fiancee visa vs. Cr-1/K1 visa

[vvitto 0]

I am still undecided as to what route should I take ..

I am a US citizen and I intend to marry my GF from Romania.

Could you outline for me please pros and cons between fiancee visa and Cr-1 visa, please?

What is the time line as of now for fiancee visa?

In terms of cost, what are the costs?

Tx a lot

Edited April 7, 2011 by vvitto

[kissjo 2]

I am still undecided as to what route should I take ..

I am a US citizen and I intend to marry my GF from Romania.

Could you outline for me please pros and cons between fiancee visa and Cr-1 visa, please?

What is the time line as of now for fiancee visa?

In terms of cost, what are the costs?

Tx a lot

Hello, I just had to make that decision recently.. And I decided to go by the fiance route. From what I heeard from everybody, fiance visa is the fastest route if you want your fiance to be here ASAP... You can start the process... TOMORROW! (If you havef all the paperwork of course).. If you get married, then you have to wait for the marriage certificate (Which depending on country can take couple of weeks..) And then there are a bunch of translation documents to do.. But the advantage of marrying her is once you marry her, she will come as a GC holder WHEREAS if you apply for her as a finace, she will change status once here (After you guys get married)

For the price, I think fiance is cheaper (The application, and the fact that you don't have to go all the way to romania to get married, it's just ONE TICKET: Hers, when she comes to the US.)

Well, that's what I think. So let's see what others have to say about it.

Good luck.

[faust-yusov 103]

Fiancee visa (or a K1):

+ Quicker to POE (can apply tomorrow, approval takes 5 months for CSC, 6/7 for VSC, + 1-2 months for other details and interview)

+ Allows you to marry in the US

- More bureaucracy (subsequent application for AOS [Adjustment of Status] required)

- Much more expensive (AOS will be upwards of $1k)

Spousal visa (or a CR1):

+ Cheaper (by about $1k, since AOS is not required)

+ "Stronger" and less bureaucracy (again, no AOS required, so 2-year Green Card and work authorisation on entry)

- Have to marry before you apply, and outside the US

- Slower to POE (takes 8-10 months, and you can't apply until you marry)

Edited April 7, 2011 by faust-yusov

[canadian_wife 1,823]

http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

There is a great guide in the link above listing the pros and cons, and costs of each type of visa. Note the K3 is no longer a viable option

Good luck

[christian1988 1]

@ faust-yusov

you do not hae to get married outside the US, as I have married my wife under the VWP and we are now at the final processing stage before we will be assigned an interview date at the embassy in Frankfurt

[faust-yusov 103]

Sorry, oversight on my part.

Thanks for pointing it out

[pushbrk 12,979]

Fiancee visa (or a K1):

+ Quicker to POE (can apply tomorrow, approval takes 5 months for CSC, 6/7 for VSC, + 1-2 months for other details and interview)

+ Allows you to marry in the US

- More bureaucracy (subsequent application for AOS [Adjustment of Status] required)

- Much more expensive (AOS will be upwards of $1k)

Spousal visa (or a CR1):

+ Cheaper (by about $1k, since AOS is not required)

+ "Stronger" and less bureaucracy (again, no AOS required, so 2-year Green Card and work authorisation on entry)

- Have to marry before you apply, and outside the US

- Slower to POE (takes 8-10 months, and you can't apply until you marry)

The math isn't quite right but good explanation. CR1 avoids a $1070 fee but the other fees are higher. The actual government fee savings is between 6 and 700 bucks. All this assumes, however that there's an upcoming planned trip during which a marriage could take place. If not, the time to plan such a trip and the associated expense of travel would far more than wipe out any savings in government fees, provided the couple ALREADY qualifies to file the i-129f petition.

Since it's highly unlikely the Romanian would be allowed to visit the USA, your comments about marrying in the USA are spot on for this couple.

[pushbrk 12,979]

@ faust-yusov

you do not hae to get married outside the US, as I have married my wife under the VWP and we are now at the final processing stage before we will be assigned an interview date at the embassy in Frankfurt

Fair point but Romania isn't part of the VWP. It's unlikely a visitor visa would be granted.

[vvitto 0]

True, ROmania is not part of VWP...

As of now I am in Romania and I am weighing down my options.

It seems to me that Fiancee Visa would require more paperwork and more money...

Thanks agaain for your input and good luck to all of you.

[pushbrk 12,979]

True, ROmania is not part of VWP...

As of now I am in Romania and I am weighing down my options.

It seems to me that Fiancee Visa would require more paperwork and more money...

Thanks agaain for your input and good luck to all of you.

Appears you're doing some sound thinking. Now see about the paperwork required to marry in Romania.