I'm an American citizen who has been living in Mexico for 6 years. My Mexican wife and I have been married for 3 years. We have a 1 year old daughter together and my wife has a 6 six year old son, who I'm in the final stages of adopting (about two more months to wrap up).
We haven't visited the US yet because we only wanted to go once I had full custody over my son. Originally, we only considered visiting the US and so I was only going to file for a tourist visa for my wife, but I have heard several stories of American citizen's spouses being denied visas. My wife doesn't work, has no property, and in fact no bank account, all of which I have heard are factors in approving someone for a tourist visa.
Recently we decided that we want to live in the US. I've read that the IR-1 visa takes about a year to process. My question: What would be the most efficient way to get us all to the US soon? My mom really wants to see her grandkids as soon as possible, and travelling to Mexico is hard for her at her age. I imagine that a tourist visa is easier and faster than an IR-1 (I've checked with various sources, including the government website that it takes 1 month), but the above factors concern me that my wife's application for a tourist visa would be rejected.
Ultimately, we want to be in the US as soon as possible to be with family and then handle paperwork for my wife there. So does the application for a tourist visa make sense or should I begin with an IR-1?
FYI: My adopted son's paperwork is another matter, but I'll take that up in another forum. Thanks.
Tourist visa or IR-1?
in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures
Posted
I'm an American citizen who has been living in Mexico for 6 years. My Mexican wife and I have been married for 3 years. We have a 1 year old daughter together and my wife has a 6 six year old son, who I'm in the final stages of adopting (about two more months to wrap up).
We haven't visited the US yet because we only wanted to go once I had full custody over my son. Originally, we only considered visiting the US and so I was only going to file for a tourist visa for my wife, but I have heard several stories of American citizen's spouses being denied visas. My wife doesn't work, has no property, and in fact no bank account, all of which I have heard are factors in approving someone for a tourist visa.
Recently we decided that we want to live in the US. I've read that the IR-1 visa takes about a year to process. My question: What would be the most efficient way to get us all to the US soon? My mom really wants to see her grandkids as soon as possible, and travelling to Mexico is hard for her at her age. I imagine that a tourist visa is easier and faster than an IR-1 (I've checked with various sources, including the government website that it takes 1 month), but the above factors concern me that my wife's application for a tourist visa would be rejected.
Ultimately, we want to be in the US as soon as possible to be with family and then handle paperwork for my wife there. So does the application for a tourist visa make sense or should I begin with an IR-1?
FYI: My adopted son's paperwork is another matter, but I'll take that up in another forum. Thanks.