Starting again in Ghana

[All4Kweku 0]

Greetings everyone. I am in the process of re-starting my visa journey. I filed a K1/K2 in 2004 and that case is still pending for various reasons at the Embassy in Ghana. Due to some family considerations (both in the US and abroad) my fiance and I decided to get married in Ghana in January of this year. Now that I am back in the states, I am charting unfamiliar territory with new visas and expectations. I am not new to the visa journey per se (given my experiences with the K1) but now that Im married, situation and paperwork has obviously changed. I called the state department today and was told me that when I file a CR1 for my husband, I have to file a separate I-130 petition for my stepson. Is that true? I know the state department is notorious for misinformation, so I wanted to throw that out there for your consideration. I also posted in the CR1/IR1 forum but I always have to come back to the Africa folks because we usually face unique circumstances dealing with embassies in Africa.

Also in terms of timeliness and fees, do you think there are advantages to filing a K3/K4 and have them adjust status in the US as opposed to filing two I-130 petitions? I know K3s a "generally" faster (and my step son would gain derivative status), but given the 6-8 month delay at the Embassy in Ghana for scheduling interviews, it might come out to about the same amount of time once you consider that my I-130 petition will be going through VSC which seems to have had a hugeeee slow down in processing lately. Although it would be a huge hit to our collective purses, do you think I should file the two I-130s as well as the K-3?

What do you all think? What are the merits and disadvantages of CR1 vs K3 for Ghana? Children always complicate things, especially with the DNA pocket draining Accra Embassy, but I wanted to hear from folks who are married and going through the process. What are your thoughts? Constructive suggestions and opinions are welcomed!

[ReggaeDancer2 0]

All4Kweku,

Sorry to hear you are still struggling. I would go CR1 route. I heard that in the end it's easier - once he arrives in US.

Best Wishes.

RD

[All4Kweku 0]

thanks reggae. i've been leaning that direction so that when its done, its actually done (except for lifting conditions if it happens to take less than two years to get through the process).....im in pretty good spirits. i took a break from the visa rigamarole for about 6 months and in that meantime, went to ghana. my family all got to meet each other when they went to accra for the wedding and it was just so good for my family (here and there). i can honestly say that the two years that we waited for the K1 to process actually helped Kweku and I to figure out ALOT of things about our relationship. I feel fairly lucky since I get to Ghana about twice a year since i teach and get time off in summer and during the holidays. plus, our familes help us cobble things together to make ends meet. its not the ideal situation, but i've become so normalized to our bi-continental life. i feel like the embassy can't shake me anymore (though never say never *wink*)...and even though im not happy about filing papers and getting medicals and police certificates (again), i feel like i know the ropes a bit better and won't be as devastated by the setbacks sure to come....

[KingMedusa 0]

Greetings everyone. I am in the process of re-starting my visa journey. I filed a K1/K2 in 2004 and that case is still pending for various reasons at the Embassy in Ghana. Due to some family considerations (both in the US and abroad) my fiance and I decided to get married in Ghana in January of this year. Now that I am back in the states, I am charting unfamiliar territory with new visas and expectations. I am not new to the visa journey per se (given my experiences with the K1) but now that Im married, situation and paperwork has obviously changed. I called the state department today and was told me that when I file a CR1 for my husband, I have to file a separate I-130 petition for my stepson. Is that true? I know the state department is notorious for misinformation, so I wanted to throw that out there for your consideration. I also posted in the CR1/IR1 forum but I always have to come back to the Africa folks because we usually face unique circumstances dealing with embassies in Africa.

Also in terms of timeliness and fees, do you think there are advantages to filing a K3/K4 and have them adjust status in the US as opposed to filing two I-130 petitions? I know K3s a "generally" faster (and my step son would gain derivative status), but given the 6-8 month delay at the Embassy in Ghana for scheduling interviews, it might come out to about the same amount of time once you consider that my I-130 petition will be going through VSC which seems to have had a hugeeee slow down in processing lately. Although it would be a huge hit to our collective purses, do you think I should file the two I-130s as well as the K-3?

What do you all think? What are the merits and disadvantages of CR1 vs K3 for Ghana? Children always complicate things, especially with the DNA pocket draining Accra Embassy, but I wanted to hear from folks who are married and going through the process. What are your thoughts? Constructive suggestions and opinions are welcomed!

Your best option is the CR/IR process. For a citizen, it's pretty fast if you do all the paperwork right each time you get something. Also, it's true that you have to file I-130 for your step-son. In the end, it's cheaper than the shortcut K3/K4. Upgrading in the USA is almost the same as the visa fees plus all the hustles. Good Luck!

[All4Kweku 0]

King Medusa,

When you fill out the I130 for the children, did you fill out and/or sign the G-325 on their behalf?

[Kanyiri 0]

I don't know anything about the process you are now entering, but I just wanted to say good luck with everything. Hopefully this will progress where the other process did not. You are in my prayers.

Kanyiri

[Radical Lover 0]

Hey there!

I am actually married to a Ghanaian as well, and we are doing the K-3 route. Thus far, it seems ok. There is a TON of paperwork, and sometimes I do wonder if I should have just gone the CR-1 route, but anyhow, my husband just picked up packet 3 today (we filed in december) and we are going to get that done ASAP so we can find out our interview date. I guess it depends on the situation. Perhaps if children are involved, then maybe the CR-1 route would be better. I am not sure, just trying to be helpful, since there seems to be few people married/engaged to Ghanaians on this site. Shoot me a message anytime or any questions.

I wish you the best of luck with your journey!!!!

[AfricanQueen 0]

Greetings everyone. I am in the process of re-starting my visa journey. I filed a K1/K2 in 2004 and that case is still pending for various reasons at the Embassy in Ghana. Due to some family considerations (both in the US and abroad) my fiance and I decided to get married in Ghana in January of this year. Now that I am back in the states, I am charting unfamiliar territory with new visas and expectations. I am not new to the visa journey per se (given my experiences with the K1) but now that Im married, situation and paperwork has obviously changed. I called the state department today and was told me that when I file a CR1 for my husband, I have to file a separate I-130 petition for my stepson. Is that true? I know the state department is notorious for misinformation, so I wanted to throw that out there for your consideration. I also posted in the CR1/IR1 forum but I always have to come back to the Africa folks because we usually face unique circumstances dealing with embassies in Africa.

Also in terms of timeliness and fees, do you think there are advantages to filing a K3/K4 and have them adjust status in the US as opposed to filing two I-130 petitions? I know K3s a "generally" faster (and my step son would gain derivative status), but given the 6-8 month delay at the Embassy in Ghana for scheduling interviews, it might come out to about the same amount of time once you consider that my I-130 petition will be going through VSC which seems to have had a hugeeee slow down in processing lately. Although it would be a huge hit to our collective purses, do you think I should file the two I-130s as well as the K-3?

What do you all think? What are the merits and disadvantages of CR1 vs K3 for Ghana? Children always complicate things, especially with the DNA pocket draining Accra Embassy, but I wanted to hear from folks who are married and going through the process. What are your thoughts? Constructive suggestions and opinions are welcomed!

CR1 is better, you have to do less once they get here.