CR-1 or K3?

[bwelty 0]

First off I have to say wow...this site is great. And the forum, too! I joined some other forum, asked a question and my sole reply was someone linking me to the USCIS website and telling me to look there. Not much help...but the guides here are fantastic and so helpful.

So...I'm going to Britain soon and getting married in February to a British citizen. He'll have to stay there as his paperwork processes so I'm wondering - should I bother filing for the K3 as well as the i-130? It looks like going the straight i-130 route is simpler if a bit longer though from what i've been reading, processing times are much less for the i-130 than what they used to be.

If we just go with the i-130 route and no K3, does he have to file for the adjustment of status as you do with the K3?

Thanks in advance for the help, i'm sure i'll be turning to the forums quite a lot in the next few months.

[sandramor1 0]

First off I have to say wow...this site is great. And the forum, too! I joined some other forum, asked a question and my sole reply was someone linking me to the USCIS website and telling me to look there. Not much help...but the guides here are fantastic and so helpful.

So...I'm going to Britain soon and getting married in February to a British citizen. He'll have to stay there as his paperwork processes so I'm wondering - should I bother filing for the K3 as well as the i-130? It looks like going the straight i-130 route is simpler if a bit longer though from what i've been reading, processing times are much less for the i-130 than what they used to be.

If we just go with the i-130 route and no K3, does he have to file for the adjustment of status as you do with the K3?

Thanks in advance for the help, i'm sure i'll be turning to the forums quite a lot in the next few months.

I went with just the I-130, it takes about the same amount of time and in the long run it's much cheaper.

[SunDrop 59]

and no, you don't AOS from a CR1. You get issued with a 2 year conditional GC, so after approval, his next step would be stateside when he removes conditions to grant him a 10 year GC.

ETA: Have you checked into what visa you will need to get married in the UK? They won't let you register the marriage on a VWP, even if you don't plan on immigrating to the UK. Unlike the US, where you can get married and leave the country again.

Edited November 28, 2009 by SunDrop

[Dakine 26]

Just a few reasons why to go with the CR-1. If you are eligible for a IR-1 then you would be nuts going with a K3!

The K3 has to adjust status which cost $1010 + $131 visas application fee.

Have to go thru the cost and hassles of getting a I-693 also.

K3 normally has to do biometrics and have a AOS interview. Time off from work cost the petitioner. PLUS the hassles of submitting the paperwork and going for the interview. Tain’t fun.. Especially if denied or questioned. Ever done a Stokes interview?

That’s the second interview if they are in doubt of your relationship.

Also a possibility of being deported. Yeah doesn’t happen much but it happens.

K3 has to wait about 90 days after they file to get EAD or GC so they can get SSN and be able to work.

CR-1 can work as soon as they get the GC and SS card in the mail. Normally with 6 weeks.

Can’t do a LOT of things without SSN. Like work or get a drivers license in some states.

Some K visas don’t get GC for a LONG time.

If petitioner goes belly up before you get GC you stand a chance of being deported.

If the petitioner loses his/her job after the interview you don’t have to worry about getting a co sponsor to adjust status!

CR-1 cost about $470

Get their GC and SS card in the mail within 6 weeks of arrival.

No biometrics , dealing with civil surgeons, AOS interviews, going to SSA for SS card.

I’m sure I’ve missed a few things.

Bottomline is anyone that goes with the K3 the way things are now are masochist!

Yeah I did but at that time K3s were a LOT faster. That’s not the case anymore.

[meowmeowmeow 1]

do the cr-1!

[bwelty 0]

Actually I've already gotten my marriage visa for the UK, so that's all set. Thanks so much for all your help...it seems daunting but my mind is starting to wrap around it. Here's a silly question though....the difference between CR-1 and IR-1?

[Malrothien 6]

CR1 - Conditional (less than 2 years of marriage) - must file for Removal of Conditions to receive the 10 yr green card

IR1 - 2 or more years of marriage - 10 yr green card

[New Beginnings 32]

The CR-1 is definitely the better option. K3 is basically obsolete at this point.

[bwelty 0]

Thanks so much, all of you for your help. I know i'll be turning here in the coming months for questions! Until we get the actual marriage part over with, I can't do much apart from read and prep myself.

[hellINTIM 9]

Just a few reasons why to go with the CR-1. If you are eligible for a IR-1 then you would be nuts going with a K3!

The K3 has to adjust status which cost $1010 + $131 visas application fee.

Have to go thru the cost and hassles of getting a I-693 also.

K3 normally has to do biometrics and have a AOS interview. Time off from work cost the petitioner. PLUS the hassles of submitting the paperwork and going for the interview. Tain’t fun.. Especially if denied or questioned. Ever done a Stokes interview?

That’s the second interview if they are in doubt of your relationship.

Also a possibility of being deported. Yeah doesn’t happen much but it happens.

K3 has to wait about 90 days after they file to get EAD or GC so they can get SSN and be able to work.

CR-1 can work as soon as they get the GC and SS card in the mail. Normally with 6 weeks.

Can’t do a LOT of things without SSN. Like work or get a drivers license in some states.

Some K visas don’t get GC for a LONG time.

If petitioner goes belly up before you get GC you stand a chance of being deported.

If the petitioner loses his/her job after the interview you don’t have to worry about getting a co sponsor to adjust status!

CR-1 cost about $470

Get their GC and SS card in the mail within 6 weeks of arrival.

No biometrics , dealing with civil surgeons, AOS interviews, going to SSA for SS card.

I’m sure I’ve missed a few things.

Bottomline is anyone that goes with the K3 the way things are now are masochist!

Yeah I did but at that time K3s were a LOT faster. That’s not the case anymore.

u missed sayin ENJOY the CR1