I want to marry my Russian girlfriend here in the usa. What is the visa she should apply for and what is the cost?

by Scott
(USA)

I want to marry my Russian girlfriend in the USA. What is the easiest way to do this?


Bob's Answer:


Disclaimer: I am NOT a lawyer and can only share my limited knowledge on the subject.

From everything I've heard, the K-1 (Fiancee) visa is the easiest, quickest way to do this.

Basically it requires that you have met face-to-face sometime in the past two years (and can prove it) and that you plan to marry. The visa is issued so that she can enter the U.S. to prepare for the wedding. From the time she enters the U.S. she must either marry you or return home.

I've done this once and although it is supposedly the easiest and quickest, it's not that easy or quick.

You'll definitely need to look up all the details at http://www.uscis.gov and/or http://www.visajourney.com, but the highlights go something like this...

First step is you apply for her K1 visa. That costs come $350 or so (at least a few years ago), requires a bunch of forms, and takes 3-6 months to approve.

Once that is approved, your girl then applies for the visa. Your application essentially is only you essentially vouching for her. Then she applies, also filling out many forms and paying fees (application fee, medical exam fee, etc., all probably totaling $300). That takes a month or two to approve (usually less).

Once that is approved, she may enter the U.S. to marry you.

Once you marry, you IMMEDIATELY file for "Adjustment of Status" (to temporary permanent resident - I know, it sounds contradictory... "temporary permanent" - it is a temporary green card). THAT filing fee was around $1100, and it takes 6-12 months to approve.

Again, these are the details from when I did it, and from the research I did then. Visit http://www.uscis.gov and/or http://www.visajourney.com for more up to date, accurate information.