Many visa options, not sure what to do...

[WBC 0]

Hello, I've tried reading the faqs but it's still not clear what the best option for me is:

My current situation is I am a US citizen (if it matters, was born in China, moved to US when I was 8, now 23 yo). My GF is a Chinese citizen, we met 2 years ago, and she is now in UK studying. If we want to get married and have her live in the US, I think we have 3 options:

1) I apply for Fiancee visa, have her go back to China, etc.

2) I have her come here, we get married, she goes back to UK to study, I apply for marriage visa.

3) I go to UK, we get married, I come back and apply for marriage visa.

Of these three options, which do you think would be most effective for getting her here by end of September or as early after that as possible?

Thank you so much in advance!

[Barbara J 115]

Hello, I've tried reading the faqs but it's still not clear what the best option for me is:

My current situation is I am a US citizen (if it matters, was born in China, moved to US when I was 8, now 23 yo). My GF is a Chinese citizen, we met 2 years ago, and she is now in UK studying. If we want to get married and have her live in the US, I think we have 3 options:

1) I apply for Fiancee visa, have her go back to China, etc.

2) I have her come here, we get married, she goes back to UK to study, I apply for marriage visa.

3) I go to UK, we get married, I come back and apply for marriage visa.

Of these three options, which do you think would be most effective for getting her here by end of September or as early after that as possible?

Thank you so much in advance!

All I can say is none are a guarantee. We applied for K1 visa and started the petition last Feb 22nd 2010 and they did not start it till 9th March. I finally got here on Sept 4. one week before my wedding date as they held up my visa.

But I would have to say K1 is faster than the others and you can stay together once she gets here. But as I was just reading it seems all immigration is taking ages lately. Some who filed 5-6 months ago and still have not been approved. SO whatever you do it is a waiting game.

Edited January 21, 2011 by Barbara J

[HappyRs 8]

Hello, I've tried reading the faqs but it's still not clear what the best option for me is:

My current situation is I am a US citizen (if it matters, was born in China, moved to US when I was 8, now 23 yo). My GF is a Chinese citizen, we met 2 years ago, and she is now in UK studying. If we want to get married and have her live in the US, I think we have 3 options:

1) I apply for Fiancee visa, have her go back to China, etc.

2) I have her come here, we get married, she goes back to UK to study, I apply for marriage visa.

3) I go to UK, we get married, I come back and apply for marriage visa.

Of these three options, which do you think would be most effective for getting her here by end of September or as early after that as possible?

Thank you so much in advance!

If you apply for fiancee visa, she doesn't have to go back to China (as far as I know)... Her visa interview can take place in London.

We chose the K1 (fiancee) visa because back then it seemed to be processed quicker (and it was)...but seeing how things go now IR1 would be the way to go if I were you. Once she's approved, she won't have to adjust status (and that will save you guys $1,070) and the adjudicating time frame is around 6-7 months, very similar to K1 now.

[bestofboston 36]

If she has to return to the UK for studies, then making a decision is not that straight forward. Although it takes longer, I recommend the IR1/CR1 route because once she enters the USA being married, she can also leave the USA because her passport will be stamped to allow her to come and go as needed and she will receive her 2 year green card in a short period of time. Don't confuse the AOS (Affadavit of Support) packet for the NVC process with the AOS (Adjustment of Status) for the K1 process. It also cost less to do the IR1/CR1 process. Downfall is it takes about 9 to 10 months to get her here under the IR1/CR1 process assuming you submitt all the paperwork properly to the USCIS and the NVC.

If she comes on a K1 visa, that is good for only one entry. She must do an AOS (Adjustment of Status) after you are married here in the USA and then obtain a green card before she will be able to leave and come back to the USA. Not sure how many months it takes to get an AOS completed.

You will need to ask others how long she can remain outside of the USA at a time each time she leaves the USA for her studies in the UK.

I am still waiting on my wife's visa being processed at the NVC. We began the visa process in May 2010. I hope to have her here within the next 3 months. The NVC lost my first DS230 packet I sent them back in December. I recommend getting at least two certified copies of the birth certificate, marriage certificate, and police records in the even the NVC loses the first DS230 packet you send them. This is assuming you take the IR1/CR1 process and get married either in China or the UK.

Good luck

Edited January 21, 2011 by bestofboston