60-90 day gap between marriage and working!?!?

[Blondie-CO 8]

So... my fiance and I had our petition approved and are preparing for his interview and physical etc for the K1 Visa. We just learned that there is a 60-90 day gap between the day we get married and the time he will be legally able to work in the United States!?!?!? We both recently graduated college and I just got a great job in CO, but we don't have much money saved to prepare for 3 or more months on just one income!!! My fiance, Johan, has an aeronautical engineer degree and has started looking for a job in Sweden(preparing to move here around February 2012). We were originally planning on him working in Sweden for about 6 months to save money before moving to the US, but is that the best option? The thought of being apart longer than we have to is awful, but the thought of him being here and stressed about money (or the lack of) because he couldn't work for 3 months is also awful.

Should he stay in Sweden and work to save money?

Or should he move here asap to get "ahead" on the 60-90 day thing?

We are curious as to how other people have handled this. Please help!

Edited July 18, 2011 by Blondie-CO

[lovepath 11]

I do not know much about the 90 day gap to start working, but things to consider:

-The k-1 visa is valid for 6 months from date of issue...he would need to enter the US before 6 months is over.

-He is a highly trained professional / engineer, is he prepared to work is something else (dare I say gas station) if he comes here, considering the economy at this time?

Good Luck.

Edited July 18, 2011 by lovepath

[TBoneTX 46,321]

Had you been doing reading on this site, so that this wouldn't have been a surprise? (Welcome to VJ, by the way!)

Once the visa is issued, there's typically a 6-month time frame in which to use it to enter the U.S. He can work up a storm (including overtime, if possible) and leave for the U.S. toward the end of the visa's validity period. He shouldn't wait until the last day, however; too many things could go wrong.

Worries about finances are a chief reason for strain in relationships. Do the best you can. As soon as he enters the U.S., marry as soon as possible, ask the Justice of the Peace if you can hand-carry the signed marriage license to the courthouse, wait there while you order and receive multiple marriage certificates (I recommend a minimum of 3 copies), and include one certificate in your AOS/EAD/AP package that's otherwise completely prepared to go in, along with the full payment for it. The sooner that your papers hit USCIS, the sooner they should be approved. Keep the faith!

[Boiler 46,322]

Get married and go the CR1 route?

[kzielu 1,154]

Had you been doing reading on this site, so that this wouldn't have been a surprise? (Welcome to VJ, by the way!)

Good point ;-) How about OP reads more on what the AOS costs are ($1070) so he can even start the process of obtaining the work permit - just to avoid more future surprises, since $ apparently may be a problem. Recommend http://www.visajourney.com/content/guides - very valuable source of information.

[kzielu 1,154]

Had you been doing reading on this site, so that this wouldn't have been a surprise? (Welcome to VJ, by the way!)

Good point ;-) How about OP reads more on what the AOS costs are ($1070) so he can even start the process of obtaining the work permit - just to avoid more future surprises, since $ apparently may be a problem. Recommend http://www.visajourney.com/content/guides - very valuable source of information.

[Messybrownhair 251]

I would day it could take more than 90 days that he doesn't work depending on how soon you can marry and file for AOS upon entry.. goodluck and I hope you figure things out

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

More like 120-150 days before you are authorized to work, then they have to find a job. You have to get married, get a certified copy of the marriage certificate, which in some places can take 30-60 days and then file for the AOS and EAD. My wife arrived in September and we wasted no time and she got her green card in January, 4 months after arriving and that was FAST. She got the green card before she got her EAD which sometimes happens. Planning for your fiancee to be able to work in 60 -90 days from when he arrives is foolish. That is the price of the K-1 visa but of course you have provided proof that you can support your fiancee, TWICE, before they get the EAD or green card so why would it be a financial strain?

You can always choose the CR-1 and your spouse would be authorized to work immediately on arrival.

Edited July 18, 2011 by Gary and Alla

[Jilli & Ales 9]

Yep, this is an issue for everyone I think. It's just funny, because it's like... what CAN I do? We're putting off the marriage a few months so he can earn just a bit more and I'm going to try to get him to do some volunteering at an animal shelter or some such place. He'll go mad with boredom if I leave him to go to work, and it might help to have some American "work" reference when he's actually allowed to start job seeking. What did y'all do?

[NHKx2 43]

That's why my (now husband) and I opted for the CR-1 route. We wanted him to be able to start working immediately.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

That's why, given the choice between a K-1 and a CR-1 visa, the latter one wins hands down. First, there's no waiting time. Johan would enter the United States as a Green Card holder and can do whatever he wants to do right away. Secondly, you would not have to do AOS at all, which alone saves you not only time, but $1,070 in fees as well.

[Messybrownhair 251]

That's why, given the choice between a K-1 and a CR-1 visa, the latter one wins hands down. First, there's no waiting time. Johan would enter the United States as a Green Card holder and can do whatever he wants to do right away. Secondly, you would not have to do AOS at all, which alone saves you not only time, but $1,070 in fees as well.

I agree that CR1 is totally a better deal, its just too bad it wouldn't have worked for us! We needed a long engagement because we were both young and my decision to leave Asia and move to the US was painful for my parents. The k1 allowed them time to "process" it. If we did the CR1 we would have had to get married right away. I think for us we made the right choice, both our families came to our wedding, it was a big celebration and it was such perfect timing! However, we knew and we were prepared for AOS so it wasn't a shock to us.. I fixed most of my AOS forms prior to getting married so that I could send it in right away. I got my marriage certificate the same day I was married and I sent my forms off two days later, got my EAD and GC in less than three months.. It was stressful but I am so glad it's over and looking back I have no regrets!

[Mike&Rach 0]

Yep, this is an issue for everyone I think. It's just funny, because it's like... what CAN I do? We're putting off the marriage a few months so he can earn just a bit more and I'm going to try to get him to do some volunteering at an animal shelter or some such place. He'll go mad with boredom if I leave him to go to work, and it might help to have some American "work" reference when he's actually allowed to start job seeking. What did y'all do?

We are planning the same.

[Jilli & Ales 9]

We are planning the same.

Wow we are twinsies! NOA1 and NOA2 dates are the same!

[Mike&Rach 0]

Wow we are twinsies! NOA1 and NOA2 dates are the same!

That's funny!