Seeking Migration Agent - A bit overwhelmed

[AussieCali 0]

Hiya!

 

I'm an Australian man currently living in Australia with my Californian fiancé. We have known each other for 7 years and we have lived together for approx 1.5 years (she is on a student visa in Australia).

 

We want to move to the US (California specifically, to be with her family) in mid 2019 and I want to become a citizen of the US. 

 

Can anyone recommend a migration agent and give us their details? I have searched online, but it is very difficult for me to find anyone to help while we are in Australia. Most places don't email back. 

We are a bit overwhelmed with everything and not quite sure where to begin and would prefer to have someone guiding us through. 

 

Thank you so much!

[Roel 7,193]

Why on earth do you need an agent? This is easy process. 

 

Also don't you worry about citizenship. You're a looooonng way away from it. 

 

If you want to pernamently move to the USA this is what you have to do: (easiest way imo). 

 

1. Get married in Australia. 

2. File for cr1 spouse visa. There is a guide on this website so read it. The process takes about 12 to 14 months and no, there is no way around it. 

3. Your US wife HAS to establish domicle back in the US in order to sponsor your visa. That means she will probably have to  move there ahead of you and for example, get a place to live, job, etc.  Stuff that shows his physical connection with USA. Those will be proofs that you will need for you petition. 

4. Once your waiting is almost over you need to do medical exam and embassy interview in Australia. Once you have your cr1 visa you can fly to the USA. 

5. You receive your green card in mail after arrival. 

6. And 3 years later from there you can start thinking about applying for citizenship. 

 

To answer further questions: 1. No there is no better or faster way. 2. Yes you will probably be separated during the process. 

 

Edit. http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1  step by step. 99% of people on this website file and send those application on their own. 

Edited March 15, 2018 by Roel

[milimelo 4,572]

What Roel said. Follow the guides and you’ll be fine. 

[AussieCali 0]

Appreciate the responses! Thank you for your outline Roel. 

 

If anyone still has someone I can speak to that would be appreciated, I understand it might be obvious to some , but that doesn't mean it is simple for me.

[payxibka 10,047]

14 minutes ago, AussieCali said:

Appreciate the responses! Thank you for your outline Roel. 

 

If anyone still has someone I can speak to that would be appreciated, I understand it might be obvious to some , but that doesn't mean it is simple for me.

Your USC fiancee/spouse will do the initial petition not you....

[AussieCali 0]

2 minutes ago, payxibka said:

Your USC fiancee/spouse will do the initial petition not you....

My bad. Someone that she can speak to.

[payxibka 10,047]

6 minutes ago, AussieCali said:

My bad. Someone that she can speak to.

First thing you need to decide is what visa...  K-1 (fiancee) or CR-1 (spouse).  Then have her get the appropriate forms and instructions from the USCIS website.  If after reading the instructions and looking at the forms, most will decide it is not that overwhelming.  Doing US taxes is much more overwhelming for most.

 

Also, top of every page is a tab for guides.  Review them as well

Edited March 15, 2018 by payxibka

[JFH 12,191]

IF you are already living together then don't even think about a K-1 fiancé visa. Focus on a CR-1. All the K-1 is really is an extremely overpriced tourist visa that allows you to stay beyond the 90-day limit if you marry in the USA the person who petitioned you, within 90 days of arrival, and then pay even more fees to adjust your status (get your green card). It's the slower of the two paths to residency and citizenship (which appears to be your ultimate aim). It's the more expensive of the two visa types. And you won't be able to work or leave the country for many months. Why would you do that to yourself? Get married. File for a spousal visa and start your new life in the USA as a fully fledged green card holder from day one, and not in some sort of crazy limbo for many months. 

 

The K-1 is great for people who cannot be together beforehand (such as those from countries where it is extremely difficult to get a B-2 visa to visit their American lovers) or for those who don't care about being out of work for many months - and I'm not just talking about the financial aspect. It's about routine, settling, making friends, networking, feeling you belong, etc, etc. Also, the longer you are out of work, for many people it becomes harder and harder to get back into their field at the same level they left. 

[AussieCali 0]

Great advice in this thread, thank you everyone.