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Posted

Okay so without writing a book I will explain the situation. I met a girl from Ukraine and we decided to go to a country where we both could visit without needing a visa so we met in Barbados for 1 week. We really liked each other and I want her to come see my city in America but she will need to get a visa to come here because she is from Ukraine. We are very scared she will get denied because USA visas are very difficult to get because they think everyone wants to live in USA illegally and never come back home, this isn't the case. I don't want to apply for k1 visa because we aren't at that stage just yet. I want her to see my city to see if she will even like my city and if we like living together more than 1 week because in the end if we do want to get married we will live in my city. My question is what is the best way to approach this? If we tell them she is coming to see me it will surely be denied, sadly this is what it has come to with US visas.

 

Any help is greatly appreciated :)

 

 

Posted (edited)

Yes, a tourist visa is the correct way to go. That said, you are correct that if her purpose is to come see her boyfriend, there is a chance she will be denied. There's not a whole lot more to it...she needs to prove her ties to return home on her own for a tourist visa. When asked by a CO or CBP why she's coming, she really just needs to tell them the truth, and prove her case to return home.

 

A K-1 visa is a pretty long process (~6-8 months right now) and much more expensive. It also requires the intent to marry in the US within 90 days, which it sounds like you're not committed to do at this point in time (understandably).

Edited by geowrian

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Kenya
Timeline
Posted (edited)

Wh

38 minutes ago, kamelot said:

My question is what is the best way to approach this?

  • B1/B2. Yes. That is the only way since you want her to come to visit.

If we tell them she is coming to see me it will surely be denied

  •  Where did you get that info from? Did #45 issue a specific travel ban on this girl, or against you receiving any visitors from abroad?

 

Edited by BlessedAssurance

AOS, ROC, N-400, & PASSPORT, FOR HUSBAND TO USC

[02/23, 2012]  - DAY 001  (day 0001) (AOS) Mailed package to Chicago Lockbox via USPS overnight
[06/01, 2012]  - 
DAY 099  (day 0099) 2-year Conditional GC in hand
[05/05, 2014]  - DAY 001  (day 0802) (ROC) Mailed package to Vermont Service Center via USPS overnight

[05/14, 2014]  - DAY 009  (day 0811) Received NOA1 (GC Extended for 1 year)

[01/14, 2016]  - DAY 620  (day 1421) 10-year GC in hand

[02/22, 2017]  - DAY 001  (day 1826) (N-400) Mailed package to Lewisville, TX, via USPS overnight

[01/10, 2018]  - DAY 323  (day 2149) (N-400) Naturalization Oath Ceremony (5 years, 10 months, 19 days)

[01/10, 2018]  - DAY 001  (day 2149) (US Passport) Applied for US Passport, regular processing

01/25, 2018]  - DAY 015  (day 2164) (US Passport) Passport in hand (5 years, 11 months, 3 days from start of Journey.)

 

AOS, N-400, & PASSPORT FOR DAUGHTER [OF HUSBAND TO USC]

[06/14, 2013] - DAY 001 Mailed package to Chicago Lockbox via USPS overnight
[11/21, 2013] - Day 153 SSN and 10-year GC in hand

09/01, 2021]  - (day 3001) (US Passport) Passport in hand (8 years, 2 months, 18 days from start of Journey.)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Psalm 127:1

Posted
16 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Yes, a tourist visa is the correct way to go. That said, you are correct that if her purpose is to come see her boyfriend, there is a chance she will be denied. There's not a whole lot more to it...she needs to prove her ties to return home on her own for a tourist visa. When asked by a CO or CBP why she's coming, she really just needs to tell them the truth, and prove her case to return home.

 

A K-1 visa is a pretty long process (~6-8 months right now) and much more expensive. It also requires the intent to marry in the US within 90 days, which it sounds like you're not committed to do at this point in time (understandably).

 

Yes it's the correct way but her chance of denial is very high because she is from Ukraine. I don't understand how we are suppose to know if we want to live together in America if we can't be together in America to find out. The system is really messed up and if we went k1 we actually have 45 days to decide to be married because the "90 days" is when you have all documents done that are currently ARE married. The system is so messed up it's very sad.

Posted
8 minutes ago, BlessedAssurance said:

Wh

 

She has no bans or anything but the chance of receiving b1/b2 from eastern ukraine is slim to none if your a 22 year old female just graduating university. It's really slim to none for almost any single person from Eastern Europe.

All we want is for her to come here stay with me for a month or two and see if we like living together. If she goes and they deny her visa after first visit it is almost impossible to get visa after this for tourism.

Posted

I really don't want to go k1 visa if i don't have to at this point. I done this in the past and we rushed into our marriage because k1 forced us to make a decision in 45 days. I really think the k1 visa process needs extended to 180 days. You can't know if you want to live with someone in 45 days for the rest of your life.

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Kenya
Timeline
Posted
3 minutes ago, kamelot said:

She has no bans or anything but the chance of receiving b1/b2 from eastern ukraine is slim to none if your a 22 year old female just graduating university. It's really slim to none for almost any single person from Eastern Europe.

All we want is for her to come here stay with me for a month or two and see if we like living together. If she goes and they deny her visa after first visit it is almost impossible to get visa after this for tourism.

Well, in the long run, it will be about you and her not the city. You say one reason for the visit is to see if you like living together for more than just a week... so why not take a long holiday again in Barbados, or Kenya, or Eastern Europe.

 

You seem so set on believing that she will not get the visa that any advice to the contrary would be a waste of time. Son, this here is a collection of hopefuls, people who in most cases believe in the goodwill of others, and cling to beliefs for best outcomes and possibilities. People pursuing dreams, some of them almost impossible. You have to believe. You have nothing to lose, perhaps that very slim chance which stands next to zero will come through for you.

AOS, ROC, N-400, & PASSPORT, FOR HUSBAND TO USC

[02/23, 2012]  - DAY 001  (day 0001) (AOS) Mailed package to Chicago Lockbox via USPS overnight
[06/01, 2012]  - 
DAY 099  (day 0099) 2-year Conditional GC in hand
[05/05, 2014]  - DAY 001  (day 0802) (ROC) Mailed package to Vermont Service Center via USPS overnight

[05/14, 2014]  - DAY 009  (day 0811) Received NOA1 (GC Extended for 1 year)

[01/14, 2016]  - DAY 620  (day 1421) 10-year GC in hand

[02/22, 2017]  - DAY 001  (day 1826) (N-400) Mailed package to Lewisville, TX, via USPS overnight

[01/10, 2018]  - DAY 323  (day 2149) (N-400) Naturalization Oath Ceremony (5 years, 10 months, 19 days)

[01/10, 2018]  - DAY 001  (day 2149) (US Passport) Applied for US Passport, regular processing

01/25, 2018]  - DAY 015  (day 2164) (US Passport) Passport in hand (5 years, 11 months, 3 days from start of Journey.)

 

AOS, N-400, & PASSPORT FOR DAUGHTER [OF HUSBAND TO USC]

[06/14, 2013] - DAY 001 Mailed package to Chicago Lockbox via USPS overnight
[11/21, 2013] - Day 153 SSN and 10-year GC in hand

09/01, 2021]  - (day 3001) (US Passport) Passport in hand (8 years, 2 months, 18 days from start of Journey.)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Psalm 127:1

Posted
11 minutes ago, kamelot said:

 

Yes it's the correct way but her chance of denial is very high because she is from Ukraine. I don't understand how we are suppose to know if we want to live together in America if we can't be together in America to find out. The system is really messed up and if we went k1 we actually have 45 days to decide to be married because the "90 days" is when you have all documents done that are currently ARE married. The system is so messed up it's very sad.

Yeah, it's tough. I've been through the same thing...many of us on this site have. It's unfair. It's a hassle. But that's what it is and we make it work somehow.

 

That's incorrect about the 45 days. You only have to marry within 90 days to fulfill the K-1 conditions for AOS. Depending on your state, it may take some time to get the marriage certificate (some have it available same day as the wedding), but even that is not 45 days. The rest is just prepping beforehand. Worst case, if you don't have all th paperwork in and submitted by the end of the 90 days, if you married within the 90 days, you can still file for AOS just the same after the 90 days.

 

3 minutes ago, kamelot said:

I really don't want to go k1 visa if i don't have to at this point. I done this in the past and we rushed into our marriage because k1 forced us to make a decision in 45 days. I really think the k1 visa process needs extended to 180 days. You can't know if you want to live with someone in 45 days for the rest of your life.

Okay. You don't have to do K-1. How did a K-1 force you to marry within 45 days? Or any number of days? A K-1 is only for people who already intended to marry as of the time the I-129F was filed (several months back).

 

I am for extending the length of a K-1 a bit (3 months is little time to finalize wedding plans), but I still don't see the need for half a year - you are supposed to already be committed to marry months prior to even getting the K-1, and have provided your word to do so in the I-129F packet.

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

Filed: Country:
Timeline
Posted
2 minutes ago, kamelot said:

I really don't want to go k1 visa if i don't have to at this point. I done this in the past and we rushed into our marriage because k1 forced us to make a decision in 45 days. I really think the k1 visa process needs extended to 180 days. You can't know if you want to live with someone in 45 days for the rest of your life.

spend a month or two living with her then. get to know each other and live with each other when it is not a vacation setting. as to them extending the time, wouldn't hold my breath since how would it be fair to the immigrant if the usc had 180 days to think about it when the immigrant has already left everything they had behind.

Posted

US law says every visitor visa applicant is an intending immigrant. Up to the applicant to prove s\he will return back. A 22-yr old Ukrainian likely has little ties to home. She applies and finds out. 

USCIS

January 16, 2015 I-130 Mailed, Chi lockbox January 20, 2015 Priority Date, January 21, 2015 NOA1 notice date, Assigned VSC, January 23, 2015 Check Cashed, electronically March 5, 2015 NOA2

NVC

March 27, 2015 NVC received April 6, 2015 Case#, IIN# assigned April 8, 2015 Paid AOS + IV fee Invoices May 5, 2015 AOS + IV package submitted May 11, 2015 Scan Date

June 11, 2015 DS-260 submitted June 25, 2015 False checklist (for ds260).. hello? June 30, 2015 Answered checklist Aug 5, 2015 Escalated to Supervisor review Aug 13, 2015 Case Complete

Consular

Sept 10, 2015 Interview Scheduled Sept 11, 2015 P4 Letter received Sept 21, 2015 file In transit from NVC Sept 23, 2015 file at Embassy

Sept 28, 2015 Medical Oct 14, 2015 Biometrics Oct 15, 2015 Interview (Approved) Oct 19, 2015 IV visa Issued Oct 23, 2015 Passport Pickup

POE

Nov 2, 2015 Entered the US Nov 16, 2015 Applied for SSN, walk-in Nov 20, 2015 Social Security Card recd Jan 15, 2016 GC received

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline
Posted (edited)

If you want to go live with her for a few months, go do it.

Edited by Boiler

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Posted

Kiev\Odessa have nice summers and long days. 

USCIS

January 16, 2015 I-130 Mailed, Chi lockbox January 20, 2015 Priority Date, January 21, 2015 NOA1 notice date, Assigned VSC, January 23, 2015 Check Cashed, electronically March 5, 2015 NOA2

NVC

March 27, 2015 NVC received April 6, 2015 Case#, IIN# assigned April 8, 2015 Paid AOS + IV fee Invoices May 5, 2015 AOS + IV package submitted May 11, 2015 Scan Date

June 11, 2015 DS-260 submitted June 25, 2015 False checklist (for ds260).. hello? June 30, 2015 Answered checklist Aug 5, 2015 Escalated to Supervisor review Aug 13, 2015 Case Complete

Consular

Sept 10, 2015 Interview Scheduled Sept 11, 2015 P4 Letter received Sept 21, 2015 file In transit from NVC Sept 23, 2015 file at Embassy

Sept 28, 2015 Medical Oct 14, 2015 Biometrics Oct 15, 2015 Interview (Approved) Oct 19, 2015 IV visa Issued Oct 23, 2015 Passport Pickup

POE

Nov 2, 2015 Entered the US Nov 16, 2015 Applied for SSN, walk-in Nov 20, 2015 Social Security Card recd Jan 15, 2016 GC received

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ukraine
Timeline
Posted

I hope this helps you.....

 

I am a expat that lives in Kyiv.  When my wife and I dated, she applied for a visitors visa. She was in her late 40's and had the same job for 18 years. Owned 3 flats, had bank accounts and has a great travel history. She was honest when asking for visitors visa. She wanted to travel to USA to visit her bf and she was going to stay at my house.....She was approved.

My step-daughter applied 4 months ago to visit us in USA and was denied.....Next week she will try again. We are now living 7 months in USA and 5 months in Europe. I have Ukrainian PR papers and daughter is registered to our address and supplied the information on the DS 160 form...

I do know if your gf is young and lives in the east (conflict area) you should save your money and forget about a US visa

CR-1 Visa

USCIS

7/27/15 Sent I-130 package to Chicago Lock box

7/29/15 NOA1, TSC

10/7/15 Entered USA for three weeks to close escrow and pack house

12/5/15 Entered USA for 90 days to visit

12/7/15 I-130 approved,NOA2

NVC

12/23/15 NVC received package

1/5/2016 Called NVC

1/7/2016 Called NVC, assigned case # and IIN #

1/7/2016 Assigned choice of agent

1/7/2016 Paid AOS fees

1/21/2016 Paid packet IV fees

2/20/2016 Filed DS-260

3/30/2016 Sent NVC package

4/5/2016 NVC received package

5/5/2016 Email from NVC...case complete with interview date 6/17

6/10/2016 Medical

6/17/2016 Interview - Approved :)

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

Just to see your city? Odd, but anywho...

 

Just tell the truth, simple as that. Make sure she has ties back to the Ukraine, and everything should be fine.

 

OR...you could go visit her instead, perhaps?

03-19-2021: Officially an American Citizen 🇺🇸 Entire journey from initial K-1 Visa filing to Naturalization took 5 years, 8 days.

You can see my complete timeline by clicking here.

 

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

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