Me and my Indonesian GF have been dating in long distance relationship since Oct 2023. We’ve met 5 times since then and I’ve met her family however she has not been able to meet mine as she was rejected for US tourist visa earlier in the year. Now considering in 2026 possible marriage plans and want to know the best plan either between these two options.
I understand some of the basics like K1 costs more and cannot work while in US for several months until adjusting status but my situation might be different
-I am us citizen by birth and have stable job here living in NJ
-she is 27 has college degree and works for Indonesian company making approximately $500 usd a month
-She says she hears bad things about US so she would like to visit first before marriage as she is worried she won’t like it that’s why I consider K1
-I am divorced since Nov 24 and was in separation/divorce process originally when we met, will it affect this at all?
-I hear about the timeline of k1 where recipient is not able to work, but able to come here, but being that her salary is low I’m not sure it makes a difference if she can’t work temporarily. Would she be able to attend any school on k1 or do odd jobs for cash like babysitting?
-if she gets k1 could she go back to Indonesia or travel to any other country during the initial 90 day period and get married there? As she wants to have family party in Indonesia
-she is Muslim so if we officially marry overseas it would have to be somewhere like Singapore i assume
-regarding my own protection, I do love her and want to marry her but I know a lot of risks are involved especially since we didn’t live together long term yet and only went on vacations together, is there any legal benefit in marrying overseas vs in the US if I want to get a pre-nup or is it invalid in all cases because I signed to support her?
-approximately how much is the cost difference in K1 vs spouse visa? It might be offset by the cost of flights and me traveling to see her
-I understand the wait for k1 is around 12 months and then have to wait another 8-12 months to work whereas spouse visa is 18-24 months to get, is that correct? So basically is around the same timeline altogether just that she can work in Indonesia until getting approved for spouse visa?
