I have a fiancé in Nigeria... please help

[pdenney1967 8]

Do I have to go to Nigeria and spend time with my girlfriend (I'm in the United States) and take pictures of us doing stuff... We also discussed getting married while I was there visiting... is this the fastest way to get her here? any and all advice will be appreciated.

 

-Pate

[MarJhi 963]

4 minutes ago, pdenney1967 said:

We also discussed getting married while I was there visiting

You didn't take photos together while you were there before? Nothing?

[MarJhi 963]

5 minutes ago, pdenney1967 said:

is this the fastest way to get her here?

There is no "fastest way"

[pdenney1967 8]

I haven't been there yet... I was asking what to do and in what order... this is so confusing to me

[Marieke H 2,512]

Have you ever met this person in person? If not, you will have to meet in person before you can file anything. Which is a good idea anyway; you don't want to "get her here" if you don't even know her...

14 minutes ago, pdenney1967 said:

take pictures of us doing stuff

Not sure what kind of stuff you would be doing in the pictures... Having pictures of the two of you together does help, in addition to boarding passes, passport stamps, etc, to prove that you have spent time together.

Just now, pdenney1967 said:

I haven't been there yet... I was asking what to do and in what order... this is so confusing to me

Step one would be to meet in person. Then you can decide what your next steps will be.

[Marieke H 2,512]

17 minutes ago, pdenney1967 said:

We also discussed getting married while I was there visiting

Be very careful. Conversations about marriage while you have not even met in person could be a sign of a scam. I am not saying that this person is a scammer, but be cautious.

[MarJhi 963]

16 minutes ago, pdenney1967 said:

Do I have to go to Nigeria and spend time with my girlfriend (I'm in the United States) and take pictures of us doing stuff... We also discussed getting married while I was there visiting... is this the fastest way to get her here? any and all advice will be appreciated.

 

-Pate

I am confused, you said you haven't been there yet and before you said you were there visiting?

[pdenney1967 8]

I haven't visited there yet, we have video chatted several times, everything is legit, I just need to know what to do

[Marieke H 2,512]

1 minute ago, pdenney1967 said:

I haven't visited there yet, we have video chatted several times, everything is legit, I just need to know what to do

You need to go and visit her, make sure everything really is legit, see if you really are compatible in person, and then you can decide if the K-1 or CR-1 visa would be better for you. You can find lots of pros and cons for each one on this forum; maybe @Crazy Cat will stop by and share his list here. But really, you are getting ahead of yourself. Go and meet her in person first.

[pdenney1967 8]

I agree with meeting her in person and all that... 

 

I guess I'll just do that and play it by ear after that

[Crazy Cat 41,888]

32 minutes ago, pdenney1967 said:

I haven't visited there yet, we have video chatted several times, everything is legit, I just need to know what to do

It is NOT legit until you have met in person...says USCIS.  You cannot apply until afterwards.

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.

K-1        
    More expensive than CR-1    
    Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)    
    Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 6-8 months)    
    Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 6-8 months)    
    Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period    
    Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.
    A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire
  

CR-1
    Less expensive than K-1    
    No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    
    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
    Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
    Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.

    Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.
   

 

 

Edited April 11, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[pdenney1967 8]

So obviously cr-1 is the way to go... I need more info on this

[JeanneAdil 6,511]

13 minutes ago, pdenney1967 said:

So obviously cr-1 is the way to go... I need more info on this

Do not marry on the first visit

u need to know immigration wants to see u have spent quality time together and gotten to know the person in real time before marriage

u need in the photo(s) u submit with any petition that the family (especially Nigerian mother) approves

u need to check the following site to know what immigration perceives as red flags especially for Nigeria

I will not post them. u can read the site for yourself

 

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/red-flags-that-make-uscis-suspect-marriage-fraud.html

 

also read the guides above to know process for spouse visa / Nigeria is known to deny fiancee visas that show poor evidence of a real relationship

also  check the poverty guidelines as for spouse visa u need to make 125% of the amount posted

 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p

 

 

[Ontarkie 14,227]

~~Moved to What Visa Do I Need, from K1 P&P - As the OP is still trying to figure out the process~~

[Redro 4,611]

Be aware Nigeria is a high fraud country and they are scrutinizing fiance/ marriage cases. You should be solid in your decision to be together because this will test your relationship. 

Some questions to ask your girlfriend : 1.) has she ever applied for a visit visa to the US and 2.) did she state she was married? 3.) Has she ever been married?

 

This process will not be quick or easy 

I'm not sure if they've resumed IR1/CR1  interviews but in December 2021 those who were DQed Oct/Nov 2020  were still waiting to be scheduled for an interview.

 

If you are interesting in being together as soon as possible I would research the process for moving to Nigeria.

You are currently looking at 2-3 years (after meeting and marriage) before your girlfriend can move to the US.