ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresThe whole process is outrageous
QUOTE (alaskaone @ Sep 14 2007, 10:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (meow mix @ Sep 14 2007, 06:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (alaskaone @ Sep 14 2007, 09:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Folks, we've all paid taxes... 31% off the top for most of us plus about another 20% in hidden taxes on goods and services. Why are we being milked again?

We want to marry someone. That's it. 9/11 was done by people approved by the feds to come to our country. Who has been punished? Nobody working for the Feds, that's for certain.

We're trying to get married and live happy ever after, that's all. USCIS is using it as an excuse to extract revenue from us.

All that can be reasonably asked of us is the following; a tax return (have ya got a job to support your new wife/husband with?) and a criminal background check on the fiance'. That's it. No more.

This wringer INS wants to smash us all through is just plain cruel and pointless.


Well, that's now how it is, and it's not going to change (and INS is no longer a department that exists), so either put up or shut up.


"That's how it is and it's not going to change."

Says you. What a cowardly attitude. Put up or shut up? Do you want photos of the building, sweetie? Photos of the people inside the building, darling? It's the same building and the same people. I went through this whole damnable process ten years ago and in the decade past it's only gotten worse and ten times the cost in money and bloody pointless paperwork.

You want to bend over and lube up, fine. I've got to do the same thing but the difference between us appears to be that you like it and I don't. It's precisely your sort of attitude that has allowed the feds to spiral so far out of control.

They work for us. We do not work for them. How dare you forget that.


I like what? We got our AOS approval in 7 weeks, so I have no complaints. I feel bad for people like RJ and LAL who had to wait through name checks and did so graciously. If I had a problem, I would do something about it - you won't even write to your congress(wo)man. Nothing gets done whining away on an internet message board, but that's all you see fit to do. Wonder who the real coward is then?

If you want things to change do something productive regarding your wants and desires. This is not productive.

And a tip: politicians and government don't take well to crazy people screaming and shouting. Maybe that's why your results have been so shockingly nonexistant, if this ####### here is any hint to your behavior.
athena_nyFemalePeru2007-09-14 09:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresThe whole process is outrageous
QUOTE (alaskaone @ Sep 14 2007, 09:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Folks, we've all paid taxes... 31% off the top for most of us plus about another 20% in hidden taxes on goods and services. Why are we being milked again?

We want to marry someone. That's it. 9/11 was done by people approved by the feds to come to our country. Who has been punished? Nobody working for the Feds, that's for certain.

We're trying to get married and live happy ever after, that's all. USCIS is using it as an excuse to extract revenue from us.

All that can be reasonably asked of us is the following; a tax return (have ya got a job to support your new wife/husband with?) and a criminal background check on the fiance'. That's it. No more.

This wringer INS wants to smash us all through is just plain cruel and pointless.


Well, that's now how it is, and it's not going to change (and INS is no longer a department that exists), so either put up or shut up.
athena_nyFemalePeru2007-09-14 09:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresThe whole process is outrageous
QUOTE (alaskaone @ Sep 14 2007, 09:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We are required to beg and bribe and perform leaps through burning loops of red tape... why? Why do we allow this? Why do we tolerate it? Why are we meekly complying with it?

As the INS thug behind the bullet proof glass in the Anchorage office so snidely informed me, 30 years ago this ####### did not exist. You got married and when you returned to the states, you informed the feds of that fact. The end. Maybe that's true, maybe it's not but either way, I'm fit to go postal trying to comply with endless, redundant demands.

And now I see they've jacked the price up over 100%. So nice I get to pay out the ears for federal goons to abuse my fiance' and I for years to come. I just cannot express my outrage, my absolute hatred of all things INS. How dare they.

Isn't there anything to be done about this? My god! I've got to go into that wretched cesspit and smile big and talk polite and thank them oh so much for their abuse and contempt because if I don't, "Oh, dear, your file seems to have been lost. You'll have submit everything again and meanwhile, we're going to imprison your fiance' and send her back to Finland".

GHAAAAA!!! Am I the only one near to blowing a gasket over their pointless bureaucratic bullshit? There has got to be some way to stop them. Appealing to senators and congressmen is pointless, they don't run any of the bureaucracies and most of them are lame ducks right now, anyway. There has got to be something...

It has got to stop.


Move to Finland.
athena_nyFemalePeru2007-09-14 08:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWell, we finally got our RFE ... It is for stuff we already sent
QUOTE (doug & angel @ Sep 14 2007, 09:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well after much waiting, we finally got our RFE today .. Guess what .. its for stuff which was in the package already sent.

The lawyers responded by filling out the pretty blue forms, writing a letter to that effect, enclosing a copy of the documents under request (again) and off to the overnight postal envelope it went.

All well and good (except for the sound of my head beating the wall in frustrating)

So a couple of questions come to mind (and are tossed out to the opinions of all to chew on)

Since this was "initial materials" when they receive them (again) will they restart our clock as if we didn't send them the materials (yes we sent them, I used a digital camera and photographed each piece going into the package and you can clearly see the documents in question in the pile and going in the box)

and/or

Since USCIS made a mistake in the RFE is this grounds for an expedite under the "USCIS error" rules?


If USCIS mistakes were grounds for expedite, everyone here would be expedited.
athena_nyFemalePeru2007-09-17 08:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresjuly fillers
http://www.visajourn...showtopic=77740
athena_nyFemalePeru2007-09-18 08:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAre you fed up with USCIS yet?
QUOTE (julezabelle @ Sep 19 2007, 03:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (devilette @ Sep 19 2007, 03:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (julezabelle @ Sep 19 2007, 12:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (devilette @ Sep 19 2007, 02:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This is not a re-invention of the wheel.... no0pb.gif

Last year with the IMBRA RFE, many of us had no answers for weeks/months. We talked about protesting, we wrote letters, we contacted our congresspeople.

One VJer had a quite a big story (about the wait times for immigration) write up by AP that got picked up for national use. Didn't make a difference either way though.

post about story


Thats why.



No, that is so all these super excited letter writers get a dose of reality. And that ran as a national story.

I wrote my congressperson in Cali (about the immigration bill) & had constant phone contact with my Senator in Ohio (about IMBRA). I educate my friends & others about immigration & how much it needs to change. I read up on current legislation for immigration as well. What did/do you do?


Sorry if I offended you. I just got the impression that you don't think people should continue to bother in lobbying for reform.

To answer your questions. Well, I haven't written to anyone in Cali or Ohio, but I have in NY - Congressman Higgins and Sens. Clinton and Schumer. I too constantly educate people about the immigration process since I have learned so much in my research over the last year. People are amazed at how many hoops we have to jump through, and how long and drawn out the process is. And I keep up on the overall immigration issue as much as I can.

Regardless of whether or not this particualr battle is won, I still think its a war worth fighting.


I'd start writing people outside of NY, then. Clinton and Schumer are useless. (And don't take that as me thinking letter writing is useless.)

If you're from NYC though, it's possible they might care. Just a little. laughing.gif
athena_nyFemalePeru2007-09-19 14:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAre you fed up with USCIS yet?
QUOTE (ramos96 @ Sep 19 2007, 02:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'd like to know where is TimsDaisy? 7 pages and no comment from her.

We might as well make this a party and get everyone's opinion.


<3
Ramos


I haven't seen her in a LOOONG time.
athena_nyFemalePeru2007-09-19 13:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAre you fed up with USCIS yet?
QUOTE (devilette @ Sep 19 2007, 02:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
And so the newbie entitlement issue continues.

Only now the value of a VJer's response is solely based on how quickly they got your NOA2. laughing.gif laughing.gif


I didn't do K1, I guess that makes my opinion worthless!

It's everyday lately "REVOLT, REBEL, WE'RE NOT GONNA TAAAAKE IT!"

Letters can easily be thrown away, I believe there are much more effective ways of protest.
athena_nyFemalePeru2007-09-19 13:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTurned down for tourist visa
QUOTE (miamiwife @ Sep 19 2007, 04:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My husband also tried to get a B2 visa from Turkey last week and was denied. I know how you feel! I cried for days and feel so helpless! We even provided evidence for attending my brother's wedding, taking a class, letters of support and invitation, a letter from his employer vouching his return. Nothing. Denied. This is so frustrating. I mean--these are the people we are married to and who else has more right to be in a country to visit?


Well, that's kind of why they're denied - they have more reason to be here and ... stay.
athena_nyFemalePeru2007-09-20 07:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDenied at POE
QUOTE (Bill y Bella @ Sep 20 2007, 11:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wow. You guys are tough this morning. The original poster told us as much as he knew and asked for some input. Seems like some of the responses were a little harsh.

As to my observations,
  1. The SIL needs to learn real fast to listen to advice from people that know more than she does or she is going to have major problems.
  2. I would not hire any lawyer at this point to process the petition. I would however invest some money for a legal consulation or perhaps two in order to determine if there is a problem with the K-1 now or not. The attorney will of course need to know the details that we are currrently lacking.



Not harsh. Just honest - if he doesn't know the details to tell us, we can't help.
athena_nyFemalePeru2007-09-20 10:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion about travel

My wife is in the US now with me and I am planning a honeymoon trip. My wife hasnt received her green card yet but she has a US Visa on a Pakistani passport and I want to travel to Italy and Ireland. Is she safe in flying ?


Not if you don't have AP.
athena_nyFemalePeru2007-04-25 09:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresThis really pissed me off!!!
I suppose it sucks for your sense of entitlement and bitterness that this path is entirely legal. As long as the relationship is bona fide, it does not matter if the woman was looking for an American spouse or not.

I suggest you worry about yourself and not the legal path that others take, or you'll always be angry at the system. You are not any more entitled to have your spouse with you than they are - they are just lucky that they got into the country before meeting their's and are doing nothing illegal. Don't let your bitterness cloud your vision.

Edited by athena_ny, 07 June 2008 - 02:33 PM.

athena_nyFemalePeru2008-06-07 14:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDon't shoot the messenger...
Would totally work. The amounts people will pay for yellow page advertising is ridiculous, imagine how much they'd pay to influence every immigrant filling out ppw :)

So, rather than pass the higher costs of security on to immigrants and their loved ones, maybe the government could sell advertising on the back of the forms and letters they make immigrants complete? On the side of the visa they could have a perforated section and sell tear-off coupon advertising to American merchants—I'm seeing McDonald's, Starbuck's, Target, maybe Rapid Oil Change. It would be like a "Welcome to America, we're glad you're here! Take fifty cents off your first Big Mac!" Everyone wins!

It could happen!



That is a brilliant idea!!! :thumbs:


Agreed :thumbs: They should use some common sense here! Increasing the fees by so much is ridiculous. Will the AOS fees stay the same until October too? :blink:


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-02-02 15:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConfusion about EAD
As far as I know, if you're going to be working on United States soil, you need the EAD or it's illegal work. You can transfer within a company, but you still need to be authorized to work in the USA. If the employer "doesn't need" to see the EAD, it doesn't make it legal, it just means the employer isn't doing what they're supposed to do, but it doesn't make the work authorized.

My husband was never asked for his EAD either but without one, it would still be illegal work.

There is some question as to working without an EAD on a K1 is actually legal:

http://www.visajourn...-enter.html#5.3

However, the London Embassy (first embassy in my google search) says you do need an EAD:
http://london.usemba.../iv/fiance.html
(bottom of the page)

So, I wouldn't risk it.

OK - I'm still not clear about this..

Lets say your existing employer is happy for you to move to the US and keep your job - do you still need the EAD ?

Is it illegal to carry on working with your existing employer without the EAD? I read the following message on the expats forum and now i'm a bit confused as to whether its legal or not.. Obviously don't want to jeapordise my visa conditions by working when i'm not authorised:

Here is what i read:
I just wanted to also point out that a K-1 is authorized to work for the
first 90 days upon arrival anyway, even if they don't get the temp EAD
stamp at the POE.
If your employer is aware that you will be coming to the USA to continue
working with the same company, he may not need to see the temp EAD stamp
in your passport. If so, the JFK doesn't have to be your POE.


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-02-23 09:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresThailand K1 or K3 visa people in Florida
We're doing AOS from a different visa but I read the other forums...but anyway, I live super-close to Seminole in South Pasadena (Gulfport/St Pete Beach area) :D just wanted to share hehe

Hello all.

Are there many filers in Florida? I am in the Tampa Bay area and got an idea that it would be fun to get together with fellow filers and maybe have dinner or coffee. Discuss things about our cases and maybe network.

I am free every evening after 7, and always by phone. I am looking to make new friends who are in the waiting game.

Ken


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-02-23 09:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAOS
It depends... there are no formal processing times for family based immigration b/c they're supposed to be worked as soon as they come in (that's what I read, anyway). It could take anywhere from 3 months to, as long as 2 years. (I think those are extremes at both ends, but not to the people waiting that long of course.)

It's pretty much just a waiting game.

Hello there!
My husband and I are currently doing my paperwork for AOS...what processing time should we expect from applying to receiving GC?
Thank you.


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-02-23 13:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAny problems with attorneys?
We aren't using an attorney, but Catholic Charities...while generally helpful & good with the paperwork (I have my eagle eye, making sure all t's are crossed and i's are dotted) ... they never answer the phone, and when they do they tell us, oh just come in tomorrow, so and so will be here and of course he isn't there. I also have a major issue because while my husband is from Peru and speaks Spanish and I'm about 80% with my Spanish, the last time we were there the woman there didn't address me once, English, Spanish, or otherwise ... just spoke through my husband then at the end suddenly starts talking to him in English. Still ignoring me. GRRR. I'd rather just do the paperwork myself but he's more comfortable this way...so I'm just making sure I read up on everything and if anything seems wrong, make sure it's done right :)

I work full time and am quite busy, so I thought that it would be easier for me if I hired an immigration attorney. I wanted to do everything right the first time taking as little time as possible, so I was willing to pay the rather hefty amount. I contacted an attorney that I had found on the internet, but they never returned my call. So, my father's attorney suggested an immigration attorney that he knows who was supposed to be "one of the best." His fee was even higher than I had expected, but it seemed worth it to me if I got the best possible attention to our case. Well, I'm just not sure that I have. First off, I have learned 1,000 times more about this process from this website than from my attorney. Whenever I ask him questions, he makes everything sound like i'm worrying too much and there was nothing I needed to do but wait. For instance, he told me nothing about needing to get together documents from my banks, etc. for the I134; things that I could be doing ahead of time. Secondly, there were multiple mistakes in the paperwork and we had to get them re-done like 3 times. They even had Germany spelled incorrectly! The way his system worked is that we entered all of the information on a website. I'm very particular so I proofread everything about 10 times. So, it when they were transferring the information to the forms, they did so wrong, in numerous places on the forms. It was quite frustrating because every time they had to make corrections it took a few more days. Also, when I received my first receipt after paying half of the fee, it was a blank letterhead with only my address at the top, like they forgot to actually type the pertinent information that should have been on the receipt.

My father's attorney is great and I am really surprised that he referred me to somebody who isn't also excellent, but it feels like I could have done this much better myself and possibly even in the same amount of time. I've only paid half of the fee, and I have considered letting him know that I no longer need his services and outline the reasons why and then not pay the second half which should be due when my fiance arrives in the US. However, I'm afraid to do that because he is supposed to also take care of the work authorization (the invoice also says travel permission?) once my fiance arrives. I don't want to fire him and then when it comes time to getting those done, I'll realize that I need him.

So, I am looking for advice. Anybody in a similar situation? Should I keep the attorney? Or am I just throwing away thousands of dollars?


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-02-23 14:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTO ALL K1 APPLICANTS
Emo also advocates lying about when people proposed, when they met etc etc - at least I've seen that in the AOS forum. I wouldn't trust anything. :x

Emo, good on you that somebody signed that form and it worked for you. Things fall through the cracks now and then.


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-02-25 13:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConfusing Case - need advice
:thumbs:

Are there states where you dont need ID to marry? Sounded like he didnt have any at all.


It's not up to an individual clerk or state to verify immigration status. Chances are good he has SOMETHING to prove his identify and if not, clearly he needs to get something. If everything was stolen months ago and he has NOT yet replaced his identification, I would very seriously question the entire story.


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-02-26 20:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConfusing Case - need advice
I'm not sure what the best course of action really is, but I will say this:

My husband overstayed his visa by 4.5 years and the clerk didn't call the USCIS when we applied for our marriage license. They don't need to see the I-94, generally just need to see proof of who you are.

Also, if he does stay here and they just marry, the onus will be on them to prove that the relationship is real and that there was no immigrant intent when he entered the country.

Edited by meow mix, 26 February 2007 - 08:16 PM.

athena_nyFemalePeru2007-02-26 20:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWork visa during K1 process?
Just a word of caution...don't always take what the USCIS says 100%. There are stories of getting told something like that and not having it pan out in the past.

Someone at the USCIS just told him it would be okay to enter on an L1 and get married. I haven't seen the application for it, myself. I think the potential employer mentioned another H class visa, though - an H2, perhaps? For now, I think I will set aside the I-129F paperwork until we can get some clearer information about all this. I wish the USCIS website was more user-friendly, though. ARGH!


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-01 16:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWork visa during K1 process?
Not necessarily. As far as I understand it, if when he entered the US you weren't planning on marriage, it would be okay. Proving that, on the other hand, not so easy...

But then his current entry on a tourist visa would be considered fraudulent - we would have to prove that we somehow just met and decided to marry, when we've both got the passport stamps and a good paper trail proving that we already know each other.

At this point, I'm holding off on filing the I-129F petition packet until we can figure out this L1 vs. H1B work visa stuff. The USCIS just told him he can come over here on a work visa (either one of these) and we could legally marry without problem. But on the other hand, as soon as I get the K1 process rolling, then he wouldn't be able to get an L1 or and H1B. So for now, the K1 is on the back burner.


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-01 15:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG 325 A
In some states, you can legally work at 14.

I would list all residences, just as they happened, if you need attach another paper to show the reasoning, or circumstances. same for jobs, list according and give details. I believe they mean jobs since you or he are of legal working age.


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-02 13:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGot married at city Hall Today
We're having a party too but not calling it a wedding. My husband's cousin (and too many other people) are doing that and pretending they aren't married and it's tacky as all hell. And I have to be in the damn thing.

We got married today at Oakland California city hall and it was a breeze. Highly reccomend getting the paperwork done first and planning a ceremony/party for later. drinking champagne and very happy. now we can apply for AOS,EAD, and planning a party for April. Good luck to all.


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-02 08:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCourthouse weddings?
A family friend was like I GOT MARRIED IN MY PAJAMAS

yeah...I was like "I WILL NOT DO THAT"

I've never heard of people getting married in pyjamas. That would be interesting. lol


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-05 19:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCourthouse weddings?
I know in FL, if you're not a state resident, you can marry the same day (not true if you are). My foreign husband had a state driver's license, so we had to wait 3 days due to not taking the class (not a big deal as we'd planned it for a certain date anyway). Don't know if they do it in NJ, but if they do, it's likely they could get away with this as she probably won't have a drivers license, etc yet.

You might be able to call the county without too much trouble if it's a smaller county (I don't know my NJ counties, though my mom was born in one of the counties you mention).

Marriages cross statelines (well, hetero-marriages, anyway) - which means a marriage in Florida is as valid in Texas as a Texas marriage is valid in Texas, etc. It wouldn't make things more complicated at the federal level (for AOS, etc), though it is possible one state may take longer to process licenses than another, etc. There's a reason Nevada used to be the destination for quickie weddings (Vegas, Reno, etc), but these days, many states are just as quick with same-day service. With some research ahead of time, you can marry anywhere within the 50 states without worrying that it will mess up your AOS (unless you waited until day 89 or whatever on your K1 - but that would be pushing it even for your own state, probably).


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-05 16:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCourthouse weddings?
I got married in Clearwater Beach, at the courthouse there. The room was small, we signed the papers outside the room though ;). It was outfitted to look like something other than a regular office etc. There were flowers, nice decorations on the wall, but the room wouldn't have fit any more than the 8 of us in there. My family and his family were taking pictures, and the lobby of the courthouse is super nice so we got some great pictures. I got all dressed up (well, it was a bright red dress :)), and it was not like the cheesy "lets go get married in our pajamas" scene I'd previously envisioned in a courthouse.

In Florida, it cost us 93.50 for the license, and another 30.00 to be married at the courthouse.
athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-05 16:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMust you change your name?
:blink:

This is an issue I struggled with as well. I gave in and took my husband's name since I knew it meant a lot to him even though he never made a big deal about it..I could just tell the way he asked.


I admire you for doing that because I being a more traditional, old-fashioned guy would have my feelings hurt a bit if my wife didn't want to take my name...


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-04 11:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresKind of complicated story.. ideas appreciated~
Didn't change my tune at all. I can hope for the best for the OP the same way I can wish the victims of a trainwreck the best...doesn't mean I don't stop and stare.

I am sincere, even though what was said in the edited post holds true. This thread IS a trainwreck for a multitude of reasons. Which would be why I'm no longer commenting...so your point is moot.

Changed your tune pretty fast huh?? :whistle:


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-06 09:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresKind of complicated story.. ideas appreciated~
I am sincere, even though what was said in the edited post holds true. This thread IS a trainwreck for a multitude of reasons. Which would be why I'm no longer commenting...so your point is moot.

While I agree some have better attitudes, I'll be the first to admit that securing good, decent employment without even a COLLEGE degree is hard in today's workforce. I was lucky and happened to fall into a job that paid a liveable income, but depending on the location, etc. it's not always that easy. I empathize with her - I really do. I've been in situations where running always seemed the only viable option, but problems follow you. I think that LisaD's advice should really be heeded - as far as the transference of dependence. The poster below you mentioned her getting raked over the coals and being judged due to her age - it's a big deal, as we all know, starting over in a new country, esp at 16 with no marketable skills. I'd advise being on your own in a familiar place first (which I didn't do, and I wish I'd had the opportunity) so when the OP got here, she'd at least be able to survive if things went awry. Transferring her dependence to the boyfriend is going to be an awful stress on him too - after all, he's only 20.

She was asking about marriage, and how she'd be 16 in April and her parents would give her permission to marry, and that's legal in her country and his state - it seemed very much she was planning on marriage at 16 to me. I know the person I was at 16 and the person I am now (and it's only been 4 years) are too very different versions of the same person - and the 16 year old version couldn't handle a lot of things I can now. I feel that this is probably why teenage marriage statistics are so leveling, and the odds of that type of marriage are working out are not in the OP's favor. And that's probably why she received the advice she did from so many people - to wait, try a student visa.

More power to her if she makes it work. I always wish everyone the best of luck with their loved ones, but the trials that will be endured are not easy, especially with a foreign spouse involved. It would have been hard in the best of circumstances, but dealing with AOS, etc. add stress, not take it away. I just felt she deserved a fair warning that it wasn't a walk in the park and it wasn't as easy as she envisioned with her preconceived "answers" to every problem.


Had I not seen your post that you edited rather quickly earlier in the thread, I would have thought you were actually sincere....


Edited by meow mix, 06 March 2007 - 09:29 AM.

athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-06 09:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresKind of complicated story.. ideas appreciated~
While I agree some have better attitudes, I'll be the first to admit that securing good, decent employment without even a COLLEGE degree is hard in today's workforce. I was lucky and happened to fall into a job that paid a liveable income, but depending on the location, etc. it's not always that easy. I empathize with her - I really do. I've been in situations where running always seemed the only viable option, but problems follow you. I think that LisaD's advice should really be heeded - as far as the transference of dependence. The poster below you mentioned her getting raked over the coals and being judged due to her age - it's a big deal, as we all know, starting over in a new country, esp at 16 with no marketable skills. I'd advise being on your own in a familiar place first (which I didn't do, and I wish I'd had the opportunity) so when the OP got here, she'd at least be able to survive if things went awry. Transferring her dependence to the boyfriend is going to be an awful stress on him too - after all, he's only 20.

She was asking about marriage, and how she'd be 16 in April and her parents would give her permission to marry, and that's legal in her country and his state - it seemed very much she was planning on marriage at 16 to me. I know the person I was at 16 and the person I am now (and it's only been 4 years) are too very different versions of the same person - and the 16 year old version couldn't handle a lot of things I can now. I feel that this is probably why teenage marriage statistics are so leveling, and the odds of that type of marriage are working out are not in the OP's favor. And that's probably why she received the advice she did from so many people - to wait, try a student visa.

More power to her if she makes it work. I always wish everyone the best of luck with their loved ones, but the trials that will be endured are not easy, especially with a foreign spouse involved. It would have been hard in the best of circumstances, but dealing with AOS, etc. add stress, not take it away. I just felt she deserved a fair warning that it wasn't a walk in the park and it wasn't as easy as she envisioned with her preconceived "answers" to every problem.

Please do not come to the US without at least a high school education. We don't need any more uneducated citizens. Unless you want to break your back working under the hot sun in a field picking produce and live a very honorable but otherwise miserable life you would only become another leech on the system and an uninformed voter. Why do you think we are currently in the mess we are in over here?

And as for getting married at the age of 16, I would guess you are doing this to run away from family or other problems. You will find that those problems will follow you to the US. We don't need those problems here either. Get your education, make good with your family or cut ties with them if the relationship is permanently unhealthy (still far too soon to know yet, all 16 year olds hate their parents), figure out who you really are (at 16 I guarantee you don't know yet), then consider marriage and a new life in the US.


Now I don't know if that's quite true! And sometimes, people who don't have a high school education have attitudes that are a lot better than people who have university degrees...

I think these statements are too general! She didn't say she was planning on getting married at the age of 16; she was just asking about her options.


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-05 17:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresKind of complicated story.. ideas appreciated~
I totally agree. I didn't have to do K1, but even just AOS is hard and stressful enough as it is. :thumbs:

As for me, I will not advise a young person of 15, almost 16 to go out and just get a K1. Too many factors are involved with that journey to give out a flippant response such as that. If that's the response she wanted, she came to the wrong message board for that.


I agree; I wouldn't either. My fiancé and I don't even live as far apart as most people in a long distance relationship (flying is only one to two hours, driving might be about 7 or 8!) but going the K1 route was a very big decision even for us. I can't even imagine what it is like for people who are on opposite sides of the world, let alone very young.


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-03 15:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresKind of complicated story.. ideas appreciated~
I was wondering about that. Seems like a 16 year old high school drop out would be a red flag to USCIS, but I didn't want to ask.

I'm the USC in my relationship, and my husband was already here, in Florida while I was in NY. Our situation is maybe a little bit backwards, as I moved to be with him, and just moving 1300 miles within the same country was difficult. I couldn't imagine doing one country to another at my age (20) much less 16. Seems like the main motivation here is escaping something, and no matter how true and sad that may be, it's an awful way to start out of a marriage ESPECIALLY when dealing with immigration stresses and moving to a new and unfamiliar place, dealing with the boyfriend's family dynamic, and being barely employable.

While this is a place for help with visa information, etc. when presented with so many red flags, an analysis of the relationship is going to happen.

But the other posters' ideas were posted senselessly, as she didn't want ideas, just a "go get a K1!" response.

i'd actually like to reiterate that i came here for visa information and options, not an analysis on my relationship and certainly not to be called names.

i'm aware that i'm young. i know that it's not considered wise to be getting married so young. but i either do this, or i stay here for another two years. and for the risk of sounding like a stupid teenager to all of you, who'll probably think i'm blowing everything out of proportion, i'm not going into why i can't stay here.

all i came here for was some information on what to do, because i didn't know where else to ask.

i looked into student visa options while i was still in school, and my parents said they wouldn't pay for it.

i don't know how much my boyfriend is paid, but i know it's a lot more than $8 an hour. =/

it's perfectly alright for some of you to blame my hormones for this, i expected it. but that does not make it true.

thank you for your time.


I really would like to say something about your case and i thought you said "ideas appreciated" but reading from the ones who responded to your post and your reply didn't quite match at all. Darling, the people whom you are asking opinions or "ideas" doesn't mean something bad on you, for all they care BUT these are people who are steps ahead of you and they know what they are talking about( especially for the visa information).

You decide at the end what path you are going to take... either go for the K1, CR1 or student or whatever... but just know that there are risk in everything you do. One major thing might hinder your application is your age. US goverment is weeding out people that eventually becomed a public charge later. And they will also question if you really have a geniune relationship with these man or not or else they will put you under administrative review and hold your application. You think about that and you decide.


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-03 12:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresKind of complicated story.. ideas appreciated~
:wacko: :bonk:

:blink:

WOW


Edited by meow mix, 03 March 2007 - 07:28 AM.

athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-03 07:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresKind of complicated story.. ideas appreciated~
hah. that's what I wish I had said. :P

his mom actually has a job lined up for me whenever i need it, helping her out with the clerical side of the family business, so rest assured i won't be that mcdonalds teenager. my boyfriend's not exactly poor either, he earns quite a lot. what my plan is is to get over there first, since i'm more or less incapable of staying here, wait until i can get settled and then go back to school, take night classes to get my GED.

also, yeah, i know about the challenges, and i definitely wouldn't be considering any of this if i didn't know i could do it. my support net is his family, since i'm quite close to them, much more than my actual family in australia.

you sound like a dumb azz! I cant belive you are even beliving this garbage you are typing.

" so rest assured i won't be that mcdonalds teenager. my boyfriend's not exactly poor either, he earns quite a lot. what my plan is is to get over there first, since i'm more or less incapable of staying here, wait until i can get settled and then go back to school, take night classes to get my GED. "

Bullchit! - stay in school, finish and then pick up a REAL trade. then consider marriage!! DUH!


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-02 19:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresKind of complicated story.. ideas appreciated~
:thumbs:
I got married recently and I'm only 20, which I know is young, but I'm eons beyond where I was at 16. It's hard at 20, at 25, at 30...no way would I do it at 16, combined with moving to a new country etc etc.

Couldn't agree with you more, meow mix!

Yes, 16 years old seems not the time for marriage, to me :no: It's the time for "discover" about sex, i guess...he he...
I still remember how i was in that age, i thought i could do any thing, i thought i could "fly as a bird"...many dreams and plans...My ex bf whom i considered i would marry him when i was 18 now is a "stranger" to me, we loved each other to die at that time and we thought disaster would come if we could not get married, we had plan to get married at once after we graduated college. Now what? I have new life, completely different life after my teen ages passed over. Changing hormones and everything seems affected to your mind, your behaviors also! My advise is very simple: " Think everything all over again and make your own decision, you will be to be responsible for it the rest of your life". Wish you the bright life with the man whom you love and you would never have to say "I regret"!

You can go to the US with K3 visa though (fiancee visa is too risky)


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-02 18:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresKind of complicated story.. ideas appreciated~
You obviously had your mind made up when you asked for advice and are looking for some kind of escape, so just know that it's not as easy as it seems going in, and we (everyone, I am speaking from experience) often thinks they're way more mature than they really are (at any age). Life has a way of happening, and it doesn't always turn out the way we planned on.

I'm not sure what you consider "quite a lot" as far as money goes (I know when I was 15 I considered 8 dollars an hour a TON so that's the only reason I say anything), but I make a decent living for not having a college degree and "quite a lot" can turn into "very little" way faster than you know. Good luck.

his mom actually has a job lined up for me whenever i need it, helping her out with the clerical side of the family business, so rest assured i won't be that mcdonalds teenager. my boyfriend's not exactly poor either, he earns quite a lot. what my plan is is to get over there first, since i'm more or less incapable of staying here, wait until i can get settled and then go back to school, take night classes to get my GED.

also, yeah, i know about the challenges, and i definitely wouldn't be considering any of this if i didn't know i could do it. my support net is his family, since i'm quite close to them, much more than my actual family in australia.


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-02 16:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresKind of complicated story.. ideas appreciated~
I hate to be harsh but...I'd really try to finish school. Without a high school degree, where are you going to work once employment authorized? McDonald's doesn't pay that well, and I say that as someone who dropped out of college and it's hard enough finding decent work without a college degree. Doesn't Australia have something similar to the GED? The poverty line looks good, but I'm with both of us being above poverty level it's hard to keep afloat. I don't know how anyone survives on that.

thanks for all your help. the student visas though are out of the question, since i've had to drop out of school since my seperated parents started having problems - basically my mom was moving in with her boyfriend so she kicked me out, at which point i moved in with my dad, but since he's in and out of hospital a lot, i've been switched back and forth between places for months now, and it's incredibly hard to stay in school when you're moving from one end of the country to the opposite end and then back again. i've tried home school too, but the motivation to do it is just so little. my boyfriend and i have met in real life, and he's coming back here to see me in mid march, but only for two weeks because of work restrictions. he works for his dad's company and under his brother in two separate jobs, so if he were to quit or miss out on too much work and get fired, there'd be a lot of family issues around, and i don't want to put that on him.

the CR1 visa sounded like my best option, since my boyfriend and i have considered getting him to come over here in april for about a week to get married if it's possible. does anyone have any more information on it?

p.s. sorry about the font. :whistle:


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-01 11:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa...can you just marry anyone?
oh boy :blink:

would your "Friend's" problem sound anything like this?

http://www.visajourn...mp;#entry594093


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-09 13:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIs this ok to do?
He/She said after they get the visa.

What happens if you get denied the VISA, and your items are in the US? :wacko:


athena_nyFemalePeru2007-03-14 06:56:00