Moving back to United States with Singapore spouse

[jsreesoule]

Hi everyone,

Firstly, I'm sorry for creating a topic that doesn't quite belong here. I can't seem to find a thread that addresses my concern, and I'm in need of advise.

My fiance is a US citizen and I'm a Singaporean. We have filed for notice with ROM to get married and we plan to move back to the States because he runs a small contract firm which needs him back. We definitely don't want a long-distance married thingamajig, thus, he needs to apply a green card for me, and so far we've heard horror/disastrous stories of US rejecting visas etc. We've decided to engage an immigration lawyer to handle our application, but now we're pretty worried about the possibilities of USCIS rejecting our application for my green card, for any reason. We were wondering if getting a K1-Fiance visa (ROM will be a no-go) is the next best step? Instead of applying for a green card as a spouse.

We were looking forward to our ROM, and was in the midst of planning when we started wondering what Plan B was if my green card gets rejected. We hadn't even harboured the possibility that they may reject the application!

Has anyone here been through a similar situation of moving back to US with a Singaporean spouse? I'll be grateful for any advice. And if anyone can point us in the right direction of a good law firm, I'd really appreciate it We have some law firms in mind but if anyone knows of any good immigration firm, do share.

Thank you!
Jess S

[PNGMK]

I would actually read up a lot on the USCIS website and do it yourself (we did our daughters ourselves).

I do know a good US Attorney who specializes in immigration. She lives in Thailand and has experience helping Singapore citizens. PM me

There is an underused category of visas (H1B I think) for Singaporeans.

[jsreesoule]

I would actually read up a lot on the USCIS website and do it yourself (we did our daughters ourselves).

I do know a good US Attorney who specializes in immigration. She lives in Thailand and has experience helping Singapore citizens. PM me

There is an underused category of visas (H1B I think) for Singaporeans.

Hi! That was honestly the initial plan up till a few nights ago; to do it ourselves. But after reading up on all the possible pitfalls with the immigration process, we're a bit worried. We've heard of H1B1, but I remember reading online that I needed to prove non-immigrant intent. However, I read that at 5am, and my memory is quite sketchy now. My fiance freaked out when he read that if my H1B1 visa gets rejected, I won't be able to enter US under the visa waiver programme. I'll PM you

[zzm9980]

Honestly if everything is on the up and up with your marriage, you have nothing to worry about.

Ever hear the saying "on webmd, you're always 5 clicks away from diagnosing yourself with cancer ?" Same thing applies for US immigration. People that have USCIS trouble are the ones that tend to post about the nightmares, not the 100x more cases that go off without a hitch and get approval.

The main things are: do you have a real relationship? Can you demonstrate it? Photos together, passport stamps, plane tickets, boarding passes showing you were in the same place at the same time? Call records, emails, IMs, whatever. Chances are unless something in your case is a red flag, they won't even check these things.

Red flags: you haven't physically met each other a few times (online only relationship), major age differences, third world fiancé (last won't apply to you). Basically, the 50-60 yr old twice divorced old guy with 22yr old fiancé from Thailand / Indonesia / phillipines that met her online and only visited once before applying will have the issues.


The other red flag is ethnic third world husband who became American marrying someone from the same place. Example: 1st gen Vietnamese American marrying someone back in Vietnam. Those have a high ratio of fraud thus are more heavily scrutinized.

Lastly, I recommend the K1 route. Many friends (including US/Singaporean couple) have done it and it is pretty easy. Just don't underestimate the timelines given.

[jsreesoule]

Hi zzm,

Sorry I took a while in getting back!
Yep, we can show proof of our relationship, that isn't a problem. No red flags either.
I just hope the green card route works out because we've fully committed to the ROM, and hope we don't have to resort to cancelling the whole thing. Thanks for putting our minds at ease!

[zzm9980]

Hi zzm,

Sorry I took a while in getting back!
Yep, we can show proof of our relationship, that isn't a problem. No red flags either.
I just hope the green card route works out because we've fully committed to the ROM, and hope we don't have to resort to cancelling the whole thing. Thanks for putting our minds at ease!

There is also the IR1 (and CR1?) Spousal visas. Those may be faster and easier to obtain. Then once in the states, you file for an adjustment of status and get the green card in 3-6 months.

[kikitweet]

Dear jsreesoule & zzzm9980,
I share the same concerns as you jsreesoule, and am intimidated after reading around on the forums. Could you guys kindly share the contact of the immigration lawyer please?