I am in need for some wise advice.

[arwen 8]

Hello there,

I find myself in a bit of a predicament and I really don't know what to do. I am a British citizen and I've been living in Italy for many years now. I have a good life and a good job which I thought would take me right up to retirement (if God spares me) How wrong was I! I met my American fella online 4 years ago and have been out to see him several times now for long periods of time. We filed for the k1 on the 19th August while I was there in the States with him. If the processing times are correct, immigration should be contacting me around January. By the time I have the medical and interview another month and a half will pass, which will lead me up to mid February. Now, my problem is that I am bound by contract for both my job and my flat. I have to give three months notice for both! This will lead me up to mid May before I can leave for the USA. My problem is that I will be taking my old pooch with me and according to my research, most airlines will not take animals in the hold after May the 15th through to the 15th September due to extreme temperatures. I will not take any chances at all, so I need to leave before that time.I love her dearly and am terrified for the flight as she is an old dog and has never flown before.

As you can see I am cutting it very fine regarding timing. I do not want it to be a mad rush during the couple of weeks leading up to my departure. I was thinking about handing my notice in at work and for the flat the first week in January just to make sure that I am ready for the first week in May. This is a huge risk as I don't know if they will give it to me yet, and if everything went tits up I would be up sh** creek big time. Jobless and homeless. My question to you is, statistically, what are the chances of me being refused the visa? I personally can't see why they would. I have never been in trouble with the police and neither has he. I have no health problems, we love each other and have been together for four years. What do you think? Am I crazy? Please Discuss

[CBM 14]

Would it be possible for you to bring your dog to your fiance in the US on a trip before your visa is granted? Or, your fiance could come visit you and bring the dog back to the US?

I'm not sure what the rules are ... if you have to show "ownership" of the dog for it to get on board... anyway, just a suggestion

It would mean you & the dog would be apart for a few months, but I assume you can do that, if you have been apart from your fiance for 4 years!

[thelastpetitioner 218]

you do realize that k-1 is good for six months,right?you could get your k-1,then give your work and landlord heads up and leave within three months

[Nagishkaw 510]

Topic moved FROM Off Topic TO K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/80-k-1-fiancee-visa-process-procedures/

[canadian_wife 1,822]

I agree, don't give notice to your job until your visa is in hand, don't go by the timelines you've made up for yourself (IE - May departure) as SO much can happen between now and then.

My advice, give your 3 months after your visa has been issued, that way you can have additional time to work and settle your affairs in Italy

Good luck

[PurpleSky 19]

I would wait until visa is in hand. You could stall the process a little more (to avoid the extreme temperature months) by letting there be a little bit of a lag before returning your paperwork and again when scheduling your interview. Also just a thought as I don't know how things work there but here if you had to give 3 months notice that means ATLEAST 3 months prior rather than having to be out in 3 months. For instance I have to give my landlord 30 days notice but I could actually tell her TODAY that I'm moving out April 30 and not incur a penalty or have to move out next month.

[arwen 8]

Would it be possible for you to bring your dog to your fiance in the US on a trip before your visa is granted? Or, your fiance could come visit you and bring the dog back to the US?

I'm not sure what the rules are ... if you have to show "ownership" of the dog for it to get on board... anyway, just a suggestion

It would mean you & the dog would be apart for a few months, but I assume you can do that, if you have been apart from your fiance for 4 years!

I did actually think about doing that even though I'd hate it because. She is used to me coming and going and by now knows that I always come back, but I always leave her with the same person. It would mean me leaving her with a person she didn't know, but seeing the situation is the way it is, it might be a better option. This leads me to another question, Am I allowed to travel on a visa waiver once I have the k1 or do I have to go before they give it to me? It would be great if I could take the dog to the states at Easter and then use my k1 a couple of months later when I'm all organized. That way we will be separated for 2 months only.

[arwen 8]

I would wait until visa is in hand. You could stall the process a little more (to avoid the extreme temperature months) by letting there be a little bit of a lag before returning your paperwork and again when scheduling your interview. Also just a thought as I don't know how things work there but here if you had to give 3 months notice that means ATLEAST 3 months prior rather than having to be out in 3 months. For instance I have to give my landlord 30 days notice but I could actually tell her TODAY that I'm moving out April 30 and not incur a penalty or have to move out next month.

Unfortunately that is not an option. I have to give her three months notice, if I don't she has the right to keep my 3 months deposit money which is 2 grand and there is no way I'm having that. The same with my job, they could keep 3 months of my liquidation money, so it could proove rather expensive if I just walked out. I need all the cash I can get right now, so I'm doing everything by the book!

[Fandango 1,439]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/279556-sending-a-dogalone/

As you can see, you're not the only one with this dilemma, so I would suggest contacting the OP of that thread if you have any information to share as it would be beneficial to her as well

I would get your fiance to fly over to retrieve the dog. Once you are issued the K-1, it will be 'activated' when you step on American soil...so there's no pooping over to bring the dog, then using the visa the next time you come.

Good luck!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

you do realize that k-1 is good for six months,right?you could get your k-1,then give your work and landlord heads up and leave within three months

I agree, don't give notice to your job until your visa is in hand, don't go by the timelines you've made up for yourself (IE - May departure) as SO much can happen between now and then.

My advice, give your 3 months after your visa has been issued, that way you can have additional time to work and settle your affairs in Italy

I would wait until visa is in hand. You could stall the process a little more (to avoid the extreme temperature months) by letting there be a little bit of a lag before returning your paperwork and again when scheduling your interview. Also just a thought as I don't know how things work there but here if you had to give 3 months notice that means ATLEAST 3 months prior rather than having to be out in 3 months. For instance I have to give my landlord 30 days notice but I could actually tell her TODAY that I'm moving out April 30 and not incur a penalty or have to move out next month.

The issue is NOT the apartment or the job timing, the PROBLEM (as he quite clearly stated) is his dog travelling and how during May - Sept animals aren't allowed in the hold due to extreme temps.

He postulated that if everything goes according to current timelines, that he'll have his k1 by Feb... with 3 months notice for everything that takes him to May.. right at the start of the dog "no fly" period. If he gets approved in Feb and waits till the last minute to fly, Feb + 6 months is August.. still in the "dog no fly" period...

----

OP. You can still travel on the VWP after filing the K1. You will need to show strong ties to your country though to prove you're not trying to immigrate (have the K1 NOA1 will help show you're doing it the "right" way).

I also agree that you have maybe a couple of options.

1. Send the dog early to live with your fiancee

2. Send the dog AFTER you, and having him/her stay with the person s/he normally stays with

I personally think, if possible, option 2 is the best. You can organise the flight for the EARLIEST possible time and be there to collect your dog when the time comes and s/he doesn't have the trauma of staying with someone s/he doesn't know.

Edited November 29, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[Tero 105]

I would worry about the visa first, because the mathematics you made on when you would get your visa hardly ever hits. What about waiting till you get your visa in hand, visa is good for 6 months, give your landlord and job the 3 months notice afterwards, and then based on the time your work 3 month notice expires, you might be travelling with the dog yourself! Worry about the visa now, and do the dog worrying when the visa comes. Don't try to cross the bridge before you get there!

[easyukraine 1]

I would wait till I had visa in hand. shipping the dog is not a problem. I was involved in horses and we shipped them around the world. you can use a shipping company and not the airlines so you don't have to worry about no fly times.

[arwen 8]

The issue is NOT the apartment or the job timing, the PROBLEM (as he quite clearly stated) is his dog travelling and how during May - Sept animals aren't allowed in the hold due to extreme temps.

He postulated that if everything goes according to current timelines, that he'll have his k1 by Feb... with 3 months notice for everything that takes him to May.. right at the start of the dog "no fly" period. If he gets approved in Feb and waits till the last minute to fly, Feb + 6 months is August.. still in the "dog no fly" period...

----

OP. You can still travel on the VWP after filing the K1. You will need to show strong ties to your country though to prove you're not trying to immigrate (have the K1 NOA1 will help show you're doing it the "right" way).

I also agree that you have maybe a couple of options.

1. Send the dog early to live with your fiancee

2. Send the dog AFTER you, and having him/her stay with the person s/he normally stays with

I personally think, if possible, option 2 is the best. You can organise the flight for the EARLIEST possible time and be there to collect your dog when the time comes and s/he doesn't have the trauma of staying with someone s/he doesn't know.

Great! You hit the nail on the head! I thought I was getting a little lost in translation for moment there Thanks very much for your advice, it is much appreciated. My fella and I are going to discuss it tomorrow and hopefully come with something!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Great! You hit the nail on the head! I thought I was getting a little lost in translation for moment there Thanks very much for your advice, it is much appreciated. My fella and I are going to discuss it tomorrow and hopefully come with something!

Not a problem Hopefully none of this is an issue and you can travel together with your dog (I know that would be my first option).

You can always try and slow down the process by taking your time to send in the P3 documents but I would just do everything as you normally would and no matter which way it works out, you have a plan in place

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hello there,

I find myself in a bit of a predicament and I really don't know what to do. I am a British citizen and I've been living in Italy for many years now. I have a good life and a good job which I thought would take me right up to retirement (if God spares me) How wrong was I! I met my American fella online 4 years ago and have been out to see him several times now for long periods of time. We filed for the k1 on the 19th August while I was there in the States with him. If the processing times are correct, immigration should be contacting me around January. By the time I have the medical and interview another month and a half will pass, which will lead me up to mid February. Now, my problem is that I am bound by contract for both my job and my flat. I have to give three months notice for both! This will lead me up to mid May before I can leave for the USA. My problem is that I will be taking my old pooch with me and according to my research, most airlines will not take animals in the hold after May the 15th through to the 15th September due to extreme temperatures. I will not take any chances at all, so I need to leave before that time.I love her dearly and am terrified for the flight as she is an old dog and has never flown before.

As you can see I am cutting it very fine regarding timing. I do not want it to be a mad rush during the couple of weeks leading up to my departure. I was thinking about handing my notice in at work and for the flat the first week in January just to make sure that I am ready for the first week in May. This is a huge risk as I don't know if they will give it to me yet, and if everything went tits up I would be up sh** creek big time. Jobless and homeless. My question to you is, statistically, what are the chances of me being refused the visa? I personally can't see why they would. I have never been in trouble with the police and neither has he. I have no health problems, we love each other and have been together for four years. What do you think? Am I crazy? Please Discuss

I recommend you do NOT do anything until the visa is IN YOUR HAND. THEN put in your resignation and apartment notice. The visa is valid for 6 months so a 3 month notice is no problem. OR just pay the three months rent and go. I am sure the landlord will not care if you pay the money.

My wife brought a dog and a cat, one went in cargo, one in the cabin, when she arrived on September 11, 2008. Check with the airlines themselves, not by rumors and innuendos. Rules vary between airlines.

YOU are placing a lot of restrictions on yourself in this process and you have to understand that no one is going to change their rules for you or your dog. You will need to fit your requirements into the rules or change your requirements. It is not so difficult. We did basically the same thing except for the apartment, but that is simple...pay the money and go. We delayed my wife's arrival for more than a month because of her work considerations. No problems. You have plenty of time to plan and there are a lot of airlines to check out.

Edited November 29, 2010 by Gary and Alla