How many times do we have to pay???

[cookiehigh 0]

Hello. I have been trying to gather information on how to apply for K1 visa.

As many of you have probably noticed, it is incredibly confusing...There is too much information regarding to it and I am having a hard time figuring out which is correct and which isn't.

What I wanted to ask people for help was about the fee.

I noticed we pay $350 when filing the petition with I-129.

And when fiance applies for the visa (before going to the interview apparently) we again pay another $350?

I am extremely confused about this. USCIS only says "K – Fiance(e) or Spouse of U.S. citizen category visa: $350.00" but the website of American embassy in Japan says they require another fee online after I-129 is accepted.

If anybody knows anything about this please help me.

Thanks!!!!!

[Mandy_Amro 3]

Hi! The total cost for a K1 visa is about $1805 or more see this link: http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

There is a $340 filing fee for the I-129F petition

Another $350 for the visa paid to the US embassy

Also it is almost $1100 to Adjust status after you get married within the 90 days. This must be done.

If you dont apply for Employment authorization and Advanced parol at the same time you adjust status, there are large fees for that to.

There is also all the medical fees, translations, photographs taken, police certificates aquired, shipping of documents back and forth, etc...

Good luck! It costs a LOT of money to bring a fiance over, but they are worth it!

Edited August 18, 2011 by Mandy_Amro

[cookiehigh 0]

Thanks for the fast reply!!

Ugh. It costs a lot of money for sure...

So the $1100 you mentioned goes toward getting work permit and stuff like that? They require application fee as well????

Also, during the process I noticed there is a part where you have to state that you are able to support your fiance or the other way around, is it correct?

Does that mean that if we don't have massive amount of savings we are not going to be able to get married???

We are just out of college and still trying to get our lives sorted out.

But we figured money can be earned anywhere...For me, I need a visa to get any jobs in the U.S.

How much would you say should people have before starting filing anything? How much do we need to prove we have in the form of financial statement?

Thanks!!!

[Ning 619]

Hello. I have been trying to gather information on how to apply for K1 visa.

As many of you have probably noticed, it is incredibly confusing...There is too much information regarding to it and I am having a hard time figuring out which is correct and which isn't.

What I wanted to ask people for help was about the fee.

I noticed we pay $350 when filing the petition with I-129.

And when fiance applies for the visa (before going to the interview apparently) we again pay another $350?

I am extremely confused about this. USCIS only says "K – Fiance(e) or Spouse of U.S. citizen category visa: $350.00" but the website of American embassy in Japan says they require another fee online after I-129 is accepted.

If anybody knows anything about this please help me.

Thanks!!!!!

Two inital fees. Process petition 340. Issue visa 350. Medical fee for applicant in Japan?

[cookiehigh 0]

Two inital fees. Process petition 340. Issue visa 350. Medical fee for applicant in Japan?

Thanks!!!

I have no idea how much it costs to get medical check ups. I don't even know what tests need to be included in it either.

I am still learning about this whole process and I was going to do that as step by step as we start the process...

But I guess it would be difficult as it costs so much money and you wouldn't want to risk failing.

[Mandy_Amro 3]

Thanks for the fast reply!!

Ugh. It costs a lot of money for sure...

So the $1100 you mentioned goes toward getting work permit and stuff like that? They require application fee as well????

Also, during the process I noticed there is a part where you have to state that you are able to support your fiance or the other way around, is it correct?

Does that mean that if we don't have massive amount of savings we are not going to be able to get married???

We are just out of college and still trying to get our lives sorted out.

But we figured money can be earned anywhere...For me, I need a visa to get any jobs in the U.S.

How much would you say should people have before starting filing anything? How much do we need to prove we have in the form of financial statement?

Thanks!!!

The almost $1100 is to Adjust status (AOS-adjustment of status) to get your green card. Typically the EAD (employment authorization document) is filed along with the AOS for no additional fee. If it is filled separately, there is a fee.

Yes the US petitioner will need to prove they can support the foreign fiancé. They will need to prove it at the embassy stage, and the AOS stage. They are looking for consistent salary and employment. You will probably need a Co-sponsor. Such as the petitioners parent. You must make around $18,400 per year to prove you can support you and your fiancé. Or you need a co-sponsor.

Edited August 18, 2011 by Mandy_Amro

[cookiehigh 0]

The alost $1100 is to Adjust status (AOS-adjustment of status) to get your green card. Typically the EAD (employmen authorization document) is filed along with the AOS for no additional fee. If it is filled seperatly, there is a fee.

Yes the US petitioner will need to prove they can support the forign fiance. They will need to prove it at the embassy stage, and the AOS stage. They are looking for consistant salary and employment. You will probably need a Co-sponcer. Such as the petitioners parent. You must make arround $18,400 per year to prove you can suport you and yuor fiance. Or you need a co-sponcer.

I see.

My fiance does make enough money which is more than $18,400 but he does not have any savings. He also has a massive debt from his student loans.

I have some savings to support myself until I find a job in the U.S.

I wonder if that would work...?

As I said in the earlier post, I was going to learn this whole process as we start filing the documents.

I feel like it might have been a wrong thing to do...

Although, I know it will take about an year until I receive K1 visa and until then I can keep on making money.

I wonder how other people do this.

Edited August 18, 2011 by cookiehigh

[Ning 619]

Thanks for the fast reply!!

Ugh. It costs a lot of money for sure...

So the $1100 you mentioned goes toward getting work permit and stuff like that? They require application fee as well????

Also, during the process I noticed there is a part where you have to state that you are able to support your fiance or the other way around, is it correct?

Does that mean that if we don't have massive amount of savings we are not going to be able to get married???

We are just out of college and still trying to get our lives sorted out.

But we figured money can be earned anywhere...For me, I need a visa to get any jobs in the U.S.

How much would you say should people have before starting filing anything? How much do we need to prove we have in the form of financial statement?

Thanks!!!

Now that you are out of college you need to spend time studing this immigration process. Try the guides at the top of the page.

The USC will provide a support form ( 134 ). The income level will need to be about 18,500. See the instructions.

Money can be earned anywhere. Anywhere there are jobs. The US economy is worse than any time in the last 60 years with unemployment over 9 %.

You need a visa to enter the USA. You need a green card or EAD to work. You need to do the AOS to get the green card. You have to pay the fees for that ( 1,100 ) & it takes 7 to 12 months. Total time in USA with no work has to be considered.

Before you file people need a clear understanding of what they want. A K 1 for example takes about 9 to 12 months. This means the USC has a few months to find a job & show a work history on thye support form. Check with the Embassy about using a cosponsor if you need one.

[john_and_marlene 162]

If you dont apply for Employment authorization and Advanced parol at the same time you adjust status, there are large fees for that to.

This statement is wrong. Both EAD and Advance parole are considered interim benefits when applying for AOS from a K visa and can be applied for at no cost at any time during the AOS. If you happen not to apply at the same time, or if you need to renew, simply supply a copy of the AOS receipt notification with the applications to avoid the fee.

[Ning 619]

Thanks!!!

I have no idea how much it costs to get medical check ups. I don't even know what tests need to be included in it either.

I am still learning about this whole process and I was going to do that as step by step as we start the process...

But I guess it would be difficult as it costs so much money and you wouldn't want to risk failing.

Its basicly a physical along with some shots. In my country it cost about 400 dollars.

The most difficult aspect is going to be support. Figure out how that will be done to comply with the criteria before you proceed.

[Mandy_Amro 3]

Cookiehigh, If you have not filed yet. May I suggest a spousal visa? CR1. Get married and then apply for a CR1 visa. It costs around $945 (see here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare )and takes about the same time as a K1. And the foreign spouse does not have to adjust status. You still have to prove support, etc. But the fees are cheaper, and you don’t have to hassle with adjusting status. Of course plane tickets to get married would be expensive.

Edited August 18, 2011 by Mandy_Amro

[Robert&Karen 264]

My costs so far for my fiance and 2 kids:

I-129f: $ 340

Medical $ 650

Visas: $1050

Docs: $ 50

Police: $ 75

Expected costs not yet incurred:

Flight: $1700

AOS: $2340

Shots: $ 400

And then there is always the unknown.....

[bigdog 376]

Hello. I have been trying to gather information on how to apply for K1 visa.

As many of you have probably noticed, it is incredibly confusing...There is too much information regarding to it and I am having a hard time figuring out which is correct and which isn't.

What I wanted to ask people for help was about the fee.

I noticed we pay $350 when filing the petition with I-129.

And when fiance applies for the visa (before going to the interview apparently) we again pay another $350?

I am extremely confused about this. USCIS only says "K – Fiance(e) or Spouse of U.S. citizen category visa: $350.00" but the website of American embassy in Japan says they require another fee online after I-129 is accepted.

If anybody knows anything about this please help me.

Thanks!!!!!

It's all about paying for VISA, Medical, AOS etc. welcome to the wagon.

[cookiehigh 0]

Cookiehigh, If you have not filed yet. May I suggest a spousal visa? CR1. Get married and then apply for a CR1 visa. It costs around $945 (see here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare )and takes about the same time as a K1. And the foreign spouse does not have to adjust status. You still have to prove support, etc. But the fees are cheaper, and you don’t have to hassle with adjusting status. Of course plane tickets to get married would be expensive.

Thanks Mandy_Amro.

hmm. I am a little confused about what you said here. Are you suggesting that we get married in the U.S.?

I don't think I can go to America with tourist visa and get married.

I was talking to my boyfriend and we thought getting married in Japan first and then apply for a spousal visa might be the way to go.

In many websites I see they say that there are only two ways for an international marriage which are 1. get a fiance visa and get married in the U.S. or 2. get married in Japan and apply for a spousal visa.

So you are suggesting the 2nd option here?

[Shenzhen 34]

Thanks Mandy_Amro.

hmm. I am a little confused about what you said here. Are you suggesting that we get married in the U.S.?

I don't think I can go to America with tourist visa and get married.

I was talking to my boyfriend and we thought getting married in Japan first and then apply for a spousal visa might be the way to go.

In many websites I see they say that there are only two ways for an international marriage which are 1. get a fiance visa and get married in the U.S. or 2. get married in Japan and apply for a spousal visa.

So you are suggesting the 2nd option here?

That is what they are suggesting. You will get married in Japan you do not have to Adjust status when you arrive here and get your green card within 2 weeks. You will be able to work as soon as you get your SS card about 3 weeks. A k-1 will take longer to get your work permit (EAD). The CR-1 usually takes up to a year and the k-1 is usually 6-9 months, but costs more. So if you have double living expenses go the the k-1 route. If you can afford to wait and have a place to stay you can get married in Japan. You save $1010.00 but you can start work sooner here in the USA, but take longer to get here. Plane tickets from the USA to Japan also have to be weighed as they cost money too. You will have to weigh all of your options applicable to your situation.