What is the safest route.. k1 Vs k3

[Bluepanda92 33]

Hello, I am from the UK I met my boyfriend on the internet he lives in the USA, I am currently visiting him on the visa waiver program for 3 months I return in February. We decided that we want to be together forever but we want to do it in the most legal safest way possible. Currently he lives with his parents in a 5 bedroom house they have high earning jobs but my boyfriend has a low income job (around 12-15k a year) now I've read that getting a co-sponsor is ok but I read that the k1 visa is most likely to get rejected if you are using a co-sponsor but I also read that getting a spouse visa and using a co-sponsor is more likely to be accepted but that we would need something in our name such as a apartment or a car, but since we are living with his parents we don't have anything to show that is contracted in mine and his name.. so I don't know what to do should we apply for a k1 visa and use the co-sponsor or should we get married then I go home and apply for a spouse visa with the co-sponsor.. any advice would be greatly appreciated thank you 

[EandH0904 1,184]

If you return in February how long have you been there? Isn't thst quick to decide you want to marry? 

 

You can do a k1 with co-sponsor without it being a bad thing. UK usually has high rates of approval. 

 

Cr1 replaces k3. 

[Bluepanda92 33]

Just now, EandH0904 said:

If you return in February how long have you been there? Isn't thst quick to decide you want to marry? 

 

You can do a k1 with co-sponsor without it being a bad thing. UK usually has high rates of approval. 

 

Cr1 replaces k3. 

I've been here since 20th November, we known eachother for a year and been dating for 4 months, we would rather want to get engaged first then marry later as we both also think it's too fast, but we love eachother and want to be with eachother we feel like getting married is our only choice to be together, although we both want to get married we would just rather be engaged first for a few months or half a year 

[Ashley Scott 180]

18 minutes ago, Bluepanda92 said:

I've been here since 20th November, we known eachother for a year and been dating for 4 months, we would rather want to get engaged first then marry later as we both also think it's too fast, but we love eachother and want to be with eachother we feel like getting married is our only choice to be together, although we both want to get married we would just rather be engaged first for a few months or half a year 

I would suggest the K1 route since you prefer to have time being engaged before marriage.  There shouldn't be any issue with using a cosponsor for the petition, especially with you being from the UK.  The most important thing is the time you're spending together.  Make sure you save as much proof (boarding passes, pictures, receipts from the same place at the same time) to submit with your packet to show that you all have met in person.  Just remember that with the K1, you will not be able to work or travel until after you receive you are married and file for AOS/AP/EAD.  Currently the AP and EAD are taking 4-6 months so you are looking at around 6 months of not being able to work or travel (internationally) once you arrive in the states.  Good luck with whichever route you choose!

[Bluepanda92 33]

10 minutes ago, Ashley Scott said:

I would suggest the K1 route since you prefer to have time being engaged before marriage.  There shouldn't be any issue with using a cosponsor for the petition, especially with you being from the UK.  The most important thing is the time you're spending together.  Make sure you save as much proof (boarding passes, pictures, receipts from the same place at the same time) to submit with your packet to show that you all have met in person.  Just remember that with the K1, you will not be able to work or travel until after you receive you are married and file for AOS/AP/EAD.  Currently the AP and EAD are taking 4-6 months so you are looking at around 6 months of not being able to work or travel (internationally) once you arrive in the states.  Good luck with whichever route you choose!

Thank you for your reply it really means alot, I'm glad we can use the k1 then as I really don't wanna get married yet, just a few more questions, am I allowed to work in my own country while I wait? And do we have to book a wedding already and give the details to them or can we just book the wedding after k1 is approved. Thanks

[geowrian 22,338]

Just now, Bluepanda92 said:

I'm glad we can use the k1 then as I really don't wanna get married yet, just a few more questions, am I allowed to work in my own country while I wait? And do we have to book a wedding already and give the details to them or can we just book the wedding after k1 is approved. Thanks

 You can work anywhere outside the US before you enter on the K-1 visa.

No firm wedding plans are necessary. In fact, the suggestion is to not make any firm plans / put money down until you have the visa in hand. This makes actual wedding planning difficult if you want a bigger ceremony, but not impossible.

[Ashley Scott 180]

1 minute ago, Bluepanda92 said:

Thank you for your reply it really means alot, I'm glad we can use the k1 then as I really don't wanna get married yet, just a few more questions, am I allowed to work in my own country while I wait? And do we have to book a wedding already and give the details to them or can we just book the wedding after k1 is approved. Thanks

Yes, you can work until the day you move over.  I would highly suggest that you do this and put away as much money into savings as possible as the process can be quite expensive.  It also helps to have a nice savings once you get here to give you a little bit of financial independence.  You do not have to have a wedding booked before hand.  It would be wise to have a plan that you can share (ex: we are planning to get married in "month you will marry" in "town you will marry".  Or we are having a courthouse marriage in "month you will marry").  This is not a requirement but it can help let them know you are serious if they asked.  My (now) husband was never asked anything about our wedding plans through the entire process.  The only requirement is that you marry within 90 days of your arrival.