American in Australia looking to file K1

[kdude1 3]

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

They would think it's strange to be married in a court when we don't have to be lol. We'll go for the K visa so we can get married in her state.

When filing though, is the fee still $340? And because we're filing from in Australia is it sufficient to simply go into a bank and ask them to make up a money order in US dollars for that amount, addressed to the USDHS?

Edited February 27, 2013 by kdude1

[VanessaTony 3,567]

They would think it's strange to be married in a court when we don't have to be lol. We'll go for the K visa so we can get married in her state.

When filing though, is the fee still $340? And because we're filing from in Australia is it sufficient to simply go into a bank and ask them to make up a money order in US dollars for that amount, addressed to the USDHS?

I believe the check needs to be from a US bank account. And don't forget not to shorten it. and no. Plenty of people on these boards get married in a court house as opposed to the big ceremony, esp those that arrive on a k1, so that they can file AOS asap

[kdude1 3]

I believe the check needs to be from a US bank account.

This poses a problem for us as both the petitioner and beneficiary are in Australia. Is there any way to get a suitable check/money order from here? I heard petitioners have filed from Australia so figured there must be a way.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

This poses a problem for us as both the petitioner and beneficiary are in Australia. Is there any way to get a suitable check/money order from here? I heard petitioners have filed from Australia so figured there must be a way.

Here are the paying instructions: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=3850a99ba78af110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD you'll see it says "Bank drafts, cashier's checks, certified checks, personal checks (See Check Instructions below), and money orders must be drawn on U.S. financial institutions and payable in U.S. funds."

Do you have a friend or family member that could do a check for you? Maybe someone else knows a solution!

Edited February 27, 2013 by Vanessa&Tony

[Nostalgic 1]

We're going to be going through this soon enough, ourselves. I am visiting him under the VWP in a few months.. for 89 days and then bringing him back with me.. I dont know what the easiest thing to do is.. marry him in Australia and then file to go back to the USA together, while he's here.. or just file for the K1 visa and hope for the best :/ We just dont want to be separated any more..

[VanessaTony 3,567]

We're going to be going through this soon enough, ourselves. I am visiting him under the VWP in a few months.. for 89 days and then bringing him back with me.. I dont know what the easiest thing to do is.. marry him in Australia and then file to go back to the USA together, while he's here.. or just file for the K1 visa and hope for the best :/ We just dont want to be separated any more..

When did you last see him? If you have seen him in the last 2 years then file the K1 now. Then by the time you visit him in the US and come back you'll be close to NOA2. Then you would only need to be back in Australia for a few months (2 or so) before your visa approval.

That's how I'd do it if I were you. OR, you can get married when you're in the US and file the CR-1 visa. Then return to Australia when your time is up and wait for your visa to be approved then move to the US.

[Alex&Amy 28]

I'd probably go ahead and file for a K-1 now, that way you don't have to rush getting married, even if the process looks slow at the moment it probably wont stay that way for ever and it seems the CR-1 visa isn't all that faster.

[charlottelizabeth 11]

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!

Hi. My fiance was living here in Australia with me from July 2011 - Jan 2013 (18 months). His visas expired here in mid Jan though, and our other avenues to try to keep in Australia failed (it's also way more expensive!). So he had to return to the US. Before he left, (in late Sept 2012) he filed the I-129F from Australia with no problems. We're currently waiting on our NOA2. We only plan on a courthouse thing for when I arrive, so don't worry about seeming 'suss'. Many couples do it. We plan on a better planned, relaxed ceremony in 2014, when I am (hopefully) more settled over there.

[charlottelizabeth 11]

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.

We are staying with my fiance's mother 'till we get on our own feet, too. Definitely use them as co-sponsors if you can! Also, going by the rate of things at the moment, you'll be waiting longer than 3-4 months. I'm hearing 7-8 months right now. Personally, so far we have been waiting 5.5 months for our NOA2.

[CaityJD 0]

This is a great thread. I'm so overwhelmed, I don't even know where to start the process.

My USC partner has been living here for two years and is a temporary permanent resident. We're looking at going back to support his mum (he's an only child) - our 2yo daughter has dual citizenship so that's helpful. I just don't want to be separated! Or separated for long. I can do a month or two.

So am I right in thinking that we file from here with a co-sponser? Can anyone clarify? What would that make our 'split-up' time then? I don't mind him doing 2-3 months over there until we can meet him. I think I need a nap after this!

[kdude1 3]

This is a great thread. I'm so overwhelmed, I don't even know where to start the process.

My USC partner has been living here for two years and is a temporary permanent resident. We're looking at going back to support his mum (he's an only child) - our 2yo daughter has dual citizenship so that's helpful. I just don't want to be separated! Or separated for long. I can do a month or two.

So am I right in thinking that we file from here with a co-sponser? Can anyone clarify? What would that make our 'split-up' time then? I don't mind him doing 2-3 months over there until we can meet him. I think I need a nap after this!

Hi there, if he can stay in Australia for the duration of the process (Up to 1 year), then you won't have to be split up at all.

You can file for the K1 from within Australia... They will send NOA1 and 2 to your home in Australia. You won't need the co-sponsor form until your interview after NOA 2.

[Olives24 9]

Reviving this thread from the depths of the forum! OP here with some recent updates and seriously planning on beginning the process in JAN or FEB. The question still remains which visa suites my situation better?

Some info:

Fiance (Australian citizen) and I (USC) have been happily living together in Australia for 2 years. I'm on a temp permanent visa. We are also expecting a baby in a few months and are so excited.

On our list of things to do in the new year is have the baby, apply for dual citizenship for our baby, and begin the visa process for my fiance for us to end up in the big apple. We're really looking forward to moving since we'll have tons of family support in the states and new opportunities.

I also have some aunt and uncles who can serve as co-sponsors for my fiance as I don't think I'll have a job lined up during the application process.

I guess after doing further research, I really don't know which route is better K1, K3, or CR-1. We're planning on doing a ceremony wedding in 2015 but are flexible on when we get married.

Any advice, suggestions, or even questions to get a better understanding is welcomed.

Also if you have experience or are in a similar situation please share. Would love you help.

Thank you.

[Kiwinyc 62]

Reviving this thread from the depths of the forum! OP here with some recent updates and seriously planning on beginning the process in JAN or FEB. The question still remains which visa suites my situation better?

Some info:

Fiance (Australian citizen) and I (USC) have been happily living together in Australia for 2 years. I'm on a temp permanent visa. We are also expecting a baby in a few months and are so excited.

On our list of things to do in the new year is have the baby, apply for dual citizenship for our baby, and begin the visa process for my fiance for us to end up in the big apple. We're really looking forward to moving since we'll have tons of family support in the states and new opportunities.

I also have some aunt and uncles who can serve as co-sponsors for my fiance as I don't think I'll have a job lined up during the application process.

I guess after doing further research, I really don't know which route is better K1, K3, or CR-1. We're planning on doing a ceremony wedding in 2015 but are flexible on when we get married.

Any advice, suggestions, or even questions to get a better understanding is welcomed.

Also if you have experience or are in a similar situation please share. Would love you help.

Thank you.

If I were doing this process again I would get married and enter the US as a married couple. Because your spouse gets permission to work and permanent residence valid for a year upon entry to the US, instead of having to wait in K1- limbo after entry to getting married and then adjusting status - its a pita and it takes months (and more $$) during which you can't work, can't get state ID or a drivers license, can't open a bank account. And I already have a SS# from working and living in the US in the past on H1B's. Its frustrating as hell, if you know you want to get married, do it first, it saves a hassle and is straightforward in recognizing your spouse as a legitimate immigrant with the right to live and work immediately.

[Salt&Pepper 4]

This poses a problem for us as both the petitioner and beneficiary are in Australia. Is there any way to get a suitable check/money order from here? I heard petitioners have filed from Australia so figured there must be a way.

Here are the paying instructions: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=3850a99ba78af110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD you'll see it says "Bank drafts, cashier's checks, certified checks, personal checks (See Check Instructions below), and money orders must be drawn on U.S. financial institutions and payable in U.S. funds."

Do you have a friend or family member that could do a check for you? Maybe someone else knows a solution!

You can go to an Australian bank and get an "international check" or "bank draft" from the U.S. (I think different banks use different names for the same thing). It's essentially a money order that is drawn from a U.S. bank, but you pay for it from your Australian funds.

My fiancé and I are in the same boat as you (we are both in Australia), so I called up the U.S. Consulate in Sydney, asked your exact question, and was told about the bank draft. The person at the consulate recommended going to either Commonwealth or Westpak, but I went to NAB and had no problem. (I simply chose NAB because I have an account there and a friend who works there confirmed that they could do it). It was paid for with money in my NAB bank account, but the money was drawn from Citibank in the U.S. The paperwork took about 20 minutes, there was a AUD $22 fee, and the exchange rate was terrible (USD $340 turned into AUD $397.38), but I walked out with a bank draft for USD $340 that we then included with our I-129F petition--success!

FYI: Before the money order / bank draft / international check is issued, you will have to fill out a form that requires the full physical address (you can't use a P.O. box)* of the recipient, so be sure to bring that with you!

*Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-129F: http://www.uscis.gov/i-129f-addresses%C2'>

I hope that helps!