Trying to determine best option for fiance

[BP05 0]

I'm in a U.S. citizen and am planning to marry a woman who is from Russia but has relocated to Armenia since the war in Ukraine started.  Our plan is to get married in another country and she would live here.  We've been talking about the best option & she thinks it may be the Immediate Relative Visa, but I want to consider all possibilities.  We haven't met in person, which I hope won't cause too much scrutiny for the process.  Given my work, it would be very difficult to take for an extended period of time to travel like that.  There's also having to save for more than one trip, which I can do but we don't want to draw out this process longer than what will already be required.  However, for almost 2 years we have talked daily whether it's over Skype (with the camera on), phone, or messenger.  We have also been mailing each other things (postcards, gifts, etc). Would the Immediate Relative Visa allow her to come to the U.S. right after we're married & as we continue the rest of the process?  That is the bigger factor for us in deciding more than the cost. 

[Verrou 1,962]

No. She has to wait until her visa is approved. Roughly 1-2 years total 

[BP05 0]

Would that be in general or just for that particular Visa?

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

 

 

 

2 minutes ago, BP05 said:

Would that be in general or just for that particular Visa?

That is the fastest of any family based visa. There’s nothing that allows her to come to the US and wait for the spouse visa process to work itself through, unless she independently finds a company to sponsor her for a work visa.

Edited May 23, 2022 by SusieQQQ

[BP05 0]

4 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

Okay, I see.  Thank you!  Do you think not meeting ahead of time would automatically result in a denial like it basically seems to do with the K-1?

 

 

 

 

Edited May 23, 2022 by BP05

[Timona 4,208]

You have to have met atleast once within 2 years before filing a K-1

 

14 minutes ago, BP05 said:

 

 

[Redro 4,611]

With K1 you need :Evidence you met your fiancé(e) in-person within two years of you filing your Form I-129F. 

 

With the spousal visa, you need to meet in person and marry. 

Your I-130 will probably be approved after you submit. But, be aware this process takes on average 1.5-2 years. And some COs might not believe your relationship is real if you've only met in person once and you married on first meeting. 

 

So, you should plan to meet up with your partner after the wedding. 

 

 

 

 

[SalishSea 17,969]

1 hour ago, BP05 said:

I'm in a U.S. citizen and am planning to marry a woman who is from Russia but has relocated to Armenia since the war in Ukraine started.  Our plan is to get married in another country and she would live here.  We've been talking about the best option & she thinks it may be the Immediate Relative Visa, but I want to consider all possibilities.  We haven't met in person, which I hope won't cause too much scrutiny for the process.  Given my work, it would be very difficult to take for an extended period of time to travel like that.  There's also having to save for more than one trip, which I can do but we don't want to draw out this process longer than what will already be required.  However, for almost 2 years we have talked daily whether it's over Skype (with the camera on), phone, or messenger.  We have also been mailing each other things (postcards, gifts, etc). Would the Immediate Relative Visa allow her to come to the U.S. right after we're married & as we continue the rest of the process?  That is the bigger factor for us in deciding more than the cost. 

1)  There is no way to bring her here without meeting at least once, whether you choose the K-1 or the CR-1 visa.

 

2)  The process from start to finish will likely take at least two years (i.e., she will not be able to come here until some time in 2024 at the earliest).

 

3)  There is nothing fast or cheap about US immigration.  

 

4)  Expect scrutiny if you have only had one short meeting in person together.  

 

[mushroomspore 3,044]

14 hours ago, BP05 said:

I'm in a U.S. citizen and am planning to marry a woman who is from Russia but has relocated to Armenia since the war in Ukraine started.  Our plan is to get married in another country and she would live here.  We've been talking about the best option & she thinks it may be the Immediate Relative Visa, but I want to consider all possibilities.  We haven't met in person, which I hope won't cause too much scrutiny for the process.  Given my work, it would be very difficult to take for an extended period of time to travel like that.  There's also having to save for more than one trip, which I can do but we don't want to draw out this process longer than what will already be required.  However, for almost 2 years we have talked daily whether it's over Skype (with the camera on), phone, or messenger.  We have also been mailing each other things (postcards, gifts, etc). Would the Immediate Relative Visa allow her to come to the U.S. right after we're married & as we continue the rest of the process?  That is the bigger factor for us in deciding more than the cost. 

So you have not met in person at all??? Of course that would cause scrutiny. You can't do K1 if you have never met in person as others have pointed out. Technically, the spousal visa has no set requirement about proving you have met in person. However, what kind of law enforcement officer would believe that a married couple is in a legitimate relationship if they have never met in person or have only briefly met once?? Your priority right now should be to meet in person at least once or twice more before even filing the visa paperwork.

[SteveInBostonI130 3,470]

21 hours ago, BP05 said:

Okay, I see.  Thank you!  Do you think not meeting ahead of time would automatically result in a denial like it basically seems to do with the K-1?

 

Actually, the exact opposite is true.  Not meeting prior to applying for a K1 will result in an automatic denial.

 

Whichever path you choose, you will need to meet in person at least once.  The spousal visa path also requires you to be married, fiance visa requires you both be single.

 

Edited May 24, 2022 by SteveInBostonI130