Applying a VISA K1 after a visit in the USA ?

[levidavila1980]

Hello you all,

My girlfriend who lives in the states does not like my country to live ( she already came to see ) she might be filing for a VISA K1.

The thing is she and her family wants me to visit the USA to see how things work ( you know culture, lifestyle). WOULD BE A PROBLEM IF I HAVE A VISA TO VISIT AND THEN SHE FILES FOR THE VISA K1 ?
OR SHOULD BE GO DIRECTLY TO THE APPLICATION OF THE VISA K1 ?

I'd appreciate your feedback.

jonnyca

[CharlieAK]

If you just want to go to the US for a VISIT, you don't have to apply for the K-1 right away.....you can go and see how you like it, and your girlfriend/fiancee can THEN apply for the K-1, either while you are still there (= before you return) or after you return to your own country.

The only problem might be to actually receive the visitor visa......I am assuming that your country is not eligible for the visa waiver program but that you'd have to apply for a B-visa for all tourist visits?

You'd have to give a reason for your trip to the consular officer when you apply for the visa....if you are honest and tell it like it is )= with your girlfriend, etc.) they MIGHT believe that you want to go over there to stay, not just to visit, and they MIGHT refuse the visitor's visa.

You would also have to show that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself during your trip.

Alternatively, you could apply for the K-1 visa right away......after you enter the US with the K-1, you don't have to have the wedding right away but have 90 days to get married. You could use those 90 days to see whether you like the US culture enough to live there.

But honestly, what other choice do the two of you have anyway? Since your girlfriend apparently doesn't want to live in your country, the only other chance for you to be together is for you to move to the USA, right?

Good luck, whatever you decide,

Charlie