J1 or K1

[olafgypsy 0]

Hello everyone; my fiance and I are new to the website and unfamiliar with this process, so please bear with me. Here is our situation: after meeting when he was visiting the US on a student visa from Colombia and dating for 8 months, we began a long-distance relationship that has lasted for 16. Now, after two years, we have decided to become engaged. Here's the problem, though: we would like to live together for a while before getting married, seeing as it's been over a year since we've lived in the same country. By "a while" I mean 6 months to a year. THe K1 visa only allows for three months after entering the country before getting married. What we're wondering is this: should he try for a J1 before a K1? If he does so, and is not approved, will the fact that he tried for one jeopardize his chances of being approved for a K1 visa? And finally, should he come to the United States on a J1 visa, how difficult would it be to change his status after we are married?

Any help you could give would be great, and good luck with your visas!!

--olafgypsy

[YuAndDan 153]

J-1 visa is only for study, not immigration and marriage, that is what the K-1 is for. Applying for and using a visa for something other that what it was intended for is visa fraud.

Also J-1 visa has a 2 year foreign residency requirement after attending a college or university.

Apply for the K-1.