Pre Planning for Ukrainian woman

[Naren09]

Hello All,
me: 28, of Indian origin but an American citizen (naturalized when I was a teen)
her: 28, Ukrainian. Has traveled to Australia and all over Europe.

We will be meeting for the first time in April. I will have another chance to go to Kiev in June.
I plan to marry her in 2013 if everything goes right..or late 2012.

Is there anything I can do during these trips (paperwork wise) to ensure the immigration process will be smooth?

 I want to marry her in India. Anyone knows how it will work? Of course, I want her to come to the states asap after marriage.

Thanks everyone!

[Gator]

Study this site:    http://www.visajourney.com/content/guides
 
What you are proposing is her immigration via a spousal visa, more specifically a CR1 visa.  Marriage in India is acceptable.  After marriage, you will first file a I-130 petition.   Note the following requirements:

The USCIS now requires that when filing an I-130 for a spouse that you include evidence of a bonifide marriage. They list examples of acceptable evidence as:[/font]

1. Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or 2. A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or 3. Documentation showing co-mingling of financialresources; or 4. Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, thepetitioner, and your spouse together; or 5. Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties havingpersonal knowledge of the bona fides of the maritalrelationship (Each affidavit must contain the full nameand address, date and place of birth of the person makingthe affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner ofbeneficiary, if any, and complete information and detailsexplaining how the person acquired his or herknowledge of your marriage); or 6. Any other relevant documentation to establish that thereis an ongoing marital union.     After that there are more hurdles. It is easier and faster for her to immigrate via a fiancee visa.  Maybe you just have an unofficial  marriage in India and not a civil ceremony.

[ECOCKS]

Since you ask for advice, it's that you first meet her and determine that this woman is the right one to marry.

You're trying to design a cart and you don't even have anything more than a dream of a horse to hook to it.

[Daveman]

Since you ask for advice, it's that you first meet her and determine that this woman is the right one to marry.

You're trying to design a cart and you don't even have anything more than a dream of a horse to hook to it.

Yep...


The PRE plan should be
1a)go, get to know her and have a great time
1b)save all receipts, boarding passes, apartment rental agreements...
2a) see 1a..
2b) plan second visit if 1a felt good.. 

[Slumba]

Get a camera you feel comfortable with using, you will want to use it a lot.  Good for you and her, and later, good to put together an album showing that you were indeed together (to show the INS/DHS).

[Naren09]

Thanks everyone for great answers.
I know it's too early to be thinking about it but that's why it's called "pre planning" ECOCK?
Gator,
I will definitely look into fiancee visa.


ECOCK,
thanks for the great advice buddy, what would I do without you? lol
great analogy with the whole cart horse etc...............Shakespeare
 

[Naren09]

Can someone tell me how long the procedure takes?

Fiancee Visa or Spouse Visa?

Just a rough approximation?

thanks all!

[Gator]

Can someone tell me how long the procedure takes?

Fiancee Visa or Spouse Visa?

Just a rough approximation?

thanks all!

Fiancee visa - plan on 9 months.
Spousal visa - a little longer, but she arrives ready for her green card and free to travel.