Marry in USA or Philippines?

[jwarmyguy 0]

Hello,

I'm eager to get my fiancée to the USA. I met her while serving overseas in the US Army. I would like to know, what would easiest/smartest/ most effective route to getting her here. I'm considering going to Philippines and marrying her there and applying for k3 visa, or just apply for k1 fiancée visa here in the USA. Im willing to do whatever is necessary. What would be the best route? Thx

[Dakine 26]

Hello,

I'm eager to get my fiancée to the USA. I met her while serving overseas in the US Army. I would like to know, what would easiest/smartest/ most effective route to getting her here. I'm considering going to Philippines and marrying her there and applying for k3 visa, or just apply for k1 fiancée visa here in the USA. Im willing to do whatever is necessary. What would be the best route? Thx

K1 is the easiest and fastest.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

If you do marry her, apply for CR-1 instead.

It's more cost effective, gets her in with a green card and it's just as fast as K3. K3 has become obsolete.

If you file for K-1, you have to wait to marry her in the US.

Maybe ask her and see what she would like, if she's rather get married in the US or the Philippines.

From what I've looked at, K-1s can go through pretty fast, but if she's prefer to work right away, CR-1's a better route and is still going at a decent speed.

Here's the K-1 processing for the Philippines of the members here, it should give you an idea

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list...%2C28&cfl=0

And you can look at CR-1s here

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list...%2C28&cfl=0

If you know your service center, you can change it underneath the table to get better results for you.

[chinese_mutt 11]

easier K1... base on time processing

easier cr1... base on cost and benefit (gc upon arrival)

depends on what your priorities are.

be together faster = k1.

have less cost and she can go to work asap = cr1.

the time difference will be a month or two.

good luck

[Jasman0717 9]

K1 is the easiest and fastest.

[TripleG 3]

I K-1'd my now wife because my expat friends told me it was faster and easier. It took us 9 months, but I was back in forth to the RP during that time, so realistically we could have probabbly done it in 7 months. I don't know much about the CR-1 but if it only takes 3 or so months longer, I would definately consider that route. If the greencard you get with the CR-1 route is a 10 year card, I would definately go that route if I had it to do over again. With the K-1 you have to adjust your wife's status to get a 2 year temporary greencard and it cost about $1020.00 + medical transcription. The entire K-1 cost with USCIS from the start to getting greencard was an est. $1600.00. give or take a $100. I have no idea what CR-1 cost? I am sure some one will post it up. Good luck.

Wyatt

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Military Expedite, IIRC this is only an option if you're already married.

Processing times are neck-n-neck right now between CR & K Visas, the difference is NVC where K's are just pass through but CR do get the application Package & Affidavit of Support processed at NVC (process can be completed in a month if you're on your toes).

CR will cost less in the long run and she lands with a green card and authorized to work (if those matter to you).

If you qualify for the militayr expedite you might even be able to get the CR quicker than a K!

[Scott and Mhay 57]

We went the CR-1 because it was important to have the wedding with all of Mhay's family around. We had a pretty nice wedding for the price. the only plus side I can see to the K-1 is that you have 90 days to live together before marrying. We are expediting our case, but I am waiting on my evidence to get to the CSC...You pretty much need to have deployment orders for the military expedite...there are other criteria, you can look that up on USCIS.com

[RVIANE♛ 5]

Military Expedite, IIRC this is only an option if you're already married.

Processing times are neck-n-neck right now between CR & K Visas, the difference is NVC where K's are just pass through but CR do get the application Package & Affidavit of Support processed at NVC (process can be completed in a month if you're on your toes).

CR will cost less in the long run and she lands with a green card and authorized to work (if those matter to you).

If you qualify for the militayr expedite you might even be able to get the CR quicker than a K!

i agree have your wife in your orders too so u can get a free plane ticket when shes ready to come here and you will get paid also

[RVIANE♛ 5]

i forgot to add no AOS processing at NVC also

[Lingladyinred19 13]

Hello,

I'm eager to get my fiancée to the USA. I met her while serving overseas in the US Army. I would like to know, what would easiest/smartest/ most effective route to getting her here. I'm considering going to Philippines and marrying her there and applying for k3 visa, or just apply for k1 fiancée visa here in the USA. Im willing to do whatever is necessary. What would be the best route? Thx

My suggestion... go for CR1 marry her in the philippines.. SPOUSAL VISA i think 98% than fiancee visa is 50-50..

but still case to case...

Like they said u can apply expedited coz u are in military service :-)

good luck :-)

[edp333 9]

Both have advantages and disadvantages.

K1 visa process is easier to get her in US, but more expensive and more work with AOS. Spouse cannot leave country until or work until AP (permission to travel) and EAD (work authorization) or Green Card is received. Spouse normally gets bored while waiting for AOS cards.

CR1 is more work upfront and a little longer wait time before entering US. Social Security card and Green Card can be received in about two weeks after arrival.

[andrea4prez 1]

I K-1'd my now wife because my expat friends told me it was faster and easier. It took us 9 months, but I was back in forth to the RP during that time, so realistically we could have probabbly done it in 7 months. I don't know much about the CR-1 but if it only takes 3 or so months longer, I would definately consider that route. If the greencard you get with the CR-1 route is a 10 year card, I would definately go that route if I had it to do over again. With the K-1 you have to adjust your wife's status to get a 2 year temporary greencard and it cost about $1020.00 + medical transcription. The entire K-1 cost with USCIS from the start to getting greencard was an est. $1600.00. give or take a $100. I have no idea what CR-1 cost? I am sure some one will post it up. Good luck.

Wyatt

cr1- is the route i took and it took 4MONTHS and 2WEEKS. we paid i-130 - 355, affidavit of support - 70, and immigrant visa -400- 825 ALL IN ALL and green card right away...

the K visa expenses is almost double the CR1 and the timeline is not that too late.

[Atencio 43]

I am going to go CR-1 route as Fiancees mother who is 72 years old really wants to see her get married. How could I say no?

[SuperDuper! 230]

Some people don't like that "locked in" feeling of marrying a foreign bride overseas after spending just a few actual weeks in person with her. K1 helps you take it a little slower and verify that you are doing the right thing by having a little more time and breathing room before making the relationship legally bound. Time both while waiting for your application to be processed (take another trip or two to see her), and then up to 90 days to decide once she is here.

K1 vs CR1. It's a highly personal and subjective choice. Ignore any hotheads bashing the one option or the other. Cheers and good luck.