2 previous K1 visas for my fiance--a problem?

[kris&me 572]

He says she did not go to the embassy for the 2nd one so i will assume she did not attend the interview / therefore no 2nd K1 approved 

student visa is handled by being accepted at a college and the college lawyer doing the legwork for a visa so first things first / this college year 2018 -2019 has already started and the process is lengthy and needs an approved college application and to pay the holding fee to keep her place in the college

the K1 process is no longer fast / it is taking up to a year to  the Interview

best and cheapest way is the CR1 

[Boiler 45,952]

33 minutes ago, debbiedoo said:

in a rational world, yes.

 

to the US Gov't... not necessarily.

Nor to those who have been on VJ for a while, would not come close to some things seen.

[DaveB7 1]

Also, thanks to everyone for suggestions.

[Umka36 781]

2 minutes ago, DaveB7 said:

It seems that CR-1 was suggested here as a potentially less problematic route. Does it matter where the marriage would take place?

Nope.

[DaveB7 1]

10 minutes ago, kris&me said:

He says she did not go to the embassy for the 2nd one so i will assume she did not attend the interview / therefore no 2nd K1 approved 

student visa is handled by being accepted at a college and the college lawyer doing the legwork for a visa so first things first / this college year 2018 -2019 has already started and the process is lengthy and needs an approved college application and to pay the holding fee to keep her place in the college

the K1 process is no longer fast / it is taking up to a year to  the Interview

best and cheapest way is the CR1 

Oh, that's how quoting works!

Yes, she didn't go.

 

Well, she didn't think about a college, but a several week-long course at an "immersive" Language school in the states. They said on their websites that help with visas

 

CR1... Someone has mentioned like a year and a half of waiting. We want kids soon (some age-based considerations), and my employer won't be happy if I try to travel every month or two for so long.

Edited September 24, 2018 by DaveB7

[TM92 527]

12 minutes ago, DaveB7 said:

Does it matter where the marriage would take place?

A legal marriage anywhere in the world is the requirement. After a quick glance, it seems that there is specific required paperwork to marry in Russia: https://ru.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/marriage/. When the marriage process in a country (i.e. Philippines, Morocco, etc.) is cumbersome, marriage in a visa-free country (i.e. Hong Kong, Macao, etc.) is an alternate option: https://www.passportindex.org/comparebyPassport.php?p1=us&p2=ru&fl=&s=yes

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,096]

3 minutes ago, DaveB7 said:

It seems that CR-1 was suggested here as a potentially less problematic route. Does it matter where the marriage would take place?

No; you can get married anywhere you can visit legally and marry legally. That can be in Russia, in the US, or in a third country (if she's in European Russia, Denmark looked like the best bet when I was looking into that, but we ended up doing a K-1). FWIW, it's not particularly difficult for Russians to get Schengen visas (for most of the EU and few other countries); Anastasia has twice.

 

Current VJ average from initial notice of action to interview for a K-1 is 284 days, and for a CR-1/IR-1 is 410 days. And a lot of people will say that four months wait is not a lot for being a much better situation once your fiancee is in the US (she can work, can get a driver's license in every state, and can travel internationally right away). But you also have to figure how long it takes to actually get married, which is probably going to be a few months (someone from a visa waiver program country could meet you in Vegas for a weekend, but that's not the case for you).

[VNN 147]

14 minutes ago, DaveB7 said:

Oh, that's how quoting works!

Yes, she didn't go.

 

Well, she didn't think about a college, but a several week-long course at an "immersive" Language school in the states. They said on their websites that help with visas

 

CR1... Someone has mentioned like a year and a half of waiting. We want kids soon (some age-based considerations), and my employer won't be happy if I try to travel every month or two for so long.

• Not sure how legitimate these schools are and not sure how they can help beside issuing the letter of acceptance  
• Break into multiple travel, probably every 4-5 months for 2-3 weeks. Technically, it really depends on how much you can afford for travel and your employer but I do not think it will hurt if you talk to your employer.  After my wedding announcement, my boss actually came and discussed with me about some of the arrangement he could make to make my life easier. It could be your case as well.

[HP+IC 292]

59 minutes ago, debbiedoo said:

as youve seen (and why) the consulate will be VERY interested in those previous relationships and want to know EVERYTHING about yours....

 

it does sound rather like greencard/way to the US shopping. especially with mention of 'what about a student visa'....

I can not imagine a situation where a lady from Russia, however educated and self-supportive etc runs into three consequtive romantic relationships with USCs of all men in the world purely by chance. Americans do not wander freely in Russia. Sorry, no way. This is not about rushing into relationships or being of a bad moral character, not at all. But this lady wants her GC badly and it is very obvious. 

[TM92 527]

24 minutes ago, DaveAndAnastasia said:

(if she's in European Russia, Denmark looked like the best bet when I was looking into that, but we ended up doing a K-1). FWIW, it's not particularly difficult for Russians to get Schengen visas (for most of the EU and few other countries); Anastasia has twice.

Yup, Copenhagen is a great option if OP's fiance gets a Schengen visa (it was even recognized by the Russian Civil Registry Office (ZAGS) for this couple). Reykjavík, Iceland is also a good option with a Schengen visa.

Edited September 24, 2018 by TM92

[debbiedoo 2,339]

54 minutes ago, DaveB7 said:

CR1... Someone has mentioned like a year and a half of waiting. We want kids soon (some age-based considerations), and my employer won't be happy if I try to travel every month or two for so long.

Then perhaps an international relationship isn't your best option? My fiance takes  long weekend (thurs-mon) once, sometimes twice a month to come here. Now yes, there is a difference between Canada and Virginia and Russia and anywhere in the states, but time off work and travel (and costs) are part of this process. My working arrangements are different now, but for the first two years of our relationship (up until a couple of months ago), I too, took off time from work whenever he came here, or when i went up there.

 

And lord please dont rush into having children! PLEASE. How many times have you met (in person)? how long have you known her? how WELL do you know her? A healthy woman can have children well into her 40s and even older in todays world. You saying that makes it sound like she wants an 'anchor baby' - which wouldnt even work seeing as the child would be a USC but still not her, and a kid cant petition a parent until they are 21.

 

Please understand, none of us are doubting anything to be mean or heartless (though I am often accused of such). But your fiancee, has raised a lot of red flags, and we are far kinder in our words than an immigration officer with doubts (and based on what youve said, there would be PLENTY of doubts).

[SalishSea 18,095]

1 hour ago, DaveB7 said:

Oh, that's how quoting works!

Yes, she didn't go.

 

Well, she didn't think about a college, but a several week-long course at an "immersive" Language school in the states. They said on their websites that help with visas

 

CR1... Someone has mentioned like a year and a half of waiting. We want kids soon (some age-based considerations), and my employer won't be happy if I try to travel every month or two for so long.

You will find that there is nothing fast about this process.   Even if you go for a K-1, it will likely be at least 8 months to get to the interview.  

[carmel34 3,650]

I would strongly recommend that you take your time with this situation and not rush into it, given your fiancee's history of being very interested in USC men, but then non-committed when it comes to actually marrying one of them.  Visit her in Russia multiple times, and if it works out well, get married in Russia or another European country where you can both travel and marry easily, then file for CR1, which takes 410 days from filing to interview.  For all the reasons cited on this thread, and for your own peace of mind, CR1 is best.  If she commits to marriage with you, actually marries you, and then is willing to wait the 410 days to immigrate, you will find out if she is really serious about being married to you long-term, or if she is just using you to get to the US.  The time spent together before and after marriage, and the evidence required for a CR1 will not only help satisfy the concerns of a CO, but will also be good for you to know that she really loves you and not just the chance to live in the US.  Some say "love is blind," so take a step back from your emotions and think of this from a rational perspective.  Find out if she loves you for who you are, and not just for your US citizenship.  Good luck with your journey and all the best!  

[Orangesapples 1,954]

1 hour ago, debbiedoo said:

? A healthy woman can have children well into her 40s and even older in todays world. 

That's actually not true and it's really bad advice to tell someone to wait to get pregnant after 40. Some women can have healthy babies at 40 but the risks are much bigger and complications and birth defects much more likely, not to mention how much more difficult it is to get pregnant in the first place. 

[debbiedoo 2,339]

Just now, Orangesapples said:

That's actually not true and it's really bad advice to tell someone to wait to get pregnant after 40. Some women can have healthy babies at 40 but the risks are much bigger and complications and birth defects much more likely, not to mention how much more difficult it is to get pregnant in the first place. 

nonetheless, rushing to get married just to have a baby isnt smart.