C

To make a long story short, I met a lady from New Zealand via the internet
and over time we got to know each other rather well. We would like to get
married and live in the US (I am a citizen). I have never done anything like
this before and don't know where to start. Could someone tell me the best
legal way to do this? Neither of us have any criminal records or anything
else that would prevent a visa being granted, but I do not want to go about
this the wrong way and have her be denied entrance into the US. She has
never been here before, so has never had a visa granted to her. Thanks for
any advice or help.

Chris

Pete

The K-1 visa route is probably the best way for you and your girl.

1) Read up on the K-1 visa process
2) subscribe to alt.visa.us.marriage-based
3) Have your girl start collecting all of her paperwork soon: the faster you
submit a petition the faster she will get here. (birth certificates for her
and any children she may have, passport, police certificate,...)

http://www.ins.gov/graphics/how-
doi/fiance.htm

http://www.k1faq.com/

http://k1.exit.com/

These links should help you get started.

Just brought my Thai fiance over. We're doing great.


"c" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:m%1i9.39628$aU3.2024161@t-
yphoon.kc.rr.com...
    > To make a long story short, I met a lady from New Zealand via the internet
    > and over time we got to know each other rather well. We would like to get
    > married and live in the US (I am a citizen). I have never done anything
like
    > this before and don't know where to start. Could someone tell me the best
    > legal way to do this? Neither of us have any criminal records or anything
    > else that would prevent a visa being granted, but I do not want to go
about
    > this the wrong way and have her be denied entrance into the US. She has
    > never been here before, so has never had a visa granted to her. Thanks for
    > any advice or help.
    > Chris

Steggy

Little addition, though Pete showed you the way.

*You* have to start the procedure Chris, by asking the forms
you will find on the www.insdoj.gov site (I think
Pete
forgot the "doj" in the url) at the INS office close to you
(or sometimes a regional one). Not sure if you can download
the whole stack.

When you filed all your forms (among it is an affidavite of
support and many other things) the Embessee in New Zealand
is notified and your friend will receive forms and listst of
stuff she needs to file. After that is approved she will
receive an invitation from the Embessee to have some talks
and a full medical exam.

A few days later she will receive the K-1 visa with which
she can travel to the states (with all paperwork and exam
results in a sealed envelope), in my case that whole process
took three months.

Within three months after entree in the US you should get
married. Otherwise it all will be void. You file your
marriage certificate and such at INS and you are ready for
the wait for the Greencard. In my case somewhat more than
two years.

In the meantime (even before you are actually married) she
can get a workpermit at INS and a social security number.

It is a big hassle, but all doable. Hope this gives you an
idea of the process.

steg

Pete wrote:
    > The K-1 visa route is probably the best way for you and your girl.
    > 1) Read up on the K-1 visa process
    > 2) subscribe to alt.visa.us.marriage-based
    > 3) Have your girl start collecting all of her paperwork soon: the faster you
    > submit a petition the faster she will get here. (birth certificates for her
    > and any children she may have, passport, police certificate,...)
    > http://www.ins.gov/graphics/h-
    > owdoi/fiance.htm
    > http://www.k1faq.com/
    > http://k1.exit.com/
    > These links should help you get started.
    > Just brought my Thai fiance over. We're doing great.
    > "c" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:m%1i9.39628$aU3.2024161-
    > @typhoon.kc.rr.com    ...
    > > To make a long story short, I met a lady from New Zealand via the internet
    > > and over time we got to know each other rather well. We would like to get
    > > married and live in the US (I am a citizen). I have never done anything
    > like
    > > this before and don't know where to start. Could someone tell me the best
    > > legal way to do this? Neither of us have any criminal records or anything
    > > else that would prevent a visa being granted, but I do not want to go
    > about
    > > this the wrong way and have her be denied entrance into the US. She has
    > > never been here before, so has never had a visa granted to her. Thanks for
    > > any advice or help.
    > >
    > > Chris
    > >

jcsutton

I'll do you one better. The direct consular filing. Go to NZ, get married, file your paperwork with the embassy. You completely bypass a great deal of the INS BS and she comes to the states with full greencard rights. Check this out:

http://k1.exit.com/dcf.html

The key is preparation, making sure you have all your paperwork ready ahead of time......

Steggy

jcsutton wrote:
    > I'll do you one better. The direct consular filing. Go to NZ, get
    > married, file your paperwork with the embassy. You completely bypass a
    > great deal of the INS BS and she comes to the states with full greencard
    > rights. Check this out:
    > http://k1.exit.com/dcf.html
    > The key is preparation, making sure you have all your paperwork ready
    > ahead of time......
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

I need to repeat a story I already posted once. Maybe in NZ
things are different, but I'd say in the end (and rightly
so) it is INS who makes the difference.

A friend of us was studying in Arizona and met a Dutch guy,
working at a F-16 base. They fell in love (romance)).

He was stationed back in Holland and she was allowed to
accompany him. They lived in Holland for 5 years, got
married after two and had a kid.

NATO sent him back over to Texas, being an instructor in
F-16 flying. Fine. After a year they decided they wanted to
stay in the US. Married, a kid, she is American, he works
for NATO.

No way. They had to get a lawyer, went through really heavy
stuff to get somewehere. OK after more than 7 months finally
he could apply for a visa. They are still waiting for a
Greencard (now it has been three and a half years) during
that period they are not allowed to leave the country, so he
has no way seeing relatives and friends, unless they come
over of course.

Now, I am not saying this case fully applies to the NZ
example you mention above. My friends already were in the
US. But I do know that the K-1 route is known to be better,
easier, faster and brings no traveling restrictions. Please
remember, that last thing may bring hardship.

But OK, having said that.......if it is possible to get the
greencard rights in NZ, sounds good, I just know that was
not a possibility living in The Netherlands, and I do not
see why INS would make a difference between those countries.
No offence))

steg

L D Jones

steggy wrote:
    > jcsutton wrote:
    > >
    > > I'll do you one better. The direct consular filing. Go to NZ, get
    > > married, file your paperwork with the embassy. You completely bypass a
    > > great deal of the INS BS and she comes to the states with full greencard
    > > rights. Check this out:
    > >
    > > http://k1.exit.com/dcf.html
    > >
    > > The key is preparation, making sure you have all your paperwork ready
    > > ahead of time......
    > >
    > > --
    > > Posted via http://britishexpats.com
    > I need to repeat a story I already posted once. Maybe in NZ
    > things are different, but I'd say in the end (and rightly
    > so) it is INS who makes the difference.

[ story ]

    > But OK, having said that.......if it is possible to get the
    > greencard rights in NZ, sounds good, I just know that was
    > not a possibility living in The Netherlands, and I do not
    > see why INS would make a difference between those countries.
    > No offence))

But DCF _is_ a possibility in the Netherlands. There are several couples
who have done so posting to alt.us.visa.marriage-based. If DCF is
possible (check with the consulate whether the US citizen has to be
resident in the country -- many have such requirements).

Whether DCF is done or not has nothing to do with INS. This decision is
made solely by the consulate and they are State Department employees,
not employees of the INS.

Contact the US consulate in NZ and ask them. If they allow it and the US
citizen does not have to be resident in NZ to file this will be the
fastest way to get your spouse to the US as a permanent resident (of
course, DCF is only possible if the couple is already married).

Steggy

L D Jones wrote:
    > steggy wrote:
    > >
    > > jcsutton wrote:
    > > >
    > > > I'll do you one better. The direct consular filing. Go to NZ, get
    > > > married, file your paperwork with the embassy. You completely bypass a
    > > > great deal of the INS BS and she comes to the states with full greencard
    > > > rights. Check this out:
    > > >
    > > > http://k1.exit.com/dcf.html
    > > >
    > > > The key is preparation, making sure you have all your paperwork ready
    > > > ahead of time......
    > > >
    > > > --
    > > > Posted via http://britishexpats.com
    > >
    > > I need to repeat a story I already posted once. Maybe in NZ
    > > things are different, but I'd say in the end (and rightly
    > > so) it is INS who makes the difference.
    > [ story ]
    > > But OK, having said that.......if it is possible to get the
    > > greencard rights in NZ, sounds good, I just know that was
    > > not a possibility living in The Netherlands, and I do not
    > > see why INS would make a difference between those countries.
    > > No offence))
    > But DCF _is_ a possibility in the Netherlands. There are several couples
    > who have done so posting to alt.us.visa.marriage-based. If DCF is
    > possible (check with the consulate whether the US citizen has to be
    > resident in the country -- many have such requirements).
    > Whether DCF is done or not has nothing to do with INS. This decision is
    > made solely by the consulate and they are State Department employees,
    > not employees of the INS.
    > Contact the US consulate in NZ and ask them. If they allow it and the US
    > citizen does not have to be resident in NZ to file this will be the
    > fastest way to get your spouse to the US as a permanent resident (of
    > course, DCF is only possible if the couple is already married).

Mmmmmmmmmmm never ever knew that..........In an early fase I
had an eye to eye talk with someone at the Consulate in
Amsterdam, and he told me (two and a half years ago) that
that was impossible, INS would not allow that. But you sound
pretty convincing........and then........maybe my wife had
her mind set on marrying in the US, grrrrrrrrr))

How about the traveling possibilities after entering the US?
--
steg

L D Jones

steggy wrote:
    > L D Jones wrote:
    > >
    > > steggy wrote:
    > > >
    > > > jcsutton wrote:
    > > > >
    > > > > I'll do you one better. The direct consular filing. Go to NZ, get
    > > > > married, file your paperwork with the embassy. You completely bypass a
    > > > > great deal of the INS BS and she comes to the states with full greencard
    > > > > rights. Check this out:
    > > > >
    > > > > http://k1.exit.com/dcf.html
    > > > >
    > > > > The key is preparation, making sure you have all your paperwork ready
    > > > > ahead of time......
    > > > >
    > > > > --
    > > > > Posted via http://britishexpats.com
    > > >
    > > > I need to repeat a story I already posted once. Maybe in NZ
    > > > things are different, but I'd say in the end (and rightly
    > > > so) it is INS who makes the difference.
    > >
    > > [ story ]
    > >
    > > > But OK, having said that.......if it is possible to get the
    > > > greencard rights in NZ, sounds good, I just know that was
    > > > not a possibility living in The Netherlands, and I do not
    > > > see why INS would make a difference between those countries.
    > > > No offence))
    > >
    > > But DCF _is_ a possibility in the Netherlands. There are several couples
    > > who have done so posting to alt.us.visa.marriage-based. If DCF is
    > > possible (check with the consulate whether the US citizen has to be
    > > resident in the country -- many have such requirements).
    > >
    > > Whether DCF is done or not has nothing to do with INS. This decision is
    > > made solely by the consulate and they are State Department employees,
    > > not employees of the INS.
    > >
    > > Contact the US consulate in NZ and ask them. If they allow it and the US
    > > citizen does not have to be resident in NZ to file this will be the
    > > fastest way to get your spouse to the US as a permanent resident (of
    > > course, DCF is only possible if the couple is already married).
    > Mmmmmmmmmmm never ever knew that..........In an early fase I
    > had an eye to eye talk with someone at the Consulate in
    > Amsterdam, and he told me (two and a half years ago) that
    > that was impossible, INS would not allow that. But you sound
    > pretty convincing........and then........maybe my wife had
    > her mind set on marrying in the US, grrrrrrrrr))
    > How about the traveling possibilities after entering the US?

If one does "DCF" (note this is not an official INS term) then the
person enters the US as a permanent resident. The "I-551" stamp is
affixed to the alien's passport at the POE. This is the equivalent of a
greencard and provides the same benefits. This means travel without
Advance Parole, etc.

I'm not sure what the INS in Amsterdam told you but I have read about
DCF experiences there myself. I have no idea how old they are. I believe
the consulate requires that the US citizen be a legal resident of the
Netherlands (ie, it is not possible to do DCF after entering as a
tourist)

I think there is some additional information here

http://k1.exit.com/dcf.html