tonyeck

I was under the impression that a police record was only needed for the interview? Well, at least if you have no convictions to show during the I-129f

We are almost ready. We are in talks with a few lawyers to see if we need the extra help

Sorry to bug you guys with a question that gets asked a lot, but during my early concern days when getting the process started I get a little, well, concerned!

My Story?

I (UK citizen) Met Fiancee (US Citizen) 19 Months ago in USA while doing an internship (J1 visa). We both came back to the UK for her to study and for me to finish my degree. We got engaged over the christmas period and are ready to start applying. We have lived together in the US under her parents roof for a while and now she is staying in a student flat with me.

So our evidence of relationship goes like this:

Passport stamps - entering US (me) and UK (her)

Bording passes for flights to Las Vegas, London, New York and Manchester

My proof of address in US (at her house, in the form of a bank statement - dated after I left the US though)

Our proof of address in the UK (she has a different room number in the flat but its the almost exact same address)

Engagement ring receipt

Show tickets - with photographic proof of us there

Train tickets (worthless as they do not have name on them)

E-tickets and itinaries for trips to manchester UK from USA, Trip to London from USA and trip to las Vegas

Photographs - Together in Vegas at christmas, New york at new year, our families meeting at christmas time (big family picture with all of us in), Moving in to our student appartment at university.

I think thats enough but what bothers me is that because we have lived together we dont have emails, phone cards, letters etc. And the proof of residency might not be that strong (such as a letter from the university with our University address on)

Let me know what you think...

Thanks- Tony

No, no sorry. I really want to return to the USA, just not the job

Anyone able to help with the above question?

Thanks

Oh, also I wanted to add another reason why I am wary of our case is that I have worked in the US before under a J1 visa and I do not want any one to think that would be the reason I am wanting to go back! (trust me, never want to go back there!!)

There shouldn't be a problem with us starting the process with her in the UK is there?

Thanks for your help

I assume she has a permanent address in the US

Correct

There shouldn't be a problem with us starting the process with her in the UK is there?

Thanks for your help

Some people just don't have the time to do paperwork. And some are daunted by it.

There's no harm in using an attorney. But this is a 'DIY' community and you will get lots of feedback about doing things yourself.

Just make sure you use a good one. Get references if possible.

Did you know your girlfriend before you came to the US?

No we met while I was doing an internship there almost two years ago now. We haven't been apart since then and currently live together in the UK while she is on a student visa...

Is that a problem?

Lol, I see your point, but we want to make sure everything goes smoothly, and the income level has always been a red flag for me despite the support we have.... Just worried I guess...

I am the UK citizen (male) and she is the US citizen. I was on a J1 visa, but I have double and triple checked that my J1 visa did not require me to stay in the UK for 2 years. I was not supported by the US government at all during my stay in the US

Thanks

Without knowing all the facts of our particular situation I would still think youmight be as well off doing it yourself after studying the vguides carefully and reading the immigration law sections.

An attorney would or could be helpful if you had a complicated situation. If it is not then do it yourself since you are going to do most of the work anyway. You have to accumulate all the documentation, pictures, forms, etc and fill out the forms for te attorney. All they do is type them freash and mail them in.

The reason I think it may be complicated is that because we are going to need co-sponsors (who can more than meet the requirements neccessary) as we are both still students (am graduating this summer)...

Not sure if that is a complication or not

Hi there sorry for your troubles

Which lawyer did you use and who are you using now? We are making a decision soon about who to use so any recommendations would be great

I am the UK citizen (male) and she is the US citizen. I was on a J1 visa, but I have double and triple checked that my J1 visa did not require me to stay in the UK for 2 years. I was not supported by the US government at all during my stay in the US

Thanks

After living with my girlfriend for 2 years (1 in the US with me on a J1 visa, and her studying in the UK on a student visa), we got engaged over the Holiday period! After much celebrations and excitment we are now beginning our visa process journey.

As this is my final year at university, we would prefer to have an attorney help us through the process as this is going to be a very busy year for both of us and by the approximate time of October (obviosuly we are controlled through processing times etc) we are wanting to move back to the US together and get married and continue life together.

Has anyone had any experience with any lawyers or firms who have been very helpful through the process or point me to another thread where this question may have been asked before (search didn't bring back any results I wanted).

Thanks alot for any help! We appreciate it as we are both very anxious about this

Tony

So you are getting married next summer?

If you do a k-1 visa (fiance visa...) you will have time to come into the country....and then once you are IN the country - 90 days to get married.

SO...even if you start NOW...let's say it takes 5-8 months...at the earlest you're in March, latest (assuming all is well) June or so. That's TOTALLY guestimation on my part...but the point is, if you're planning on getting married next summer you'll need to start soon.

That is, of course, unless you're going a different route, get married and then file..and that's a different discussion

Thanks for that Gives me a good idea of when we can start

If we both have co-sponsors (both making over 125% than required), how much are we at a disadvantage when neither of us have incomes due to being a student... I am not clear on that I'm affraid...

Bill,

-- snip for brevity--

I hope this doesn't come off as a Rant, I am just trying to explain a little...

Not at all, and my intent was not to offend. I, and others, have gotten flamed in the past for posting 'unsolicited advice', (not from any original posters), as some members have, or have had, a habbit if trying to tell others what they should be or should not be posting or respoding to on this forum. Thus the disclaimer

Best Wishes,

Bill

Thanks

Since you included alot of personal info, I am going to comment on the personal side of things and say "don't rush into a marriage situation just so that you can continue to be together". The time apart may well do you both good, especially at your ages.

If you are both really in love, and the timing just isn't right for a marriage, why not just wait? There is an old saying that 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' - I don't necessarily agree with that, becuase absence can also help determine if ones heart is true, IMHO.

I've made misakes. I scewed up part of my life, and so when I see posts like this I'm going to comment whether it is 'solicited' or not. I'd hate to see anyone else make the same mistakes I've made.

Bill

Bill,

I really appreciate your comments, and I'd be saying the same thing when reading my comments! We both truely feel at this time that its what we both really want. After graduating, I have ideas I want to set up (working with clients around the world) and we both want to be part of that while being family. We honestly wouldn't be rushing marriage just to stay together, we are just both eager to be starting/continuing our lives together. We don't really want to delay that. Having spent 2 years together living together, we would rather continue that than have to be apart while we wait on something we know we both want. I hope this doesn't come off as a Rant, I am just trying to explain a little...

I do completely understand that this comes off as "young love" doesn't really know what they are doing. But I can't really describe it, but if you knew us as a couple it would be easier to understand.

Thanks for voicing your concerns Bill.

Good point about the self-sponsoring. (Don't think it's allowed universally, though.)

From what I've read, UK is okay about it.

See: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9573

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/faffidavit.html

Thanks for your help guys! very much appreciated.

Is there anything stopping us getting the ball started while she is in the UK with me on her UK student visa? Come August next summer, we want to be able to get married in as smoot a process as possible!

Does someone physcially need to be state side to start this?

You're not subject to the 2 year rule....and that's the main thing. You're very fortunate in that case. It's a tough rule.

I would think that if both parents are willing to sponsor you financially, (plus...by that time you'd have a degree, so it's not like you wouldn't have some bright future prospects), I'd think you would be okay.

I know being separated for a while is tough.(when you apply for a k-1)...but that's our damn government at work. I wish there was another way too. A lot of us are going through it.

Good luck.

Yeah, on my DS 2019 I have the box checked for "not subject for to the two year residence requirement." I assume this was because I earnt a wage there and was not financed by government funds.

Its such a shame to have to go through separation. Its going to be very tough.

I appreciate your help

Your income, as the beneficiary, isn't taken into account for the K-1 fiancé visa; they'll look at hers and whomever she convinces to co-sponsor. So don't worry about being a newly minted uni grad.

You can check the timelines to see how long it will take a K-1 to process through the UK. Once you're here and get the paperwork in, you'll be authorized to work (roughly 4-6 months after the wedding.)

What if she does not have any income because of a student? The co sponsor will have plenty however...

So I cannot work for that amount of time? Thats interesting.... For some reason I was under the impression you can start work even under a K-1 visa? hmmmn Maybe I was wrong!

First you have to make sure you can even get an H1 visa for one thing. If you went to the USA on a j1, you might be subject to the 2 year HRR and have to either get a waiver for that rule, or serve 2 years in your home country before you can be eligible for any type of immigrant visa. (or the H-1). I assume you've looked into that, but just thought I'd bring it up.

One thing you should be careful about is that you are planning on marrying and immigrating to the USA. But since you want to have a job, as well as not be separated, you first intend to try for an H-1.

It's just not really the way things are done, and is technically illegal........because you are definately planning to marry a US citizen. (if you have definate plans to marry, you're supposed to apply for an immigrant visa, not work visa).

I'd be careful about the way you are planning on doing things, because it might affect your future AOS case.

I am not subject to the 2 year HRR rule, so thats ok. I may have got my wording mixed up, but let me try and re-phrase.

I want to marry my fiance. Thats the visa I want.

The reason I brought up the H1 visa was just incase we were not eligable, as I would have just graduated with a degree (thus having no income currently) and she is still at university. Both our parents are willing to sponsor us...

Does that clear things up a little? Sorry, I am just a little nervous. We have lived together for 15 months, and by the time she goes back to America it will be 2 years. It will be incredibly hard to let go

Hey there. I have been lurking for a few days looking for a few answers, but I wonder if you guys could help me or point me in the right direction at least!

So, my background... I am a UK citizen and student at University and spent from April 05 to September 06 on a J1 visa in the states working at a graphic design frim in Northern Virginia. Whilst there I met the girl of my dreams (way back in june 05).

She is currently studying with me in the UK as she is doing her second year at degree level, while I finish my final year and graduate in July 07.

We obviously want to stay together after I graduate, but she has to go back to the states to continue her studies in Virginia.

I am looking for my best option to return with her. I have had 2 job offers and are both willing to sponsor me (yet I don't really think they know what they are getting themselves into!). I was under the impression H1 visas are very difficult to get ahold of, and you need to be sorting that out right now. I don't think I can until I have my degree in hand, right?

Ideally, we want to get married. I am going to be 24 when I graduate, and she will be 21, going on 22. We obviously wont have any income because we are full time students. Her mother and would sponsor us financially, plus I have jobs waiting...? Does this help?

Help! I am so confused at what is the best solution. I am really dreading having to leave my loved one and I know most of you have had to do this at some point. It breaks my heart. All we want is to be together!

I would really appreciate any feedback or advice.

Thanks for reading