Our Journey Begins

[jenifred 0]

Hello all,

I am a British national currently residing in Portugal. My love is American.

He was here last month and are planning for me to go to LA this summer. We don't want to wait any longer to be married, as this three year long distance thing has been very, very difficult. (Plus jet fuel is getting really expensive!) We've read everything we can on the process of getting a K1 Fiance Visa and are willing to do what it takes, but I have a sneaky feeling we won't be able to wait the required time to be husband and wife.

Hypothetically speaking ... can we get married this summer in the US, with me returning back to Portugal until the paperwork is completed?. We have a friend from Spain who did this with her American boyfriend and it seems her name was fast tracked and she was in the US within 6 months. What are the pros and cons of this situation?

I have a feeling this process is going to be long and complicated either way we do it. We are mature people, in love, and who just want to be in the same time zone! (Trying to remain calm and breathe deeply.) Any help would be greatly appreciated, plus I like the idea of belonging to a group of supporters.

Thanks!

[LeftCoastLady 441]

If you're planning to marry, then forget about the K-1 process and go for the spousal petition and CR-1 visa. Getting married while the fiancé(e) petition is in process means you will need to restart in the spousal petition line. It won't speed up the process and will likely cost you more time and money.

[TBoneTX 45,536]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to General Immigration Discussion -- OP is weighing visa options. ***

[St&Sv 33]

The K1 will actually get you here faster, but as stated earlier, it will cost more and you'll have to wait a few months while you file an Adjustment of Status (AoS). If he is in LA your K1 petition will go to the California Service Center (CSC), and if they keep up on their processing times it will be roughly 5 months before you get the Notice of Action 2 (NoA2). After that it can be roughly 2 months before you have visa in hand, baring any issues, so I would plan for a 6 to 8 month wait with K1. As for the CR1 I know that it will be cheaper, and you will skip the AoS period because it will grant you a greencard right off the bat. Though this process takes longer. However because you are in a Visa Waiver Program country (UK and/or Spain) there is a possibility you could come here while the paperwork is processing and at least stay up to 6 months with him. Though you would have to go back to have you medical and Interview down at the consulate office. These are just some of my thoughts, and my knowledge is limited on VWP and CR1, but maybe I've given you some food for thought.

Good Luck, and yes either way it will be a long but not some complicated process. Just remember to dot all your I's and cross all your T's, and of course use VJ and VJers for help.