length of time CR-1 process takes

[lacietee 0]

me and my fiance were planning on doing the K-1 visa, but now we are thinking about possibly just getting married and filing for the CR-1

how long does this process take? and how much does it cost altogether? thanks so much!

[EAbbas 213]

Here is the guide for CR1. http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

comparison guide is here http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

We also did the CR1 because to us it was just as simple as we knew we were getting married anyway so why not go ahead and do it this way.

For us, it ws better to file the CR1 so he could work as soon as he came instead of waiting to Adjust status and another 1k paid.

See if any of this helps make your decision.

the time it takes varies but usually between 3-5 months for i130 approval then another few months between NVC and waiting for the Interview date. From your country it's not common for a long AP (if any) so you could see the visa that day or within a few weeks after the interview.. so it may be about a 9 months to a year tops.. maybe longer as it's difficult to say.

Good luck

Edited January 2, 2012 by EAbbas

[together4evr 360]

Look at other canadian timelines. At a quick glance it looks like somewhere between 188 days till 460 days.

And nothing in Immigration is cheap. It all cost alot of money.

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?op6=All&op7=Canada&dfile=No&op1=&op2=&op3=5&op4=1&op5=5%2C6%2C8%2C10%2C11%2C13%2C14%2C15%2C16%2C17%2C18%2C20%2C21%2C22%2C25%2C26%2C27%2C28%2C108%2C110%2C111%2C208%2C210%2C211&cfl=

Spouse petition=440 dollars

AOS=88 dollars

IV fee= 404 dollars

Medical 300-600 dollars

DHL fee at embassy=30 dollars?

Running around printing pictures, printing paper for chat logs and other evidence=??? variable

Cost of mailing each other important documents??? varies-some people have zero and some people 100 dollars

airfare or travel ??? depends on how much you visit

Moving and travel expense??? varies greatly

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Took us 10 months. The Montreal consulate can be slow and backed up, although I think they are much better about that now

Good luck

[lacietee 0]

Here is the guide for CR1. http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

comparison guide is here http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

We also did the CR1 because to us it was just as simple as we knew we were getting married anyway so why not go ahead and do it this way.

For us, it ws better to file the CR1 so he could work as soon as he came instead of waiting to Adjust status and another 1k paid.

See if any of this helps make your decision.

the time it takes varies but usually between 3-5 months for i130 approval then another few months between NVC and waiting for the Interview date. From your country it's not common for a long AP (if any) so you could see the visa that day or within a few weeks after the interview.. so it may be about a 9 months to a year tops.. maybe longer as it's difficult to say.

Good luck

wow you were so helpful, thanks! we are def. just going to do this!

and ummm another small question. i know it is 420 to file, what are the fees after that, like for the interview that i need to know about? please help!

[EAbbas 213]

wow you were so helpful, thanks! we are def. just going to do this!

and ummm another small question. i know it is 420 to file, what are the fees after that, like for the interview that i need to know about? please help!

No fees at the interview.. only fees you pay for CR1 is for the i130 when you file, i864 and DS230 packet for NVC when its time.. its all less than 1k

don't actually have the fees in my head right now but if memory serves me right...

we paid

355 for i130

88 for i864 packet

over 400 (can't remb the exact it ws under 500) for the DS230 packet

But you also have to remember that you will also have the medical fees and any fees for copies, certified translations *you won't need that* certified copies etc and mailings/overnighting packages etc but that is will all the petitions you file

Edited January 2, 2012 by EAbbas

[together4evr 360]

Try not to only listen to the answers you want to hear....

Ask people from Canada...

How much was the medical exam?

How much was the police certificate?

How much was the military certificate?

And as I said above the actual fees for the petition 912.00

Remember there are alot of other costs that come up every week.

Good Luck

[lacietee 0]

No fees at the interview.. only fees you pay for CR1 is for the i130 when you file, i864 and DS230 packet for NVC when its time.. its all less than 1k

don't actually have the fees in my head right now but if memory serves me right...

we paid

355 for i130

88 for i864 packet

400 (can't remb the exact it ws under 500) for the DS230 packet

okay, so now since im all confused, and learning a whole new visa process.

do i file the i864 pacied and ds230 packet together? and do you send those in by mail, and if so, when in that process? is it after the approval of the i130?

and could he be in america with me until the time comes for him to go to the interview?

[canadian_wife 1,829]

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse

Read this guide, it outlines all the steps from USCIS to the consulate

Good luck

[lacietee 0]

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse

Read this guide, it outlines all the steps from USCIS to the consulate

Good luck

oh wow, i feel a bit dumb. i didnt even realize they had a play by play, ahha!

but can be he in the states while this process is happening, that is until he has to go to the interview?

and would you say this is a better process than the K-1 visa?

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Personally, I think the cr-1 spousal visa is superior, but you have to figure out the best visa for you.

Yes, he can visit the US and stay as long as he is authorized, entrance and duration of stay is not a guarentee

Good luck

[david'sgirl 134]

Personally, I think the cr-1 spousal visa is superior, but you have to figure out the best visa for you.

Yes, he can visit the US and stay as long as he is authorized, entrance and duration of stay is not a guarentee

Good luck

I would agree with you. The CR1 let David get a greencard and social so he was able to quickly get a job and driver's license. At the time the K3 was our other option but it seems to be fading out as it no longer offers a faster route. We did this two years ago and at that time we were seeing people wait well over a year for fiance visa. We decided to wed outside the country then I flew home to begin the CR1 process. We are now waiting to remove conditions on the greencard and then next year he can become a citizen. Best of luck to the OP with whichever road you chose.

[Helen Louise Pile 80]

Checkout your regional forum to see embassy specific questions. And service center specific time lines.

My husband and I had to make this decision also. The K1 is more expensive, but when I applied in 2010 it was much quicker, we were approved by USCIS in around 50 days. We also decided on the K1 because we didn't want to have to be apart after we were married. But there are disadvantages since you cannot work right away and it costs more.

It was easy for me to visit for 90 days on vwp while we waited. Plenty of people visit while their visa is processing. Canadians can advise you best on that.

It's stressful trying to decide but once you do you can get started with everything! Best of luck!

[NY_BX 397]

Checkout your regional forum to see embassy specific questions. And service center specific time lines.

My husband and I had to make this decision also. The K1 is more expensive, but when I applied in 2010 it was much quicker, we were approved by USCIS in around 50 days. We also decided on the K1 because we didn't want to have to be apart after we were married. But there are disadvantages since you cannot work right away and it costs more.

It was easy for me to visit for 90 days on vwp while we waited. Plenty of people visit while their visa is processing. Canadians can advise you best on that.

It's stressful trying to decide but once you do you can get started with everything! Best of luck!

I second that. It all depends on the country/ embassy. I did extensive research &, considering my significant other is from Egypt, I concluded the best option for us was a K-1. I talked to a couple of legal colleagues (immigration lawyers) and they all encouraged me to file the K-1 visa, even though is costs more. The last thing I wanted was to marry and stay away from him over a year, which in the end it ends up costing more. Why? because then I'd have to go visit him, more phone bills, etc. K-1 is quicker; basically, he'll wait for AOS with me in the US instead of his home country. That said, maybe Canada is different.

[wee carrington 33]

Ok, I've read through this whole thread and it seems to me your BIG question is: once you file your I-130 can your husband stay in the US with you until the interview. The answer is maybe yes, maybe no. He, I believe, will need to go back to Canada before the interview anyway for his medical exam and there is a chance that upon trying to reenter the US he could be refused entry.

Also, keep in mind you will most likely need a joint sponsor for a CR-1 visa.