Just a few questions. (Australian Beneficiary)

[Rinni 3]

Hi.

I'm new around here and also new to this visa process. I recently just returned from my second visit to the USA where I got engaged. I've been home, in Australia for about 36 Hours and already we both hate being back to the old Skype and staring at a computer screen (Hey we even sleep with Skype open, that's not weird or anything haha). We are about to get the ball rolling, hopefully, with our K1 process. He is likely to wait for his tax return though.

So I have a few questions.

For the whole paperwork process until I have my visa in hand and arrive in the US, what are the costs looking like, in total? (IE: Medical, Interview, Petitioner submission of forms. Not including travel or postage expenses.)

Is it really worth hiring an attorney or a lawyer? I know its a really good idea, but we really don't know how much they will be on top of everything else. I know they can be costly.

The interview where I get my Visa either approved or denied- Is that only in Sydney or can it be held in Canberra as well?

Will it affect my case in a way if he can't get time off of work to visit my family? I have been to the USA twice. First visit was 3 weeks, where he took time off because he had a different job. Second visit I stayed 2 months but he worked through. He works for Monster Energy but the way it works is he has to be there at least a year from the time he was hired (not just a temp staff member) to even begin to accrue paid time off. He will be there a year this coming August so he will start to get time off after then. I hope it doesn't affect me too greatly. My family all knows about him and are happy for me of course. We both really want him to come over. Sadly it just isn't in the cards right now.

Any answers would be greatly appreciated. I'll be sticking around here for my whole process for support and information. This site is really helpful by far.

Thanks in advance!

- Rinni1990

[Touch of Treble 39]

Hi Rinni,

1st, you don't have to wait for tax info to apply, it will be a number of months before the tax info is required.

2nd Read the guides in the menu above, it will show you how to fill out the forms and what sort of info is required, how to prepare and file.

3rd You are right about the lawyers, most people here have done it themselves, it is time consuming and you need to be careful, but it is not hard.

4th. It is fine that he has not been to Aus. My Fiance did not get to Aus till after we had been approved, while I was waiting for the interview.

5th. Have a look on the USCIS website for up to date info on fees, it changes from time to time, but it is all listed there. There are 2 fees for K1, initial fee paid on application, about $360 I think, and then the next fee at interview, about $250 I think, but USCIS website will show you that. Then there is the Adjustment fee once you have arrived in the US and married, it is about $1100. My Medical was in Melbourne and cost me nearly $400 incl X-rays to show I had no TB and immunisation shots, as I didn't have all my records.

6th The interviews are always done in Sydney.

You can look at the timelines section on here to get an idea of how long the whole process is, once you've applied you'll be able to guess at how long yours will take. I think the system is a little slower currently but you can count on around 6-7 months from Application to Approval, then another 3 months to Visa in hand, then book tickets, make plans and arrive! SO if you allow about a year, you'll be about right.

Good luck.

[Lainie B 465]

Hi.

I'm new around here and also new to this visa process. I recently just returned from my second visit to the USA where I got engaged. I've been home, in Australia for about 36 Hours and already we both hate being back to the old Skype and staring at a computer screen (Hey we even sleep with Skype open, that's not weird or anything haha). We are about to get the ball rolling, hopefully, with our K1 process. He is likely to wait for his tax return though.

So I have a few questions.

For the whole paperwork process until I have my visa in hand and arrive in the US, what are the costs looking like, in total? (IE: Medical, Interview, Petitioner submission of forms. Not including travel or postage expenses.)

Is it really worth hiring an attorney or a lawyer? I know its a really good idea, but we really don't know how much they will be on top of everything else. I know they can be costly.

The interview where I get my Visa either approved or denied- Is that only in Sydney or can it be held in Canberra as well?

Will it affect my case in a way if he can't get time off of work to visit my family? I have been to the USA twice. First visit was 3 weeks, where he took time off because he had a different job. Second visit I stayed 2 months but he worked through. He works for Monster Energy but the way it works is he has to be there at least a year from the time he was hired (not just a temp staff member) to even begin to accrue paid time off. He will be there a year this coming August so he will start to get time off after then. I hope it doesn't affect me too greatly. My family all knows about him and are happy for me of course. We both really want him to come over. Sadly it just isn't in the cards right now.

Any answers would be greatly appreciated. I'll be sticking around here for my whole process for support and information. This site is really helpful by far.

Thanks in advance!

- Rinni1990

I'll answer your questions in brief, others will have more details to add I'm sure

1) Petition fee $340, K-1 visa fee $240, medical around $300-$400, police certificate around $140 for Australia (if you have lived in any other countries apart from the US you will need one from those countries too), adjustment of status $1070. There are many other costs to consider, such as cost of mailing, passport photos, travel, marriage license, etc etc.

2)You won't need a lawyer if you don't have any complications or major red flags

3) Sydney only

4)No it is unlikely to affect your case

Oh and there is no point in waiting for your fiance to submit his tax return. The I-134 (for which tax information is needed) is submitted with the visa application, which is a good 6-8 months into the process. You should submit the I-129f petition now. He has plenty of time to get his taxes ready.

Edited January 22, 2013 by Lainie B