K-1 Visa for Dummies

Before I met Joaquim, I had absolutely no idea what a K-1 visa was. You may not either, and since it is basically consuming our lives at the moment, I thought I would explain this beast of bureaucracy.

Basically, in order for Joaquim and I to get married and for him to smoothly apply for a greencard, so that we can come and go to and from the US freely forever and ever, he needs to apply for what is commonly known as a "fiancé visa." This visa states our intent to be married, and in order to be issued one, we have to prove time and time again that we actually know each other and do in fact love each other and want to spend the rest of our lives together.

First, I had to file a "petition for an alien fiancé." That was interesting. I signed a bunch of papers, as did Joaquim, all sets including information about our jobs, our parents and where they were born, etc. We had to send in copies of passports and birth certificates, photos of us together, copies of boarding passes and trip itineraries that proved we have met each other, and a signed "statement of intent" by each of us, summarizing our entire relationship and plan to marry on one little page. That went off to the USCIS, and it was slated to be in line for processing for 5-6 months. 2 1/2 months later, I got a letter saying it was approved!

Then, it went all the way to New Hampshire for FBI approval. That could take a few weeks. 11 days later, I got a letter that THAT had been approved!

Next stop: Rio de Janeiro. The letter said our packet was on its way to the embassy in Brazil, and from there, Joaquim would receive a packet of forms and instructions on his end. This usually takes at least a month. 3 weeks later, Joaquim already had his packet in hand, and an interview date of March 24th!

Our first reaction was "wow!" ... then it was "oh...wow...March 24th, huh?"

Before that time, he needs to go to São Paulo for a doctor's appointment, where they will make sure he doesn't have any crazy tropical diseases, and get his vaccinations up to date. He also has to go to assorted other offices, seemingly all over the state, to get papers and documents to bring with him to the interview. He once again needs to bring proof of our engagement and our meeting and our relationship, and answer some questions to ensure he is not just going on a greencard hunt. (ha.)

It is going to be a crazy and probably stressful month and few days, and it starts on Sunday! He is going to São Paulo Sunday evening, and will stay with his brother Luis until Wednesday evening. His doctors appointment is Wednesday the 25th.

By March 24th, he should have a visa in hand and be ready to come to the US again in August and marry ME in September! I think this just sounds like a marvelous plan.

Hello again!

It seems I'm consistently trying to get myself back into the blogging world! Seeing how blogging helps to unite missionary friends and friends with babies sharing their pictures with family around the whole world, I figured it's worth another shot.Now that "I" is turning into "we" officially on September 6th of this year, there are lots more stories to tell!

So hopefully I'll be more on top of things and write about Joaquim and my life at the moment, still very long distance...

For now, be praying for his visa interview on March 24th! This will be the final "yes, you can get married in the US" moment. We are trusting it will go well!