your help I really appreciate it.

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Again, if you meet in a 3rd country, get married, you CANNOT petition for a fiance visa. If you are married, you MUST petition for a spousal visa

there is no requirement that you must go to her country. A 3rd country is fine.

You both have to file and sign paperwork. Read the guides and the petition instructions. YOU petition in the US, she'll interview in the country she is legally in, either Jordan or PI.

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

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-130instr.pdf

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf

Take a look at the links with the instructions

good luck

[John*&*his*GG 2]

Again, if you meet in a 3rd country, get married, you CANNOT petition for a fiance visa. If you are married, you MUST petition for a spousal visa

there is no requirement that you must go to her country. A 3rd country is fine.

You both have to file and sign paperwork. Read the guides and the petition instructions. YOU petition in the US, she'll interview in the country she is legally in, either Jordan or PI.

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

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-130instr.pdf

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf

Take a look at the links with the instructions

good luck

We will both be interviewed? Interviewed together ever? or She will be the only one interviewed?

and Thanks so much that is all the questions I have. Thanks for bearing with me.

[canadian_wife 1,829]

She is typically the one interviewed, however it is not impossible for the petitioner to be interviewed in a field office in the US.

Good luck

[John*&*his*GG 2]

She is typically the one interviewed, however it is not impossible for the petitioner to be interviewed in a field office in the US.

Good luck

Oh ok I thought we both would have to interview together. Thanks again for all the information you gave me.