Crazy Cat

After marriage, the US citizen can start the spousal visa process by submitting an I-130 to USCIS.

The cost for a K-1 petition, adjustment of status, Work authorization, and advance parole is at least $3,490 now. To that, you must add medical exam, travel expenses, etc.

Your wife can travel on an expired Green card along with the extension letter.

No. If a couple meets the lawful requirements, submits the required documentation, and a Consulate Officer believes a relationship is bona fide, visas are issued....regardless of whether it is a K-1 or spousal visa.

***Moved to What Visa Do I Need?*** Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation. K-1 More expensive than CR-1 Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork) Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 3-6 months) Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 3-6 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. A K-1 might be a better choice when 18-21 year old children are immigrating also In some situations, marriage can affect certain Home country benefits, making a K-1 a better choice A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire K-1 entrant cannot file for citizenship until after having Green Card for 3 years. Once an I-129F has been approved, delaying the case is difficult to impossible if the need arises. CR-1/IR-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. The clock for citizenship filing starts immediately upon entry to the US. A CR-1/IR-1 case can be delayed indefinitely at NVC if the need arises.

I would stop listening to that person for immigration advice. You are NOT required to live together to apply for a spousal visa. I just don't know where some of this misinformation comes from. Whatever route you choose is YOUR decision. Just be aware that I have seen many K-1 couples regret that decision later. I have seen exactly zero spousal visa couples who say they should have chosen a K-1 instead. Good luck on your journey. It is quite a ride. US immigration requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money. Failing in any of those areas can cause problems.

Where did you hear that? I would love to see a link. It is 100% inaccurate.

Maybe...but it doesn't give you legal status as a resident. The consulates have a lot of discretion with some things. I would ask them.

"This all being the case, would it be plausible to complete a DCF filing " DCF is not normally available to a visitor. You can explain your situation and ask the consulate.

K-1 is much more expansive, and takes much longer for a Green card. The VJ reported average time difference is less than 3 months between a K-1 and CR-1. Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation. K-1 More expensive than CR-1 Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork) Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 3-6 months) Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 3-6 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. A K-1 might be a better choice when 18-21 year old children are immigrating also In some situations, marriage can affect certain Home country benefits, making a K-1 a better choice A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire K-1 entrant cannot file for citizenship until after having Green Card for 3 years. Once an I-129F has been approved, delaying the case is difficult to impossible if the need arises. CR-1/IR-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. The clock for citizenship filing starts immediately upon entry to the US. A CR-1/IR-1 case can be delayed indefinitely at NVC if the need arises.

No.

Can you? Yes. Should you? That is debatable. Personally, I would not leave the mainland without approved Advance Parole.

Unless you are self-employed, what you earned last year is not important. What did you submit to show your CURRENT income? BTW, 60 is still a spring chicken in my book. Her age will not be a factor.

***Moved to a regional forum. Please use English in upper forums***

That is great news!!!!

***Moved to the RUB regional forum***

You can't legally write a letter of intent for someone else. Sometimes, USCIS overlooks and misses things. NVC will possibly return it to USCIS.

Yes, they do.

Yes.

You have no case. You already said "No abuse"......the facts are that you must adjust status through your K-1 petitioner....and you can't legally work without authorization. Your legal avenues to stay in the US are very, very limited...

Aren't you using drivers licenses? I don't think using multiple IDs would be of benefit, but it would not hurt either.

If the petition is still at USCIS, you should contact them (USCIS) to withdraw. You can't contact NVC until you have a DOS case number. How to Legally Withdraw Sponsorship of a Family Green Card Application | Immigration Law Center | Justia

I don't see the benefit. Good luck.

The time to apply for a spousal visa will be about 18 before you want to actually live in the US.

The sooner you return to the US, the better. Get on a plane and return as soon as you can.