Compleatly newbie needing help - k1/greencard process

[MichaelUK]

Hi guys,

Ive only done about a weeks research into this but already im seeing that theres alot of contradicting information out there as to how the process actually works and what fees are involved.

Currently my girlfriend/fiancee lives in the states and im in the UK. The plan is for me to go out there on (I presume) a K1 visa, get married, then apply for a green card. She currently has a good job in the states so would be able to support me whilst I was waiting for the paperwork to go through. However I want to obviously be able to pay my way asap so I was wondering how long it would be till I would be able to look for a job.
Also theres alot of diffrent places telling me diffrent fees and waiting times for the whole process. Im assuming there won't be an 'exact' price on how much the whole process is going to cost - ive read about having to pay for me getting a medical examination and biometric fees - so theres like kinda hidden costs but if someone could give me a ballpark figure so I know how much I need to save up for that would be great.

Edit : also I forgot to add. Lots of places are telling me that using a attorney to deal with the whole process of getting a K1 visa is a very good idea - basically improves your chances/the time it takes of getting it - anyone have any thoughts on this?

Thanks ever so much for any replys, really is appreciated

[immihelp]

Read https://www.immihelp.com/usa-visas/kvisa/

All the information has been provided there.

[MichaelUK]

Hiya,

Thanks for the reply. That was the very first stickie I read before I made this post. What I was wanting to know which from what I read didn't give info on was whether or not getting an attorney to deal with the k-1 visa would be a good idea, and the work situation. I could of compleatly read past it so if I have I apologise in advance, its alot of stuff to take in.

From what I can make out the fee for the K1 part of the process is $455 or there abouts - or have I read it wrong? so roughly including the adjustment of status fee which is around 1000 dollars im looking at maybe $1500 in total?

Again sorry if ive not read it properly!

[nichole]

Just got the K1 visa from London this week, so here's our fees to date. Haven't even looked at AOS fees yet. Bold items are required. The others are incidentals. I did a rough conversion to US dollars for all items.

16.00 DHL courier-documents to US
455.00 I-129F filing fee
9.40 Priority mail, certified USPS to USCIS
3.00 Royal mail & recorded delivery to Embassy
70.00 ACPO police certificate
30.00 Bus to London for medical
360.00 Medical
30.00 Bus to London for interview
180.00 Hotel in London
131.00 Visa fee
30.00 SMS courier fee
?? US sized passport photos-about 4-6

You may also have to pay for immunizations. Some NHS doctors do free, but they are not required to do so. Some charge.

Forgot to say: Work permit may take 2-3 months once you marry and file for adjustment of status. You file AOS, and work permit, and travel document papers all together for the AOS fee. Green card will take longer because of security checks and more paper shuffling by government agencies.
Oops, another edit: We did not use a lawyer. Send me a PM if you have any UK specific questions.

[MichaelUK]

Thanks alot nichole, thats exactly what I needed.
It seems a very long winded process with lots of forms and stuff to fill out, but we're determined to get there in the end. We'll probably start the process in november when she comes down to the UK to visit so we can sort it all out together.
In regards to travelling I was invited to a friends wedding in the states in April. If the k1 process is still ongoing which it likely will be given the amount of time its generally taking other people what are the chances they will let me into the country?

Thanks again

[hajamie]

I found it easiest to just call them. The website is useless.
J.

[nichole]

Thanks alot nichole, thats exactly what I needed.
In regards to travelling I was invited to a friends wedding in the states in April. If the k1 process is still ongoing which it likely will be given the amount of time its generally taking other people what are the chances they will let me into the country?

There is no rule you can't visit once you have applied for a K1. Your application status is NOT in the computer at the airport. I read so many stories about once you file, you won't be allowed in the US, so I called the Customs and Border Protection and asked them. He told me there is no record in the computer about fiance visa applications. That's criminal things, people who have overstayed, terrorists, etc. (This is all stuff he told me, not my opinion) They are concerned with anybody who looks like they might enter and not go home. If you look like a tourist, have a job at home or a student id, have some money or credit cards on you and a return ticket, then no problems. He said the ones that are scrutinized more are unemployed, have no money on them, have visited for long periods often, have overstayed their Visa waiver program's 90 days, etc. You should have no problems if you come for a few weeks and say I am here to visit "friends" on holiday. You don't have to say "my fiance", which might give them the idea you plan to stay illegally. The people I know who got denied entry came for 90 days, left for 3 days, came back for 90 more days, left for 2 weeks to Canada rather than going back to their home country, then tried to come back into the US again. Eventually they say no to people who are in the US more than their home country. One girl I email with had a history of coming too often for too long. She just recently talked her way through Dallas CPB officials....barely. He told her, okay but do not try to come back here for 6 months or I won't let you in. My fiance came here to see me and had no questions other than the normal ones. So your answers should go something like "Why are you here? (to visit friends) For how long? (3 weeks) What do you do in the UK?" (I am a student at Cambridge and work part time at Pizza Hut) And ALWAYS answer each question truthfully. You just don't have to elaborate that you have a fiance and you want to move here someday.

So based on all of that, you should be able to figure out your chances of getting in the country.

[MichaelUK]

Again you've been a great help and set my mind at ease, thank you so much

[nichole]

Michael--I sent you a private message you haven't read. Look in the upper right of the webpage and it should say you have an unread message.