Apply for a Tourist Visa and K1 Finance Visa at Same Time?

[Priya1986 0]

Hello, I just joined this site and am looking for some guidance in a few areas.

 

I am currently living in Ghana as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer and am wanting my finance (Indian citizen but currently also lives in Ghana) to come to the U.S. on a K1 fiance visa. However, I also want to simultaneously apply for a tourist visa for him so that he can attend my cousin's wedding in November 2017 (5-6 months)...I'm worried that the fiance visa could take longer than 5-6 months so I think it's best to have the tourist visa stamped in his passport also. Is this considered a negative thing to try and apply for both at the same time....I definitely wouldn't want him to be denied his fiance visa because he comes to the wedding in November on a tourist visa. Any thoughts, comments, help?

 

Also, doesn't anyone know whether I can file the petition with the U.S. Embassy here in Ghana or should I DHL/FedEX it to one of the servicing offices in the U.S.? It seems like the form is a paper form and I can't do this online from Ghana? Is that correct?

 

Thanks!!

[Roel 7,193]

He can apply for a tourist visa and has to do it on his own and base it on his ties to his current country of residence.  With the immigrant intent (k1 process) might be really hard. Especially with Ghana embassy. Also k1 might definitely take longer than 5 months. Also usually once k1 is issued, embassy will cancel the tourist visa. 

[Priya1986 0]

Thanks. What do you mean "tie it to his current country of residence?" You mean that he would go to the U.S. Embassy in Ghana (His current country of residence) for his interview, correct? He is not actually a Ghanaian citizen, so for all paperwork purposes, he would have to put Indian citizenship.

 

I think that's what you mean, right?

[canadian_wife 1,829]

What Roel means by 'ties' is showing the consulate that your fiance has a strong reason to return to his county of residence and not immigrate to the U.S. with you.  

 

These ties include a home or property, bills in his name, family ties, a steady and stable job to return to.  Etc.

 

Good luck 

[Priya1986 0]

I understand now. Thanks! I was planning to show my cousin's U.S. wedding invitation as his purpose for the tourist visa and that he has full intention of returning to Ghana to his job, house, bills, etc. And if the fiance visa is approved before the wedding in November, hopefully his tourist visa will just get cancelled and it won't affect anything.

[A'n'L 735]

First of all - the K1 process is more complex than just sending a form. Take a look at these pages to get an idea of what you're in for:

 

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

 

Applying for a tourist visa (even if denied) does not have an effect on your K1 process. The opposite is very much true. However, he may certainly try. It is important that he is 100 % honest during his tourist visa interview (it will be on record for the future).

 

While it is you, the USC, who initiates the K1 process, your fiance is on his own for applying for a tourist visa. He can apply at the embassy in Ghana - demonstrating ties to Ghana or India that convinces the officer that he will return after a short visit.

 

 

[Priya1986 0]

Thanks for sending the two pages. Very helpful. I noticed it says you are supposed to send the completed I-129F package via USPS. See below. Is it actually mandatory to use USPS since I'm sending it from Ghana and there is no USPS...I guess the alternative is to send it to U.S. address via DHL and then have someone in the U.S. send it via USPS...

 

Mail the I-129F Package to the USCISYou should mail the completed form(s) to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox. Mail the package with return receipt requested / delivery confirmation. Send via USPS.

 

Also, does anyone know at what point in the whole process they will ask for my income or proof of income? My Peace Corps service isn't ending until November 2017 (5 months), and it's volunteer service, so I'm not getting a real salary. My current source of income is my rental property income (21K per year). I can also provide evidence of my salary from 2006-2015 as an Aerospace Engineer prior to serving as a Peace Corps volunteer. Also, would my savings and my retirement accounts be proof of financial stability to support a foreign spouse? I don't want this to be an issue.

 

 

[Crazy Cat 42,683]

2 hours ago, Priya1986 said:

I also want to simultaneously apply for a tourist visa for him so that he can attend my cousin's wedding in November 2017 (5-6 months)

He must ALWAYS tell the truth....What do you think will happen when he tells the Visa Officer that he wants a tourist visa to attend the wedding of his fiancee's cousin? If I were the Visa Officer, I would immediately suspect intent to immigrate......then...

 

IF he can get a tourist visa, he WILL be asked the purpose of his visit when he arrives at a US entry point.  What do you think will happen when he tells the Border Officer that he wants to attend the wedding of his fiancee's cousin?  Again, if I were the CO, I would immediately suspect intent to immigrate.....

 

Just my opinion, but I think his chances of getting into the US on a tourist visa are pretty slim.....

 

I'm no expert, but.......

 

 

Edited June 5, 2017 by missileman

[Priya1986 0]

2 hours ago, missileman said:

Again, if I were the CO, I would immediately suspect intent to immigrate.....

My fiance has the intent to immigrate once we have the fiance visa approved, but obtaining the tourist visa is so that he can come visit my family before then (unless the finance visa is approved first, then we'll just use that and the tourist VISA should get cancelled)...I don't think there would be an issue with him saying his purpose to visit the U.S. is to visit his friends family for a wedding (We don't have to say he is my fiance at the border). Even on the tourist visa application online, they ask the purpose of his visit (to see all of my family and tour around my country) and they will ask for U.S. contact, which would be me and my family because THAT is his intent. Am I wrong on this??????

[Crazy Cat 42,683]

2 minutes ago, Priya1986 said:

My fiance has the intent to immigrate once we have the fiance visa approved, but obtaining the tourist visa is so that he can come visit my family before then (unless the finance visa is approved first, then we'll just use that and the tourist VISA should get cancelled)...I don't think there would be an issue with him saying his purpose to visit the U.S. is to visit his friends family for a wedding (We don't have to say he is my fiance at the border). Even on the tourist visa application online, they ask the purpose of his visit (to see all of my family and tour around my country) and they will ask for U.S. contact, which would be me and my family because THAT is his intent. Am I wrong on this??????

In my opinion, your fiance will have to demonstrate EXTREMELY.....I repeat.....EXTREMELY strong ties to his country of residence. The Visa Officer as well as the CO at the entry point only need to SUSPECT intent to immigrate on a non-immigrant visa.

Like I said, I am not an expert.  Perhaps more experienced posters will have a different opinion......

Best of luck in your journey....

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Being from Ghana a touris visa would be near impossible especially as he is showing immigration intent with a k1 in place.

[Boiler 46,359]

Sounds like he is Indian, but that Consulate has probably heard it all.

 

No harm trying, let us know how he gets on.

[JayMar2019 2,741]

12 hours ago, Priya1986 said:

Hello, I just joined this site and am looking for some guidance in a few areas.

 

I am currently living in Ghana as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer and am wanting my finance (Indian citizen but currently also lives in Ghana) to come to the U.S. on a K1 fiance visa. However, I also want to simultaneously apply for a tourist visa for him so that he can attend my cousin's wedding in November 2017 (5-6 months)...I'm worried that the fiance visa could take longer than 5-6 months so I think it's best to have the tourist visa stamped in his passport also. Is this considered a negative thing to try and apply for both at the same time....I definitely wouldn't want him to be denied his fiance visa because he comes to the wedding in November on a tourist visa. Any thoughts, comments, help?

 

Also, doesn't anyone know whether I can file the petition with the U.S. Embassy here in Ghana or should I DHL/FedEX it to one of the servicing offices in the U.S.? It seems like the form is a paper form and I can't do this online from Ghana? Is that correct?

 

Thanks!!

IMHO, you should first do research on both the criteria for the tourist visa and the K1 visa because they are 2 totally different visas with 2 totally different processes and outcomes. First, with the tourist visa, the burden of proof is on him to show he is not gonna use the tourist visa to stay and get married...that's visa fraud. He'll have to tell them the truth, and when tells them that he's going to your cousin's wedding with his fiance, the burden of proof is to show that he will return back home. Secondly, if he gets approved for the tourist visa (which is a 50/50 chance; unlike the K1 approval percentage is much higher); that does not guarantee he gets through POE at the airport (Point of Entry).When he flies to the US, the CO is gonna ask him again the purpose of travel. He can still be denied entry and made to fly back home if the CO feels he's trying to immigrate on a tourist visa (trust me, my fiance and I went through this horrible ordeal this past November). He's also gonna be applying at a Consulate that is considered a high-risk visa fraud country (Ghana) which he will have to show STRONG TIES that he will come back. 

 

So, what I would recommend is that you weigh out your options on what's more important to the both of you. I totally understand that you guys want him to attend your cousin's wedding, but you have to think what is the best interest long-term. Each visa process cost money so the decision should not be something you rush to make into just because. 

[WandY 430]

8 hours ago, Transborderwife said:

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Being from Ghana a tourist visa would be near impossible especially as he is showing immigration intent with a k1 in place.

I agree. I wouldn't try for the tourist visa if you are also trying for K-1. It muddies the situation and he probably has almost zero chance of getting a tourist visa. Also, you already sound like you're willing to hide info. Not a good start in the visa process. If he is your boyfriend/fiance, etc., it needs to be disclosed. Go for the K-1 and see what happens. Tough embassy, from what I've read on this site. Good luck!

[usmsbow 802]

1. The tourist visa application won't impact the K-1 visa process whatsoever.

2. There is no reason NOT to apply for the tourist visa. 

3. Don't let the naysayers get you down. Many people automatically assume someone has no chance for a tourist visa when they are from a developing country. None of us know your fiance's background, and many Indians have obviously gotten tourist visas, so what do we know?

 

Good luck!