Will Boston have any effect on processing times?

[reasonable86 0]

This is really a two part question. This mainly goes out to any long time members who may have been around the K1 scene back in 2001, nevertheless, does anyone think or have any reason to believe that the Boston attacks will have any effect (besides passage of a new law) on the processing times of K visa petitions already filed?

And (in case you're wondering about part 2 ) are there any risks, concerns, or things I should know if we decide (which we kinda have) to get married in Korea this summer instead? I lived over there for a year and the embassy is usually very prompt and makes the process very easy from what I've been told, but will the previous I-129F petition subject to us to any other scrutiny, either at the embassy or at the POE?? Thanks for all the help (most helpful message board I've ever seen)

[BaBamSam 239]

This is really a two part question. This mainly goes out to any long time members who may have been around the K1 scene back in 2001, nevertheless, does anyone think or have any reason to believe that the Boston attacks will have any effect (besides passage of a new law) on the processing times of K visa petitions already filed?

And (in case you're wondering about part 2 ) are there any risks, concerns, or things I should know if we decide (which we kinda have) to get married in Korea this summer instead? I lived over there for a year and the embassy is usually very prompt and makes the process very easy from what I've been told, but will the previous I-129F petition subject to us to any other scrutiny, either at the embassy or at the POE?? Thanks for all the help (most helpful message board I've ever seen)

You can't get married in Korea and then enter the US on a K-1 visa. You have to enter the US on the K-1 and marry within 90 days. You'd have to refile for a IR-1/CR-1 if you get married, which will put you to the back of the line. Oh, and withdraw your I-129F.

[a+j 77]

I can't think of any obvious reason why what happened in Boston should affect the approval rate of K1s.

If you get married in Korea, you'll have to withdraw the i-129f petition and file for an i-130. You won't get the money you spent for the i-129f refunded, and will have to start back all over with the new petition (that also means you'll be back at the end of the line, time-wise). You might be asked why you decided to switch during the interview, but that's not a big deal.

[reasonable86 0]

You can't get married in Korea and then enter the US on a K-1 visa. You have to enter the US on the K-1 and marry within 90 days. You'd have to refile for a IR-1/CR-1 if you get married, which will put you to the back of the line. Oh, and withdraw your I-129F.

Okay, well its just an NOA1 at the moment, not a K1. I realize that legally you can't get married and then enter on the fiancé visa because the former status would no longer apply, and I know about the required procedures to obtain a green card abroad after marriage.

I was just wondering whether it was in fact possible after an I-129F was filed. But it sounds like you're saying, that as long as a formal revocation is made then everything should be fine! (assuming all other standard procedures are complied with)

[reasonable86 0]

I can't think of any obvious reason why what happened in Boston should affect the approval rate of K1s.

If you get married in Korea, you'll have to withdraw the i-129f petition and file for an i-130. You won't get the money you spent for the i-129f refunded, and will have to start back all over with the new petition (that also means you'll be back at the end of the line, time-wise). You might be asked why you decided to switch during the interview, but that's not a big deal.

Yea that seems accurate, I'd hate to have a pending F-1 right now though!

I had similar thoughts about the visa (kinda already accepted the lost funds..hah) Thanks so much!

[BaBamSam 239]

Okay, well its just an NOA1 at the moment, not a K1. I realize that legally you can't get married and then enter on the fiancé visa because the former status would no longer apply, and I know about the required procedures to obtain a green card abroad after marriage.

I was just wondering whether it was in fact possible after an I-129F was filed. But it sounds like you're saying, that as long as a formal revocation is made then everything should be fine! (assuming all other standard procedures are complied with)

As long as you know you'll be giving up the K-1 route, then you're fine. Just wanted to emphasize that you can't use it after marriage as many people don't realize that. But it sounds like you're good. Yes, as long as you formally withdraw it should be fine.

But do realize that you'll have to wait about a year after filing for the new visa. If you get married in the summer in Korea, your fiance will not be joining you until summer 2014. If you continue now on the K-1, your fiance should be getting here around Christmastime this year if everything is approved.