Can I extend the marriage period?

[tsp 0]

She came here on a tourist visa, we met, fell in love, and got engaged. But things fell apart, and she went back home. However, we want to try it out again, and due to the nature of the break up, we'd need some time to work through the relationship. My understanding is that, if I bring her over here from Ecuador on a finacee visa, we have 30 days to get married. That's definitely not enough time to decide we can make this relationship work. What can we do?

I wonder if there's something more appropriate. Maybe she can apply for a job over here, live on her own, etc. while we work things out, and if it doesn't end up working out, she either stays here working or goes back home... Of course, I don't know if there's any way to just "get" a worker visa. (She does have an internationally accepted degree in journalism, but...)

So, is there anyone that could offer some insight into our situation?

[athena_ny 1]

She came here on a tourist visa, we met, fell in love, and got engaged. But things fell apart, and she went back home. However, we want to try it out again, and due to the nature of the break up, we'd need some time to work through the relationship. My understanding is that, if I bring her over here from Ecuador on a finacee visa, we have 30 days to get married. That's definitely not enough time to decide we can make this relationship work. What can we do?

I wonder if there's something more appropriate. Maybe she can apply for a job over here, live on her own, etc. while we work things out, and if it doesn't end up working out, she either stays here working or goes back home... Of course, I don't know if there's any way to just "get" a worker visa. (She does have an internationally accepted degree in journalism, but...)

So, is there anyone that could offer some insight into our situation?

There are 90 days to marry, but a fiancee visa is not a "see if we can make the relationship work" visa...it's a visa to get married.

She can investigate work visas, but H1B applications won't be accepted until next April, which is the only work visa with dual intent.

Edited November 13, 2007 by meow mix

[*julez* 124]

First, keep in mind the K1 is not a "let's see how it works out" visa.

But to answer your questions, you have to marry within 90 days. She cannot work in that time period without EAD. Currently the only air POE that offers the EAD stamp is JFK. Ther is no "worker visa". There are emplyment based visas, but these require sponsorship and a highly skilled profession.

I would suggest you have some more visits - you go there for a few weeks, she comes here for a few and then decide if you want to waste the time/money on pursuing the K1.

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Everyone here took the words out of my mouth. I was a little surprised to read the original post. You definitely need to be sure that you both love each other enough to commit to a marriage. that 90 days isnt really a "trial" period. though, you are free to change your minds. take some trips to visit her. Don't rush. And remember that you shouldn't have to "make" things work. Either they work naturally, or they don't.

Edited November 13, 2007 by Jason-Sasha

[Rob & Jin 0]

Everyone here took the words out of my mouth. I was a little surprised to read the original post. You definitely need to be sure that you both love each other enough to commit to a marriage. that 90 days isnt really a "trial" period. though, you are free to change your minds. take some trips to visit her. Don't rush. And remember that you shouldn't have to "make" things work. Either they work naturally, or they don't.

I think the others are correct- its a visa to bring your fiancee here with the intent to marry within the 90 days. With the process taking as long as it does youve got plenty of time to get to know eachother better.

Also its intent to marry not will marry, so its up to you guys. Good luck

[tsp 0]

More clarification: there is definitely still love in our relationship. There was a tragedy in her family back home and it caused us lots of strees; that is when the breakup happened. However, things were working out great before and we still communicate very well and want to give it another shot. My concern, however, is that she's not really ready to leave her family behind still, and I definitely don't want this kind of thing to be a problem, hence giving the relationship more time.

So, to clarify, I want to make sure she can live here happily without dying to see her family immediately every time something bad happens back home (let alone any time she feels alone). Sure, we can develope our relationship online or through visits, but that's not going to cut it in our case.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

More clarification: there is definitely still love in our relationship. There was a tragedy in her family back home and it caused us lots of strees; that is when the breakup happened. However, things were working out great before and we still communicate very well and want to give it another shot. My concern, however, is that she's not really ready to leave her family behind still, and I definitely don't want this kind of thing to be a problem, hence giving the relationship more time.

So, to clarify, I want to make sure she can live here happily without dying to see her family immediately every time something bad happens back home (let alone any time she feels alone). Sure, we can develope our relationship online or through visits, but that's not going to cut it in our case.

Then I would wait until she is ready for such a big step as leaving her family and her old life behind to come to the U.S. to begin a new life with you.

Maybe she should try to get another visitors visa...stay for awhile and see how it goes this time. Ask her right out if she is ready.

The K1 process costs money and time. It's emotionally draining and very stressful at times.

Using it as a way to "be sure" could cause you even more heartache in the end if she decides she's not ready.

I would file when you both know that this is it, you want to spend the rest of your lives together and you want it more than anything else in this world.

Best of luck to you on whatever your decision may be

~Laura

Edited November 14, 2007 by ~Laura and Nick~

[Jasman0717 9]

Maybe you should take your time, take a look at what caused the problems to begin with. Go to her country a few times before starting the visa process. Good luck

[RosemarieL 0]

Another thing to be aware of is that after you marry she cannot leave the US and re-enter until she has Advanced Parole. This can take around 3 months after you apply to adjust status. If she leaves before she gets Advanced Parole then you will need to apply for a K3/CR1 visa before she can come back to you which can take another year.

[Sinergy 3]

You can always work it out and try things out again before filing again. USCIS will not extend the 90 day period to get married. in actuality you should already know if your getting married or not in 90 days , we are lucky they even give us that long with trying to plan weddings and stuff.