Is K1 faster? NEED HELP

[Sra Gomez 9]

I am a USC and planning on getting married to my Peruvian fiancee as soon as possible. It doesn't really matter to us if we get married here in the US or in Peru, we just want the fastest and more secure option.

At the moment we are unsure if we should go for the K1 Fiancee visa or the K3 spouse visa. Basically we want to do this fast and we don't want to have our application denied.

Any thought and advice on this would be greatly appreciated

~Bela & Darwin~

P.S. We are good at doing all the forms, is a lawyer recommended ??

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Well, there is no K-3 anymore...just CR-1/IR-1. For the month or 2 extra on average that a CR-1 takes, I feel it is worth it. With a K-1 you can file right now instead of having to wait a couple of months to make another trip to get married and wait on the marriage certificate. I dont know how the consulate is there as far as K-1 visas, but spouse visas are rarely denied. As long as you have all your documentation, either way is good. It just depends if you want to file right now, or wait a couple of months? Both ways end up costing about the same...actually I think the CR-1 is more because you have to make another trip to get married...and it depends on if you have a wedding or just civil.

As far as the forms...yes you can do it without a Lawyer. Just read the guides here and ask questions if you have them.

[Kimbear 53]

your comparing apples to oranges. one is a Fiance visa the other is a spousal visa. the only commanality between the two is that neither gives work authorization upon arrival in the u.s.a.

[Otto 83]

Besides the fact that the K-3 is in fact dead now, your comparison is like asking "Is an Orange sweeter than an Apple?" The answer depends... To me, it really comes down to

• Costs
  
• Immediate plans (work, travel, etc) after entering the US
  

**Since the thread is a Poll am moving it from K-1 Proc. to General Polls.

[Susita 175]

I am a USC and planning on getting married to my Peruvian fiancee as soon as possible. It doesn't really matter to us if we get married here in the US or in Peru, we just want the fastest and more secure option.

At the moment we are unsure if we should go for the K1 Fiancee visa or the K3 spouse visa. Basically we want to do this fast and we don't want to have our application denied.

Any thought and advice on this would be greatly appreciated

~Bela & Darwin~

P.S. We are good at doing all the forms, is a lawyer recommended ??

We went the K-1 route & got married in the US. I sent in the application in April of 2008 and Luis got the visa in Oct 2008. Check out my timeline. I didn't hire a lawyer I did everything myself. Good luck!

[Sra Gomez 9]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I think I am gonna go with the K1 =) Hope all goes well

[Peter&Jaime 1]

I went the CR1 route. I am glad I choose this option. I think you have alot to think about when deciding where to get married. If money is a concern you may want to get married in Peru. It is by far cheaper to get married there. I also choose the CR1 because it allowed my husband to get a job, go to school, get his social security card, and drivers license as soon as he got to the United States. With the K1 you have to wait to do all those things. So if your fiancee want's to be able to work, drive, or go to school as soon as possible then the CR1 is the better option. We also don't have to deal with USCIS until it is time to file for his 10 year green card. (2 years from entry into the usa).

We did not use a lawyer. If you use this forum you should be able to do all of the paper work yourself.

[Sra Gomez 9]

I went the CR1 route. I am glad I choose this option. I think you have alot to think about when deciding where to get married. If money is a concern you may want to get married in Peru. It is by far cheaper to get married there. I also choose the CR1 because it allowed my husband to get a job, go to school, get his social security card, and drivers license as soon as he got to the United States. With the K1 you have to wait to do all those things. So if your fiancee want's to be able to work, drive, or go to school as soon as possible then the CR1 is the better option. We also don't have to deal with USCIS until it is time to file for his 10 year green card. (2 years from entry into the usa).

We did not use a lawyer. If you use this forum you should be able to do all of the paper work yourself.

our main concern is whatever is the fastest, and we of course dont want to be denied. I read somewhere that he could request work authorization at border customs...is that right??

I doesnt really matter if we are getting married here or there, at the moment it will only be a civil wedding.

With the k1 how long after the wedding can he apply for SSN and work??

[TBoneTX 45,267]

our main concern is whatever is the fastest, and we of course dont want to be denied. I read somewhere that he could request work authorization at border customs...is that right??

With the k1 how long after the wedding can he apply for SSN and work??

and a plethora of other posts on these subjects, si man.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

our main concern is whatever is the fastest, and we of course dont want to be denied. I read somewhere that he could request work authorization at border customs...is that right??

I doesn't really matter if we are getting married here or there, at the moment it will only be a civil wedding.

With the k1 how long after the wedding can he apply for SSN and work??

IMO the K1 is a flawed visa. Like you we wanted the fastest option. However if I were to do it again I would go CR1. Average wait to work is 3 months from filing AOS....so unless you plan on marrying immediately its about 4-7 months. K1 is also more expensive with more hoops to jump through.

All in all its a poor visa...if you have the option to marry outside the US quickly and file CR1....do it.

Edited March 10, 2010 by Sousuke

[dakay ♥ 10]

I doesnt really matter if we are getting married here or there, at the moment it will only be a civil wedding.

With the k1 how long after the wedding can he apply for SSN and work??

our process took less than 6 months, I think is the average time to k1 or CR1, and to get SSN and EAD could take 3 months.

my advice read the guidelines, when you submit follow the instructions very well to have not issues