Help Needed for K-1 visa Process!!!

[Kitterattack 0]

Hi everyone, Me and the absolute love of my life got engaged back in September of 2018. He proposed to me after he came back to America on a J-1 Student visa for a second year since he was still in university. We thought it would have been easier to file the K-1 visa. Also I found it not fair to his family for him to go home and just say "Hey I got married while I was gone". I NEVER thought this was going to be so very difficult. We have been together since September 2017. I (the petitioner) have already completed filling out our I-129F form excluding the evidence portion. We have been Google searching Day and night everyday since we got engaged. We also had Friends and Family assisting in our search. We have been saving up a ton of money since the 1st year we read it would be in the price range of 1,000- 2,500$ for the process. We are really trying our because to make this work but we don't know if we should spend the money on a lawyer or not. 

 

If anyone could tell us anything on how to do this process Giving that he's been to the USA twice on a J-1 student visa before we file this petition it would be a huge help. We just don't want to have to worry about getting denied. We are both in our early 20s and don't want to have to be separated for a very long time since we both are committed and putting in all the effort and hard work we can. 

Also any advice on evidence would be helpful since we mainly keep in contact using Social media (Facebook,Snapchat,Instagram,Online gaming). 

 

Sorry if this post is all over the place I have Asperger's syndrome which making this process quite a bit more difficult. Its another reason I am so eager to get my Fiance back since he understands the hardships I have to deal with.   

[Roel 7,192]

Not sure what's your problem here. You follow the K1/AoS guides and that's it. As for his previous visas and periods of stay in the US, you just include that info in application and /or Ds160 for embassy stage. 

[SalishSea 17,832]

You’ll also want to check into whether his J-1 has the 2 year residency requirement.  It should be printed on the visa in his passport if it applies.

[JFH 12,190]

Saving up “a ton of money” is also a good idea. Whilst the K-1 visa process will cost around a few thousand including the medical and the cost of his ticket here, he will then be unable to work for many months AND you will have $1225 AOS fees to pay also (that’s the current price, it may or may not increase in price by the time you get to that stage). 

 

You also need to show evidence that you earn enough or gave enough savings to sponsor him. Do you work? 

 

Edited June 2, 2019 by JFH

[Cryssiekins 976]

Using a law firm will be costly, but there are benefits if you find the forms very difficult, though I would suggest reading through the guides here before deciding.  It sounds like your case may be relatively straight forward, so it would be a financial benefit to you to not use an attorney if you can handle the paperwork yourself.  Of course, there’s always people here willing to assist if you get stuck on a question somewhere.

 

As for your concern about his family, if you marry in the US (which is what happens with a K1) then they will either need to acquire visas to attend the wedding, or you can always have a legal marriage here (courthouse) and then visit his home country to have a celebration later.

 

As mentioned above:  immigration is neither fast or cheap.  You will spend time apart, and you will spend a lot of money.  You can use a joint sponsor if you yourself do not meet the threshold.  

 

Also, consider a spousal visa.  This way you would marry here or there, and then file.  It’s less cost overall than a K1, and while processing time is a little longer, he receives the benefit of a greencard upon entry to the US to begin working immediately, whereas a K1 cannot work or travel until there is an approved EAD/AP, which looks like it’s taking about 6 months after filing (added on to whatever time it takes for you to marry, and file).

 

It is most certainly a trying process on your emotions, because there are long periods of just waiting without hearing anything.

[Kitterattack 0]

My Fiance did not have the 2 year residency requirement with his previous J-1 visas. Also I do have a job but I live in a State with a lot of Poverty so I don't meet the Income requirement on my own but my parents  have agreed to help support him. I don't really know what I have to do for that part either. We considered him returning to the US and marrying but I have been told and read that we would be Denied since I publicly Announced our engagement and that would make our marriage process Fraudulent.