First timer headed to Ukraine

[Boethius]

You can only do two K-1's in your lifetime.

[Faux Pas]

And the penalty if you do not get married is?

She will be out of status and subject to deportation. Over staying a visa is actually worse than sneaking in, in penalty. That's not to say they will show up at your door and haul her away but, if she were to get questioned and without documentation by any law enforcement she would likely be detained and sent to immigration for deportation. Worse case scenario.

If you just chose not to get married and she returned in a timely fashion, nothing. You will have used 1 of your lifetime limit of 2 K-1 applications

[alex330]

The K-1 is often misunderstood by many who grace RWD. The 3 months isn't a live together trial period. It is a 3 months to get married stipulation.

The only point of my post was to suggest that you know you both know this answer before she gives up her life and gets on the plane.

Yes, I agree with FP on this one. The first three months is probably a whirlwind for most with the adjustments and things to do when she arrives. I know it sure as hell was for us. Gives you just about enough time to make sure she does not eat crackers in bed.

I am certainly not one to rush into things but if you read the immigration forums some people even advise getting married the first month she arrives to help secure certain things such as DL, SS number, etc.

[ML]

The first three months is probably a whirlwind for most with the adjustments and things to do when she arrives. I know it sure as hell was for us. Gives you just about enough time to make sure she does not eat crackers in bed.

We have been living together for 2 years, and still don't know enough about each other.

Never thought about the crackers.  Might explain the infrequent crunchy feeling.

[Ooooops]

The only point of my post was to suggest that you know you both know this answer before she gives up her life and gets on the plane.

It may be possible to take a long vacation instead of just quitting her job.   And, of course, no selling apartments and such.

[lonedrake]

Her job is not an issue.

Grandchild and issue with daughter is.

Not for me.....but some family dynamics that has a possibility to derail everything or really extend it. I was aware of this from the start and we are hoping the daughter comes to her senses.That all i want to say about this.

Time will tell.

[Ooooops]

Grandchild and issue with daughter is.

Your lady friend has grown up daughter and a grandchild?

[lonedrake]

yes

[LAman]

Her job is not an issue.

Grandchild and issue with daughter is.

Not for me.....but some family dynamics that has a possibility to derail everything or really extend it. I was aware of this from the start and we are hoping the daughter comes to her senses.That all i want to say about this.

Time will tell.

Oh my...

[mendeleyev]

You say you don't understand how people get pregnant??

I don't either. 

I was always told it had something to do with swallowing a watermelon seed.

ML, how old are you now? Everybody knows it is whether or not you eat an apple in bed! 

The watermelon seed just determines the gender of the baby.

[mendeleyev]

but some family dynamics that has a possibility to derail everything or really extend it. I was aware of this from the start and we are hoping the daughter comes to her senses.That all i want to say about this.

Whoa, my friend. I don't care how young or old is the daughter. If she still lives at home you have a big problem that the K1 will only make worse. The fact is that she came along long before you did and if she isn't on board right now, she will be around Mama long after you are history.

I'm sorry to have to bring this up in your thread, but you should go back and read GQ's post again in light of this news.

[lonedrake]

I don't care how young or old is the daughter.

she is 21

[Hammer2722]

she is 21

If I remember correctly, the daughter cannot be included in the K2 as she is already an adult.

[Gator]

Lonedrake,
 
I do not know the details nor do I want to know.  Here are some facts:
 
 
Because the daughter is 21 she can not be included in a fiancée or spousal visa.   She must remain in Ukraine and it could take 10 years or more before she could immigrate to the US as family. 
 
The best option is to bring her here on a student visa.  Having a child seemingly would make USCIS question her intent to be student.  And her education record in  Ukraine should be excellent to make it appear that her intent is to further her education.  Also she should speak some English. 

There are other ways for FSU citizens to enter the US and once here stay, even if illegally.  I do not know the procedures, yet it happens. 
 
 

[Gator]

Whoa, my friend. I don't care how young or old is the daughter. If she still lives at home you have a big problem that the K1 will only make worse. The fact is that she came along long before you did and if she isn't on board right now, she will be around Mama long after you are history.

Yes and no.  Some RW would not come to America without their children, even if adults.  Other RW believe that they have been a good mama and raised their children to adulthood, and now it is time for mama to start a brand new life even if away from her children.   

In the latter case you can expect that mama would want to visit the FSU frequently.

[BillyB]

You will have used 1 of your lifetime limit of 2 K-1 applications

Not a problem because he will have used up none of his waivers. About 95% of k-1's get approved. Of the 5% that don't get approved, around 87% were waived. I would suspect most of the k-1's that remained unapproved had no attempt to get waived as the petitioner or beneficiary gave up after being initially denied.


If someone is denied a waiver, it's probably because they were caught in an illegal immigration scheme for profit. If people fall out of love or a person couldn't adapt to the life in America, a guy/gal would easily obtain a waiver if he/she goes after his/her 3rd+ k-1. A waiver is no big deal, just an extra step a person has to go through compared to the people on their first or second k-1.

[GQBlues]

...It seems to fast to me also...but this is the path I choose and I feel comfortable about it....

Well, this matter turned into a load.

Lonedrake-

I'll be the first one to admit that the prospect of filing for a K-1 and using it as something other than what it's intended for is, IMO, asinine to me. While this may seem pretty beneficial to you, it will have a greater derogatory impact on the woman - IF - you don't continue with the proceedings after the 90-day.

While you are technically anonymous on this forum, and if your decision is made, considering you already posted photos of yourself and the gal, I advice you to refrain advertising this type of silliness openly in a forum such as this and request the site take your photos down. This may present serious repurcussion on your future filings, and quite frankly, more importantly, to this woman's future endeavors through the MOB.

I question the motivation of a woman who'll readily agree to proceed with this under the condition you speak of in light of what she have at home.

Be that as it may, there are active members in this forum who have done this stupid move. You can PM them if you need inside information regarding serious seedy proceedings like this just know it is a federal crime to file a K-Visa under false pretense.

As for the daughter with a child...no dice, man. At 21, unless they're well-off, I'm certain life is tough for her with Mama on her side. That's a massive support system she direly needs. The best case scenario - you marry Ms. FSU and she gets her citizenship in 5 years. She can then petition her kid and grandchild to join her in the US. In the meantime, be prepared to divorce yourself with some cool cash....

I'm sure the woman is likely telling you she'd work her fanny off and will send $$ to her kid, along with likely support and understanding from you. That's all nice, warm and fuzzy. Unless your Donald Trump's bastard child, best you prepare yourself to dole out some serious support money. Not sure if they have relatives who'll help take care of the 21 YO + kid, so you're best off estimating for a full spectrum of support provisions on a monthly basis.

Most importantly - over the years RWD and the like have this really stupid habit of making it seems like as though the MOB is ABOUT the men. It never was. If there's an ounce of doubt in your bone about having the ability to fully support this woman along with her child and grandchild comfortably - I advise that you leave this woman alone right here and now, man. DO NOT factor any *anticipated* income both of you may believe she'll generate upon arrival. Unless she's a rocket scientist, your pending cost will far outweigh whatever revenue she'll bring in. You may make it work somehow, but under what other sacrifices in your life you'll need to make?

There are BILLIONS on single women the world over. Likely thousands in Ukraine looking to marry a foreigner. For the life of me, the year and effort you'd put in in your journey netted you a situation as such?

For all intent and purposes, the chase is the easiest part. It's the life after the chase that can present a multitude of challenges. That's the part where you need to be sure of yourself and the woman you chose to live it with you.

[lonedrake]

the prospect of filing for a K-1 and using it as something other than what it's intended for

 We intend to get married 100%. No fraud what so ever. The issue I hinted at has nothing to do with me or my intent or her intent.. The daughter "says" she supports us. All I can do is believe her. My point about posting it was I am thinking of more than just me.I will not explain the issue....but it is definitely not fraud.

I question the motivation of a woman who'll readily agree to proceed with this under the condition you speak of in light of what she have at home.

 Explain. How,why?



 I understand you are concerned about her well being? Well guess what? So am I.

 GQ....I have read plenty of your posts. It is clear to me that you are the "reality check" on here.  In your last post to me.....I was called no names....so I appreciate that

I am not here to fight....just tell my story and learn. I take all advice and keep it in the back of my mind.

One thing I did do before I started this was to look at the costs. Even though I only make 45-60,000 a year I am debt free.
I have 125,000 sitting in my checking account. (well technically half is in savings)

It's the life after the chase that can present a multitude of challenges.

I understand and agree.  An analogy I think of is soldiers going to battle for the first time. No matter what they say,think ,have been trained.....they will never know how they will react to getting shot at...until they do get shot at.



 




 

[lonedrake]

 My/our K-1 plans went down like a lead ballon

 So we went to get her documents translated. I am not completely sure why the translator would not sign off on all of them, but I believe we had copies and she said they needed to be originals....and these may be hard to come by.

Anyways the female translator and the female lawyer(not sure if she is actually) kind of gave me a hard time about doing a K-1 when it is so easy and simple to marry in Ukraine. Somehow either from before and/or added on then, the story I hear is that so many Ukrainian women on the K-1 are just prostitutes and the embassy interview is horrible and chances are 50/50 to get approved...plus super hard. Language tests etc.

Now from what I have read and from what I know about us.....I had no worries about the K-1 not going through.


Anyways...we now plan to get married in Ukraine. 

[Faux Pas]

My/our K-1 plans went down like a lead ballon

 So we went to get her documents translated. I am not completely sure why the translator would not sign off on all of them, but I believe we had copies and she said they needed to be originals....and these may be hard to come by.

Anyways the female translator and the female lawyer(not sure if she is actually) kind of gave me a hard time about doing a K-1 when it is so easy and simple to marry in Ukraine. Somehow either from before and/or added on then, the story I hear is that so many Ukrainian women on the K-1 are just prostitutes and the embassy interview is horrible and chances are 50/50 to get approved...plus super hard. Language tests etc.

Now from what I have read and from what I know about us.....I had no worries about the K-1 not going through.


Anyways...we now plan to get married in Ukraine.

Likely they do not know as much as they think they do. You can't by-pass the visa process by getting married there. You'll still have to provide the same documentation for the K-3. It is only slightly different than the K-1 and from what I understand requires more paperwork/documentation than the K-1. I don't personally know about a K-3 other than what I've read here and visajourney.

If the relationship and the intent are real, the K-1 is pretty cut and dried. Provide the documents, proof of the relationship, pay the fees, file and wait. Approval will be forthcoming provided you jump through any hoops they provide

[ML]

I agree with FP.  You are not solving anything by getting married first.  The paperwork may have a different Form number, but you are going to have to provide all the same documentation whether K-1 or K-3.

And, as I understand it, you are in love with and marrying a woman with whom the two of you cannot communicate.

[pokerintherear]

LD,  This is my 2nd post to suggest slowing down with your relationship. I'm sure you think I'm a very negative person. But you are being manipulated at the moment.  Im not saying she is the wrong woman but to be sure you need to take control of the process and slow it down.

You are the US petitioner for the K1. You should be getting the information from her and filling out the forms yourself or with the help of someone you know and trust. With little patience and time the K1 can be done without a lawyer. I would be very uncomfortable with the situation you describe. It would almost be like her and her friend filling out a 1040 tax return for you.

Just stop and take a deep breath. you can still go forward but educate yourself with the process.

Regards

[lonedrake]

You can't by-pass the visa process by getting married there. You'll still have to provide the same documentation for the K-3. It is only slightly different than the K-1 and from what I understand requires more paperwork/documentation than the K-1.

 My research and knowledge is about the k-1. My beliefs are the same as yours. It was literally 3 against one and I did not have any counterpoints to their "facts". When we walked out of the office she was convinced the K-1 is not the way to go. To difficult and to risky. I have not looked into it yet as I was flying all day....but from what I remember the only real differences,between the K-1 and K-3, we will have is that we will get married in Ukraine....and it will take an extra 3-5 months before she can move over here. But I explained this to her and she prefers this than taking a 'chance" on the interview. its one of those issues than even if I win...I still lose.

And, as I understand it, you are in love with and marrying a woman with whom the two of you cannot communicate.

ML....I know you are a smart man....but your reading comprehension sucks. I say this not just from this post ,but also from past posts.

[lonedrake]

I'm sure you think I'm a very negative person.

Not at all. The thought never even crossed my mind.

You should be getting the information from her and filling out the forms yourself or with the help of someone you know and trust. With little patience and time the K1 can be done without a lawyer

The only reason we ended up there was to get her documents translated to english. I filled out all the forms myself.


 

[lonedrake]

This is why I went there.

USCIS Document Translation Policy

Per the USCIS, documents not in English must be translated. The policy states as follows: "All documents that are in a language other than English must be submitted with a translation. The person translating the document must certify that the translation is complete and accurate and that he/she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English."

All translations must include a statement similar to the following:

Certification by Translator:

I     typed name    , certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and                     
languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the
document attached entitled                       .

Signature                                                       
Date                                          Typed Name
                                                  Address