Where to start?

W

Whippy

Registered Users (C)
Hi everyone, I'm sorry to be so dense but I have no clue where to start. I am getting married in about 2 months to my South African fiance. She still lives in SA, I live in the United States in South Carolina.

So what do i file first to get her over to join me in the US? Would she be able to join me faster my getting a tourist visa, or with us filing as fiance visa? ...or is it faster to come over on a spouse visa? ... or should i just forget the whole thing and go live in SA?

How did you all start off learning about this stuff, it is so confusing! I've tried reading posts on the forum but it seems useless as I cannot even grasp the basics!

thanks :(
 
Whippy said:
Hi everyone, I'm sorry to be so dense but I have no clue where to start. I am getting married in about 2 months to my South African fiance. She still lives in SA, I live in the United States in South Carolina.

So what do i file first to get her over to join me in the US? Would she be able to join me faster my getting a tourist visa, or with us filing as fiance visa? ...or is it faster to come over on a spouse visa? ... or should i just forget the whole thing and go live in SA?

How did you all start off learning about this stuff, it is so confusing! I've tried reading posts on the forum but it seems useless as I cannot even grasp the basics!

thanks :(
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Where is the wedding going to be held?

The K-1 (fiancee visa) is to bring in your fiance into this country legally and then get married in the US within a certain time frame. After that, you proceed with the Application to Adjust Status (AOS) so that she can become a legal permanent resident.


I believe filing for and entering on a tourist visa with the intent of permanent residency/marriage is frowned upon and against the law.

Don't get overwhelmed; it's not as complicated as it may seem to you. I'm certain that someone here who has been in a similar situation will provide more insight. Good luck.
 
I am assuming the wedding will take place in South Africa? If so, there's nothing you can file until you are married. Once you have done that apply for a K-3 visa or follow consular processing.

If you rather bring her here as your fiancee, then apply for a K-1 visa.

I advice to go to www.visajourney.com and on the top click on "guides" and read the one for which ever path you want to follow. The tourist visa is not a good idea.
 
PraetorianXI said:
I am assuming the wedding will take place in South Africa? If so, there's nothing you can file until you are married. Once you have done that apply for a K-3 visa or follow consular processing.

If you rather bring her here as your fiancee, then apply for a K-1 visa.

I advice to go to www.visajourney.com and on the top click on "guides" and read the one for which ever path you want to follow. The tourist visa is not a good idea.
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Yes, and given processing times, just do the IV (consular processing) - then there's no AOS to do once she arrives.
 
Thank you all, VERY much. Yah we are getting married in South Africa so seems the K3 Visa will be it.

I will certainly become familiar with Visajourney.

thanks again!
 
Hello, one more thing...

Does anyone have and experience with an outside service that files for you and you pay them? Are there certain ones that are more reputable? How does the cost compare by going this route?
 
i do not know what service you are talking about, but i would beware of fake/scam companies. Either you use a lawyer or you file for yourself.
 
There is www.legalzoom.com supposedly affiliated with Robert Shapiro.

It's a document preparation service and you can choose to have your documents reviewed by an Attorney for an extra charge.

In my opinion, you should be able to file by yourself.
 
I considered it a waste of money myself :) If you are comfortable and have a straightforward case, self file. Even some Attorney's can be a waste of money. The decision is solely yours.
 
Go to South Africa, marry your wife, come back to the Us file all the paperwork and wait for the consulate in Southafrica to cal her for intervie and get het visa to the US.
 
Thanks a bunch! :) ... for the advice and for making me smile just now :D

I'll just dig heels in and join the rest of you here :) You all have helped by confidence greatly. Thank you again for that.

We'll manage somehow.
 
Whippy said:
Thanks a bunch! :) ... for the advice and for making me smile just now :D

I'll just dig heels in and join the rest of you here :) You all have helped by confidence greatly. Thank you again for that.

We'll manage somehow.
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No Problem Steve!

Congratulations on your soon-to-be wife ;) and enjoy the time in South Africa.
 
Whippy said:
Thanks a bunch! :) ... for the advice and for making me smile just now :D

I'll just dig heels in and join the rest of you here :) You all have helped by confidence greatly. Thank you again for that.

We'll manage somehow.
Click to expand...

Not a problem Whippy,, we all started somewhere and may i say welcome to the forum,,, where 100% success is almost guaranteed....lol..
 
Hello, it's coming down to crunch time and I have a couple questions if someone can please help?

After the wedding, I am coming back here and will file I-130. When I get acknowledgement, I will file I-129F. So far so good I think?

First question...Must I-485 be submitted at the same time as the I-129F in order to apply for AOS? If this is not the case, WHEN must I submit I-485?

Next questions... my wife (I'll just call her 'wife' from here on out) has a 17 year old son that I will be petitioning for as well...do I need to submit an I-130 for him as well or will I be including his information on my wife's I-130?

What is the form called that I will need to submit to apply for his K4 visa?

Will a I-485 also be required for him?

What else might I be forgetting? .. what other forms? :rolleyes: My main goal right now is ONLY getting them over here so that we can work on the other steps together when it will be easier to handle.

I've been looking through the guides at visajourney which are a great help, but am not finding much clear information about children. I do feel like I'm starting to get the hang of this stuff now tho :)

thanks

Edit: To answer one on my own questions I THINK...it does seem I will submit two I-130s, one for wife, one for stepson?
 
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