ShazShaz

Check in agents might not be familiar with the endorsement, so head to the airport early. At US side, they will ask if you have your GC. Just reply honestly “it arrived at home after I left”, “I have not received it” or etc. They might send you to head to secondary to ensure the endorsement is legit, but there’s nothing to be concerned as long as the endorsement is still valid.

There’s a receipt number attached to that payment, starts with IOE… search that receipt number at USCIS Case Status check page. It should tell you if the card has been issue and sent, or still in processing. If it was sent but you didn’t receive it, wife should have an USCIS online account, to file I-90. No fees needed. For SSN, head to nearest SS office and inform them the card was not received, please send a new one. They will ask you to countercheck some information, whereby the SSN is listed, so you will know the number immediately, while waiting for new card to arrive. I’m in same boat a few months ago. Hope this helps.

Qn on why not use K1 to get married, my answer would be simply that K1 and CR1 takes about the same time. Since we are both committed, CR1 is more superior in starting our lives together and moving on. I also echo what others have asked. Which country is she from, does she has Esta or B1/2, or needs to apply for a tourist visa? As a foreigner, she should be interested to find out such questions herself. Recommend for her to join VJ and address her concerns here directly.

I’m Asian f, husband USC m. I flew in on Esta in 2022, got married, filed I-130, stayed for total 85days and flew back to home country to wait out the application process.

Get an ITIN number in US too. Husband will need it when he file taxes and you can use that as evidence too.

I was truthful. I basically bitched (complained) to the CBP officer that k1 will take too long, so I’m flying in to get married, apply for CR1, travel a bit and return home. He asked me about my length of stay and return flight info, which I could reply instantly. He then laughed and wished me luck with USCIS… Not all CBP officers are friendly and attitudes can be subjected by the passport you hold. Will your second trip be a connection to head home, or are you planning a second months-long vacation in US? Each entry to US will be at the mercy of the CBP officer. If you don’t find your own reasons compelling, neither will the officer. Tourist visas are meant for tourism.

My husband and I submitted the account opening document and one latest financial statement. The account had some money and almost no transactions, that was sufficient for our petition with no RFE. I guess it was doable as I’m from a low fraud country. If you share your girlfriend’s country, perhaps more VJ folks can comment on country specifics.

From personal experience as an ESTA visitor who got married in Vegas: My USC fiancée applied for marriage license online. Different states/counties have different wait times. Once applicable, I flew into US, we flew to Vegas, went to county clerk to pick up the paperwork, and got married next day. The officiant mailed back the paperwork, we flew back and started filing up i-130 online. A week later we got an email from county clerk on how to request/pay for a physical marriage cert. Once cert is in hand, we completed/submitted the I-130, enjoyed 2 mths together and then I flew home. Sooo the short story is there is no “wait time” to marry as long as the paperwork is ready and available. You can marry on a tourist visa, however be truthful when CBP asks you about your nature of visit. Impress on him that you are aware of how immigration works, your intention to marry and depart home to await the I-130 process, also have your return flight details ready (if CBP asks). If you intend to visit your USC often while waiting the I-130 process, keep the visits short and spaced out. CBP will deny you if they think you are misusing your b1/2 visa to live in US. Congratulations on the upcoming nuptials and welcome to your CR1 journey!

My opinion is not to bring it up. When I had my I-130 (non dcf) interview last year, the CO asked what are my plans for life in the US. I guess this will be when your wife shares about job prospects awaiting her. I personally believe the CO needs to find questions to ask, so let this be their question. A possible follow up question CO might ask “what if I-130 visa is not approved”. Your wife can then share the university can offer h1b visa but she prefers I-130 as you both are married and work is secondary, hence she is going through spousal visa route first.

The CO informed me it would take up to 5days to issue the visa, I was email notified on day 4.

Original marriage cert should be kept with her as she will need to present it during the interview. You can keep a scanned version or copy for I-130 filing.

Echoing @pushbrk, I believe joint lease or account is to prove bona fide relationship, not a requirement of financial support. Meeting income criteria and proving bona fide relationship are 2 important aspects of k1, cr1/ir1 visa. There are multiple ways of proving the relationship, whereby joint lease and financial co-mingling are such examples. I suggest reading the petition form and its corresponding instructions pdf thoroughly will bring more clarity. Not advocating for either option but a reminder that if you choose the k1 visa, please bear in mind that you will not be able to work (or even remotely) in US until you obtain your EAD. This is especially crucial if you intend to depend on your income instead of your gf/fiancee or father. If marriage is not anywhere on the cards, perhaps your father should petition you and take the relationship stress away?

That’s why it was in inverted commas, “breaking the law”. It is a reference to the spirit of keeping to ESTA’s criteria that one enters for business or pleasure, and does not overstay. Not to be taken literally breaking a law. From my multiple visits over last 20 years on ESTA (prior to meeting my husband), CBP appreciates when one can articulate their understanding of the VWP program, display a return air ticket confirmation, have a good reason for visiting and means ($$) to support the trip. Biggest point is do not overstay! My outgoing flight is always on 85th day or earlier, in case of any natural disaster, airport closure, flight delays, which might cause me to overstay by no fault of my own.

Please leave soon and do not overstay this visit. When I had ESTA previously, I stayed for 85days, left for 6mths and came back for another 85days. I was truthful when asked in my second visit that I was planning to get married, apply for spousal visa, travel and then leave before my 90 days as I am fully law abiding. So… be truthful, don’t overstay and show reasons why you won’t “break the law”.

SSN should come within 3 weeks. Or you can visit the SSA office after 2 weeks to request for a SSN. They will request for a replacement and the paperwork will show your old/assigned SSN. Take a snapshot of the paperwork and head to the banks for account opening.