A few questions

[Gigglesngrins 0]

What is the main difference between the IR-1/CR-1 and the K3? Is there any differences as far as times? My boyfriend is a US citizen and I am Canadian and we are wondering if this a better route to take than the K1 visa. Can anyone offer some guidance?

Thanks!

[babybunny 2]

IR1 - those married over 2 years.- 10 year green card.

CR1- thosse marrid less than 2 years- 2 year green card

K-3 is for married persons - but, you would have to Adjust status once in the USA. to 2 year green card. unless at the time of AOS you been married 2 years then its 10 year green card. this method is fast for your spouse - depending on the country. once in the USA its like starting this process all over.

[Rebster 0]

If you are married, you HAVE to apply for the CR-1/IR-1 first (via the I-130 petition) then wait for your NOA1 and then you can apply for the K-3 (I-129f). So, while you're K-3 is being processed so is your CR-1. Once you get the K-3 you can come to the US and wait for the CR-1 to finish processing. At that time you have 2 options: keep the CR-1 petition processing in Canada & go back there for your interview or do an AOS (adjust of status) so the CR-1 finishes processing in the US. Unfortunately the AOS adds quite a bit of time to the process.

As far as I can see from the boards here, the K-1 and the K-3 have been taking about the same amount of time but that seems to have changed in the last week or 2 with all the new IMBRA regulations.

Check out the K-1 and K-3 boards here & pay attention to people's current timelines. You can also go under the Immigration Timelines at the top of this forum. This will give you a better idea of how long they are both taking & may help you decide.