Should we begin looking into the K1 VISA application while I'm visiting?

[Lynxwarden 28]

Hello!

 

I've never posted here before, so I hope I'm doing this right. My partner and I (20f, 22m), have been together for 2 years, almost 3 in March, and we're looking to get married in his country (USA). I'm from New Zealand originally. I'm going to be staying with him in a week for 2 months, and I was wondering if we should look into applying for a K1-VISA while I'm there?

 

We want to close the distance, and we've discussed this a lot to make sure it's what we both want. Is it a good idea to look into the VISA while I'm there, and if so, what advice can anyone give me?

Edited February 27, 2018 by Lynxwarden

[bakphx1 789]

You apply for the visa in the US, so there's nothing for you to do while there, except maybe get copies of his birth certificate, passport, (including stamps when he visited here), and if NZ has a certificate of being single that too. 

 

The only thing that you don't want to do is initiate the process if you are contemplating living in NZ first.  Only get it if he's ready to move to the US and stay.  Some people get it ahead of time to gave it for later and it ends up being deemed abandoned. 

[tanderson64 201]

The first and most important question is - do you want to get married? 

 

If the answer is a definite yes, then the question is more complicated:

 

1.  Do the K1 Fiance visa, and get married within 90 days of arriving in the US,

 

2.  Get married in US or New Zealand, and then apply for IR1/CR1 spouse visa (I don't know the difference between the 2).

 

There are advantages to both.  We did K1 and married after my fiance arrived in the US.

 

However, it is important you understand that the visa process is very slow right now, and it will take at least 6 months, and more, after you submit your petition until you have the visa in hand, no matter which direction you take.

 

Review this guide for K1 to get an idea of what is involved in the process.  And take the time to review the applicable instructions and forms too.

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

[FernandLevi 36]

Make sure you take bunch of photos, take home a passport photo of your fiancee, save everything airfare wise and have her sign the letter of intent there.

[pontof 35]

I just spent 70 days with my fiancé in the US and we put together the petition. He actually mailed it today. There is a lot that goes into the K-1 petition and it was really beneficial to do it together. We helped each other a lot. I recommend you guys to do it together if you have the option to. Good luck with everything!

[Lynxwarden 28]

On 2/27/2018 at 5:21 PM, bakphx1@aol.com said:

You apply for the visa in the US, so there's nothing for you to do while there, except maybe get copies of his birth certificate, passport, (including stamps when he visited here), and if NZ has a certificate of being single that too. 

 

The only thing that you don't want to do is initiate the process if you are contemplating living in NZ first.  Only get it if he's ready to move to the US and stay.  Some people get it ahead of time to gave it for later and it ends up being deemed abandoned. 

Thanks for the reply! I'll definitely see what I can do and snag some copies of his stuff. Also, what is a "certificate of being single"? I can't say I've ever heard of that before. Also I should add that I'm the kiwi gal planning on moving to the States.

4 hours ago, FernandLevi said:

Make sure you take bunch of photos, take home a passport photo of your fiancee, save everything airfare wise and have her sign the letter of intent there.

Thank you for the reply! Would you mind telling me more about this "letter of intent"? I don't know what it is and it'll be hard for me to get him to sign something I have no clue about

Edited February 28, 2018 by Lynxwarden

[Lynxwarden 28]

On 2/27/2018 at 5:21 PM, tanderson64 said:

The first and most important question is - do you want to get married? 

 

If the answer is a definite yes, then the question is more complicated:

 

1.  Do the K1 Fiance visa, and get married within 90 days of arriving in the US,

 

2.  Get married in US or New Zealand, and then apply for IR1/CR1 spouse visa (I don't know the difference between the 2).

 

There are advantages to both.  We did K1 and married after my fiance arrived in the US.

 

However, it is important you understand that the visa process is very slow right now, and it will take at least 6 months, and more, after you submit your petition until you have the visa in hand, no matter which direction you take.

 

Review this guide for K1 to get an idea of what is involved in the process.  And take the time to review the applicable instructions and forms too.

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

Yeah, I've heard the wait times are pretty hectic right now, that's why we'd like to see what we can do as soon as we can. We've discussed it multiple times and we do want to get married.

[I.Kat 191]

Hey,

We applied while I was visiting in the US too  The documents are mostly filled by the Petitioner but it was helpful for us to be together and discuss the papers and fill it all up with each others help. I didn't need anything particular from my home country except the passport  (I haven't been previously married and have no kids), everything else you might need will be needed later on. Good luck 

[bakphx1 789]

10 hours ago, Lynxwarden said:

 Also, what is a "certificate of being single"? I can't say I've ever heard of that before. Also I should add that I'm the kiwi gal planning on moving to the States.

In many countries, there is a document that shows you as officially single that you get from vital statistics.   It's a method of preventing bigamy.  Ask your fiance, if he's never heard of it then it likely doesn't apply. The US doesn't, but it's something to check on and get ready if they do.