once we are married,

[NAAW* 0]

No not really.

[Boiler 43,434]

That's good.

[NAAW* 0]

We have been together for 10 years

I visit every 6 months on visiting visa

we want to get married

I want to live in US closer to him

I need to be able to work

Im asking for best advice for visa, and fastest way I can work in US

I just want to be closer

Thank you for advice

[Boiler 43,434]

There was a thread a few years back that covered this. Obviously you can marry a prisoner, Charles Manson did it.

Pretty sure that other thread the inmate was not a lifer. Got to be more challenging?

Is a family member sponsoring you?

I was going to say the nature of the crime might make a difference but if he is not getting out then probably not.

[NAAW* 0]

yes his family member is sponsoring me. He will have parole in a few years, and if im there and have a home set up it will increase our chances.

yes it is a challenge, but being apart is more.

we need to do things right. I cant be stopped at boarder and not be able to enter US for some dum reason we missed. If i cant get in and he cant get out it will be a very sad day

[Boiler 43,434]

This is a DIY site and obviously your situation is well outside the norm. Legal guidance is in order.

[NAAW* 0]

Thank you, I think I will seek some when in Vegas next

[raven52 233]

YOU are making much more of a simple situation, than there is.

Come on the K-1, and the EAD/AP arrive about 60 days, after you submit your AOS.

This is not a big deal, but you seem on making it much more complicated than it is.

Simplify, this situation, it is very easy, unless YOU are not telling us everything.

Make your life simple and easy, and enjoy your new life, God's speed!

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to What Visa Do I Need - Family Based Immigration forum; multiple paths are being discussed. Post on this in an unrelated topic removed.

[Ontarkie 13,916]

~~Inappropriate post removed. Stick to answering the questions asked. One post returned to view without the quote~~

Hi NAAW,

I'm in the same situation as you, my husband is also currently in prison. Since you're gonna want to work as soon as you enter the US, I really don't think the K-1 visa is for you. You should go for the CR-1 visa, which means you'll be able to work once you move over. I am in the CR-1 process right now, our petition was approved and we are currently at the NVC, so it is definitely possible to immigrate while married to an inmate, it's the same process as for everyone else.

Why are you travelling with a tourism visa though? New Zealand is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), so you can travel visa free as long as you don't stay longer than 90 days. You are also allowed to enter the US and get married under the VWP. When my husband and I got married, I entered the US under the VWP and had no problem. Just make sure you bring with you plenty of proof of ties to New Zealand, such as rent lease or mortgage confirmation from your bank, a letter from your employer, ownership of car etc. Everything that shows that you have strong ties to your home country, just incase.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about the process from a point of view from someone in the same situation as you.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

It is not fraud to marry in the US as a visitor. It is only fraud if you intend to enter as a visitor, get married and then stay and adjust status.

Here are your choices:

1) Come to the US as a visitor and marry, then file for a spousal visa, return home and wait there going through the process until the CR-1 visa is approved. You would then enter the US with the spousal visa and become a permanent resident upon entry.

2) Come to the US with a K-1 visa. Apply for SSN and marry within 90 days of entry, then file for adjustment of status. At that time, you also file for the I-765(EAD-work authorization) and I-131(AP-advance parole for travel). It takes about 60-90 days to receive the EAD/AP combo card, which will allow you to work(along with an SSN) and re-enter the US when traveling abroad while waiting for the green card approval.

[Halai&Tim 5]

hi,

if you need to work immediately and LEGALLY, I would opt for the CR-1 visa. That's why we chose the route we did. my husband cannot just sit around and do nothing while waiting for his green card, so with the CR-1visa, you get the visa and then you get your green card right away. Although, I must tell you that I had a friend who didn't have a green card and she worked as a nanny for a family while she was in the US. They paid her cash and I guess that's why it worked out for her. So if you believe you can find something that pays cash while you are waiting for your green card, that could be an option as well.

If you go the K-1 route, you will eventually have to pay for an adjustment of status (AOS) and assuming money is tight, that might be a bit difficult as well. The CR-1 visa fees (+postage costs) add up to about $1,100US. That doesn't include my husbands flight from Fiji back to the US.

Also keep in mind that your husband/a joint sponsor will need to submit an Affidavit of support at some time stating that he/they will be financially responsible for you and you wont become a financial burden to the government (i.e. need food stamps, subsidies for housing, government assistant program, what have you). This step will include him/the joint sponsor submitting tax transcripts and proof of income as well. The joint sponsor must be living he US.

I hope I was able to help some...

[ESGW 2]

How are you going to prove a bonafide marriage if your partner is an inmate?

[mallafri76 1,012]

How are you going to prove a bonafide marriage if your partner is an inmate?

It's done the same way as everyone else. Through photos, trips to the US, email/call logs, affidavite etc.

[Boiler 43,434]

OP said they have 10 years.