Getting married to my american fioncee in the next couple of years..
Jul 8th 2008, 5:30 am
#62
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Manhattan
Posts: 2,913
Re: Getting married to my american fioncee in the next couple of years..
It might have taken longer. A K1 could have taken longer as well. Generally, there isn't much difference - a few months perhaps.
But there are many advantages to coming over as a green card holder (permanent resident) instead of a K1. If people can stand being apart after being married, it's sure what I would recommend.
But there are many advantages to coming over as a green card holder (permanent resident) instead of a K1. If people can stand being apart after being married, it's sure what I would recommend.
Jul 8th 2008, 5:33 am
#63
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,104
Re: Getting married to my american fioncee in the next couple of years..
She not only does not work, her USC husband does not work and is himself in a chair (both motorized). He is totally reliant on benefits here in the US and his carer is paid from State funds. His carer is his mother (although the couple live in their own home quasi independent) and she was able to use these funds to be the Joint Sponsor!
I only bring up their seemingly complicated situation because at the time I read the beginning of their story I thought "heartbreak ahead", but it was amazingly straight forward, and other than their additional expenses for transport and the need to get an adaptive entrance to the Embassy building, it was like any other K-1 case I've ever read about.
I thought the Public Charge thing would be a deal killer, but it was not. Neither was insurance (don't remember the details, but she got onto his State-based plan somehow). They both have significant medical needs.
Courage.
I only bring up their seemingly complicated situation because at the time I read the beginning of their story I thought "heartbreak ahead", but it was amazingly straight forward, and other than their additional expenses for transport and the need to get an adaptive entrance to the Embassy building, it was like any other K-1 case I've ever read about.
I thought the Public Charge thing would be a deal killer, but it was not. Neither was insurance (don't remember the details, but she got onto his State-based plan somehow). They both have significant medical needs.
Courage.
Jul 8th 2008, 5:46 am
#64
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: Getting married to my american fioncee in the next couple of years..
Jul 8th 2008, 8:26 am
#66
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: NW Chicago suburbs
Posts: 11,253
Re: Getting married to my american fioncee in the next couple of years..
It seemed like the process would have taken longer and would have been an added expense. The registrar over there also wanted over 375 to marry us and thats pounds not dollars. Its aboyt $50 for a civil ceremony here. I would also have to get a biometric eye scan and fingerprint scan for the marriage visa for the UK as well. They implimented that last December. There were lots of other hassles ans well and it just seemed like a better option for us.
As far as immigration fees, there's the cost of both the fiance petition, then the visa, then all the aos fees. Without looking up all the figures, I suspect that adds up to quite a bit more than just filing for a spouse.
As far as time, your (and my) k-1 process was quick. But they aren't all that quick - I believe the standard estimates for time frames are only a couple months different between the two. And since the OP intends to get married sometime in the next few years, it doesn't sound like time is a big issue for him.
Again, especially with medical issues, there can be some huge advantages to being a permanent resident from day 1 entry to the US, as opposed to waiting months or even a year or more for permanent residency.
Jul 8th 2008, 11:29 am
#71
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: Getting married to my american fioncee in the next couple of years..
lol, you missed the memo? (you haven't been paying attention!)
heh, see parenthetical comment above. Take a word from Nike: Just Do It!
heh, see parenthetical comment above. Take a word from Nike: Just Do It!
Jul 9th 2008, 12:02 am
#73
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: Getting married to my american fioncee in the next couple of years..
Jul 9th 2008, 4:29 am
#74
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: Getting married to my american fioncee in the next couple of years..
Jul 9th 2008, 4:34 am
#75
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: Getting married to my american fioncee in the next couple of years..
I guess we're not like most folk, in general.
"Work" is different from "job" and "income" doesn't necessarily depend on either.
Plus, he's a better cook than me, likes housework and gardening and has that peculiar English obsession with ironing. He's also turned his latest hobby into quite a little empire, so "inactivity" is not a word you'd ever use to describe him if you met him.
I long for lazy Sundays just sitting around reading books.
