My trip to Beijing/Chengdu.. K1? K3?

[shiz]

Oh goodness. Two weeks ago, I just returned from a 17 day trip in China. I met my girlfriend for the first time in Beijing. Later we flew to Chengdu and took the train to Nanchong to meet her parents.

 

It all started back in July when we located eachother online through a dating site. We are both college students and I work full time. After talking for a few months we decided to meet in January (because I would have more vacation to come see her).

 

And now I know what true love is and how fulfilling it is. It breaks my heart everyday that I cannot be with her; being almost as far away on earth as one person can possibly be from another. (That Richard Marx song comes to mind). We have decided to marry this year. It is really amazing where the love of a lifetime can show up.

 

After having done some research on Visa's, strangely enough, it seems easier for me to move to China than for her to move to the USA. It's crazy because of the ideals America was founded on.. But I digress. We still think it would be easier to earn a living here in America.

 

So I have decided to start the VISA process and have almost finished filling out our K1. But a question comes to mind -- Would it be easier for me to go there and marry her and apply for a K3 VISA? It would break our hearts if she were turned down. Is the chance for denial less with a K3?

 

Oh.. if you have anymore questions about the trip, I just love to talk about it with anyone. GOSH I miss Chengdu.

[Guest Rob & Jin]

Welcome to CFL,

If you plan to marry this year then you will have to do K-3,IR-1/CR-1, as k-1 is for a fiancee.

K-3 is a little faster but you have to adjust her status when she gets here, CR-1/IR-1 you dont, she gets green card with visa.

 

Good luck.

[Randy W]

Welcome to CFL,

If you plan to marry this year then you will have to do K-3,IR-1/CR-1, as k-1 is for a fiancee.

K-3 is a little faster but you have to adjust her status when she gets here, CR-1/IR-1 you dont, she gets green card with visa.

 

Good luck.

K-1 can be filed now, since they have already met.

 

To apply for a visa based on marriage, he would have to first travel there again and get married. Then he could apply for CR-1 (by filing the I-130), and, when he gets the I-797C NOA1 receipt, he could file for K-3.

 

Rather than worrying about a denial, you are better off getting your evidence together

[Cerberus]

Welcome to CFL,

If you plan to marry this year then you will have to do K-3,IR-1/CR-1, as k-1 is for a fiancee.

K-3 is a little faster but you have to adjust her status when she gets here, CR-1/IR-1 you dont, she gets green card with visa.

 

Good luck.

K-1 can be filed now, since they have already met.

 

To apply for a visa based on marriage, he would have to first travel there again and get married. Then he could apply for CR-1 (by filing the I-130), and, when he gets the I-797C NOA1 receipt, he could file for K-3.

 

Rather than worrying about a denial, you are better off getting your evidence together

Agreed.

 

Go to PM mode.

 

Dave

[Guest Rob & Jin]

Welcome to CFL,

If you plan to marry this year then you will have to do K-3,IR-1/CR-1, as k-1 is for a fiancee.

K-3 is a little faster but you have to adjust her status when she gets here, CR-1/IR-1 you dont, she gets green card with visa.

 

Good luck.

K-1 can be filed now, since they have already met.

 

To apply for a visa based on marriage, he would have to first travel there again and get married. Then he could apply for CR-1 (by filing the I-130), and, when he gets the I-797C NOA1 receipt, he could file for K-3.

 

Rather than worrying about a denial, you are better off getting your evidence together

 

 

yes agreed, but if they intend to marry this year as stated in OP, then K-1 would become invalid, remember processing times are 10- 11 months now.

[Corbin]

Welcome to CFL,

If you plan to marry this year then you will have to do K-3,IR-1/CR-1, as k-1 is for a fiancee.

K-3 is a little faster but you have to adjust her status when she gets here, CR-1/IR-1 you dont, she gets green card with visa.

 

Good luck.

K-1 can be filed now, since they have already met.

 

To apply for a visa based on marriage, he would have to first travel there again and get married. Then he could apply for CR-1 (by filing the I-130), and, when he gets the I-797C NOA1 receipt, he could file for K-3.

 

Rather than worrying about a denial, you are better off getting your evidence together

 

 

yes agreed, but if they intend to marry this year as stated in OP, then K-1 would become invalid, remember processing times are 10- 11 months now.

Welcome to CFL. Quick question what are your ages, because in China you have to be a certain age to be able to marry in the first place. I can not think of the age requirements because I am well beyond it and so is Ada the beautiful lady I will be marrying in May if I can get back then.

[shiz]

Welcome to CFL,

If you plan to marry this year then you will have to do K-3,IR-1/CR-1, as k-1 is for a fiancee.

K-3 is a little faster but you have to adjust her status when she gets here, CR-1/IR-1 you dont, she gets green card with visa.

 

Good luck.

K-1 can be filed now, since they have already met.

 

To apply for a visa based on marriage, he would have to first travel there again and get married. Then he could apply for CR-1 (by filing the I-130), and, when he gets the I-797C NOA1 receipt, he could file for K-3.

 

Rather than worrying about a denial, you are better off getting your evidence together

 

 

yes agreed, but if they intend to marry this year as stated in OP, then K-1 would become invalid, remember processing times are 10- 11 months now.

Welcome to CFL. Quick question what are your ages, because in China you have to be a certain age to be able to marry in the first place. I can not think of the age requirements because I am well beyond it and so is Ada the beautiful lady I will be marrying in May if I can get back then.

 

 

She is 23 and I am 27.

 

A quick question for anyone... if it is certain that we wish to marry, then we cannot get a K1 and marry in the US?

[rogerinca]

Very articulate post !!

 

I know, when one is new to this process, it can seem overwhelming as to what path one should pursue in this regard.

 

While it is my opinion, that a K-3 can have an easier go, over a K-1, with respect to being able to document the bona fides of the relationship (not just looking at CFL stats) both however, have a success rate which is close to 80%.

 

I agree with Randy, don’t think about a denial; think positive and just document everything which points to the bona fides of your relationship.

 

From past experience here at CFL, it is true that for younger couples, the reviewing powers will sometimes give the case file a harder look. However, I think if you can articulate all of the facts of the relationship and clearly show (documentation) that you have funded your trips to the PRC, etc. you will be ok.

 

Also as Randy states, the K-1 is doable right now, as you have already met once in China. If you wish to pursue the K-3, you will have to make another trip and marry and then file the proper forms.

 

I guess it is your choice based on available time and one’s finances.

 

I have a friend, who lives near to me, who married a woman from Nanchong. He always enjoyed both Chengdu and Nanchong. They say that Chengdu is the ‘Italy’ of China.

 

And yes, once you file the K-1, you cannot then marry in China. You must first stop the K-1 process and then refile for the K-3, which will mean a hassle and a loss of time. Now is the time to figure out which way you want to go and then stick to it !!

 

Anyway, welcome to CFL, and I am sure you will find a lot of information and help here as you move forward.

 

Best of luck !!

Edited February 2, 2008 by rogerinca (see edit history)

[Shenzhen K-1]

Very articulate post !!

 

I know, when one is new to this process, it can seem overwhelming as to what path one should pursue in this regard.

 

While it is my opinion, that a K-3 can have an easier go, over a K-1, with respect to being able to document the bona fides of the relationship (not just looking at CFL stats) both however, have a success rate which is close to 80%.

 

I agree with Randy, don¡¯t think about a denial; think positive and just document everything which points to the bona fides of your relationship.

 

From past experience here at CFL, it is true that for younger couples, the reviewing powers will sometimes give the case file a harder look. However, I think if you can articulate all of the facts of the relationship and clearly show (documentation) that you have funded your trips to the PRC, etc. you will be ok.

 

Also as Randy states, the K-1 is doable right now, as you have already met once in China. If you wish to pursue the K-3, you will have to make another trip and marry and then file the proper forms.

 

I guess it is your choice based on available time and one¡¯s finances.

 

I have a friend, who lives near to me, who married a woman from Nanchong. He always enjoyed both Chengdu and Nanchong. They say that Chengdu is the ¡®Italy¡¯ of China.

 

And yes, once you file the K-1, you cannot then marry in China. You must first stop the K-1 process and then refile for the K-3, which will mean a hassle and a loss of time. Now is the time to figure out which way you want to go and then stick to it !!

 

Anyway, welcome to CFL, and I am sure you will find a lot of information and help here as you move forward.

 

Best of luck !!

 

As usual good advice from Roger........

 

K-1 is about 10.5 to 11.5 months right now and should be a little easier after the summer of 2007 glut gets through all of this!!

 

Both cities you visited I really enjoyed, Beijing, great history, Chengdu was a really warm Chinese city with a great flavor to it!! They also had the best spaghetti I have ever eaten!!

[Shadowman]

Oh goodness. Two weeks ago, I just returned from a 17 day trip in China. I met my girlfriend for the first time in Beijing. Later we flew to Chengdu and took the train to Nanchong to meet her parents.

 

It all started back in July when we located eachother online through a dating site. We are both college students and I work full time. After talking for a few months we decided to meet in January (because I would have more vacation to come see her).

 

And now I know what true love is and how fulfilling it is. It breaks my heart everyday that I cannot be with her; being almost as far away on earth as one person can possibly be from another. (That Richard Marx song comes to mind). We have decided to marry this year. It is really amazing where the love of a lifetime can show up.

 

After having done some research on Visa's, strangely enough, it seems easier for me to move to China than for her to move to the USA. It's crazy because of the ideals America was founded on.. But I digress. We still think it would be easier to earn a living here in America.

 

So I have decided to start the VISA process and have almost finished filling out our K1. But a question comes to mind -- Would it be easier for me to go there and marry her and apply for a K3 VISA? It would break our hearts if she were turned down. Is the chance for denial less with a K3?

 

Oh.. if you have anymore questions about the trip, I just love to talk about it with anyone. GOSH I miss Chengdu.

Congratulations on your engagement!

 

I got married in China almost three weeks ago and I can relate to much of what you said in your post... it is indeed amazing where the love of a lifetime can show up. Now it seems clear to me that my whole life has been leading me in the right direction to meet my wife... and at last, I know what it is to feel complete.

 

It seems we are on a very similar time line, although I decided to get married first. I'm still trying to figure out the Visa process (I feel lost in a sea of acronyms!), so I can't help you there. But if you decide to marry in China, I'd be happy to share my experience with you.

[jim_julian]

With a K-1 you can ...

 

1. Have a big "wedding" banquet in China next time you go there. This is without actually getting married in the civil marriage registration process (Red Book). This banquet will seal the deal in the eyes of her family and everyone will treat you as if you are married, at least that was our experience.

 

2. In your particular situation K-1 would get her here faster because, as others have mentioned, you'd have to go back to China and get married before filing the K-3 and you can file the K-1 now.

 

3. Controversial point. Filing the K-1 now would give you some additional months to know your intended better before legally becoming married. I am the first to say that you shouldn't file a K-1 if you're not sure right now and I emphatically believe that those who file a K-1 with the intention of bringing the lady to America for a 90 day "trial" are dead wrong. But, given those caveats, a K-1 does allow the excitement of the first visit cool off a bit and apply a test of time as the visa process unwinds.

 

4. A K-1 stipulates that you must get married within 90 days of her entry to the US. This allows you to have a US wedding license and a US wedding. Your US friends can attend the wedding (satisfies both sides of the ocean) and I feel, without having hard evidence, that there are practical administrative advantages in having the wedding documentation in the US.

 

You'll find a lot of different opinions on this subject. It's really an individual choice based on your own circumstances and priorities.

[shiz]

With a K-1 you can ...

 

1. Have a big "wedding" banquet in China next time you go there. This is without actually getting married in the civil marriage registration process (Red Book). This banquet will seal the deal in the eyes of her family and everyone will treat you as if you are married, at least that was our experience.

 

2. In your particular situation K-1 would get her here faster because, as others have mentioned, you'd have to go back to China and get married before filing the K-3 and you can file the K-1 now.

 

3. Controversial point. Filing the K-1 now would give you some additional months to know your intended better before legally becoming married. I am the first to say that you shouldn't file a K-1 if you're not sure right now and I emphatically believe that those who file a K-1 with the intention of bringing the lady to America for a 90 day "trial" are dead wrong. But, given those caveats, a K-1 does allow the excitement of the first visit cool off a bit and apply a test of time as the visa process unwinds.

 

4. A K-1 stipulates that you must get married within 90 days of her entry to the US. This allows you to have a US wedding license and a US wedding. Your US friends can attend the wedding (satisfies both sides of the ocean) and I feel, without having hard evidence, that there are practical administrative advantages in having the wedding documentation in the US.

 

You'll find a lot of different opinions on this subject. It's really an individual choice based on your own circumstances and priorities.

 

 

The K1 visa seems to be the best option; It seems like it will require less time and we will have a license here in the US. I can see that as being helpful in the future.

 

Would it be advantageous to plan for another trip to China when she receives a date for the interview? I could plan for a banquet then and maybe attend the interview with her afterwards (If I am allowed).

[jim_julian]

The K1 visa seems to be the best option; It seems like it will require less time and we will have a license here in the US. I can see that as being helpful in the future.

 

Would it be advantageous to plan for another trip to China when she receives a date for the interview? I could plan for a banquet then and maybe attend the interview with her afterwards (If I am allowed).

 

 

What we did ... and it worked very well for us ... was that I came over to Guangzhou a few days ahead of the interview in order to attend American Citizen's Hour (ACH), which is now on Monday afternoons, to ask a few questions about our package. I was there with her (and our daughter) through the medical exam process and to provide last minute interview practice and lend moral support. After we picked up the visa we went back to Chongqing (her home town), had the big party, packed, and flew back to the US together. This also has the advantage of going through the POE (Port of Entry) process with her.