Is our planned wedding date reasonable for our K1 Visa?

[Little_Vixen 1,869]

16 hours ago, OutOfThisWorld said:

Or just marry first and then apply for supposal visa.

 

I am constantly puzzled why people from countries like UK (with pretty much unrestricted travel between the country and the US) apply for K-1 visas at all.

"Unrestricted" is pretty relative. I don't have unrestricted budget, nor do I have unrestricted free time to travel.

 

 

 

[Little_Vixen 1,869]

17 hours ago, audaud said:

Hiya, we are currently awaiting our NOA2. We got NOA1 November 22nd, 2017. My fiancé is from the UK.

 

We are planning our wedding for August 18th.. does that seem feasible? Or should we extend the day ?

Like everyone above mentioned. Don't plan anything that you can't postpone or cancel. That's asking for extra stress in an already stressful process.

 

I think it is feasible that your fiancé could be in the states by August 18, but that is only if they keep speeding up like they have been and if your case gets approved in one of the first batches they do. They only do about 20 to 30% of the cases the first time around, then they go back over the months willy nilly. There's really no telling. That's a lot of ifs that I would not count on. So be smart, don't plan.

 

I am December 22 and from my calculations I expect to be in the states beginning to mid September. I am hoping on an August 25 wedding since that's my parents wedding date. But in any case we will have a small courthouse wedding the week I arrive and a big celebration on our first anniversary. The date is less important than being there.

 

[dentsflogged 352]

1 hour ago, Little_Vixen said:

"Unrestricted" is pretty relative. I don't have unrestricted budget, nor do I have unrestricted free time to travel.

 

 

 

Not to mention the unrestricted emotional reserves.   I don't know about anyone else, but leaving and the first few weeks after a visit are always the absolute worst, most miserable, can't-eat-can't-sleep, don't even want to get out of bed times for us. Last time I was basically a zombie for about 3 weeks - didn't want to leave the house, go to work, talk to anyone (but him, of course) or do anything even with my closest friends.   After that first hump has passed, we both settle back into our routine and while it sucks and we wish we were together, it's not so bad.   I can't imagine doing that more often!   

I'd rather just have the 1 more visit we have planned, perhaps a very quick one over Christmas (work is being difficult and saying they won't approve that until November, which isn't ideal for ticket purchase prices) and then hopefully when the NY hits we'll have NOA2 and NVC to be keeping us busy with, then packing up my life here. 

[OutOfThisWorld 87]

Emotions aside, K-1 is just a visitors visa with a three-month stay. If you already can visit, then what is the point?

[Roel 7,192]

10 minutes ago, OutOfThisWorld said:

Emotions aside, K-1 is just a visitors visa with a three-month stay. If you already can visit, then what is the point?

It's.. really not. Lol.

[CMJuilland 485]

38 minutes ago, Roel said:

It's.. really not. Lol.

I second that! 

Edited April 6, 2018 by CMJuilland

[Derik-Lina 230]

20 hours ago, EandH0904 said:

You should make NO PLANS until she has her visa in her hand. 

Yes, we know that it's unromantic and not practical - but at current processing times you can HOPE for November, and maybe that would be the case, but I know some from July 2017 still waiting for NOA2 - if you add in an RFE or any sort of Administrative Processing time for any reason at all ( couldn't get medical in time, anything) - and it leaves NO room for error. 

 

Those of us on here on VJ have seen people over and over commenting about how they spent $xxxxx for a wedding they now can't have because of they didnt get their visa in the time frame they were hoping for and are looking for suggestions on what to do - travel on ESTA, do CR1, etc - all because of a wedding. 

Most people end up doing a court house wedding when their K1 gets here and planning a bigger wedding together later on. 

 

It's up to you and your money what you plan, but it's generally NOT good advice to plan anything while waiting for the process. 

You are so right. 

Also, It pretty much depends on the origin of the Beneficiary. They might be put on AP or handed a DS 5535, which translate to months to a year of waiting after "Interview". 

[Derik-Lina 230]

20 hours ago, audaud said:

Hiya, we are currently awaiting our NOA2. We got NOA1 November 22nd, 2017. My fiancé is from the UK.

 

We are planning our wedding for August 18th.. does that seem feasible? Or should we extend the day ?

I hate to rain on your parade, but I was in your shoes; I planned a wedding for December of last year, only to cancel all plans, including the K1. 

Married and did the CR1 instead. Then again, I am from a different part of the world where AP and other things do cause major delays. 

And to shine on your parade, Westerners have had great and speedy journeys; I feel you will be fine, but it is safe to push in a month or two later.

[CMJuilland 485]

And as for OP's question: my now spouse and I took that gamble and planned our wedding despite me not having the visa yet. We knew we were taking a huge chance, and looking back, we are relieved that it worked out that way. That being said, we made sure that our payments were refundable (aside from the usual 10-20%) and really only started making bigger payments as I was close to my interview. I can't stress enough though that we're also extremely lucky because I'm from one of the lowest fraud countries when it comes to immigration to the U.S. or any country for that matter. That means that we could pretty much count on an immediate approval and visa issuance after my interview.

Aside from that, we also did a ton of research regarding processing times over the years, under different administrations, during administration changes, etc. Because the wedding was scheduled only about five weeks after the visa was issued, a lot of our friends both from the States and from Europe couldn't make it because it was just too close a call. 

Long story short, if you want a maximum of planning time and a "perfect" (-ish) wedding with the most possible guests, have a courthouse wedding just after you arrive, and then plan it out for later on. Otherwise, as most of my fellow posters have stated, you run the risk of losing out big time. 

On a final note, as for K1 vs. CR1 for VWP-citizens, I have to say that I would go the K1 route again. Yes, immigration cost is higher than CR1, but so is flying back and forth. I made the trip over the pond every 5-10 weeks over the course of about 2 years, and it was exhausting and expensive to say the least. I should also add though that the K1-visa took less time when we applied, and it was out of question for us that we would get married and then be separated by an ocean again (especially after having known each other for over ten years...); we wanted our wedding to be the beginning of us being united. That's just my two cents, though; I don't believe that there's a one-size-fits-all here. 

[Sunnyland 639]

2 hours ago, OutOfThisWorld said:

Emotions aside, K-1 is just a visitors visa with a three-month stay. If you already can visit, then what is the point?

 

K1 is a visitor visa? Then I did it all wrong! 

[OutOfThisWorld 87]

1 hour ago, Sunnyland said:

 

K1 is a visitor visa? Then I did it all wrong! 

Yep. K-1 gives the beneficiary a chance to go see United States before pulling the trigger with the wedding.

 

If the beneficiary wants to move to the United States sight-unseen, or if the beneficiary already is allowed to visit United States, then what is the point of going through all the extra motions that the K-1 visa requires?

 

Somebody posted that it was important for them to be inseparable from the wedding moment forward, and they did not want to leave US during that time. I could see how that could be important for some. So, yes, I concede, in that case K-1 may be the preferred way to go.

[Perfect two 💑 1,147]

On 4/5/2018 at 1:28 PM, audaud said:

Hiya, we are currently awaiting our NOA2. We got NOA1 November 22nd, 2017. My fiancé is from the UK.

 

We are planning our wedding for August 18th.. does that seem feasible? Or should we extend the day ?

Don't plan anything unless it is refunded. My advise is focus on getting K-1 visa first, come here and have a courthouse wedding or civil ceremony. After that you can start planning for wedding reception.

[Unlockable 7,314]

4 hours ago, OutOfThisWorld said:

Emotions aside, K-1 is just a visitors visa with a three-month stay. If you already can visit, then what is the point?

I beg to differ.

 

A K1 and visitor visa are different visas. Visitor visas do not have dual intent. The sole purpose of a visitor visa is to be in the US for a short period then return home. The purpose of a K1 is to get married to a US citizen on US soil, then adjust status to become a permanent resident.  They are not the same.

 

A visitor visa takes a few weeks to process, a K1 takes several months and require evidence from not only the foreigner, but also the US citizen. They are not the same.

 

A K1 visa is single use (because it is dual intent) and once it is used, it is no longer valid. a visitor visa can usually be used more than once. they are not the same.

 

A K1 requires a sponsor with the intent to marry a US citizen. One of the documents you submit is literally a letter stating you will marry the petitioner within 90 days. NOT go visit Disney Land and go shopping. A visitor visa has no sponsorship nor any requirement to marry anyone. In fact, you don't even have to personally know a US citizen to obtain a visitor visa. They are not the same. 

[OutOfThisWorld 87]

To our collective knowledge K-1 sponsorship declarations have never been successfully enforced in court.

 

The letters of intent are not a promise to marry but declaration of the intent to marry. There is no penalty for not marrying. If the beneficiary does not marry and does not overstay the I94, he or she would still be in good standing.

 

It is also possible to marry during a visit on a non K-1 visa and file for adjustment of status. But, I am going to stop short recommending that route.

 

In some countries, direct consular filing (DCF) is available. Those considering different options should check it out as well.

Edited April 6, 2018 by OutOfThisWorld

[dentsflogged 352]

13 hours ago, OutOfThisWorld said:

Emotions aside, K-1 is just a visitors visa with a three-month stay. If you already can visit, then what is the point?

It's really, really not.

 

Especially considering most visitor visas already come with a 3-6 month stay, why would anyone go through the effort and expense of a K-1 unless there's a benefit at the end?

 

In this case, an immigration benefit. K-1 is a "visitor" visa which allows you the intent and also the legal right to adjust status after fulfilling the condition. Unlike with a visitors visa you can stroll through Immigration with 17 bags and a dog in tow and not have to answer delicate questions about your intent.