k1 visa/Egypt...questions and advice

[sparkles_ 456]

Hey VJers,

First off someone feel free to move this where ever it fits best. I can't decide to put it in the K1 section, cr1, MENA, etc so here I am. I need advice and opinions on how to proceed with this. Here goes some basic info: I'm 27, 2 kids, and married once before. My first husband did also get benefits from me, a GC in 2008 but naturalized via military service (apparently you join and become a citizen?). Anyway, I am with a wonderful Egyptian guy. I am trying to get my mind around which is better, a k1 or a cr1 visa for our situation...anyone willing to offer their 2 cents? I already know I'm going to be using a joint sponsor. Is this allowed for the k1? I heard each embassy can sort of set their own rules for this when it isn't an actual AOS from marriage versus a fiance.

I've spent 2wk in Egypt in April, going back sometime after all this mess quiets down over there in the fall for another 2-3wk with my children in tow. There is no crazy age difference in us, we are less than a year apart in age. We are both Christian, I've met his family and there are no problems there. My son's father and I are only recently divorced, will this make a difference? However we have lived apart for almost a year. Some searching on here told me this could make problems with a CO thinking its a scam/fraud thing which was why I am considering a cr1 if that would help. I know that the recent divorce followed by a quick k1 filing can be a really bad look since Egypt is a 'high fraud' place but is it really that bad? I would prefer the k1 so we could marry here around my family. Lastly I have known my Egyptian guy just as a friend even while legally married, hung out and all in groups on my personal trips to Egypt (did NOT go to see him specifically, went to do the tourist thing and look for a job which I now have lined up if needed for this fall but with the situation now, eh)and nothing became official if you will til after. Nothing has been filed yet since we haven't decided which is best.

Sorry if I rambled guys, and again move this to whatever sub-forum fits it!

• 0

• Quote
• MultiQuote

[TBoneTX 45,468]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to General Immigration Discussion -- OP is contemplating visa paths. ***

[NikLR 13,227]

For either the K1 or the CR1 you can marry here or there. You can get married on a tourist visa but he can't get married and STAY. But he would probably need a tourist visa to come to the USA.

Read the comparison guides and the embassy reviews. Also check in the embassy forum or your regional forum about if K1 are allowed co-sponsors for the I-134 for that embassy.

[sparkles_ 456]

Thanks for moving me to the right place.

We are not interested in a tourist visa just because of the reality. He is a 20 something, single male from Egypt so odds of a visitor visa being given are small. I've read the guides and compared and I am still honestly torn. The cr1 seems easier paperwork wise, and I would at least semi-know what I'm doing since I filed my ex's stuff myself many moons ago as an in-country AOS. And the Cairo embassy seems to reject less cr1s but then again I haven't seem many k1 rejections unless there are multiple red flags. As I stated we are the same age, we are both teachers, same faith. I just am not a fan of the cr1 wait time when the k1 is potentially much shorter for him to be here.

Do most of you guys on VJ do the k1 stuff yourself or use a lawyer? There is so much to the k1 that I have doubts I could handle it and not screw it up on my own. The Cairo embassy allows k1 co-sponsors or joint sponsors but someone over on MENA told me they can give you a hard time about it possibly. Anyone know what that hard time is about exactly? Reviews for an immigration group on FaceBook of the embassy also say it is hit and miss with which CO you will get as to how much ####### they give you.

I'll be going back either way before doing anything. I need more photos (have a good bit, want more personally) and such since up until June 30 we were assuming I would accept the position at the international school.

Someone explain front loading please!!! What is it exactly?

[NikLR 13,227]

Most K1 seem to do it themselves.

Front loading is sending LOTS of evidence with the petition. A CR1 would also send more with the Immigrant Visa package to the NVC so that the most amount of evidence can be in front of the Consular Officer before the interview. They sometimes will not look at evidence provided at the interview.

If getting married in front of YOUR family is the most important thing for you, then a K1 visa route is the path you should take.

One example:

I am CR1. In exactly 9 months from filing, I have my green card in my hand. The actual green card. I POE'd just over a month ago. I can work. I can go to school. I can travel. Anything.

NOTE: It takes about 3 months, sometimes closer to 4 months, AFTER arriving in the USA and filing for the AOS for the K1 person to even get to the EAD/AP stage. So they cannot work or travel until then. (That's after marriage.) It's another 3-4 months afterwards, sometimes more, until they get a green card. Granted, mine was fast, but generally it only takes a year.

Either way though, a single 20 year old male from Egypt will also likely have an undetermined amount of time in AP.

Edited July 13, 2013 by NikiR

[sparkles_ 456]

AP is also a worry of mine; at least with the k1 he could be with me as the powers that be drag their feet unless I am wrong about that. It isn't a must but it is just a preference to marry here in the states. I could do either option and all would be fine, however marrying in Egypt means a bit more work and planning for the actual marriage. I would hate to be stuck in AP hell is the bottom line, with him still in Egypt. He is 28, single but lucky he doesn't have a very common name since he is Christian....that is what AP is about, right? Running the name through a bunch of checks and such.

Give me examples of things besides photos to front load with, what works? I don't think either of us started really saving things like chats and emails til March, I have my visa from Egypt, ticket bookings....wedding invitation for k1? Wedding photos for cr1?

Man, this has me feeling stupid with my lack of knowledge.

[christeen 966]

AP is also a worry of mine; at least with the k1 he could be with me as the powers that be drag their feet unless I am wrong about that. It isn't a must but it is just a preference to marry here in the states. I could do either option and all would be fine, however marrying in Egypt means a bit more work and planning for the actual marriage. I would hate to be stuck in AP hell is the bottom line, with him still in Egypt. He is 28, single but lucky he doesn't have a very common name since he is Christian....that is what AP is about, right? Running the name through a bunch of checks and such.

Give me examples of things besides photos to front load with, what works? I don't think either of us started really saving things like chats and emails til March, I have my visa from Egypt, ticket bookings....wedding invitation for k1? Wedding photos for cr1?

Man, this has me feeling stupid with my lack of knowledge.

AP whether done as K1 or CR1 will be done IN Egypt... They will NOT allow him to come to USA before these checks are completed... So either way, if in AP, you will be separated... Sorry

AP is also a worry of mine; at least with the k1 he could be with me as the powers that be drag their feet unless I am wrong about that. It isn't a must but it is just a preference to marry here in the states. I could do either option and all would be fine, however marrying in Egypt means a bit more work and planning for the actual marriage. I would hate to be stuck in AP hell is the bottom line, with him still in Egypt. He is 28, single but lucky he doesn't have a very common name since he is Christian....that is what AP is about, right? Running the name through a bunch of checks and such.

Give me examples of things besides photos to front load with, what works? I don't think either of us started really saving things like chats and emails til March, I have my visa from Egypt, ticket bookings....wedding invitation for k1? Wedding photos for cr1?

Man, this has me feeling stupid with my lack of knowledge.

Read and study the guides here and you will feel much more in control of the process, knowledge is power and the guides are your best friends at th point...

[sparkles_ 456]

AP whether done as K1 or CR1 will be done IN Egypt... They will NOT allow him to come to USA before these checks are completed... So either way, if in AP, you will be separated... Sorry

Read and study the guides here and you will feel much more in control of the process, knowledge is power and the guides are your best friends at th point...

Christeen, thanks so much for telling me about the AP. I kind of assumed, wrongly, that the k1 AP would be done when you file AOS in the states. Ugh! Well needless to say this gives me another good piece of info. to add when weighing my choices.

Edited July 14, 2013 by beccabecca