Cw1977

you are absolutely allowed an engagement party. Just try make it look as simple as possible! my other advise would be not to include those photos in anything you submit so they can’t be interpreted wrong. A nice photo with his family, taken before any party would be perfect.

You could def do the formal wedding in US if you’re doing the cr1. That’s what many (incl me) on here did. He can then travel back and forth to spend time with you as you wish. the issue will be the engagement party. You’ll need to really ensure it doesn’t look like a wedding celebration to anyone (think what a suspicious 3rd party observer would think). Def avoid the dress, cake, etc or anything like that but in theory an engagement celebration is fine - just so long as it’s crazy clear that’s all it is

this will likely cause huge issues. They will see the first ceremony as the wedding and make you ineligible for k1. why not actually get married at the first ceremony and then file i130 for cr1? That would be a much better option anyway plus mean your fiancé would still be free to travel to and from US on ESTA whilst the paperwork progresses (subject to usual border approval/admittance etc) and you could have as many subsequent parties as you like. this would also allow him to continue working in France and earning money until making the big move across (this is exactly what I did), rather than having him in US for many months unable to earn a single dollar and relying on you until the visa is issued

Rolling 12 months means any 12 months together count as a year. So March 2025 to February 2026 is a year, August 2025 to July 2026 etc. in your plan, you’d be away for 6 months in a rolling 7 months so that’s not good.

listen, I’m all for chasing a dream! the time is based on a rolling 12 months, typically

yes! The green card is meant to live in the US! That’s why they start to assume you’ve abandoned it/given up wanting it if you’re away for half the year!! You won’t make any money on your posts then. TikTok needs you to have min 10,000 followers before they even consider you to earn anything from posts, and insta is similar (slightly lower number I think). Just trying to help you be realistic before you quit your job, my friend.

exactly. Being outside the US for 6 months (which effectively you will be - your few days back in the middle won’t fool anyone) will def attract a lot more focus and review

Do you already have thousands/hundred of thousands of followers? Will be very difficult to make enough money to live off for 3 months!! Do you have a large amount of savings to live off in case you don’t earn anything from your posts?

Look at the time for scops

I just looked on the USCIS site and it says 80% completed within 17 months

where are you getting that from? Nothing I see says that

@crazycat has the best comparison between the two

I believe they’re both taking about the same, within a few months but the cr1 is WAY cheaper too. My CR1 took about 14 months (but this was a couple yrs back) The k1 has so many drawbacks though. I’m surprised anyone goes through with it tbh. But that’s your call.

hi. Why would you do the k1 visa instead of getting married and doing cr1? It’s such a better idea, especially if one of you is from the uk and can still travel during the wait using an ESTA. K1 means your fiancé would be unable to leave the US or even work for many, many months after arriving. Are you guys prepared for that? def a marriage then cr1 if you can

I just meant cr1 (i130) might be your best option cos if you just do aos he won’t be able to leave US for many months so you’d need to figure out what happened with those things from thousands of miles away

Always book tickets in same name as passport. Anything else can cause trouble at check in

Does he have a job in his home country? A car? A house/rent?

it’s not ideal but highly unlikely to be an issue. Provided you both have an account with the same address and can show bills coming out of both, there’s no problem at all. Have a joint account isn’t a requirement. Living together as a couple is. Not everyone combines finances. Don’t worry! Submit both account statements and that should be fine

I got the text message this morning that the case was received and the receipt number. Surprisingly efficient from USCIS!

Exactly the same dates as me! For both. Mine was to AZ though let’s see what happens

I would work on it being 15 years. If it’s any sooner then that’s a win, but I think it’s unlikely to be much less Dont forget that if the son marries during that period they are no longer eligible for that visa as well. One to watch out for.

yes she is US citizen. She has no criminal history (at least none I am aware of!) but didn’t disclose anything

interesting. Thank you for clarifying. My wife didn’t have to produce anything or any paperwork and we were approved without issue. but if my comment was wrong, I stand corrected.

I did CR1 so can’t speak first hand for k1, but my understanding is they check the sponsor (you don’t need to provide any evidence etc) but provided it’s not a serious crime as mentioned, there’s no issue these are the crimes covered by the act that would potentially bar you: Crimes Covered by the Adam Walsh Act The Adam Walsh Act applies to crimes committed against children, generally defined as victims under 18. Most of these offenses have a violent or sexual nature. They include solicitation, solicitation for prostitution, child pornography, voyeurism, internet sex crimes involving a minor, kidnapping, and false imprisonment, among others. Kidnapping and false imprisonment are not included if a parent committed the crime. The Adam Walsh Act also covers any convictions in foreign countries of equivalent crimes, unless the legal system in the foreign country did not give the defendant a fair trial. You should have no issue

YOUR criminal convictions are largely irrelevant (unless you have very serious offences, ie SA against children) You won’t even be asked to produce any evidence or certificate of your previous history, so you’re good to go. however DEFINITELY consider getting married and filing the i130 rather than k1 if you can. It has so many more benefits and means your wife can start her new life immediately on arrival (albeit 18 months from filing) and start work etc, whereas with K1 she will be waiting a long time once in US and can’t work and will be entirely dependant on you