Marrying In The USA

[tun2usa 5]

Hello!

First off, I want to thank those who contributed to answering these countless questions, even if similar questions come up again and again. I lurked through this forum and found it so be immensely helpful. Thank you once again.

The overall story: I have a fiancée who is from Tunisia. We met over Facebook through a friend and had been friends for over a year. It wasn't until that I met her in Tunisia that I knew she'd be the one to live my life with. I returned to the United States with a new job and we've been discussing since then on how we'd get married. As time went on, as she's attending school right now, we realized that the Tunisian education is absolutely corrupt and by the time she graduates with her degree, it may not be recognized internationally. So our two-for-one idea was for her to study in the US and we can marry as well.

Some choices:

1) We'd have no problems if she applied for a student visa but we have a problem with financial sponsorship. I'm more than willing to pay for her education and needs in the US but the embassy would find this suspicious and deny her. We don't want her family to get involved in this though -- they do not have the means to pay for her. Would creative means such as a donation / fundraising site help with credibility? Any advice regarding this?

2) She can come here on a tourist visa, invited by a relative or friend of mine via the I-134 form, and we can marry this way. When we do AOS, she would be able to attend school without paying silly international tuition fees. This is not the most legal way but I know a couple of people who have done this without problems. Has anyone had this experience? I feel like I'm missing something here -- do they actually look into social networking accoutns / our e-mail accounts to verify our relationship?

3) She comes here (or I go there), we get married, return to Tunisia (or I return to the US), and fill out a K-1 form. But her parents will not allow this because we'd be so far apart. The K-1 option will be a very long process and she'd still be getting a degree that amounts to nothing internationally. This is almost a lose-lose for both of us.

I realize that this is bordering on sticky moral grounds but all we really want is for her to get a good education and for us to be happily married and live together. Any words of wisdom will be appreciated here.

Thank you again!

[Done--Really 331]

So many young people willing to risk their entire future because they think they can't wait a few months !!

you do not understnd the K-1...it is a fiancee visa, only takes a few months to get approved in most cases, and once she comes here, you get married within 90 days and the rest of your life is easy--at least as it comes to immigration. Do you think her parents would veto that idea?? If so, let's start with what would be acceptable to them, and we can go from there

you know you are considering pulling a fast one--but why, when K-1 is so easy.

Edited February 25, 2013 by magical

[Cathi 5,849]

for a tourist visa an invitation means nothing, she has to apply and be approved on her own merits. She will have to prove very strong ties to her country like having a full time job and owning property. And the fact that she has a US fiance will most likely get her a denial, especially since you have already voiced your intent to marry, it shows that she has immigration intent, which goes against the purpose of a VISITOR visa. Good luck! Why are you trying to come up with an entire scheme to get her here when all you need to do is apply for a K-1?

Edited February 25, 2013 by mimolicious

[JohnR! 5,495]

Hello!

First off, I want to thank those who contributed to answering these countless questions, even if similar questions come up again and again. I lurked through this forum and found it so be immensely helpful. Thank you once again.

The overall story: I have a fiancée who is from Tunisia. We met over Facebook through a friend and had been friends for over a year. It wasn't until that I met her in Tunisia that I knew she'd be the one to live my life with. I returned to the United States with a new job and we've been discussing since then on how we'd get married. As time went on, as she's attending school right now, we realized that the Tunisian education is absolutely corrupt and by the time she graduates with her degree, it may not be recognized internationally. So our two-for-one idea was for her to study in the US and we can marry as well.

Some choices:

1) We'd have no problems if she applied for a student visa but we have a problem with financial sponsorship. I'm more than willing to pay for her education and needs in the US but the embassy would find this suspicious and deny her. We don't want her family to get involved in this though -- they do not have the means to pay for her. Would creative means such as a donation / fundraising site help with credibility? Any advice regarding this?

2) She can come here on a tourist visa, invited by a relative or friend of mine via the I-134 form, and we can marry this way. When we do AOS, she would be able to attend school without paying silly international tuition fees. This is not the most legal way but I know a couple of people who have done this without problems. Has anyone had this experience? I feel like I'm missing something here -- do they actually look into social networking accoutns / our e-mail accounts to verify our relationship?

3) She comes here (or I go there), we get married, return to Tunisia (or I return to the US), and fill out a K-1 form. But her parents will not allow this because we'd be so far apart. The K-1 option will be a very long process and she'd still be getting a degree that amounts to nothing internationally. This is almost a lose-lose for both of us.

I realize that this is bordering on sticky moral grounds but all we really want is for her to get a good education and for us to be happily married and live together. Any words of wisdom will be appreciated here.

Thank you again!

1/This would be the correct option is she wants to study in the US, however the consulate may question her relationship with the sponsor and she would need to disclaim that. It would be very unwise of her to try and hide her relationship with you.

2/This option is considered fraud and despite the fact many people do so successfully it is still fraud all the same. She might end up being deported never to return to the US.

3/If you marry in Tunisia you will not be able to file for a K-1 but you will be able to file for a CR-1 visa at the end of which she would enter the US with a greencard on hand. If you plan to get married in the US, the K-1 visa is the legal, correct and best way to proceed. It is also a shorter process than the CR-1.

The only words of wisdom I can offer is that you should seek the option by which she can enter the US legally with nothing hidden and through the front door, for she has no reason to do so under false pretense.

Good luck whatever your course of action.

[Inky 1,111]

2, NO ONE will advise you to cheat the system. It is not allowed on this forums, a violation of the TOS. Get it out of your head and don't even bother.

Yes they check facebook and social media sites. Yes they do background checks and ask for proof of relationship and how you met etc.

3, You cannot file a K-1 if you get married a K-1 is for fiance not spouse. You would have to file a spousal petition. CR-1.

She can visit you, you can get married, she can go home and you can apply for a spousal petition or she can stay there and you can file a K-1 right now for her.

[amykathleen2005 441]

If it is not legal then don't do it. Wait in line like everyone else. Why do you think your relationship and love is more important then everyone else's?

[Harpa Timsah 13,260]

She won't get a tourist visa.

Her K-1 will be denied if you are married. K-1 is for unmarried people. You can file K-1 right now.

[CC90 90]

1) We'd have no problems if she applied for a student visa but we have a problem with financial sponsorship...

This has a chance of working if you're up front about everything, but she can't have the intent of staying--which might be difficult to prove in your case.

2) She can come here on a tourist visa, invited by a relative or friend of mine via the I-134 form...

This is a really bad idea for a lot of reasons; please don't try it. The I-134, if anything, will increase suspicion greatly. You're not the only one to think about this. It's not that easy.

3) She comes here (or I go there), we get married, return to Tunisia (or I return to the US), and fill out a K-1 form.

Others advised on this.

But her parents will not allow this because we'd be so far apart. The K-1 option will be a very long process and she'd still be getting a degree that amounts to nothing internationally. This is almost a lose-lose for both of us.

Welcome to the club.

I realize that this is bordering on sticky moral grounds...

Good. Then it would be unwise to execute this if you don't want to move to Tunisia. It's just a few months.

[tun2usa 5]

Hi again,

We are not trying to cheat on the system in any possible way. We are still discussing what is the best(legal) way to approach this.

We both agree that it should either be an F-1 visa or a k-1 visa. My fiancé has the required finances to pay for my education but we are worried that if we *honestly* tell that to the embassy, I'll be denied right away. If I go on a F-1 visa then we'll have the time for me to study, prepare for the wedding and resolve some issues before finally getting married.

We are considering the k-1 visa as a final and last solution only due to family restrictions ( I know that is silly but it is what it is)

Thank you everyone for your kind responses.

Best,

R&J