Just married and not sure which visa to file...

[Riggs 0]

Hello all,

I just returned from the Philippines and I married my sweetie while I was there. Now I want to file the visa to bring her here as soon as possible. I am not sure whether to file the K# or the CR-1 or both. If filing both is the best option, how do I go about filing both and what is the procedure for knowing when to abandon one or the other and the instructions on filing.

Thank you so much

Steve

[Holliday 4]

Congratulations on your marriage!

A lot of people will tell you that the CR-1 is better (and I suppose I am one of those people), because it is an immigrant visa, so a CR-1 visa holder becomes a permanent resident upon entering the U.S., and is therefore allowed to travel and work immediately. The CR-1 is also less expensive than the K-3 in the long run.

I think your best bet is to read the guides here on VJ, because they outline the pros and cons. It should be noted also that there is currently little to no difference in the processing times (at least that's what I have observed in my time here). However, only you know your own circumstances, so by reading the guides, you should be able to determine which one is best suited for you and your wife.

[Lake and Ann 0]

imo, File an I-130, don't file them both!!! I have heard horror stories of people doing this and get them both rejected because each one cause the other to be obsolete.....

[ricebird 0]

We did the CR-1 process: I told my husband that its a little longer than K-3, but we don't need to bother for Adjustment of Status, more waiting time and additional fees when I get to the US.

It's your choice, whatever suits for both of you.

[Arun+Catie 1]

file I-130 and than file I-129f without any fee.

our I-130 got approved before I-129f, it can be vice versa.

arun

[Princess In Love 0]

file I130 only , it's faster to get approved

[OBX 51]

Congratulations on your marriage!

A lot of people will tell you that the CR-1 is better (and I suppose I am one of those people), because it is an immigrant visa, so a CR-1 visa holder becomes a permanent resident upon entering the U.S., and is therefore allowed to travel and work immediately. The CR-1 is also less expensive than the K-3 in the long run.

I think your best bet is to read the guides here on VJ, because they outline the pros and cons. It should be noted also that there is currently little to no difference in the processing times (at least that's what I have observed in my time here). However, only you know your own circumstances, so by reading the guides, you should be able to determine which one is best suited for you and your wife.

^^Agreed, excellent advice.

[CJ Vasani 0]

Given the cost-benefit of CR1, you should file only the I-130 and as a side benefit, your application may just get approved faster if you leave I-129F out. Our application (and many others) were severely delayed due to I-129F filing. If we hadn't filed I-129F, our I-130 would've been approved in August / September 2008 rather than December.