American in Australia looking to file K1

[Olives24 9]

Hi All,

I'm an American citizen living in Australia with my partner who is Australian. We've been living here together for over a year and and recently applied for a partner visa which would allow me to stay. Recently after several emotional chats about where we'd like to be, we've decided to make plans for the US. Especially since we plan on settling down close to my family and getting married.

I wanted to hear about your experiences in filing for the K1 visa. Also are there any issues with me filing from overseas?

I want to do all my homework (which I've began) before filing.

Fingers crossed I'll be in NYC sometime this year with my Aussie partner.

Thanks for hearing me out!

[canadian_wife 1,826]

You say 'partner' is this a same sex partnership?

Click on the 'guides' in the tab and follow the instructions for the fiance visa

good luck

[Olives24 9]

You say 'partner' is this a same sex partnership?

Click on the 'guides' in the tab and follow the instructions for the fiance visa

good luck

Hi Canadian_wife! Partner is an Aussie term that people use all the time when referring to their significant other. Guess it's something I picked up along the way. We're an opposite sex couple.

Also looking for some insight or stories from other Aussie/American couples who have gone through the process.

[Touch of Treble 39]

Hi, my process was straightforward and easy, USC was employed and living in America though. The only difficulty I could see for you is the lack of employment for you, the USC. Have you a co-sponsor? Or do you have work? Have you consider a spousal visa instead? You may find the benefits of that will suit you better than K1. Read the guides and follow the helps and pre-filled forms, putting the package together is easy enough.

Good luck

[Olives24 9]

Hi, my process was straightforward and easy, USC was employed and living in America though. The only difficulty I could see for you is the lack of employment for you, the USC. Have you a co-sponsor? Or do you have work? Have you consider a spousal visa instead? You may find the benefits of that will suit you better than K1. Read the guides and follow the helps and pre-filled forms, putting the package together is easy enough.

Good luck

Hi Chippy girl,

I'm currently working here in Australia. Hoping that will help me. I haven't looked into the spousal visa. Do you reckon it might be better? I'll have a look at the guides.

Great to hear that your process was easy!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Hi Canadian_wife! Partner is an Aussie term that people use all the time when referring to their significant other. Guess it's something I picked up along the way. We're an opposite sex couple.

Haha as an Aussie I have to comment here!

Partner typically means "same-sex" partner in Australia as well. Some of the older people use it for their bf/gf because the term boyfriend or girlfriend isn't serious enough to explain their relationship.

Also, Australia recognises defacto couples. You wouldn't really be a spouse, but in that instance you could conceivably call yourself a partner, especially because you have to go through a type of "divorce" process to split possessions etc.

Honestly though, I only ever said bf then fiance and now husband because "partner" to me usually means "same-sex" so I didn't want that confusion

**Addendum - depending on what state you're in this makes a difference too. Some of the inhabitants of certain states (which shall remain nameless) are odd

[Alex&Amy 28]

My Fiance is here with me in Australia also, I guess we are in a fairly similar situation, she has a job to go back to in the US and her family will go as co-sponsors for me so hopefully that all works out with out any issues, I've also lived and worked in the US and have a job to go to once my visa and everything is approved and i have employment authorization, don't know if that will effect anything though.

We had no issues so far filing from Australia, USCIS will send all letters here no problem, you just have to wait about 7 days longer for the post. Do you guys have a co-sponsor available? By the sounds of it very few Australians get rejected for US visas, unless there is a criminal record of you lie on forms... Anyway good luck, will be interesting to see how we go through the process.

[Xanax 349]

Haha as an Aussie I have to comment here!

Partner typically means "same-sex" partner in Australia as well. Some of the older people use it for their bf/gf because the term boyfriend or girlfriend isn't serious enough to explain their relationship.

Also, Australia recognises defacto couples. You wouldn't really be a spouse, but in that instance you could conceivably call yourself a partner, especially because you have to go through a type of "divorce" process to split possessions etc.

Honestly though, I only ever said bf then fiance and now husband because "partner" to me usually means "same-sex" so I didn't want that confusion

**Addendum - depending on what state you're in this makes a difference too. Some of the inhabitants of certain states (which shall remain nameless) are odd

I know I'm late to the party, but it does? Everyone I know says partner (in Aus) and I thought that was normal.. I think it sounds better than other terms too. I even call my husband my partner here... I hope no one things either of us are the opposite sex.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I know I'm late to the party, but it does? Everyone I know says partner (in Aus) and I thought that was normal.. I think it sounds better than other terms too. I even call my husband my partner here... I hope no one things either of us are the opposite sex.

Well "normal" is relative. Used to be that being "gay" meant you were happy. Words change and evolve over time.

I wrote a long post but the gist is this: yes. Most people think you're talking about your homosexual partner because that is what that word, by itself, has evolved to mean. You're much better off saying husband if you don't want that inference.

My colleague refers to me as her "office partner". If she told people: "my partner Vanessa" people would infer we're homosexual, simply adding the word "office" changes the meaning.

Use whatever makes you happy

[Olives24 9]

My Fiance is here with me in Australia also, I guess we are in a fairly similar situation, she has a job to go back to in the US and her family will go as co-sponsors for me so hopefully that all works out with out any issues, I've also lived and worked in the US and have a job to go to once my visa and everything is approved and i have employment authorization, don't know if that will effect anything though.

We had no issues so far filing from Australia, USCIS will send all letters here no problem, you just have to wait about 7 days longer for the post. Do you guys have a co-sponsor available? By the sounds of it very few Australians get rejected for US visas, unless there is a criminal record of you lie on forms... Anyway good luck, will be interesting to see how we go through the process.

Thanks for the reply! We haven't discussed co-sponsor yet but I have family and friends who could do so. I don't have work lined up in the US but I'm sure I can find something when I get there. We plan on staying with my mother since she has room until we find a place of our own and figure out work situation.

How far along in the process are you? I keep hearing the process takes about 3-4 months.

[Alex&Amy 28]

Thanks for the reply! We haven't discussed co-sponsor yet but I have family and friends who could do so. I don't have work lined up in the US but I'm sure I can find something when I get there. We plan on staying with my mother since she has room until we find a place of our own and figure out work situation.

How far along in the process are you? I keep hearing the process takes about 3-4 months.

Right now I'd expect to be more around the 6-7 month mark, we are about 2 months in, unfortunately had the application returned for using the AU country abbreviation in November which knocked us back a little bit.

[kdude1 3]

I'm in pretty much the exact same situation lol!

My partner (opposite sex partner haha) is a US citizen, we've been together years and she lives with me in Australia.. We want to get married in the US so we are looking at the K1 visa as well.

The marriage visa is beneficial and cheaper, however we want to marry in the US because my partner's family is there, so K1 is really our only option.

Any work you have in Australia wont count unfortunately (unless you can show that the income will continue when you move to the USA).. My partner therefore cannot be my sponsor as she doesn't work in the US, she lives here in Australia. We are going to ask a family member of hers to be the sponsor (The sponsor has to be a USC).

So we're thinking of filing over the next few days.. 3-4 months would be a dream! We are expecting anywhere up to 12 months based on what we've read... not sure how long it all takes. We just don't want to be separated.. hoping we can do the whole journey together.

had the application returned for using the AU country abbreviation in November which knocked us back a little bit.

Which form was that for? Do you mean you wrote AU instead of "Australia"?

Edited February 24, 2013 by kdude1

[VanessaTony 3,567]

The marriage visa is beneficial and cheaper, however we want to marry in the US because my partner's family is there, so K1 is really our only option.

Why don't you legally marry in Australia and have another wedding in the US? Or travel to the US, get married, and come back and file the CR-1?

Which form was that for? Do you mean you wrote AU instead of "Australia"?

Yep, you MUST use the full country, not abbreviation.

[kdude1 3]

Why don't you legally marry in Australia and have another wedding in the US? Or travel to the US, get married, and come back and file the CR-1?

I imagine going for an interview at the consulate and the conversation going something like this:

Interviewer: So where did you get married?

Me: At the courthouse

Interviewer: How many people in your family attended?

Me: None

Interviewer: What does your family think of your marriage?

Me: They don't know

lol. So even though the K1 is a little bit tougher, it's the right fit for us I think.

Edited February 25, 2013 by kdude1

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I imagine going for an interview at the consulate and the conversation going something like this:

Interviewer: So where did you get married?

Me: At the courthouse

Interviewer: How many people in your family attended?

Me: None

Interviewer: What does your family think of your marriage?

Me: They don't know

lol. So even though the K1 is a little bit tougher, it's the right fit for us I think.

First 2 questions won't matter because Australia isn't high fraud. Last one, why wouldn't you tell them?