I'm just going to ask every question I can think of while I'm here. I hope that someone can answer me.

Okay, here goes, this will be long. And for that, I am sorry.

Feb. 2007- Met my boyfriend on Xbox live.

March 11, 2008-Took a one way flight to Heathrow with intentions of living in Ipswich, UK.
I had a passport.
$1000 in cash.
$3000 in 401k (which I didn't mention to the IO because it wasn't cashed out)
One-way ticket.

Missing--Visa

I never told the IO I didn't plan on staying. I was honest. I told her I was there to live with someone I met on the internet. I'd not been with in person yet. He was collecting benefits because he had pancreatitis. I didn't have enough money to support myself, he couldn't support me, I had no employment there, no visa, no return ticket. The report states that she was not satisfied that I planned to leave the UK. Which is correct. I told her in all honesty, I was very naïve about the process. I believed that you didn't need the visa until you gained employment. Boy, was I wrong. I didn't research. I know, it was pure stupidity. She stated if I came back tomorrow with the right visa, they would let me in and it wouldn't be a problem.

For fear that I wouldn't be able to gain entry to the country because of what happened, I haven't tried to go back yet. Instead, we are thinking he should come here for a 2 week visit. Herein lies those problems:

When he was 16 he broke into a car. When he was 19 he and some friends got into trouble. He was the lookout while they stole cigarettes from a store. One of the boys he was with sold the cigarettes on the beachfront and was caught. The boy dropped Pauls name. Another aquaintence informed him that the police were looking for him. So, rather than wait to get caught, he goes to the police station and turns himself in. His punishment was probation. He has never served any sort of sentence whatsoever, nor put in prison for any reason.

He would like to come here for a 2 week holiday. During which time we would like to be married. I know that many people have all sorts of feelings about a girl meeting a man on the internet. But I wouldn't like any opinions about that interfere with the answers I seek. I am quite sure that he will need to obtain a Visa to the US for his visit. But I am curious as to know the likelihood that he will be denied. He does not want to live here. Those are not our intentions.

In a more suitable plan I would like to be able to move back to the UK with him. And I know that I too will need the proper visa. Because I was denied entry, if we do, after we're married and I apply for a UK Visa, will I likely be denied?

Another problem lies within that.

We live paycheck to paycheck. We never want for anything, and when we need something it's not a problem to obtain whatever it is. We are not wealthy people though. I am not, nor is he a professional. When I left for my botched trip to the UK, I left a job behind that I was making $430 a week for working 15 hours. Now, I bring home about $1500/month and am working 40 hour work weeks. I work in Environmental Services in a hospital.

Not many understand our relationship. The way we met, the way we are now. I'm not asking anyone to understand. We need help. We need to know what to do. We are so scared that this is all hopeless. We love each other very much and unfortunately for us, governments do not take love into consideration when granting entry to their country.

I have been to several websites. And when I start to explain our relationship and the things that had happened to us thus far I get the same answers. Meet first, meet first, meet first. Yes, we know we have to meet first. But that doesn't change the fact that we are madly in love with each other. All of the websites I've been to are not very much help. They say meet first, but with all of our other problems, they are seemingly avoiding those questions. I am the sort of person that needs step-by-step instructions. So, if anyone out there can offer me help, or guidance, please do so.

I hope this wasn't too long-winded. I just wanted the person that receives this to get a little background on what is going on. Thank you so, so much for taking the time to try to help. I sincerely appreciate it.


Melissa
Alabama
[email protected]

Though online dating is well accepted but getting married to someone you've never met in person is an extremely stupid idea. Immigration process requires planning and arrangements plus it takes time, in many cases, it takes years.

First, you must meet in person.. here's the deal:

@ He applies for US visitor's visa (persons with criminal record are not eligible to enter US on Visa Waiver Program). Don't ask for long term stay if he has limited funds. He must show return ticket to immigration officer at the airport.
OR
@ You apply for UK visitors visa... details same as above.

Don't attempt to get married as soon as you meet... if things click, you must decide where you want to live.

@ If you choose to live in UK, he must be in UK and you in US when he applies for fiancee's visa for you. He must produce evidence that relationship is genuine and he has sufficient fund to sponsor visa for you. It takes about 6 months.

@ If you choose to live in US, then you must apply fiancee's visa for him. He must be in UK and you in US during the wait period. You must have evidence of paying tax in the past 3 years with minimum income 125% of poverty guidelines or approx $ 17,500/year for family of two.

I would have to agree, you haven't met and the only reason you are trying to meet each other is for the sole purpose of getting married to make the immigration process easier. This will look like a marriage of convenience, something any immigration service searches for and denies... basically 2 people who want to get married for the sole reason of helping one person move from one country to another.

Take it a bit slower and when you do file for immigrant status (either you applying to live permanently in the UK or him applying to live permanently in the US) it will look much better.

You are allowed to enter the UK just to visit.. . though with your past case of trying to enter the UK and admitting you have no intention of leaving that will be a bit more difficult.

He will also have a hard time getting a visa to visit the US because of his criminal past... but it ahs been a while... it's worth applying for a visa (in either direction) and see if you get the OK.

Finally... there are significant expenses to immigrate to a new country (no matter who decides to move) so be aware and prepared for that.

melissa, I can only tell you what I know about the US immigration side. If your BF enters the US with a B2 visitors visa and afterwards, you decide to get married, that is, his intentions have changed, and you do get married, you may be able to file for his permanent residence here in the US, called adjustment of status. If not, he can leave the US and apply for the K-3 visa for the spouse of a USC to enter the US for AOS. The information above is correct regarding meeting 125% of the HHS poverty guidelines for approval. If you don't meet the financials for the affidavit of support, you can still qualify with the asset test (5x difference) or get a joint sponsor to complete a separate affidavit of support. You may want to consult with an experienced attorney. Good luck, I wish you happiness.