Fiance visa advice

[TimsDaisy 0]

Met in 2001.

Entered country last in January 07 (with my fiancee who spent Christmas with my family and I).

wait, which country are you referring to here?

[rebeccajo 14]

PS - If you decide to file from this last entry, forget about being able to travel back to the UK until your adjustment is decided.

[TimsDaisy 0]

Per rebeccajo's last comment - that ties back into your question about "Advanced Parole" -that's a way of asking permission from the US government to get BACK into the country if you leave before you status is fully adjusted (otherwise, just being married and filing paperwork doesn't get you back in and you'd have to start from scratch from abroad with a K3/CR-1 - badnewsbears)

It seems from the snippets of information that you've given, that you have known your USC gal for years now, but fell in love for reals after coming here on a student visa. And the two of you spent Christmas in the UK? And you came back from Christmas break to resume your studies?

I think if that's the story, then that's evidence *against* your having tried to jump the queue as it were.

Rebeccajo is right that you need to keep studying up, but I would do everything to find out how likely it is to marry and adjust before you file anything else.

[rebeccajo 14]

Daisy, you know how I feel about adjusting vs. filing. *winks*

However, we don't know enough about the OP's story to advise him. He needs a consult with an attorney if he's thinking of filing from his last entry.

[TimsDaisy 0]

Daisy, you know how I feel about adjusting vs. filing. *winks*

However, we don't know enough about the OP's story to advise him. He needs a consult with an attorney if he's thinking of filing from his last entry.

After the day I've had, I'm not sure I know how I feel about apples vs. oranges.

You're right that we don't know enough about the story - but do we ever about anyone's story? I mean really?

[rebeccajo 14]

Daisy, you know how I feel about adjusting vs. filing. *winks*

However, we don't know enough about the OP's story to advise him. He needs a consult with an attorney if he's thinking of filing from his last entry.

After the day I've had, I'm not sure I know how I feel about apples vs. oranges.

You're right that we don't know enough about the story - but do we ever about anyone's story? I mean really?

Nope. LOL.

That's why one should rely on this place for research of anecdotal accounts and site references. Not hang their case on what someone posted here.

[TimsDaisy 0]

That's why one should rely on this place for research of anecdotal accounts and site references. Not hang their case on what someone posted here.

Right. But that goes for everyone for all their questions. And that's why we all disclaim the heck out of everything, right?

[kengumbo 0]

Yeah, that link isn't helpful to this situation - though it is good for a scare.

Take it from those of us without the chance to avoid USCIS-caused separation - if you can marry-and-adjust - DO IT!

That link is helpful to all who are new and inexperienced to this situation. Everyone should understand the process thoroughly or hire a professional before entering into it. A misstep can cost you months of separation, or worse.

This process sucks. It can be very unforgiving. We are dealing with a government organization with too much power and not enough oversight.

Learn as much as you can. VisaJourney is a wonderful site with tons of information and so many people willing to help. And I strongly suggest hiring a professional. I did because this is the most important decision I've made in my life, and I want it to go as smoothly as possible.

[Boiler 48,233]

You will also see horror stories on here from people who have used incompetent lawyers. That may be unfair as for these cases most if not all of the work would be done by an assistant.

I believe the majority of those on visajourney did it themselves. Some came here after lawyer issues.

But for some people a Lawyer is essential. On the face of it this does not seem one of them.

[TimsDaisy 0]

Yeah, that link isn't helpful to this situation - though it is good for a scare.

Take it from those of us without the chance to avoid USCIS-caused separation - if you can marry-and-adjust - DO IT!

That link is helpful to all who are new and inexperienced to this situation. Everyone should understand the process thoroughly or hire a professional before entering into it. A misstep can cost you months of separation, or worse.

This process sucks. It can be very unforgiving. We are dealing with a government organization with too much power and not enough oversight.

Learn as much as you can. VisaJourney is a wonderful site with tons of information and so many people willing to help. And I strongly suggest hiring a professional. I did because this is the most important decision I've made in my life, and I want it to go as smoothly as possible.

Yes, there are horror stories and this is a process with an unforgiving agency, BUT, that story is about a couple who petitioned for a fiance visa and then got married anyway and still tried to use the fiance visa. That was DUMB. Is it a forgivable mistake? We might think so - especially with the sort of result described in the article, but people have to use a bit of common sense. If you are getting a document for people who ARE NOT married and then you GET MARRIED, then you should rub brain cells together and figure out if there will be problems or not before you screw yourself over pretty bad. I think that family should be reunited for sure, but the root of their problems wasn't the lack of a lawyer, it was a lack of either reading comprehension or common sense. That's a cruel thing to say, perhaps, to those in that situation, but I think it's the cold truth the agency used to evaluate the situation as well.

Which is why EVERYONE should start by reading the government instructions and websites first. And THEN come to VJ or seek other consultation.

Including the OP here.

Edited April 25, 2007 by TimsDaisy

[Boiler 48,233]

They have a waiver available anyway, and by the sound of it getting the waiver should not be that hard, he seemed to be bitching most about the time it takes, welcome to the USA.

[Fandango 1,440]

. I will be returning home for the summer, and we are unsure whether it would be better to get married now or after I return.

You guys need to stop exciting me that we could get married now and skip the separation part.

I think comments like these above illustrate the OP did not have immigrant intent upon last arrival.

[od1 0]

Guys (everyone), seriously thanks so much.

I need to get cracking on researching all of my possibilities. I just hate government websites (I feel like they purposely make them unclear).

I think I'll also look into finding an lawyer. Any suggestions as to where a good one might be hiding? We live in northern Virginia.

If finding out more about my story would help you to advise me, please by all means - ask away...

[derekkj 0]

Guys (everyone), seriously thanks so much.

I need to get cracking on researching all of my possibilities. I just hate government websites (I feel like they purposely make them unclear).

I think I'll also look into finding an lawyer. Any suggestions as to where a good one might be hiding? We live in northern Virginia.

If finding out more about my story would help you to advise me, please by all means - ask away...

Just sent you a PM.

[Birdysboy 5]

My wife and I were advised to remain unmarried and file for K-1 as at the time K-1 was processing faster.

Then all the domestic violence changes in immigration brought K-1s to a halt. We would have been better off filing for a K-3.

So I would not rely of estimated times to make a decision. I wish I had married the love of my life in front of her family now. I would make decisions based on what would make you happy, not which visa is faster.