Hello, just wanted to do a quick introduction.
My boyfriend and I are about to get engaged and embark on this crazy journey to the US. We have what might be a little bit complicated of a situation so if anyone reads this and has suggestions for us it would be greatly appreciated!

I am a US citizen (Erin) and my boyfriend is an Australian citizen (Kosta) with newly-received legal greek residency (6 months of the year, lest he join the army etc.). We met in Athens, Greece, while I was traveling throughout Europe in summer 2006 and I stayed to live with him here. I have been back to the US 3 times since last June-- in June, October, and December. Kosta came with me in October and December as well. He's been living in Greece for about 4 years now, with only one trip back to Australia (his only trip out of Greece until ours in October 2006). He applied for residency and has been getting his paperwork in order for FOUR YEARS (yay greece!) which is the reason that he only recently received his residency here. He is a Greek born from greek-born parents, so it really shouldn't have been so difficult.

Anyway! The tricky part is that Kosta was living (and working) "under the radar" for about 3 years, and we don't know how to fill out the K1 129F forms for his residency the past 5 years and employment status. He was working for family members who live in greece that operate their own businesses.. painting, hostels, etc.. We don't know if we should be completely honest about his location for the past 5 years because he wasn't legally here all that time.
We also don't know, in particular, whether to list his employment because we don't want his family getting in trouble for undocumented workers, as he hasn't paid taxes here in Greece during all this time. Should we just list unemployed?

Finally, since I've been here and technically overstayed my visa this time by a few months (and it will be longer by the time I leave) should I just list my last residency in the US and say that I've been to Greece as a tourist, rather than a resident?

I feel like this is a big mess! Can it be done?? Do we need a lawyer? Does anyone have experience with anything like this?

Thanks so much!
Kosta and I were hoping to move to the US within the next 3 or 4 months.. Thankfully I live in Maryland there, and we have the Vermont center to file though. I didn't realize this was such an involved process. I should have known..

Glad I found this forum! We want to get started ASAP. nice to meet everyone!

Erin

Welcome to VJ and may you have a speedy and successful journey

Erin it seems you have a few extra issues, you may want to PM a moderator to have this posted into a different/more appropriate forum where more people will see it and more help can be forthcoming.


Nevertheless, welcome and Good Luck!

To be honest whatever he did or did not do in Greece should not affect his Visa. If you guys apply from Australia you should not really have any issues. I do not believe they would care what either of you did or did not do in Greece..

Hey Erin, Kosta doesn't work in a bank in Athens, does he? I met this guy while getting some money for my grandma in November who told us the same story. He was Australian with Greek parents...

No, actually he doesn't. Funny about someone having the same story though! Then again, 25% of greeks are named Kosta... so maybe not so much of a coincidence..

Welcome, and good luck!

Hello and welcome!

Hi and welcome to VJ!

Welcome to VJ.

That's way weird. Well, a greek guy with an Australian accent...pretty foxy. (sorry Rey, not as foxy as a Brazilian red head.) Welcome to VJ!

I sure think so!!

welcome