Going from K-3 to CR-1/IR-1

[maracuyámor 1]

So as it has become quite obvious on this site, the CR-1/IR-1 seems to be the heavily favored route for obtaining a visa for a spouse. I agree it does make sense vs the K-3 route as far as AOS goes, money, not having to deal with USCIS for 10 years and possibly time. I have already filed the I-130 and received the receipt, however, I have also already sent out the I-129F a few weeks ago. I was determined at first to go the K-3 route, but am reconsidering the CR-1/IR-1 visa as I have yet to receive a receipt for the I-129F. Have I wasted time now since I received the I-797C for the I-130 and not started anything for the CR-1/IR-1? I'd like to say that I haven't since the CR-1/IR-1 application is started when the I-130 is approved, which won't be for quite a few months. So I guess I can just wait and see what application gets approved first, the I-129F or I-130. I might just end up calling in and canceling my I-129F application. In the meantime, I'll start getting documents ready for the CR-1/IR-1. I'm off to a great start as I already have my tax transcripts prepared as well as a zillion other documents to prove our loving relationship.

However, I have filed with an immigration office for the I-130 and they are included in the application as a representative. What I would like to do is just file the CR-1/IR-1 by myself without the immigration office because there is quite a plethora of information on here and support for the CR-1/IR-1. Will this be an issue though since I originally filed the I-130 with the immigration office? Worst-case scenario, will I have to re-apply for the I-130? I really hope that will not be the case. If it is, then I will just continue to use the immigration office throughout the process for any signatures I would need from them. I don't mind working with them since they are helping me for free but it is a long drive to their office and I feel really confident with obtaining the CR-1/IR-1 without any issues since my spouse has never been to the U.S. and neither one of us have had any criminal problems. Financially, I will probably apply for a co-sponsor but I am not worried about that either.

So I guess you have all convinced the burrito (stubborn) in me to go along with the CR-1/IR-1. Congratulations, haha. I suppose I will eventually call in and cancel the I-129F if it won't present any issues with my spouse's application to obtain a visa. I have looked online at the USCIS's website and it looks like the processing time for the I-130 and I-129F are both five months at the service center that I applied with, while the information used may be archaic, it would make sense that the I-130 will get approved before the I-129F, so why not just go the CR-1/IR-1 route, right?

One last thing and I will quote what is directly stated on this website under the "CR-1/IR-1 Guide":

"Also, if your relative is your wife or husband and you have been married for less than 2 years at the time of his/her arrival at a port of entry, then he/she will receive a temporary I-551 Stamp and then later a Green Card by mail good for only 2 years. Ninety days before the green card expires you will have to file an I-751 form to remove it's conditional status." I thought one of the conveniences of having the CR-1/IR-1 was not having to deal with USCIS for 10 years? Maybe I'm just reading the guide incorrectly or that this just strictly pertains to the I-130 and not the CR-1/IR-1. However, my spouse and I have been married less than two years so it would be nice to hear some input about this.

Anyways, I will leave it at that. Any advice, comments or input will be more than greatly appreciate from all of you! I know there is a big CR-1/IR-1 community here so I want you to go ahead and chime in! You should all be proud that you finally knocked some common sense into my head, haha! I will be going to the immigration office soon and I would like to tell them that I will be now going the CR-1/IR-1 route, without their help, but I REALLY want to read your comments on here before I make that decision! I will be checking this thread often so PLEASE reply! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

[Jaxson 0]

So as it has become quite obvious on this site, the CR-1/IR-1 seems to be the heavily favored route for obtaining a visa for a spouse. I agree it does make sense vs the K-3 route as far as AOS goes, money, not having to deal with USCIS for 10 years and possibly time. I have already filed the I-130 and received the receipt, however, I have also already sent out the I-129F a few weeks ago. I was determined at first to go the K-3 route, but am reconsidering the CR-1/IR-1 visa as I have yet to receive a receipt for the I-129F. Have I wasted time now since I received the I-797C for the I-130 and not started anything for the CR-1/IR-1? I'd like to say that I haven't since the CR-1/IR-1 application is started when the I-130 is approved, which won't be for quite a few months. So I guess I can just wait and see what application gets approved first, the I-129F or I-130. I might just end up calling in and canceling my I-129F application. In the meantime, I'll start getting documents ready for the CR-1/IR-1. I'm off to a great start as I already have my tax transcripts prepared as well as a zillion other documents to prove our loving relationship.

However, I have filed with an immigration office for the I-130 and they are included in the application as a representative. What I would like to do is just file the CR-1/IR-1 by myself without the immigration office because there is quite a plethora of information on here and support for the CR-1/IR-1. Will this be an issue though since I originally filed the I-130 with the immigration office? Worst-case scenario, will I have to re-apply for the I-130? I really hope that will not be the case. If it is, then I will just continue to use the immigration office throughout the process for any signatures I would need from them. I don't mind working with them since they are helping me for free but it is a long drive to their office and I feel really confident with obtaining the CR-1/IR-1 without any issues since my spouse has never been to the U.S. and neither one of us have had any criminal problems. Financially, I will probably apply for a co-sponsor but I am not worried about that either.

So I guess you have all convinced the burrito (stubborn) in me to go along with the CR-1/IR-1. Congratulations, haha. I suppose I will eventually call in and cancel the I-129F if it won't present any issues with my spouse's application to obtain a visa. I have looked online at the USCIS's website and it looks like the processing time for the I-130 and I-129F are both five months at the service center that I applied with, while the information used may be archaic, it would make sense that the I-130 will get approved before the I-129F, so why not just go the CR-1/IR-1 route, right?

One last thing and I will quote what is directly stated on this website under the "CR-1/IR-1 Guide":

"Also, if your relative is your wife or husband and you have been married for less than 2 years at the time of his/her arrival at a port of entry, then he/she will receive a temporary I-551 Stamp and then later a Green Card by mail good for only 2 years. Ninety days before the green card expires you will have to file an I-751 form to remove it's conditional status." I thought one of the conveniences of having the CR-1/IR-1 was not having to deal with USCIS for 10 years? Maybe I'm just reading the guide incorrectly or that this just strictly pertains to the I-130 and not the CR-1/IR-1. However, my spouse and I have been married less than two years so it would be nice to hear some input about this.

Anyways, I will leave it at that. Any advice, comments or input will be more than greatly appreciate from all of you! I know there is a big CR-1/IR-1 community here so I want you to go ahead and chime in! You should all be proud that you finally knocked some common sense into my head, haha! I will be going to the immigration office soon and I would like to tell them that I will be now going the CR-1/IR-1 route, without their help, but I REALLY want to read your comments on here before I make that decision! I will be checking this thread often so PLEASE reply! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

Hi, I am new here and do not have all the answers but in terms of I-751, if you are married for less than 2 years, your spouse will get a conditional green card. So unfortunately, you have to deal with USCIS again. However, as soon as your spouse becomes eligible, I would recommend filing for naturalization. After Naturalization, it is good-bye to USCIS unless your spouse wants to file for another relative.

[maracuyámor 1]

Ok, thank you for your response!