cycswan

Thanks for all the insightful comments. Yes, I also thought the refusal is low, but I assume a lot of the percentage includes a family traveling together on vacation, which would make overstaying less likely.

I appreciate the information. Why do you think an indonesian citizen would make that comment about needing 4-5k in bank account, if you were to guess? It's a very specific amount and I wonder why someone would mention it if it had no basis on the decision. If that comment has no basis, then it's not something to be worried about.

Thank you both for the replies. I am aware visas aren't chance based, but I'm asking what are reasonable requirements to fulfill the criteria I listed. I am asking for advice. Thanks.

Hi, I'm trying to figure out the best odds for an Indonesian citizen to get accepted a tourist visa for the USA. According to rapidvisa, 12% of Indonesians get denied. When filling out the categories, I got a 66/100 score, and the score became 81/100 after changing one option involving having small amounts of property, assets, and/or cash. In her case I'd assume cash in a bank? Do you know how much cash is required to fulfill that small chance? I know Indonesian citizens on average have a much lower income than Americans, but I still read somewhere, that 4-5k (US dollars) is desired for getting accepted: does that sound right? To me, relative to their income, that sounds very high, as it's almost a year's pay.

Also, there's an option involving community involvement that both times I said she wasn't involved in her community, but what would be a community activity, program, etc. that would necessitate a level of community involvement that would help her chances?

Some details about her: 21, single, wants Visa just for sightseeing, has had a b Visa before and did not overstay (country was KSA), would be traveling alone, has been working ~8 months but her job is virtual, does not have children or care for anyone in home country.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

3 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

The denials won't be an issue on the CR1.  But when you fill out the DS-260 you will be asked to disclose them.

 

On a CR1 there is no AOS after entry.  Che will get her green card a few weeks after entry and fee payment.

Thank you. My gf says the embassy in peru told her she can't reapply for a visa (of any kind) until 6 months: is this true or false? If it's false, why do you think they'd tell her that? Do embassies in different countries have different rules?

Important ---> Sorry, I didn't mean k3 but ir1/cr1

Me (US citizen) and my girlfriend from Peru plan on marrying in the Bahamas. She was denied a tourist and education visa because the embassy (recent time) said she had family in America that overstayed visa and never came back - that happening like a decade ago. Her apparent chances with her f1 visa was around 75% (according to 2015 stats), and I'm wondering what her chances would be in getting an approved spousal visa (k3) once we marry in the Bahamas? Is it guaranteed? Would the embassy in Peru deny her again? The advice would be appreciated. I most importantly want to know if we did all the paperwork correctly (including aos) if she'd be guaranteed a k3 by embassy in Peru?

Thanks for the insightful replies. This is a sort of unrealted question, but I can’t find any information on it online, so if any of you know the answer to this question, I’d appreciate it.

question: Can a non US citizen who is overstaying on visa and is actively trying to get permanent status, live in an apartment with someone who has section 8 housing? Basically, does a non US citizen need a green card to live with someone who uses housing for their apartment?

If a US citizen gets married to a non US citizen within a 3 week period who(m) is here on a f1 (i believe?) visa - in a program called ef, which does language classes - what is the status of this person? If their class ends within a 3 week period, what happens if they are now married: do they have to go back to home country, or are they allowed to stay under some condition? 

Also, if said US citizen is below the poverty income level, in regards to one condition of the affidavit of support, can another person take financial responsibility for the non US citizen in question above?

Any advice would be appreciated

2 minutes ago, EmmNM said:

Not true. You can get married anywhere as long as its legal. You don't have to marry in her home country.

 

If it is just you and her and no other dependents the minimum is $20,575 per year. But even many people close to the minimum need co sponsors. 

That’s useful to know. Does having a co sponsor make it more challenging or expensive?

8 minutes ago, Oliversmom said:

You may already know this but you are required to have a certain income to sponsor her.  At your income you will need to find a joint sponsor.  Or else get a new job that pays more or get a second job.  Best of luck to you.

How much does my income need to be for me to soley sponsor her? If I find a joint sponsor, what does this entail? 

1 minute ago, Dee elle said:

Thats very different to " not being able to leave the US" . You are not the only one who cant leave for longer than a week or 2. Many dont get any more vacation than 1 or 2 weeks.

So meet her in the bahamas for a week, return and file the k1, then meet her again for another week during the process.. 2 short visits if possible.. and you have satified the requirments and have a better chance of success than you do now

I probably can only visit her once for a few days. My income is less than 10k a year.

4 minutes ago, missileman said:

First requirement is to meet face to face.......Not only is that a requirement, it also is very practical.  However, this is my analysis of a K-1 vs a CR-1:

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 receives approved Advance Parole (approx 3-4 months)

    Spouse can not work until she receives EAD (approx 3-4 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.

CR-1

    Less expensive than K-1

    No AOS required.

    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US

    Spouse can start work if desired

    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card withing 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US

    Spouse  has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.

 

All-in-all, the CR-1 is superior to the K-1 imo.

I agree, but then I’d have to fly, and the process time will be only 6 months or so difference. I might change my mind if I can find a reliable way of becoming unconscious and having a person to help escort me to the appropriate places.

1 minute ago, Dee elle said:

Thought you couldnt leave the US due to some undisclosed medical reason...

I can for only small amounts of time. Like a week or two at most, but I can’t disclose more. I will try this route.

Just now, missileman said:

Bottom line is your legal choices are:

1.  K-1

2.  CR-1

3.  You relocate to her country

 

I appreciate the advice from everyone. I will try the k1.

Obviously it is the law, as I'm aware. I’m just saying it’s pretty dumb that there are many cases of illegal people or refugees that get away with far worse, and someone with noble intent has to go through hoops. I don’t care about the moralizing.

3 minutes ago, EmilyW said:

And you are proposing immigration fraud to get her over here, which would make her just as bad as those who come over illegally. 

False because I was joking.

1 minute ago, EmmNM said:

That is not true. You have many options. The cr1 was mentioned as an option and probably the better one because she wouldn't have to adjust status and take about the same amount of time. For either a Cr1 or a k1 you should have more than 1 in person meeting. Although it is not required it is almost necessary though some countries that have more fraud. Additionally, you always have the option to move to be with her. You don't have to have her immigrate to the US. But if you want to you'll have to go through the process. You can also visit her as many times as you like during the process. Once this is over and you are together this year of waiting will seem like nothing in the grand scheme of things. 

For medical purposes I can’t disclose, I can’t leave the US.

6 minutes ago, EmilyW said:

American immigration law, not BS.

It’s bs. There are illegals that come over all the time or refugees that don’t assimilate, while my gf is very willing. So whatever.

Okay. I guess the only option is the k1 visa and meeting in the bahamas, then waiting a year. More of my life wasted on waiting on bs.

Her best option would be for her to try to visit her cousins here in the states - they sponsoring her. That being her sole intent of the tourist visa. And by some off chance she hypothetically comes to my state and we hit it off and I marry her, then she could stay I suppose.

1 minute ago, mushroomspore said:

What @EmmNM said above. She is ALLOWED to try to visit but whether she will actually be able to is a whole other story. And no she cannot be staying with you during the entire pending process. The whole point of a "visa" is that it is used to declare your entry into the US for a specific and legal purpose. She can't enter the US on CR1 if she's already there. 

Thanks for the replies all. Very upset hearing she can’t come and stay in US after marriage in her country. 

5 minutes ago, mushroomspore said:

She can visit during the pending case but she cannot move permanently until the CR1 is approved. CR1 is better than K1, in my opinion. They're taking around the same amount of time now and she'll be a permanent resident upon CR1 approval (she will be allowed to work and travel). With K1, you guys will have to endure the adjusment of status phase and she can't work or travel until she gets the EAD.

Oh gotcha, thanks.

Visit with or without a visa? If I married her there, would she only need a passport to visit me? And she can stay the whole duration visiting during the filing?

6 minutes ago, mushroomspore said:

You would have to file the CR1 spousal visa, which takes a year+ to process. She would be a full-on permanent resident upon approval. But South America is considered high fraud. It won't help your case if you have only met her once and got married to her on that first and only visit. For both K1 (fiance visa) and CR1 (spousal visa), it strengthens your case if there have been multiple visits.

We have been communicating online for over a year, but I agree about what you said. So if we did marry there, she can’t enter the US without the CR1, or can she come to the US and file it there?

1 hour ago, missileman said:

OP-  Where is your nearest major airport?

Chicago