Fastest Way to Get Her to USA

[Zorro2020 2]

Hi folks,

By chance I stumbled on this Forum and I scanned the Visa Options Comparison here http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

But I still have few Newbie Dumb questions ...

I am a US Citizen and my Honey is Russian in Moscow ...

Q1: What is the Fastest Way that I can get her to come and Stay in US?

Not concerned ... how long would to take to get Green Card or Citizenship ... just to come to US and legally live here with me.

Q2: What is the Easiest Way to get her here? Would this be Fast also?

Q3: Is it better to get Finacee Status or Married?

Q4: If Fiancee is the route ... Does it Matter where to get engaged and become Fiancee? In Mosocw or London, or ...?

Q5: Can the Engagement just be via Phone ... do I need anything to Prove that we are engaged?

Q6: Do I need to get a Lawyer or can I do everything myself?

Would appreciate any Help!

Z!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

~ Moved from K-1 Process to What Visa Do I Need- OP still deciding on which visa route to take ~

[aaron2020 11,651]

1. A fiancee visa takes about the same time as a spousal visa. It will take anywhere from 6-12 months on average.

2. Easiest and fastest is relative. You can file for a fiancee visa right now. You would need to get marry and wait for the marriage certificate to file for a spousal visa. If you need to travel to get marry, then you need to calculate the cost and time to go and get marry before you can file.

3. Personally, I like the spousal visa better. With a spousal visa, she will immediately get a green card when she enters the US. With the fiancee visa, she would need to adjust status in the US which means more fees and time for a second process. With the fiancee visa, she will not be able to work for 2-3 months after you marry and file to adjust. 2-3 months in a country she doesn't know is a long time where she will be bored and going nuts.

4. It doesn't matter.

5. All the immigration folks need are statements from you and her about your intent to marry to apply for the fiancee visa. You can do it over the phone. You can do it over the internet.

6. This is a DIY site. If you can read and follow directions WELL, then it is not a problem. If you don't like reading instructions and following them like my brother, then you get someone like me to help. A lawyer is not necessary. A lawyer may be necessary if you don't want to do the work yourself.

[Zorro2020 2]

Hi aaron2020,

Thank You So Much for a quick response ... and ROFL when I was reading Bullet #6 ...

aaron, if not working here for 2-3 months and the fact she will Not be bored here in States since my relatives will be helping out left and right ...

I can't recall which post Iu was reading and someone said that Immigration department is Processing Fiancee Visa super fast.

Q: do you know if this is the case?

Thanks!

Z!

[aaron2020 11,651]

Every case is different. Different countries. Different people. Different circumstances.

Personally, I don't think it matters if it's 8 months or 10 months. What matters is what you guys want. You will either pay for 2 processes with the fiancee visa or pay for a trip to go marry her and then file.

Since you are not concern about the down time, then go for the fiancee visa and file today. If your pursue the spousal visa, then you have to wait until you get the marriage certificate. You may also want to look into how long it takes a foreigner to marry a Russian in Moscow. It may not be as simple as going to city hall.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Some I-129Fs are being approved pretty quickly now. But that is no guarantee that it would be the same for you. If you have seen her in person in the last two years you can file the I-129F right now.

[Zorro2020 2]

Hi Aaron & Harpa,

Thanks for your responses and help.

- @ Aaron ... that was an Excellent Pointer about how ot get Married in Russia.

Q1: So, does anyone have an idea where do I go to ask the Question about Getting Married to a Russian Gal in Moscow!?!?

- @ Harpa ... So ...

Q2: Harpa, what kind of Proof do I need to show that I have seen her IN PERSON within the last 2 years?

Would chatting on Skype be counted as Seeing her in Person!?!?

Thanks,

Z!

[aaron2020 11,651]

Q1. Go to the RUB sub-forum on this site and ask.

Q2. It must be in person face to face. Skype does not count. You must have met in the last two years prior to filing for the K-1. Plane tickets and plenty of pictures together is what you need to meet the 2 years rule.

[Umka36 781]

The following site about "Getting Married in Russia" is posted by the State Department

http://travel.state.gov/law/citizenship/citizenship_758.html

[aaron2020 11,651]

Go to the RUB sub-forum and ask. The guide from the US State Department does not cover Russian bureaucracy. A simple guide is nice, but real life is more complicated. Practical experience from people who have gone through the process is what you need to know.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Zorro: Have you seen her before? If you are asking about whether or not skype counts, then it seems like you have never met her.

[Zorro2020 2]

Hi Umka, Aaron & Harpa,

@ Umka ... I had been on the "Travel.State.Gov" site but would you believe I did not see that page ... THANK YOU for the Link.

Boy is sure Hard to Travel to Russia, even as a Tourist ... forget about Marriage business. I guess they don't need Tourist Money.

@ Aaron ... thanks for RUB Forum ... I am going to check it.

@ Harpa ... actually we had seen each other several years back ... but it was in London in a Convention ... so it has been way more than 2 years ... and 1 or 2 pictures only ... so, mostly emails and Skype'ing since then.

Thanks again folks ... You guys/gals are the Best!

Z!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Okay, if you haven't seen her in over 2 years then you are not eligible to file for the K-1. You need to meet her. Since marrying quickly is a red flag, I would go visit and then file a K-1. Have fun.

Edited September 26, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[Cathi 5,755]

Hi folks,

By chance I stumbled on this Forum and I scanned the Visa Options Comparison here http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

But I still have few Newbie Dumb questions ...

I am a US Citizen and my Honey is Russian in Moscow ...

Q1: What is the Fastest Way that I can get her to come and Stay in US?

Not concerned ... how long would to take to get Green Card or Citizenship ... just to come to US and legally live here with me.

Q2: What is the Easiest Way to get her here? Would this be Fast also?

Q3: Is it better to get Finacee Status or Married?

Q4: If Fiancee is the route ... Does it Matter where to get engaged and become Fiancee? In Mosocw or London, or ...?

Q5: Can the Engagement just be via Phone ... do I need anything to Prove that we are engaged?

Q6: Do I need to get a Lawyer or can I do everything myself?

Would appreciate any Help!

Z!

Have you met her in real life yet?

[David & Diana R 1,005]

Hi Umka, Aaron & Harpa,

@ Umka ... I had been on the "Travel.State.Gov" site but would you believe I did not see that page ... THANK YOU for the Link.

Boy is sure Hard to Travel to Russia, even as a Tourist ... forget about Marriage business. I guess they don't need Tourist Money.

@ Aaron ... thanks for RUB Forum ... I am going to check it.

@ Harpa ... actually we had seen each other several years back ... but it was in London in a Convention ... so it has been way more than 2 years ... and 1 or 2 pictures only ... so, mostly emails and Skype'ing since then.

Thanks again folks ... You guys/gals are the Best!

Z!

So you'll have to go and see her in person before you can file. Take lots of pistures with her at easily recognized tourist spots. Save plane tickit/s, passport pages (photo copy), etc... Good luck

Aloha Ke Akua