Filing K1 from outside of the United States; will this slow down the process?

[adam_cheryl 0]

My fiance and I currently live in Singapore. I am a Singaporean and he is an American. He will be back in the States in 2 months' time.

We need to figure out if we can start our visa application process now to shorten the waiting time for the K1 visa. Does he need to physically be in the US before we can file? If not what address and phone numbers do we put on the forms? Will a foreign address slow down the process?

Anyone out there with any advice is appreciated.

Many thanks!

[Mew 0]

My fiance and I currently live in Singapore. I am a Singaporean and he is an American. He will be back in the States in 2 months' time.

We need to figure out if we can start our visa application process now to shorten the waiting time for the K1 visa. Does he need to physically be in the US before we can file? If not what address and phone numbers do we put on the forms? Will a foreign address slow down the process?

Anyone out there with any advice is appreciated.

Many thanks!

He doesn't have to be in the US but he must provide an address there. Put addresses and phone numbers for a permanent residence there, like his parents' house, for example, so he can be forwarded mail. Also, the address filled in the form determines to which service center the application must be sent.

[Craig2006 0]

You can file from overseas but you need to have a address in the states to send all the paperwork. That address will determine what address to send everything to.

[adam_cheryl 0]

Cool! Many thanks to all replies. ...but what about the telephone no. he can use his parent's address for sure but his phone no. will be a Singapore no. ; will this be a problem?

I guess we can put his parent's phone no. too ; but do they actually call? Will it be an issue if they do and my fiance is not available at that no.?

[Craig2006 0]

Use both the address and phone number in the states. We were never called and I don't recall anyone else receiving a phone call. They send everything by mail.

[kitkat1 5]

Cool! Many thanks to all replies. ...but what about the telephone no. he can use his parent's address for sure but his phone no. will be a Singapore no. ; will this be a problem?

I guess we can put his parent's phone no. too ; but do they actually call? Will it be an issue if they do and my fiance is not available at that no.?

Use his parent's address and phone number. It's highly unlikely that they will ever call him and if they do, his parents can contact him in Singapore and let him know. Use the mailing address based on where his family lives in the US. Good luck!

[zyggy 9]

The K1 process takes alot longer than 2 months time...

There may be a better way for you if you are legally resident in Singapore. Is is possible for you to get married in Singapore.. If so, you should be able to file an I-130 directly at the consulate through a process known here as DCF. Please go to the DCF forum to find out more information. This is a better way to get to the US as it results in Permanet Resident Status upon entry into the US.

Edited August 3, 2006 by zyggy

[adam_cheryl 0]

Thanks a bunch!

I got another question, not sure who can help me again here:

Along with the k1, the G325 A biographic information form is required, in the form the "FILE NO A" & "ALIEN REGISTRATION NO" are asked for.

I do not have them, where do I get them? Can I file even if I do not have these nos?

hi Zyggy

Yes i am a Singapore citizen.

This is totally New to me! is this a spouse visa? I have been asking around if the spouse visa or fiancee visa takes a shorter time. Everyone says it depends case by case and could not give me a definate answer. Some says K1 is much less complex than the K3 , thus a shorter time to process.

We intend to file for k1, while waiting go to the states on a tourist visa to visit for 3 mths and then come back to Sinagpore to wait for the visa to approve. I hope it wont take too long, i hate to think that we will be apart for a long period of time.

Cheers!

[anya-D 8]

I do not think that you can apply for a tourist visa (or enter the US using torist visa) while K-1 is processing.. it's a different type of visa and it will raise a red flag.. please correct me if i'm wrong

[kitkat1 5]

I do not think that you can apply for a tourist visa (or enter the US using torist visa) while K-1 is processing.. it's a different type of visa and it will raise a red flag.. please correct me if i'm wrong

You can apply for a tourist visa but it's rather unlikely that it will be approved while a K1 is processing since you have to prove that you don't have intent to immigrate - and the K1 proves that you do. If you already have a tourist visa, you can still be turned away at the POE so best to bring a whole lot of proof that you will stay in the US only to visit and can show proof of your intent to return home as well as proof of ties to your home i.e. copy of your lease or mortgage, proof of continued employment and the date you are committed to return to work, bank account statements, return airline ticket, etc. etc. etc.

Adam Cheryl, the question about "FILE NO A" & "ALIEN REGISTRATION NO" is no applicable because you don't have one. DCF is direct consular filing - if it is available in Singapore and you do qualify, it is usually a much faster and easier process. If you go the way of the K1, prepare for a long wait as things have slowed down dramatically in the past few months due to the passage of the IMBRA law.

[adam_cheryl 0]

Thanks so much!

By DCF is direct consular filing you are talking about spouse visa right? We thought about this ... but some one was telling us it might be slower than the k1. sigh... I think singapore has this . need to double check. So a spouse visa is faster u reckon? Would getting married just a month before we file for the spouse visa raise any eyebrows from the authorities? i mean would they be thinking I got married so as to follow my fiance to the states or something to that effect.

How long will the K1 takes I am prepared to wait for 6 months or so , like i am told. but in the meantime go as a tourist to spend xmas with him and his family there. Its so unfair not to allow me to visit if i filed for immigrant visa already! i am only there for a visit and will be back! if i cant even visit , it means i will be apart from my fiance for a very long while. i am already sad by thinking about it.

ps- as a singaporean, I do not need to apply for a visa to visit the united states. so if i can prove i will return upon the 3 months tourist visa . hopefully i can get into the states.

disheartened.

[kitkat1 5]

Check the regional forums regarding DCF - it is for people who are married already and is *usually* a faster process. Doesn't matter when you got married as far as I know.

Good to plan on 6 months for the K1 - but be prepared for the possibility that they *can* turn you away at the POE when you come to visit but hopefully this will NOT happen to you!!

[adam_cheryl 0]

Thanks kitkat1. I was reading the other thread on visiting while k1 is in process. Some things did make me feel better. But you are not the only person that tells me i may get turn away by the customs. This makes me so sad. I guess i can only pray and get ready all the docs that show i have the intention to come back to singapore.

Getting married now in singapore is another option but , no one can garantee that this will be faster than the k1 either. Usually cases, differ right? Anyway ... do you know what is the average time for a k1 to get approval?

[anya-D 8]

I wish you good luck then hope you dont get turn away at the POE.. whis is always something so lucky for the country with VWP.. kinda envy a bit .. lol..

My fiance visa took 4 months.. and I think that's quite fast.. I see that it can range different depends on where you have to file to. Good luck in anything you decide

[kitkat1 5]

Thanks kitkat1. I was reading the other thread on visiting while k1 is in process. Some things did make me feel better. But you are not the only person that tells me i may get turn away by the customs. This makes me so sad. I guess i can only pray and get ready all the docs that show i have the intention to come back to singapore.

Getting married now in singapore is another option but , no one can garantee that this will be faster than the k1 either. Usually cases, differ right? Anyway ... do you know what is the average time for a k1 to get approval?

There is no usual time right now for K1s. All past timelines are irrelevant now because of the IMBRA law that passed in January and affected everyone who filed after March. So best to plan 6 months and investigate timelines for DCF in Singapore. Because it is Direct, it is usually not only faster but easier in terms of paperwork processing, interviewing, etc as you are dealing directly with the consulate.