K1 or CR-1

[Egypt's Heart 6]

Good day all,

I'm not new to the USCIS "game", but I do have a question, more like taking a poll:

Would you file a K1 or a CR-1 for a beneficiary in Egpyt?

Same 50/50 chances approval on both is what I believe, a marriage license does not guarantee better chances.

We want to marry in May when I arrive in Cairo, but all know U.S. Embassy is closed, and for legal marriage the U.S. citizen must go to embassy to obtain the "Permission" letter to marry. We are praying they will be open, cause we truly want a legal marriage now.

If we can not marry in May due to embassy still closed, we have decided to file K1 petition.

We will of completed all the requirments to file a K1 in May, we have had a 15 month relationship, with plenty of evidence such as chats, emails, postal mailings of cards and letter with envelopes, and when Im there, we are having family events and dinners with his family. So of course pictures will be taken at events, and of course of Amr and myself together.

We are not kids, both middle 40's divorced, well educated, so much in common, and communication is great between us.

So tell me your thoughts please.

Edited March 13, 2011 by Bethy & Amr

[Inky 1,111]

There is no time requirement on the relationship to file a K-1, the only requirement on the relationship is to have met in person within the last 2 years before filing.

[Egypt's Heart 6]

There is no time requirement on the relationship to file a K-1, the only requirement on the relationship is to have met in person within the last 2 years before filing.

Yes thank you, Im well aware of that. I was just giving a bit of back ground on relationship to show, its not a met on internet and then meet face to face thing 3 months later. Cause now any petition filed for a Egyptian beneficiary will be analized under a microscope more then before the uprising in Egypt. We all know Cairo is one of the toughest embassy around.

[JoyDee 21]

Sounds like you have a good plan: try to marry in May.. if not, file K1-- what do you need advice about?

Edited March 13, 2011 by JoyDee

[Egypt's Heart 6]

Sounds like you have a good plan: try to marry in May.. if not, file K1-- what do you need advice about?

Not really looking for advice, just posed the question in the MENA forum, since this is a MENA beneficiary Im filing for.

And many there know's how the embassy is in Cairo, but like I said, its a ####### shoot, 50/50 chance on any visa filed.

Thank you for your reply,and best wishes for you and yours.

[JoyDee 21]

I hope the embassy opens up in time for you to take care of business with your love! How long have they been closed now?

[Egypt's Heart 6]

I hope the embassy opens up in time for you to take care of business with your love! How long have they been closed now?

They have been closed more then a month now due to the uprising in Egypt. I keep checking their webiste, and not much indication of when they will re-open. Did read they are beginning to process visas again, but still not taking appointment for services that are needed, as I need them to issue me a "permission" to marry letter, without that, Amr and I can not marry legal in Egypt. UGH..........

Nice to meet you and thank you for all your kind responses.

Beth

[KittyPollitt 284]

Good day all,

I'm not new to the USCIS "game", but I do have a question, more like taking a poll:

Would you file a K1 or a CR-1 for a beneficiary in Egpyt?

Same 50/50 chances approval on both is what I believe, a marriage license does not guarantee better chances.

We want to marry in May when I arrive in Cairo, but all know U.S. Embassy is closed, and for legal marriage the U.S. citizen must go to embassy to obtain the "Permission" letter to marry. We are praying they will be open, cause we truly want a legal marriage now.

If we can not marry in May due to embassy still closed, we have decided to file K1 petition.

We will of completed all the requirments to file a K1 in May, we have had a 15 month relationship, with plenty of evidence such as chats, emails, postal mailings of cards and letter with envelopes, and when Im there, we are having family events and dinners with his family. So of course pictures will be taken at events, and of course of Amr and myself together.

We are not kids, both middle 40's divorced, well educated, so much in common, and communication is great between us.

So tell me your thoughts please.

Hey Beth!

In your situation, if you file for the K1 due to the embassy being closed, I'd make a paper trail of it. Send an email to the consulate asking a question about the issue, being very specific, and when you get a reply (which you already know the answer to), hold on to that email- it shows your intent to marry, and speaks to the fact that you're not married due to the embassy, not that the relationship itself isn't ready.

Due to your closeness in age and circumstance, you might have a bit of better luck than some with a large age gap and socio/economic differences- it's all up to the CO who sees Amr.

Good luck!

Sarah

[Egypt's Heart 6]

Hey Beth!

In your situation, if you file for the K1 due to the embassy being closed, I'd make a paper trail of it. Send an email to the consulate asking a question about the issue, being very specific, and when you get a reply (which you already know the answer to), hold on to that email- it shows your intent to marry, and speaks to the fact that you're not married due to the embassy, not that the relationship itself isn't ready.

Due to your closeness in age and circumstance, you might have a bit of better luck than some with a large age gap and socio/economic differences- it's all up to the CO who sees Amr.

Good luck!

Sarah

hey Sarah

I already emailed them and got answer, and YES, I saved that. paper trail is sooooooooooo important Sweets!!!!!

(((((((((((((( Hugs )))))))))))))))

[wendy&tamer 10]

Our story is much like yours...we had a long relationship and much documentation and did great. From start to finish in Cairo (cr1) was 8months. We didnt file immediately after marriage due to some financial issues. I think your age closeness is better and easier than larger gaps. But as you know each case is different. I do believe the CR1 is better because they can work as soon as they get here and get ssn and greencard, rather than the wait for k1 and adjustment. Just my opinion though. Good luck and I pray the embassy will get opened soon and start processing those waiting and waiting. Best wishes and enjoy your trip in May ( I hope you can marry then).

[Egypt's Heart 6]

Our story is much like yours...we had a long relationship and much documentation and did great. From start to finish in Cairo (cr1) was 8months. We didnt file immediately after marriage due to some financial issues. I think your age closeness is better and easier than larger gaps. But as you know each case is different. I do believe the CR1 is better because they can work as soon as they get here and get ssn and greencard, rather than the wait for k1 and adjustment. Just my opinion though. Good luck and I pray the embassy will get opened soon and start processing those waiting and waiting. Best wishes and enjoy your trip in May ( I hope you can marry then).

Thank you Wendy, I hope all will be fine when I arrive, but we do have options, and that is better then no options.

But yes, CR-1 is best, able to work, and etc pretty much right away once arrive in USA.

Still have time, and time tells all.

All the best,

Beth

[Samoray 165]

Who knows what's gonna change from now until may comes, you gotta wait and see

[Nothing1234 2]

Beth,

I agree with Sarah. Either way but keeping the paper trail. I didnt think Cairo was tough...I recall Morocco being more difficult. Wish you guys the best of luck. I love Cairo in May!! We did the K1 and were done in about 6-7 months. In that time I did visit twice but I had also been there long periods of time before filing.

Off topic...that pic creeps me out...

Edited March 15, 2011 by Nawal

[And_Sam 44]

They have been closed more then a month now due to the uprising in Egypt. I keep checking their webiste, and not much indication of when they will re-open. Did read they are beginning to process visas again, but still not taking appointment for services that are needed, as I need them to issue me a "permission" to marry letter, without that, Amr and I can not marry legal in Egypt. UGH..........

Nice to meet you and thank you for all your kind responses.

Beth

(((Bethy))) Babay!!!

If the "permission" to marry or the certificate of eligibility is all you are needing, what about if you got hold of the Egyptian Consulate here in the US and see if they have a form that you can use that the Egyptian Embassy will accept?

Technically that paper is just something that is two folded, one side is in english then have Amr fill it out in Arabic for the Egyptian Embassy.

That way all you will need to do is wait for the marriage certificate and get it translated and authenticated at the Egyptain Embassy.

The form that they gave to us at the US embassy was a very badly photocopied paper that we filled out. That is all. Then we paid for the notarization of the form showing that I was single.

Hmmmm sounds like a research project!!!

[Egypt's Heart 6]

(((Bethy))) Babay!!!

If the "permission" to marry or the certificate of eligibility is all you are needing, what about if you got hold of the Egyptian Consulate here in the US and see if they have a form that you can use that the Egyptian Embassy will accept?

Technically that paper is just something that is two folded, one side is in english then have Amr fill it out in Arabic for the Egyptian Embassy.

That way all you will need to do is wait for the marriage certificate and get it translated and authenticated at the Egyptain Embassy.

The form that they gave to us at the US embassy was a very badly photocopied paper that we filled out. That is all. Then we paid for the notarization of the form showing that I was single.

Hmmmm sounds like a research project!!!

Andrea Sweetieee, how are ya babe? yes sounds like a great research project. But of course we have plan B also.

Marry Urfi "Orfie" , and Amr and I still wants to celebrate after Urfi "Orfie" marriage with family and friends. And as you know, we have the new apartment in Cairo, and its big enough to have a hell of a wedding dinner. So I think which way we go as for visas, we should be okay. But I will be in contact with Egypitan consulate here in Houston, and even the State Department here in USA to see if they can assist IF embassy is still closed. K1 is still same chances as CR-1 and also if asked why we did not legally marry in May, well I will just remind them embassy was closed, and please see my attached emails of me and the embassy in Cairo trying to solve the promblem of the "permission " paper to marry since they are closed.......... Paper trail babyyyyy