Tourist visa vs k1

[Michael and Ganna 104]

It is a lot cheaper to do this the legal way.....A ban would be at least emotionaly expensive if not more.....Being honest and forthright gets you a visa.

 

I am sure you can get creative for a US address....Parents, siblings, friend or the town drunk on the corner. Some how you can find an address.

 

We have all been through the process, and to put it politely it just sucks.

 

One thing in your favor, you are together. File for a K-1, get the visa, travel to USA together, get married and get a job

[Nathancomaroto 0]

How much does the whole process cost total?

[ShanghaiSurfer 135]

Here is the guide which tells you the difference between the visas and costs associated:

 

http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

[Georgia16 2,858]

4 hours ago, Nathancomaroto said:

How much does the whole process cost total?

I-129F and AOS go together because you use the K-1 visa to get your fiancé here and then AOS to get them the GC. With this one you have to be aware that your fiancé can not work and often not drive or travel until they get their EAD/AP (Work permit/travel permit) and that takes about 90 days from when you file AOS after you are married.

 

 

I-129F: https://www.uscis.gov/i-129f

 

AOS: https://www.uscis.gov/i-485

 

CR-1: https://www.uscis.gov/i-130

 

to see the fee for them all look under filing fee or special instructions.

 

On top of all this you have the medical exam + x-ray (Probably 2-3000 SEK) and also the interview fee $265, transportation to embassy (only in Stockholm), moving cost, then it add up with all the small things as copies, sending packages, pictures, vaccines if you need any and so on.

 

No matter what route you pick it will NOT be cheap or easy but it is what we all have to go through to be together.

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

It adds up very quickly haha.

[Ryan_Chialien 15]

It's expensive and takes a long time.  You also need to be able to prove you can support the person your bringing to the US by you or other sponsors.  If you can't prove employment for yourself then you need a sponsor that can.  There is no easy cheap way to do this process.  If there was we would have all done it that way.   It's fairly straight forward and if you follow the guides and sample forms on here and your careful you can do it without hiring an attorney which would add even more expense.  

[DrEllaNJ 288]

Are you planning on living in the US after you get married? I'm assuming you do since you say 'bringing to the US', but it does make a difference.

If you're currently living abroad (in Sweden?) and your fiancee is there as well, you could get married over there, and then file for a spousal visa (CR-1). It may take a bit longer but it'll be cheaper and she'll be able to work right away when entering the country. You may have to find a co-sponsor if you don't make enough money on your own (125% of the poverty guideline)

 

If you plan on getting married in the US but living abroad afterwards, she won't need a fiancee visa. You can get married in the US as long as you intend to return to a foreign country after the wedding. Be prepared for scrutiny though and bring plenty of evidence to prove you intend to leave the US after the wedding.

[Roel 7,191]

46 minutes ago, DrEllaNJ said:

Are you planning on living in the US after you get married? I'm assuming you do since you say 'bringing to the US', but it does make a difference.

If you're currently living abroad (in Sweden?) and your fiancee is there as well, you could get married over there, and then file for a spousal visa (CR-1). It may take a bit longer but it'll be cheaper and she'll be able to work right away when entering the country. You may have to find a co-sponsor if you don't make enough money on your own (125% of the poverty guideline)

 

Also remember that for the spouse visa you'd need to establish domicile in the US.

[geowrian 22,336]

57 minutes ago, DrEllaNJ said:

Are you planning on living in the US after you get married? I'm assuming you do since you say 'bringing to the US', but it does make a difference.

If you're currently living abroad (in Sweden?) and your fiancee is there as well, you could get married over there, and then file for a spousal visa (CR-1). It may take a bit longer but it'll be cheaper and she'll be able to work right away when entering the country. You may have to find a co-sponsor if you don't make enough money on your own (125% of the poverty guideline)

 

If you plan on getting married in the US but living abroad afterwards, she won't need a fiancee visa. You can get married in the US as long as you intend to return to a foreign country after the wedding. Be prepared for scrutiny though and bring plenty of evidence to prove you intend to leave the US after the wedding.

Correct. But according to the OP, he has few ties to the US currently, so it would be kind of odd to plan to go the US, marry, then return to Sweden and live there. It's not out of the realm of possibilities, but it would be a tough sell to a CO.

[Cryssiekins 976]

The process is certainly painful

and has cost us at least $8,000 thus far (USCIS fees plus other costs to move etc), and our savings account looks very sad, but in 5 years I won't have a single worry about skirting the system or watching over my shoulder for ICE.  Peace of mind about security of status is invaluable. 

 

No matter what way you look at it - the proper legal route is your ONLY option, especially with the new administration.

 

If fees are your biggest concern, take the spousal visa route.  Get married overseas and wait it out. At least that way you can both continue working and saving so that in 10-12 months the financial aspect won't seem like such a burden.