How long to wait before starting K-1 Visa process?

[Love's JAA 100]

I was wondering if anyone has heard whether there is any approximate minimum acceptable length of relationship and/or number of in-person visits that a couple should have before beginning the K-1 Visa process in order to avoid being rejected. I realize there is no hard rule, just wondering if anyone has a sense from experience of what gets approved and what doesn't as far as this goes. I have only been involved with my fiancee for about 4 months now and have visited once for 12 days. I ask because I have spoken with one lawyer who encouraged me to file the petition now, while another suggested waiting until at least the 6 month point. Others have suggested waiting one year and two years. As far as visits goes, I was told that though one visit is required, that from the evaluator's stand point at least two visits are required, but that you could file the petition before the second visit as long as by the time the application is submitted it has happened. My fiancee is a filipina national currently working and residing in Dubai, if that matters. I would like to file as soon as prudently possible.

I appreciate any advice or insight.

Thanks.

[Inky 1,111]

You could of filed the day you got home from your trip. The requirement is to have met the person within 2 years of filing the petition.

Get rid of the lawyers.

[Jamaican Luv 13]

yep, you can file now if you want to, but once the person gets here, I think you have to marry within 90 days. So its totally up to you if you want to do it now, or if you want to wait just to make sure your going to get married. good luck! <3

[Darnell 8,480]

whatever you choose, not wait 2 years + 1 day to file ..

[gretchen_darren 67]

You can file now. it will take a while to process. About 5 months or so. Being that your girl is Filipina, she will probably interview in Manila and not in UAE. You have just had to meet in person once in the last two years, plus show an on-going relationship. I meet my girl (a filipina as well) December 23, 2010. We met in person Feb 11, 2011. i filed Feb 25, 2011 (after I got back.) I visited her again May 30,2011 while waiting. I went back for the embassy interview on Sept 1, 2011. She is arrived in the USA with me on Sept 18, 2011. We were married on Dec 10, 2011. Hope this helps you some.

[baron555 934]

You could of filed the day you got home from your trip. The requirement is to have met the person within 2 years of filing the petition.

Get rid of the lawyers.

Agreed. File now, you meet the requirements. You both have to send in a Letter of Intention to Marry....so if you are not serious about that then you should wait.

[Love's JAA 100]

You can file now. it will take a while to process. About 5 months or so. Being that your girl is Filipina, she will probably interview in Manila and not in UAE. You have just had to meet in person once in the last two years, plus show an on-going relationship. I meet my girl (a filipina as well) December 23, 2010. We met in person Feb 11, 2011. i filed Feb 25, 2011 (after I got back.) I visited her again May 30,2011 while waiting. I went back for the embassy interview on Sept 1, 2011. She is arrived in the USA with me on Sept 18, 2011. We were married on Dec 10, 2011. Hope this helps you some.

So you're saying that you only knew your fiancee for two months before you filed the petition, and were actually married in less than a year? Sorry if I am asking the obvious, but this is contrary what I have been told, and of course good news to me!

[Love's JAA 100]

You can file now. it will take a while to process. About 5 months or so. Being that your girl is Filipina, she will probably interview in Manila and not in UAE. You have just had to meet in person once in the last two years, plus show an on-going relationship. I meet my girl (a filipina as well) December 23, 2010. We met in person Feb 11, 2011. i filed Feb 25, 2011 (after I got back.) I visited her again May 30,2011 while waiting. I went back for the embassy interview on Sept 1, 2011. She is arrived in the USA with me on Sept 18, 2011. We were married on Dec 10, 2011. Hope this helps you some.

You made me think of another point of confusion thrown at me. It is my understanding that since my fiancee, though a Philippines national, is residing in the UAE, she will have the interview in Abu Dhabi. But I was told by some that the probability of success and speed of processing is faster in the Philippines than in UAE. While another told me the opposite (faster in UAE). For my fiancee, since she is working in Dubai, it's more convenient for her to wait there for the interview.

Is it highly recommended that I go back to be with her when she has the interview (whichever country that occurs)?

[NigeriaorBust 4,088]

The stated requirement to file is that you have to have meet face to face in the last 2 years. Getting a visa is not the same and here the requirement varies as to the level of proof they embassy expects. In some places one short visit is enough in others you need more than a month together to have a decent chance of approval

[Emmysaur 29]

You can start filing now. You can go visit her again while waiting for your petition to be approved, it might take 4-6 months.

You made me think of another point of confusion thrown at me. It is my understanding that since my fiancee, though a Philippines national, is residing in the UAE, she will have the interview in Abu Dhabi. But I was told by some that the probability of success and speed of processing is faster in the Philippines than in UAE. While another told me the opposite (faster in UAE). For my fiancee, since she is working in Dubai, it's more convenient for her to wait there for the interview.

Is it highly recommended that I go back to be with her when she has the interview (whichever country that occurs)?

Your fiancee can choose to have her interview done in Manila or Dubai, whichever is more convenient for her. I suggest you read the reviews for both consulates and compare. She also needs to acquire birth certificate, CENOMAR and NBI clearance from the Philippines, regardless of which consulate you choose.

Good luck on your journey =)

Edited December 31, 2011 by Wade<3Emmy

[clarence954 20]

I filed a little over 4 months after we meet and she received her visa on dec. 12, so no it's not a problem for you to file now. just make sure every month you catalog all of your emails, chat logs,skype log, and snail mail.

Edited December 31, 2011 by clarence954

[Rufus2012 175]

File now, and get rid of the lawyers. It's a long wait. You can visit your fiance as often as you want during that time - and that evidence of a continuing relationship is useful when she has her interview.

Don't delay, the USCIS will do it for you.

Edited December 31, 2011 by Rufus2012

[Pitaya 2,580]

If you two are sure about the relationship, the sooner the better. The K-1 Visa process will have you waiting (patiently......?)......... Why prolong the wait?

[beejay 125]

You made me think of another point of confusion thrown at me. It is my understanding that since my fiancee, though a Philippines national, is residing in the UAE, she will have the interview in Abu Dhabi. But I was told by some that the probability of success and speed of processing is faster in the Philippines than in UAE. While another told me the opposite (faster in UAE). For my fiancee, since she is working in Dubai, it's more convenient for her to wait there for the interview.

Is it highly recommended that I go back to be with her when she has the interview (whichever country that occurs)?

She can interview in Abu Dhabi if she likes. Just include a copy of her residence visa when you send the petition and you can also add that you would like her to be interviewed in UAE in your cover letter. Personally I think Abu Dhabi is much less of a hassle to interview in than Manila (no CFO seminar to attend for 1 thing) but it's a personal choice. You should make your decision based on what makes the most sense for your situation but it will be no problem to have her interviewed in Abu Dhabi.

[souleymon 27]

Whenever u decide.U definately dont Need a Lawyer