help When to start the application process.

[winnybob 0]

So I am a US citizen, and my fiancé is Korean. 

I live in the US and she is in Korea.

We haven't met in person yet, but she is coming to the US to visit this winter. After she goes back to Korea we'll start the process for a K1 application. 

Is there anything we could start preparing before we meet? Or should we not do anything until after?

[HRQX 4,145]

3 minutes ago, winnybob said:

Is there anything we could start preparing before we meet? Or should we not do anything until after?

Do not file the petition before meeting in-person.

[SalishSea 18,079]

17 minutes ago, winnybob said:

So I am a US citizen, and my fiancé is Korean. 

I live in the US and she is in Korea.

We haven't met in person yet, but she is coming to the US to visit this winter. After she goes back to Korea we'll start the process for a K1 application. 

Is there anything we could start preparing before we meet? Or should we not do anything until after?

Nope.  The only thing I can think of is to order copies of dissolutions for any prior marriages.  You will also need to prove your US citizenship either via a birth certificate or passport. 

She will eventually need a birth certificate, but not for the initial filing.

[HRQX 4,145]

35 minutes ago, winnybob said:

and my fiancé is Korean.

I know it's a bit early to discuss a wedding date, venue, etc. but if the goal is a wedding in the US then I still advise against doing the fiance visa process. Instead, during a future follow-up US visit she could marry you and then leave the US before the 90 days of VWP are up. After the marriage you would file Form I-130 to start CR-1 process:

 

https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visa-faqs/:

 

We are traveling to the United States to marry and will return to the United Kingdom after marriage. Do I still need a fiancé(e) visa?

If you will return to your permanent residence you may apply for a tourist B-2 visa, or if eligible, travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.  At the time you apply for the visa and/or travel to the United States you will be required to show that you have a residence outside the United States that you do not intend to abandon. There is no set form that this evidence takes as it varies with each person’s circumstances.

Edited August 26, 2021 by HRQX

[JFH 12,191]

Assuming she has VWP privileges and can therefore visit with relative ease (assuming the costs of they flights are not prohibitive) then I would certainly re-consider your decision to do a K-1 and instead marry on a future visit and start the CR-1 process. She can continue to visit whilst the CR-1 is in process. The benefits of immigrating with a CR-1 vs a K-1 are numerous. I’m from a VWP country and you couldn’t pay me enough to have done a K-1 instead of the CR-1 route that we did.

[Marieke H 2,523]

For now, focus on getting to know each other and spending time in person.

 

After that, I agree with everyone else that a CR-1 is a much better option in so many ways. I came on a K-1 and it was a big mistake.