Should there be an SO visa for those that want to be together without having to marry?

[Der Bücherwurm 1]

Some countries allow a citizen to petition an SO so that you can be with the one you love whether you are gay or straight without having to marry. I know Scandinavian countries allow for this since most people there live together as 'samboere' without ever marrying. So I'm wondering why the US doesn't allow for this...

[Ms. Squirrel 11]

Australia does it too (but not sure if for gay couples also). I think its a good thing, for straight and gay couples.

[Penguin_ie 5,984]

Ireland does it too- you need to prove a relationship of 2+ years though.

I voted "no". I feel if your relationship is not strong enough to get married (at least legally, whatever about religiously), you don't need an immigration visa.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

You mean, something like a booty call visa?

Edited October 31, 2009 by Lone Ranger

[NutMagnet 2]

Some countries allow a citizen to petition an SO so that you can be with the one you love whether you are gay or straight without having to marry. I know Scandinavian countries allow for this since most people there live together as 'samboere' without ever marrying. So I'm wondering why the US doesn't allow for this...

This country isn't worth sneaking into anymore. All the illegal immigrants stole the gold that once paved the streets.

[sara..... 371]

we already have to wait a long time for any visa fiance. children or marraige can u imagine how long the wait would be if they started processing s/o visas for people that have not intention of marraige?

sara

[Gemmie 142]

No, because then it will be harder to distinguish between real couples and fake ones. People would be bringing their friends in on SO visas.

[redglasses 1]

Nay.

The idea of the special visa for gay couples is good, but I rather feel the need for changing the marriage law first than changing the visa system.

[Nagishkaw 510]

No.

[kaffy 2]

No because we have enough problems with fraud here as it is

[웃 910]

Yes because you are basically forced to marry when you come in on a Fiancée visa. I mean 90 days to marry isn't a whole lot of time to get to know someone and see if you want to spend the rest of your life with them.

There is a huge difference between a long distance (country to country) relationship where you see each other 2-3 times a year (if that) versus being in a "regular relationship" where each mate is within a short driving distance.

Either create the Booty Call Visa or extend the 90 day grace period to 1-2 years IMO.

You mean, something like a booty call visa?

[Mikkel 0]

Absolutely. I'd like to see an SO visa with the same kind of process as a K-1 visa, with the requirement for adjusting status being the establishment of a joint household. The requirement for maintaining the status could then be renewal every two years or until marriage, proving that the petitioner and beneficiary are maintaining a relationship and a joint household.

Edit: Confucian's idea of extending the 90 days of legal status afforded by the K-1 visa is also a very good idea.

Ireland does it too- you need to prove a relationship of 2+ years though.

I voted "no". I feel if your relationship is not strong enough to get married (at least legally, whatever about religiously), you don't need an immigration visa.

You know, there are those who feel that living together before getting married is a must. You may not agree, but to outright claim that the people who don't follow your path to marriage "don't need" an immigration visa is more than a little silly.

Edited November 1, 2009 by Mikkel

[Der Bücherwurm 1]

You know, there are those who feel that living together before getting married is a must. You may not agree, but to outright claim that the people who don't follow your path to marriage "don't need" an immigration visa is more than a little silly.

I agree. My husband and I lived together for a year before getting married. Neither of us needs a piece of paper to tell us how we feel about one another but we had no choice but to get that piece of paper in order to apply for his visa. Had we met in the US we'd probably just live together without ever getting married. There are plenty of cultures out there where people cohabit with one another for far longer than most traditional marriages last. Perhaps it is people that need material objects like a ring and a piece of paper to feel secure in their relationship that are the ones whose relationship isn't strong enough.

[Dennis&Dane 0]

we already have to wait a long time for any visa fiance. children or marraige can u imagine how long the wait would be if they started processing s/o visas for people that have not intention of marraige?

sara

my opinion exactly!

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Yes but with conditions like yearly immigration visits to see where the relationship is at. There is no reason people from all countries shouldn't be able to come here since we're founded as a melting pot. You want government jobs then expand immigration and make more people happy not just gays but all couples who want to make a go at it and live together and really get to know each other before marriage. It would sure answer a lot of questions quickly within the first 6 months and at a six month interview you could decide if you want to go for another six months. It could be like a renewal contract where the citizen gets to decide instead of the government, as we're already a highly surveillanced society, unless the government could prove a valid reason why such as a reason of national security but the burden of proof resides on them.