Pregnant Petitioner

[SmilesAbroad 27]

Hi everyone, I am just wondering if my love and I get married abroad and then I become pregnant there and come home to the US, will this affect our filing for a marriage visa? We would probably file the complete application by the time I would be about 4 months pregnant. Or should we file after the baby is born to have a stronger case of a bona fide relationship? And will they require that I make more income, or have a wealthy co-sponsor to afford the baby and the beneficiary?

We are not sure of the best way forward, so any information would be great. Thank you

[canadian_wife 1,791]

A baby won't affect your petition, for the better or for the worse

It will increase your household size if the baby is born before the visa is issued

Good luck

[SmilesAbroad 27]

Ok so that means they won't require extra income for the baby? Do you think it would be better to petition during the pregnancy or after? Also, is it possible to submit DNA test results to help support our bona fide relationship? I don't even know if you can do that during a pregnancy or not.

Thank you

[ndu26 114]

I do not think filing while pregnant after marriage will affect your case. in fact I think you shd do that immediately after you get married as the process could take a while. I am not sure about the baby making a stronger case for bonafide relationship( hopefully someone can chip in in that). How and when you met with proof of ongoing relationship( contacts, communication pics etc) make for a strong case.

You or your co-sponsor just need to make enough( 125% above poverty line) to support ur household members not necessarily a 'wealthy' co sponsor.

Do nothing about DNA until the embassy requests so ( if at all).

Edited January 21, 2012 by ndu26

[Voided01 7]

I think you should wait till after all this is through and he's in the US to have a baby. Because this process is stressful enough and with a pregnancy on top of that I think you would do harm to yourself and the baby...also you should be with your husband when your having a baby so he wont miss out on those lovely moments. Good luck with everything

[SmilesAbroad 27]

Our issue for our marriage visa will be that I am going to be freshly graduated from the university when we file the petition and I have a lot of student debt. I will get a job related to my degree and possibly make more than I do now, but I think you have to have a job for 3 years in order to qualify as a sponsor. So I think we will need a co-sponsor from my family and I hope that will be sufficient or we won't know what else to do.

[SmilesAbroad 27]

Yes we thought about waiting but we do not like this idea. He and I would rather we have the baby anyway, especially if he has to wait in Pakistan for a long time. It is dangerous there, especially for someone who likes the US and is marrying a USC. We would rather have a baby while we can. :\

[canadian_wife 1,791]

Ok so that means they won't require extra income for the baby? Do you think it would be better to petition during the pregnancy or after? Also, is it possible to submit DNA test results to help support our bona fide relationship? I don't even know if you can do that during a pregnancy or not.

Thank you

The baby yes, they will require income for a household of 3.

Do not do the DNA test, that sounds like you are trying too hard. Again, it won't matter when you petition, a baby doesn't help or hinder your case, it only increases the household size.

Good luck

[milimelo 4,220]

Why not wait a bit before having a kid? With all the student loans and the immigration costs it won't be easy especially with a small baby, husband unable to find work in the first couple of months in the US. Also, don't forget that you will definitely be put in Administrative Process for visa issuance as your husband is from Pakistan - getting him an immigrant visa will not be a walk in the park.

[SmilesAbroad 27]

Yes we know it will be difficult also because while we knew each other online and were falling in love, he was in the process of a Student visa which was later denied for lack of monetary funds. We will marry this summer so hopefully it wont be too soon and cause suspicion (near a year after the denial) but we know its going to be difficult for us. Would he be able to come on a visit visa for the birth and/or visit his child?

[EAbbas 213]

This whole process can take up to a year or more from filing the i130 until visa is issued.

Not telling you what to do but the reality is AP is definitely a heartbreaking stressful thing in no way can AP be expedited so if he's put into AP (hopefully not but 99% chance of it) and your in the final stretch of pregnancy he won't be there when the baby is born.

Pregnancy is hard enough and can be difficult if there are some complications and your alone... We also decided to wait until he comes to try to have our baby. I just want him with me when we do. Our relationship stands on itself.. a baby isn't going to show anybody that its a true relationship it just shows we can make a baby.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do... and good luck with this process...

Yes we know it will be difficult also because while we knew each other online and were falling in love, he was in the process of a Student visa which was later denied for lack of monetary funds. We will marry this summer so hopefully it wont be too soon and cause suspicion (near a year after the denial) but we know its going to be difficult for us. Would he be able to come on a visit visa for the birth and/or visit his child?

VERY Rare they would approve a tourist visa for a pakistani while an immigrant visa application is ongoing.

Edited January 21, 2012 by EAbbas

[milimelo 4,220]

Yes we know it will be difficult also because while we knew each other online and were falling in love, he was in the process of a Student visa which was later denied for lack of monetary funds. We will marry this summer so hopefully it wont be too soon and cause suspicion (near a year after the denial) but we know its going to be difficult for us. Would he be able to come on a visit visa for the birth and/or visit his child?

Highly unlikely. Your best bet is to wait to get pregnant until he has a visa or is in the States. I know I'd want my husband with me every step of the pregnancy, childbirth and raising of the child... but it's up to you...

[ndu26 114]

OP you do NOT need three years income to qualify as a sponsor. if you have three years income that is fine. But they are particular about your current financial status. Even if you do not qualify to petition him, you can get a co sponsor and still show your filing though.

On the baby, you know your situation BETTER than anyone here..if you BOTH feel ready to have ur child now with ur husband, by all means go ahead. we can only suggest here...does not mean we are always right.

[Fandango 1,439]

I think at first glance, the OP doesn't know what having a baby while alone, while starting a new career, while loaded with student debt, while petitioning a husband from Pakistan involves. I sure wouldn't want that plate in front of me.

But here's my advice: if you need a cosponsor, I'd hold off on the baby...

[SmilesAbroad 27]

Oh you do not need three years? Then that would be great if I can get hired for a job related to my field and earn a better income. Do they accept if he has a good job in Pakistan or must I be the wage earner?

And thank you, we do consider that having a baby as soon as possible will be better for us. He will be happy about our baby even if he misses the first year or two possibly. But there is Skype and of course video taping. Not as great as in person, but I would deeply regret not getting pregnant by him if something bad happens to him while he is waiting in Pakistan. Things are only getting worse there and are ready to implode at any given time. And if they deny his visa he will have to be there even longer, or I will be forced to move there so we can be together (not ideal but better than nothing).