K1 or IR1?

[MrMath 1]

Hi All,

My filipina fiance and I would like to be married this year, and have her join me in the states this year as well. We have known each other only a short time (one month), and were introduced by a mutual friend. I have visited her in the Philippines. I have a stable job in the US earning around $70,000, and I own two homes. I am a US citizen. I have been married and divorced, and have a child. She is a public school teacher in the Philippines with no prior marriage and no children. Both of us are over 24.

We are considering two scenarios:

1 - Have a civil marriage in June in the Philippines and apply for an IR-1 visa. Have a ceremonial wedding in November or December in her province, and hopefully she will join me in the US after that

2 - Apply for a K-1 visa immediately, hopefully receive in time to get married in the US and return to the Philippines for a ceremonial wedding in November or December.

I've received opinions from friends that the K-1 visa is harder to get than the IR-1, is this true? Is one path safer than the other? Other scenarios to consider? Pitfalls? I really wish for her to join me as my wife by the end of the year. I've tried to read all the guides on the site, but I'm hoping users with experience will help me contrast these possibilities.

Thank You!

[Inky 1,110]

You wouldn't apply for an IR-1 because you would not have been married long enough. You would apply for a CR-1.

[EAbbas 213]

Hi All,

My filipina fiance and I would like to be married this year, and have her join me in the states this year as well. We have known each other only a short time (one month), and were introduced by a mutual friend. I have visited her in the Philippines. I have a stable job in the US earning around $70,000, and I own two homes. I am a US citizen. I have been married and divorced, and have a child. She is a public school teacher in the Philippines with no prior marriage and no children. Both of us are over 24.

We are considering two scenarios:

1 - Have a civil marriage in June in the Philippines and apply for an IR-1 visa. Have a ceremonial wedding in November or December in her province, and hopefully she will join me in the US after that

2 - Apply for a K-1 visa immediately, hopefully receive in time to get married in the US and return to the Philippines for a ceremonial wedding in November or December.

I've received opinions from friends that the K-1 visa is harder to get than the IR-1, is this true? Is one path safer than the other? Other scenarios to consider? Pitfalls? I really wish for her to join me as my wife by the end of the year. I've tried to read all the guides on the site, but I'm hoping users with experience will help me contrast these possibilities.

Thank You!

I think you mean CR1...that is for ppl who are married less than 2 years...the IR1 is for those married more than 2 years... we did the CR1 for that very reason...we knew we were getting married so we just went ahead and did it...we knew eachother for 2 yrs and engaged for 6 months bfore we married.

Look at the cost as well...that had some bearing on our decision too however, if you haven't known her but a month then its possible the k1 may be the best option...gives you time to know her better and when she comes you still have 90 days to get married...or..in some of the cases the individuals decided it wasn't what was best thing for them so they left and went back to their own country...

it's definitely a personal decision you know what is best for you all we can do is advise you on how things work thru the immigration process...you know what's in your heart....good luck with your decision...

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Also note, if she comes on a K-1 and marries, she cannot leave the US (or correction, she can leave but will not be allowed to return) unless she has her green card or advanced parole document.

There is a guide here to help you figure out what visa is best

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

K-3 is no longer available, you'll compare the K1 with the Cr-1 (not Ir1 as others have mentioned)

good luck

[Krikit 1,164]

Moving from K-1 Process to General Immigration Discussion.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

The K1 will save time, as you can apply now, but the CR-1 is cheaper, plus she gets a greencard right away upon entry, thus can work etc. Ultimately, it is up to you and where you want to get legally married.

One thing though: this is not going to happen to your timeline, no matter which visa you choose. If you chose the K1, you might get the interview by December (not guaranteed- you are looking at 7-10 months processing), but once she gets to the USA, she won't be able to leave again for about 3 months while you do paperwork. If you go the spousal visa route, and apply in June after your wedding, it will be 8-12 months till she gets to the USA.

[MrMath 1]

Thank you all so much for your quick and thorough responses. What an amazing community this is.

[EAbbas 213]

Thank you all so much for your quick and thorough responses. What an amazing community this is.

Agree!!! Good luck!