How long before filing Fiance Visa

[Reg 0]

Hi, New Member. I tried finding this answer before posting, but couldn't.

I met a women while on a scuba trip to the Philippines. I am trying to be proactive here incase IT happens. I think I would like to apply for a Fiance Visa in the near future if it all works out, to bring her here to the States. But I was wondering on average how long should you wait before filing for one. Or to rephrase it: How long should your relationship be established before starting the process. I don't want to file too early where it might be more likely to get rejected.

Thanks

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Hi, New Member. I tried finding this answer before posting, but couldn't.

I met a women while on a scuba trip to the Philippines. I am trying to be proactive here incase IT happens. I think I would like to apply for a Fiance Visa in the near future if it all works out, to bring her here to the States. But I was wondering on average how long should you wait before filing for one. Or to rephrase it: How long should your relationship be established before starting the process. I don't want to file too early where it might be more likely to get rejected.

Well, it takes around 6 months for the Visa to be approved. She then has 6 months to use it, and 3 months once she arrives there to MARRY you.

The question is, how soon is too soon for YOU? USCIS only REALLY cares that you've met in the last 2 years before filing the application... the consulate may question her harder if you just met a week before you filed though... that said, "when you know you know". It will take around 4 months (sometimes more) until her interview in that time you can gather evidence of talking and of a strong relationship (this is also what they care about).

You need to ask yourself what you want. Do you really feel like you know this woman well enough to marry her right now? Because that's basically what you're saying to USCIS when you send off the petition. It's a huge decision, outside of the whole immigration part. Are you ready to tell your family you're ready to marry her? Do you know what she expects from the relationship. You may be expected to send money home to her family to help support them. I'm not saying that's a bad thing (I actually think it's a good idea) but have you discussed all that stuff? Her working? Kids? Family? I personally didn't expect Easter to be so different from home.. small thing but it's one of those things I didn't think about as a "cultural difference" and I'm from an English speaking "Western" culture.

She will be the one talking to USCIS about how she feels about you and your relationship (though I believe you can also attend and it looks good). Do you think you're "there" yet?

Basically (and this sounds more like a relationship lecture than immigration advice) USCIS only cares about you having met in the last two years. Are you prepared to fight if they deny it? Are you prepared to spend the money to file again? Are you prepared to move to the Philippines if it's rejected? These are all questions that you should be asking yourself, and perhaps even the Consulate will ask your (soon-to-be maybe) fiancee.

**Edit - Welcome to VJ

Edited May 13, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[pushbrk 14,454]

Hi, New Member. I tried finding this answer before posting, but couldn't.

I met a women while on a scuba trip to the Philippines. I am trying to be proactive here incase IT happens. I think I would like to apply for a Fiance Visa in the near future if it all works out, to bring her here to the States. But I was wondering on average how long should you wait before filing for one. Or to rephrase it: How long should your relationship be established before starting the process. I don't want to file too early where it might be more likely to get rejected.

Thanks

Fire when ready but you will be filing a petition which when approved will allow her to apply for a visa.

[Reg 0]

Okay, thanks guys. I was a little confused reading the instructions. Think I have a better understanding now, but not totally.

The so called Fiance Visa is really a Petition for the Fiance to apply for a K1 Visa (or not, read below).

I also thought the Petition for Alien Fiance required proof of a relationship. But it just requires that you have met within the last two years.

It is somewhat confusing though on Page 2 of the Instructions for the Petition on section 5.

What Documents Do You Need to Prove That You Can Legally Marry?

Provide copies of evidence that you and your fiance(e) have personally met within the last two years,....

But a lot of people seem to be sending in skype logs, phone records,.....

So little confused. Cause here on: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

I seems to be just about the Petition. So is the petition (I-129F and G-325A) what the US citizen does? Then once approved and

the alien Fiance goes thru the steps required, she will be granted a K-1 Visa.

I am gathering that the K-1 Visa is actually the end result of the Petition and not another completely seperate issue?

So when do you have to show more proof that you have a ongoing relationship? On the Petition or when she goes thru the interview,..... or both?

Thanks

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Okay, thanks guys. I was a little confused reading the instructions. Think I have a better understanding now, but not totally.

The so called Fiance Visa is really a Petition for the Fiance to apply for a K1 Visa (or not, read below).

I also thought the Petition for Alien Fiance required proof of a relationship. But it just requires that you have met within the last two years.

It is somewhat confusing though on Page 2 of the Instructions for the Petition on section 5.

What Documents Do You Need to Prove That You Can Legally Marry?

Provide copies of evidence that you and your fiance(e) have personally met within the last two years,....

But a lot of people seem to be sending in skype logs, phone records,.....

So little confused. Cause here on: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

I seems to be just about the Petition. So is the petition (I-129F and G-325A) what the US citizen does? Then once approved and

the alien Fiance goes thru the steps required, she will be granted a K-1 Visa.

I am gathering that the K-1 Visa is actually the end result of the Petition and not another completely seperate issue?

So when do you have to show more proof that you have a ongoing relationship? On the Petition or when she goes thru the interview,..... or both?

Thanks

What you first do is send in the I-129F which is the petition. This petition is YOU asking the US government for your fiancee to be given permission to apply for a Visa in her home country, to come over and marry you. This can be approved or denied (unless you're a sex criminal or some other restrictions it's usually approved at this stage).

When (and if) they approve the petition, they will send all your petition information to your fiancee's home country where they will then send her information on how to apply for her visa. This is when she sends in information about her and she will need to have a medical appointment, have an interview and her prints and photo will be taken.

So TECHNICALLY the petition and the visa are connected but they are also two separate processes.

You're right, the petition just NEEDS the proof that you've met in the last two years but some people do what's called "front-loading" the petition and send relationship stuff (like skype conversations etc) with it. I didn't because I didn't see the need and only presented evidence of us meeting which were photos, flight itinerary, passport stamps and ticket stubs.

The relationship evidence (the skype logs etc) are only REALLY needed at the consulate stage when your fiancee will go for her interview, but like I said, some people (especially the high fraud consulates) front-load the petitions to be more assured of success. Whether this actually works or not I don't know because honestly the petition stage only requires that you've met in the last two-years, that you have intent to marry (hence you writing that letter of intent and your fiancee doing the same) and that you're of the legal age to wed. The Visa part is when they care about the relationship stuff. SOME people also say that sending the evidence of relationship with the petition is good because this means when the consulate gets the file to review before the interview, there's already relationship evidence there so maybe you don't need to show as much at the interview, or your interview will go easier etc. Like I said I didnt, and at my interview they didn't even look at the conversation logs etc.. that said, I'm from a low-fraud consulate and your (perhaps soon to be) fiancee is from a high-fraud one.

Because of where your fiancee is from (high fraud and all that) then it can't hurt to front-load your petition.

Best of luck.

[Reg 0]

Thank you very much. That clears up a lot in my head. Appreciate it very much.

[J&N* 68]

There are no ground rules to it... just the proof that you've met within 2 years and you have a true relationship. Start studying and do your homework to be all prepared!

Best of luck!

[Reg 0]

There are no ground rules to it...

It sure is confusing at first. Thanks. I have a couple photos of us from when I met her. But think going back sometime this year again and get some more photos. Plus it will give me time to make sure it will work. Then as soon as get back going to file the petition.

Thanks alot!!

[J&N* 68]

I also wanna tell you that me and my fiancé got engaged only 6 months after meeting (online) and 4 months after meeting in reality, some people on VJ have been together since 2006 or earlier. But as you know Americans fall in love fast

[Reg 0]

Thanks for the time information.

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

You must have met in person within the last two years. You must be a US citizen and you BOTH must be free and able to marry. Any problems yet?

You: Hi, I am John.

Her: Hi I'm Mary.

You: Will you marry me?

Her: Yes

You: Please sign this G-325a blank form and this letter of intent. Smile, that guy over there is taking our picture together.

Her: OK (smiles)

Send it in same day You qualify for a petition to be approved. Proof of relationship occurs at the consulate level later when she must go and explain your relationship. The amount of eveidence varies by consulate from a little to a lot. Manilla is not particularly easy, but doesn't seem horrible like some.

You will get lots of in info in the PI forum on the consulate

[Fandango 1,440]

As Gary said. But keep in mind you both need to sign the letter of intent truthfully. If you are unsure yet, I'd wait until you can fill out and sign that with no reservations. Will save you headaches should you decide to not pursue marriage with this woman, then have to deal with canceling the application, then IF you fall in love again with another foreign national, and file, you won't be affected by IMBRA.

[djeslinger 0]

You must have met in person within the last two years. You must be a US citizen and you BOTH must be free and able to marry. Any problems yet?

You: Hi, I am John.

Her: Hi I'm Mary.

You: Will you marry me?

Her: Yes

You: Please sign this G-325a blank form and this letter of intent. Smile, that guy over there is taking our picture together.

Her: OK (smiles)

Send it in same day You qualify for a petition to be approved. Proof of relationship occurs at the consulate level later when she must go and explain your relationship. The amount of eveidence varies by consulate from a little to a lot. Manilla is not particularly easy, but doesn't seem horrible like some.

You will get lots of in info in the PI forum on the consulate

Point well made !!!

And thanks for the laugh !

[Reg 0]

You must have met in person within the last two years. You must be a US citizen and you BOTH must be free and able to marry. Any problems yet?

You: Hi, I am John.

Her: Hi I'm Mary.

You: Will you marry me?

Her: Yes

You: Please sign this G-325a blank form and this letter of intent. Smile, that guy over there is taking our picture together.

Her: OK (smiles)

Send it in same day You qualify for a petition to be approved. Proof of relationship occurs at the consulate level later when she must go and explain your relationship. The amount of eveidence varies by consulate from a little to a lot. Manilla is not particularly easy, but doesn't seem horrible like some.

You will get lots of in info in the PI forum on the consulate

Ya, that was a good laugh, thanks. Ya, I was getting the idea that Manila was tough. You guys have been very helpful thanks a lot!! Reg

[bmagno23 0]

whenever you are ready, simply put