Want Help Finding the Optimal Path for Us

[mhuyananya 0]

Hello!

My girlfriend and I are both Nigerian citizens, but I also have U.S. citizenship and currently stay in Georgia. We're mapping out our future together and are trying to figure out how we can live together as soon as possible, and spend the most amout time together before then as well. Considering we are both students in graduate programs, we have a few obstacles in our way.

Our general plan and schedule is this:

• I will be going to Nigeria this December (2019) for a month and we are planning to get atleast get engaged during this time. Going straight to a traditional marriage during this time is not completely off of the table, but seems less optimal from a familial standpoint.

  • As a sidenote, if we just get engaged during this time, it is possible for me to come in either April or August of 2020 for us to get married in Nigeria.

• After I come back the United States, we immediately start filling out all of the necessary paperwork.

• My girlfriend will have break from school lasting from late September 2020 to January 2021. During this time we would really like for her to come to the U.S., and stay with me for the maximum amount of time during this period (ideally the whole three months. We really want this to happen, it is a priority for us.

  • If we were to go the K-1 route, we would get married during this period.

• January 2021, my girlfriend will have to return to school.

• September 2021 my girlfriend graduates from her program. From here we want her to come to the U.S. to stay with me again (hopefully permanently)

• May 2020 I graduate from my own program. I can go to Nigeria after this period for a while, but if she's able to stay with me permanently, we'll work in the U.S. for a while before going back to Nigeria.

I've noticed two potential problems with things:

1. As I mentioned, my girlfriend has to go back after the potential three month visit. I've read this complicates K-1, but if ther are alternatives or ways to circumvent, we would really appreciate knowing.

2. Since I'm in school, I personally don't think I can meet the minimum income requirement. I know my parents would be willing to act as co-sponsors, and they make enough meet the requirements. We wouldn't need to depend on them though, as I have money saved to take care of her during the visit, just no active income.

We'd like to know any options we have, or adjustment we could make to our plan. All we want is to be together, so we really appreciate any help anyone can give us!

[Just Paul 4,591]

Either way you go you will need co/joint sponsorship from someone in the US.   Doing a K1 and here returning in 2021 would be an very tight timeline.    I would get married in part because you can slow things down if needed. 

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

1 hour ago, mhuyananya said:

 

• My girlfriend will have break from school lasting from late September 2020 to January 2021. During this time we would really like for her to come to the U.S., and stay with me for the maximum amount of time during this period (ideally the whole three months. We really want this to happen, it is a priority for us.

  • If we were to go the K-1 route, we would get married during this period.

• January 2021, my girlfriend will have to return to school.

•  

Even if all the k1 paperwork is processed in time for this, which sounds unlikely if you’ll only file after December, this won’t work if she wants to go back so soon. I think you guys are going to need to go for a marriage visa, if nothing else because of the flexibility it will give you for timing and for her to travel. Even if you get married in December,  I’m not sure the paperwork will be done in time for her to come to the US on that visa in Sept; she could try for a visitor visa but as I’m sure you know that’s far from guaranteed. 

 

If you graduate in May 2020, you’d hopefully be earning enough by the time her visa interview comes round to be ok sponsor-wise.