How does it all work help please???

[akaliquidsnake 0]

My USA Fiancé and I have known each other 30months and fell in love deeply as we all do 18months ago, She lives in Oregon and I live in Rural England.

Not wishing to discuss all the personal challenges we all face in long distance relationships or the hardships that happen from being so far apart. I do have a few concerns that would hopefully encourage my partner and I.

She flew to the UK a year last May for a month and we went to Germany also, then I flew over to her for a month in Sept, I am now flying out in 10days for another 30days to be with her and hopefully find solutions to the distance.

I did look into working in the USA or a tourist Visa as opposed to the Visa Waiver situation. I have read extensively on immigration and it ends up being a nightmare, especially when we both realize being together would certainly resolve a lot of the heart ache people feel from being apart from their loved ones.

Naturally the best solution is for us to apply for the K1 visa, other than simply getting married and taking it from there. Naturally being on the Visa Waiver program I would still have to leave the USA and then apply for a K3 before I was allowed to return. Due to our feelings being married and being apart is not the ideal solution.

Another aspect is cost? How much does it all cost, how difficult are the forms? How many forms do we need? Would it be far better to find an immigration lawyer to help us solve the matter and do all the paperwork for us?

Another concern I have is how much does she need to earn to support us, co sponsors? And what sort type things do they look for in the medical? The medical aspect seems quite daunting really. I have been ill before, but did get a 100% clean bil of health from the hospital a year ago, I’d reacted badly to some medication and it caused bleeding. Do they go through my complete medical history? This is naturally A concern for me, especially as I do suffer from anxiety and panic disorder. Naturally I tend to over worry and look for impossible reasons.

I guess like most people on here all we want to do is “BE” together as a couple and get on with living our lives the way it should be, but the whole process seems an expensive minefield of does, don’ts and pitfalls for the unsuspecting. So it pays to think ahead.

As for evidence I do have phone records, emails, photo’s and we both have flight documentation as well as personal letters expressing our Love for each other. So copies of these would not be difficult. Another option was, would it be easier for her to come to Europe? But I personally think it best for us to be over there and get settled and just be in the same place.

It just seems such an unholy and daunting venture, but after 30months we do need to act on things and get moving. Also If we applied whilst I am over there, how long does the process take?

As for interviews and questions, we both Love each other and know enough to not really worry over that. Logically and no offence but coming from UK I was hoping would not be so difficult as it would be from other nationalities? I am more than happy to give everything up here to be with the woman I love and do all I must to be with her. Hence why any tips and advice would be greatly received.

I am sure many of you have struggled and had your own hardships in this seemingly daunting process, and it probably scares most people looking at how complex it appears?

Bottom line is I will happily give it all up today for her, and suffer any frustrations knowing that at the end of it all we can live happily together in the same place and just get on with being a couple as we should be! It just seems so unfair at times for genuine couples to suffer such over love.

Anything would help right now.

[nyhazmat 2]

Read the guides, tab at the top of the page, they will answer 99% of your questions...And use a smaller font, please

[*JG* 2]

I'm sorry. I tried to read it and help. But, when the print is so big and bold, it eventually gives me a headache. I had to stop reading it.

I hope someone on here can help you.

I wish you luck in your journey.

[akaliquidsnake 0]

Read the guides, tab at the top of the page, they will answer 99% of your questions...And use a smaller font, please

Apologies I do design work on a huge screen so I need large type I shall consider this next time.

TY

[shakysgirl 1]

As an American citizen married to my British husband, it's my opinion things aren't any easier for UK spouses. Unfortunately, time apart is just one of the things you have to accept when you are going through the American immigration process. I had to live apart from my husband while I was pregnant with his child, so I can tell you it's not easy! In my personal opinion, unless there is some reason, I would suggest your fiance go to the UK for the first few years of marriage. I obtained a UK fiance visa in less than 2 weeks without an interview. I could have obtained it in a few hours if I'd gotten off my rear and driven down to NYC. I obtained my Spouse visa with work rights in 2 hours in Liverpool. It was extremely easy in comparison to the US immigration process. If you are both determined you are going to live in the US, my suggestion is to read all of the information offered on this excellent site, start getting your paperwork in, and be prepared to spend time apart for awhile. If I am correct, I don't believe you are allowed to visit the US while the visa is pending- at least that was the situation when my husband applied. It took 6 months from date of application until my husband was approved in London. Not a great situation, but many many of us survive it even though it is total ####### going through it. You will find all the detailed information you need by doing your research, though please feel free to ask specific information if you get stuck. I don't think anyone on this board would be able to go through this process without help and support. Good Luck.

[pushbrk 14,514]

My USA Fiancé and I have known each other 30months and fell in love deeply as we all do 18months ago, She lives in Oregon and I live in Rural England.

Not wishing to discuss all the personal challenges we all face in long distance relationships or the hardships that happen from being so far apart. I do have a few concerns that would hopefully encourage my partner and I.

She flew to the UK a year last May for a month and we went to Germany also, then I flew over to her for a month in Sept, I am now flying out in 10days for another 30days to be with her and hopefully find solutions to the distance.

I did look into working in the USA or a tourist Visa as opposed to the Visa Waiver situation. I have read extensively on immigration and it ends up being a nightmare, especially when we both realize being together would certainly resolve a lot of the heart ache people feel from being apart from their loved ones.

Naturally the best solution is for us to apply for the K1 visa, other than simply getting married and taking it from there. Naturally being on the Visa Waiver program I would still have to leave the USA and then apply for a K3 before I was allowed to return. Due to our feelings being married and being apart is not the ideal solution.

Another aspect is cost? How much does it all cost, how difficult are the forms? How many forms do we need? Would it be far better to find an immigration lawyer to help us solve the matter and do all the paperwork for us?

Another concern I have is how much does she need to earn to support us, co sponsors? And what sort type things do they look for in the medical? The medical aspect seems quite daunting really. I have been ill before, but did get a 100% clean bil of health from the hospital a year ago, I’d reacted badly to some medication and it caused bleeding. Do they go through my complete medical history? This is naturally A concern for me, especially as I do suffer from anxiety and panic disorder. Naturally I tend to over worry and look for impossible reasons.

I guess like most people on here all we want to do is “BE†together as a couple and get on with living our lives the way it should be, but the whole process seems an expensive minefield of does, don’ts and pitfalls for the unsuspecting. So it pays to think ahead.

As for evidence I do have phone records, emails, photo’s and we both have flight documentation as well as personal letters expressing our Love for each other. So copies of these would not be difficult. Another option was, would it be easier for her to come to Europe? But I personally think it best for us to be over there and get settled and just be in the same place.

It just seems such an unholy and daunting venture, but after 30months we do need to act on things and get moving. Also If we applied whilst I am over there, how long does the process take?

As for interviews and questions, we both Love each other and know enough to not really worry over that. Logically and no offence but coming from UK I was hoping would not be so difficult as it would be from other nationalities? I am more than happy to give everything up here to be with the woman I love and do all I must to be with her. Hence why any tips and advice would be greatly received.

I am sure many of you have struggled and had your own hardships in this seemingly daunting process, and it probably scares most people looking at how complex it appears?

Bottom line is I will happily give it all up today for her, and suffer any frustrations knowing that at the end of it all we can live happily together in the same place and just get on with being a couple as we should be! It just seems so unfair at times for genuine couples to suffer such over love.

Anything would help right now.

Here, now maybe we can read the OP's post. I concur that simply starting with the Guides will answer most of the questions. Then ask maybe one or two remaining questions at a time so answering is manageable.

Unless your health issues are communicable, no worries.

Edited September 11, 2008 by pushbrk

[Otto 83]

I have to agree - check the Guide(s)- step/by/step and fairly straight forward. Most if not all of your questions will be answered there - feel free to ask specific questions afterward.

p.s.

Many of your questions were replied to back in October Previous Post

[LuckyDucky 0]

Another aspect is cost? How much does it all cost, how difficult are the forms? How many forms do we need? Would it be far better to find an immigration lawyer to help us solve the matter and do all the paperwork for us?

There are Guides at the top of the page which are excellent and should answer most of your questions.

It's hard to gague the "difficulty" of forms. I found the forms to be pretty straightforward and a few questions or clairifications that I needed were resolved by either contacting US Citizen and Immigration or the nice people on here. Almost everyone on here is more than willing to share their opinions and try to give pointers, so it's a good resource. However, it does require a bit of patience and fact-gathering to correctly fill out the forms.

It's important to be as exact as you can on these forms. If anything that you list is unclear or incomplete, then you risk being delayed. In worst cases, it could result in rejection and needing to refile. An immigration lawyer will be able to help because they are supposed to have experience, but the processing time would not necessarily be any faster. In some cases, some immigration lawyers have a relationship with the embassy at which the foreign national will be having their interview, and they might be able to help if there are any bumps in the road.

I was able to get my fiancee here without going through an immigration lawyer. The guides here were my primary source of information.

Another concern I have is how much does she need to earn to support us, co sponsors?

She needs to earn 125% of the poverty level, which may vary if she lives in Hawaii or Alaska and how many people are in the household. If she is military she only has to ear 100% of the poverty level.

And what sort type things do they look for in the medical? The medical aspect seems quite daunting really. I have been ill before, but did get a 100% clean bil of health from the hospital a year ago, I’d reacted badly to some medication and it caused bleeding. Do they go through my complete medical history? This is naturally A concern for me, especially as I do suffer from anxiety and panic disorder. Naturally I tend to over worry and look for impossible reasons.

So far as I know, their primary concern is communicable diseases. Being ill or even having major operations is usually not a basis for being denied. I think my fiancee just had a physical, some bloodwork, x-rays for bronchitis, and had her immunization record brought up to date to US requirements.

I have no idea if they go through your medical history. I'm not sure about anxiety or panic disorders, but maybe someone else with direct experience will know.

Logically and no offence but coming from UK I was hoping would not be so difficult as it would be from other nationalities?

There are a few steps to this process: First your application is approved through USCIS, then the next step is the US state department, and the final step is approval at the local US embassy.

So far as I know, the first two steps are pretty standard, regardless of what country you are from. Some US embassies are considered to be in "high visa fraud" locations and so the staff may be more suspicious of applicants. My instinct is that the UK is NOT one of these, but I'm not sure.

No matter what, you still want to ensure that everything in your application is as exact and true as possible.

You did mention working in the US or a tourist visa, but I would caution that if you want to use these visas as a means to come to the US to marry then it can be considered visa fraud. Visa fraud can have dire consequences; from reading some posts on here, it can be a 10-year ban. While I make no moral judgement of whether you decide to do this, I would urge you to research this thoroughly and talk it over with your fiancee if you decide to attempt this. My opinion is that it's not worth the risk, but it's up to you.

Edit: Thanks to Karin und Otto for referencing the old post. From reading what you've said there, it sounds like you feel very overwhelmed with the paperwork. My suggestion is to try to take it in managable bites. First familiarize yourself with the initial I-129F application and process. Make sure you know what needs to be done to send in the application. After you've figured that out, go on to the next step and learn all about that, etc.

If you find this to be too difficult, then you may want to seek outside help.

Edited September 11, 2008 by LuckyDucky

[saraswati007 0]

Be reassured. The process looks daunting, and there are indeed many, many potential potholes, but overall, it's not as bad as you think. We've finally received our interview date, and thus far, have had almost no problems at all.

You will find that this website and these forums will be a lifesaver. I refer to VJ almost every day, and no question is too obtuse, because someone has gone through it before you. The guides are amazing, and they aided us in going through the entire process without a lawyer. I'd suggest that you look at your situation carefully and decide if there's anything that would complicate your application (criminal record, etc.) If not, then why not try without a lawyer?

The wait time is a pain, but in the end it's worth it. Honestly, the process could be much more of a nightmare, but at least from our experience, I found it to be easier than I thought, and smoother than I could have hoped.

Best of luck.

[ladybee 0]

I'm sorry. I tried to read it and help. But, when the print is so big and bold, it eventually gives me a headache. I had to stop reading it.

I hope someone on here can help you.

I wish you luck in your journey.

oh yes Amen to that ! really please use small letters

[miss g 1]

hi ya mate.. im in the uk too, going thru the same proces. i dont knw how or if i can help in any way but you have to stick in there buddy.. we toyed with the idea of him moving here as opposed to me moving there but overall it was for the best that i move there.. the only thing that annoys me is that you have 90days you have to get married in.. and yes we do want to get married but we do also want to take our time, plan things together, save, have a massive beautiful dream like wedding, but thats how it goes. if you can make it thru this process, then everything is gravy because it takes alot of time, patience and trust to go through a process like this.

[Chris & Mara 0]

hi ya mate.. im in the uk too, going thru the same proces. i dont knw how or if i can help in any way but you have to stick in there buddy.. we toyed with the idea of him moving here as opposed to me moving there but overall it was for the best that i move there.. the only thing that annoys me is that you have 90days you have to get married in.. and yes we do want to get married but we do also want to take our time, plan things together, save, have a massive beautiful dream like wedding, but thats how it goes. if you can make it thru this process, then everything is gravy because it takes alot of time, patience and trust to go through a process like this.

The 90 days sucks, I too want my dream wedding, but 90 days is hard. Chris and I have decided to do the courthouse wedding when my visa comes through and then plan a summer ceremony in August next year (if nothing goes a-wall with the visa) for family and every thing else. It could be an option for you as well miss g, if you can get over the moot point that you will already be married lol