Beachkatt

On 11/3/2015 at 9:43 PM, AnaMarieW said:

I just had a question as to why the K-1 visa processing times vary with case to case. It may seem like a dumb question but I really want to know. I've been looking at everyone's timelines and I'm seeing some cases where they receive the NOA1 then 2 weeks later NOA2 comes in. And I saw another where it took a year. I know it changes with every case but I want to know why. Is there specific countries those are entering from that can change that? Or different states that changes that? Is it something you add in your I-129F petition that can change how they process it? I put that I was expecting in mine (I am the petitioner) and I'm due in May. Could that change anything? Also is it possible to later add that we want email notifications? (We forgot to add that form) I received the NOA1 October 15th in the mail and on the document it was approved on the 5th so it took 10 days to receive. Thanks for anyone's input.

Hi, we are about to start the K-1 visa application. We also heard about the wait times. Our concerns are these: 1) Is it going to be easier/faster to get him to the states and with a temporary work visa, on the i-129 or i-130? We were told by Stockholm to expect 5-6 months for fiancee visa, as opposed to 12-15 months for spouse visa. If he wants to work, seems like fiancee visa is shortest way to go then get married. We are fine getting married too but don't want to wait 12-15 months for him to be able to work. Does anyone know what kind of work permit you can apply for once married??

Thanks in advance,

Katrina and Teddy

On 1/23/2017 at 2:36 PM, Transborderwife said:

If you want to work right away and cut down on paperwork I suggest a cr1.  With a k1, after you marry there's a whole new set of fees and paperwork called adjustment of status.  Plus, it takes about 90 days to get a work permit after filing.  

How long is the work permit good for?

Just now, Transborderwife said:

Marry, he goes home and you file cr1.  It'll take a year or so but he has ability to work upon entry.

Ugh. We don't want to wait a year. So I'm clear though, the alternative is fiance visa...approved in approximately 6 mos. then ANOTHER 3 mos to get the work permit? So 9 mos? When like you said in a year you'd have everything and less fees? Do I understand all that correctly? 

16 minutes ago, Transborderwife said:

If you want to work right away and cut down on paperwork I suggest a cr1.  With a k1, after you marry there's a whole new set of fees and paperwork called adjustment of status.  Plus, it takes about 90 days to get a work permit after filing.  

How would he work right away? How would one get married first then? He has ESTA, which he can come and go "Visa waiver program" we could sponanteously get married, he go back to Denmark because that's only good for 90 days at a time....while we wait. Or are you saying once we are married, we file paperwork, he is then granted an immediate work and stay visa from being married?

1 minute ago, Scandi said:

The reason for why spouse takes longer is that you get a greencard out of it. For fiance you only get to enter the US and get married within 90 days, after that you have to start the whole greencard application and wait, and wait.. But at least you get to wait together.

 

I did the fiancé visa (K-1) and it took way longer than we expected, so if I had to do it all over today I would definitely have chosen the spouse visa (CR-1). Then I'd be all done with the greencard and could start working as soon as I entered the US.

Thanks for the quick response. That's what I was afraid of. We were told that upon entering the US he would get a temporary work visa. Then after we get married and file the i-130, an extension to that work visa. Know anything about all that? 

Greetings, we are still debating which process to use for my fiancee from Denmark (Stockholm processes)...fiancee i-129 or just get married and do spouse i-130. 1) Stockholm quoted a wait time JUST TO RECEIVE to begin processing FROM NVC of 5-6 mos for fiance visa but 12-15 mos for spouse??? Seems quicker to do fiancee in that case. 2) I see some have used various processing centers for an i-129. Online appears to say use Dallas for ALL fiancee visas. Our biggest concerns: 1) He has to train someone to take his place at work in order to resign in Denmark, no clue how to judge timeline. 2) Best way for him to work when he gets to the states? We have a job lined up for him but need to let that employer know an approximate timeline. I see one person on here appeared to have it approved and in hand within 4 months with fiance visa. I understand you get a *relatively immediate* work visa? Then we have to get married and apply for spouse visa? Is it easier if we just apply for spouse visa? Do you get a temporary work visa when you submit the spouse application?  Sounds like a lot of forms and a lot of fees and confusion. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We've called all agencies and get different answers from all. 

On 1/12/2017 at 0:08 PM, RandB said:

Had my interview this morning. I got approved! The interview went well and I had all the paperwork in order. The visa will arrive in about two weeks, they said. They asked me the following questions (might have forgotten some):

 

Who's *fiancées name*?
Who's this? (pointing to people in pictures)
How do you communicate?
How did you meet?
Which app? (we met through a smartphone app)
How long were you in the US when you were a student?
What does you fiancée do for work?
What do you plan on doing when you get to the US?
Are you together now?
When were you together last?
How many times has your fiancée been to Norway?

 

The whole thing took about an hour. Very smooth. I looked through my papers many times beforehand to make sure everything was in order. I will post a full review later!

Greetings, we are debating which process to use for my fiancee from Denmark...fiancee i-129 or just get married and do spouse i-130. 1) Stockholm quoted a wait time of 5-6 mos for fiance visa but 12-15 mos for spouse??? Seems quicker to do fiancee in that case. 2) I see you used California processing center. Online says use Dallas for ALL fiancee visas. Advice?