Starting K-1 process, but I live abroad

[Rae21 0]

This may have already been discussed somewhere, then please direct me there.. But I am currently living abroad with my boyfriend, and have been for a year. We met 2 years ago in his country. We are starting to work on the packet now for the K-1 visa, and want to marry next summer 2013 in the States. I plan to move home in April or May of 2013 to find a job and get things prepared with him coming in July and a wedding Hopefully in August then. So I am unsure if there are complications as I live and work abroad right now? Where I should list we will be living-leave it as Germany first since we both wont have jobs to write down in the States, or what to do... I work full time right now in Germany, and he is finishing his last year in the University... advice? Thanks

[Pitaya 2,577]

This may have already been discussed somewhere, then please direct me there.. But I am currently living abroad with my boyfriend, and have been for a year. We met 2 years ago in his country. We are starting to work on the packet now for the K-1 visa, and want to marry next summer 2013 in the States. I plan to move home in April or May of 2013 to find a job and get things prepared with him coming in July and a wedding Hopefully in August then. So I am unsure if there are complications as I live and work abroad right now? Where I should list we will be living-leave it as Germany first since we both wont have jobs to write down in the States, or what to do... I work full time right now in Germany, and he is finishing his last year in the University... advice? Thanks

Welcome to the forum.

You present an interesting situation that has been seen before. A general rule of thumb is to not make any wedding plans or commitments prior to having the visa in your hand. There are far too many possible delays that may occur during this process. Have you looked into getting married in Germany and then doing Direct Consular Filing (DCF) of a spousal visa, since both of you currently live in Germany? It may be simpler and quicker for you. Use the forum's Google search for more information.

There will likely be others more familiar with situations similar to yours that will respond with more information.

As a side note, refrain from listing the Texas Service Center in your profile, it only tends to screw up your timeline statistics. All I-129 petitions are sent to the Dallas Texas lockbox location, and then transferred to either the EAC (Vermont Service Center) or the WAC (California Service Center) for adjudication.

Good luck on your visa journey.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Slight correction in bold below:

I-129F petitions

[Pitaya 2,577]

Slight correction in bold below:

Thanks...... I must be a little delirious from the sweltering Guangzhou weather and our recent events........

[Rae21 0]

but we want to get married in the states... technicalities strip all the romance from it..

eerrr I thought worst case scenario if the visa goes through too quickly, and we have the 6 month time frame to get married in, we could have a court marriage state side and keep a late date for our wedding. I dont believe, from reading, and talking with people it will take more then a year if we sent in in july... I know i shouldn't assume... but im pretty confident..

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

You have too many variables that could not aline correctly,

You will need a job in the US to be able to show support or you will need a co-sponsor.

You should not plan on a particular wedding date until the visa is in hand.

Both of these objectives could take upward to a year.

So your timing to leave Germany to look for employment may have to be adjusted.

Edited June 15, 2012 by LIFE'SJOURNEY

[Rae21 0]

here are my questions now......... i am overloaded,

first of all, what if we had a sponsor? my parents, if we would go for the K-1 visa? and how much do my parents have to make to considered?

OR if we got married in Germany,

how long is the processing time and cost for a Spouse Visa?

advice on waiting to marry or getting married in Germany and applying to go state side that way????? thank you everyone!

[kate&javi 26]

It's totally possible. I also live abroad with my fiancé and have for about a year and a half. We filed for the K1 in January. We will go back to the States together as soon as he gets his visa. Just don't make any solid plans to get married at a certain time or date and you will be ok. If you don't have a job in the US, look for a cosponsor.

[Rae21 0]

who cosponsored for you then? or do you have a job to return to?? and could you do things or mail them to embassys near you, or you mailed everything to the appropriate filing places state side?

[Pitaya 2,577]

who cosponsored for you then? or do you have a job to return to?? and could you do things or mail them to embassys near you, or you mailed everything to the appropriate filing places state side?

It is easy to get overwhelmed with these topics. Keeping it simple helps to keep things in perspective. Keep in mind that this is the government's ball game and their rules, romance isn't necessarily a concern to a bureaucrat.

The I-129F petition must be filed in the US. Please refer to the DoS Nonimmigrant K-1 Visa FAQs for more information.

for information and links on visa comparisons/costs/financial requirements.

[kate&javi 26]

File the petition in the US. Send it to the Dallas lockbox. My parents are our cosponsor. And NO, I do not have a job tp go back to in the States. That's why we are using a cosponsor.

[beejay 123]

File the petition in the US. Send it to the Dallas lockbox. My parents are our cosponsor. And NO, I do not have a job tp go back to in the States. That's why we are using a cosponsor.

Just to add another example I had the same situation. Filed k-1 while living abroad. Did not have a job set up when my then fiance and I moved stateside. We also had a cosponsor because my foreign income did not count towards the income requirements. No questions were asked about domicile at the interview which was at the US embassy in Abu Dhabi.

Good luck Rae21. I think your plan seems very doable.

[Jodhilla 0]

Another here in the same situation, We both live in the UK and have filed for the K1 we also thought about DCF but My partner wants to get married with her family there so we ave gone down this route.

We filed our petition 3 1/2 months ago and are now playing the waiting game, we received our NOA1 to our UK address & we too have got a cosponsor lined up for the next stage.

[Rae21 0]

ok so just to clear this up, we do not need to have co sponsor information included in I-129F petition.. only to have it when we do the interview, or?

and.. what do i all need the co sponsor to sign or do? just the co sponsor petition, which is which form again? I realize there is always a chance, but is there anything else that i wouldnt think of to be considered that could get us a no-or delay, if we have a co sponsor? where else do i have to indicate i have one, on any other forms or typed documents? thanks everyone! i just want to get this approved

[kate&javi 26]

You only need to provide the information for the co-sponsor at the interview because the data is time-sensitive. Your co-sponsor needs to fill out the I-134, provide Proof they are a US citizen (copy of BC), tax return, pay stubs (if necessary), letter of employment. Each consulate had their own requirements. For example, my fiancé is from Honduras so they only require the 1040 and letter of employment and it can be signed within a year of the interview. Some are more strict or require more, so check the consulate's requirements. Remember that even if you have a co-sponsor, you must also fill out a I-134 and provide all docs as well.

Edited June 25, 2012 by kate&javi