Should There Be a "Come and Try It Out" Visa?

[iceyspots 0]

I dont like it.....

[kc456 0]

No. There should not be a "dating" visa.

Dating visa is a good name for this "concept"!

No, I don't believe in it. People should make up their mind before one part of the couple moves overseas, leaves everything behind, -- and then the USC part says -- nope, did not work out! At least now it happens within 90 days, and is not dragged out for a whole year.

[mercuryroad 0]

No. There should not be a "dating" visa.

Dating visa is a good name for this "concept"!

No, I don't believe in it. People should make up their mind before one part of the couple moves overseas, leaves everything behind, -- and then the USC part says -- nope, did not work out! At least now it happens within 90 days, and is not dragged out for a whole year.

it's not always that simple

[almaty 19]

No. There should not be a "dating" visa.

Dating visa is a good name for this "concept"!

No, I don't believe in it. People should make up their mind before one part of the couple moves overseas, leaves everything behind, -- and then the USC part says -- nope, did not work out! At least now it happens within 90 days, and is not dragged out for a whole year.

it's not always that simple

simple is as simple does

[tom&tata 2]

With current condition, this "dating" visa may be a good thing for people from country where visitor visa is hard to get. They may need to see the situation before jumping into the unknown for lifetime commitment. Yes, love can conquer all, but it is good to be able to "prepare" yourself.

[mercuryroad 0]

With current condition, this "dating" visa may be a good thing for people from country where visitor visa is hard to get. They may need to see the situation before jumping into the unknown for lifetime commitment. Yes, love can conquer all, but it is good to be able to "prepare" yourself.

Yep....it's not really a commentary on the strength of the relationship......in fact it could be viewed that it means the other person is serious about this and understands the committment.

It also would have helped us in our decision on where to live as husband and wife......very well could have gone to Peru....I like it there.

[kc456 0]

I still don't think the dating visa would work well for the person moving from another country. After a year, and having a job and roots and friends in the new country, if things do not work out -- they have to move back. It's hard to deal with a failed relationship while reestablishing roots in your home country -- don't you think?

[mercuryroad 0]

I still don't think the dating visa would work well for the person moving from another country. After a year, and having a job and roots and friends in the new country, if things do not work out -- they have to move back. It's hard to deal with a failed relationship while reestablishing roots in your home country -- don't you think?

oh yeah, totally......my fiance just couldn't get a tourist visa, so our situation kind of suxs that way. It would just be nice if she had the opportunity to visit here before leaving everything behind.....it only seems fair. Our only option to have her come here at all....even to visit is the K1. That really stinks.

I didn't mean come over here for a year or anything like that.

I would think it would be worse to leave everything behind to come here, discover the person or the situation isn't what it seemed and then have to go back and start over.

Edited May 3, 2006 by mercuryroad

[kc456 0]

oh yeah, totally......my fiance just couldn't get a tourist visa, so our situation kind of suxs that way. It would just be nice if she had the opportunity to visit here before leaving everything behind.....it only seems fair. Our only option to have her come here at all....even to visit is the K1. That really stinks.

I didn't mean come over here for a year or anything like that.

I would think it would be worse to leave everything behind to come here, discover the person or the situation isn't what it seemed and then have to go back and start over.

The original proposal was for the 12+ months visa with EAD and AP:

So what would you say to a "come and try it out visa"? A "Y" visa, maybe, LOL. (Or a "y not" visa. I'm so punny.) Such a visa would be valid for, say, 12-18 months. You could apply for AP and EAD with it, which would all expire at the expiration of the visa UNLESS a wedding happened and AOS was subsequently applied for. The USC would have to prove ability to support and might also have to agree to be responsible for the non-USC departing the country if things don't work out.

That's why I said it would be difficult to move back once you have an established life here. Now you still have 90 days to make up your mind. If the foreign fiance(e) totally hates it in the US, they can move back. It's easier than after 12 or 18 months in the country (although it'd be still very very hard if things don't work out).

[mercuryroad 0]

oh yeah, totally......my fiance just couldn't get a tourist visa, so our situation kind of suxs that way. It would just be nice if she had the opportunity to visit here before leaving everything behind.....it only seems fair. Our only option to have her come here at all....even to visit is the K1. That really stinks.

I didn't mean come over here for a year or anything like that.

I would think it would be worse to leave everything behind to come here, discover the person or the situation isn't what it seemed and then have to go back and start over.

The original proposal was for the 12+ months visa with EAD and AP:

So what would you say to a "come and try it out visa"? A "Y" visa, maybe, LOL. (Or a "y not" visa. I'm so punny.) Such a visa would be valid for, say, 12-18 months. You could apply for AP and EAD with it, which would all expire at the expiration of the visa UNLESS a wedding happened and AOS was subsequently applied for. The USC would have to prove ability to support and might also have to agree to be responsible for the non-USC departing the country if things don't work out.

That's why I said it would be difficult to move back once you have an established life here. Now you still have 90 days to make up your mind. If the foreign fiance(e) totally hates it in the US, they can move back. It's easier than after 12 or 18 months in the country (although it'd be still very very hard if things don't work out).

It's not as simple as just move back though......besides.....with all of the requirments and getting the docs back in time you really don't have 90 days. It is such a monumental change for her in every aspect of her life.....would have been nice if she was able to visit first before taking that leap.

[Velvettt 0]

If I had the chance to change the visa system, the most important thing I'd change is the EAD. For so many people going through all this, the money lost by not being able to work for months is a HUGE stressor on a fragile new marriage. I don't think a trial relationship visa would help anyone if that other issue wasn't resolved first.

On the other hand, I'm kind of an example of that trial visa idea and how it helped us decide to marry.

I was one of the lucky ones in that I'm Canadian and was able to live here with my love for several months before we applied for the K-1. It DID make a difference. I had a really hard time adjusting to life here in the US but none of the problems were with my love. I feel very lucky in that I got over most of my feelings of alien-ness before I actually moved here for good. I wish everyone could do that, so maybe I am in favour of a trial visa.

[rebeccajo 14]

If I had the chance to change the visa system, the most important thing I'd change is the EAD. For so many people going through all this, the money lost by not being able to work for months is a HUGE stressor on a fragile new marriage.

OMG, I hear you and agree with you. And how much would it help the adjustment process if the immigrant were able to get out in the workforce? A bunch, I think.

Whenever I try to explain the immigration process to regular citizens, their eyes widen the most whenever I explain that you can't work right away. And (not to bring it up again) but that's my biggest peeve with the EWI's - working without papers - while my husband sat here for 4 months not even able to legally LOOK for work.

How many women do you know marry a man with no job? Yeah, I think the EAD should be part of the approved Visa package. Or at least granted at all points of entry.

Edited May 3, 2006 by rebeccajo

[CarolineM 0]

I think it was Melissa that said this yesterday - I only skimmed that thread...

But...I think absolutely not. I don't think there should be a "Dating visa..." no way.

I think you are either ready to be married or not. Marriage isn't a "Come try it out" it's forever, (technically), and should be treated with more respect than most people do!!

By the time you're filing for a visa you should KNOW, without a doubt, that this is what you want...not, well "We'll take 90 days to get to know eachother and see if it's what we want.."

You shoulda already BEEN there by the time you're filing

[pax 1]

Well, aye, Karo, I agree with all that...which is why I wouldn't want to see K-1s used as a "come and try it out" visa.

Lisa (I think you asked...?), believe it or not, I really didn't have a preconceived opinion! I know, hard to believe. But I got the idea from the other thread and I just thought..."Well, what if this option existed?"

I do think it's very interesting, again, how the responses have seemed to split between folks who have access to VWP and folks who don't. I wouldn't have predicted that.

[TracyTN 237]

I guess my feeling is if you are contemplating marrying someone, you should take that very seriously whether they live in the US or somewhere else.

So, why not take whatever time and money you have to in order to get to know that person and find out for sure if it is right for you before you start committing to someone moving to a new country? Admittedly, the VWP makes it easier for many of us, but there are other ways.

For me, it boils down to whether or not you are serious about the commitment (marriage and otherwise) that you're getting into. Either you are serious or you aren't. I don't think we should tax an already backed up system even more just to serve people who aren't quite sure.

IMHO.

Edited May 3, 2006 by TracyTN