Options for traveling abroad for two+ years

[Mike T. 0]

Hello all,

This is a wonderful site and gobs of information. Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge. I have looked up travelling abroad and have not found much on it. My assumption is that everyone is trying to get their fiance to come to live in the U.S. However, my case is almost opposite. We want to marry in the states but after about half a year we will move over seas to work. My main question is what are our options?

Our plan was to apply for the K1 and then for the green card but then I found out that the GC process might take many months (longer than we want to wait) and is very tedious to keep when travelling outside the U.S. for more than a year. She will have no problem coming to the U.S. as a tourist, in fact she doesn't need a visa(for 3 months). Is the GC a necessity after the K1 - Fiance Visa? Could she visit as a tourist after that?

I hope everything makes sense. I will check often and try to explain things more if necessary. We would appreciate all the advice we can get. Thank you very much.

Mike T.

[athena_ny 1]

Hello all,

This is a wonderful site and gobs of information. Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge. I have looked up travelling abroad and have not found much on it. My assumption is that everyone is trying to get their fiance to come to live in the U.S. However, my case is almost opposite. We want to marry in the states but after about half a year we will move over seas to work. My main question is what are our options?

Our plan was to apply for the K1 and then for the green card but then I found out that the GC process might take many months (longer than we want to wait) and is very tedious to keep when travelling outside the U.S. for more than a year. She will have no problem coming to the U.S. as a tourist, in fact she doesn't need a visa(for 3 months). Is the GC a necessity after the K1 - Fiance Visa? Could she visit as a tourist after that?

I hope everything makes sense. I will check often and try to explain things more if necessary. We would appreciate all the advice we can get. Thank you very much.

Mike T.

The K-1 is for people who want to live in the US after they get married. After she gets the GC, if she's out of the country for more than a year, she'd need a re-entry permit. After two years, you no longer have residency.

Looks like you should have gotten married and done a K-3 or CR-1/IR-1 when the time was right if you wanted her to live here eventually. If not, sure she can try to get in as a tourist, but having an American husband will make it hard to prove no immigrant intent.

[pushbrk 12,888]

Hello all,

This is a wonderful site and gobs of information. Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge. I have looked up travelling abroad and have not found much on it. My assumption is that everyone is trying to get their fiance to come to live in the U.S. However, my case is almost opposite. We want to marry in the states but after about half a year we will move over seas to work. My main question is what are our options?

Our plan was to apply for the K1 and then for the green card but then I found out that the GC process might take many months (longer than we want to wait) and is very tedious to keep when travelling outside the U.S. for more than a year. She will have no problem coming to the U.S. as a tourist, in fact she doesn't need a visa(for 3 months). Is the GC a necessity after the K1 - Fiance Visa? Could she visit as a tourist after that?

I hope everything makes sense. I will check often and try to explain things more if necessary. We would appreciate all the advice we can get. Thank you very much.

Mike T.

I think you're going to find the need to adjust your plans to comply with immigration laws. You might look into an actual B visa for her, that allows a 6 month stay. After you're married and ready for her to immigrate and become a US Legal Permanent Resident, make a decision and embark on the immigrant visa process most appropriate to your circumstances at the time.

The B visa lasts several years and allows for multiple six month stays, but you can't just leave and come right back. It's for visits not residence. The visa details are readily available for you to look up.

Edited October 11, 2007 by pushbrk