Which visa is faster?

[FERLEM 1]

Hi all,

I'm new to this ,so I don't even know if I'm at the right place to get answers for my questions :-(

Well, this is the situation. I'm quite confused and need advice ,desperately.I'm engaged to my boyfriend(been together almost 2 years) We really really want to be together ,but we don't know which options is the best for us. Fiance visa or spouse visa? I've been told by some people that the fiance visa is a quicker process than than the spouse.Can any of you tell me a little bit more about your experiences with both process.How long did it take? costs? Also, I'm a little concern about my income.I'm currently working part-time ,but I'll be becoming full-time in the near future,so for right now I don't meet immigration's income standards.However, I have a friend who makes pretty good money and is willing to help me and be a co-sponsor kind of thing. I've heard that this is possible,but AGAIN..I would like to hear from you guys

Lastly, in case that we go for the fiance visa option. Is it a must to get married in the USA or can we get married in another country?

Thank you so much for your answers ,it really means the world to us !It's nice to hear that we are not the only ones in the universe in this kind of situation.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Hi all,

I'm new to this ,so I don't even know if I'm at the right place to get answers for my questions :-(

Well, this is the situation. I'm quite confused and need advice ,desperately.I'm engaged to my boyfriend(been together almost 2 years) We really really want to be together ,but we don't know which options is the best for us. Fiance visa or spouse visa? I've been told by some people that the fiance visa is a quicker process than than the spouse.Can any of you tell me a little bit more about your experiences with both process.How long did it take? costs? Also, I'm a little concern about my income.I'm currently working part-time ,but I'll be becoming full-time in the near future,so for right now I don't meet immigration's income standards.However, I have a friend who makes pretty good money and is willing to help me and be a co-sponsor kind of thing. I've heard that this is possible,but AGAIN..I would like to hear from you guys

Lastly, in case that we go for the fiance visa option. Is it a must to get married in the USA or can we get married in another country?

Thank you so much for your answers ,it really means the world to us !It's nice to hear that we are not the only ones in the universe in this kind of situation.

Hello, welcome to the forum.

Consider acquainting yourself with the wealth of information available at the site, including the Guides , located at the top of the forum page. It may help answer some of your questions.

There are many of us trudging through this process.

Good luck,

YMMV,

The B or A&B

[Inky 1,111]

There is an over view of cost - aprox times - and pros/cons of the visas listed http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare please read up.

[pocheros 101]

If you go the fiance route you must get married in the USA. The main difference between the K1 (fiance) and IR1/CR1 (spouse) is that upon the approval of the visa the K1 does not receive a green card but the IR1 does. So a K1 will receive a visa specifically for the purpose of entering the USA to get married and from within the USA will apply for a green card with USCIS. The green card gives you permission to work and travel outside the USA along with all the other benefits of being a permanent resident.

Now the catch is if you go the K1 route it's usually a couple months shorter than IR1 EXCEPT for the amount of time it will take you to receive your green card which will take 3-6 months from the date you apply for it, and you can only apply for it after you've been married. So for at least 3-6 months a K1 will be unable to work and also unable to leave the USA. For example if someone in your home country passed away and you were here on a K1 you could not just simply leave the USA and re enter because the K1 is a SINGLE entry visa. You would first have to seek special permission called advanced parole or obtain the green card.

However, a spouse will receive a green card along with their visa and upon entering the USA will be able to seek employment and travel abroad. It's a little longer compared to the K1 but you get more paperwork out of the way at the same time.

Please check out the links the above posters provided- they provide even more detail and are quite helpful!

I am posting from my phone so I can't provide the link, but I believe the poverty guideline for two people is only 18,600 or so. And yes, you can get a co-sponsor and combine your incomes to meet the poverty guideline. Many people do this.

[FERLEM 1]

If you go the fiance route you must get married in the USA. The main difference between the K1 (fiance) and IR1/CR1 (spouse) is that upon the approval of the visa the K1 does not receive a green card but the IR1 does. So a K1 will receive a visa specifically for the purpose of entering the USA to get married and from within the USA will apply for a green card with USCIS. The green card gives you permission to work and travel outside the USA along with all the other benefits of being a permanent resident.

Now the catch is if you go the K1 route it's usually a couple months shorter than IR1 EXCEPT for the amount of time it will take you to receive your green card which will take 3-6 months from the date you apply for it, and you can only apply for it after you've been married. So for at least 3-6 months a K1 will be unable to work and also unable to leave the USA. For example if someone in your home country passed away and you were here on a K1 you could not just simply leave the USA and re enter because the K1 is a SINGLE entry visa. You would first have to seek special permission called advanced parole or obtain the green card.

However, a spouse will receive a green card along with their visa and upon entering the USA will be able to seek employment and travel abroad. It's a little longer compared to the K1 but you get more paperwork out of the way at the same time.

Please check out the links the above posters provided- they provide even more detail and are quite helpful!

I am posting from my phone so I can't provide the link, but I believe the poverty guideline for two people is only 18,600 or so. And yes, you can get a co-sponsor and combine your incomes to meet the poverty guideline. Many people do this.

Merci sooooo much for your help. It really helped me understand A LOT about how this process works.

There is an over view of cost - aprox times - and pros/cons of the visas listed http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare please read up.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

You can get married in either country, but IMHO the CR-1 beats the K-1 route by a mile for several reasons, the main one that you would have to file for AoS ($1,090) and would be dead in the water for several months, unable to work or do pretty much anything.

[Ryan H 3,819]

Lastly, in case that we go for the fiance visa option. Is it a must to get married in the USA or can we get married in another country?

If you go the fiance visa route, you must get married in the USA and must do so within 90 days after arrival.