American girlfriend>English boy (me)>marriage....
Dec 4th 2013, 5:39 pm
#31
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Re: American girlfriend>English boy (me)>marriage....
Some points of clarification to ensure that you understand correctly how the parts fit together:
You US fiancee does not apply for an I-129f form. She uses an I-129f form to petition the US government to recognize you as her fiance. This recognition qualifies you to apply for a K-1 visa.
You will be applying for a non-immigrant visa in the K-1 category. The application will not be approved (or denied) until after you have completed steps 2 and 3.
You need to have a medical exam as a part of your K-1 visa application. You must have the medical exam before you can have the interview. The medical exam is not something that is approved or denied, it provides the consular officer with the information they need to know to determine whether or not you are inadmissable to the USA for medical reasons.
After you have submitted your visa application (form DS-160) and your medical exam report has been submitted to the consulate by the Panel Physician (the US approved doctor who performed your exam). Like the medical exam, the interview does not get approved or denied, it gives the consular officer information they need to determine whether or not your visa application can be approved.
Yes.
Ideally within 90 days of entry, but not necessarily. What this gives you is conditional status as a Permanent Resident of the USA for a period of two years. During the 90 day period prior to the expiration of your two-year conditional status you petition to have the conditions removed and your Permanent Resident status be made 'permanent'.
Regards, JEff
You US fiancee does not apply for an I-129f form. She uses an I-129f form to petition the US government to recognize you as her fiance. This recognition qualifies you to apply for a K-1 visa.
You will be applying for a non-immigrant visa in the K-1 category. The application will not be approved (or denied) until after you have completed steps 2 and 3.
You need to have a medical exam as a part of your K-1 visa application. You must have the medical exam before you can have the interview. The medical exam is not something that is approved or denied, it provides the consular officer with the information they need to know to determine whether or not you are inadmissable to the USA for medical reasons.
After you have submitted your visa application (form DS-160) and your medical exam report has been submitted to the consulate by the Panel Physician (the US approved doctor who performed your exam). Like the medical exam, the interview does not get approved or denied, it gives the consular officer information they need to determine whether or not your visa application can be approved.
Yes.
Ideally within 90 days of entry, but not necessarily. What this gives you is conditional status as a Permanent Resident of the USA for a period of two years. During the 90 day period prior to the expiration of your two-year conditional status you petition to have the conditions removed and your Permanent Resident status be made 'permanent'.
Regards, JEff
My fiance came home and was overwhelmed with the help and progress we had made in. Day.
Dec 4th 2013, 6:39 pm
#32
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Posts: 14,049
Re: American girlfriend>English boy (me)>marriage....
This one should have read, "after you have completed steps 3 and 4". Too late for me to edit and correct now.
Regards, JEff
Regards, JEff
Dec 5th 2013, 10:13 pm
#33
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Re: American girlfriend>English boy (me)>marriage....
Ok... With all this new found information, let me have a stab at this again (With questions where needed)
1. So basically it's just worded different, not 'appying', just 'using' an I-129f form to make the US Government/people who need to know that I am her fiance.
2. I receive Something in the UK through the post to tell me 'they' recognise me as my Fiances' fiance. This then allows me to fill in the K-1 form (Are there different variations of the K-1 as you specifically said the Non-immigrant type?)
3. This is where it gets a bit hazy, as im not sure how I then get acknowledgement to go and get my medical, then how I get a date to have an interview at the US Embassy with my medical info. if anyone could fill this bit in.
We have a friend who is loosely involved with US Immigration and he first mentioned the I-130 form. From what I have read this seems to be more for getting relatives over. Can anyone give a brief description of the difference?
Thank you
1. So basically it's just worded different, not 'appying', just 'using' an I-129f form to make the US Government/people who need to know that I am her fiance.
2. I receive Something in the UK through the post to tell me 'they' recognise me as my Fiances' fiance. This then allows me to fill in the K-1 form (Are there different variations of the K-1 as you specifically said the Non-immigrant type?)
3. This is where it gets a bit hazy, as im not sure how I then get acknowledgement to go and get my medical, then how I get a date to have an interview at the US Embassy with my medical info. if anyone could fill this bit in.
We have a friend who is loosely involved with US Immigration and he first mentioned the I-130 form. From what I have read this seems to be more for getting relatives over. Can anyone give a brief description of the difference?
Thank you
Dec 5th 2013, 10:19 pm
#34
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,049
Re: American girlfriend>English boy (me)>marriage....
1. Yes
2. The consular section in London will notify you that they have received an approved petition from USCIS and you may now apply for a K-1 visa. The application itself is a generic nonimmigrant visa application, but there are additional forms and documentation required to go along with it specific to the K-1 situation.
3. You should go to the visas section of the web site of the US embassy in the UK and start reading. The K-1 can be a bit confusing as it's a nonimmigrant visa but much of the information will be on the immigrant visa pages.
Regards, JEff
2. The consular section in London will notify you that they have received an approved petition from USCIS and you may now apply for a K-1 visa. The application itself is a generic nonimmigrant visa application, but there are additional forms and documentation required to go along with it specific to the K-1 situation.
3. You should go to the visas section of the web site of the US embassy in the UK and start reading. The K-1 can be a bit confusing as it's a nonimmigrant visa but much of the information will be on the immigrant visa pages.
Regards, JEff
Dec 5th 2013, 10:21 pm
#35
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Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: American girlfriend>English boy (me)>marriage....
2. I receive Something in the UK through the post to tell me 'they' recognise me as my Fiances' fiance. This then allows me to fill in the K-1 form (Are there different variations of the K-1 as you specifically said the Non-immigrant type?)
3. This is where it gets a bit hazy, as im not sure how I then get acknowledgement to go and get my medical, then how I get a date to have an interview at the US Embassy with my medical info. if anyone could fill this bit in.
We have a friend who is loosely involved with US Immigration and he first mentioned the I-130 form. From what I have read this seems to be more for getting relatives over. Can anyone give a brief description of the difference?
Since you aren't married yet, you aren't doing the spouse Immigrant Visa process. So you won't be using an I-130.
The equivalent of the I-130 for unmarried folks is the I-129F, which results in a K-1 fiance visa.
Rene
Dec 5th 2013, 10:37 pm
#36
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Re: American girlfriend>English boy (me)>marriage....
Okie doke.... It's good to understand the a.b.c process, and now I can look into each step a lot further in depth.
These embassy websites do not describe things simply, and are not the easiest places to navigate.
Thank you for the I-130 info.
The most unfortunate thing, is we are looking for a warm wedding. To get this into the possible time frame that the visa could be settled means we have to wait quite some time to even start the process. Tough when all this wedding stuff is so new and exciting and need to calm it down for a bit. Sigh.
These embassy websites do not describe things simply, and are not the easiest places to navigate.
Thank you for the I-130 info.
The most unfortunate thing, is we are looking for a warm wedding. To get this into the possible time frame that the visa could be settled means we have to wait quite some time to even start the process. Tough when all this wedding stuff is so new and exciting and need to calm it down for a bit. Sigh.
Dec 5th 2013, 11:12 pm
#37
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Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
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Re: American girlfriend>English boy (me)>marriage....
Just so you know well in advance... once you marry and file the AOS (adjustment of status) paperwork to get your green card, you won't be able to leave the US without your AOS being deemed abandoned. To avoid this, you'll need to apply for Advance Parole (A/P) which will take about 60-90 days to get after you submit the AOS paperwork. If you leave the US before you get A/P, you won't have a way to get back into the US and you'll have to start over again with a spouse visa... and that'll take about 8-10 months.
I only mention this because you won't believe the number of people who come to the US on a K-1 visa and plan an immediate honeymoon to Mexico or Tahiti or someplace else exotic. Indeed, I remember a case where a young couple got married in Niagara Falls, New York and then walked across the Peace Bridge to Niagara Falls, Ontario for lunch... and upon return, the spouse wasn't allowed back into the US. So, plan accordingly!
Ian
I only mention this because you won't believe the number of people who come to the US on a K-1 visa and plan an immediate honeymoon to Mexico or Tahiti or someplace else exotic. Indeed, I remember a case where a young couple got married in Niagara Falls, New York and then walked across the Peace Bridge to Niagara Falls, Ontario for lunch... and upon return, the spouse wasn't allowed back into the US. So, plan accordingly!
Ian
Dec 5th 2013, 11:18 pm
#38
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Re: American girlfriend>English boy (me)>marriage....
Just so you know well in advance... once you marry and file the AOS (adjustment of status) paperwork to get your green card, you won't be able to leave the US without your AOS being deemed abandoned. To avoid this, you'll need to apply for Advance Parole (A/P) which will take about 60-90 days to get after you submit the AOS paperwork. If you leave the US before you get A/P, you won't have a way to get back into the US and you'll have to start over again with a spouse visa... and that'll take about 8-10 months.
I only mention this because you won't believe the number of people who come to the US on a K-1 visa and plan an immediate honeymoon to Mexico or Tahiti or someplace else exotic. Indeed, I remember a case where a young couple got married in Niagara Falls, New York and then walked across the Peace Bridge to Niagara Falls, Ontario for lunch... and upon return, the spouse wasn't allowed back into the US. So, plan accordingly!
Ian
I only mention this because you won't believe the number of people who come to the US on a K-1 visa and plan an immediate honeymoon to Mexico or Tahiti or someplace else exotic. Indeed, I remember a case where a young couple got married in Niagara Falls, New York and then walked across the Peace Bridge to Niagara Falls, Ontario for lunch... and upon return, the spouse wasn't allowed back into the US. So, plan accordingly!
Ian
Great little story about the Niagra couple, poor guys!
Dec 5th 2013, 11:19 pm
#39
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Re: American girlfriend>English boy (me)>marriage....
How long does the parole allow you?
Dec 5th 2013, 11:52 pm
#40
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Re: American girlfriend>English boy (me)>marriage....
So if all went the quicker than longer scale (The 8 month mark) we could be good by August starting now?
Not looking to book anything. Just get a gage.
Is it essential to get a lawyer to make sure you have all the correct documents or are their free thorough guides online?
Not looking to book anything. Just get a gage.
Is it essential to get a lawyer to make sure you have all the correct documents or are their free thorough guides online?
Dec 6th 2013, 12:01 am
#41
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Re: American girlfriend>English boy (me)>marriage....
I found this very helpful as a guide for others who are trying to find the best places for information....
http://britishexpats.com/mediawiki/i...1flowchart.jpg
http://britishexpats.com/mediawiki/i...1flowchart.jpg
Dec 6th 2013, 12:28 am
#42
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Re: American girlfriend>English boy (me)>marriage....
With immigration, you really can't say "I want....", you have to say "I hope for....". And then be pleasantly surprised if it happens the way you'd hoped.
Not looking to book anything. Just get a gage.
Is it essential to get a lawyer to make sure you have all the correct documents or are their free thorough guides online?
Rene
Dec 6th 2013, 12:38 am
#43
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Re: American girlfriend>English boy (me)>marriage....
I feel there's so much information here and elsewhere that should answer all questions.
I am trying to find a step by step guide on how to fill in these forms. The guides on the embassy just tell you if you are eligible to.
I have just read your extended timeline. Quite the last 6 years you've had. Congrats on your citizenship. Hope you are enjoying life in the US.
I am trying to find a step by step guide on how to fill in these forms. The guides on the embassy just tell you if you are eligible to.
I have just read your extended timeline. Quite the last 6 years you've had. Congrats on your citizenship. Hope you are enjoying life in the US.
Dec 6th 2013, 12:50 am
#44
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Re: American girlfriend>English boy (me)>marriage....
I am trying to find a step by step guide on how to fill in these forms. The guides on the embassy just tell you if you are eligible to.
You will also be researching different places at different times, because it isn't the same agency that handles the entire process. USCIS is where you first need to look (www.uscis.gov) for the petition process. The next step (the visa process) is all on the US Embassy London website. Other than those 2 places, come on back here to verify whatever you're learning.
I have just read your extended timeline. Quite the last 6 years you've had. Congrats on your citizenship. Hope you are enjoying life in the US.
Rene
Dec 6th 2013, 1:18 am
#45
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Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Tampa Bay Florida
Posts: 4,849
Re: American girlfriend>English boy (me)>marriage....
So if all went the quicker than longer scale (The 8 month mark) we could be good by August starting now?
Not looking to book anything. Just get a gage.
Is it essential to get a lawyer to make sure you have all the correct documents or are their free thorough guides online?
Not looking to book anything. Just get a gage.
Is it essential to get a lawyer to make sure you have all the correct documents or are their free thorough guides online?