Help! after meeting for the first time, should we do the k1 or k3 visa?

[loraanth 0]

Hi guys! this is my very first post here! (sorry if I'm asking a noob question)

I just want to share you my story. Im a 26-yr old Filipina girl (currently working in Saudi Arabia) that has a 26-yr old Filipino boyfriend in California, I haven't met him yet in person but we've been talking for almost 3 years online on Skype,Facebook and Hangouts, due to money problems before since he doesn't have work,he was not able to visit me and when he got a job, I'm already here in Saudi (which is not a good place for visiting a girl or else they will imprison us), due to those circumstances,our relationship was just online, but we will meet each other this December. His parents already knows me and they really like me, they've even sent me a package here in Saudi and they want us to get married ON DECEMBER RIGHT AWAY, AFTER MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME!! We also want that too but I've read on some posts that marrying right away after meeting for the first time is a big no-no (red flag) which made us confused if we should just engaged first or get married right away.

I would really appreciate it if you will give your inputs and if we should do the K1 fiance or K3 spousal visa, any pro's and con's you can provide is greatly appreciated

[Anitafeliz 1,133]

Would imbra qualify in this instance due to not being able to meet???

Edited June 23, 2016 by Anitafeliz

[p-ana 933]

Would imbra qualify in this instance due to not being able to meet???

Highly unlikely. There's no hardship or religion reasons for not meeting, just didn't have the money or didn't go to a third country to meet.

Op, k3 are obsolete, if you marry before filing, you'll go for a cr1 visa, filing a i130 petition.

Depending if the country it is not advisable to marry in your first meeting, but the Philippines seem very laid back about it. Personally, I suggest you meeting a few times first before deciding to get married.

Go to the guides list, forums, read as much as you can, weigh the pros and cons so you can decide. It's really up to you and your personal preferences.

Good luck.

[Kastrs 723]

OP indicated they ARE meeting in December

OP if you want to get married in the US then you should pursue a fiance (K1) visa, if you choose to get married in December then you should pursue a spousal (CR1 visa) either way read the guides on this page from a computer to get an idea of what each process entails

The K3 is basically obsolete and not worth pursing

As for getting married on the first visit, if it is your one and only visit that could be problematic, but if you for example get married in December and then have 2 more visits before the interview, then that should not be a problem. If you do not have any plan to visit again after December, it might be better to pursue a fiance visa.

[loraanth 0]

Highly unlikely. There's no hardship or religion reasons for not meeting, just didn't have the money or didn't go to a third country to meet.

Op, k3 are obsolete, if you marry before filing, you'll go for a cr1 visa, filing a i130 petition.

Depending if the country it is not advisable to marry in your first meeting, but the Philippines seem very laid back about it. Personally, I suggest you meeting a few times first before deciding to get married.

Go to the guides list, forums, read as much as you can, weigh the pros and cons so you can decide. It's really up to you and your personal preferences.

Good luck.

ok so cr1 it is. thanks!

OP indicated they ARE meeting in December

OP if you want to get married in the US then you should pursue a fiance (K1) visa, if you choose to get married in December then you should pursue a spousal (CR1 visa) either way read the guides on this page from a computer to get an idea of what each process entails

The K3 is basically obsolete and not worth pursing

As for getting married on the first visit, if it is your one and only visit that could be problematic, but if you for example get married in December and then have 2 more visits before the interview, then that should not be a problem. If you do not have any plan to visit again after December, it might be better to pursue a fiance visa.

@Kastrs the thing is, after the marriage, he wants to file it right away... is that a red flag too?

****

Hi guys! this is my very first post here! (sorry if I'm asking a noob question)

I just want to share you my story. Im a 26-yr old Filipina girl (currently working in Saudi Arabia) that has a 26-yr old Filipino boyfriend in California, I haven't met him yet in person but we've been talking for almost 3 years online on Skype,Facebook and Hangouts, due to money problems before since he doesn't have work,he was not able to visit me and when he got a job, I'm already here in Saudi (which is not a good place for visiting a girl or else they will imprison us), due to those circumstances,our relationship was just online, but we will meet each other this December. His parents already knows me and they really like me, they've even sent me a package here in Saudi and they want us to get married ON DECEMBER RIGHT AWAY, AFTER MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME!! We also want that too but I've read on some posts that marrying right away after meeting for the first time is a big no-no (red flag) which made us confused if we should just engaged first or get married right away.

I would really appreciate it if you will give your inputs and if we should do the K1 fiance or K3 spousal visa, any pro's and con's you can provide is greatly appreciated

okay, revising my post from K3 since this is obsolete to CR-1 (thanks for telling me this)

Edited June 23, 2016 by loraanth

[Anitafeliz 1,133]

Highly unlikely. There's no hardship or religion reasons for not meeting, just didn't have the money or didn't go to a third country to meet.

Op, k3 are obsolete, if you marry before filing, you'll go for a cr1 visa, filing a i130 petition.

Depending if the country it is not advisable to marry in your first meeting, but the Philippines seem very laid back about it. Personally, I suggest you meeting a few times first before deciding to get married.

Go to the guides list, forums, read as much as you can, weigh the pros and cons so you can decide. It's really up to you and your personal preferences.

Good luck.

Ok wasnt sure

[xmaricrisx 25]

I think if you and your boyfriend are concerned about spending more time apart, I suggest applying for a K1 fiance visa. It's a faster process than cr1/ir1 (although you will have to file additional paperwork after 2yrs). As long as you have lots of solid evidence that your relationship is real (e.g. Chat logs, pictures, etc.) you shouldn't have any problems. You can arrive in the US within 6mon of filing, and get married within 90 days of arrival.

But if you would rather the CR1/IR1, there is no problem filing as soon as possible, as long as (I emphasize this) you have solid proof of a bona fide marriage. But they will definitely question the fact that you got married on the first meeting (biggest red flag!) though, so you would need to show proof that you have plans on visiting each other again during the visa process.

Edited June 23, 2016 by xmaricrisx

[YoungRL 4]

I think if you and your boyfriend are concerned about spending more time apart, I suggest applying for a K1 fiance visa. It's a faster process than cr1/ir1 (although you will have to file additional paperwork after 2yrs). As long as you have lots of solid evidence that your relationship is real (e.g. Chat logs, pictures, etc.) you shouldn't have any problems. You can arrive in the US within 6mon of filing, and get married within 90 days of arrival.

But if you would rather the CR1/IR1, there is no problem filing as soon as possible, as long as (I emphasize this) you have solid proof of a bona fide marriage. But they will definitely question the fact that you got married on the first meeting (biggest red flag!) though, so you would need to show proof that you have plans on visiting each other again during the visa process.

If the marriage is less than two years old they would be getting a CR-1 and would still have to file additional paperwork to remove the conditional status of that visa.

[xmaricrisx 25]

If the marriage is less than two years old they would be getting a CR-1 and would still have to file additional paperwork to remove the conditional status of that visa.

Oh yea, thanks for adding that! I forgot to mention it

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to What Visa Do I Need - Family Based Immigration forum; multiple processes are being discussed.

[teeak 224]

Since money is an issue, OP should also take into account that the K1 to GC route is more expensive than CR1 to GC route.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

[JFH 12,190]

Is the boyfriend a US citizen? You mentioned him being Filipino but living in California. If he's not yet a citizen and just an LPR then you can't do a K-1 visa. Only US citizens can file a K-1. LPRs can only bring spouses into the country, not girlfriends.

[bigdog 376]

After reading the posts, maybe more information is needed for good advice. See how your visit goes and then start the plan. The boyfriend needs to be able to support you and meet the US guidelines. Good Luck.

[Anitafeliz 1,133]

I'm already here in Saudi (which is not a good place for visiting a girl or else they will imprison us), due to those circumstances,our relationship was just online

Why I asked about IMBRA....

[Shauneg 762]

IMBRA = International Marriage Broker Regulation Act

As far as i know, It is against the family visa petition rules in the US to use a marriage broker (mail order bride) service, and if you used a marriage broker to find your fiance or wife then your fiance or spousal visa will most likely be denied.

OP If your fiance does not have a job or only a recent job, how does he expect to qualify for the fiance/spousal visa requirement of having an income above 125% poverty for minimum 2-3 years?

If you are in Saudi then where do you plan to meet your fiance? You most likely cannot get a visitor visa to the US since you are from Philippines unless you have a large bank account or high value house in Philippines as proof you have monetary ties to your country to out-weigh the risk you will over stay your visa, so meeting in the US is most likely not an option for you. regardless if you choose a fiance visa or spousal visa, you will be required to meet!

I highly suggest you plan to meet in Philippines for minimum 1 week together, take LOTS of pictures together and some of him with your family, save all identifying receipts such as airline boarding passes, bus tickets, hotel reservation/receipts, retail receipts with names or debit/credit card last 4 numbers. Wait till he has at least 1 full year of income tax statements above 125% poverty level before he files your visa petition!

Fiance visa is much less complicated and faster to process it takes only 3-5 months start to finish on average, i have seen some Manila embassy processed in 9 weeks.

Spousal visa takes much more time because there is a lot more investigating USCIS need to do for your case and more documents they need to prepare, especially if you marry outside the US because USCIS will not have direct access to your marriage records in another country.

I would suggest K1 fiance visa, because its much less complicated and faster than a marriage visa.

Best Wishes, Good Luck!!

You can use a marriage broker, it just needs to be disclosed....nothing wrong or illegal about it.