K1 Visa - need general help, Russia, joint sponsor

[SpaceCat 0]

Hello and thank you for taking the time to read this! This is my first post and my fiancé and I are trying to make sure we have everything in order before going through the entire visa process. I would especially like advice from others who have been in the situation of applying with a Russian beneficiary. We are planning to submit the form next month if we have all of the right documentation.
I'd like to clarify a few things...
 

1. I'm aware the embassy in Poland has been processing Russian K1 interviews. Does anyone know of anything that has changed in that regard?

 

2. When I send in the I-129F form, I'll need his official translated divorce certificate and signed letter of intent. Will he need to send these to me by mail or is it enough to scan and email these documents for the form? When it comes time for him to take documents to his interview, will I need to send them by mail or will I be able to send him digital copies? The same question with my US citizenship verification. Can this be a photo of my passport?

 

3. Are records of financial information not needed until the interview? And at that time, I need to file the affidavit of support alongside my joint sponsor?

 

4. One of my biggest anxieties is that I need to use a joint sponsor because I do not and will not meet the income requirement. My joint sponsor can exceed the 125% requirement. Can they still deny me for my own financial shortcoming if I have a legit joint sponsor?

 

5. The medical exam can be done in Moscow?
                            
6. My fiancé's biggest concern is going to Poland for the interview. I realise that something could change as the political situation changes, but this is what I gather: He will apply for a Schengen visa to some place like Italy after he receives a date for his interview. When he is approved for the visa, or at some point, he will also buy tickets to Poland. ?

 

7. And lastly, if I submit the first form next month, how long until he will be able to arrive in the US? We want to meet again before he will come here. Maybe I'll stay in Russia for a couple months if I'm brave enough. But, we don't know how to time it out. I don't want to be needed in the US for something important related to the visa and be unable to do anything because I am in Russia or some other country. (Or him be in another country to meet me when he needs to be in Russia for something visa related.)

 

If anyone has any tips, we'd really appreciate it. 

[OldUser 7,292]

3 minutes ago, SpaceCat said:

And lastly, if I submit the first form next month, how long until he will be able to arrive in the US?

Probably around 18 months. Have you considered marriage route instead?

[SpaceCat 0]

I thought that would complicate things even more and we aren't able to live together at this time. I need to keep my job in the US as well unless I just give up and move to Russia, but I don't speak Russian and I'm not sure if it's safe for Americans there right now. Is it easier somehow?

[carmel34 3,650]

4 hours ago, SpaceCat said:

I thought that would complicate things even more and we aren't able to live together at this time. I need to keep my job in the US as well unless I just give up and move to Russia, but I don't speak Russian and I'm not sure if it's safe for Americans there right now. Is it easier somehow?

CR-1 spousal is a far superior visa for many reasons.  You don't have to live together continuously after marriage, many of us here on VJ have done this during the 1-2 year process.  You simply get married anywhere it is legally recognized for US immigration (some have done online Utah marriage via Zoom, you need to be physically together for the marriage or anytime before filing the I-130 petition).  You go back to the US and keep your job, and your spouse stays in Russia.  Living apart is not a problem for US immigration, they see it all the time and approve similar cases.  You can visit each other, take trips to other countries, etc. during the process.  Good luck!

Edited December 28, 2024 by carmel34

[Twililord 4]

I believe the US embassy in Serbia can process visas for Russians, and Russians don't need a visa to enter Serbia. The medical can be done in Moscow according to the Belgrade embassy interview instructions, might not be true for other embassies.

[JeanneAdil 6,609]

6 hours ago, SpaceCat said:

Hello and thank you for taking the time to read this! This is my first post and my fiancé and I are trying to make sure we have everything in order before going through the entire visa process. I would especially like advice from others who have been in the situation of applying with a Russian beneficiary. We are planning to submit the form next month if we have all of the right documentation.
I'd like to clarify a few things...
 

1. I'm aware the embassy in Poland has been processing Russian K1 interviews. Does anyone know of anything that has changed in that regard?

 

2. When I send in the I-129F form, I'll need his official translated divorce certificate and signed letter of intent. Will he need to send these to me by mail or is it enough to scan and email these documents for the form? When it comes time for him to take documents to his interview, will I need to send them by mail or will I be able to send him digital copies? The same question with my US citizenship verification. Can this be a photo of my passport?

At interview u will have to show US residency like a DL copy to show US address /for petition passport/ birth certificate or naturalization document can be accepted.  only send copy at this point 

 

3. Are records of financial information not needed until the interview? And at that time, I need to file the affidavit of support alongside my joint sponsor?

CR1 they are submitted online to CEAC the originals taken to interview

K1 originals taken to interview

 

4. One of my biggest anxieties is that I need to use a joint sponsor because I do not and will not meet the income requirement. My joint sponsor can exceed the 125% requirement. Can they still deny me for my own financial shortcoming if I have a legit joint sponsor?

only 100% needed for K1   125% needed if spouse visa

5. The medical exam can be done in Moscow?
                            
6. My fiancé's biggest concern is going to Poland for the interview. I realise that something could change as the political situation changes, but this is what I gather: He will apply for a Schengen visa to some place like Italy after he receives a date for his interview. When he is approved for the visa, or at some point, he will also buy tickets to Poland. ?

 

7. And lastly, if I submit the first form next month, how long until he will be able to arrive in the US? We want to meet again before he will come here. Maybe I'll stay in Russia for a couple months if I'm brave enough. But, we don't know how to time it out. I don't want to be needed in the US for something important related to the visa and be unable to do anything because I am in Russia or some other country. (Or him be in another country to meet me when he needs to be in Russia for something visa related.)

 

If anyone has any tips, we'd really appreciate it. 

Best tip is marry and go for the spouse visa 

Best to you both

[SpaceCat 0]

On 12/28/2024 at 5:58 AM, carmel34 said:

CR-1 spousal is a far superior visa for many reasons.  You don't have to live together continuously after marriage, many of us here on VJ have done this during the 1-2 year process.  You simply get married anywhere it is legally recognized for US immigration (some have done online Utah marriage via Zoom, you need to be physically together for the marriage or anytime before filing the I-130 petition).  You go back to the US and keep your job, and your spouse stays in Russia.  Living apart is not a problem for US immigration, they see it all the time and approve similar cases.  You can visit each other, take trips to other countries, etc. during the process.  Good luck!

thanks! When I use chatgpt to look at the pros and cons, it tells me that the K1 visa should only take less than a year while the CR-1 takes twice as long. I see that the approval percentage is slightly higher for the spouse visa. What other reasons make CR-1 the best option? Everything I see on youtube says K1 should be much faster.

[JeanneAdil 6,609]

8 hours ago, SpaceCat said:

thanks! When I use chatgpt to look at the pros and cons, it tells me that the K1 visa should only take less than a year while the CR-1 takes twice as long. I see that the approval percentage is slightly higher for the spouse visa. What other reasons make CR-1 the best option? Everything I see on youtube says K1 should be much faster.

Its not especially since she must interview in a foreign embassy (not her country)

there is only  a few months difference between getting K1 and CR1 timeframes 

 

consider the money to travel 1st for the medical exam and then back for the interview

consider the cost of AOS after marriage in USA is over $2000 of u do all 

On the K1,  the immigrant must wait for AP to travel outside the US so emergency visits home are difficult if even possible

she can not work till EAD is approved and waiting time is long

it is harder to get SS Number (need to apply soon after POE)

it is harder to get DL

 

Waiting for AOS is longer and harder on most K1 petitioners than waiting out the spouse visa 

[SpaceCat 0]

6 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

Its not especially since she must interview in a foreign embassy (not her country)

there is only  a few months difference between getting K1 and CR1 timeframes 

 

consider the money to travel 1st for the medical exam and then back for the interview

consider the cost of AOS after marriage in USA is over $2000 of u do all 

On the K1,  the immigrant must wait for AP to travel outside the US so emergency visits home are difficult if even possible

she can not work till EAD is approved and waiting time is long

it is harder to get SS Number (need to apply soon after POE)

it is harder to get DL

 

Waiting for AOS is longer and harder on most K1 petitioners than waiting out the spouse visa 

ok, but I thought a medical exam will be required in Moscow and an interview will be needed in a US embassy on both k1 and spouse visa? And I'll not have my parents to help me prepare for the wedding if it's in Russia. And then after the wedding, I will need to adjust all of my official documents once I get home again, but if I go there, I will not come back until the visa is accepted. I don't know how all of that works

[JeanneAdil 6,609]

its ok with USCIS 

Just file your tax returns remembering foreign income does not qualify for sponsorship

 

and yes US embasy does both K1 and Cr1 interviews

 

maintain your US residency as that is also required to prove at NVC and interview

State Photo ID or DL 

 

[SnowColdIce 10]

I went with CR1, and from my research it seems to be the MUCH better option with things like time, costs, hassle.... Russian partner as well.

 

Also, I see you used ChatGPT as your source. Please don't do that. ChatGPT is not accurate at all for specialized things SPECIALLY IMMIGRATION, I can explain why but it would take a whole post for that. Immigration is a very fluid topic, and with even Lawyers making mistakes, believe me ChatGPT would make 100s.

[SnowColdIce 10]

On 12/28/2024 at 2:35 AM, SpaceCat said:

Hello and thank you for taking the time to read this! This is my first post and my fiancé and I are trying to make sure we have everything in order before going through the entire visa process. I would especially like advice from others who have been in the situation of applying with a Russian beneficiary. We are planning to submit the form next month if we have all of the right documentation.
I'd like to clarify a few things...
 

1. I'm aware the embassy in Poland has been processing Russian K1 interviews. Does anyone know of anything that has changed in that regard?

 

2. When I send in the I-129F form, I'll need his official translated divorce certificate and signed letter of intent. Will he need to send these to me by mail or is it enough to scan and email these documents for the form? When it comes time for him to take documents to his interview, will I need to send them by mail or will I be able to send him digital copies? The same question with my US citizenship verification. Can this be a photo of my passport?

 

3. Are records of financial information not needed until the interview? And at that time, I need to file the affidavit of support alongside my joint sponsor?

 

4. One of my biggest anxieties is that I need to use a joint sponsor because I do not and will not meet the income requirement. My joint sponsor can exceed the 125% requirement. Can they still deny me for my own financial shortcoming if I have a legit joint sponsor?

 

5. The medical exam can be done in Moscow?
                            
6. My fiancé's biggest concern is going to Poland for the interview. I realise that something could change as the political situation changes, but this is what I gather: He will apply for a Schengen visa to some place like Italy after he receives a date for his interview. When he is approved for the visa, or at some point, he will also buy tickets to Poland. ?

 

7. And lastly, if I submit the first form next month, how long until he will be able to arrive in the US? We want to meet again before he will come here. Maybe I'll stay in Russia for a couple months if I'm brave enough. But, we don't know how to time it out. I don't want to be needed in the US for something important related to the visa and be unable to do anything because I am in Russia or some other country. (Or him be in another country to meet me when he needs to be in Russia for something visa related.)

 

If anyone has any tips, we'd really appreciate it. 

 

1. In my case at least being CR1 yes. Not sure about K1 but I would imagine it is the same situation. A while ago you could ask Israel to get your case but now that is not advisable due to the situation there. Other consulates are most likely to deny your case transfer unless they for some reason think they can take it, its hit or miss.

 

2. I am not sure how you submit the 129F form, but at least with the 130 you can do the whole thing online, obviously when they ask you to attach evidence/documents, they are just scans because, well, it is online. For the interview, any documents should be the originals/certified copies of the issuing authority + translation (if not in English). I would also take a copy for good measure. Not sure about your citizenship proof...for me with the I-130, the citizenship proof is done when applying to USCIS on the first step, not when you go to the interview.

 

3. Again not sure about 129F, but 130 this is done prior to the interview when you get access to the CEAC website.

 

4. Not really. You should be fine if your join sponsor is over the poverty line FOR HIS HOUSEHOLD.

 

5. Until a while ago (I confirmed with the clinic in Moscow) yes. I believe the place is called IOM or something like that.

 

6. Sadly yes, I think for me this is one of the most stressful parts because you need to try to time everything to the interview, travel, and the Schengen getting approved which can take any amount of time depending on the country. When he gets the Schengen, DO NOT GO DIRECTLY FROM RUSSIA TO POLAND (I don't think you can), because even if you have Schengen you will not be allowed into Poland. The idea is to first go into the Schengen country that approved it, then go to Poland from there.

 

7. When you submit the first form that is the biggest wait time. It will be (probably) more than a year before you hear anything else related to your case. I have seen my partner in Moscow and other countries while waiting for USCIS.

[SnowColdIce 10]

And in all honesty, if you can, please do a spousal Visa. I know it seems more complicated first, but actually, it is less complicated later. Your spouse would arrive with all the benefits of a resident from the get-go, which is basically everything except a passport. And I think lately they even auto-submit your SSN request or something like that.

With K1, you need to get married within a very small of time after arrival, then need to Adjust Status (this takes time), in the meantime apply to work permit and SSN. All of these cost money and very importantly time. A calculation somewhere shows the difference, but K1 is more costly in the long run.

Also try to see each other and spend time together. It would be good for your evidence. I have gone to Moscow and it's scary at first but its actually pretty ok.

Edited 34 minutes ago by SnowColdIce