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[Mark Collard 0]

First of all im new here and what a great site with lots of great info. Ive been reading lots and already been able to use the site to find out answers to a lot of questions and concerns about this process and i know i could probably hunt deeper and find the answers to these questions but i really wanted to get my first post under my belt so here it goes....

1. Is it going to ever be an issue with the powers that decide our future that me and my girlfriend have a 10 year age gap. im 25 she is 35. (She is American, I am British)

2. Im under the impression that once the I-129F gets approved i would have 4 months to get my k1 from the embassy then a further 6 months to use it. Just for arguements sake imagine that our forms were approved tomorow but i didnt plan on using it right away but wanted to visit. Am i still allowed to visit on the vwp??

and along the same lines....i want to visit on the vwp during the summer of this year, i was just in the states for all of november, december and january visiting laurie. and i was also there for 7 weeks (unrelated to visiting laurie) in april and may of 2004. is this going to be a problem?? (i live with parents still so i have no bills and it may mean a case of quiting my job to stay for an extended amount of time)

3. We would be living in Oregon, but for some reason they use the Nebraska Service Centre. Would our interview be there or closer to where we would live?

4. What would happen in this scenario....We apply now, and either get approved or not or be in the process and for Laurie to change jobs and earn less money or to move house to another completely different area

[gwenneh 7]

First of all im new here and what a great site with lots of great info. Ive been reading lots and already been able to use the site to find out answers to a lot of questions and concerns about this process and i know i could probably hunt deeper and find the answers to these questions but i really wanted to get my first post under my belt so here it goes....

1. Is it going to ever be an issue with the powers that decide our future that me and my girlfriend have a 10 year age gap. im 25 she is 35. (She is American, I am British)

2. Im under the impression that once the I-129F gets approved i would have 4 months to get my k1 from the embassy then a further 6 months to use it. Just for arguements sake imagine that our forms were approved tomorow but i didnt plan on using it right away but wanted to visit. Am i still allowed to visit on the vwp??

and along the same lines....i want to visit on the vwp during the summer of this year, i was just in the states for all of november, december and january visiting laurie. and i was also there for 7 weeks (unrelated to visiting laurie) in april and may of 2004. is this going to be a problem?? (i live with parents still so i have no bills and it may mean a case of quiting my job to stay for an extended amount of time)

3. We would be living in Oregon, but for some reason they use the Nebraska Service Centre. Would our interview be there or closer to where we would live?

4. What would happen in this scenario....We apply now, and either get approved or not or be in the process and for Laurie to change jobs and earn less money or to move house to another completely different area

To take your questions in order:

1. No, it's not an issue as long as you can prove a genuine relationship. Ten years isn't that much (very close to what is between myself and my husband).

2. You have six months from the date the visa is issued to enter the US on it. The visa is usually issued the day of the interview. I don't know where the four months came from, as you get the visa in your passport that day and your passport is usually returned to you in the next day or so-so the six months starts from the date you're approved. You can visit on the VWP while the K-1 is in process (or TRY to, as there's no guarantee you won't get turned away at the POE) but once the visa is issued you MUST use it, you cannot enter on the VWP. I doubt the length of time you were here is going to be an issue.

3. No clue, as we haven't hit AOS yet and aren't sticking around for it...someone else who lives on that side of the country can probably take this question better.

4.As long as she's earning 125% of the povery level for the household, then you're fine.

[ladybutterfly 0]

Hey Mark,

In answer to your question about where you would have your interview, they have USCIS offices all around the country so just because your petition goes through a particular service centre doesnt mean thats where you have your interview. They will schedule you one at the nearest USCIS office to Oregon. Also, dont worry about the age gap thing, ten years is nothing compared to some of the couples that are going through this process. Good Luck with your journey.

[meauxna 15]

1. Is it going to ever be an issue with the powers that decide our future that me and my girlfriend have a 10 year age gap. im 25 she is 35. (She is American, I am British)

No. Your ages are consistant with a 'normal' age gap for couples.

2. Im under the impression that once the I-129F gets approved i would have 4 months to get my k1 from the embassy then a further 6 months to use it. Just for arguements sake imagine that our forms were approved tomorow but i didnt plan on using it right away but wanted to visit. Am i still allowed to visit on the vwp??

Once the petition is approved, it is valid for 4 months. That approval is routinely extended if the Consulate is working on your case. You may get an interview appointment within the four months, or not.

Once the visa is issued, it is valid for 6 months. Normally, you may not enter the US as a tourist once the K-1 has been issued. Is there a particular circumstance you have in mind about this?

and along the same lines....i want to visit on the vwp during the summer of this year, i was just in the states for all of november, december and january visiting laurie. and i was also there for 7 weeks (unrelated to visiting laurie) in april and may of 2004. is this going to be a problem?? (i live with parents still so i have no bills and it may mean a case of quiting my job to stay for an extended amount of time)

You may face additional questioning or be denied entry at the border for spending too much time in the US vs your home. Considering that your ties to your home are loose or nonexistant, that probability increases.

3. We would be living in Oregon, but for some reason they use the Nebraska Service Centre. Would our interview be there or closer to where we would live?

You have two important offices: The Service Center (Nebraska) handles the early stages of this application (the I-129f petition) and your future I-751 and Naturalization applications, either for intial processing or adjudication. You will never visit Nebraska in person.

The other is your District Office. For Oregon (welcome, neighbor!), your office will be POO aka Portland. They are very nice to work with, and fairly speedy with all applications. Your Adjustment of Status interview will take place in downtown Portland and their timeline has been fairly consistant at 6 months from fiing-->interview. Note that you will submit your AOS paperwork to the Lockbox in Chicago, but your DO will do the inteviewing.

4. What would happen in this scenario....We apply now, and either get approved or not or be in the process and for Laurie to change jobs and earn less money or to move house to another completely different area

Your question isn't very specific. Changing address can be more simple at certain stages in the process, more difficult in others. A stable mailing address is highly recommended for the duration of your immigration process; some people rent a PO Box so they do not have to change their mailing address. If you are talking about moving out of Oregon, your problems will increase, but can be dealt with if you don't mind having patience, following up and accepting a delay in finalizing your case.

Laurie will need to maintain current earning at 125% of the Poverty Guideline for her household OR have sufficient assets to make up the difference OR have a Joint Sponsor. The financial information is sent in with your Adjustment of Status application, after your wedding.

[Mark Collard 0]

thats such awesome help everyone. thanks alot. really appreciate it

Edited March 4, 2006 by Mark Collard