Greetings!

My name is Tessa, and I was encouraged to visit this site by a friend in the UK who recently managed to jump through all the right rings to join her husband in America. My husband is English, and we've been thinking about visas since we met, really, but now things seem to be getting completely overwhelming and confusing.

After spending almost three years bouncing from one side of the ocean to the other, we got married in December of 2006. He went back home the day after our wedding, and I went over for a visit a week later. While I was there, we decided on a whim to apply for the FLR(M) for me, little knowing that because I entered the country under a visitor status, application wasn't even an option. One wasted trip to Glasgow later...

So it's back to the drawing board now, but there's one big hitch. He's been offered a job by Carnival Cruiselines, and has an appointment to get a work visa on the 28th of February (2007), and start working for them in San Juan on the 23rd of March. If I were to start the application process for him to come to America now, we are fairly certain that would jeapordize his chances of getting the DS-156 (C1/D) for Carnival-- in fact, just being married to a citizen of the US could do that, it seems.

People are encouraging me to start application of the K-3 as soon as possible, but I'm completely unsure as to when "possible" might be. If I apply for it while he's on the ships, will we screw things up with Carnival? If I apply before he goes, will that screw things up even more? If I wait until his first contract is over, what will we do in the meantime? Besides, the K-3 seems like just the stale chocolate sprinkles part of the whole ice cream sundae that is the CR-1.

Anyhoo.
Any guidance, information or just commiseration is welcome! I hope this site will give us a bit of direction slash hope.
Thanks a bunch!

Why don't you wait until the outcome of his already-scheduled visa appointment?

How about if you do a couple/few online or phone consultations with immigration attorneys who *specifically have experience* with C1/Ds, since we both know they have special restrictions?

Why are you pursuing the K-3 visa if you have other arrangements made? It *is* just stale chocolate sprinkles for you at this moment.

I'm not sure what your real concerns are--you do not have enough information to make a decision at this point. Take the weekend off.

"Why don't you wait until the outcome of his already-scheduled visa appointment?"

Yes, we're absolutely going to do that! It's set for the day after I return home from England anyways, so we should have a bit clearer picture by the middle of the beginning of March. Thanks for the recommendation about consulting an immigration attorney or two-- I worry about the cost incurred with that sort of thing; can you suggest anyone specific you've had a good experience with?

"Why are you pursuing the K-3 visa if you have other arrangements made? It *is* just stale chocolate sprinkles for you at this moment."

Well, we're not really /pursuing/ it, so to speak... just trying to figure out what to do once we start doing whatever it is we need to do... did that make any sense? Probably not. :-P I just want to make sure that if/while he's on the ships I do whatever I can do (legally and physically) to grease the wheels. I hate feeling like the fate of my marriage is in NObody's hands at all, you know? Not mine, not his, not Immigration, not a lawyer, nobody!

"I'm not sure what your real concerns are--you do not have enough information to make a decision at this point. Take the weekend off. "

Hehe, good advice. We had a great weekend, and looking forward to a great night tonight as well. I'll try to just chill until we hear from the Embassy about his work visa, and then go from there, maybe contact a lawyer of some kind or legal assistance at least. Thanks a bunch!

WELCOME TO VJ!!!

Being married to a USC and getting a work visa at the same time might be a bit dodgy...not really sure but it's all about 'INTENT' and whether he's intending to use his work visa to somehow adjust status after he gets here, which would be a no-no.

I would agree with Mo that you need to speak to an immi lawyer.

Good luck

Hi Tessa!
I told you this site would be of great use...I'm glad you joined

I hope you guys figure out whats best, I really don't know.
Do you know whats happening about his visa yet?