Advice needed please

[BillyB]

She had a one year visa which expires in a couple of days. She's had a couple trips to the states in the last year...this would be her 4th.

Should've taken action before a few days before expiration to be safe but with that said, probably not much harm done if she overstayed her visa while applying for an extension.
 
I've dated a woman who was on a tourist visa extension and she was in the process of extending it again. She later got a change of status and and is now legal to live in America.
 
Lots of RW have come here on various visas and overstaying their visas and is or isn't legal.
 
Have your gal put up a profile on the Mamba network and contact the ladies there in any major US city for advice on what to do. Try NY first. Those ladies who come here on various visas have REAL know how to work the system. I've learned a lot from them.
 
Our government doesn't care much if those who enter the country on an approved visa someday want to live here. If they weren't considered rejects in the first place and behaved during their stay, it's not a big deal if they want to live here permanently.
 
It's becoming easier for FSU women to get tourist visas. One lady I dated had a daughter come here on a tourist visa. Her daughter is single, young 20's, no job or assets, going to college and still was granted a tourist visa. When I dated the woman, she was in the process of applying for her daughter to legally live here. I don't know what the result was but I'm sure our government will grant her permanent residency.
 
More and more people are having less and less children on average. This country needs people to run it's massive industry. That is why your government isn't working hard at getting rid of illegal aliens. What better way to boost the population than to bring in more prime child bearing aged females?

[GQBlues]

 
LOL. You thought *I* was confused,,, read this:
　

Ugh - did not think about this. She is literally "mid-air" at the moment... her visa actually expires in about 8 days... we are hoping she will get the normal 6 month stamp. I guess I will know soon enough (within 21 hours) if our plans are completely fubared...

　

She had a one year visa which expires in a couple of days. She's had a couple trips to the states in the last year...this would be her 4th.

While it's true she can enter the country until the 11th hour, but whattacha goona do if the POE decides she only get a week's stay? LOL. They advise that you (visitor) allow at least 45 days if you need an extension PRIOR 'stay' expiration.
 
EXTEND YOUR STAY
 
 If you want to extend your stay in the United States, you must file a request with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on the Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status before your authorized stay expires. If you remain in the United States longer than authorized, you may be barred from returning and/or you may be removed (deported) from the United States. Check the date in the lower right-hand corner of your Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, to determine the date your authorized stay expires. We recommend that you apply to extend your stay at least 45 days before your authorized stay expires.
 
You may apply to extend your stay if:
 

• You were lawfully admitted into the United States with a nonimmigrant visa 
• Your nonimmigrant visa status remains valid 
• You have not committed any crimes that make you ineligible for a visa
• You have not violated the conditions of your admission
• Your passport is valid and will remain valid for the duration of your stay

USCIS Portal
 
I will give you that in my haste *I* thought it was a given she can only be here for no more than a week, so that's my bad. But all else remains as stated because if her visa is no longer valid in 2 (or 8 days), they won't be extending her stay anytime soon regardless...so what's the option? Go back? What about the plans 'to get to know each other and decide in 6 months?
 
Of course for both your sakes, I hope and wish the POE do give her a 6-month stamp. But regardless, lack of diligent planning remains the culprit.
 

...As for her being scared to come, she is, despite having spent time out of country before, despite knowing what it's already like to have to communicate with family/friends by Skype, it IS scary....she doesn't know anyone, other than me, she's left her family, her career, etc... in the pursuit of finding the right partner to spend her life with.....

That may well be a scary proposition for you (or her) doesn't mean it's true for everyone. Most folks I've come to know, including myself, wife, friends, and peers alike; thought it was an exciting part of our lives.
 
But of course, you can stay scared all you want. Heck, she may even get scared along with you, LOL.
 
Heck many young AWs, even AMs, leave their home and family across the lower continent for school, work, or even for hormonal causes everyday, every month and every year? And these folks aren't so sure they'll get free homes, cars, do some travelling, clothes, latest techie equipments, etc...
 
I/we've met hundreds of folks from other places, both foreign and domestics, here in LA and 'scared' is hardly the word used to described their feelings about immigrating experiences. Sheeesshh, and they don't even get free goodies.
 
So go figure...courage, sure! 'Scared'? Boo!
 
So as always, Good luck! and thanks for the huggies!
 

[Steamer]

Glad to see you back Billy.

[GQBlues]

....My opinion is that a man needs to set her up for success (e. g., a car with a GPS) and be available for her questions, but stop short of doing "stuff" for her.   The best way for some RW to become adjusted  is to jump in (my ex-wife),  and for others getting them to tiptoe and wade in could be difficult.  Whatever, your job is to get her into the pool without throwing her in...

There is always that fine line where a man can feel so deeply indebted (understanbly or otherwise, I simply call 'em a wuss) for no other logical reason than believing these women planned to be involved in this specifically for 'him'. So they carry this massive 'guilt/appreciation' on their shoulders and next thing you know, they get PW'd.
 

I do not believe a man is responsible for his wife's happiness.  She is responsible for her own happiness.

You mutually made a decision in the hopes happiness can find it's way to your doorsteps. Do the proper things that need attending and everything should fall in line. Hard to do that owning up to things that doesn't exist, nor are even yours to keep. The man is taking as much chance/risk as the woman is in this experience. Sure, she's miles away from home, but she's got 90 days and a ticket home to get her back in day.
 
There's a huge difference between being supportive from being patronizing, but the line separating this is much too fine.
 
Anyway, good luck Salty. I do hope she gets the 6-month biggie...

[Saltheart]

THanks GQ, I know your sentiment is good but your delivery sometimes isn't all that great

Anyway, let me clarify something.

She has not overstayed her visa.  She is not in violation of anything at this time.  Her visa is multiple entry so she can come as often as she wants during that period, up to the point of the visa expiration date....meaning, if she comes the day before it expires, "she's in" the door, before the door closes....how long she can then stay is up to the guy who writes in the date of when she needs to leave.  Typically, they write in 6 months...unless they have cause to believe something is fishy. The only thing that might look fishy is that this is her 4th trip, but then again, maybe that's not fishy at all.... I will know in 2 hours when I pick her up at the airport.  When the guy stamps the form and it says she needs to leave end of November (assuming she stays that long) that doesn't mean she has overstayed her visa...remember, the actual visa expiration only has relevance in terms of the time you can ENTER the country, not leave it, the i94 stamp dictates that.  She can't actually file for an extension until she actually COMES to the country not while she is out of the country.  She only came here 7 weeks ago, stayed for 5 and has been back home for 2 so we could both sort of think about this, even though there wasn't all that much to think about other than the fact that we both want to be together.  I booked the flight one week prior to the expiration solely so it wouldn't look like the day before it actually expired...it's the best we could do with the circumstances....the alternative was she goes home, we wait however long of a period we need to "process" and then she applies for another tourist visa of which there is a good chance that could get denied....so why risk it, especially if we know we want to give this an honest go?  Anyway, I think there was some confusion.  BTW - when she arrives, if it is only stamped for a couple of days, then we will need to file a extension, of which you then have almost bought yourself 45-60 days, and then even if it's denied you have approx. 30 days from there to leave.  We probably wouldn't risk that anyway, but it is an option.

Bummer when threads get derailed.

As for scared, I think this is a matter of semantics.... obviously she is thrilled as am I, but we're BOTH a bit scared.  Guess I am a proud wuss bag

Ok - need to run to the airport.  Hope that clarifies the visa stuff.

[Saltheart]

I hesitated to post when I first saw this new thread.  There are some very technical issues here that I believe require the expertise of an attorney.


It is great and surprising to find someone who has a visa who can stay for so long.


I did not see it in your original post but I think there is value in seeking out your local Russian community.  If she is Russian Orthodox practicing or just a little it might be wise to find the closest church.  Also cultural activities both familiar and new.  So without knowing more I think you have a great opportunity and I hope you are able to make the most of the opportunity.


If you are in California there are a lot of things she will find familiar.


Good luck.  I guess she is already here by now, so I will look forward to your analysis and details.

Hey, thanks SF - not sure how much of a community there is in the Palm Springs area... I know San Fran, San Diego and LA have good communities but it's sparse here.  She has also commented that she would probably prefer to hang with natives anyway to continue to improve her English, which I think is outstanding anyway, but she's hard on herself that way.  Thanks for the advice though.   How many on the boards here are in the CA area I wonder?

[Faux Pas]

She has not overstayed her visa.  She is not in violation of anything at this time.  Her visa is multiple entry so she can come as often as she wants during that period, up to the point of the visa expiration date....meaning, if she comes the day before it expires, "she's in" the door, before the door closes....how long she can then stay is up to the guy who writes in the date of when she needs to leave.

I'm afraid you are pushing the envelope. She might get away with it given her history but I imagine a lie will have to be told.  If they let her enter and you go immediately to file her an extension, in 8 days the most she will be is "out of status". Not a biggie. If you wait until her visa expires she will be an overstay. Not that big of a deal unless she gets caught  for anything.


Mentioning her plan to stay 6 months cannot work out in your favor I'd think

[Saltheart]

We would only have to file an extension if it doesn't get stamped for 6 months.  Remember, she doesn't have to leave, or file an extension because of what the visa expiration date says....they are 2 different things.  What should happen is this...she enters the country, she gets stamped for 6 months, and doesn't have to leave until then....even though the visa expires in 8 days...as that expiration is only the drop dead date of when she can ENTER...has nothing to do when she has to leave.  If she wants to stay longer than the 6 months (assuming it gets approved) then several months from now she can file for an extension which can be granted for an additional 6 months...but we aren't there yet.  So really, there was no pushing luck, etc., it just is what it is, and it's technically correct.  Say if she had never come to the country but came the day before the visa expires, there should be no issue with then staying for 6 months as that is the default time stamp they give, UNLESS there is some suspicion.  Hope that clarifies things.

[LAman]

Salty....I think you may have a problem, just by reading your OP.
 
Who sent this girl her invitations to come to USA on tourist visa?
If you are in any way associated with this, it will be trouble if you ever start a K-1 with this girl.
A tourist visa is NOT for girl to see if she wants to see if her and a guy want to have a life together.
Another thing....to often come back so quickly on tourist visa will eventually be frowned upon and entry will/may get denied. It will look like girl is trying to immigrate. Entry of 6 months is not a sure thing......some only get 2 months stamp. Hope your girl doesn't tell official in immigration that she is here to see her boyfriend!!!  
 
Extensions should never be filed until 30-45 days before visa expires( stamp).
Sorry if I touched n something already mentioned...need to read all thread
 

[LAman]

BY the way.....Girl CANNOT work in US while on tourist visa...go to website and read the rules pertaining a tourist visa. It will be grounds for deportation...don't want that do you?

[Faux Pas]

We would only have to file an extension if it doesn't get stamped for 6 months.  Remember, she doesn't have to leave, or file an extension because of what the visa expiration date says....they are 2 different things.  What should happen is this...she enters the country, she gets stamped for 6 months, and doesn't have to leave until then....even though the visa expires in 8 days...as that expiration is only the drop dead date of when she can ENTER...has nothing to do when she has to leave.  If she wants to stay longer than the 6 months (assuming it gets approved) then several months from now she can file for an extension which can be granted for an additional 6 months...but we aren't there yet.  So really, there was no pushing luck, etc., it just is what it is, and it's technically correct.  Say if she had never come to the country but came the day before the visa expires, there should be no issue with then staying for 6 months as that is the default time stamp they give, UNLESS there is some suspicion.  Hope that clarifies things.

It makes sense and for your sake, I hope you are right. You have some solid information to back this up? I don't think the tourist visa purpose is for entry only. I could be wrong.

[BillyB]

She has not overstayed her visa. 
 

I'm pretty sure she can overstay her tourist visa while she has an application for extension in the works. Call an immigration attorney tomorrow for a good answer. A lot of RW have come here for work, study, tourist visas, etc... They were able to change status with little problems. Another RW I dated received a tourist visa in the 90's. She left behind two children and an abusive husband. At the recommendation of a friend in NY, she went to see an immigration attorney and was granted permanant residence. A few years later she brought her children to America legally with no problem from our government.
 
Don't sweat your situation Saltheart. There are a lot worse things immigration needs to worry about than what you and your lady are wanting to do. Start by talking to an immigration attorney and maybe he can get the paperwork started when your gal arrives and (possibly) she can overstay her visa while she awaits an answer from Immigration. After a visa extension, then you can figure out a way to change her status here from tourist to permanent. This kind of stuff has already been done thousands of times.

[CanadaMan]

　
... DO NOT even begin to think, if she in fact married you and move to the US, that she's doing this specifically for you. LOL, NO. She always planned on doing it and you simply became the wanton person that enabled that plan. Period. Women in marriage agencies aren't 'doing it for anyone' (moving to another country) except themselves when they decided to make themselves available on the international marriage scene.

That's pretty cynical of you to say this GQ.
Are all you happily married couples going to sit idly by and let
him get away with it?

[GQBlues]

....Extensions should never be filed until 30-45 days before visa expires( stamp).
Sorry if I touched n something already mentioned...need to read all thread

She can stay here past the 'visa expiration' date as long as she's within her 'Duration of Stay Card' (I-94) allowed period. The expiry date on that is what's relevant.
 
My concern for Salty was if gal didn't get the 6-month stamp on her I-94, and say she is only allowed a month, or worst 10 days, then likely she'll have difficulty with the extension because by then she technically will NOT have a valid visa (as it will expire in 2/8 days).
 
They advise the extension application to be 45 days from 'stay' expiry, not visa expiry.
 

That's pretty cynical of you to say this GQ. Are all you happily married couples going to sit idly by and let him get away with it?

Like it or not that's just plain reality. A woman signs up in a marriage agency *knowing* full well her mind is made up about immigrating to a new country. Hell, some of them even specify which country they want to move to in their profile, LOL. When she did this, you weren't a pigment of her imagination let alone her dulling knight in creeky armor.
 
Of course you can kid yourself all you want but unless you were in FSU and bumped to a woman on a sidewalk, who never had any aspirations or thoughts of immigrating to Canada, but because she is a sucker for buffing out creeky armors and decides to marry you and move to your country, then you can clearly claim she did all for you.
 
Reality is as reality does...

[Saltheart]

Just got home, she's in the shower....She was given her 6 month stamp...so she can stay until Dec 1st if she likes and file for an extension if need be.  We'll see.  Anyway, crisis averted.  It didn't help that she decided to use the restroom and was like the very last person to come off the plane...I stood there just about having a heart attack for like 10 minutes.  Ugh.

Anyway, great to have her home.  She's a doll.

Will post updates occasionally.

-Salty

[ML]

Good news Salt.  And I learned a little something in this thread also.   

[Faux Pas]

That is good news Salty and good to hear. You are one lucky guy

[Gylden]

Good news Salt.  And I learned a little something in this thread also.   

Yes this thread brought to focus the changes in visa rules. Very interesting!
 
and good luck Saltheart!

[Gator]

That's pretty cynical of you to say this GQ.
Are all you happily married couples going to sit idly by and let
him get away with it?

  , yes GQ is cynical, for sure, and has shown distrust of many statements made at RWD.  I have never seen GQ falsify information.  Also, he is an intelligent man.  Thus, I can  assume only that his statement refelects his learned opinion based on his observations - namely most married FSUW he knows seem to have placed a higher priority on getting out of the FSU versus finding love.   
 
I don't believe GQ is saying that FSUW would marry the first man who asked for her hand regardless of his age, looks, personality, values, intelligence, economic stability, etc.  I do believe that with many fast track marriages, a high percentage of RW came here not in love, but in good faith hoping for love.  Some found contentment, some did not. 
 
 
GQ is correct that if a serious FSUW joins an agency, she has made the decision to consider relocating from the FSU.   The question is what else other than a foreign passport will compel her to marry.

[GQBlues]

Just got home, she's in the shower....She was given her 6 month stamp...so she can stay until Dec 1st.....Anyway, great to have her home.  She's a doll. Will post updates occasionally.

Great news! Good luck, have fun and all that silly good stuff. We'll be happy to toil you two around LA proper for a day or two if convenient. Just holler...
 
Speaking of convenience, be forewarned if you do step over to the basin, be aware of this...
 

Extended 53-Hour Closure of I-405 Freeway Between U.S. 101 and I-10 Planned in Mid-July for Mulholland Bridge Demolition Work

Plan Ahead, Avoid The Area, Or Stay Home.

That’s the message public safety officials are sending to the public in anticipation of a planned 10-mile, 53-hour closure of the I-405 freeway between the U.S. 101 and I-10 on the weekend of July 15-17, 2011 for planned demolition work on the Mulholland Bridge, part of a major I-405 improvement project.

The Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, California Highway Patrol, Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Metro and Caltrans are informing the public in advance that if they do not have a critical need to be in or near the vicinity of the closure, they are being asked to avoid the area....

Traffic is bad enough as it is on a 'normal day', but shutting down one of the busiest freeway in the country for that duration is #!@# ridiculous. I will speculate the insanity zone to be no less than 50 miles from the core.
 
Stock up on food, bar the doors/windows, keep the animals indoor, tell MIL to take a Sunday drive, and don't tell LAMan & JR! LOL

[GoodOlBoy]

  I do believe that with many fast track marriages, a high percentage of RW came here not in love, but in good faith hoping for love.

From the exposure to FSUW I have had here where I live, I don't have a problem with this statement at all.
 
GOB

[tfcrew]

General FYI FWIW
WHAT IS SECTION 214(b)?

Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for admission, that he is entitled to a nonimmigrant status...

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/denials/denials_1361.html

Also...
A glance at visa revalidation rulz...
 
 http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1299.html

[Zmejka]

I consider it a very big luck that she was allowed to enter US the 4th time after being there for 5 weeks the last time and only 2 weeks home. Surely she wasn't asked how long and ith whom she's going to stay nor what for work does she that allows her to be absent for such long periods of time.
 
I wish you luck in living together, since i think she doesn't have a job to return to she would be willing to stay when 6 months will be over. I guess by that time you'll both come to some decision about your future life together. I wouldn't advice you to hire her at your company, it can bring problems in the future for her and for you too. As it was said she can learn English on courses, get unpaid experience in the area of her possible future professions, get driving lessons, travel - most of activities depend on the finances she or you are ready to spend on it.

[GQBlues]

General FYI FWIW  WHAT IS SECTION 214(b)?

Yah know TFCrew...I was thinking about this (Salty's love story) some last night and I believe a couple pieces of his puzzle can fall into place given they dot their 'i' and cross their 'T's.
 
CHANGING YOUR NON-IMMIGRANT STATUS
 
He (they) can legally change her non-immigrant status to either a 'student' (F/J) or even 'work' (B) visa while she is in country, PROVIDED, all required provisions are met and in conformance. Which is well in place (I believe).
 
The 'other' piece of the puzzle is the fact Salty is a business owner, he literally can a) help process the change to a 'B' visa immensely, and b) she will be 'occupied' by'working' with his staff (no, not that one, the other 'staff') and be 'learning' his business at the same time..
 
Bingo! two birds with one stone! Forget the K-visa as they don't even have to 'get married' and just happily live in sin the rest of their lives! Live like happy rabbits without any government bureaucracy.
 
Of course this suggestion goes with the understanding that venturing in this path should be under the advisement and handling of a professional.
 
Pooof! Just an idea getting thrown out there...not necessarily meant for consumption...
 

I consider it a very big luck that she was allowed to enter US the 4th time after being there for 5 weeks the last time and only 2 weeks home. ...

 
On that premise, I agree with you. Luckily for these two, I'm happy to know DHS isn't as unmerciful as at times portrayed in these boards.

[BillyB]

She was given her 6 month stamp...so she can stay until Dec 1st if she likes and file for an extension if need be.  We'll see.  Anyway, crisis averted. 
 

The day is here that RW can be flown to your doorsteps. The more I've talked with RW, the more I began to understand the old days of hard to get  tourist visas are over. Even fiancee visas are easier. One gal I dated said she didn't even have an interview for her k-1. She showed up at the consular office and they approved her visa based off the documents her ex husband provided.
 
Still men should not expect to send money and fly RW to their doorsteps for a first meeting. It's best a man go to the FSU and see the women in their environment first.