DeftEft

EB1 or 2 could be quicker.

Has she discussed this with the Company Immigration Lawyer? That would be the first step.

Unfortunately, she wouldn't qualify for one of the EB visas. She holds a "diploma," which is closer to a Master's degree than a Bachelor's, but still not entirely there, and has only been in her current post-academic career for a little over a year now.

My mother runs a small business, so there's no immigration specialist to consult at present. Likewise, the positions that my fiancée could fill are currently staffed by other members of my family, so I don't believe that there would be any way to meet the requirements regarding a lack of "eligible" U.S. citizens.

Our standing plan was to go with either a K-1 visa or IR-1 (following marriage in Germany, where there are fewer restrictions and less hassle to getting wed), but we were hoping to find a faster plan to bring her to the U.S. I'd looked into the work visa option once my mother mentioned it, thinking it might be faster, but clear information on that is even harder to find than on spousal and fiancé visas.

So if I understand you all right, a work visa would not only be more expensive, but potentially take longer?

Howdy all,

My fiancée (German citizen) and I (U.S. citizen) have been trying for some time to find a course of action that would allow us ultimately to live together and work in the U.S.

Just recently, my mother mentioned to me that she would consider hiring my fiancée to work in her business, and for that file for a work visa for her. My fiancée is certainly qualified for the work - from what I've read, she would fit in the category of skilled labor - but I'm also wondering what would be possible if we follow this route. Either from a temporary or a permanent work visa, would she and I be able to marry here in the U.S., and following that change her status so as to allow permanent residency?

Thank you all for your help.

Well then thank goodness for instincts; I'm glad to hear that nagging sensation was right.

What your lawyer was suggesting is fraud, however it is one which is hard to prove for it all hinges on intention. Entering the US on a tourist/business visa or VWP with the intent of marrying and staying in the country is considered fraud. However many do and get away with it, which is no different than stealing without being caught.

That was my feeling - though it's probably decently common, it is still fraud, and therefore punishable. Being caught in such an act risks losing the opportunity to bring my fiancée to the States, doesn't it?

Hello all,

I've been communicating with several immigration attorneys today to discuss various topics relating to bringing my fiancée into the U.S.

One in particular with whom I spoke raised a topic that made me rather uneasy - he advised me that, if the other available immigration options would take too long for my liking, that my fiancée could still come into the U.S. on a visitor's visa when we weren't planning to wed, get married, and then file together for a green card here in the U.S.

Right now, we intend to marry in Germany, where she currently lives. No matter where, though, our intent to marry is very plain to see; we've told everyone. I told the attorney that, to my mind, pursuing the course of action he suggested would be fraud - something I would never commit because of the high risks.

Am I right, and was he suggesting something with criminal penalties?

Hello all, I have a question regarding how to meet the financial requirements of either a K-1 or K-3 visa. I list the two of these because my fiancée and I are considering both, though we lean strongly towards the former (for several reasons, most notably simplicity and the shorter timescale).

The situation is, I am currently a graduate student. While within the span of several months I should be permanently employed and making well above 125% of poverty level, as it stands now my combined income and assets, by any standard, are less than sufficient. I understood that co-sponsorship was an option, but none of my family are both willing and able to assist us, so this option is out.

My fiancée, on the other hand, a German citizen, is currently employed and making well above the minimum income demanded for the K-1. She is currently working in Germany for an American company, and has been promised by her employer that as soon as she can document her marriage to a USC, she will be granted a transfer to an office in the U.S. and begin making her salary in dollars instead of euros.

My question is ... does her income count for anything? I've read from several threads and other sources about "self-sponsorship," in which a foreign spouse or fiancé's income is sufficient to prove that they will not become a public charge upon coming to the U.S. I have yet to find anything specific about this, though, and so that's why I ask here (in addition to electronically contacting the consulate in Frankfurt, closest to her). Does the VJ community know anything more about this - what's possible regarding this for a K-1? Whether it's possible with the K-3 instead?

Any experience or suggestions would be helpful. Thank you all very much.

We've since figured out how to go about this, but thank you all for your help and comments.

Hello all,

I've been reading through many of the posts on the K-1 visa process, and thankfully, nearly all of my questions have been answered. My fiancée and I have just two main questions remaining at this point, though:

1. Is there any sort of parental consent required for either party in bringing someone to the U.S. on the K-1 visa?

I haven't found any information suggesting so, but I've missed things before.

2. My fiancée is a German citizen, but originally from Ukraine. We'll be going to see her family soon, for a few weeks, and are trying to get all of the required Ukrainian documents (birth certificate, police record, etc.) together that we can. But the question that remains is about the U.S. consulate in Germany. Some of these documents are translated to German, some have yet to be transferred to English, but essentially, does anyone know if foreign consulates will take documents in both the language of the country and in English? And if so, is certification in either language valid?

Thank you all very, very much for your help.