So lost on this process!

[micahdw 0]

So my fiance and I are expecting a baby at the begining of December and we both really want him here for the birth. We met a little over a year ago when I studied abroad in his country and then I went back earlier this year to visit. What documents other than photos with dates should I use to verify the relationship? Also, am I required to have enough money in the bank to support him until he gets a greencard and employment? And do any of you have suggestions that will make the process go as smooth as possible? And are there parts of the process that I haven't mentioned that I should know about? I know we are pushing it by trying to get him here in 7 months and that it's highly likely he won't be at the birth, but I want to do everything I can to prevent any delays and I want to send the information off by next week.

Edited May 2, 2015 by micahdw

[Boiler 43,392]

Suggest taking a deep breath and reading the guides.

He can always visit for the birth.

[TBoneTX 43,018]

It's crucial for us to know his country. Some of the U.S. consulates grant visas readily, and others don't at all. You might need to "front-load" your petition package with additional evidence of your bona fide relationship -- a little, or a lot.

He might not be able to visit for the birth, again depending on his country.

[Karmalious 50]

As TboneTX correctly states again. Some foreign countries qualify for a visa-waiver program ( They dont need a visa).

Some countries, like Colombia do not! It wiill required some type of VISA

A) Tourist Visa - Read up on this, VERY VERY IMPORTANT to prove that you have strong home ties to the foreign country. Soo many posts are of people being denied because they did not provide enough proof that they were going back home ( instead of trying to stay in the US and immigrate this way, which by the way is illegal )

B) Spousal/Fiancee - Read up on this

EITHER WAY: applying for a visa is unlikely to be complete prior to 7 months. HOWEVER, some people do get lucky and receive super fast approvals. You wont know until you actually start the process.

I definitely recommend reading the USCIS guidelines and also reading the brief guide here on VisaJourney. I studied both documents extensively and suggest anyone interested in immigrating to become an expert on this process so you dont miss anything.

[TBoneTX 43,018]

[Moderator hat on]

An off-topic post has been removed.

[Cathi 5,609]

As time-consuming as the process is and so on, you're not the first with such issues. This is the only real forum around that has already answered your questions. Use the existing forums, guides, and so on to answer your questions about the process. It's already there, so follow it closely. You're looking at a year or so before you have a visa. I seriously doubt that you have the necessary documents available now that will allow you to send it all of "next week." I did the same thing. I told my wife I wanted to have things ready to go by the end of next week and it took 9 weeks before I had everything in hand and ready to mail off to the USCIS. You've provided no information about where he is from. I assume you are a native-born American citizen now living in the U.S. without the father of your child? What country is he from? As much as you want or don't want it, it's not gonna happen in a week I'm sure and the whole process will take a year at best. Your entire post has been answered.

How would you know if they do or don't have their docs and evidence? And why are you being so rude? If she understood everything she wouldn't be asking in the first place..SMH

OP if you could provide more details about where he is from and what you do and don't have for documentation so far we would be able to answer you with accuracy. Read and study the guides at the top of the page. They are very detailed and accurate. If you have more question feel free to ask. Don't let people like the one above scare you from asking what you want, when you want. The process is daunting and at times confusing, but there are many well informed members of VJ who really know what they're talking about who are more willing to help. Congrats on the baby and good luck. As Boiler said, take a deep breath.

[micahdw 0]

He is in Ghana. So visiting isn't that simple. I spoke briefly with an immigration attorney and she said that if he applies for a visitor's visa and the reason is to see his child born, it will most likely be seen as immigrant intent and will be denied. And I really do not want him to lie about his reason for coming on a visitors visa because I'm sure that could have negative repercussions in the future when we do the fiancé visa. But thank you guys so much for your help. Can I ask why it took so long to get the documents prepared to send?

[Paul and Svetlana 21]

If I was in this sitiuation I would have her get a tourist Visa and come to the US around the fourth month and have her stay six months. Have the baby here while waiting for the K-1 visa to come through. We call it an "anchor baby". Then with papers in hand as a USC for the baby you will only have to wait for the K-1 to come through. Many women have done that in the past.....Just a suggestion.

[micahdw 0]

I have my birth certificate and passport (with visa stamps) and pictures of the two of us, as well as copies of the plane tickets from both trips.

[micahdw 0]

@paul I'm the one pregnant and I'm the American born citizen who's here in the U.S.

[micahdw 0]

I also have phone logs of calls between us, Facebook messages, and Skype logs. I understand the Facebook and Skype stuff is considered secondary. I'm goin to look at what you guys are all saying and I'll come back to the thread if I have anymore questions.

I also have phone logs of calls between us, Facebook messages, and Skype logs. I understand the Facebook and Skype stuff is considered secondary. I'm goin to look at what you guys are all saying and I'll come back to the thread if I have anymore questions.

[Boiler 43,392]

He is in Ghana. So visiting isn't that simple. I spoke briefly with an immigration attorney and she said that if he applies for a visitor's visa and the reason is to see his child born, it will most likely be seen as immigrant intent and will be denied. And I really do not want him to lie about his reason for coming on a visitors visa because I'm sure that could have negative repercussions in the future when we do the fiancé visa. But thank you guys so much for your help. Can I ask why it took so long to get the documents prepared to send?

Well unless his situation is very unusual then a visitor visa is not going to happen.

Ghana seemingly is just behind Nigeria, many prefer to go the CR1 route having married.

[PeruvyandGringa 25]

You haven't listed any primary evidence for having met. Boarding pass and passport stamps? Also, there are documents you need from him before filing, a letter of intent (one from each of you) with original signatures, etc. As others have suggested, read the guides.

[micahdw 0]

You haven't listed any primary evidence for having met. Boarding pass and passport stamps? Also, there are documents you need from him before filing, a letter of intent (one from each of you) with original signatures, etc. As others have suggested, read the guides.

Did you miss the part where I said we have photos? from a different thread I read, the users said that a passport with the visa stamps from my previous trips, along with copies of the plane tickets and or receipts are primary evidence that I was in the country. And the photos with dates confirm we did see each other during these time frames. Please give examples of what primary evidence is if you're going to talk down on what I thought was it.

You haven't listed any primary evidence for having met. Boarding pass and passport stamps? Also, there are documents you need from him before filing, a letter of intent (one from each of you) with original signatures, etc. As others have suggested, read the guides.

Did you miss the part where I said we have photos? from a different thread I read, the users said that a passport with the visa stamps from my previous trips, along with copies of the plane tickets and or receipts are primary evidence that I was in the country. And the photos with dates confirm we did see each other during these time frames. Please give examples of what primary evidence is if you're going to talk down on what I thought was it.

[PeruvyandGringa 25]

Did you miss the part where I said we have photos? from a different thread I read, the users said that a passport with the visa stamps from my previous trips, along with copies of the plane tickets and or receipts are primary evidence that I was in the country. And the photos with dates confirm we did see each other during these time frames. Please give examples of what primary evidence is if you're going to talk down on what I thought was it.

Did you miss the part where I said we have photos? from a different thread I read, the users said that a passport with the visa stamps from my previous trips, along with copies of the plane tickets and or receipts are primary evidence that I was in the country. And the photos with dates confirm we did see each other during these time frames. Please give examples of what primary evidence is if you're going to talk down on what I thought was it.

I did miss that you said passport stamps, I only kept reading photos and plane tickets. You need not plane tickets but the actual boarding pass as primary evidence. If you only have an itinerary or ticket it does not mean you ever flew. The photos are useless without primary evidence that you were there within the 2 year timeframe, but passport stamps will work (hopefully they are clear). We also did not need to front load as much as you probably would want to. Spain is much easier than Ghana.