What are options for bringing my girlfriend to the U.S?

[lovelorcet]

But does it depend if the person is coming from a developed country with good relations to the states like Germany as opposed to Pakistan or something?

 

The website for the consulate in Frankfurt Germany claims a processing time of about 12 weeks to 6 months for a Immigrant Visa. This would mean an American citizen married to a foreign national.

[taiko]

But does it depend if the person is coming from a developed country with good relations to the states like Germany as opposed to Pakistan or something?

 

The website for the consulate in Frankfurt Germany claims a processing time of about 12 weeks to 6 months for a Immigrant Visa. This would mean an American citizen married to a foreign national.

Its more of a 1st versus 3rd world issue as most come from friendlynations with small islamic populations. Since in most cases it is men applying for women, there hasn't been a same sex test case as far as I know, the concern isn't really of sleeper agents coming but of workers under the guise of wife.

 

They are concerned that she is a married prostitute who will leave her husband just as soon as her status is high enough. For some that would be as soon as work authorization is received they will claim domestic abuse. For others when permanent residence is obtained

[taiko]

 

So, I'll look into that fiancee visa and K-1 Visa. Student visa is going to be rough on her considering that she doesnt make much compared to US dollars.

I don't think she can afford going to school here, and me myself, I dont think I have that kind of money to help her with her tuition and survive.

 

It's a rough situation to be in just to get closer with each other.

I found someone that I do like, only to have country problems blocking the way.

 

90 days to get to know someone better than 0 days of not being together should I go through that fiancee visa route. So, I'll consider that, though, its like almost asking her to marry me, lol.

 

Man, life is rough.

 

I'll keep everyone posted to let you know my situation for helping me out here.

 

- ConfusedGeek

Have you two actually met face to face? That is the real relationship that you will have to prove. A cyber/phone/snail mail relationship won't cut it. Part of the process is checking your financial situation to make sure you can support her but no big worry if you are above the national poverty level you will pass even if you do live in New York City or other high cost of living area.

 

But going the visa route you are asking her to marry you. The engagement must end and your married life must start within 90 days of her arriving stateside. If you two back out she will be blacklisted for a time from entering on a fiance/spousal visa.

[Island Girl]

The website for the consulate in Frankfurt Germany claims a processing time of about 12 weeks to 6 months for a Immigrant Visa. This would mean an American citizen married to a foreign national.

 

Embassies all over the place are refusing to process spousal visas due to the Adam Walsh Child Protection Act just passed in January.

 

The part of this law that has to do with immigration is an extra step so that parents with minor children are investigated to protect them from a potential pedophile situation.

 

But there are those that have been impacted, like myself, who do not have children. I don't have any -- my husband doesn't have any -- but the Embassy is no longer processing spousal visas at all anymore because of that law. So it doesn't apply, but they don't care.

 

It would have been faster that way (and that was the original plan), however, after buying plane tickets, etc. we were informed we would have to have the paperwork processed in the U.S.

 

That is why it takes so long. Because it is being processed here. Which is absolutely asinine since that Embassy is the same one that will be interviewing him and handing down the actual approval.

 

So it goes like this:

 

Paperwork filed here (backlog of processing) is not even looked at for 6 or 7 months.

 

Once they start, they go about verifying the relationship is real and valid. (We should have plenty of proof there.)

This takes 4 to 6 months.

 

Then it goes to visa approval. I am told by my attorney that it will take 2 to 4 months for them to realize they can't process it further because my husband is over seas.

 

Then it goes to the Embassy for processing which includes the interview, etc. Their processing time is 4 to 6 months but could be faster.

 

How much does that SUCK?!!!:mad::mad:

 

For the record my husband is not coming from a country that has any possible ties to terrorism, etc. It is a tiny, tiny country that the U.S. in fact aids financially.

[taiko]

Embassies all over the place are refusing to process spousal visas due to the Adam Walsh Child Protection Act just passed in January.

 

The part of this law that has to do with immigration is an extra step so that parents with minor children are investigated to protect them from a potential pedophile situation.

 

But there are those that have been impacted, like myself, who do not have children. I don't have any -- my husband doesn't have any -- but the Embassy is no longer processing spousal visas at all anymore because of that law. So it doesn't apply, but they don't care.

 

It would have been faster that way (and that was the original plan), however, after buying plane tickets, etc. we were informed we would have to have the paperwork processed in the U.S.

 

That is why it takes so long. Because it is being processed here. Which is absolutely asinine since that Embassy is the same one that will be interviewing him and handing down the actual approval.

 

So it goes like this:

 

Paperwork filed here (backlog of processing) is not even looked at for 6 or 7 months.

 

Once they start, they go about verifying the relationship is real and valid. (We should have plenty of proof there.)

This takes 4 to 6 months.

 

Then it goes to visa approval. I am told by my attorney that it will take 2 to 4 months for them to realize they can't process it further because my husband is over seas.

 

Then it goes to the Embassy for processing which includes the interview, etc. Their processing time is 4 to 6 months but could be faster.

 

How much does that SUCK?!!!:mad::mad:

 

For the record my husband is not coming from a country that has any possible ties to terrorism, etc. It is a tiny, tiny country that the U.S. in fact aids financially.

I took this to a couple of filipino forums. The Manila embassy does 5 to 10,000 K visas a year and most of the guys do their own applications to dsave$1,200 in attorney fees. None of the immigration gurus or advising immigration attorneys report any delays because of the Walsh act.

[Island Girl]

I took this to a couple of filipino forums. The Manila embassy does 5 to 10,000 K visas a year and most of the guys do their own applications to dsave$1,200 in attorney fees. None of the immigration gurus or advising immigration attorneys report any delays because of the Walsh act.

 

 

I now of three Embassies that are no longer accepting paperwork for spouses due to the Walsh act specifically. One of these being Fiji who canceled our appointment for application and stated they would no longer be able to accept our paperwork specifically because of the Walsh Act.

 

This after we had already spent the $4,000.00 for the tickets, etc. *sigh*

 

The Embassies can do what they want. Immigration can do what they want. There is no one to answer to and they are the final word.

 

When Fiji told me they wouldn't accept my paperwork, I talked to my attorney who explained it did not apply to me and was ridiculous that they were refusing to accept it. But after a lengthy discussion we agreed we would not push the issue because they are the ones with final approval for him to come here. Better not to rock the boat or cause problems and get him here than to make a huge fuss only to have him denied because of it.

 

There really isn't a whole lot of rhyme or reason where Immigration is concerned. They play by their own secret set of rules.