Is there anyone filed with same sex engagement?

[Chee88 10]

Hi, 

I'm a Japanese girl and I got engaged with my American girlfriend.

Now I am in the US with Visitor visa to work on the document together with my partner.

My partner is not good at paper work and full-time job so I research while she's at work.

I was checking many topics here.

However, I haven't seen any same-sex couple information so I just wanted to know if there's any or not.

I just want to be connected with people in the same situation and if anyone can give me some tips about it, I feel great and I really appreciate it.

 

I'm looking forward to hear from you.

Thank you!!

 

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

There is no difference if the relationship is same sex or heterosexual. You follow the same guidelines. I am assuming you are looking into the k1 visa, correct? Also look over the CR1 and see which would be better for you both. 

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, Chee88 said:

Now I am in the US with Visitor visa

You are currently in the US and eligible to AOS (after getting married). Are there strong reasons compelling you to return to Japan soon? If not, you can marry here and then start AOS process. If such reasons do exist, you can marry here, the US citizen files* I-130 petition to start CR-1 process, and you return to Japan as already planned.

 

*In filing I-130 for CR-1 process, "The beneficiary will not apply for adjustment of status in the United States, but he or she will apply for an immigrant visa abroad at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate in" section would be filled out.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Same-sex spouses of U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), along with their minor children, are now eligible for the same immigration benefits as opposite-sex spouses. Consular officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates will adjudicate their immigrant visa applications upon receipt of an approved I-130 or I-140 petition from USCIS. For further information, please see our FAQ’s.

 

From <https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration/immigrant-visa-for-a-spouse-or-fiance-of-a-us-citizen.html>

[payxibka 10,045]

1 hour ago, Chee88 said:

Hi, 

I'm a Japanese girl and I got engaged with my American girlfriend.

Now I am in the US with Visitor visa to work on the document together with my partner.

My partner is not good at paper work and full-time job so I research while she's at work.

I was checking many topics here.

However, I haven't seen any same-sex couple information so I just wanted to know if there's any or not.

I just want to be connected with people in the same situation and if anyone can give me some tips about it, I feel great and I really appreciate it.

 

I'm looking forward to hear from you.

Thank you!!

 

Why do you believe same sex couples need special information?  

[jeanieCZ 228]

2 hours ago, Chee88 said:

Hi, 

I'm a Japanese girl and I got engaged with my American girlfriend.

Now I am in the US with Visitor visa to work on the document together with my partner.

My partner is not good at paper work and full-time job so I research while she's at work.

I was checking many topics here.

However, I haven't seen any same-sex couple information so I just wanted to know if there's any or not.

I just want to be connected with people in the same situation and if anyone can give me some tips about it, I feel great and I really appreciate it.

 

I'm looking forward to hear from you.

Thank you!!

 

The K-1 makes no difference between same sex and opposite sex couples. Me (female) and my now wife had no problems whatsoever  

 

It would be helpful if you fill in your timeline so ppl here can give you better tailored advice. 

Good luck!

Edited September 23, 2020 by jeanieCZ

[carmel34 3,576]

19 hours ago, Chee88 said:

Hi, 

I'm a Japanese girl and I got engaged with my American girlfriend.

Now I am in the US with Visitor visa to work on the document together with my partner.

My partner is not good at paper work and full-time job so I research while she's at work.

I was checking many topics here.

However, I haven't seen any same-sex couple information so I just wanted to know if there's any or not.

I just want to be connected with people in the same situation and if anyone can give me some tips about it, I feel great and I really appreciate it.

 

I'm looking forward to hear from you.

Thank you!!

 

Totally understandable that you feel this way because same-sex marriage is not possible in Japan, it's one of the few industrialized countries in the world that does not recognize same-sex marriages, so the society there still has a long way to go and you are feeling this discrimination, it comes through in your post and questions.  For US immigration, there is no difference in documents required, evidence, etc. for a same-sex couple as a hetero couple, whether you file a K-1 or get married in the US now and then file a CR-1 or you stay and do adjustment of status, it's all the same.  There's still lots of discrimination here in the US depending on where you live, it's slowly improving everywhere, but US immigration clearly states that they do not treat same-sex applications differently.  So rest easy and carefully read the I-129F instructions, work on this with your girlfriend, keep doing research, and make a decision together which path you want to follow.  She files the petition on your behalf anyway so she needs to be more involved in the process.  Good luck!

[werdna 65]

19 hours ago, payxibka said:

Why do you believe same sex couples need special information?  

Likely because we face additional scrutiny and discrimination with everything in our lives.  It's getting better but it's still a huge problem in many places.

 

I recommend being extra careful you have everything done perfectly and hopefully things will be just fine.  My I-129F was approved very quickly.  Of course now it's stuck at the NVC but that's happening to everyone.

[Chee88 10]

21 hours ago, Luckycuds said:

There is no difference if the relationship is same sex or heterosexual. You follow the same guidelines. I am assuming you are looking into the k1 visa, correct? Also look over the CR1 and see which would be better for you both. 

Thank you, Luckycuds!!

Yes, I believe there is no difference, I mean I want to believe.

However, being LGBTQ+ is always tough than hetero...

I am from Japan. I can't marry my girlfriend there. That's the reason I wanted to some hear success stories of other LGBTQ+ people.

But thank you so much for commenting and sharing your process 🙂

And thank you for your suggestion of other option!!

I am looking at it!!

 

[Chee88 10]

20 hours ago, HRQX said:

You are currently in the US and eligible to AOS (after getting married). Are there strong reasons compelling you to return to Japan soon? If not, you can marry here and then start AOS process. If such reasons do exist, you can marry here, the US citizen files* I-130 petition to start CR-1 process, and you return to Japan as already planned.

 

*In filing I-130 for CR-1 process, "The beneficiary will not apply for adjustment of status in the United States, but he or she will apply for an immigrant visa abroad at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate in" section would be filled out.

Thank you for your suggestion, HRQX!!

That's so great to know. I am considering the option whether it suits for my situation or not.

Because we're in AZ for her work but her residence is in VA.

And we're going back there just a day before my flight to Japan.

My flight is already booked. Also I have already booked my 2wks self quarantine place there too....

If I change both of them, it'll take some changing fee too....

So hopefully I don't have to change those.

 

Anyway, I'm checking the information and try our best!!

Thank you again!!

20 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

Same-sex spouses of U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), along with their minor children, are now eligible for the same immigration benefits as opposite-sex spouses. Consular officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates will adjudicate their immigrant visa applications upon receipt of an approved I-130 or I-140 petition from USCIS. For further information, please see our FAQ’s.

 

From <https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration/immigrant-visa-for-a-spouse-or-fiance-of-a-us-citizen.html>

Thank you for your information, Greenbaum!!

[Chee88 10]

20 hours ago, payxibka said:

Why do you believe same sex couples need special information?  

I want to believe what the information says that same sex marriage is eligible too.

However, being LGBTQ+ is always tough than hetero...

I am from Japan. I can't marry my girlfriend there. That's the reason I wanted to hear some success stories of other LGBTQ+ people.

It's okay. Most of straight people don't understand. 

But even in the US, there are many bullying issues to homosexual people by heterosexual  people.

How can I think there is none by law??

That's all.

 

Edited September 24, 2020 by Chee88

[Chee88 10]

19 hours ago, jeanieCZ said:

The K-1 makes no difference between same sex and opposite sex couples. Me (female) and my now wife had no problems whatsoever  

 

It would be helpful if you fill in your timeline so ppl here can give you better tailored advice. 

Good luck!

Thank you, jeanieCZ !!

I'm so glad to hear your success experience!!

It encourages me a lot!!

I will do as soon as I figure out. I'm still figuring out the system here too.

Thank you again!!

[Chee88 10]

2 hours ago, carmel34 said:

Totally understandable that you feel this way because same-sex marriage is not possible in Japan, it's one of the few industrialized countries in the world that does not recognize same-sex marriages, so the society there still has a long way to go and you are feeling this discrimination, it comes through in your post and questions.  For US immigration, there is no difference in documents required, evidence, etc. for a same-sex couple as a hetero couple, whether you file a K-1 or get married in the US now and then file a CR-1 or you stay and do adjustment of status, it's all the same.  There's still lots of discrimination here in the US depending on where you live, it's slowly improving everywhere, but US immigration clearly states that they do not treat same-sex applications differently.  So rest easy and carefully read the I-129F instructions, work on this with your girlfriend, keep doing research, and make a decision together which path you want to follow.  She files the petition on your behalf anyway so she needs to be more involved in the process.  Good luck!

Thank you so much for your understanding and your kind reply, carmel34 !!

After I read your message, I felt warm in my heart. 

What you said about my country is totally true. Some LGBTQ+ people is suing against Japanese government to make same-sex marriage law right now but it'll take time. It can take a decade or more... And I don't wanna wait for it.

I'm so glad to hear that the US immigrant system don't judge by hetero or ** couple. That's really great.

Yes, I am considering about the option of CR-1. I don't know we can do that or not as we're away (in AZ) from her residence area (in VA) for her work and we'll go back there just a day before my flight to Japan...

And thank you for your advice about involving her in the process.

She doesn't like and really bad at it but she does try her best to work together too. She just doesn't do it by herself... She needs my push 😜

Sometimes, I need her help to understand complicated English written of petition...

 

Sorry for my long reply.

Thank you so much again for your kind reply. It meant a lot to me.

[Chee88 10]

1 hour ago, werdna said:

Likely because we face additional scrutiny and discrimination with everything in our lives.  It's getting better but it's still a huge problem in many places.

 

I recommend being extra careful you have everything done perfectly and hopefully things will be just fine.  My I-129F was approved very quickly.  Of course now it's stuck at the NVC but that's happening to everyone.

Thank you for your reply, werdna !!

That's exactly I meant!!!

 

I'm so glad to hear that yours approved quickly.

I do be very careful for filing process.

Thank you again!!

[HRQX 4,145]

5 minutes ago, Chee88 said:

I don't know we can do that or not as we're away (in AZ)

How much more time will you be in Arizona?