French off the plane

[Melchior 0]

Hello Everyone!

My fiancée (just proposed last Friday ) sent me a link to this site so i thought i'd log in and say hi.

So like I said we just got engaged.

I 've been coming to the US a lot, very familiar with the country/culture/language.

I studied 6 months in NY back in 2003/2004 through a program with my French College

I did a year long internship until last December with a J-1 visa.

Since past December I have been coming here as a tourist (<90 days periods) and looking for a job.

this is getting tiring adn not fruitful at all

I don't get many replies and the ones that would like me to work with them aren't too keen on the whole hellish visa process

Like i said we just got engaged so the GC / marriage is more than just an option.

so where should i post to ask which process is fastest to obtain a GC (or temporary permit to work and stay here)

should we apply for a K-1 or wait till we are married?

should we get married here or in France (no difference?)

I have talked to a US immigration lawyer over the phone and he said it's better to do it here but i would still like to talk to one in France to check

anyway all coments are more than welcome as i am more than scared by this administrative hell.

[Niels Bohr 72]

WELCOME TO VJ!!!

[mybackpages 0]

Welcome and Congratulations!

VJ has several members who have gone and are going through the paris consulate. You can get a good idea of your options from them. You can also search the timelines to narrow the process for American/French couples by the type of visa to help understand which process maybe easier for you and you fiancee

[meauxna 15]

so where should i post to ask which process is fastest to obtain a GC (or temporary permit to work and stay here)

There isn't anywhere to ask that question, really. And 'fastest' is only one, temporary consideration.

It's more useful to look at the differences between the visa types to see which benefits suit you the most

and

have a look at the various Service Centers and offices that you will work with (due to geography of USC) and see if there are any trends that would make you want to avoid one or the other.

Different visas will intersect with different offices.

Most marriage-based visa process take 6-9 months.

The K visas do not include general work authorization so you need to add +90 days to either of them before working.

The K-1 can be started most quickly if you are not already married.

Have you had a look here yet? http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=guides

[~Chad~ 0]

Welcome to VJ!

[MissStacey 1]

Bienvenue!!

[Muuuuah 0]

Hi and welcome to VJ

[lirachadsbaby 0]

a warm welcome!

[j-manu 0]

Welcome to VJ.

[MHandMB 0]

Bienvenue, Melchior, et felicitations!

Can your fiance live in France for a while after you get married? If so, it might be beneficial to try to do a Direct Consular Filing. There are other couples who have done this. Sometimes it means less of a wait, as well as the opportunity to get your greencard quickly upon your arrival in the U.S.

I'm not sure how long it takes in Paris, but check in the forums under DCF general discussion, or foreign consulate discussion. In addition, you might get some information in the regional discussion forum for Europe. Bonne chance!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

There are several options available to you:

• H1-b (temporary work visa, which DOES allow dual-intent), marriage (country immaterial), followed by AOS
  
• K-1; this has some restrictions (both must be unmarried when the visa is issued, and the marriage must be done in US); followed by AOS
  
• K-3/CR-1/DCF, all visas for existing marriage
  

[GrenadianCrix 1]

Welcome to VJ.

Whatever route you decide to take, I'm sure you will find a lot of support on this site.

Cheers.

Sue

[Savanphil 3]

Welcome to VJ good luck on your journey

[arwensun1965 0]

Welcome to VJ