Truckload of questions

[The Sarge 0]

Hey all I just found this forum while trying to wade through visa and immigration information.

I wonder if someone can offer up some advice/answers/suggestions to my situation.

I am a US resident I live in Maine. I have a fiance in Jordan. I am planning on traveling to Jordan to marry her in Feb. She currently has a 5 year "tourist" visa that she has traveled to the US on 2 previous occasions (once of which we got engaged). I am very confused as to which way I should go to expedite the process. I obviously want it to go as quickly as possible. Now due to extenuating circumstances she cant come here until April. So given this information what should we do?

Marry her come back and apply for I130 and wait, if so what kind of turn around can I expect?

Marry her and bring her back on her tourist visa and then apply for I130?

Marry her apply for I130 and K3?

Thoughts? This process is scary and overwhelming. Especially considering some of the wait times we have seen projected.

I thank you all in advance for your help and understanding.

[canadian_wife 1,791]

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

If you marry her in February the only real option is the CR-1 (the K-3 is dead)

She may visit using her existing visa until the process is complete. Look at 8 - 12 months from start to finish

Good luck

[YuAndDan 153]

You say resident, are you a green-card holder or a US Citizen? This makes a difference in the time it will take and options you have.

1) File I-129F for a K-1 Fiancee visa. (US Citizen option only and FEES are high $1800+)

2) Marry either over there or in the USA and then file I-130 for a spouse visa, Least expensive for fees $800+ (processing less than 1 year for US Citizen, 2+ years for a green-card holder..)

3) Entry to the USA on a tourist visa WITH THE INTENT TO Immigrate is visa fraud and if at interview time if the officer feels the visa was abused for this reason can deny and deport. I do not condone this, this is why the K-1 fiancee visa exists.

4) K-3 is no longer an option NVC kills the petition and proceeds with the I-130 for a spouse CR-1 visa. (K-3 was an option for US Citizens only..)

[The Sarge 0]

Thanks!

Follow ups:

If we are married and she comes over on the tourist then applies for cr1 wont that be visa fraud?

What would she say to homeland when landing here?

The tourist only allows for 6 month stay I think. So if the CR1 takes longer will she have to leave and come back?

What are the fees for the CR1 and additional applications? I found them listed but it is very vague regarding fees.

Again thank you

[canadian_wife 1,791]

No, you can apply for a Cr-1 from the US but she will have to return to Jordan and she will have to abide by the terms of her admittance into the US (as in not overstaying)

When entering, she will tell the truth. She is visiting her husband.

Good luck

[The Sarge 0]

So Canadian you recommend:

marry in Feb apply for CR1

she comes for the 6 month limit then goes back.

rinse repeat until CR1 clears?

Is there a time limit between visits on a tourist visa?

[YuAndDan 153]

Entry to USA on tourist visa getting married and the applying for a spouse visa is NOT visa fraud as long as abide by time allowed to visit and the return to home country, there is no intent to immigrate, it is adjusting status (Filing an I-485) after marriage that can be interpreted as visa fraud.

[canadian_wife 1,791]

Marrying in Jordon disqualifies you for the K-1

Marrying, traveling to the US with intentions of immigrating is visa fraud

So yes, marry in Jordan, petition for the Cr-1 and have her visit

Note that CBP generally like to see more time spent out of the US than in, so if she is admitted for 6 months, stays for that time and leaves, she may be required to spend more time out of the US. Also, she should travel with strong ties to her home country to make crossing into the US easier

Good luck

[The Sarge 0]

yeah we are getting married in Jordan so I should go the route I stated above?

[Brusik 11]

I know when I was in the Republic of Georgia the consulate had one of there yearly get-togethers. I met the US ambassador and many consulate members. They told me that a Fiancee Visa I-129 would take 3-5 months. The CR1 visa would take 5-7 months. Me and my wife wanted to complete the bond so we married there. The CR1 is a longer process but less expensive. Again these time frames were given from the Consulate in Georgia. I believe other consulates vary in their time frames. I know that I am only the second US citizen to petition for a wife in Georgia within the last 2 years.

All I can say is follow your heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited January 5, 2011 by darkdancer333

[The Sarge 0]

So with the 2 months between marriage and visit plus the 6 month visit that would give us a total of 8 months for CR1 approval. Is that possible? If she hits the limit and goes back to JO for a week then back to US would they give her a hard time at POE? Is there anyway to find this out prior or is it ####### shoot to fly 20 hours and then get a agent having a bad day?

[YuAndDan 153]

So with the 2 months between marriage and visit plus the 6 month visit that would give us a total of 8 months for CR1 approval. Is that possible? If she hits the limit and goes back to JO for a week then back to US would they give her a hard time at POE? Is there anyway to find this out prior or is it ####### shoot to fly 20 hours and then get a agent having a bad day?

Again my question, are you a US citizen or LPR (Green-Card holder)??

US Citizen:

I-130 Processing at USCIS aprox 5 months.

NVC processing 2 months or so

Consulate processing 1-2 months

LPR:

I-130 Processing at USCIS aprox 5 months

NVC processing: F-2A priority aprox 2 years.

Consulate processing 1-2 months.

[canadian_wife 1,791]

As I said in my previous post, she will likely have difficulty staying in the US for 6 months, leaving for a short time, then attemtping re-entry

She should bring strong ties to Jordan to ease the entrance at the border.

Entrance is not a guarentee. You won't know if she is granted entry until she attempts.

Good luck

[The Sarge 0]

@YuandDan I am a citizen

Dont really understand all these terms here.......

Do I need all 3 of these things?

US Citizen:

I-130 Processing at USCIS aprox 5 months.

NVC processing 2 months or so

Consulate processing 1-2 months

Edited January 5, 2011 by The Sarge

[YuAndDan 153]

@YuandDan I am a citizen

Good, keep in mind "resident" can mean green-card holder, need to be clear when asking questions.