K1 or Direct Consular Processing

[vivian/patrick 0]

Hello Everyone,

I need help!!!

I am a US Citizen and currently in Ghana now. I am looking to bring my guy but I just trying to figure out the fastest way.

I read so many way but I believe Direct Consular processing is the fastest or is it the fiance visa?

Right now, we are engaged and are thinking of doing a civil cermony in Ghana.

First question is,

Would it make a difference if we married here in Ghana legally? will it reflect the paperwork if I file under fiance? Or would direct consular process is better since we will be married?

Also I am pregnant, does that change anything?

[vivian/patrick 0]

Hello Everyone,

I need help!!!

I am a US Citizen and currently in Ghana now. I am looking to bring my guy but I just trying to figure out the fastest way.

I read so many way but I believe Direct Consular processing is the fastest or is it the fiance visa?

Right now, we are engaged and are thinking of doing a civil cermony in Ghana.

First question is,

Would it make a difference if we married here in Ghana legally? will it reflect the paperwork if I file under fiance? Or would direct consular process is better since we will be married?

Also I am pregnant, does that change anything?

[srey 12]

being pregnant doesn't not change any processing time. If you get married legally you cannot do a fiance (K1) visa. Once married you can do a spousal visa (IR1/CR1). Below are some links to help you decide.

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/IR1_and_CR1_Immigrant_Visas

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/K-1_Visa

[ANC_____007 4]

Direct Consular processing is the fastest. so i said you go with that. i assume you can prove that you live there and not just visiting. after you get married then you can apply for CR1 visa.

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

*** Merging two topics (please only post once on an issue) and moving to General Immigration as OP has not decided on a visa yet ****

I agree DCF is the fastest, plus a CR-1 spousal visa is cheaper in the long run and means he can work and travel right away when he gets to the USA, which can be useful. Plus, it may be nice for his family to see you get married, and they are unlikely to have the funds or able to get tourist visas for the USA.

You cannot petition for a K1 fiance visa if you are married in Ghana, or anywhere, as he won;t be your finace anymore, he will be your husband.

Pregnancy won;t change anything in terms of how quickly things will get processed. If the child is born before the visa is issued, which is likely as you haven;t started the paperwork yet, it will add 1 to the household size for the affidavit of support.

Edited December 3, 2012 by Penguin_ie

[vivian/patrick 0]

Hello Everyone,

I need help!!! I am so lost. I have been reading, researching and asking so many ppl. This website has been helpful but need some answer.

I am a US Citizen and currently in Ghana now. I am looking to bring my guy but I just trying to figure out the fastest way.

I been to Ghana twice. The first time in January and second time is now. I have been here since August. I recently got engaged and did a civil ceremony and I also found out that I am having a baby. So I need some help

1. Which way is best to file? K1, K3, or IC1? I read IC1 is the fastest and I will be able to file with consular office here in Ghana if I am permanent resident by filing the I-130? What's the difference between K1 and K3?

2. How long does the K3 or iC1 takes?

3. We were not really talking much after my first visit so there aren't any phone records, but we have pictures and emails that I can print? Can I just print the emails and use pictures?

4. Does it make a difference that I am pregnant? It wasn't really planned and we love each other

5. Since we did a civil ceremony in Ghana, will we be able to file K3 or K1 ( fiance visa) or since I am applying in the states, it doesn't really matter?

6. If we are married here in Ghana, and will file under fiance visa and he is given, does that mean, we still have to get married in the US or the marriage here counts as well.

Thank you so much for all the answer

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

The civil ceremony- does that mean you are legally married in his country? If so, the K1 visa is off the table because it is for fiancees, and you are now a married woman.

Forget the K3, it is an obsolete visa and usually gets closed at NVC stage anyway.

I assume with IC1 you mean CR-1? That seems to be the logical option for you, especially as you can file it directly with the embassy and so get faster processing. A normal CR-1 takes 8-10 months but with DCF it can take a few weeks only- it differs by embassy though. Howver, to file DCF you need to be legally resident in the country for 6 months prior to filing. Are you legally resident, or there on a tourist visa?

[vivian/patrick 0]

Thanks you. I was on a visa to visit when I came but intended to move here. I have my permeant resident but haven't been here for 6 months. I have been here since August.

Is it required for me to be here at least 6 months? I know for every country is different and I was trying to see if that was the case for Ghana?

[vivian/patrick 0]

Also i read that I would have to show my prevous taxes, letter of employment? What if I will be able to provide this. I left my job to come and get married. My last day was in August 28. I will be working again soon but will that change anything? My hubby has family in chicago, would I be to use them as joint filer?