Need advise!

[ocworker]

hi there. my friend plans to marry with his girlfriend who lives in Taiwan. The question is, what is the starting point he should look for getting information about bring his wife-to-be to US? He is in the process of his n400. it could be completed in few months or in few years (who knows). However, he wants to get an idea how the whole process of bring his wife or fiancee to US should be.

some general questions he asked me:
1) shall he marry in Taiwan or in US? what are the pros or cons in both?
2) what kind of visa / application forms shall he use to fill the petition to get his wife or fiancee to US?
3) how long would it take to apply for a fiancee visa?
4) if they marry in Taiwan, does she need to wait in Taiwan until she gets visa to come to US?
5) if they marry in US, does she have to wait until her visa comes out until she can visit to taiwan (for the actual wedding dinner)?


any tips? suggestions? experiences from anyone?

 

[kenmw]

some general questions he asked me:
1) shall he marry in Taiwan or in US? what are the pros or cons in both?

From what I have been reading, coming to US with a financeee visa (K1) is the quickiest way to go. Not only that, it is so much easier to get SSN and all the other things done with K1. He shsould read more on K-1 visa and its requirement.

2) what kind of visa / application forms shall he use to fill the petition to get his wife or fiancee to US?

If she is coming to US and get marry, then fill K-1 (financee visa).
If she is coming to US as a wife, then fill K-3 (spouse visa).

3) how long would it take to apply for a fiancee visa?

I have seen 3 to 6 months time frame. But, it is depending on all the supporting document you submitted with the application.

4) if they marry in Taiwan, does she need to wait in Taiwan until she gets visa to come to US?

Yes and no. If she have a visitor visa already she can try to enter US. But no with the intention to be an immigrant. If she can get a work permit or other visa like F-1 (student), she can stay here while her I-485 (change of status) is ongoing in US.

5) if they marry in US, does she have to wait until her visa comes out until she can visit to taiwan (for the actual wedding dinner)?

I think she can apply for "Advance Parole" to travel in and out of US.

any tips? suggestions? experiences from anyone?

I would suggest him to look into this site and ask all questions.

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1faq.htm
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/

Lastly, maybe he can explore the option to marry her before he get his citizenship and she can follow to joint. I don't know too much about this, but someone else might have some insight.

Good luck.
kenmw

 

[amishah]

Follow to join works if he his way of getting GC not the Citizenship. Getting married before Citizenship or after Citizenship won't affect anything.

 

[scootersmom]

Im not sure that following to join is an option for you since you're not married before your lpr started.
Your options are different as a citizen vs an LPR.
Until your naturalization is final, unfortunately you can only bring her over as a spouse, starts with an I130, and it can take 4-5 years, she is unlikely to easily get visitor visas while waiting, and the process cant start til you are married.
You have to be a USC to file for K1 or K3 for her
Ken's #4 is true, if she gets here on some other visa (maybe work or school based) then you can AOS
Your options are much better once you naturalize
sorry I don't have a better suggestion. good luck

 

[ocworker]

thanks for all advise. my friend is going to wait until he gets his citizenship and apply her coming over. he realized if he applies her now while he is still the green card holder, it would be well be waiting for 4-5 years.

he will explore more options such as the some of you suggested to bring her here as F-1, then file the AOS here. etc

thanks again. he will be do more readings