Newbie here prepping, your wisdom is appreciated

[tirzajogja 56]

My K1 visa was just approved on Feb 2019. And I was tempted to do the ceremony only too here in Indonesia but we didn't do that. We don't want to risk our immigration process that we still need to do after I enter tge US. So we decided to follow the K1 Visa Procedure. Agree with @Ate don't take that risk and consider it again. I just feel that it is not nice to lie about your relationship on the interview day. The consular officer will ask and refer the word "fiance" not a "spouse". Doesn't feel good if you are a spouse of someone and they said to the officer that you're just a fiance😊

 

There is a group on Facebook about Indonesian-American marriage community it's called KPIA (Komunitas Perkawinan Indonesian American) and many of the members are Indonesian-Chinese. I reccomend your fiance to check that group and ask a questions to those (with the same family situation her family has) who have done the process successfully. That group and Visa Journey here helped us a lot so you don't really need a lawyer. 

 

And in my almost 27 years living in Indonesia, I don't know if there is thing called "marriage competitor". It takes longer to book the venue if it is the favorite ones. So it really depends on her family's preference and where do you want to get married. Getting married isn't cheap either here and there in the US buy we always have a choice.

 

It is so important to have the same name on all of the documents. Start to match the name on all of the documents. I don't know where your fiance lives and how long jave their family living in Indonesia. In the province I live, Indonesian-Chinese people are Indonesian too and we are all have the same rights to be treated and served well with the bureaucracy and government. Even though there is still a one or two people who don't work so well and treated other citizen not so well. Can't generalize that all of that stuff you mentioned about Indonesia happened in all over Indonesia.  We aren't all that bad anyway. I really advice you and your fiance to check the group I mention to know more about what I mean here.

 

Sorry for the long paragraphs and wish you all the best and good luck with your visa journey!😊

[Squidslinger 1]

Thank you so much. Yeah I've learned so much about Indonesia since meeting her. How different each island is. The persecution was a bit more up front for her because I think they lived in an area and had relatives that went through it. Seem to remember her mentioning they had family members killed in that massacre that happened in Jakarta, at least I think she said it happened there. She mentions that there is a candidate running for president there who was a General that oversaw the massacre. He claims he was only following orders but she and others are worried if he were to take power.

 

The guy that does my taxes is Indonesian who did marriage visa back in the early 2000s. He said it was quite easy but times have since changed. He did note what she noted that it helped knowing nice people in the gov offices and such because some do try to put the Chinese Indonesians through extra hassles. Being very critical of forms being filled out vs other Indonesians who just seem to get it forgiven easily.

 

Very well could be the experiences she's spoken of to me and what I've heard are involving just one of the islands. She does speak of how different cultures are on some of the other islands.

[Greenbaum 12,258]

You may want to consider a CR-1 so that you can follow her customs and then the back end after visa approval is so much better then a K-1. Here is a comparison.

 

K-1

More expensive than CR-1    

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

Spouse cannot leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx. 5-6 months)    

Spouse cannot work until she/he receives EAD (approx. 5-6 months)    

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 Adjustment of Status  (I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    

Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    

Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    

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

Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.

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

My Final Analysis:  If you can marry your fiancé outside the US, CR-1 is a much, much better option

[Squidslinger 1]

6 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

You may want to consider a CR-1 so that you can follow her customs and then the back end after visa approval is so much better then a K-1. Here is a comparison.

 

K-1

More expensive than CR-1    

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

Spouse cannot leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx. 5-6 months)    

Spouse cannot work until she/he receives EAD (approx. 5-6 months)    

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 Adjustment of Status  (I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    

Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    

Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    

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

Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.

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

My Final Analysis:  If you can marry your fiancé outside the US, CR-1 is a much, much better option

Question, what about medical insurance? I assume it is easier to get it on the CR-1 too. Some stuff suggests I can just add her to mine after the marriage on a K1.

 

5-6 months could be doable. I've got a lot of work available among relatives. Heck just helping us sell lots of old junk on ebay will probably net enough to help support her.

Edited March 16, 2019 by Squidslinger

[Squidslinger 1]

After lots of consideration, we're seriously considering CR-1. She's liking the outlook of it more. Just investigating a bit into the Singapore plan since information is not that clear on it. At first glance it looks like 15 days and then boom, wedding. But I find all sorts of info that contradicts that. That it is 15 days to become eligible to file. Then it's 3 month window plus you have to file for the civil ceremony with a 21 day wait. So literally could be 15+21 days. The plus side is she'd be the only one who had to stay there at least 15 days. But, 21 days on top of that...We need to get some clarity in the steps of the process. Others are saying it's just 15 and you can file for it before you start the 15.

 

I'm beyond confused so it's going to come down to probably just contacting Singapore direct at this point.

[SalishSea 16,770]

23 hours ago, Squidslinger said:

Question, what about medical insurance? I assume it is easier to get it on the CR-1 too. Some stuff suggests I can just add her to mine after the marriage on a K1.

 

You can add her after marriage if she comes over on a K-1, or after POE on a CR-1.

[Ate 180]

23 hours ago, Squidslinger said:

After lots of consideration, we're seriously considering CR-1. She's liking the outlook of it more. Just investigating a bit into the Singapore plan since information is not that clear on it. At first glance it looks like 15 days and then boom, wedding. But I find all sorts of info that contradicts that. That it is 15 days to become eligible to file. Then it's 3 month window plus you have to file for the civil ceremony with a 21 day wait. So literally could be 15+21 days. The plus side is she'd be the only one who had to stay there at least 15 days. But, 21 days on top of that...We need to get some clarity in the steps of the process. Others are saying it's just 15 and you can file for it before you start the 15.

 

I'm beyond confused so it's going to come down to probably just contacting Singapore direct at this point.

 

Yes, best to contact the Singapore Registry of Marriages directly:  https://www.rom.gov.sg/index.asp

 

Based on the info on their site, here are the basic steps for the marriage process in Singapore --

 

Planning and preparation:

1. Fulfill residency requirement to be eligible to file -- minimum of 15 consecutive days of physical presence in Singapore; can be any time before filing, no need to be immediately before filing; only one of you needs to fulfill this requirement; passport stamps are sufficient evidence
2. Set wedding date and make arrangements for the ceremony
3. Make arrangements with a licensed solemnizer -- must not be earlier than 4 months before planned ceremony

Filing and wedding:

1. File notice of marriage online
2. Schedule appointment for Verification of Documents and Statutory Declaration (VD/SD)
3. Complete notice period -- minimum of 21 days up to maximum of 3 months after filing; no need for either of you to be present in Singapore during the notice period
4. Attend VD/SD appointment -- both parties must be present at the appointment
5. Attend wedding ceremony with licensed solemnizer and witnesses -- ceremony must be conducted in Singapore within 3 months but no sooner than 21 days after filing notice

 

So yes, the whole process can be completed in 15 days (residency) + 21 days (notice) + VD/SD appointment + wedding ceremony.

 

If your fiancee has 15 days vacation time, I suggest she start on that residency requirement ASAP.  And if you two are ok with a no-frills wedding in Singapore, the Registry also conducts simple wedding services for those who want to skip the fancy wedding planning.  You might want to consider that option since you mentioned having traditional ceremonies in Indonesia anyway.

 

Good luck to you both!

 

[Squidslinger 1]

Well the more they ran the numbers, the more they realized Singapore would be too expensive. I was more thinking it would just be the two of us going there to get this done so we could start the CR-1. Within a day of talking about it, it ballooned into her family going, photographers being imported, and all sorts of costs. The ceremonies in Indonesia went from being full Chinese Engagement + Wedding to just a reception. Kinda figured something was up when they were willing to go without all that. Although on the plus side, it looks like they are willing to bend on some of this stuff if they have to.

Guess we're back looking into K-1 unless some other resolution can be had.

[SalishSea 16,770]

1 minute ago, Squidslinger said:

Well the more they ran the numbers, the more they realized Singapore would be too expensive. I was more thinking it would just be the two of us going there to get this done so we could start the CR-1. Within a day of talking about it, it ballooned into her family going, photographers being imported, and all sorts of costs. The ceremonies in Indonesia went from being full Chinese Engagement + Wedding to just a reception. Kinda figured something was up when they were willing to go without all that. Although on the plus side, it looks like they are willing to bend on some of this stuff if they have to.

Guess we're back looking into K-1 unless some other resolution can be had.

In your shoes, I would make sure that the fiance/family absolutely understand the risks to your eventual visa approval and overall process with having any kind of ceremony overseas before a K-1 US wedding.

 

Have seen it happen here all too often.  Personally, it would not be a risk I would take, as the only solution you would be left with would be to pursue a CR-1 after all, adding at least one year to the process.

 

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Squidslinger 1]

Well I'm starting to put together the stuff for the K-1. Hong Kong is a very viable alternative but it's still a cost.

As far as doing anything extra before she comes, her family is coming to understand the risks. They also are doing a big analysis on the costs. It's not a cheap journey coming here and they want to be here for the wedding too. Which may rule out anything big over there. But that could change between now and then. Since we have 6 months after the visa is approved, I may do a trip over there to do the Chinese engagement and then escort her back here if her parents aren't coming. Kind of up in the air at this point.