K1 Advice needed

[JAdams333 1]

Hi all,

 

First time post, so please bear with me -I don't usually post on these sort of forums however this one does seem particularly useful for my situation.

 

I am 30 and I live in London, my fiance (29) lives in New York. We met when I was visiting the USA after chatting on a pretty standard dating app.

 

We have been together for seven months and have visited each other in person on six occasions in this seven month period. We see each other every month. We want to marry and live together.  

 

After researching the pros and cons of living in both London and New York, we decided NYC would be where we both want to live together, and it seems to me the K-1 visa is the process we need to follow. 

 

I have compiled a solid amount of evidence of our meetings in person, photos together, photos with family and our friends, plane tickets, passport stamps, correspondence, etc. This is not my area of concern! 

 

Now the problem is this -- I haven't bought her a ring yet. Quite simply, I'm still saving for it! and I want to give it to her on the 1 year anniversary of us meeting. We plan to marry, We have planned our day but we haven't booked anything, simply because we are unsure exactly how long any visa process would take, but after reading through some posts on this forum I have a rough idea, but at this stage we do not want to pay deposits or anything just in case the timeline is extended, or if there are any hiccups or issues of any kind.

 

I'm wondering if this approach could make any adjudicating official dubious of our intent to actually marry? (I don't fear an interview or 'proving' our relationship, what worries me is the lack of ring, lack of venue might cause doubt as to the intent to actually marry)

 

Now, I can prove via email correspondence we have spoken with wedding venues and discussed finances for this sort of thing. Is suitable evidence of intending to marry?

 

I understand the obvious answer, perhaps, is to simply wait until the ring is sorted... But we do want to get the ball rolling, and I could continue to save for the ring whilst the paperwork is being dealt with. 

 

Apologies if this sort of thing has been covered elsewhere. I just wanted to get some advice for my exact circumstances, and as always, any helpful advice is appreciated.

 

Many thanks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 17, 2018 by JAdams333
Spellcheck

[Loren Y 2,731]

When my fiancee did her interview the only thing that mattered was that we had the letters for the intent to marry. You send them with your petition, and you can take updated ones to the interview showing that you still have intent to marry within 90 days. I have absolutely nothing planned for the wedding yet, and send not a single thing showing wedding plans or anything. As long as you have the letters from each of you, that is all the proof they want.

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

4 minutes ago, JAdams333 said:

 

Now the problem is this -- I haven't bought her a ring yet. Quite simply, I'm still saving for it! and I want to give it to her on the 1 year anniversary of us meeting. We have planned our day but we haven't booked anything, simply because we are unsure exactly how long any visa process would take, but after reading through some posts on this forum I have a rough idea, but at this stage we do not want to pay deposits or anything just in case the timeline is extended, there are any hiccups or issues of any kind.

 

I'm wondering if this approach could make any adjudicating official dubious of our intent to actually marry? (I don't fear an interview or 'proving' our relationship, what worries me is the lack of ring, lack of venue might cause doubt as to the intent to actually marry)

 

Now, I can prove via email correspondence we have spoken with wedding venues and discussed finances for this sort of thing. Is suitable evidence of intending to marry?

 

I understand the obvious answer, perhaps, is to simply wait until the ring is sorted... But we do want to get the ball rolling, and I could continue to save for the ring whilst the paperwork is being dealt with. 

 

Apologies if this sort of thing has been covered elsewhere. I just wanted to get some advice for my exact circumstances, and as always, any helpful advice is appreciated.

 

Many thanks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Never make any official plans or spend money for these plans until visa is in hand. 

 

Right now I-129f petition processing, NVC, and embassy level all in all is about 8-9 months. 

 

Also, no ring or anything is necessary, nor is any official party of what not.

 

The way you show your intent to marry in the petition is simply the letters of intent. One from each party simply starting "I ****** intent to marry ****** within the 90 days of arrival in the US on the K-1 visa"... that's it.

[JAdams333 1]

Loren, Ben&Zian, thanks both for the reply. With the letters is it really that simple -- I mean please forgive the ignorance but anyone could write such letters, yet such importance is placed on them?

 

I have a cover letter with takes the Official through our circumstances, visits and evidence attached, could we add signed statements to this letter or should it strictly be one letter of intent per party?

 

Thanks again

[Alabamak1 688]

letters of intent need to be from each party. BTW....did you look into CR-1? 

[Boiler 43,429]

Ring is not needed.

 

If you are short of cash are you OK not working for 4 or 5 months?

[JAdams333 1]

Thanks Albamak. I have looked into CR-1 but not as much --The reason being, I travel to the USA on an ESTA. My understanding is that traveling with the intent to marry would be a violation of the terms of the ESTA. The same for when she visits me. If I turn up at a POE on an ESTA and state that I intend to marry, I am pretty certain that I will be refused entry.  It just seemed that the Fiance visa was the more appropriate as that most accurately reflects our current circumstance. 

[Boiler 43,429]

2 minutes ago, JAdams333 said:

Thanks Albamak. I have looked into CR-1 but not as much --The reason being, I travel to the USA on an ESTA. My understanding is that traveling with the intent to marry would be a violation of the terms of the ESTA. The same for when she visits me. If I turn up at a POE on an ESTA and state that I intend to marry, I am pretty certain that I will be refused entry.  It just seemed that the Fiance visa was the more appropriate as that most accurately reflects our current circumstance. 

Las Begas baby, have you not heard of destination weddings?

 

Anyway the only issue  is to marry and stay, marry only is OK.

 

 

[Wuozopo 4,285]

16 minutes ago, JAdams333 said:

First time post, so please bear with me -I don't usually post on these sort of forums however this one does seem particularly useful for my situation.

 

This process is not near as daunting as you are imagining. The petition has requirements to be met.

Is the petitioner a US Citizen? ✔️

Have you met in person at least once in the last two years?  ✔️

Can you document the meeting?  ✔️

Are you both free to marry (no other current spouses)?  

Do you intend to marry within 90 days of the beneficiary's arrival on a K1 visa?

Can you both pen a statement stating the two things above? 

I defer to others to explain IMBRA since they met on a dating website.

 

You don't need a ring, or chat logs, email discussions, engagement parties, love letter, phone logs,  Facebook posts, or the like. Heck, we don't even have an actual engagement date or rings, yet I got the visa in London, got a greencard, and am a US citizen. Married 10 years now. 

 

I refer you to question 7 on this London Embassy website page to  address marrying in the US https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visa-faqs/

[Alabamak1 688]

22 minutes ago, JAdams333 said:

Thanks Albamak. I have looked into CR-1 but not as much --The reason being, I travel to the USA on an ESTA. My understanding is that traveling with the intent to marry would be a violation of the terms of the ESTA. The same for when she visits me. If I turn up at a POE on an ESTA and state that I intend to marry, I am pretty certain that I will be refused entry.  It just seemed that the Fiance visa was the more appropriate as that most accurately reflects our current circumstance. 

The reason i mentioned this is because of the wait in HELL you may have till you get I-129F approved, NVC, medical, Embassy stage and finally VOH, POE, marriage license, marriage certificate, SS#, EAD, AP & AOS. Not to account for possible RFE and money and time pulling your hairs lol

[Nov2017AD 52]

2 hours ago, JAdams333 said:

Loren, Ben&Zian, thanks both for the reply. With the letters is it really that simple -- I mean please forgive the ignorance but anyone could write such letters, yet such importance is placed on them?

 

I have a cover letter with takes the Official through our circumstances, visits and evidence attached, could we add signed statements to this letter or should it strictly be one letter of intent per party?

 

Thanks again

The letters are signed under penalty of perjury to a government agency.

 

You really think the government cares about a rock you bought to symbolize your love? or a wedding ceremony you can cancel?

A ring and a ceremony is not a marriage.

[<3T&M<3 217]

File! You can do what we did and buy a cheapo silver ring for my engagement ring until we can get a "more lovely" one I love the memories of the silver one, though ❤️ ❤️

[NovaDC 270]

Seriously, I was reading this post with an English accent. It's really interesting😊. Anyway, you don't have to worry about the ring. My husband and I had our AOS interview last week. He recently lost his ring and we didn't get him a new one yet. The immigration officer didn't even point it out that he is not wearing a wedding band.

[Crazy Cat 39,218]

K-1

    More expensive than CR-1

    Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)

    Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 4-6months)

    Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 4-6months)

    some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period .

    Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.

CR-1

    Less expensive than K-1

    No AOS required.

    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US

    Spouse can start work if desired

    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card withing 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US

    Spouse  has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US. 

 

Current average processing time per VJ member is about 9 months for K-1 and about 13 months for CR-1.  All-in-all, the CR-1 is superior to the K-1 imo.

Edited October 18, 2018 by missileman

[Nafisa & Bryce 45]

16 hours ago, JAdams333 said:

Hi all,

 

First time post, so please bear with me -I don't usually post on these sort of forums however this one does seem particularly useful for my situation.

 

I am 30 and I live in London, my fiance (29) lives in New York. We met when I was visiting the USA after chatting on a pretty standard dating app.

 

We have been together for seven months and have visited each other in person on six occasions in this seven month period. We see each other every month. We want to marry and live together.  

 

After researching the pros and cons of living in both London and New York, we decided NYC would be where we both want to live together, and it seems to me the K-1 visa is the process we need to follow. 

 

I have compiled a solid amount of evidence of our meetings in person, photos together, photos with family and our friends, plane tickets, passport stamps, correspondence, etc. This is not my area of concern! 

 

Now the problem is this -- I haven't bought her a ring yet. Quite simply, I'm still saving for it! and I want to give it to her on the 1 year anniversary of us meeting. We plan to marry, We have planned our day but we haven't booked anything, simply because we are unsure exactly how long any visa process would take, but after reading through some posts on this forum I have a rough idea, but at this stage we do not want to pay deposits or anything just in case the timeline is extended, or if there are any hiccups or issues of any kind.

 

I'm wondering if this approach could make any adjudicating official dubious of our intent to actually marry? (I don't fear an interview or 'proving' our relationship, what worries me is the lack of ring, lack of venue might cause doubt as to the intent to actually marry)

 

Now, I can prove via email correspondence we have spoken with wedding venues and discussed finances for this sort of thing. Is suitable evidence of intending to marry?

 

I understand the obvious answer, perhaps, is to simply wait until the ring is sorted... But we do want to get the ball rolling, and I could continue to save for the ring whilst the paperwork is being dealt with. 

 

Apologies if this sort of thing has been covered elsewhere. I just wanted to get some advice for my exact circumstances, and as always, any helpful advice is appreciated.

 

Many thanks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For us there was never any question about a ring. We submitted a photo of when we got officially engaged (like you, we planned on getting married and my now husband saved for the ring for a few months before officially proposing), but otherwise the main concern was our intent to marry within 90 days. we had been together 6 months when we applied, we knew reallly early that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.

 

I suggested to my fiance when he was saving for a ring that we just get a placeholder and save once we were together in the same country for the "real deal." He wouldn't go for it, though, said I was worth the real thing. Maybe that's how you feel too, but it's something to consider if you are particularly concerned about an official engagement.

 

That said, we also have a baby together which may have been one reason they didn't ask many questions about our  engagement and stuff. They asked in the interview when we last saw each other, if I had been to Aus, what his intentions were when he got to the US (to marry me within 90 days and start our life together), simple things. We worried and thought ahead about alot of things that were never an issue.

 

The process for us took a grueling 8 months for the K-1, our son was born and my husband missed the first two months of his life, but now we are together as a family...we have another baby on the way, we wake up together every morning, my husband has his green card and a good job here. It was 100% worth the work, the wait, the stress and anxiety for what we have together. Good luck to you!