Questions; Getting Started

[Master Semaj 2]

OK, so me and my fiancee are getting ready to start our marital immigration process. I am English, she is American and we met in 2008. I am to immigrate over there to marry and live happily ever after as they say. We wan't to start the process early next year, February/March sort of time.

I have explored the site and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed (and ill but that's another story). I'll give the condensed version of the story here; she is a student, graduating next year in May, she currently only has a small part time job and she still lives with her parents. I'm just working full time here. To my understanding, because she currently (and still be the same come February) doesn't earn that much money a month with this job, we would have to go a way via her parents sponsoring me or something, is this still a K1 visa or something else? Could someone clarify this for me and point me in the right direction? Does this process vary much in average time scale than the typical K1 way? (As in the fiance being able to "support" the sponsored partner)

Also, I am saving up my money in order to fund the whole process, is there anything stopping me from doing this? Considering she is, or her parents are, the one sponsoring me for this, does it really matter to the officials where the money comes from? (I would either pay directly or send her the money for her to pay them with.)

I hope someone can help me out here. Thank you in advance.

[N&S 32]

Hi Semaj,

You would still be applying for a K1 Fiance visa - your SO will have to be the primary sponsor, if she doesn't meet the requirements and her parents are willing to do so, they can be your co-sponsors. What that means is that for the interview (so if you're thinking about applying Feb / Mar somewhere in September / October - judging from others' timescales) your future parents-in-law will have to fill in an affidavit of support as well as your fiance. It's done quite regularly so shouldn't pose any problems, as long as they are willing to take on that responsibility and are over the required threshold.

With regards to you funding the process no one is stopping you, however all fees etc. are due in USD and for the original petition a personal check is the easiest option of payment (and is trackable when it's been cashed) so you might find it easier to transfer the funds to your fiance's checking account and for her to then write a personal check from her account, but that's of course up to you. What you cannot do, though, is to put up the funds for the affidavit - unless you transfer the funds to your fiance's account and that might raise red flags along the lines of "buying a visa" thought that's just my gut feeling, nothing I've read before.

Good luck with your VJ.

[Dan & Jenni 457]

co-sponsor or no co-sponsor it is exactly the same as far as the visa you require and the time it takes is concerned. the USC fiance will fill out an I-134 and supply supporting documents and the co-sponsor will do the same.

like N&S says it doesnt matter who pays for things but it will be easier if the USC fiance pays the initial filing fee as it is easier to keep track of. what i disagree with though is "What you cannot do, though, is to put up the funds for the affidavit"... london does allow self sponsoring if you have enough money in savings... but having a co-sponsor is the safest option.

keep reading the guides, the K-1 forum, and the UK forum and you will start to realise it isnt as hard as what it seems

good luck

[Lainie B 465]

As stated above, it doesn't matter who pays, but it's easiest to use a US$ personal check for the petition and AOS fees. For the actual K-1 visa application and associated costs that will be paid for in the UK in your local currency. I recommend you thoroughly research all the costs involved, for the petition, visa application and AOS, as well as your relocation costs, and the fact that you won't be able to work for around 3-6 months after you arrive in the US, so you know exactly what you're in for and how much you'll need.

[Master Semaj 2]

Thanks to everyone for your help with this Yes I'm going to be studying this process and try and map it out in stages and such, I'm glad you guys could answer my questions I had already.

If it's not too much trouble, has anyone heard of or can tell me about this "ITIS number" thing. I was chatting to someone I used to know who's actually been through the exact same process I'm going through (british male citizen marrying american partner and immigrating there) and he briefly mentioned this ITIS number that is like a temporary work permit of sorts and you have to get it at boarder security in the US (When you land after an international flight). I tried looking around for it but found nothing. Either he has the name wrong or he's pulling my leg.

Can anyone else shed some light on this? Only it would be really handy to have once I get there so I can atleast try and get some work somewhere while I wait on the EAD application to go through.

[Dan & Jenni 457]

has anyone heard of or can tell me about this "ITIS number" thing.

Can anyone else shed some light on this? Only it would be really handy to have once I get there so I can atleast try and get some work somewhere while I wait on the EAD application to go through.

i dont know what that is but i know you cant work until you have your EAD... or your greencard

[Master Semaj 2]

This is a bit of a random question, way ahead in the process and the change in lifestyle. It's also aimed at those who are from the UK, going over to the US.

What is the whole deal with drivers licenses? I know as a tourist you can use a valid UK license and such if you have a rental car and stuff. But in terms of immigrating, becoming a resident and such, I figure at some point I would need to take the US driving tests and get a US license. Can anyone share their experience with dealing with this matter? Thanks in advance.

[dukeandduchess 141]

Drivers License: Depends on the state. For example, in California you MUST get a California license within 10 days.

You can fund the process, but you would need to send her money for sending in the petition. The rest of the steps are all things you can pay for yourself. (My fiance and I split it up with him paying for the petition and me paying for everything else because I make more money)

Yes, you will need a co-sponsor if your fiancee falls below 125% of the poverty line. Yes, it is still a K1 visa. You cannot sponsor yourself.

[szemek 12]

This is a bit of a random question, way ahead in the process and the change in lifestyle. It's also aimed at those who are from the UK, going over to the US.

What is the whole deal with drivers licenses? I know as a tourist you can use a valid UK license and such if you have a rental car and stuff. But in terms of immigrating, becoming a resident and such, I figure at some point I would need to take the US driving tests and get a US license. Can anyone share their experience with dealing with this matter? Thanks in advance.

Definitely depends on the State. Many states you don't have to even take a test. (USA driving laws are very relaxed compared to Europe.) In fact in my state of New Mexico illegal immigrants are allowed to get drivers licenses...