K-1 will cancel my girlfriends current 10 year B-2 visa?

[Mike E 11,742]

4 minutes ago, elkski said:

6-15 months in my office for AOS.  I guess by the time we apply in 12 months it most likely will be longer?  Any chance these times will shorten?  Or is caseload always going  up.  I dont see how moving to Thailand for 18 months CR1 wait would be better. But I could have.  

The increase in wait times since November 2016 seems to have plateaued.

 

With more aliens being banned every few months, and with the new public charge rules, the caseload will decrease.

 

I agree moving to Thailand for 18 months would not be better, and if you think the USA immigration process is sub-optimal, you should take a look at the Thai immigration process. It is oppressive, with foreigners being required to register with the immigration police every few months and/or make visa runs.

[Loren Y 2,756]

57 minutes ago, Mike E said:

The increase in wait times since November 2016 seems to have plateaued.

 

With more aliens being banned every few months, and with the new public charge rules, the caseload will decrease.

 

I agree moving to Thailand for 18 months would not be better, and if you think the USA immigration process is sub-optimal, you should take a look at the Thai immigration process. It is oppressive, with foreigners being required to register with the immigration police every few months and/or make visa runs.

I have had no issues with the Thai immigration process. After my wife came here on a K1 we got married, returned to Thailand on a multiple entry spousal visa( Registered our marriage), and I can come an go as I please. Only have to renew visa once a year( no 90 day check-ins), no visa runs like the Ex-pats are always doing ( And they have just about eliminated the ability to do visa runs). I have Thai bank accounts, drivers licenses, credit cards, etc. Once I go to retire there all I have to do is prove 3 years continuous residence, and apply for citizenship. it is very similar to US process. There is a long wait at the moment to get citizenship because they only approve so many applications per country a year, but the number keeps going up, so hopefully in 10 years when I need it it will be faster. If not, I'm good with permanent residence. I would live in Thailand for 18 months in a heartbeat, but that's my opinion, but better overall you stay here for the process.

 

OP, if you need any help with the K1 process in Thailand let me know, I can help you with where to go for cheap vaccinations, and other tips and tricks.

 

You should start the vaccinations ASAP either way, much cheaper to get them done before the medical exam, and you will get the DS-3025 marked complete.

Took 8 months from the date I filed to Visa in her hand. About 4 months for EAD/AP after filing AOS, and we just had our AOS interview a few weeks ago, took 12 months to interview. actually only about 9 to the first interview, but had to reschedule to bring a translator, so had another 3 months wait on the reschedule.

Edited February 20, 2020 by Loren Y

[WaterLeaf 201]

3 hours ago, Mike E said:

OK, OP you are being pessimistic on the K-1. 

 

Once she enters the USA, figure a month to get married, then file for AoS, Advance Parole, and Employment Authorization at the same time. In 6 months get AP/EAD.  She can work and/or travel home. And in 4 months after that get green card.

Also to mention that OP need to support the person after they are here for a while, financially, food, and other stuff.

[Carpe Vinum 2,330]

8 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

No.  Green card takes much longer.  We waited 15 months for an interview.  5-7 months is the range for JUST the AP/EAD.

 

I suggest you do lots more reading and research.  Not doing so can result in costly mistakes and delays, as you may already be realizing.

It depends very much on where your local office is for adjusting status. My wife had her green card in about 4 months after filing for AOS.  But, as you mentioned, some offices have a very long wait for an interview.

[Mike E 11,742]

7 hours ago, Loren Y said:

Only have to renew visa once a year( no 90 day check-ins), 

As a green card holder I only had to renew once every ten years and that was the care not the status.  By any objective measure the USA immigration process is less onerous than Thai process.  And let me us how your Thai naturalization process went too.  

 

 

 

Edited February 20, 2020 by Mike E

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

To be fair, if you’ve been researching this for years it makes sense that your grasp on processing times is a little fuzzy. They are constantly changing, and can get either longer or shorter, and depend on locality.

 

It took us about a month and a half for AP/EAD, 3 months for the Green Card. That was years ago, and times have swung wildly since then.

 

It sounded like you already sent the I-129 in? I do encourage a little more research on the actual process, to figure out if there is compelling enough reason to change course. 
 

You mentioned something about different financial requirements than the spousal visa. I believe you are referring to how for at least some countries, the I-134 is used and the level judged is 100% of the poverty level. You will still need to meet the increased requirements, (same as the spousal visa) later on with AOS, so keep that in mind. It worked perfect for us since I was a student/intern during the K-1 process and then had full employment for AOS. 

[elkski 30]

yes my I-129F went out yesterday.  I see no reason to change to a CR1, a trip to Thailand is long (30 hours each way) ,2000$ minimum per trip, and there is this virus thing that makes me want to avoid airplanes in Asia right now. The Thai government has admitted they are withholding information. One reason I chose the K1 route was it seemed better that she visit America  before we married. Another reason and maybe unfounded was what happens if we are married and are denied a Cr1 visa?  Maybe it is always 100% approval rate I am not sure? But if we plan to live in  USA 10-15 years, until perhaps Thailand values Western Expats more than they have shown the last 2-3 years, it seemed best she visit first.   We tried a B2 visa Aug 2017. My theory for her denial is she is to good looking.  

 

I guess last night I found this site is full of negative ever-knowing trolls like normal online .   Saying things like  "didn't you do any research?" As if all K1 filers are stupid.  I mean if anything you could be like my parents and say why didn't you try to date an American woman?    What do they say? Once you date an Asian no Caucasian will do.

[Marieke H 2,523]

11 minutes ago, elkski said:

I guess last night I found this site is full of negative ever-knowing trolls like normal online .   Saying things like  "didn't you do any research?" As if all K1 filers are stupid.  I mean if anything you could be like my parents and say why didn't you try to date an American woman?    What do they say? Once you date an Asian no Caucasian will do.

People are strongly encouraging you to do more research and understand the process. The comments you have made here tell us that you are pretty clueless about what to expect. Calling all these helpful, knowledgeable people trolls is pretty insulting. 

 

Good luck. 

[SalishSea 18,148]

12 minutes ago, elkski said:

yes my I-129F went out yesterday.  I see no reason to change to a CR1, a trip to Thailand is long (30 hours each way) ,2000$ minimum per trip, and there is this virus thing that makes me want to avoid airplanes in Asia right now. The Thai government has admitted they are withholding information. One reason I chose the K1 route was it seemed better that she visit America  before we married. Another reason and maybe unfounded was what happens if we are married and are denied a Cr1 visa?  Maybe it is always 100% approval rate I am not sure? No immigrant visa has a 100% approval rate.  It is always advised to have a plan B in place.  But if we plan to live in  USA 10-15 years, until perhaps Thailand values Western Expats more than they have shown the last 2-3 years, it seemed best she visit first.   We tried a B2 visa Aug 2017. My theory for her denial is she is to good looking.  Yeah, no.  That wasn't the reason.

 

I guess last night I found this site is full of negative ever-knowing trolls like normal online .   Saying things like  "didn't you do any research?"  Trolls?  If this refers to me, then I am sorry I tried to help fill in the blanks for you.  As if all K1 filers are stupid.  Not stupid, but I must say, most have a better understanding of the limitations of the visa before actually filing.  I mean if anything you could be like my parents and say why didn't you try to date an American woman?    What do they say? Once you date an Asian no Caucasian will do.

 

[beloved_dingo 1,986]

14 minutes ago, elkski said:

yes my I-129F went out yesterday.  I see no reason to change to a CR1, a trip to Thailand is long (30 hours each way) ,2000$ minimum per trip, and there is this virus thing that makes me want to avoid airplanes in Asia right now. The Thai government has admitted they are withholding information. One reason I chose the K1 route was it seemed better that she visit America  before we married. Another reason and maybe unfounded was what happens if we are married and are denied a Cr1 visa?  Maybe it is always 100% approval rate I am not sure? But if we plan to live in  USA 10-15 years, until perhaps Thailand values Western Expats more than they have shown the last 2-3 years, it seemed best she visit first.   We tried a B2 visa Aug 2017. My theory for her denial is she is to good looking.  

 

I guess last night I found this site is full of negative ever-knowing trolls like normal online .   Saying things like  "didn't you do any research?" As if all K1 filers are stupid.  I mean if anything you could be like my parents and say why didn't you try to date an American woman?    What do they say? Once you date an Asian no Caucasian will do.

The people trying to help you understand the processes/timelines are not "negative ever-knowing trolls". How long the entire process takes can be EXTREMELY variable from person to person. Our K1 approval took longer than the current average wait time, but then we purposely delayed the latter part of the process (interview and entering the U.S.) to suit our circumstances. On the flip side, it only took 7 months for my husband's green card to get approved which was a lot faster than we expected (our local office isn't known for speed). It is extremely important to research every individual step and make sure you understand the requirements, time involved, filing fees, etc. 

 

[Unlockable 7,315]

***MOD WARNING***

 

**Stepping in now because I can see the possibility of this thread deteriorating. Let's keep the tone civil and stop venturing towards bickering and name calling or this thread will be shut down with the possibility of administrative action taken.

 

VJ Moderation

[elkski 30]

hahaha.. i thought i would wake some of you up.   I don't expect to ever be an expert at this topic.  I think people telling me I didn't research this enough is a condemnation on how stupid the forms and instruction wording is.  Even with an understanding of English many of these document questions are ambiguous at best.  The form input lines are to short.  I believe I was able to file a good I129F but that remains to be seen.  I think my estimates and most things I have posted shows that I do understand the basics and average waiting times.  I would be glad for anyone to point out some glaring incorrect thing I have posted.  But don't look at my post about the i129 form yesterday... in the last minute excitement and pressure of mailing in a I129F i looked at the USCIS site and forget the F and panicked when I saw the new requirements for the I-129 forms mailed in after Feb 24th.  Maybe that thread is deleted like I asked.  The internet is a minefield of visa sites wanting to garner a fee or sell some service and blogs about how  to get a visa this and that.  The fact that out of all the sites available I choose to join here and I choose to do whatever it takes for love including a K1 says we have  much in common. Lets start there. 

I understand i need to support an immigrant. I don't think this is an issue.  

I think I understand the various  visa's to live in Thailand more than the K1 process. For 2 years I explored this idea, many Thai women don't want to move to USA, Away from family etc,  not that I blame them for what is in the news.  Visa requirements in Thailand have changed for the worse this past 2 years. Monthly income deposits or 400,000 baht (31.2= $) sitting in the bank   The TM30 is another thing, 90 day  visits Etc, surprise home visits.     this isn't just a Thailand forum so  I'm sure that is enough.

I have a nice house with a view,  golden mountain biking from my door. 25 mins from Alta to my hot tub. Amazing National Parks just hours away.

 

Sorry I upset the boat but people saying I was wrong for choosing a K1, that i surely didn't research this much,  and that it may take 23 months wasn't really polite either.   We all have our path in life and all of our circumstances are different. 

[Sarah&Facundo 599]

My husband had a B2 visa before we filed the K1. He visited the US twice between us sending in the 129F and receiving the K1 visa. The B2 is canceled once the K1 is used. When arriving in the US, the spouses get married and then file Adjustment of status and subsequently, AP. Until the beneficiary receives the AP document (which is 5-7 months AFTER FILING), they can leave and re-enter. My husband's took about 5 months after filing (6 months total). The green card can take upwards of a year or more to receive (my husband's took 11 months).

 

To recap for an idea of timing:

My husband moved here March 23rd, we married April 8th, we had to wait for the marriage license and we filed AOS on the same date which was April 19th. My husband received his EAD/AP in September and was working one week later. His green card was issued the following February 2019. We have traveled multiple times on very long trips (one was 4 months, none were less than one month) since then on both AP and the green card without any issues

Edited February 20, 2020 by Sarah&Facundo

[elkski 30]

1 hour ago, Sarah&Facundo said:

they can leave and re-enter.

do you mean can not leave and re-enter? Just have to hope no family emergency.  Thai families are close. I  hate to even  imagine this scenario .

[TexasGuy0101 75]

20 hours ago, guitardaniel said:

Hi.

 

I was filling out the K-1 form last couple days, and was speaking to my girlfriend and needed all of her beneficery information.

 

But the conversation got cut short, when she declared that she "spoke to a friend" and found out her current valid B-2 visa would be canceled upon me filing a K-1.

 

Is this true? It does not even make logical sense to me if it is true.

 

She had a 10 year visa before that, all entries/exits in very good standing.

When we filled our visa K1 I had tourist visa and I continued used it while the process , the interview day the officer hold and canceled and my tourist visa , I am from Mexico , I am not sure if in another countries this happen also