Living abroad, K1 application

[Amanda & Simo 7]

Hey, guys... Hope someone can help me!

As I'm living with my fiancé abroad in Spain, I'm extremely curious as to what address I have to put on the applications. I have an address I could use in the US, but I'd prefer my address here. Also, how do I explain my current situation (living abroad) do I write a letter and put it behind the cover letter or what?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Use your foreign address.

[Amanda & Simo 7]

Thank you for your time!

[CHarvey80 72]

It's cheaper and makes more sense to get married and file the I-130 if you are both living abroad.

Just me.

[Alex&Amy 28]

Hey, guys... Hope someone can help me!

As I'm living with my fiancé abroad in Spain, I'm extremely curious as to what address I have to put on the applications. I have an address I could use in the US, but I'd prefer my address here. Also, how do I explain my current situation (living abroad) do I write a letter and put it behind the cover letter or what?

We filed from Australia and encountered no issues using an overseas address, they will send everything to you, just add an extra week or so for the mail to arrive.

[Amanda & Simo 7]

We filed from Australia and encountered no issues using an overseas address, they will send everything to you, just add an extra week or so for the mail to arrive.

Good to know. The extra week is okay by me; a lot less hassle! Thank you!

[Amanda & Simo 7]

It's cheaper and makes more sense to get married and file the I-130 if you are both living abroad.

Just me.

Cheaper, maybe... More sense? Why do you say that? We both want to get married in the states, though.

[CHarvey80 72]

Cheaper, maybe... More sense? Why do you say that? We both want to get married in the states, though.

The reason I say that is because when the I-130 is done your spouse will have everything she needs to start her life when you land in state side. She will have her green card, will be able to work, etc.

Get a civil union abroad to file the I-130 and then have the big wedding once you get to the states. Doesn't really change anything other then when you get state side you don't have a $1000+ AOS bill to deal with and your spouse is, more or less, ready to hit the ground running instead of having to wait months for their EAD, AP, etc.

Just my two cents.

[Amanda & Simo 7]

The reason I say that is because when the I-130 is done your spouse will have everything she needs to start her life when you land in state side. She will have her green card, will be able to work, etc.

Get a civil union abroad to file the I-130 and then have the big wedding once you get to the states. Doesn't really change anything other then when you get state side you don't have a $1000+ AOS bill to deal with and your spouse is, more or less, ready to hit the ground running instead of having to wait months for their EAD, AP, etc.

Just my two cents.

Doesn't going the CR1 route require a longer time as a married couple, though? The money issue is a big plus, but I don't want to have to wait any longer than we have already

[CHarvey80 72]

I-130 process:

Get married

File I-130

Finish I-130 process

Enter States

Beneficiary get's 2 year conditional green card

90 days before 2 year anniversary or getting the green card file for removal of conditions

Get 10 year green card

after being an LPR for 3 years file for citizenship if you choose.

No delays just because you haven't been married long.

I-130 Guide

My wife and I got married and filed right afterward. You don't have to wait because you haven't been married for more then 2 years.

Edited February 25, 2013 by CHarvey80

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

If you want to get married in the US, then do a K-1. I would plan life plans first and immigration plans second.

[lost_at_sea 995]

My other half and I live abroad (uk) and we filed the petition OK with our address here (noa1 came here no problem).

We opted for that, over the married visa, because we didn't have time to organise a wedding here then do the spouse visa process before his visa here is due to expire (and we couldn't file earlier due to other constraints) and the k1 is supposedly faster to obtain (hah).

There are more reasons than money to have to do k1.

Edited February 25, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[CHarvey80 72]

From everything I have seen I really don't think the K1 is that much faster, if at all, then the IR1/CR1.

I-130 Trends

K1 Trends

Compare the NOA1 to NOA2 trending averages per service center and see what you think will be best.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The petition time is not different at all. The difference in time is that the spousal visa needs to spend time at NVC. The K-1 passes through in a day or so.

[CHarvey80 72]

The petition time is not different at all. The difference in time is that the spousal visa needs to spend time at NVC. The K-1 passes through in a day or so.

I don't know if the OP's embassy requires AP but I went through the NVC in less then a month, most of which was just waiting for the case #.

Not to say everyone's experience is the same.

OP's decision. Look at the numbers and decide what will be best for you and your fiance.

Good luck to you!