In person meeting exemption

[mushroomspore 3,043]

1 minute ago, cycswan said:

Obviously it is the law, as I'm aware. I’m just saying it’s pretty dumb that there are many cases of illegal people or refugees that get away with far worse, and someone with noble intent has to go through hoops. I don’t care about the moralizing.

Keep in mind: the government has no idea who you or your girlfriend are. They're the ones you'll be needing to convince of her noble intent. With that, it only makes sense that the government makes all of us jump through hoops. The illegal immigrants have nothing to do with you and what you're trying to do here. They're pretty much their own issue with its own problems.

[cycswan 2]

Just now, missileman said:

Bottom line is your legal choices are:

1.  K-1

2.  CR-1

3.  You relocate to her country

 

I appreciate the advice from everyone. I will try the k1.

[cycswan 2]

1 minute ago, Dee elle said:

Thought you couldnt leave the US due to some undisclosed medical reason...

I can for only small amounts of time. Like a week or two at most, but I can’t disclose more. I will try this route.

[Crazy Cat 41,047]

Just now, cycswan said:

I appreciate the advice from everyone. I will try the k1.

First requirement is to meet face to face.......Not only is that a requirement, it also is very practical.  However, this is my analysis of a K-1 vs a CR-1:

K-1

    More expensive than CR-1

    Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)

    Spouse can not leave the US until she receives approved Advance Parole (approx 3-4 months)

    Spouse can not work until she receives EAD (approx 3-4 months)

    some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period .

    Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.

CR-1

    Less expensive than K-1

    No AOS required.

    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US

    Spouse can start work if desired

    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card withing 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US

    Spouse  has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.

 

All-in-all, the CR-1 is superior to the K-1 imo.

[Dee elle 1,368]

3 minutes ago, cycswan said:

I can for only small damounts of time. Like a week or two at most, but I can’t disclose more. I will try this route.

Thats very different to " not being able to leave the US" . You are not the only one who cant leave for longer than a week or 2. Many dont get any more vacation than 1 or 2 weeks.

So meet her in the bahamas for a week, return and file the k1, then meet her again for another week during the process.. 2 short visits if possible.. and you have satified the requirments and have a better chance of success than you do now

[cycswan 2]

4 minutes ago, missileman said:

First requirement is to meet face to face.......Not only is that a requirement, it also is very practical.  However, this is my analysis of a K-1 vs a CR-1:

K-1

    More expensive than CR-1

    Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)

    Spouse can not leave the US until she receives approved Advance Parole (approx 3-4 months)

    Spouse can not work until she receives EAD (approx 3-4 months)

    some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period .

    Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.

CR-1

    Less expensive than K-1

    No AOS required.

    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US

    Spouse can start work if desired

    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card withing 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US

    Spouse  has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.

 

All-in-all, the CR-1 is superior to the K-1 imo.

I agree, but then I’d have to fly, and the process time will be only 6 months or so difference. I might change my mind if I can find a reliable way of becoming unconscious and having a person to help escort me to the appropriate places.

[cycswan 2]

1 minute ago, Dee elle said:

Thats very different to " not being able to leave the US" . You are not the only one who cant leave for longer than a week or 2. Many dont get any more vacation than 1 or 2 weeks.

So meet her in the bahamas for a week, return and file the k1, then meet her again for another week during the process.. 2 short visits if possible.. and you have satified the requirments and have a better chance of success than you do now

I probably can only visit her once for a few days. My income is less than 10k a year.

[Oliversmom 250]

You may already know this but you are required to have a certain income to sponsor her.  At your income you will need to find a joint sponsor.  Or else get a new job that pays more or get a second job.  Best of luck to you.

[cycswan 2]

 

 

8 minutes ago, Oliversmom said:

You may already know this but you are required to have a certain income to sponsor her.  At your income you will need to find a joint sponsor.  Or else get a new job that pays more or get a second job.  Best of luck to you.

How much does my income need to be for me to soley sponsor her? If I find a joint sponsor, what does this entail? 

Edited July 22, 2018 by cycswan

[EmmNM 179]

20 minutes ago, cycswan said:

I agree, but then I’d have to fly, and the process time will be only 6 months or so difference. I might change my mind if I can find a reliable way of becoming unconscious and having a person to help escort me to the appropriate places.

Not true. You can get married anywhere as long as its legal. You don't have to marry in her home country.

 

11 minutes ago, cycswan said:

 

 

How much does my income need to be for me to soley sponsor her? If I find a joint sponsor, what does this entail? 

If it is just you and her and no other dependents the minimum is $20,575 per year. But even many people close to the minimum need co sponsors. 

[Nitas_man 3,100]

15 minutes ago, cycswan said:

 

 

How much does my income need to be for me to soley sponsor her? If I find a joint sponsor, what does this entail? 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-864povertyguidelines

 

Depends on where you live but here are the guidelines.  Household size is you, any children from a former marriage, and her.

Edited July 22, 2018 by Nitas_man

[cycswan 2]

2 minutes ago, EmmNM said:

Not true. You can get married anywhere as long as its legal. You don't have to marry in her home country.

 

If it is just you and her and no other dependents the minimum is $20,575 per year. But even many people close to the minimum need co sponsors. 

That’s useful to know. Does having a co sponsor make it more challenging or expensive?

[Nitas_man 3,100]

1 minute ago, cycswan said:

That’s useful to know. Does having a co sponsor make it more challenging or expensive?

 Many embassies do not accept a co sponsor for a K1.  Which pushes you into marrying first then filing for a CR1

 

Involves an additional affidavit of support but not necessarily more challenging or expensive.

Edited July 22, 2018 by Nitas_man

[EmmNM 179]

1 minute ago, cycswan said:

That’s useful to know. Does having a co sponsor make it more challenging or expensive?

Not really more challenging. Just additional paperwork. Not more expensive.

[EmmNM 179]

36 minutes ago, missileman said:

First requirement is to meet face to face.......Not only is that a requirement, it also is very practical.  However, this is my analysis of a K-1 vs a CR-1:

K-1

    More expensive than CR-1

    Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)

    Spouse can not leave the US until she receives approved Advance Parole (approx 3-4 months)

    Spouse can not work until she receives EAD (approx 3-4 months)

    some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period .

    Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.

CR-1

    Less expensive than K-1

    No AOS required.

    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US

    Spouse can start work if desired

    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card withing 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US

    Spouse  has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.

 

All-in-all, the CR-1 is superior to the K-1 imo.

Like @missileman said. The K1 is A LOT more expensive.