Which takes longer time to wait..K3 visa or CR1?

[milimelo 4,565]

Hello all.

I have looked through the FAQ's and several posts but can not seem to find what I'm looking for.

I am a US Citizen (military) and will be going to Brazil in April (for 3 weeks) to marry my wonderful fiancée (Brazilian National); We will be getting married within the first few days of my arrival and have a few questions for you.

1. Is there anyway to start the immigration process (directly after our marriage) while I'm still visiting Brazil?

2. Should we go with the CR1, K3, or both (I've read several posts recommending the CR1)?

3. How do I select which one (or both) that I want to file?

4. Which will get her here quicker?

5. Do I file the I-130 and the I-129F at the same time, or the I-130 first?

Thank you in advance,

Erick

Read the GUIDES On difference on CR-1 and K-3. Overall, CR -1 is much faster, cheaper and better as the immigrants comes with the visa that turns into temp green card upon arrival. DON'T bother with I-129f, that is sent in after you receive NOA1 and then it just holds you back from having the I-130 adjudicated. Go with the CR-1 (just I-130).

Make sure when you leave Brazil you have G325a from her filled and signed, her birth certificate, (divorce decree if it applies) as well as the marriage certificate. You can compile it all in Brazil and then just mail it off when you get to the States.

[_Erick_ 5]

Read the GUIDES On difference on CR-1 and K-3. Overall, CR -1 is much faster, cheaper and better as the immigrants comes with the visa that turns into temp green card upon arrival. DON'T bother with I-129f, that is sent in after you receive NOA1 and then it just holds you back from having the I-130 adjudicated. Go with the CR-1 (just I-130).

Make sure when you leave Brazil you have G325a from her filled and signed, her birth certificate, (divorce decree if it applies) as well as the marriage certificate. You can compile it all in Brazil and then just mail it off when you get to the States.

Thank you milimelo.... You have been a HUGE help... have a great day.

[Christi and Ian 24]

The CR-1 is not faster, although the time lines show that it's not taking much longer than K-3...

It's all moot now anyway. As of Feb. 1st, NVC is no longer moving forward w/K-3's, and will "administratively close" the I-129F and move forward with the I-130 as a CR-1. K-3 is now obsolete.

Edited February 6, 2010 by Christi and Ian

[Raymond_Aileen 0]

hello everyone!

as i read all your comments, i have decide to go with cr-1. i just got married last march but now im here in the US. i have a 2 year old daughter born out of wedlock. she is my biological daughter. my question here is, do i still proceed with cr-1? if yes, do i make 2 filing fees or just 1? because i read on k3 visa, you just need 1 filing fee. while i also read you need to make a separate package and filing fee for each relative. im confused. can anyone help me?

[Mogambi 96]

Erick, if you are getting married, you will never file an I-129F form, that form is only for people applying for a fiance visa. It's the I-130 for a married person, OR the I-129F for a fiance.

Most people think the CR-1 and K3 take about the same amount of time, so if so, go with the CR-1. It will require much less work once she is here (no Adjustment of Status) and is cheaper (the Adjustment of Status costs about $1000 and you won't have to do it).

It seems like many people are filing both a K3 and CR-1, maybe because whichever is processed faster will get your sweetie here. I don't quite understand. I don't quite understand how that works, I'm sure it's detailed in other threads here.