K1 Visa June-July 2013

[Hank_ 9,173]

Seems to me that they need an update on their website when it comes to requirements. That way it wouldn't be a pain for applicants who are having a hard time understanding what they really require from you. The process doesn't end here. Once you arrived in the US, there are plenty of things to attend to. Applying for SSN, AOS, Applying for Employment Authorization, then after the wedding request to change the last name in SSN, so on and so forth. I'm not worried about these, my fiance and I will work on it together but the most thrilling part of it all is the Interview Day. I'm just wondering if they allow applicant's fiance to enter in the embassy building.

No problem with your fiancé being at the interview with you, I was there with my fiancée, its a great experience and I enjoyed it thoroughly, in fact I was asked almost as many questions as my fiancée was. Afterwards it was a taxi ride home, then we relaxed for a couple months before flying back to the States.

My wife didn't apply for her SSN until after we were married, that way it was in her married name from the get go. Card arrived in about 2 weeks.

Started AOS shortly after the SS card arrived, EAD/AP card arrived about 2 months after filing, then we had an interview with USCIS and had the green card about 2 months after the EAD/AP.

Then was the fun of learning to drive.

[vanityyve 2]

No problem with your fiancé being at the interview with you, I was there with my fiancée, its a great experience and I enjoyed it thoroughly, in fact I was asked almost as many questions as my fiancée was. Afterwards it was a taxi ride home, then we relaxed for a couple months before flying back to the States.

My wife didn't apply for her SSN until after we were married, that way it was in her married name from the get go. Card arrived in about 2 weeks.

Started AOS shortly after the SS card arrived, EAD/AP card arrived about 2 months after filing, then we had an interview with USCIS and had the green card about 2 months after the EAD/AP.

Then was the fun of learning to drive.

Great! I would have thought of that too, applying SSN after getting married a few days we arrive back to his place. It is much easier and not time consuming. It is important as well to file AOS and EAD/AP before the K1 expiry date, otherwise I will be out-of-status. Question though, once I have my green card am I allowed to fly back to the Philippines next year? Just out of curiosity as I heard some immigrants having to stay for 2 years before they could go back to the Phils. Are there any restrictions to it?

[Hank_ 9,173]

Great! I would have thought of that too, applying SSN after getting married a few days we arrive back to his place. It is much easier and not time consuming. It is important as well to file AOS and EAD/AP before the K1 expiry date, otherwise I will be out-of-status. Question though, once I have my green card am I allowed to fly back to the Philippines next year? Just out of curiosity as I heard some immigrants having to stay for 2 years before they could go back to the Phils. Are there any restrictions to it?

There is no issue with filing AOS beyond the 90 days, you may be out of status but it not held against you.

We were married about a month after we arrived in the States, on a Saturday, then the following Monday we were down to the county to record the marriage certificate, got a few extra certified copies. Then Tuesday were down to SSA and applied for the SS card.

Once you have your green card you can fly back to the Philippines without issue, there is no requirement of waiting two years.

- IF you stay an extended time (6 months or longer) in the Philippines it would cause the "citizenship clock" to restart at zero. You need to reside in the United States for three years from the RESIDENT SINCE date stamped on the GC, this does not mean you can not take a trip back to the Phils, it just means be back in the USA in less than 6 months. And you must be present in the USA for 30 months before you can apply for citizenship.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/chapter4.pdf

Also if you are gone a year or more USCIS can cancel your GC (you can apply for a waiver before traveling) meaning you would have to start all over with the visa process.

[vanityyve 2]

There is no issue with filing AOS beyond the 90 days, you may be out of status but it not held against you.

We were married about a month after we arrived in the States, on a Saturday, then the following Monday we were down to the county to record the marriage certificate, got a few extra certified copies. Then Tuesday were down to SSA and applied for the SS card.

Once you have your green card you can fly back to the Philippines without issue, there is no requirement of waiting two years.

- IF you stay an extended time (6 months or longer) in the Philippines it would cause the "citizenship clock" to restart at zero. You need to reside in the United States for three years from the RESIDENT SINCE date stamped on the GC, this does not mean you can not take a trip back to the Phils, it just means be back in the USA in less than 6 months. And you must be present in the USA for 30 months before you can apply for citizenship.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/chapter4.pdf

Also if you are gone a year or more USCIS can cancel your GC (you can apply for a waiver before traveling) meaning you would have to start all over with the visa process.

Very informative. Thank you so much. I bookmarked the link you gave me so I could read it again.

[Greenbaum 12,258]

vanityyve - The Petitioner/Sponsor is eligible to accompany your fiancé(e) during the interview. In fact, it has been advised by many that it helps in the approval process. Originally I was not going to be there for my fiancé's interview but after what I have read and conferring with a trusted experienced immigration expert, I have decided that I will attend, in fact I am looking forward to the process. She is nervous and rightly so, and I think she could use the moral support.

Good luck.

[vanityyve 2]

vanityyve - The Petitioner/Sponsor is eligible to accompany your fiancé(e) during the interview. In fact, it has been advised by many that it helps in the approval process. Originally I was not going to be there for my fiancé's interview but after what I have read and conferring with a trusted experienced immigration expert, I have decided that I will attend, in fact I am looking forward to the process. She is nervous and rightly so, and I think she could use the moral support.

Good luck.

This sounds great! Thanks. I met a K1 applicant as well when I had my medical and her interview date was 2 days ago (20th of June). She told me there were some applicants accompanied by their fiance. It's a relief to know he'll be with me on that day for moral support. I am so excited and can't wait to get it over with.