Pregnant Khmer girlfriend, help or hinder visa?
Pregnant Khmer girlfriend, help or hinder visa?
Hi guys, I've been enjoying this site for a while, but this is my first post, please go easy on me. I've searched this topic on my own, but still have a few questions, hoping somebody has possibly been in a similar situation.
My Khmer girlfriend is currently pregnant, this is our first child, and I am thrilled. I want to bring them back to the U.S.,but I am dreading the visa process. I think a K1 marriage visa would be our best bet, we would have already had a Cambodian wedding, but I currently do not meet the monthly income requirements to do so. I sold my home two years ago and have been traveling since then, I have been in Cambodia consistently for the last year. I am worried that if I start the visa process now, my not having worked in the last two years will be major problem, however I do not want her to be pregnant alone, and there's no way that I'm going to stay in the states to start work now and miss the birth. I have done pretty well managing my "travel fund" and could conceivably stay in Cambodia for quite a while longer while still having some cash to start over when I return to the states if needed. Is there any compassion from the immigration officials in not keeping a new family apart in a situation like this, or is the baby not a factor in their eyes? Is there a better time to start the process than not? Any help is greatly appreciated, even if it's only a push in the right direction.
To hopefully weed out some inevitable comments...We have lived together for about ten months now, me with her family. I am not asked for money (I do pay my share every month, as I would obviously do anywhere),she is not or has never been any type of bar girl, we have not run into any problems as of yet that seem to be rather common in the Khmer/barang relationships. Prior to my traveling I have worked for the same company for many years, and will be able to return to my old position. I am in my early thirties, she is in her mid twenties. She has had a passport for a couple of months now. Thanks guys.
My Khmer girlfriend is currently pregnant, this is our first child, and I am thrilled. I want to bring them back to the U.S.,but I am dreading the visa process. I think a K1 marriage visa would be our best bet, we would have already had a Cambodian wedding, but I currently do not meet the monthly income requirements to do so. I sold my home two years ago and have been traveling since then, I have been in Cambodia consistently for the last year. I am worried that if I start the visa process now, my not having worked in the last two years will be major problem, however I do not want her to be pregnant alone, and there's no way that I'm going to stay in the states to start work now and miss the birth. I have done pretty well managing my "travel fund" and could conceivably stay in Cambodia for quite a while longer while still having some cash to start over when I return to the states if needed. Is there any compassion from the immigration officials in not keeping a new family apart in a situation like this, or is the baby not a factor in their eyes? Is there a better time to start the process than not? Any help is greatly appreciated, even if it's only a push in the right direction.
To hopefully weed out some inevitable comments...We have lived together for about ten months now, me with her family. I am not asked for money (I do pay my share every month, as I would obviously do anywhere),she is not or has never been any type of bar girl, we have not run into any problems as of yet that seem to be rather common in the Khmer/barang relationships. Prior to my traveling I have worked for the same company for many years, and will be able to return to my old position. I am in my early thirties, she is in her mid twenties. She has had a passport for a couple of months now. Thanks guys.
I've never dealt with US immigration, I'm from the UK but here's a couple of tips that I think applies everywhere.
1. There is no compassion at all, anywhere.
2. It's about money. Any state's principle thought is "will we end up paying for this". Do everything you can to prove otherwise.
1. There is no compassion at all, anywhere.
2. It's about money. Any state's principle thought is "will we end up paying for this". Do everything you can to prove otherwise.
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Can your company reinstate you and provide a letter of hire?
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Indeed, do not expect any compassion. On the contrary, I saw on TV the USA is currently cracking down on pregnant Chinese women traveling to the USA to give birth there and get an American passport for the kid. That does not bode well.
As you wanted advice (and this will sound cruel): you fucked up knocking up a girl you have known for only 10 moths.......
As you wanted advice (and this will sound cruel): you fucked up knocking up a girl you have known for only 10 moths.......
"I realized that If I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes."
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh
Yea, I figured that the "compassion" angle wouldn't get very far. I'm sure that I would be able to get a letter of hire.
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best of luck as the embassy could care less you knocked up a local girl an might look down on it.
Cambodian ceremony does not mean shit. we know, they know, its nothing but a party for the family to gain face for their pregnant daughter an sleeping with a Barang
they will ask how u intend on supporting your New family.
Perhaps letters from family members offering Places to stay.
Job guarantee.
How old are? Age difference?
not a smart move getting her pregnant.
Suggest, stay here, have the kid, set her up somewhere an than return to the states for at least 6 months, work , keep track of emails. skype calls etc, take photos starting NOW of the both of you!! an when baby is born with you holding it, get established an than apply
Make sure when the child is born u register it as the us Embassy, get a "report of birth abroad" certificate and ur name is on the BC
Cambodian ceremony does not mean shit. we know, they know, its nothing but a party for the family to gain face for their pregnant daughter an sleeping with a Barang
they will ask how u intend on supporting your New family.
Perhaps letters from family members offering Places to stay.
Job guarantee.
How old are? Age difference?
not a smart move getting her pregnant.
Suggest, stay here, have the kid, set her up somewhere an than return to the states for at least 6 months, work , keep track of emails. skype calls etc, take photos starting NOW of the both of you!! an when baby is born with you holding it, get established an than apply
Make sure when the child is born u register it as the us Embassy, get a "report of birth abroad" certificate and ur name is on the BC
"We are turning into a nation of whimpering slaves to Fear—fear of war, fear of poverty, fear of random terrorism, or suddenly getting locked up in a military detention camp on vague charges of being a Terrorist sympathizer." HST
From my limited knowledge..........I don't believe that her being pregnant will be a hindrance.
The Chinese women who were in the news recently were coming over on tourists visas and concealing their pregnancies. Obviously, your wife will be coming over as an emigrant. The good news is that it is easier for her to qualify for this type of visa.
It is possible to make an appt. with someone at the Embassy to discuss your situation.
If I were you.......I might grab a teaching job while you are in Phnom Penh for the birth. It will likely take a few months to get her visa sorted, and you will need all of the money you can get.
Congrats on the kid. Don't listen to the negative comments........Kids are just a part of life, and they happen to be the best part of it. You will figure it out the finances, and the kid will enrich your life in ways you cannot even imagine.
Also, it is a simple process for you to declare the birth and get your kid a U.S. passport and Social Security number.
The Chinese women who were in the news recently were coming over on tourists visas and concealing their pregnancies. Obviously, your wife will be coming over as an emigrant. The good news is that it is easier for her to qualify for this type of visa.
It is possible to make an appt. with someone at the Embassy to discuss your situation.
If I were you.......I might grab a teaching job while you are in Phnom Penh for the birth. It will likely take a few months to get her visa sorted, and you will need all of the money you can get.
Congrats on the kid. Don't listen to the negative comments........Kids are just a part of life, and they happen to be the best part of it. You will figure it out the finances, and the kid will enrich your life in ways you cannot even imagine.
Also, it is a simple process for you to declare the birth and get your kid a U.S. passport and Social Security number.
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Why would it be simple? If I understand correctly, the OP only got married locally and that means absolutely nothing; as Phuket pointed out.Also, it is a simple process for you to declare the birth and get your kid a U.S. passport and Social Security number.
"I realized that If I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes."
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh
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He didnt' say that he has known her for only ten months. He said they have lived together (with her family0 for ten months.Hanno wrote: As you wanted advice (and this will sound cruel): you fucked up knocking up a girl you have known for only 10 moths.......
The living with her family part fascinates me. How does that happen? Are they in Phnom Penh? Did he sneak in the window one night and never leave, or did he just walk in the front door and say "Nice place. I'd like to live here and shtup your daughter nightly."
Why wouldn't they have their own place? Khmer houses aren't very big, can they really do all the sex when they are living with 12 other Khmers in the house?
This would make for a great Cambodian sitcom. What's the Khmer word for "Meathead"?
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Wow! I thought these forums were suppose to help each other out. I got bored with this forum and just checking it out again after awhile away but see not much has changed. A bunch of losers jumping all over someone telling them it can't be done and he is stupid for getting her pregnant. A bit late for that.
Many guys have done what the OP is doing. Stop being so jealous.
Many guys have done what the OP is doing. Stop being so jealous.
Jesus that saying winds me up no end!Phuket2006 wrote:could care less
It's "couldn't care less", "could care less?" makes more sense but then it doesn't make sense in this context.
Please stop it all you Americans.
Anyhoo. Good luck and don't take any notice of the bitter comments about you and your missus.
I don't know anything about marriage visas but I sure wouldn't want to deal with US immigration at anytime!
pew, pew, pew, pew!
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OK, now on to the serious visa questions.
I think you mean a K-1 fiancee visa. That's for people whoare not married yet. There is also a K-3 marriage visa if you are already married. I think.
My understanding is that, as general rule, K-1 fiancee visas are processed faster (6 months or so) than K-3 marriage visas (9 months?). Some guys forego getting officially married in Cambodia and instead just have a local wedding "ceremony" so that they remain unmarried and can avail themselves of the faster K-1 fiancee visa.
When is your girlfriend due to have the baby?
If your goal is to get her back to the U.S. on a fiancee or marriage visa before the baby is born, that may not be feasible at this point. I doubt they will rush your girlfriend's visa application because she is pregnant.
Here is a bit more info about meeting the income requirements for a K-1 fiancee visa.
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/ ... er3-4.html
If your relationship with the girl is genuine (Exhibit A - we have this baby) and if your old job is waiting for you and the pay is OK then you shouldn't have much trouble with the K-1 visa, other than the normal bureaucratic nonsense.
Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.
Jsz wrote: I think a K1 marriage visa would be our best bet, we would have already had a Cambodian wedding, but I currently do not meet the monthly income requirements to do so.
I think you mean a K-1 fiancee visa. That's for people whoare not married yet. There is also a K-3 marriage visa if you are already married. I think.
My understanding is that, as general rule, K-1 fiancee visas are processed faster (6 months or so) than K-3 marriage visas (9 months?). Some guys forego getting officially married in Cambodia and instead just have a local wedding "ceremony" so that they remain unmarried and can avail themselves of the faster K-1 fiancee visa.
When is your girlfriend due to have the baby?
If your goal is to get her back to the U.S. on a fiancee or marriage visa before the baby is born, that may not be feasible at this point. I doubt they will rush your girlfriend's visa application because she is pregnant.
Here is a bit more info about meeting the income requirements for a K-1 fiancee visa.
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/ ... er3-4.html
If your relationship with the girl is genuine (Exhibit A - we have this baby) and if your old job is waiting for you and the pay is OK then you shouldn't have much trouble with the K-1 visa, other than the normal bureaucratic nonsense.
Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.
Last edited by gavinmac on Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
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YOU do NOT need to be married to register the child as yours,Hanno wrote:Why would it be simple? If I understand correctly, the OP only got married locally and that means absolutely nothing; as Phuket pointed out.Also, it is a simple process for you to declare the birth and get your kid a U.S. passport and Social Security number.
i was not married when my child was born an she is a US citizen, years before i got married.
Like i said, as soon as you have the BC, go to the US embassy an file a "report of birth abroad" certificate, with that the child gets a US passport
Start Photos together NOW
SS is ONLY issued in the states.
IT takes months an months to get all the paperwork done as they only give you 1 step at a time an as you complete one step, than they give you the next step
Last edited by Phuket2006 on Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:41 am, edited 1 time in total.
"We are turning into a nation of whimpering slaves to Fear—fear of war, fear of poverty, fear of random terrorism, or suddenly getting locked up in a military detention camp on vague charges of being a Terrorist sympathizer." HST
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Didn't know that.Phuket2006 wrote:YOU do NOT need to be married to register the child as yours,Hanno wrote:Why would it be simple? If I understand correctly, the OP only got married locally and that means absolutely nothing; as Phuket pointed out.Also, it is a simple process for you to declare the birth and get your kid a U.S. passport and Social Security number.
i was not married when my child was born an she is a US citizen.
SS is ONLY issued in the states.
IT takes months an months to get all the paperwork done as they only give you 1 step at a time an as you complete the process they give you the next step
"I realized that If I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes."
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh
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