K1, K3, and CR1

[carslo 0]

Carnell and I are finally at the point where we can start the journey! We hope to spend a large chunk of time together in the near future - and as so many others have done before us, we are contemplating which visa is the right visa for us. I have spoken with one fellow VJ member who does not recommend the " oh, let's just get married and adjust my status while staying in the USA" method. The scare of a lifetime ban after waiting 7 years to get to this point chills me to the bone. So that leaves 1) Fiance visa - but we both want to be married sooner than later. 2) K3 - get married, file the paperwork, and return to Canada before 180 days is over, then wait until it is approved in Vancouver. 3) CR1 doesn't appeal to me with the extra wait time, and the expense and inconvenience of going to Montreal from Richmond BC. I have about 7 weeks to make up my mind. Does anyone have personal experiences or thoughts to share with me?

Thanks in advance for your time.

[Eric_and_Corinna 0]

It appears that in my case the CR1 and K-3 are being processed in about the same time. I wish I would have went with the CR1 to avoid all the BS that comes after getting my wife to the US.

Edited May 31, 2008 by Eric_and_Corinna

[Cassie 8]

To be really simplistic, think of it this way:

for the most part, fiance visas process quicker, and you are together quicker, but after marriage you then have to wait to get the EAD card (employment), AP (for you to travel out of the US and then get readmitted back in), and adjusting status to a conditional permanent resident.

Spousal visas (CR-1) take longer to process, and you will have to be separated for a while, but once you are done and come to the US, you are done for two years (you'll get your green card soon after arriving in the US) -- that part alone saves you $1010.

K-3 used to be a quicker way to get your spouse to the US, but then you still have to apply for EAD and AOS and have that wait. But K-3s are processing as slow as CR-1s (or not at all in many cases), so I personally wouldn't bother.

Do some reading and researching here on VJ and on the USCIS website, figure out what is important to you (quick reuniting versus financial concerns, etc etc) and go from there. We're here to give you a helping hand if you need it.

Edited May 31, 2008 by Cassie

[Flames9_RN 358]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=compare Give the good and the bad for each!!

And like others have stated,it seems the K3 and cr-1 are running about the same time, so probably best to go with the cr-1

[Eric_and_Corinna 0]

Cassie, I thought you didn't need an AP if you were granted the K-3 visa, or are you just referring to the K-1? I thought it was multi-use for two years...am I reading this all wrong?

[Cassie 8]

Cassie, I thought you didn't need an AP if you were granted the K-3 visa, or are you just referring to the K-1? I thought it was multi-use for two years...am I reading this all wrong?

Yep, K-3 is multi-use, but you still have to apply for EAD and AOS. Hence me not putting AP in the list for K-3. I'm gonna re-write my post though, because I don't make that real clear.

[carslo 0]

Thank you so much for the information. I keep reading over and over again that the CR-1 is the way to go. I guess I will save those airmiles, bite the bullet and go to Montreal. Gosh, I hope it is not in the middle of winter or heat of the summer, lol it won't really matter when the time comes though will it.

Happy weekend everyone.

Janet

[Marilyn. 340]

I am glad we went with the CR1 .. it was so nice not to have to worry bout the USCIS once I got here.. well at least not for two years

[hheaven67 2]

Janet: Fiance's are getting in anywhere from 2 to 6 months! In hindsight, as I have said before, we would've gone K1 but since we got married, we would've filed our I-130 ONLY! K3 is #######! Too much time wasted to turn back now...good luck!

jen

[SapphireDreams 71]

We are going to do the K1 because it's faster - the cost doesn't really matter to us and I don't really need to work for the 3-4 months or however because we've planned it out long enough that I'll have saved enough money to not work about working.

We are starting our journey soon too! Hopefully in a couple days!! Just waiting for my bfs checks to arrive.

[kimmbo 0]

when I first started to research the process I was living in Canada with my husband and the DCF option sounded great..unfortunately when we were ready to start it had been suspended due to the Adam Walsh act..so we went for K-3 it seemed to be moving faster than the CR-1 option.. well it wasnt quicker and now were getting ready for the AOS process...since it seems CR-1 and K-3 are running about the same time now..go for the CR-1 so you dont have to do AOS and can take a 2 yr break from USCIS...

good luck in whatever way you choose to go!