What advantages does adjusting from K1 have?

[Hamburger Man 3]

So I was thinking, more as curiosity than anything else, what advantages does adjusting from K1 give you over other kinds of visas? Can someone compare and contrast the different visas to K1 and tell me the advantages and disadvantages?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

It is usually about circumstance, and you don't have a choice. If you have a fiance who lives abroad, then the K1 visa is the only option for you. If your fiance lives in the US on a work visa, for instance, then you can marry, adjust, and stay.

The advantages to adjusting from a K1, now that you are here, is that you might not have an interview.

[gueuze 2]

One of the fastest ways to become a USC is through the CR-1 visa or K1 visa. For K1, you can adjust status to get a conditional GC and approximately two years later lift conditions and receive your 10-year greencard. The CR-1 gives you a conditional GC right away; therefore, you will only have to process ROC after that.

[Boiler 45,486]

K1 the main issue is that you are a legit fiancee.

All the other ones you mention require some sort of pre qualification and many of them do not allow immigrant intent.

[inloveVEN 46]

hi

you'd better check this link out

vj's guide

this is a very useful tool to start. Of course if you are talking about based on marriage visa

Edited November 19, 2010 by inloveVEN

[VanessaTony 3,567]

A K1 is a visa. It's the method of entering the US. Other people enter the US via different methods, such as a K3 visa, the VWP, tourist visas, student visas etc.

A few of the benefits of a k1 are:

1. Some countries are unable to easily get other forms of visas. Some don't have the VWP.

2. Unlike the VWP, K1 adjusters if denied have the chance of appeal (so do the others.. only VWP can't).

3. About 50% of K1 AOSers don't have an interview for AOS.

4. K1's are eligible for a SSN on entry to the US (before their I-94 expires). Some of the others do, some don't.

5. AOSing with an I-130 means an extra $355, plus the medical in the US ($200+) all done basically at the same time. A K1 costs more over time, but it's not such a huge outlay all at once.

A few of the negatives are:

1. it costs more than the other ways usually

2. You can spend a decent amount of time apart while waiting for the K1 to process

3. The K1er can't work/leave until they have filed AOS and have their EAD, AP or GC

** moved from "Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from Family Based Visas" to General Immigration Related Discussion as this isn't a question about the AOS process specifically, more a general Immigration "question"/need for definition**

Edited November 19, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony