Would a visa approval be more assured if a citizen went abroad and married first?

[David & Diana R 1,005]

Whatever.....

Edited June 3, 2013 by David & Zoila

[larru 0]

My 19 yr old son just accused me of being closed-minded, maybe he's right. And won't be the first time I've been on a 'pity-pot', I think there are times a person is entitled, however, I don't LIVE there. There is a saying in the neighborhood I grew up in, which I will paraphrase as the original context is likely inappropriate here, it goes: "BS 'talks, and ACTION walks". That said, I have never been one to wait for fate to just 'happen'. If you don't add action with intent, then you go nowhere.

And if I have done little else, I HAVE been listening!

I am a spiritual person, and one of the basic teachings I have long ago been given, was that, the action is my part, the outcome, is God's part, and though at one time, thinking I had done the 'action', I was waiting for the outcome. It was the 'action' part of it that made me search out this website. As well, it is the action part that is now finding the money and whatever else is needed, to do something that those wiser than myself have told me to do. In fact, it is because of this that I have not been on this site for awhile. I have applied for a visa to her country and am making plans to go, hopefully mid-july or there-abouts.

I began that process somewhat resentful for the fact that I must do this, which has evolved to my now looking forward to it. My plans are to spend a month there, but I don't want to be locked in to anything, so everything can be shortened to two weeks in needed or desired.

If there is anyone there from Pakistan, or is familiar with that country, I would gladly listen to some advice or cautions etc. concerning it. This will be my first non-military international flight, and have no idea of what to look forward to, but I suppose, like everything else, I'll take things as they come.

I want to thank everyone here for their time, help and advice. I owe a debt of gratitude for that alone and hope to be of assistance someday myself to 'pass it on'.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Read the CDC data on the country, paying attention to what shots are required and what are recommended. IF it is a malaria area be sure to take the meds and that you get the correct ones. Read the embassy site for travel warnings but understand they are a bit like drug warning and more dire than they usually need to be. Western Union yourself some emergency cash that way you don't have to carry large amounts and if you don't need it you can pick up stateside. Search a bit on the airfares the cheapest is the one with 3 long layovers and one a few dollars more may be only 18 hours or so.

[larru 0]

Oh! Also, I forgot to mention, that my bride-to-be has agreed that we be married before my leaving her country. Not sure where that will put our status with USCIS, but I guess we'll find out.

I hate the thought of leaving this Lovely lady behind, and married to a man whose country may or may not allow us to be united there. But... well... as was said in my favorite movie line of all times, in Jurassic Park: "...Life finds a way."

[larru 0]

CDC data? Not familiar with that.

Thank you though, for the info, as it is incidental things like this that I do not think of, esp. the shots. Will definitely have to research this.

Also, 'NB', would you tell me where you found the rates? I have a link that I was given here by Nick B. but have as yet to check it out.

I don't mind the layovers, (at least right now) if the price justifies it. But if, as you say, for a few dollars more I can avoid that, certainly I will do so. But this trip will definitely be the economy class all the way. I have survived on bologna and kool=aid for long periods in my life, I guess one more time won't hurt.

[Hypnos 6,576]

If you get married overseas then you can file an I-130 with the ultimate aim of obtaining a CR-1 immigrant visa for your wife. This visa immediately grants a green card upon entry to the US; no adjustment of status would be required.

The entire process should take ~8 - 10 months (from I-130 filing to visa issuance), unless she is placed in administrative processing, since there is no way to tell how long that will take.

And CDC = Centres for Disease Control.

[David & Diana R 1,005]

My 19 yr old son just accused me of being closed-minded, maybe he's right. And won't be the first time I've been on a 'pity-pot', I think there are times a person is entitled, however, I don't LIVE there. There is a saying in the neighborhood I grew up in, which I will paraphrase as the original context is likely inappropriate here, it goes: "BS 'talks, and ACTION walks". That said, I have never been one to wait for fate to just 'happen'. If you don't add action with intent, then you go nowhere.

And if I have done little else, I HAVE been listening!

I am a spiritual person, and one of the basic teachings I have long ago been given, was that, the action is my part, the outcome, is God's part, and though at one time, thinking I had done the 'action', I was waiting for the outcome. It was the 'action' part of it that made me search out this website. As well, it is the action part that is now finding the money and whatever else is needed, to do something that those wiser than myself have told me to do. In fact, it is because of this that I have not been on this site for awhile. I have applied for a visa to her country and am making plans to go, hopefully mid-july or there-abouts.

I began that process somewhat resentful for the fact that I must do this, which has evolved to my now looking forward to it. My plans are to spend a month there, but I don't want to be locked in to anything, so everything can be shortened to two weeks in needed or desired.

If there is anyone there from Pakistan, or is familiar with that country, I would gladly listen to some advice or cautions etc. concerning it. This will be my first non-military international flight, and have no idea of what to look forward to, but I suppose, like everything else, I'll take things as they come.

I want to thank everyone here for their time, help and advice. I owe a debt of gratitude for that alone and hope to be of assistance someday myself to 'pass it on'.

fANTASTIC! tHATS SOME OF THE BEST NEWS i HAVE HEARD IN A LONG TIME! Congratulations and I hope the two of you live happily ever after. Aloha Ke Akua

[David & Diana R 1,005]

CDC data? Not familiar with that.

Thank you though, for the info, as it is incidental things like this that I do not think of, esp. the shots. Will definitely have to research this.

Also, 'NB', would you tell me where you found the rates? I have a link that I was given here by Nick B. but have as yet to check it out.

I don't mind the layovers, (at least right now) if the price justifies it. But if, as you say, for a few dollars more I can avoid that, certainly I will do so. But this trip will definitely be the economy class all the way. I have survived on bologna and kool=aid for long periods in my life, I guess one more time won't hurt.

Search airfare, hotels etc on Kayak.com or expedia.com. You can get some of the best rates there. I floy and book tihe expedia all themtime, I have never had a problem.. God Speed

[larru 0]

Thanks Hypnos. I plan to send a letter to USCIS about my intentions before I go, or at least the intent to go meet her. As of yet, we have not been officially denied and I can't help but wonder, if, in the unlikely event, we should get approved either while I'm gone or shortly there-after,

if it would be faster to just continue with that process and marry on paper again in the states?

I know patience is the name of the game and of course we will do what needs to be done, but it's been over a year since we filed. Though even if approved, I have no idea the time frame from that point, but was hoping it would be kind of on the downhill side after that. I just dread the thought of another 6 or more months. Though, I suppose if that's the case, I'll just plan another trip there if this one proves to be easier than I had previously perceived. Then of course, if they deny us, that leaves only the option of the I-130 as you suggest.

I am getting lost in the acronyms, so thanks for the explanation. (CDC)

And thank you D & Z for the congratulations and the flight info. Last year, just out of curiosity I checked expedia.com. and though I make no claim to know my way around on that site, I couldn't find anything under $2900.00, then she looked somewhere and found it for $1500.00. She seems to think that if I go through Pakistan Airlines that I can get the best deal. Have never heard of 'Kayak', so I'll give it a go also. We'll both be looking very soon and try to book something as early as possible. I understand that is also a money saver.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Check also priceline.com and travelocity.com

If you get married in Pakistan and then would be approved by USCIS ( which won't happen) with your current i-129F petition it would render it void becauce

a K1 is for fiances only, not spouses.
You are on the right track, forget the current petition, marry and file for a I-130 for a CR1.

[larru 0]

Ok, so it's the 'straight and narrow'... Just going to be seemingly a long wait. But hopefully, another trip may take the edge off. We'll see.

Have another question (do they ever end?) When we begin the I-130 process, is it possible for her to get a tourist or visit visa to come here? Or is it strictly one visa at a time?

[Hypnos 6,576]

She can attempt to obtain a tourist visa to visit her whilst the I-130 is in process, but will need to show substantial ties to her home country for it to be approved (owning property, employment, university, etc.). The "good" news here is that even if the tourist visa is denied for lack of ties then it will have no bearing on any immigrant visa you are seeking for her.

You should also bear in mind that, if you do get married on your trip there, and by some miracle the I-129F gets approved, that approval is automatically invalidated by virtue of you getting married. i think it's unlikely that your I-129F is going to be approved anyway, for reasons already detailed earlier in the thread, but it's something you should be aware of.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Ok, so it's the 'straight and narrow'... Just going to be seemingly a long wait. But hopefully, another trip may take the edge off. We'll see.

Have another question (do they ever end?) When we begin the I-130 process, is it possible for her to get a tourist or visit visa to come here? Or is it strictly one visa at a time?

I would not waste the expense and energy on a tourist visa for her that she will likely not get.

Forgot to mention, travel is usually cheaper late fall through early spring as it is off season. It won't show now in the prices online but about a month or two ahead it will.

[Darnell 8,478]

I am going there to meet her face to face

Good for you ! Make lots of proofs just in case you DO decide to file for an I-129F .

[Darnell 8,478]

Oh! Also, I forgot to mention, that my bride-to-be has agreed that we be married before my leaving her country. Not sure where that will put our status with USCIS, but I guess we'll find out.

That's easy.

You MUST chase after a spousal visa, starting with filing the I-130.

I think you still have an I-129F in play, so sometime soon, withdraw it via letter of withdrawal into USCIS.

Being married voids the capacity to chase after a fiance' visa, so the I-129F you've already filed has no further basis for adjudication.