Many K3 visa questions...

[celtichobbit 0]

Hi there,

I'm extremely new to all of this and am feeling a bit bogged down with all the legal speech, but I'm working hard to understand all of this because I love my husband and I want to figure out how to be with him. So, anyway. I have a few questions but I should probably do a bit of background so y'all know more about the situation.

Alex and I met on facebook about 5months ago, we had a few friends in common and wound up talking on Skype A LOT. As crazy as it sounds (but I'm sure there's a few of you on here that can understand through semi-similar stories) we fell in love. We decided we wanted to get married and started looking into everything. He came for a 3-week visit (just left yesterday actually ] and we processed the marriage paperwork so now we are married. I need to go and get the certified certificate before I can start on anything else, but he's back in Wales now finishing up at Uni.

The "plan" is for me to go stay with him until he's done with Uni and then come back here in about May or so, have the actual wedding ceremony because that's important to both of us, and then live here in Alaska. He would like to join the US Coast Guard but as far as I can tell he needs a green card first.

So, my questions are:

1. Should we apply for a K3 visa, then apply for a green card/citizenship?? or just go for a green card?

2. How long will it take?

3. Can he work in the US on a K3 visa?

4. On some of the applications we have to provide proof of income because they don't want him to come to the US and be on welfare and all that which is fair enough. He doesn't have a job as of yet, because he hadn't needed one while he was going through Uni, but he is planning on getting one in the evenings so an after-class job pretty much, would that work fine on one of those applications? neither of us have careers yet, we're both 'old fashioned' and want to work it where he works and I can be a stay-at-home-wife and eventually mother. But, I'm going to be looking for a job soon so we can get some more money saved up as well as hopefully help with the paperwork.

I think that's all...at least for now.

Thanks so much!

-Rebecca

[together4evr 360]

The process of immigration is expensive and time consuming.

You will need a joint sponsor to petition him to come to USA.

You can go live with him while you wait but it is hard to do all the paperwork at the NVC level from another country.

K3 is more expensive and usually it is closed at NVC and the CR-1 is continued.

K3 will not allow him to work when he gets here for 3-6 months

CR-1 is cheaper. Allows him a GC and SSN within weeks of getting here so he can get a job.

If you stay in USA and he stays there you will need to make 18,400 (almost) to sponsor him. Or you need a joint sponsor who makes enough for their family and him. so the joint sponsor needs 18,400 for the foreigner and himself and add 4000 approx for each person he claims on his taxes every year.

So if he has a wife and 2 kids and your spouse that is 5 people or about 32,000

Assets of his or yours or joint sponsor can also be used but the amount for the spouse and joint sponsor are 5 times 18,400 and if they are your assets then it is 3 times the amount.

Good Luck

[Teddy♥Pika 2]

Hi there,

I'm extremely new to all of this and am feeling a bit bogged down with all the legal speech, but I'm working hard to understand all of this because I love my husband and I want to figure out how to be with him. So, anyway. I have a few questions but I should probably do a bit of background so y'all know more about the situation.

Alex and I met on facebook about 5months ago, we had a few friends in common and wound up talking on Skype A LOT. As crazy as it sounds (but I'm sure there's a few of you on here that can understand through semi-similar stories) we fell in love. We decided we wanted to get married and started looking into everything. He came for a 3-week visit (just left yesterday actually ] and we processed the marriage paperwork so now we are married. I need to go and get the certified certificate before I can start on anything else, but he's back in Wales now finishing up at Uni.

The "plan" is for me to go stay with him until he's done with Uni and then come back here in about May or so, have the actual wedding ceremony because that's important to both of us, and then live here in Alaska. He would like to join the US Coast Guard but as far as I can tell he needs a green card first.

So, my questions are:

1. Should we apply for a K3 visa, then apply for a green card/citizenship?? or just go for a green card?

2. How long will it take?

3. Can he work in the US on a K3 visa?

4. On some of the applications we have to provide proof of income because they don't want him to come to the US and be on welfare and all that which is fair enough. He doesn't have a job as of yet, because he hadn't needed one while he was going through Uni, but he is planning on getting one in the evenings so an after-class job pretty much, would that work fine on one of those applications? neither of us have careers yet, we're both 'old fashioned' and want to work it where he works and I can be a stay-at-home-wife and eventually mother. But, I'm going to be looking for a job soon so we can get some more money saved up as well as hopefully help with the paperwork.

I think that's all...at least for now.

Thanks so much!

-Rebecca

Hi! I was reading what you just wrote and I hope I could help you with some information.

According to your question 1) You will need to start applaying for a IR-1/CR-1 Visa (is a conditional visa) . K3 visa is only for couples with more than 2 years of marriage.

2)Once the USICS gets your solicitude, will take about 4 or 5 moths for them to approve it (it depends on each case) After that, the USCIS will send your application to the NVC, it will take about 2-4 months (again, it depends on each case)

3)He can work, but also he needs to remove his conditional visa once he's in USA.

4)Is good you both are saving money, it will be necessary for the Affidavit of support

My best wishes!!!!

Sincerely

Michelle

[together4evr 360]

K3 is not for married over 2 years

IR-1 is for over 2 years married and the process is the same for CR-1

K3 is a non immigrant visa-process much like the fiance visas. If approved it does not stay at NVC and you get interviewed quicker usually.

[Darnell 8,478]

One doesn't get a green card with a K-3 visa.

Comparison on K-3 vs CR-1 - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/204324-wondering-if-i-made-a-mistake-marrying-in-us/page__view__findpost__p__3060767

K-3 administratively closed - http://www.visajourney.com/news/2010/02/07/department-of-state-to-close-k-3-visas-if-i-129f-and-i-130-petitions-approved-and-received-together/

[GandK 168]

You have a lot of reading to do. Check out the guide and family-based visa comparison.

Since, now you are married you can apply for CR-1 spousal visa.

The K-3 visa is intended to shorten the time the couple spend being apart, its purpose is to get the foreign fiancé to the USA as fast as possible.

The issue is nowadays the processing of K-3 is almost the same as CR-1 (9-12 months from filing till visa in hand).

Therefore the K-3 visa is fading out and they would pretty much treat it as a CR-1 application as the other have said.

I think you should file CR-1 as soon as possible.

A second note.

The immigration process is very time consuming and expensive. Although CR-1 is the cheapest option. He will get green card upon entry to the USA.

You (the US citizen) must be able to demonstrate you can financially support BOTH of you. If you fail to do this, your visa application will be denied.

If you do not have a job or don't make enough money. I suggest you start looking for co-sponsor, your parents maybe.

Edited January 8, 2012 by GandK