Questions & advice needed

[D + B 5]

B ( the Canadian) and I ( the American) are planning on filing our K1 in a few weeks. I've been doing some research for the past month (aka driving myself crazy) and I think I have most of the process processed. I do have a couple of questions though, some related directly to the K1 and some for after he actually gets here.

1) he's previously married. Do we need a copy of the previous marriage certificate? We already need to get copies of his divorce certificate and birth certificate, so if we will need it at any point in the process I'd rather go ahead and get the trifecta in one go.

2) the dreaded income question. My job is odd. I'm pretty much a contract employee. I wait for a call, go wherever they need me, do the job and get paid very well. However, I can go months between jobs. Jobs can last anywhere from a day to almost two years. However, I'm paid as though I'm a w-2 employee though Im more like I'm a 1099 employee. But again, it's not a steady income. I do this because I like the job, it's always different and I do travel the US a lot. However, I'm not sure how this looks on paper to an immigration officer. I'm under the impression that it doesn't so much matter the amount you make (besides the poverty guidelines) as opposed to the stability of the income. So would it be better if I take a desk job and do the 9-5 for a couple of years to get us together? This is doable, but I just prefer the current to the latter, but would give it up for him to be here.

3) we are planning on Vegas for the wedding. Close family and maybe a few friends in search of the perfect Elvis to do the deed. Anyone else go this route? And if so, any pointers? It will be both of our first times in Vegas. And speaking of weddings, how are/did you guys go about planning when you can't set a date?

4) after he gets here, and before we marry, what does he need to do? Anything? We are planning on waiting until around day 60 or so to hop the flight to Vegas. This is so that we can adjust to us being us, only together instead of a 3 hr time difference through Skype. And before you ask, yes we've spent extended time together, but its always one of us on vacation mode and the other in work mode.

5) after we marry and have the certificate, what do we do? Can someone point me in that direction. I know it's applying for AOS, but I want to see a run down so I know what we need and what to expect.

We are planning on him moving here sometime after the new year. I'm trying to get all our rubber ducks in a row so that we can finally make it happen. I just want to get a clearer picture of the entire process rather than just focusing on getting the visa. That being said, if anyone wants to volunteer to be a hand holder for us, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance! D

[UK-USA-K1 128]

I'll answer what I can...

1) You don't need any marriage certificates for a K-1 visa. If anything they will just add confusion to the mix. They only require that an official divorce decree be sent in.

2) I can't say with certainty as I am not that far, but from what I've read, I'd assume if you can show tax returns over the past 3 years with a consistent income, you may be alright. If possible you may want to line up a secondary person who would qualify just in case. hopefully someone here can answer this better

3) I can't really answer this although I've been to vegas and we have considered it as a possibility once we get through the K1 process. There are enough wedding venues in Vegas and their laws are set up so a quick marriage on short notice should work out quite well. There are numerous websites that can help you research this.

4 & 5) I'll wait and watch for answers to these myself

[at long last 58]

He needs to have the long form of his birth certificate, original divorce certificate, they also asked to see my certified copy of marriage certificate from previous marriage. If your W2's show that your income meets the required amount then even though it is contract work it's the total income that you need to show. Make sure you check to see the marriage requirements first. Some states require a 3 day wait, not Vegas though I think. Plus to get your marriage license some take 3 days. You just need to make sure of these things. Plus will they mail your marriage certificate to you if you don't live there? Make sure you get 2 originals because some places require them some require only a copy.

Good luck on your journey...

Terri

[Pitaya 2,577]

B ( the Canadian) and I ( the American) are planning on filing our K1 in a few weeks. I've been doing some research for the past month (aka driving myself crazy) and I think I have most of the process processed. I do have a couple of questions though, some related directly to the K1 and some for after he actually gets here.

1) he's previously married. Do we need a copy of the previous marriage certificate? We already need to get copies of his divorce certificate and birth certificate, so if we will need it at any point in the process I'd rather go ahead and get the trifecta in one go.

2) the dreaded income question. My job is odd. I'm pretty much a contract employee. I wait for a call, go wherever they need me, do the job and get paid very well. However, I can go months between jobs. Jobs can last anywhere from a day to almost two years. However, I'm paid as though I'm a w-2 employee though Im more like I'm a 1099 employee. But again, it's not a steady income. I do this because I like the job, it's always different and I do travel the US a lot. However, I'm not sure how this looks on paper to an immigration officer. I'm under the impression that it doesn't so much matter the amount you make (besides the poverty guidelines) as opposed to the stability of the income. So would it be better if I take a desk job and do the 9-5 for a couple of years to get us together? This is doable, but I just prefer the current to the latter, but would give it up for him to be here.

3) we are planning on Vegas for the wedding. Close family and maybe a few friends in search of the perfect Elvis to do the deed. Anyone else go this route? And if so, any pointers? It will be both of our first times in Vegas. And speaking of weddings, how are/did you guys go about planning when you can't set a date?

4) after he gets here, and before we marry, what does he need to do? Anything? We are planning on waiting until around day 60 or so to hop the flight to Vegas. This is so that we can adjust to us being us, only together instead of a 3 hr time difference through Skype. And before you ask, yes we've spent extended time together, but its always one of us on vacation mode and the other in work mode.

5) after we marry and have the certificate, what do we do? Can someone point me in that direction. I know it's applying for AOS, but I want to see a run down so I know what we need and what to expect.

We are planning on him moving here sometime after the new year. I'm trying to get all our rubber ducks in a row so that we can finally make it happen. I just want to get a clearer picture of the entire process rather than just focusing on getting the visa. That being said, if anyone wants to volunteer to be a hand holder for us, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance! D

Welcome to the forum.

(Accessible at the top of the forum page.) In particular the step-by-step K-1 guide, and the AOS from K-1 visa guide.

Good luck.

[baron555 934]

1) he's previously married. Do we need a copy of the previous marriage certificate? We already need to get copies of his divorce certificate and birth certificate, so if we will need it at any point in the process I'd rather go ahead and get the trifecta in one go.

Only need the certified divorce decree (the assumption is that if you have this, you were married prior....because why get a divorce if you're not married?).

2) the dreaded income question. My job is odd. I'm pretty much a contract employee. I wait for a call, go wherever they need me, do the job and get paid very well. However, I can go months between jobs. Jobs can last anywhere from a day to almost two years. However, I'm paid as though I'm a w-2 employee though Im more like I'm a 1099 employee. But again, it's not a steady income. I do this because I like the job, it's always different and I do travel the US a lot. However, I'm not sure how this looks on paper to an immigration officer. I'm under the impression that it doesn't so much matter the amount you make (besides the poverty guidelines) as opposed to the stability of the income. So would it be better if I take a desk job and do the 9-5 for a couple of years to get us together? This is doable, but I just prefer the current to the latter, but would give it up for him to be here.

Present annual income is best IRS tax transcripts, for free, are best.

3) we are planning on Vegas for the wedding. Close family and maybe a few friends in search of the perfect Elvis to do the deed. Anyone else go this route? And if so, any pointers? It will be both of our first times in Vegas. And speaking of weddings, how are/did you guys go about planning when you can't set a date?

Went to county courthouse, no family in attendance at the marriage in the judges chambers, had a "reception" dinner later.

4) after he gets here, and before we marry, what does he need to do? Anything? We are planning on waiting until around day 60 or so to hop the flight to Vegas. This is so that we can adjust to us being us, only together instead of a 3 hr time difference through Skype. And before you ask, yes we've spent extended time together, but its always one of us on vacation mode and the other in work mode.

After three weeks of entry, go apply for a SSN.

5) after we marry and have the certificate, what do we do? Can someone point me in that direction. I know it's applying for AOS, but I want to see a run down so I know what we need and what to expect.

Read the Guides and follow the Example Forms. Read the instructions, read the stickies for the AOS forum.

[UK-USA-K1 128]

I am a little bored today, so I thought I'd add a couple links for you in regards to your possible Vegas wedding. It may help others plan as well.

http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/Depts/recorder/Pages/Marriage.aspx

This first link gives the basic steps to getting married in Las Vegas. It also has links to websites that can perform the ceremony.

http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/depts/clerk/services/pages/marriagelicenses.aspx

This second link tell you exactly what is required to get a marriage license.

"To obtain your marriage license, both parties must appear in person before a Clerk at a Clark County Marriage Bureau location.

Applicants must be a biological male and a biological female, at least 18 years of age, and no nearer of kin than second cousins or cousins of half-blood, and not having a husband or wife living."

There is more to it, but the above quote from the page is just an idea of what you will find there.

If you wish to speed up the in person process, they have an online application that you can fill out, so when you show up, all you need to do is show them your ID and get your license.(passports will do, but there is a link to all acceptable forms of ID as well).

The best part of the Vegas wedding idea for K1 people is you can do more "last minute" planning and still have a decent wedding that fits your needs.

Best of luck to you. I hope you and others may find this useful.