Hello,
My name is Randy; this is my first post on VisaJourney.com. I hope that I am not causing too much trouble by cross posting this to the different visa options. I just don’t know what to do, which visa I should apply?
First off, this is a neat site, it is good for people to read and help this procedure which seems can be very complex. Also if anyone would like to reply my post, please do so in the K-3 Spouse Visa Discussion, then we are all on the same page.
Okay here is the situation. I am a single man going to China to meet my girlfriend Lei. In the event I like her, I am planning to stay for a year and teach English and marry Lei. If I don’t like her, I may stay and seek other women. So assuming I love her, and want her to be my wife. I would like to marry her, soon. So when I do marry her lets say 30 days after I get there, then I will stay for a year and would like to go back to the states with her. All my friends say that I need to do a K-1 that a K-3 will take years. But according to the timelines it seems each method would take less then a year. But can I do the K-3 paperwork while living in China? Or is this something DCF would fall under? This is the timeline I would like to follow, obviously it’s not up to me, but this is perfect world.
Fly to China 6/16/06
Fall in love
Ask to marry 7/16/06
Get married 8/16/06
Start work
Start Visa paperwork
Leave China with my bride 9/1/07

Is it possible? Probably not, but what would be closest to it. You see once I decide to marry, I would rather not leave my wife, ha! Also if you’re curious we have been emailing and chatting for about 4 months know. She lives in Nanning, China.

Thanks again,
Randy

If living abroad, you cannot do a K3.
I am posting my response here, not on the K3 forum, as you must do a DCF if you are going to be in China.

Here is the guide to DCF...each case is different, so it would be diificult to say if you'd be able to follow your plan...

Good Luck to you...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...custom&page=dcf

Is your girlfriend aware of all this pressure to become wife material within the first month? And that you'd like to 'seek other women' if it doesn't work out?

Perhaps you should just see how it goes and check out the immigration stuff once you have found someone who lives up to your ideals?

Good luck.

I realize my message might have sound kind of harsh, but it wasnt meant to. Yes, she is aware that after we meet in person we will both decide if we are right for each other or not. We both want to marry and we both just want to see each other in person. The only reason why I said I would "seek other women" is that I would be staying in China even if my girlfriend and I just decide to be good friends. I really like her, but, I can't make a decision to marry unless I have been with her in person. So there is no pressure to become wife material. We will just decide if we are right for each other or not. I have read many stories of men asking women to marry them as they visit for two weeks, so I think this is much less pressure then that.

Either way, I really didnt ask for you critisizm, I was looking for some visa help.

Oops, well, welcome to VJ. If you ask a question here, you can expect all kinds of personal tangents. We are, afterall, just a group of people sharing about our own experiences and things that we've learned. If you want straight legal talk, well, usually you have to pay for it.

If you are going to be relocating to China regardless, you really should look first at the DCF Guide. DCF will be the most appropriate course when you are ready to move back to the US with your new wife (whoever she may be! ). I imagine that your friends who were telling you about k-1 timelines are not familiar with the DCF process 7 aren't aware that it's usually a faster way through the maze.

Find out what the residency requirements are, what type of visa *you* need to have to be considered 'living there' AND find out how long cases are taking to get an interview scheduled. You will probably want to begin the immigration process about 6-8 months before you return to the US if you want your wife to travel with you. If you decide to give everything more time before you file papers for anyone, understand that you may have to go ahead to the US. China cases take a notoriously long time.

Thanks for your help, from the input I have been given I am going more research on the DCF method. I honestly think that this website is better then getting legal help. Most visa law offices don't seem to know much, just filing paperwork for you.

I am definately checking out the DCF guide, also I was trying to find out how to get a Single certificate, does anyone know how to do that?
Thanks
Randy

I got mine from my overseas Consulate; they had one prepared in English on one side and the Greek on the other side, saving me a translation fee. There is a fee (less than $100) for this from most Consulates. See their website under American Citizen Services or sometimes a link about getting married in the particular country.
You can sometimes get this in the US from your Secretary of State's office, your county, or whatever office gives out marriage licenses. Be aware that it may not be recognized/accepted in China for marriage license purposes.

You should def. check out the website candleforlove.com 9double check URL). It's dedicated to China/US immigration and will have invaluable help.