K1 (or K3) while stationed in Korea?

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

I have a friend who is US Army stationed in Korea, and his fiance is from the Philippines. They are trying to decide whether to file for a K1 or get married and do a K3. Any idea which is better/faster for them? They are not on the forums, so I am asking for them.

Thanks!

[Used to be broken 146]

I have a friend who is US Army stationed in Korea, and his fiance is from the Philippines. They are trying to decide whether to file for a K1 or get married and do a K3. Any idea which is better/faster for them? They are not on the forums, so I am asking for them.

Thanks!

Have them contact JAG office they have a special program to fast track and assist with applications of soldiers who are deployed.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Have them contact JAG office they have a special program to fast track and assist with applications of soldiers who are deployed.

Thanks, but Korea is not a deployment, and I am fairly certain JAG cannot help them obtain a visa. They DO have packets to help for getting married overseas, however. In Korea, they can process a packet thru the command in about two weeks to get married. But then they are on their own for the Visa.

Thanks!

[Used to be broken 146]

Thanks, but Korea is not a deployment, and I am fairly certain JAG cannot help them obtain a visa. They DO have packets to help for getting married overseas, however. In Korea, they can process a packet thru the command in about two weeks to get married. But then they are on their own for the Visa.

Thanks!

My bad, thought short tours in Korea were effectively deployments. Wonder if he can get a VISA for her to come to Korea, its cheap to get a place there and then file DCF in Korea.. just a thought not sure it would be allowed but DCF is generally faster.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Oops, I failed to mention that she is already IN Korea, that is where they met. She is there on a work visa now.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is a DCF? Direct Consulate Filing? If so, that is what I was thinking. Just not sure if it is faster to do a K1 or K3 while he is stationed there.

[thelastpetitioner 218]

military offices do not know a thing about immigration,all they are taught is the conditions of marriage while stationed overseas and we learned that the hard way.

they can go either way,if he has enough time left in korea to get married,apply for a k-3 or cr-1 and then return to the country with her ( it usually takes about a year ) then thats the best route since she will be able to work right away as she enters the country.

if they want a quicker way,k-1 is the way as its nothing but a visa,which of course comes with its limitations,like she is not able to work,its a one entery visa,she cant leave the country until she adjusts her status and in the long run it costs more.they will have a limited time to get married two,3 months.

just tell him before deciding anything read up as much as he can,because once he gets in he is putting a LOT of time,for either one of those visas.

good luck

by the way,your timeline is wrong,the one you have filled is for k-3,please adjust that so we can get a better overall image of all the petitioners for CSC

PS2: cr-1 is the best alternative for k-3,i just keep remembering stuff

Edited October 17, 2010 by ygr

[Used to be broken 146]

military offices do not know a thing about immigration,all they are taught is the conditions of marriage while stationed overseas and we learned that the hard way.

While that may have been generally true, they at least have been making some effort in the last year to "fix" that by partnering with AILA on the Maps program and USCIS for citizenship issues.

[thelastpetitioner 218]

While that may have been generally true, they at least have been making some effort in the last year to "fix" that by partnering with AILA on the Maps program and USCIS for citizenship issues.

well i know that when my fiance and i ( he is a marine stationed in okinawa ) decided to go for k-1 instead of k-3 ( it was the only option back then ) they didnt even know what k-1 is.

props to them for trying to solve the ignorance.its always good to see military related offices making progress