K-1, K-3, IR-1/CR-1 ? ? ? Which one to choose?

[stvil62948 0]

I thought I understood it all. Maybe not all, but enough to know the K-1 was the fastest route to see my loved one (Russian) face-to-face in the US. We are traveling to the Dominican Republic for our first personal meeting next week 6/6/09. Today she asked about the possibility of marrying in the DR during our meeting. I certainly was happy to hear this, but it was difficult for me to explain that the K-1 was the fastest choice. She told me that her friend arrived in the US in 2006 as a spouse, and the process was only 4 months! I don't know the type of application they used (direct consular filing?).

Am I missing something???? I don't have any special circumstances that would allow a direct consular filing, as I understand it. What is the present waiting time for the K-1, K-3, and IR-1/CR-1? I have to admit that I can't remember ever reading about the IR-1/CR-1 until tonight.

I'd appreciate any opinions or advice ASAP! As I said earlier, we're going to have our personal meeting in less than 1 week.

Thanks much for any help!

[Anh map 2,098]

K1 is the fiance visa that is used if you want to marry here after your fiance arrives. K3 / CR1 is used if you marry before the finace immigrates.

DCF is for situations where both of you reside outside the US. That wouldn't apply in your case.

Have a great meeting/visit and then afterwards decide which route you want to go down.

Do some reading through the guides here on VJ to familiarize yourself with the process. Take your time and make the right choice. (We are all impatient here on VJ, but try to help each other temper our enthusiasm)

[Bern. 3]

All I can say is, do not marry during your first meeting. It's not very logical.

In all honesty, I advise you to meet your loved one and see how it goes and then if you decide that she is who you truly want to marry, then you can apply for the K-1. You're looking at about 6+ months average wait, but trust me, the wait is worth it (most of the time.) Plus you'd have covered the face-to-face requirement. Mind you, you have to see each other within 2 years of filing. So takes tons of pictures and try and get her to fill out her K-1 forms, such as G-325A etc.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I thought I understood it all. Maybe not all, but enough to know the K-1 was the fastest route to see my loved one (Russian) face-to-face in the US. We are traveling to the Dominican Republic for our first personal meeting next week 6/6/09. Today she asked about the possibility of marrying in the DR during our meeting. I certainly was happy to hear this, but it was difficult for me to explain that the K-1 was the fastest choice. She told me that her friend arrived in the US in 2006 as a spouse, and the process was only 4 months! I don't know the type of application they used (direct consular filing?).

Am I missing something???? I don't have any special circumstances that would allow a direct consular filing, as I understand it. What is the present waiting time for the K-1, K-3, and IR-1/CR-1? I have to admit that I can't remember ever reading about the IR-1/CR-1 until tonight.

I'd appreciate any opinions or advice ASAP! As I said earlier, we're going to have our personal meeting in less than 1 week.

Thanks much for any help!

OK, Whoa, Nellie.

You are going to meet a woman from a foreign country for the first time, I do not suggest you get married. It is not a game, the marriage would be legal even if the immigration choices have yet to be made. DCF can be done if you were living in Russia and had been long enough to qualify, so that is out.

The decision for the K-3/CR-1 and K-1 should be made based on your circumstances and needs, not "how can she get here fastest" K-1 is fastest of the two. BUT with the K-1 she cannot return home or work until adjustment of status is complete or she receives an EAD or AP and that can take 2-6 months after filing, and you cannot file until you are married and it costs $1010. It does, however, allow you up to 90 days to be together and decide before getting married. I you do not marry, she can go hame and no harm, no foul. The K-3/CR-1 requires you get married before you file, and they take longer to process. Most now go the CR-1 route which allows her to work right away, she immediately has a green card, but it takes longer to be together. You need to decide what you will do, what you need to do as a couple, etc. If she needs, or wants, to work right away when she arrives or if she is satisfied to cool her heels until the AOS is completed. Study the guides and make informed decisions, What a freidn of a friend told her is likely not correct.

Since you are not meeting in her country, BOTH of you need to keep your travel documents such as boarding passes, make plenty of photos (you do not need that many for filing, one or two will do) and bring TWO original forms G-325a for her to sign, she doesn't even need to fill them out, you can do that later. Also bring TWO fiancee letters of intent for her to sign, the sample here on VJ is excellent. Then you will have the documents with original signatures you need and a "spare" in case something gets lost in the mail. If she was divorced before, have her bring a COPY of her divorce certificate. That is all you would need for a petition filing from her. The divorce certificate will need to be translated, but you can do that later and in the US. She can scan and email copies of all her travel documents for the trip to Dominicana

[No-Where-Man 147]

I thought I understood it all. Maybe not all, but enough to know the K-1 was the fastest route to see my loved one (Russian) face-to-face in the US. We are traveling to the Dominican Republic for our first personal meeting next week 6/6/09. Today she asked about the possibility of marrying in the DR during our meeting. I certainly was happy to hear this, but it was difficult for me to explain that the K-1 was the fastest choice. She told me that her friend arrived in the US in 2006 as a spouse, and the process was only 4 months! I don't know the type of application they used (direct consular filing?).

Am I missing something???? I don't have any special circumstances that would allow a direct consular filing, as I understand it. What is the present waiting time for the K-1, K-3, and IR-1/CR-1? I have to admit that I can't remember ever reading about the IR-1/CR-1 until tonight.

I'd appreciate any opinions or advice ASAP! As I said earlier, we're going to have our personal meeting in less than 1 week.

Thanks much for any help!

Hello

first of all congratulations on ur lovely trip that you are about to have

and to spend so lovely times with your one

there is many things to consider ..

first DCF is not an option as its said above ....

K1 is good if you both are not marries ..but u need to see each others at least once and get proves that you did it (pictures ..stamps on passport , tickets ...etc )

then when u get back to USA u need to read the Guides above ....K1 is good ..but be aware that denial rate is high in such visa category specially if (so high age gap , so diff education levels ,,,to big finanical diff ..etc )

i would agree and NOT agree on marrying at once ..

tht depends on manythings ..for instance ,,i live in islamic arabic country ..so i cant live with a woman without getting married to her ..so thts a reason why i should marry on the first meet and that would represent no problems ...

so anyway if u r going to get Married ..i advise u see the requirement at the Embassy webpage or your future wife can help getting this ..and when u get married ..after returning back u file I-130 ,,for a CR-1 visa category ,,

please read guides

Good Luck and make sure u spend a lovely time

[imaisha 1]

I agree absolutely with the above posters about waiting to get married.

If however you do decide to go that route something else to consider is where the interview will be held. If you apply for a K-3 the interview will be in the country where the marriage took place (Dominican Republic). For the CR-1 the interview will be in her country of residence (Russia). The CR-1 is the better visa of the two for almost everyone as it costs less than the K-3 in the long run and she will be authorized to work upon entry with her green card.

[payxibka 10,047]

In addition, K-3 visa requires the interview in the country of the marriage (if other than in the USA)... if you marry in the DR then the K-3 interview would also occur in the DR.... this could be a pro or a con depending on your situation....

[John H 0]

Hi,

Does anyone on this thread speak, read and write Russian?

My fiancee is Russian, living in Kazakhstan. She hasn't learned English yet. We're getting married in Kazakhstan in August. She has a daughter 18 years old, who wants to come to the US in about 2-3 years.

She is on a Russian Womens Forum, and they told her the CR1/1R1/I-130 visa would take 2 years, maybe 5 years, so we decided to go the K3 route.

This thread, and others, says that the CR1 now takes no longer than the K3, pluse you save the $1000. I believe it, but my fiancee really trusts the Russian Womens Forum, and they are saying 2-5 years. Can somebody on here write to her in Russian and explain the new turnaround time for the CR1 process? Or better yet, talk to her on Skype?

thanks in Advance

John H