Advice for the future?

[Joe N. 0]

My fiance and I have known each other online for years now as friends. Awhile back we talked about how we had considered dating each other. Since then we started talking a lot more, and next thing we know, we fell in love. Now we talk every day as much as possible via all kinds of messengers, on skype, etc. She plans on coming here to visit on her still valid tourist visa whenever possible, and we plan on her moving here and getting married in 3 years when she finishes college. Im a USC and she lives in El Salvador, Im 39 and shes 23.

We considered the options of filing for a K-1 awhile before she finishes college so the process can be done by the time shes ready to move here, or even if we chose to get married here while shes here on a visit...her purpose of being here for that visit would be to visit, not to get married...just saying, thats if we did decide to do that while shes here.

Any advice on what the best and easiest option would be so she could move here after college and we can be together and get married? We're really completely in love, so much so that itd devastate both of us to no end if for some reason we couldnt be together.

Ive done a lot of research on both types of visas....just need to know which way would be the easiest to get approved to make sure we can be together when the time comes.

Edited November 7, 2011 by Joe N.

[MalaysianGirl 26]

Have you both met in person at all? If not yet, I would suggest meeting in person first, before deciding on whatever visa. You could get engaged on the first visit/meeting, but I don't think getting married on the first visit/meeting is a good idea.

Just my two cents.

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

My fiance and I have known each other online for years now as friends. Awhile back we talked about how we had considered dating each other. Since then we started talking a lot more, and next thing we know, we fell in love. Now we talk every day as much as possible via all kinds of messengers, on skype, etc. She plans on coming here to visit on her still valid tourist visa whenever possible, and we plan on her moving here and getting married in 3 years when she finishes college. Im a USC and she lives in El Salvador, Im 39 and shes 23.

We considered the options of filing for a K-1 awhile before she finishes college so the process can be done by the time shes ready to move here, or even if we chose to get married here while shes here on a visit...her purpose of being here for that visit would be to visit, not to get married...just saying, thats if we did decide to do that while shes here.

Any advice on what the best and easiest option would be so she could move here after college and we can be together and get married? We're really completely in love, so much so that itd devastate both of us to no end if for some reason we couldnt be together.

Ive done a lot of research on both types of visas....just need to know which way would be the easiest to get approved to make sure we can be together when the time comes.

You cannot file for a K-1 until she is ready to come, or close to it. K-1s expire so you can't get one and keep it for years. It takes 6-9 months to process and they are valid for 6 months after issuance. Plan accordingly

As far as her entering on a tourist visa and "OOPS" we got married. Think again, you have known her for years and it would be your obligation to prove it was not her intent when she entered. She could come, you could get married and then she could return to her country at the end of her stay to await the processing of the CR-1 visa. During that time she could visit here as her other visa allows.

[Joe N. 0]

Well, yes, i didnt plan on even filing for the K-1 until shortly b4 her college finishes, so that way she will be ready. And no, were not planning on getting married during one of her visits here...i was merely saying when she comes for a visit if we did decide, kindof a spur of the moment thing. Im just curious what would be the best way to go about it to be sure she will get approved. Granted, we still have 3 years till she finishes college and can move here, but im just kindof doing research so i know what were in for, and the easiest route to get it done, ahead of time so theres as few surprises and i can be as prepared as possible.

Oh, and another question, for the affidavit of support, the yearly income requirements that are listed, are those gross yearly income or net?

Edited November 7, 2011 by Joe N.

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

Well, yes, i didnt plan on even filing for the K-1 until shortly b4 her college finishes, so that way she will be ready. And no, were not planning on getting married during one of her visits here...i was merely saying when she comes for a visit if we did decide, kindof a spur of the moment thing. Im just curious what would be the best way to go about it to be sure she will get approved. Granted, we still have 3 years till she finishes college and can move here, but im just kindof doing research so i know what were in for, and the easiest route to get it done, ahead of time so theres as few surprises and i can be as prepared as possible.

Oh, and another question, for the affidavit of support, the yearly income requirements that are listed, are those gross yearly income or net?

None of us can tell you how to be SURE you will get approved. We can recommend things that have worked for others. One is not to attempt some sort of visa fraud such as "Oops, we got married while she was visiting and now we want her to stay and adjust status" There is no need to do that and it will have no benefit to you whatsoever.

Since she is waiting to finish her degree (good idea) you can apply for her fiancee visa about 1 YEAR before she would be movng here. Figure 6-9 months to process and you can postpone that for 4 months if needed , plus 6 months validity after issunace. No need to do anything fraudulent. If you prefer the CR-1, then make plans to get married and file the I-130 about 12-14 months before she would be arriving. Your choice.

Make sure you have met in person at least once and that the meeting was within 24 months of the date you file the petition. Document your relationship and you will have every chance of being successful as anyone else here, which is very high.

They go by GROSS income, before taxes.

[Joe N. 0]

OK TY for the info. As for the issue of if we got married during one of her visits, we wouldnt plan for her to stay here, shed go home at the end of the visit like normal, just when she finishes college wed have to apply for a different visa. Just meant i was wondering if that was any easier than the K-1. Yeah she plans on visiting every chance she gets, starting sometime within the next couple months..im already saving our chat logs in preparation, and well make sure to take pictures when shes here.

Again, ty so much for the info...you helped me to feel a lot better about the whole process.