Why K-1 anyway?

[Michelangelo]

It seems like the K-1 is a lot of hassel and takes up to a year in some cases.  Why not just marry the girl in Urkaine?  Surly then she could get a visa to the US since she would be married to an American and not threat to run away when she gets here.  Why not this route?

[Bruno]

Yep, why not... K1 against K3... in theorie, the K3 is more fast but in reality, it is more slow... of course, when all is finish, with the K3, it is more easy because you are already married... it is a choice...

Several US man choice the K1 because tourist visa for RW is almost impossible... this allow the fiance to know the new home country before the marriage... big advantage...

[jb]

There are advantages to the K-3 vs K-1, Michael, (and it's not any faster) but I'd advise against it unless you have at least the same face time together that the K-1 affords.  IOW, if you haven't gone to her city and lived with her for 3 months I'd say you are taking a big gamble.  Even having spent 90 days face time with her scattered over several vacations is still not quite the same as living together for 3 months straight.

You would do yourself a favor by not being in such a rush, slow down a bit and get to know your partner a lot better.

[Michelangelo]

My thought was that the K3 would get her into the US, but not to other countries in my travels.  I don't have to have a visa to go to most places, but with a K3 she would would have to, right?   Or am I making a wrong assumption that after the 3 months of the K1 visa she would be able to go outside of the US with me?

[ConnerVT]

K-1, K-3, doesn't matter for how she may travel.  Until (or unless) she becomes an U.S. citizen, she will still travel under her native country's passport, and be under the visa restrictions that apply for her country.

Once she recieves her Permanent Resident Alien Card ("Green Card"), she will find some countries relax their entry requirements.

A "Must have" bookmark if you plan to travel:

http://www.delta.com/travel/trav_serv/intl_travel/timatic/index.jsp

[Bruce]

K-3's usually take alot longer to get Stateside.  Also, you are married - not as much chance for error.  Check out what this guy went through recently:

http://www.planet-love.com/wwwboard/russian/messages/99951.html

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/view_topic.php?id=568&forum_id=11&page=2

If that can not dissuade you from a K-3 I do not know what can.

[Michelangelo]

K-3's usually take alot longer to get Stateside.  Also, you are married - not as much chance for error.  Check out what this guy went through recently:
If that can not dissuade you from a K-3 I do not know what can.

whoa...!!!  I get the message...I will go the K1 route...better to see how she will adjust to the US and for both to be sure...thanks!

[jb]

Michael,

Just FYI, after my wife and I married in Moscow, the K-3 took 14 months before she arrived in the USA.  It is not a quicker way to go.  Your honey will show up at your door step much faster on a K-1 visa.

Just thought you'd like to know.

[START2]

Michael,

 I'm with jb here. spend some time with her. If money and work aren't a problem with you, go live in the same town she does with her for several months. How else will you know? If she's serious about you, she'll spend as much time as possible with you. In a few months you'll see how she'll  react to many different situations and she'll see how you are to. It's a 2 way street. My fiance has a responsable job and is needed everyday, but you know what, when I came, she was with me. For several months I lived with her because I had time. I wanted a close relationship and didn't take this lightly. She worked and I took care of the home. Every chance she had, she was home early and her family treated me like a friend and now sil . Does she want to introduce you? Major move on her part. It proves where's she's at in your relationship. Those who hide you from her family and friends, have alot to hide. Think about it.

[philb]

I am suprised no one has mentioned the DCF route. This is much faster than either the K1 or K3 routes.  Last I heard this was only taking about 2 to 3 months to process. 

[Admin]

I am suprised no one has mentioned the DCF route.This is much faster than either the K1 or K3 routes. Last I heard this was only taking about 2 to 3 months to process.

Only for Ukraine Phil. The DCF is available in Russia only for those expats who can demonstrate residence in Russia for at least 6 months.

- Dan

[Turboguy]

Darn, just when I thought I knew a little about visas from all my research.   I give up.  What is a DCF visa

[Admin]

Darn, just when I thought I knew a little about visas from all my research. I give up. What is a DCF visa

Direct Consular Filing.

It eliminates a MAJOR headache in the visa - the Department of Justice. All processing is managed/handled by the Department of State - whereas with the K visas, BOTH State and Justice have roles.

- Dan

[jb]

All processing is managed/handled by the Department of State

Quite right, Dan.  For the entry visa....

However, the DCF'er will still have to deal with the BCIS when it comes to AOS, EAD's and other such related documents as the newly immigrated bride heads down the road towards citizenship.

There's no way to completely avoid the morass of the USBCIS.

[Admin]

All processing is managed/handled by the Department of State

Quite right, Dan.  For the entry visa....

However, the DCF'er will still have to deal with the BCIS when it comes to AOS, EAD's and other such related documents as the newly immigrated bride heads down the road towards citizenship.

There's no way to completely avoid the morass of the USBCIS.[/quote]

Yeah - I was only referring to the initial visa for arrival. After that, there is no way to avoid the bureaucracy.

- Dan

[jb]

As a rule, the hold over attitude from the cold war and the bad old days of the CCCP, of the US Gov't is completely  backwards when dealing with the FSU. The rules regarding FSUW is not the same for other countries.  For example, a fellow working at the same company I was with decided to marry a girl from South America.  He married there in Brazil, and filed the I-130 at the local Consular office. The papers were processed in one day and a visa was issued the next. He did make sure he had all the necessary papers in hand before he married, i.e., certified copies of his prior divorce, birth certificate, her police reports, medical exam, etc., but 24 hours later she had an entry visa in her passport.

She arrived in the USA 4 days later, complete with the Conditional Green Card in hand, and all of this took place within hours, not months.

As the old quote sez; "Some pigs are more equal than other pigs".  It is just my opinion, but the stumbling blocks and impediments to immigration for FSU citizens seem to be deliberate and mean spirited on the part of the US State Department and the USBCIS.  Your government is going to make this process as dificult and unbearable for the applicant as they can.  

The newbie seeking a bride from a country east of the Danube should be aware of these facts of life.

[jb]

Here's a photo I really like.



The next time you see a left wing wacko libral promoting illegal immigration, think of this pic.  We RWD'er jump through the hoops to promote legal immigration for our loved ones while there is a segment of our social culture who advocate getting soft on illegal immigration.

Write your Congressman, let him know what you think about that.  It ought to be at least as difficult to immigrate for a Mexican as it is for a Russian or Ukrainian.

[wxman]

Amen to that!

[Michelangelo]

OK, I have the answer to the question I posted that started this discussion.

Guys--get a K-1 visa and not a K-3.

Several guys have posted stories here about their "girl" being differnet in the US than when they met them in FSU or vacation spots.  One girl even cheated on her guy when she got here!

So, we need to live with the girl in the US before marriage.

ALSO--last week I got a phone call and emails from my old girl from Russia--the first girl I met on this FSU bride search.

She was in the US with a man on a K-1 visa and it WAS NOT working out.  In her view, she was being totally ignored and locked away in his house while he was on business trips and working or golfing. So she wanted out--fast!

Thus, realize that any girl you bring to the US has many contacts here.  Better to find out for sure if she will be happy here and loyal to you....

SO, it's settled....go the K-1 route.

[Turboguy]

K-1 is much better.  You are looking at about 5 months.   I filed the K-1 application in early march and if the interview goes ok my gal will arrive in the USA on the 2nd of August. 

Now, going back to the DCF am I right or am I wrong (my usual state)

K-1 is for a American Citizen living in the USA (generally) and the fiancee living abroad.

K-3 is for a US citizen living in the usa generally, and the wife living abroad.

Now the part I am really asking for.

Isn't DCF intended for an american citizen with a foreign wife BOTH living abroad (generally together)  

 

[Goombah]

DCF - Direct Counsolar Filing.  Means the man needs to be there to file the paperwork.  I suspect "Living" there vs. just being there for a week or three is a fine distinction that is meaningless.

Believe DCF is currently only available in Ukraine, not Russia, and yes, you have to be legally married first.  (Ok, OK, not technically true, but you have to been living in Russia for something like 6-12 months before you quality - something that excludes most of us.)

BTW - My K-1 Application date is May 2nd, and I've yet to hear a thing other than my NOA1.  Going through Nebraska, which was down to a 7 week delay, but whose processing date hasn't changed in the last 3 web updates.  Hopeing for a 6-month application-to-arrival time still.

Kevin

[Turboguy]

That is probably a good sign Kevin.   I think there is a good chance if you were going to get an RFE you would have heard that by now.  Good Luck.  It seems like it takes forever sometimes but the time does roll by.   Wait till you get to the last few weeks and see how nervous you get.  

[Goombah]

I go home every night looking for an RFE in my mailbox...  Suspect it is distinct enough that it wouldn't get accidently trashed.

Just wish Nebraska was showing progress.  When I filed, I had a fantasy about them going to Jamaica with me (August 4th->14th) and then flying the last leg on her brand new Visa rather than returning.  That's rather unlikely now.  Oh well, still hoping for Halloween.

On the plus side, they are loading up with luggage with things for me to bring back - compared to most, they will get an extra "round" of home items coming to America.  We are going to swap luggage when we get there - I will have two full sets, stacked inside each other like when you buy them that they will take home, and I'll return with theirs.

Kevin

[Turboguy]

I don't know if I am lucky or unlucky on the luggage thing.   On my last trip to see her I took two suitcases and came back with one.    I told her I could do the same thing this time as the only suitcase she had of her own was briefcase sized.   She said, "No, I am fine.  I don't have that much to take to America with me"   

If I am lucky, it is that I don't have to fool with all the luggage and heavy bags.    The unlucky part is I can count on a heck of a shopping trip when I get her back here.

[ConnerVT]

Count on it anyway...

As for suitcases, my wife always underestimates what it will take to move what she wishes to bring.  Even on this last trip to visit, between gifts, clothing to sell, and our own stuff, we needed two full airport carts to move it.  Then, when I came back, my suitcases were stuffed full of gifts we had recieved (mostly ceramic, but the stone knic-knac box weighed about 2kg!).  I can only imagine what she will be bringing back with her...