Marry Here or There: Ghana Fiancee Visa

[Chancy 6,241]

*** Moved from K1 Process & Procedures to What Visa Do I Need -- OP is asking about options on when/where to marry and file ***

 

[SalishSea 17,836]

5 hours ago, NAYAA said:

Thanks so very much, this is excellent advice.  Looks like I'll just marry when I return and file. 

 

Please, to clarify: if I marry AND file from Ghana through the U.S. Embassy there, I will avoid paying the AOS processing fee?

Also, I still work for a company in the U.S. from Ghana so there really are no tax issues. But should I file from there or here (U.S.)?

There is no way to avoid paying the fees.

 

There is no DCF with the closure of the USCIS offices overseas.  You will not be applying through an embassy, but through the lockbox in the US.

[SalishSea 17,836]

5 hours ago, NAYAA said:

3) Fly back to the U.S. to answer the immigration questions and attend interviews? (this is the part that I'm not sure will work if I'm abroad).

Huh?   No.  Your fiance will attend an interview in Ghana, which will likely not occur for at least two years.

 

Have you read any of the guides here on Visa Journey?

[Just Paul 4,595]

5 hours ago, NAYAA said:

Please, to clarify: if I marry AND file from Ghana through the U.S. Embassy there, I will avoid paying the AOS processing fee?

Only if you get the permission to file DCF a spousal visa in Ghana.

5 hours ago, NAYAA said:

Fly back to the U.S. to answer the immigration questions and attend interviews? (this is the part that I'm not sure will work if I'm abroad).

Petitioner is very very rarely interviewed by USCIS.   A petitioner can be interviewed at the consulate, as I was, primarily due to us filing DCF, living together in a 3rd country and having an age gap.

Edited November 1, 2021 by Paul & Mary

[NAYAA 1]

Giving thanks for all of your assistance. I have a much clearer outline of the steps required to proceed.  Even those of you who've asked if I even read the comments, I give thanks for; yes I read everything but obviously did not understand, at the correct depth, if I made incorrect assumptions.

 

Again, thanks to all and will post my filing status when the time arrives, after my fiancee and I are married in Ghana.

 

Peace and blessings

[mam521 2,062]

22 hours ago, NAYAA said:

Ok, thanks.  Then it's settled:

1) I return to Ghana in a few months (where we both intend to reside (along with other countries) for at least 9 months of the year));

2) File the CR1 (Spousal Visa) from my United States Address (even if I'm physically in Ghana at the time);

3) Fly back to the U.S. to answer the immigration questions and attend interviews? (this is the part that I'm not sure will work if I'm abroad).

Be careful once your spouse has received their green card.  The intention with a green card is to be a permanent resident of the US and excessive time spent abroad without reentry can be perceived by USCIS as abandonment of the LPR status.