The Absolute fastest way to bring a UW to the US

[Ben Armen]

Hello Everyone,

After scanning this board, I was wondering to boil it down, which is the fastest way to bring your beloved UW to the US?  I noticed that a tourist or fiance visa is about the same.  What would the difference be if we were to marry in Ukraine and bring her back.  It has been 4 months and three visits and some of her friends are wondering about where the ring is?  Can anybody date for 4 months and just enjoy the ride anymore?  What do UW's expect as far as timeline for engagement and ultimately marriage?  Thanks for your help.

Ben

[Gator]

Ben,

RW when dating RM do not rush into marriage.  However, the guidelines for a foreign man differ.  Once a RW makes a commitment to move and start a new life, she is ready when she finds a man who meets her criteria.

An engagement ring is not part of the Slavic culture, yet RW know it is part of the Western culture, her intended future.  So they expect it after committing to an exclusive relationship.

You asked,

Can anybody date for 4 months and just enjoy the ride anymore?

Many such men do this and are later discovered to be nothing more than sex tourists.  The RW know that this frequently happens, so they are skeptical and suspicious.  A ring indicates that your motives are sincere.

If you are comparing fiancee vs. spousal visa, it is time to ask her to marry you and to give her a ring.  If you are leery about trusting her or trusting your heart, maybe you need to consider other women.  If this thought comes easy, you are not ready for marriage.

[Mishenka]

it takes more paper work to marry in her country, it also takes longer for processing a K3 visa. You have to porvide the same documents to her country, all, need to be translated to Russian, then certified documents from USA agencies, which take months to get.  You end up using both Embassy's and this also takes more money and more time.  The difference is she will have to wait in her country for her K3 visa, until it is approved, where with a K1 she can come as soon as it is approved.  With the K3, spouse visa she will already have her 2 years green card, so the cost will be 1010 higher to process. Then you  have to file the same change of status before that 2 years is up, and pay again this $1010 for the 10 year card, permanent visa.

The K1 is currently the fastest way to bring her here and while here 3 months if things don't work out, and you are not married yet, she can leave with no messy divorce or the high cost that goes with it.

[kievstar]

I know women in Ukraine who are dating foreign guys for two plus years.  I did it myself for almost two.

There is no rush on marriage.  But if you cannot visit often long distance relationships tend to end.  Need that face to face interaction.

If she likes you she will wait longer than 4 months.  Sounds like your not ready. 

I think more serious girls tend to do a K-3 in there country.  Means she likes you and not your country.  My opinion. 

Fastest way to bring her here.  Fly her to Cuba and rent a fishing boat out of Key West.  Takes less than a day.  Cuba will let you land no problem.  This is how a ton of cocaine currently comes into the USA.  Fishing guides in Florida have multiple jobs.  But still can not marry her without visa legally.

[groovlstk]

If she likes you she will wait longer than 4 months.  Sounds like your not ready. 

I'd agree with this. Getting engaged because you feel pressured by her friends after four months of dating is not good justification. The only good reason to get engaged is because you genuinely love each other and are ready to commit to a lifelong relationship.

[bgreed]

Have her get a visa for Mexico. Tell her to get a very dark tan dye her hair black and sneak her accross the border then ask for forgivness from the government.  Seems to work for the Mexicans.

Realize I am only joking here (sort of) Currently fastest legal way is a K-1.  K-3 and CR-1 are currently a neck and neck race.  However the CR-1 has advantages.

[Ben Armen]

Truth be told, I love her and want to marry her.  My ultimate plan was a ring around the holidays and squeezing in a  fall visit.  I think a fall visit empty handed will not go well.  She knows my intentions, others not so sure.  Her best friends b/f gave me an ultimatum last trip get a ring or dont come back.  I confronted her on it, she understands me and my situation.  We also agree we will not visit friends next trip, just family. 

About sneaking in, obviously I thought about it.  how about flying to Santo Domingo then a charter to Po Dunk Regional Airport in US.  or Plan B,  Charter + Skydiver lol.   Does anyone do a transfer Visa to SD anymore... Delta used to but doesnt anymore. 

[AugustD]

Skydiving your bride into the US.  Now that is creative.  Also pressure from friends is never a bad thing as it certainly gets you talking and seeing where you are at.  Looks like K-1 is your consensus choice for speed.  Are you going that route Ben?

[ScottinCrimea]

it takes more paper work to marry in her country, it also takes longer for processing a K3 visa. You have to porvide the same documents to her country, all, need to be translated to Russian, then certified documents from USA agencies, which take months to get.  You end up using both Embassy's and this also takes more money and more time.  The difference is she will have to wait in her country for her K3 visa, until it is approved, where with a K1 she can come as soon as it is approved.  With the K3, spouse visa she will already have her 2 years green card, so the cost will be 1010 higher to process. Then you  have to file the same change of status before that 2 years is up, and pay again this $1010 for the 10 year card, permanent visa.

The K1 is currently the fastest way to bring her here and while here 3 months if things don't work out, and you are not married yet, she can leave with no messy divorce or the high cost that goes with it.

This isn't entirely true.  To get married there you don't need all the same documents.  You need your birth certificate, any previous marriage and divorce decrees and a certificate of non-impediment to marriage.  The documents need an apostille, which in my case meant having them notarized and then presented to the office of the secretary of state who returned them with the attached apostille the next day.  Nothing took anywhere near "months" to get.   The longest time was when I requested an apostillized birth certificate.  I made the request online and had it within a week.  Translation of these took two days.  Neither of needed to use any Embassy until she had her interview and this is also required with the k-1 so I'm not sure what you mean by needing to use both embassies.

Time difference between a K-1 and a K-3/CR-1 is not as significant as implied.  The spousal visa is not $1010 higher to process, where did that come from? The CR-1 costs $400 for the visa fee. After the marriage, basically all of the documentation required is the same to get her here, as is the process with the exception that with the CR-1 you send the affidavit of support to the NVC rather than sending it to her to take to the interview.  She arrives with a 2 year conditional greencard.  Removal of conditions has a $450 fee after which she has her 10 year green card.  I believe the $1010 fee is for the AOS after you marry if she comes on  k-1, so that is more expensive.

Honestly, if anything, the k-1 requires no fewer documents and more money.  The only advantages are a slightly sooner time to arrival (no guarantees on that, check visajourney.com for the current processing times) and the 90 day waiting period if you're not completely sure about your relationship when you bring her over.

[tfcrew]

Definitely go with the K-1 application.
When approved, request interview.
Go get her and take her to Warsaw [still right?]...obtain visa.
Bring here to USA
She would still have a round trip ticket back if it just doesn't work out in 90 days.
That is how I did it [it worked out]
And yes...what is the rush?
One note..friends and family can interfere more actually than assist.
I've seen it happen often.
Good luck

[Mishenka]

This isn't entirely true.  To get married there you don't need all the same documents.  You need your birth certificate, any previous marriage and divorce decrees and a certificate of non-impediment to marriage.  The documents need an apostille, which in my case meant having them notarized and then presented to the office of the secretary of state who returned them with the attached apostille the next day.  Nothing took anywhere near "months" to get.   The longest time was when I requested an apostillized birth certificate.  I made the request online and had it within a week.  Translation of these took two days.  Neither of needed to use any Embassy until she had her interview and this is also required with the k-1 so I'm not sure what you mean by needing to use both embassies.

Time difference between a K-1 and a K-3/CR-1 is not as significant as implied.  The spousal visa is not $1010 higher to process, where did that come from? The CR-1 costs $400 for the visa fee. After the marriage, basically all of the documentation required is the same to get her here, as is the process with the exception that with the CR-1 you send the affidavit of support to the NVC rather than sending it to her to take to the interview.  She arrives with a 2 year conditional greencard.  Removal of conditions has a $450 fee after which she has her 10 year green card.  I believe the $1010 fee is for the AOS after you marry if she comes on  k-1, so that is more expensive.

Honestly, if anything, the k-1 requires no fewer documents and more money.  The only advantages are a slightly sooner time to arrival (no guarantees on that, check visajourney.com for the current processing times) and the 90 day waiting period if you're not completely sure about your relationship when you bring her over.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

see the forms and fee's for each on this link.
 
Scott you are right the K1 filing fees are more,  the K3 is $355 and the K1 is $455.  I wrote that the AOS is $1010 for the temporary 2 year green card,  and you pay again before the 2 years green card expires, for the 10 year green card, permanent AOS,   thats what it cost, thats what I wrote and  USCIS web site is where it came from.   The time difference in K3 is 2-4 months longer than k1 at this time , this depends on what country you come from and the current number of petitions being processed at the time in your processing center (in the millions, and if you live in San Diego, 2.2 million).  If you want a marriage that is legal in both countries (recognized as legal) , and you want to marry in her country and travel freely in and out of both countries, her FSU or USA, you need to be legally married in both her embassy and US embassy. This is true of all the republics and Russia,. Maybe Ukraine is different for some reason?  I dont think so. Most if not all countries outside USA mirror the fee's for visa's regardless of type.  If you live in California and want a certified Birth certificate it takes months to get. Ive been waiting at least 6 months for mine.  Divorce decree took one day to get, cost was $14.00. Stood in line for that. California is in a crisis situation with the state budjet and laid off thousands of workers, clerks and part time employees so everything here is taking longer,  especially certified documents. Also any US citizen getting married outside USA must have documents certified by the State department in Washington DC,  not just the state they live in.  So this is why I say K3 takes longer. Plus she must wait in her home country for the k3 approval, before coming to USA, where a fiancee with K1 can come sooner. There are benefits to both sides, choose one and go with it. The longer you wait, the longer it takes. Then again whats the rush?

http://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/Processtimes.jsp?SeviceCenter=CSC

This site tells me average processing time for people who filed in FEB o8 are being answered,  Sept 25th  7 months on K1 and K3 the same. Sadly it doesnt give any more info than this. AOS is the same processing time.


Mishenka.

[ScottinCrimea]

Mishenka,

Where the confusion about the fees came is in this statement:

With the K3, spouse visa she will already have her 2 years green card, so the cost will be 1010 higher to process. Then you  have to file the same change of status before that 2 years is up, and pay again this $1010 for the 10 year card, permanent visa.

I think you meant to say, "so the cost WITH THE K-1 will be $1010 higher to process..."  If that is the case, with a k-1 you are paying $1010 for the AOS and then another $1010 for the 10 year green card.  With our CR-1 we automatically got the 2 year green card when she arrived and will pay $450 for her removal of conditions and 10 year green card, so that would make it  $2020 versus $450 for the k-1 vs the CR-1, which is a significant difference.

I was never married in the Ukrainian embassy or provided any documents to them and other than the interview, the American embassy had nothing to do with my marriage.  Perhaps they recorded the marriage as part of the visa process but it was never mentioned and we never got any paper to any such affect.   We have a certified Ukrainian marriage certificate as well as an English translation and that has been accepted by any and all in both countries for legal purposes.  We both have a stamp in our passports that document the marriage but that was provided by ZAGS, not any embassy.  I have no idea why you would need to have your marriage in the embassies to travel freely.  My travel limits are based on my passport alone, as are hers.  Whether I am married or not does not limit my ability to travel, nor does it increase hers.  Until she is a US citizen, she travels on her Ukrainian passport.  Nothing has changed in that regard since she married me.

I can't comment on the time it takes to get a certified birth certificate in California right now.  Maybe the budget cuts have impacted things, but it is the county that issues you the certified birth certificate, not the state, so a state budget crunch shouldn't affect things. It should vary from county to county.  As far as the apostille, that is a state function, but from personal experience if you visit any branch of the secretary of state's office, all they have to do is compare the notary signature you present with their list of valid ones and if it fits, they issue the apostille.  It's a simple, short process.

Documents submitted for marriage in another country DO NOT require certification by the State Department in DC.  They require an apostille, which is provided by the Secretary of State of the individual states, NOT the federal government.  I should know as I got married in Ukraine and went through the process.  Not a single one of my documents needed to be touched by the federal government.  Can you provide any link to where it says this is necessary?  Where did you get this information?

tfcrew,  Ukrainians are no longer required to go to Warsaw for their interview.  It's all done in Kiev now and has been for several years.

[Mishenka]

Scott, its cool, I'm notorious for typing fater than I think and thinking faster than I type, in any case I make a lot of typos. Sorry for the confusion.

The fun part is,
when we finally figure this all out they will change all the rules and fee's again.

[ScottinCrimea]

Mishenka, I posted accidently before I was finished so was in the process of modifying it when you responded so there's more to my reply.  I guess you aren't the only one with spastic fingers.

[Ben Armen]

This is great information, and has totally clarified my intentions.  Thanks for your help.

Ben

[tfcrew]

tfcrew,  Ukrainians are no longer required to go to Warsaw for their interview.  It's all done in Kiev now and has been for several years.

Thanks..Yeah, it has been over 8 years for me now.
Pt 2 of the question [if someone knows] How much is the K-1 visa now ?
 

[ScottinCrimea]

$455

[Ronnie]

This is great information, and has totally clarified my intentions.  Thanks for your help.

Ben

Ben,

With all due respect to those helpful guys who have taken the time to post information for you in this thread - much of it is wrong, confusing, mistated and half true.  Disregard it and just study the USCIS website focusing on the K-1 fiancee visa.  It was specifically designed for you. 

[tfcrew]

$455

Hello again Steve and thanks for responding.....
 This $455 is the fee for the I-129F petition [as I understand]
I don't think that includes the K-1 visa from the State Dept in Kiev does it?
When I submitted my I-129F...it was $95
I thought that was too damn much.
Then, in Warsaw, when Svetlana had her interview and was approved..the actual visa that they installed  in her passport..with her picture and stuff [that is the K-1 visa] & was $45 and it had to be cash money.
I've looked at all the immigration & MOB pages everywhere and couldn't find what that visa costs now.

[tfcrew]

Ben,

With all due respect to those helpful guys who have taken the time to post information for you in this thread - much of it is wrong, confusing, mistated and half true. Disregard it and just study the USCIS website focusing on the K-1 fiancee visa.  It was specifically designed for you. 

Yes hello Ronnie...
I too realize that some of the posts....[skydive her in or sneak across the Mexican border etc...was made in jest] but if you know about a glaring error in the legit stated procedures..I would always welcome to be apprised.
What still bothered me was this 'shotgun wedding' atmosphere with the local homeboys........ 
 

I think a fall visit empty handed will not go well.  She knows my intentions, others not so sure.  Her best friends     gave me an ultimatum last trip get a ring or dont come back.  I confronted her on it..

Who ever reads my post here..remember you're not dating her family and/or her friends when you visit your foreign ladyfriend and that doesn't change. 
 

[dispozo]

Hello again Steve and thanks for responding.....
 This $455 is the fee for the I-129F petition [as I understand]
I don't think that includes the K-1 visa from the State Dept in Kiev does it?
When I submitted my I-129F...it was $95
I thought that was too damn much.
Then, in Warsaw, when Svetlana had her interview and was approved..the actual visa that they installed  in her passport..with her picture and stuff [that is the K-1 visa] & was $45 and it had to be cash money.
I've looked at all the immigration & MOB pages everywhere and couldn't find what that visa costs now.

For Ukraine

I-129F- $455.00
At interview- $131.00
Medical exam in Kiev- around $100.00
FedEx Visa- about $8.00 (after a successful interview)
Kiev call center info access- $12.00 (also set up interview)

All this information can be found here: http://kiev.usembassy.gov/visa_K1K2_eng.html and download Pact info. Information is in English and Ukrainian.

[tfcrew]

Thanks dispazo for that page..

edit
Sorry ...dispozo

[Ronnie]

Yes hello Ronnie...
I too realize that some of the posts....[skydive her in or sneak across the Mexican border etc...was made in jest] but if you know about a glaring error in the legit stated procedures..I would always welcome to be apprised.

 

I don't want to get into it...just rely on the USCIS website.

[Mishenka]

It would be great to post an accurate outline of the cost of the whole immigration process from beginning to end for the guys who want to know the actual cost of bringing his fiance' over, getting married and making her residency permanent.  I mean from cost of plane tickets, to applications, to change of status, green card and the whole lot.  There is much that the USCIS web site does not tell you.  For example it won't state the procedure from start to finish on any visa type.  Sure you start with an application for 129F for $455 then the Biometrics is $80 then medicals, $100,  FBI finger prints back round check, translating documents in to English, etc and yes the final visa $131 paid upon a successful interview.  Then, if you get married, the cost of a 2 year green card,( temp green card)  then before the 2 years is up the 10 year (permanent residency) green card. So when I ask for a start to finish cost, I mean the cost for the first  3- 4 years to have her here.  I wonder if men really understood the work it takes and what it costs to do this from the start, how many would consider it?

Mishenka

[Ronnie]

It would be great to post an accurate outline of the cost of the whole immigration process from beginning to end for the guys who want to know the actual cost of bringing his fiance' over, getting married and making her residency permanent.  I mean from cost of plane tickets, to applications, to change of status, green card and the whole lot.  There is much that the USCIS web site does not tell you.  For example it won't state the procedure from start to finish on any visa type.  Sure you start with an application for 129F for $455 then the Biometrics is $80 then medicals, $100,  FBI finger prints back round check, translating documents in to English, etc and yes the final visa $131 paid upon a successful interview.  Then, if you get married, the cost of a 2 year green card,( temp green card)  then before the 2 years is up the 10 year (permanent residency) green card. So when I ask for a start to finish cost, I mean the cost for the first  3- 4 years to have her here.  I wonder if men really understood the work it takes and what it costs to do this from the start, how many would consider it?

Mishenka

Mike, 

The fees to which you refer are now considerable...more so than when I was involved in the process.  The greatest cost I have experienced is in lost income as a business owner.  Your wife will require much of your time for several years if she cannot get her driver's license right away..Language Lessons, career training, wardrobe, jewelry, vacations you may not have taken yourself, concert tickets.. Most wives don't want to sit home and who can blame them?  The fees are just an appetizer to a multiple course meal.

Just a footnote to your comments about the green card.  There is no such thing as a "temporary green card" just as there is no such thing as temporary lawful permanent residence.  Most of us know what you are referring to but your jargon isn't quite correct.  FYI the first green card issuance which you call a two-year temporary may or may not come with a two year expiration date, it may, as in our case come without the restriction if two years of marriage have already transpired when the card is issued.  In that case, the restrictions are not applied.