Worried & Confused - Help!

[claire3 0]

Hello, I am new here

I am a UK citizen who has been engaged to a US citizen for about 2 years now, we have finally decided that now would be the right time to marry and be together permanently (he was in Iraq for a year then I did some traveling myself).

However I am very worried about how long this visa application process is likely to take, our plan is to get married by October this year and I really don't want to wait any longer than that because I miss him so much when we are apart and we wish to start a family asap within a marriage.

We are assuming the fiance visa would be the quicker and easier option as opposed to the spouse visa, also the former would enable us to marry in US with his large family present which is what we both want. My guy had always assumed it would be a quick and easy process due to him being in the army reserves and the fact that I am coming from the UK and not a third world country.

But I am so worried, there is a lot of contradictory information out there. Whilst my guy thinks the whole process will more than likely be complete in less than half a year, other sources say it could take up to 18 months

Any advice or information would be much appreciated, thanks in advance

[realizment 18]

In most cases it takes 8-9 months max. Some get lucky and get there first approvals sooner than others therefore cutting a few months out of the whole process but thats a small few. You should get first approval (NOA2) within 5 months then it takes about 2 months 2 interview and visa comes about one week after successful interview. We filed in September 2011. I got my visa last week. In some cases military personnel can request for expedite. You can look and see if you guys qualify for that. But its only for certain reasons.

18 months is very unlikely. Its possible, but unlikely. As long as you are well prepared and send a complete petition, that doesnt cause delays later on by being asked for more evidence (RFE). Preparation is key. As long as your well prepared and you have a legitimate relationship all should be fine.

Best of luck on your journey!!! I wish you a speedy one!

[Adriene H 89]

There's your answer. It could take 6-18 months =)

If you're fiance is deployed, you may qualify for an expedite

[agrabs 240]

Go to the timeline section and you can do a timeline search for the specific type of visa- K1 and country and you will get a general idea of how long it will likely take. Unfortunately there is nothing quick and easy about the process. All of us going through this want to be with our loved ones as soon as possible. Luckily you have found this site before starting the process, so that will be very helpful. Read everything you can about the process before you get started. That will help make it easier. Good luck

[Laure&Colin 537]

18 months?? No, that doesn't happen for a K1 visa in the UK. 6 months, possibly, maybe a little more. You should look at the timelines here to see the average timeframe for an applicant in the UK.

K1 is faster than the spousal visa, not by very much though and only if you consider time apart, but I certainly wouldn't say it's easier: after entering the USA and marrying, you'll have to file for Adjustment of Status to become a permanent resident and receive a green card, while people who enter on a spousal visa (IR1/CR1) become permanent residents upon entry, so they can work/travel immediately.

However if you wish to have your wedding in the US, the K1 is the right route for you. Read the guides here on VJ and you'll have most of the information you need on this visa.

Your fiancé being in the military might allow your case to be expedited during the first step, but I'm not sure how it works, you should look into the military related forum.

Good luck !

[claire3 0]

Thank you to everyone for your speedy and helpful responses!

So it looks as if it won't be too optimistic to start planning our wedding date in October, I was worried about setting a date and sending out invites to people in case of a delay in the application process.

Yes my fiance mentioned about the visa being expedited, however it seems that you can only request it, and there's no guarantee that they will process it faster. If only there was a fee that could be paid to get the process sped up! Oh well, fingers crossed! My fiance will send the initial paperwork off by the end of this week.

Does anyone know what kind of questions I will be asked at the embassy? Will medical records be required? As I have been to the Dr. several times with depression and worried that will affect the application. Is there anything else that could go against me?

[xjoseyx 19]

Thank you to everyone for your speedy and helpful responses!

So it looks as if it won't be too optimistic to start planning our wedding date in October, I was worried about setting a date and sending out invites to people in case of a delay in the application process.

Yes my fiance mentioned about the visa being expedited, however it seems that you can only request it, and there's no guarantee that they will process it faster. If only there was a fee that could be paid to get the process sped up! Oh well, fingers crossed! My fiance will send the initial paperwork off by the end of this week.

Does anyone know what kind of questions I will be asked at the embassy? Will medical records be required? As I have been to the Dr. several times with depression and worried that will affect the application. Is there anything else that could go against me?

Hi! you should check out this thread in the UK forum on here http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/350185-london-2012-k1s-from-noa2-to-interview-thread/

Lots of info about your visa process. Helpful hints etc. Depression wont go against you. You will need to provide some info on your history and treatment at your medical appointment.

[realizment 18]

In terms of planning wedding and such, you could always do a civil wedding in court or small chapel, just for the paperwork, then plan a big ceremony later down the road. That way you guys can plan better, while together in the US.

[JS&PL 3]

In terms of planning wedding and such, you could always do a civil wedding in court or small chapel, just for the paperwork, then plan a big ceremony later down the road. That way you guys can plan better, while together in the US.

That's what we are going to do too! Good luck on your journey!

[Moomin 292]

Yeah, civil wedding or - if the wedding date is very important to you - visit him and marry, back to UK and then file a CR-1 (i-130) petition instead.

The K1 visa is mostly only flexible if you want to gain more time before moving to the US because you can delay the process at various stages. Speeding it up it's only when getting it expedited or if you're fortunate however, throughout the process there are ways to at least not slow it down and you might shave off a week here or there(having paperwork ready, medical, etc) I agree, jump to the UK forum and read a bit, loads of country specific info there.

Good luck.

[VandP 1]

wow, i believe your case is faster than others, he has served in the army, you are from UK, you guys spend a lot of time with each other. It could takes less than 3 months to obtain a visa for application like that! But dont forget to have good front load!

[Peter_Pan 661]

^ Don't give her false hope.

Expedite I think it is possible if he deploys soon. If not, then it makes no difference.

The fact that he served the army and they spent a lot of time together is also irrelevant for how long the first parts of the process will take.

October seems awfully optimistic, I have "planned" for a ceremony 7 months starting from NOA1, but it seems that might not happen.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Once the visa is issued then it's valid for six months. Once you enter the US with the visa then you've got 90 days to get married. Practically speaking, this gives you a 9 month window for the wedding, provided you allow sufficient time to actually get the visa. If it's really important to have a big wedding in the US, and you want that to be the ONLY wedding (i.e., no civil marriage to satisfy the K1 requirements) then submit the petition at least a year before the planned wedding date. The K1 denial rate is pretty low for UK citizens, and the odds of getting visa within 12 months are very good. Chance are you'll get the visa several months before the planned wedding, and you've got six months to use it. Plan to enter the US several weeks before the wedding. This will give you time for rehearsals and such, and still ensure that the wedding date is within the 90 day window. Just keep in mind that any delays or setbacks could result in you having to change your plans.

Planning on getting everything completed in 8 months is a gamble that you'll probably lose.

Caveat: I wouldn't even consider the above plan if your fiancee is from a second or third world country. The risk of being denied or delayed is too high.