Visa or no visa?

[Lytha 2]

7 or 8 months?

They have sped up.

I can deal with that. You think me applying for college (semester will start in August and I'm really hoping to catch that semester!) and him being in the Army and all that, could help it speed up if we mentioned it by any means?

[Boiler 43,762]

If he gets deployed, yes, sounds like he may be someway off that.

[Lytha 2]

If he gets deployed, yes, sounds like he may be someway off that.

Indeed, unsure about that. But every little bit helps, figures!

Thanks for the info!

[Inky 1,110]

Indeed, unsure about that. But every little bit helps, figures!

Thanks for the info!

It must be a deployment to an active combat area(Iraq/Afghan). But even then, I have seen people refused expedites. If he goes TDY to say vegas/texas.. that will NOT get you an expedite.

You will need a copy of the orders and a letter from commander or one of the higher crew members from his team.

[coraliesolms 47]

Good luck. Keep in mind what we have told you, this is a bit of a long process. Around 7-9 months for most people (if you send in all the right paperwork and they dont have to ask for more evidence). You CAN usually visit the US while the process is going on, but some border agents get snarky and will not allow it, fearing that you will attempt to illegally immigrate. If you do choose to visit during the process, make sure you have "proof of ties" to your home country. This includes, lease on an apartment, job etc etc. If you just come over with nothing keeping you from never going back to Belgium, they may say "thanks but no thanks, wait in Belgium for your application to be finished".

Other than that, CONGRATS on your upcoming wedding... and I hope you have a speedy process!!

[Lytha 2]

Good luck. Keep in mind what we have told you, this is a bit of a long process. Around 7-9 months for most people (if you send in all the right paperwork and they dont have to ask for more evidence). You CAN usually visit the US while the process is going on, but some border agents get snarky and will not allow it, fearing that you will attempt to illegally immigrate. If you do choose to visit during the process, make sure you have "proof of ties" to your home country. This includes, lease on an apartment, job etc etc. If you just come over with nothing keeping you from never going back to Belgium, they may say "thanks but no thanks, wait in Belgium for your application to be finished".

Other than that, CONGRATS on your upcoming wedding... and I hope you have a speedy process!!

Thank you so much! He might be the one travelling to my homecountry to meet his 'new' family lol, so that would probably not be any problem.

Other than that, I'm hoping the paperwork would be over with come August, I would like to start college.

I was wondering about that: if the whole process is not accomplished yet, would I be able to stay in the States (so I can start the semester in college by August) and wait for the final paperwork being in the States, or can I not do that?

Thanks again, x

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Another problem that might make you suggest to postpone college for a year is that most colleges require students to be residents of he state for in-state tuition. In English: 30 units (1 year) at $600 instead of $7,500 (prices vary). That's a lot of mulah for most working folks.

Edited March 1, 2011 by Just Bob

[Barbara J 115]

Thank you so much! He might be the one travelling to my homecountry to meet his 'new' family lol, so that would probably not be any problem.

Other than that, I'm hoping the paperwork would be over with come August, I would like to start college.

I was wondering about that: if the whole process is not accomplished yet, would I be able to stay in the States (so I can start the semester in college by August) and wait for the final paperwork being in the States, or can I not do that?

Thanks again, x

No you should not plan on college for August this year. You get married next week , You go back to Belgium and he starts CR1 it is now March , it will be September October at the earliest that you will be back here, ANd no you can't come back here and finsih paperwork off in the USA. You will have interview in your country at US embassy and approved for visa. He can visit you while it is processing or you can visit him but don't go selling anything up or closing until you have started process and got approval.

[bestofboston 36]

The CR1 process takes 5 plus months at the USCIS. Then the case is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) where it takes 2 to 3 months. Then it is forwarded to the Embassy in your country for an interview. See Visa Journey timeline, CR1 satistics for Belgium. 212 days between time USCIS approves it and interview date.

You are looking at a total of 1 year from the time you submitt your I-130 for the CR1 Visa to the interview date. This is a realistic time frame.

My wife is from the Philippines and we started the process in the middle of May, 2010. She will have her interview on March 25th, 2011. If you look at Visa journey timeline, CR1 satistics, you will see that her interview time is inline with the stats for us. We had everything prestaged prior to each stage of the process. That way we would not lose time waiting on spouse to obtain paperwork such as certified copy of birth certificate, certified copy of police record, certified copy of marriage certificate are required to be submitted to the NVC. Copies are okay for USCIS stage. Your US spouse needs to prepare I864 for support requirements.

It is all easy but you will need to go to your country to obtain some of the paperwork needed for the NVC stage.

Just be prepared to wait for 1 year before being re-united.

I would recommend you stay legally in the USA after marriage as long as you can after submitting the I-130 paperwork. That would reduce the time you are apart. Make sure you are legal the whole time though.

Good luck

P.S. I have been told that the K1 process is a few months faster.

[Meg and Nigel 21]

Since she came legally and is here now, and the proposal/marriage was spontaneous, can she not just stay and file AOS now? I don't want to suggest anything shady, but I thought it was okay to do that if you didn't come here with the intent to get married? This has always been an unclear issue for me.

[Boiler 43,762]

She needs to go home first.

[nane1104 146]

She needs to go home first.

Why?

Because of her current status?

I'd think as well, K-1 might be a little faster, I'd even say August/September could be a possibility. You wouldn't be able to start college, but that's out of the question one or the other way.

If you file for AOS and EAD right away, you would be able to work within 2-3 months (if everything is going okay)

[Lytha 2]

Why?

Because of her current status?

I'd think as well, K-1 might be a little faster, I'd even say August/September could be a possibility. You wouldn't be able to start college, but that's out of the question one or the other way.

If you file for AOS and EAD right away, you would be able to work within 2-3 months (if everything is going okay)

Well, I do need to go home. Take care of the appartment, the Belgian family. Having a fulltime job also, in order to pay for all those fees and save up some money.

College than will be postponed to yet another semester, but at least I'm able to work right as I get back in the States.

[nane1104 146]

I know that you need to go home to take care of all your stuff. The question is, what is most important to you- to come back to the US as quickly as possible or that you can work right away.

It sounded like your priority was to come back ASAP and for that I'd suggested the K-1 route.

Boiler's comment sounded like you had to go back home for other reasons other your personal business to take care off, that's why I asked about it.

[Lytha 2]

I know that you need to go home to take care of all your stuff. The question is, what is most important to you- to come back to the US as quickly as possible or that you can work right away.

It sounded like your priority was to come back ASAP and for that I'd suggested the K-1 route.

Boiler's comment sounded like you had to go back home for other reasons other your personal business to take care off, that's why I asked about it.

Well, I guess me being back in Belgium waiting on the visa wouldn't do no harm. Offcourse, I'd like to be reunited with my husband, asap. But coming back in the States, not being able to work right away, idk about that. And since i'll miss out on the semester in college it might be good for me to be able to work while i wait for the next upcoming semester. I guess the whole situation has pro's and con's in both ways ...