general help... frustrated

[pluginchrissy 0]

I am a USC.... my fiancee is from Guatemala where he lives. I was just wondering, is it easier to apply for a fiancee Visa, or should I just go there and marry him and go from there? We are unsure what to do because money is very tight and is going to be one of our downfalls . I just want opinions as to what route to take in getting him here. thank you! We feel very helpless right now.

[Jojo92122 1,924]

It doesn't matter which route you take because you will need to prove that you have a bond fide relationship (and not a relationship for an immigration benefit).

Read this chart to see the cost and time between the two; http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Spousal visa is cheaper and far superior, but for both you will have to show that you have money to support him. I'd make life plans before visa plans.

[Krikit 1,165]

Hello, and welcome to VJ. I am going to move your thread from the Introducing Our Members forum over to General Immigration Discussion. You're more likely to get responses over there.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Spousal visa is cheaper and far superior, but for both you will have to show that you have money to support him. I'd make life plans before visa plans.

Not always "far superior". Something not mentioned on the VJ comparison guide is that derivative children are eligible for K2's until they're 21 years old. They're only eligible for K4's if their parent married the US citizen before they were 18. For a CR2 their parent also must have married the US citizen before they were 18, and they need a separate petition.

If it weren't for the K1/K2 then both of my step kids would still be in Vietnam.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Spousal visa is cheaper and far superior, but for both you will have to show that you have money to support him. I'd make life plans before visa plans.

Not cheaper in the OP's case. As money seems to be an issue then getting married first requires getting together which equals a possibly expensive flight.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I am a USC.... my fiancee is from Guatemala where he lives. I was just wondering, is it easier to apply for a fiancee Visa, or should I just go there and marry him and go from there? We are unsure what to do because money is very tight and is going to be one of our downfalls . I just want opinions as to what route to take in getting him here. thank you! We feel very helpless right now.

If money is an issue then go K1. It means you can apply now, before waiting to get married which means saving the money on the flight to GET married.

The next issue money wise (aside from visa fees) is the USC earning enough to sponsor you (and his household size) or need a co-sponsor. Then once you arrive in the US there's the fee for AOS ($1070 at the moment) and the fact you can't work and travel until yuo have either the EAD, AP or GC.

On that front if he doesn't earn enough money to support himself, then having you around and unable to work would be a big burden. In that vein then the CR-1 might be the better option. The way to decide:

- Do you need to work immediately?

- Do you want to spend the first year of marriage together? Or waiting for the visa?

[kennym 275]

If money is an issue then go K1. It means you can apply now, before waiting to get married which means saving the money on the flight to GET married.

The next issue money wise (aside from visa fees) is the USC earning enough to sponsor you (and his household size) or need a co-sponsor. Then once you arrive in the US there's the fee for AOS ($1070 at the moment) and the fact you can't work and travel until yuo have either the EAD, AP or GC.

On that front if he doesn't earn enough money to support himself, then having you around and unable to work would be a big burden. In that vein then the CR-1 might be the better option. The way to decide:

- Do you need to work immediately?

- Do you want to spend the first year of marriage together? Or waiting for the visa?

The OP is the USC...

To the OP..

The big benefit of going the CR1 route is that the Beneficiary can work when they arrive in the US.. I will tell you, that is huge in many cases... My wife was a K1 Beneficiary, and it was really hard for her the first 6 months waiting in kind of a "limbo" situation.. She had no EAD, no permission to work, dificult to get a drivers license, in many states impossible, it made her time very dificult..

If this is a factor for your fiancee, consider getting married and doing the CR1.. Keep in mind, getting married in other countries can be tricky.. We could not marry in Colombia, because they wouldnt accept my birth certifite.. I have no Idea about you fiancee's country, but, you'll need to check into the requirements...

Those are other things to think about..

Kenny

Edited September 22, 2011 by kennym

[VanessaTony 3,567]

The OP is the USC...

And? Doesn't make my advice any less valid, I assume the OP is smart enough to convert it to their situation.

[kennym 275]

And? Doesn't make my advice any less valid, I assume the OP is smart enough to convert it to their situation.

Wow.. Sooo defensive...

Relax a little,

I was just pointing that out,

There is no place that I stated your post was not valid...

[CarlaByron 0]

Just my own experience....

I had been married once before I met my wonderful Guatemalan man. My "married" name is on my passport which, of course, does not match my birth certificate. I was not allowed to get married in Guatemala until I changed the name on my passport. So, between time and money we decided to go K1.

NOA1 was April 1st and the interview will be October 13th.

Good luck with your Journey!