Is a K-3 visa the best one for us?

[bidaum92 0]

Hi everyone,

I'm not sure the best way to say this so be prepared for a wall of text!

Basically, I am 21 years old, from the United Kingdom and have been working in IT doing Microsoft Network Support and Accounting Software Support for the past 2 years.

Myself and my partner are currently engaged and trying to consider all the possible options us to get me a Visa to live with her in the USA.

The way we see it there are 2 options.

Option 1:

We get married when I go to visit her in March and we apply for a K-3 visa.

My question is.. how quickly can I live in the USA and get work if we chose this option?

Option 2:

I have the possibility of getting work within a month in America from friends of family

With this, I would assume I would need a Work Visa for this.

Can I get a temporary Work Visa quickly which can be changed to a perrmanent work visa/k3 visa in the future.

Or could I obtain a permanent work visa?

And once again how long is the processing time on all this.

Like I said these are the 2 options we currently see.

If anyone has any suggestions for other possibilities please let us know.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Edited February 14, 2014 by bidaum92

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

K-3 is virtually unobtainable, and has been replaced by the CR-1 spousal visa. That takes about a year.

If you could get a work visa that would be fine, but they are expensive and difficult to get.

You might want to consider the K-1, which is going fast right now. It is a visa to move to the US to marry and immigrate. Once you marry you apply to be a permanent resident from within the US.

[bidaum92 0]

Hi Harpa,

How long does a K-1 Visa take for me to be able to live in USA and work then?

Thanks.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

k1 visa for fiancé. But you won't work immediately.

CR1 visa for spouse. They are slow right now I hear. You can start work immediately.

K3 is kinda old news. they don't usually happen anymore...not something you could bank on.

Work visa are not as easy as most assume. They have a limited number each year.

Research) what is involved

Application http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-140instr.pdf

Dept of Labor certification that there is nobody in the US who could do that job http://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/pdf/9089form.pdf

And be prepared for all forms arrive when filing opens in April, hoping to get one for fiscal year 2015. They "sell out" the first week....meaning more apply the first day usually than the number of visas allotted.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Hi Harpa,

How long does a K-1 Visa take for me to be able to live in USA and work then?

Thanks.

Well, nothing is guaranteed.

But, where the first part of the process typically takes 5-6 months, lately they have been getting completed in one month or so. But it could change back at any time.

But, work with that visa isn't great. After you marry (you have to do it within 90 days), then you have to apply to be a permanent resident. In case the overall approval takes a long time, there is a free application to get work permission, which takes 60 -90 days.

So even if you marry right away, you probably will be stuck unable to work for a few months.

With the Cr-1 visa, you can work virtually upon entry, but they are going pretty slow right now.

[bidaum92 0]

Thanks for the information,

It seems our hopes of living together in 4 months was a bit to quick!

After looking at this.. we're currently planning on the CR-1 visa. It looks to be the simplest and best one to get to live together!

I will be heading over there for March to see her for a week. And this is when we'll get the marriage certificate.

Then we can at least get the ball rolling with the I-130 and then go from there.

On the plus side, even though it's going to take a while.

We'll at least be able to plan and get things sorted easier as we'll have more time!

Edited February 16, 2014 by bidaum92