Best Type of Visa

[Harris 0]

I am in the initial stages of getting a girlfriend to the US. We met on line and she and I want to proceed. I have read a lot of info on the net, but I am confused by all the information. It seems that the K-1 visa is the Fiancée Visa. But I did read that the fastest way is to for my Fiancée to apply for a tourist visa and then apply for a change of status. I could go there to meet her as required, but the expense and time away from my job to go to the Philippines would make things tougher than necessary. Besides, if she came to the US, we could spend more time together to see if how things may work out. But I also read that if the intention is to come to the US on a tourist visa, with the intent to marry, the visa will be denied.

I hope someone can help me with this confusing process.

Thanks

Harris

[raymaga 25]

Coming to the U.S. with a tourist visa with the intention of marrying a US citizen, is visa fraud. If a person comes to the U.S. with a tourist visa, then meets and marries a U.S. citizen without any prior intent, that is a different matter.

If you want to bring your fiance to the U.S. legally, you will have to apply for the K-1 Visa, wait for approval, and then she can come to the U.S., you will have to marry within 90 days, and then you can apply for AOS (Adjustment of Status).

You will have to prove that you have met before you can apply for the K-1 Visa, though. So, a trip to the Phillipines will need to be done or your fiance will have to come to the U.S. to meet you, then you can send in the paperwork. You can spend time with your fiance while the paperwork is being processed, but your fiance will have to return to the Phillipines for her medical exam and interview.

Good luck.

Edited November 25, 2006 by raymaga

[Ashleigh-Au 0]

I think you would also find that she would be denied a tourist visa.

[Priscila and Christopher 0]

Yeah... As far as I'm concerned, it's really very hard to get a tourist visa to USA... I know our countries are diferent, but I've heard about a lot of denial cases in Philipines as well as in Brazil... That's why I didn't want to spend time trying... We just decided for the K-1 and it was really the best option!

The best of luck to you!

[YuAndDan 153]

1. It is quite hard to get tourist visas in the Philippines just because of the amount of Visa Fraud that goes on from there. This is just what you are proposing.

The correct an proper method is using one of the paths that the immigration department set up, K-1, K-3, CR-1.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=compare

In my case my fiance an I are doing the K-1 because it is the quickest LEGAL method in our case, I visited her last summer, and the process should take us about 9 months. And no risks of running into trouble with the INS.

[kitkat1 5]

If she is able to get a tourist visa, it is in no way fraud for her to use it to come to the US and marry you, as long as she returns home after the marriage and within the specified time limit of her visa. But it doesn't sound like this is what you want to do. Follow the advice of the others who have posted here - K1, K3 or CR1 and make sure you meet the requirements of those visas before proceeding i.e. having actually met your fiance prior to filing.

[aussiewench 9]

Coming to the U.S. with a tourist visa with the intention of marrying a US citizen, is visa fraud. If a person comes to the U.S. with a tourist visa, then meets and marries a U.S. citizen without any prior intent, that is a different matter.

It is not illegal, nor visa fraud to come to the US to marry on a tourist visa. The issue is only the immigrant intent.

Edited November 25, 2006 by aussiewench

[garya505 2]

I am in the initial stages of getting a girlfriend to the US. We met on line and she and I want to proceed. I have read a lot of info on the net, but I am confused by all the information. It seems that the K-1 visa is the Fiancée Visa. But I did read that the fastest way is to for my Fiancée to apply for a tourist visa and then apply for a change of status. I could go there to meet her as required, but the expense and time away from my job to go to the Philippines would make things tougher than necessary. Besides, if she came to the US, we could spend more time together to see if how things may work out. But I also read that if the intention is to come to the US on a tourist visa, with the intent to marry, the visa will be denied.

I hope someone can help me with this confusing process.

Thanks

Harris

She will not get a tourist VISA. You need to do a K-1 or K-3. If you can't afford to go there at least once, you won't be able to afford the whole process.

[akim oda 0]

I am in the initial stages of getting a girlfriend to the US. We met on line and she and I want to proceed. I have read a lot of info on the net, but I am confused by all the information. It seems that the K-1 visa is the Fiancée Visa. But I did read that the fastest way is to for my Fiancée to apply for a tourist visa and then apply for a change of status. I could go there to meet her as required, but the expense and time away from my job to go to the Philippines would make things tougher than necessary. Besides, if she came to the US, we could spend more time together to see if how things may work out. But I also read that if the intention is to come to the US on a tourist visa, with the intent to marry, the visa will be denied.

I hope someone can help me with this confusing process.

Thanks

Harris

Is there any way you could find out the price for the airline ticket, and see for sure how much time you can take off work. Maybe 2 weeks, just as long as you have met. The ticket may only be 1,000 - 1,500. Explore all the options. I really didnt think it would be possible for me to go to Ghana the ticket was 1,400 and I flew with martinair the first half and klm the second half, but I said ok I am going to go and then did all the things necessary, it took me a few months to get the money and all other things, passport, visa, shots. etc. I have actually read that the fastest way to get your fiance here is with a fiance visa. I have also heard that if someone travels to the US on a tourist visa and their actual intent is to marry, it is visa fraud, and they will have to go back. I found this site after submitting my I-129f, but found it to be very useful, I love it and wish I would have found it sooner.

The only advice, I can think of is travel to see her, or she can travel here, but without marrying. But when you think of it, it's probably easier for you to go see her. For you to get a visa is much easier, then for her to get one to come here. Anyway, hope you are having luck with getting the answers you want

[Bruce n Jen 0]

Coming to the U.S. with a tourist visa with the intention of marrying a US citizen, is visa fraud. If a person comes to the U.S. with a tourist visa, then meets and marries a U.S. citizen without any prior intent, that is a different matter.

It is not illegal, nor visa fraud to come to the US to marry on a tourist visa. The issue is only the immigrant intent.

LOL, how many times have you responded with that statement? I'm with you!

[aussiewench 9]

Coming to the U.S. with a tourist visa with the intention of marrying a US citizen, is visa fraud. If a person comes to the U.S. with a tourist visa, then meets and marries a U.S. citizen without any prior intent, that is a different matter.

It is not illegal, nor visa fraud to come to the US to marry on a tourist visa. The issue is only the immigrant intent.

LOL, how many times have you responded with that statement? I'm with you!

lol I have it pre-recorded

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

Lol.

That's pretty funny. On a off note, I was posting in another forum and someone was ranting about how it was illegal to come to the US from another country and get married.

I said "no it isn't, my niece just did it last week". And the response of course was that it was "illegal"

.

Anyway she and her Canadian fiance had flown to Las Vegas, got married and went home after the weekend.

I wonder if all these people from out of country getting married in Las Vegas are aware that what they are doing is "illegal".

[Harris 0]

I am in the initial stages of getting a girlfriend to the US. We met on line and she and I want to proceed. I have read a lot of info on the net, but I am confused by all the information. It seems that the K-1 visa is the Fiancée Visa. But I did read that the fastest way is to for my Fiancée to apply for a tourist visa and then apply for a change of status. I could go there to meet her as required, but the expense and time away from my job to go to the Philippines would make things tougher than necessary. Besides, if she came to the US, we could spend more time together to see if how things may work out. But I also read that if the intention is to come to the US on a tourist visa, with the intent to marry, the visa will be denied.

I hope someone can help me with this confusing process.

Thanks

Harris

Is there any way you could find out the price for the airline ticket, and see for sure how much time you can take off work. Maybe 2 weeks, just as long as you have met. The ticket may only be 1,000 - 1,500. Explore all the options. I really didnt think it would be possible for me to go to Ghana the ticket was 1,400 and I flew with martinair the first half and klm the second half, but I said ok I am going to go and then did all the things necessary, it took me a few months to get the money and all other things, passport, visa, shots. etc. I have actually read that the fastest way to get your fiance here is with a fiance visa. I have also heard that if someone travels to the US on a tourist visa and their actual intent is to marry, it is visa fraud, and they will have to go back. I found this site after submitting my I-129f, but found it to be very useful, I love it and wish I would have found it sooner.

The only advice, I can think of is travel to see her, or she can travel here, but without marrying. But when you think of it, it's probably easier for you to go see her. For you to get a visa is much easier, then for her to get one to come here. Anyway, hope you are having luck with getting the answers you want

[Harris 0]

Thanks for all the info.

1) There is not intent to commit fraud. I was merely asking how to get my girl friend to the US to pursue the relationship. I can honestly say at this time I don't have intent to marry her as I have never met her face to face. I was hoping to get her here first as she needs to know if she is willing to live very far from her family forever.

2) I found a plane ticket to the Philippines to be around $1200. Which I can afford, but there is Hotel, meals and the dates. In addition, I would have to take about 2 weeks off work which may be difficult to do. I can do this but it seems it would be easier to have her here first.

It looks like I will have to go there first and then file the I 129f. I am no longer confused.

Thanks to all who provide this invaluable information.

[aussiewench 9]

Thanks for all the info.

1) There is not intent to commit fraud. I was merely asking how to get my girl friend to the US to pursue the relationship. I can honestly say at this time I don't have intent to marry her as I have never met her face to face. I was hoping to get her here first as she needs to know if she is willing to live very far from her family forever.

2) I found a plane ticket to the Philippines to be around $1200. Which I can afford, but there is Hotel, meals and the dates. In addition, I would have to take about 2 weeks off work which may be difficult to do. I can do this but it seems it would be easier to have her here first.

It looks like I will have to go there first and then file the I 129f. I am no longer confused.

Thanks to all who provide this invaluable information.

Keep in mind to retain boarding passes, etc. Anthing that pertains to your trip that you will be able to submit as evidence of having met. Also photos together.

All the best to you.