Naturalization & K-1 visa

[butterscotch 0]

Hi there, my situation is very unique. I am a crew member with only a C1D visa. I started speaking to my fiance back in June of this year through a non-dating online group and we immediately had a connection and decided that we have a lot in common and we have decided that we want to be together. This happened while I was still in my home country, we have not met in person as yet. What are options for spending our lives together that will not bring about issues with immigration? Should he wait so that we could meet in person and then file for a K-1 visa or should we get married in the US and he files for a CR1 spouse visa. Also, he is awaiting his naturalization to be completed. What should we do??? Can he file any type of visa for me while simultaneously awaiting naturalization completion? If he files for a K-1 visa does that mean I will have to leave the ship and go to my home country to await the interview at the embassy??? If he were to marry me in the US port or any port while I was still working onboard, does that mean I have to leave the ship and go to my home country and wait for the processing or can I continue to work onboard while I would be awaiting the spousal or fiance visa visa. K-1 VISA OR GET MARRIED AND CR1 VISA?

[EandH0904 1,184]

You cant do anything until you meet in person so you need to do that first. 

 

A legal permanent resident cannot apply for a fiance Visa. So your choices are: 

1. Meet, wait for citizenship then apply K1. 

2. Get married apply for CR1. An F2A - marriage Visa to a non citizen, takes about 2 years. If citizenship is obtained it will go down a little bit to 12-16 months. 

 

Either way...meeting before you decide the rest of your life is probably the best decision 

[bf__ 501]

9 minutes ago, butterscotch said:

Hi there, my situation is very unique. I am a crew member with only a C1D visa. I started speaking to my fiance back in June of this year through a non-dating online group and we immediately had a connection and decided that we have a lot in common and we have decided that we want to be together. This happened while I was still in my home country, we have not met in person as yet. What are options for spending our lives together that will not bring about issues with immigration? Should he wait so that we could meet in person and then file for a K-1 visa or should we get married in the US and he files for a CR1 spouse visa. Also, he is awaiting his naturalization to be completed. What should we do??? Can he file any type of visa for me while simultaneously awaiting naturalization completion? If he files for a K-1 visa does that mean I will have to leave the ship and go to my home country to await the interview at the embassy??? If he were to marry me in the US port or any port while I was still working onboard, does that mean I have to leave the ship and go to my home country and wait for the processing or can I continue to work onboard while I would be awaiting the spousal or fiance visa visa. K-1 VISA OR GET MARRIED AND CR1 VISA?

Absolutely wait if you chose to file a K-1 Visa. You have to show proof you have met within the last 2 years.

 

If you decide to go down the CR1 route, that is also fine. My suggestion would be to meet and actually date and then file for a K-1. Being engaged without meeting your SO is going to be a huge red flag.

 

 

[Boiler 45,670]

Worry about Immigration etc later, meet first and see how it goes.

 

As a LPR moving to the US is a no time soon situation anyway, maybe he could move to you?

[butterscotch 0]

Thank you Brandon Flude. I think the fiance visa option will be better

[butterscotch 0]

Boiler he already resides in the US and has for the last 50 years of his life. He was brought to the US by his parents as a baby from the Caribbean island of St Kitts,he just needs to get his naturalization completed. Can he file for my K-1 visa for me while simultaneously awaiting his naturalization to be complete?

[Unlockable 7,315]

1 hour ago, butterscotch said:

Boiler he already resides in the US and has for the last 50 years of his life. He was brought to the US by his parents as a baby from the Caribbean island of St Kitts,he just needs to get his naturalization completed. Can he file for my K-1 visa for me while simultaneously awaiting his naturalization to be complete?

No, he can't.

 

Also, the naturalization process can be a long process. It can take many months before he becomes a citizen. And only after then can he apply for you. Best to go ahead and spend as much time together for the time being.

 

Actually, in your case, the spousal visa would be a better option. Because unlike a fiance visa, a permanent resident can file for his or her spouse simultaneously while waiting for naturalization. This is what you want to do with the K1 except it is not allowed.

 

But all in all, heed the advice on meeting and spending time together. That is actually more important regardless what visa path your choose.

[Boiler 45,670]

Naturalisation will certainly give him more options.