Filing an expedited request for a K-1 visa with the NVC

[rms171 20]

Looking for advice.

My beneficiary recently began suffering from a medical condition that requires treatment, and soon surgery. I am her sole source of financial support, and while I have had no issue in maintaining her care and well being, the toll of her medical costs is beginning to greatly affect my financial security. The costs we are incurring would have otherwise been covered if she were here in the US.

My conundrum is that my beneficiary would be extremely upset if she knew that I was filing an expedited request on the basis of economic hardship related to to her medical care. I fully understand her reasons, but if there is a way for me to present this to the NVC without directly involving her in it, that would greatly alleviate my financial issues and avoid what could be a major disagreement with her. Last thing I want to convey thorugh a request is that I cannot support her, something that would cause her great angst.

How do I explain my situation in a request to the NVC, one that helps avoid the issue I am facing above. For the last two months I sought help from my senator to get my NOA2 approved at the TSC as I saw these bills mounting. Of course the TSC did not immediately do anything and I waited 175 days for approval. The attorney I have in her country to assist me with gathering beneficiary paperwork is fully aware of my financial situation and would have no issue in addressing the truth behind my very real issue.

For those who are quick to say that if she loved me she would understand what I am doing or accuse me of going behind her back, well I appreciate the advice, but please do keep it to yourself. I have learned to never judge anyone, and as such I am asking for help here, not relationship tips.

Thank you,

RMS

[Ash.1101 1,756]

When you say that the costs would be covered if she were in the US, does that mean that you plan on putting her on your insurance, insurance that you already have?

What are the details of her medical condition? They'll find out at her medical appointment no matter what. Is this something that could stop her from being able to come here?

Be careful how you word things though, you talk about the financial aspect of things and how she can get care here, which... isn't the purpose of the K1 visa. You don't want them thinking you're bringing her here solely for medical care.


How was she paying for medical care prior to you?


Not to sound rude but... since you're not married, you aren't obligated to help her with anything in the eyes of USCIS, if you go broke because you're flooding money to your fiance to pay for medical care, it's not really their concern, she's not legally your dependent or anything to you. Again, this is from the eyes of the government.

Now if you were married, it would be a bigger deal to them, but you're not.

Edited September 21, 2015 by Ash.1101

[belinda63 3,038]

NVC for the K-1 is sort of a fly-by or at least it used to be. A few weeks to assign a case number and it's off to the embassy. Better to contact the embassy and see if you can get an expedited appointment which means she would need to have the paperwork and medical ready to go when the case arrives.

I am assuming you mean you and her will marry as soon as she arrives and you will be adding her to your insurance.

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

RMS

First: Not needing to know her medical condition but is it something that would keep her from passing the medical exam or traveling? You say she needs surgery soon.

Second: How would she be covered for this condition in the US? You are not yet married and can not add her to your policy. My husband is here and i am told i must wait 60 days to buy insurance for him.

Many say call a Senator but in reality they. can't influence immigration. Immigration does not even have to answer to the President. They can only request Homeland Security to look into your case and this still takes time

Not trying to discourage you, but medical costs in the US are a lot higher that DR. So your reasoning that she would be covered in the US and the expeses would be less a burden will not add up to immigration.

I would say she needs you to care for her in her condition. And it would be less a burden on you to have her in your home to do this / more emotional than monetary

[rms171 20]

Thank you all so far. Her medical condition would not preclude her coming here. It is not uncommon of a condition for women in their child bearing years. The goal isn't to bring her here just for medical care, it is to point out that my financial burden would be substantially eased if she were here as I may give her health insurance as soon as we marry as there is coverage for her. I know that costs are much higher here then there as I've had to pay for other illnesses for her son, but the costs out of pocket there v. a deductible here that I have long met with my three kids, does add up. I figured it was worth asking the question, deep in side sensing the answer. The only thing that is important to me is her health. While financially it is taxing, money can be earned again.

[rms171 20]

NVC for the K-1 is sort of a fly-by or at least it used to be. A few weeks to assign a case number and it's off to the embassy. Better to contact the embassy and see if you can get an expedited appointment which means she would need to have the paperwork and medical ready to go when the case arrives.

I am assuming you mean you and her will marry as soon as she arrives and you will be adding her to your insurance.

It still basically is. I literally just got off the phone with a CSR at the NVC. My petition arrived on Friday and my number was assigned. I asked him what happens now and basically reiterated what you said. The file basically just goes into another package bound for the embassy.

One step closer.....

[Boiler 45,541]

Seems to me that the focus is to get her on your Insurance asap.

Quickest way I presume would be to go to DR and get married and presumably you can add her then.

[trinaqueen 36]

I was told by NVC that by the time you request your file to be expedited it will be sent off to the embassy. Based on the other timelines it looks like they might be a bit busy right now...After I got my NOA2 I had to wait right about 35 days for my case # from NVC.

[naire37 53]

OP, first of all I'm really sorry it's taking such a long time for you! Once at NVC, things do move faster for all, hopefully so fast you can't even expedite it to go any faster. The part that you could "expedite" the most was the USCIS, but that's over for you, so the gains are not as much.

Also not to sound rude, but I think you should probably talk this over with her. She is going to find out if your request gets expedited, one way or another. Maybe even if you request an expedite and it's rejected, the officer may still ask! They ask all kinds of questions on the interview and this one would be a legit one.

And if at the interview the officer finds out you've omitted this part to her, this is going to come across as a huge, ugly red flag. Proving that your relationship is real while proposing 2 different stories to USCIS, Embassy and NVC is not a situation you want to be in.

Honestly, I realize that money questions are tough and uncomfortable for all parties involved! I totally know how it feels not wanting to hurt your loved one by bringing up money (especially medical costs). However, if you are unable or unwilling to have an open conversation with your partner about money, that in itself is a red flag. You will have to have those conversations once you live together, you know.

I strongly suggest against doing any kind of requests behind her back. Not only is it disrespectful to your partner (you refuse her having a voice in this decision), it is also incredibly risky when it come to telling the same story to the NVC and Embassy. If they catch you, you're in real hot waters; is it really worth it?

Edited September 22, 2015 by naire37

[Amor Verdadero 33]

OP, first of all I am sorry to hear about your fiancés health. Being apart is hard let alone when someone we love is sick and needs us. I highly suggest you tell your fiancé that that is your motivation to request an expedite. I am sure that you would love to be with her in this time and are not just concerned about the financial burden. I am pretty sure I know what you fiancé is dealing with and it will not exclude her from coming to the U.S. and it should be covered under your insurance (I will assume). Obviously doing the K1, you are not yet married and cannot add her to your insurance yet. ((To the poster who stated she had to wait 60 days I am very curious of that, I added my husband to my insurance before he even entered the country on the basis he would be losing coverage.)

Anyways, the expedite request is up to the embassy. Email the embassy with your information and give them a brief story about why you want to expedite the process. I expedited my husbands process (After 18 months apart) due to my fathers terminal illness and wanting them to meet before my dad passed away. It is truly up to the embassy and a lot of factors are involved. They accepted my request for expedite. HOWEVER, they did ask my husband if he knew about my fathers illness (which he did obviously). Therefore, I highly recommend you talk to your fiancé and let her know that you wish to speed it up so you can help her and be with her. DO NOT make it about finances (although it obviously plays a role). I think she will be more receptive to it.

[mlh 93]

Seems to me that the focus is to get her on your Insurance asap.

Quickest way I presume would be to go to DR and get married and presumably you can add her then.

When I was making the rounds with my HR department after we got married, while waiting for our CR-1, our company's insurance wouldn't add a spouse that is not legally present in the US or cover anything other than emergencies overseas, so not sure this would do you much good to marry there to add to insurance faster, but that was just my experience, other companies may be different, but would be best to check first.

And while the intentions are good OP, definitely not a good way to start out your new life together by lying (even by omission) to your fiancee. As others have said, this could be called out at her interview and cause issues.

[Boiler 45,541]

When I was making the rounds with my HR department after we got married, while waiting for our CR-1, our company's insurance wouldn't add a spouse that is not legally present in the US or cover anything other than emergencies overseas, so not sure this would do you much good to marry there to add to insurance faster, but that was just my experience, other companies may be different, but would be best to check first.

And while the intentions are good OP, definitely not a good way to start out your new life together by lying (even by omission) to your fiancee. As others have said, this could be called out at her interview and cause issues.

Not saying that HR is wrong, but often they are, best to check with the source.

I know that many people add their spouses on when not legally present.

[mlh 93]

Not saying that HR is wrong, but often they are, best to check with the source.

I know that many people add their spouses on when not legally present.

Very true. We didn't do it or force the issue because there wasn't really any point while he was still in the UK and gets coverage for free, but that was after 3 phone calls and about 10 emails to force them to call the broker and confirm that immigration is in fact a life changing event so I didn't have to add him during open enrollment and could add him when he actually moved.

[tonyb919 107]

The insurance issue really is more carrier specific. My insurance covers spouses and family members worldwide and not just for emergencies only. There were many different carriers I could chose from and they were all very specific that the spouse and all dependants are covered anywhere worldwide. It really saved my ### earlier this year when my wife was hospitalized in DR and the final bill was over 9000 US of which I paid 35 dollars of.