Jump to content
Andrew83

Which visa? K-1, K-3, or CR-1

 Share

12 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Filed: Country: Spain
Timeline

Hi everyone,

So Ive been reading around about differences in the K-3, K-1, and CR-1.

My fiancé and I are torn between doing the K-1 because supposedly it's much faster, or getting married in her native country (Colombia) and then doing the K-3 or CR-1 immediately afterwords and dealing with possibly waiting much longer. If there wasn't much difference in the wait times (we'd get married in late September/ early October if we didn't go for the K-1 fiancé visa), we'd stick with the plan of getting married in Colombia, and she'd go back to Madrid where she lives and is a legal permanent resident, to see out the visa process. If there was a large difference in her coming to the US, say 3 or 4 months, we'd get a head start and get started on the K-1 now.

Any advice on which would be best for us? I know some places (like the middle east or parts of Asia) take much longer than other places, but she'd be doing it out of Madrid, not sure if anyone has experience or insight in that, if it would possibly put our visa on the shorter end of the time expectancy. I know that the CR-1 is better all around and cheaper, but if us being together would be significantly shorter with the K-1, we would strongly consider it.

Any advice would be extremely useful as we are trying to just NAIL DOWN a plan after going back and forth since we became engaged. Also, is any of my thinking flawed here? For example if something I said about hypothetical plans isn't a possibility or something, or if there is a better option I haven't thought of, please let me know.

Again, I'm fairly convinced that the CR-1 would be the best option...if our main objective wasn't to be together in the US as soon as possible and just start our life. If it's all about the same, then Im sure we'll do it that way. If not, we'll get a head start on the fiancé visa by filing ASAP. Now that I think about it, if we went with the K-1, we'd get a 3 month head start on filing it now as opposed to getting married and filing in October. AHHH this is driving me nuts! Either way, thank a ton for any input.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Nigeria
Timeline

Now that I think about it, if we went with the K-1, we'd get a 3 month head start on filing it now as opposed to getting married and filing in October. AHHH this is driving me nuts! Either way, thank a ton for any input.

Exactly what I was thinking. With how it is going really start to finish should be 6 to 8 months maybe soon maybe later. But you can file NOW like you said and get that 3 months marry when you get here.

Look at me CR1 Visa was in USCIS (First Stage ) 100 days. They said 5 months is the norm mine was 3 months 1 week 4 days. Now NVC stage hopefully it will go fast. I may be through this whole thing in 6 months. But I am not the norm. That's why comparing timeliness will drive you nuts.

I guess the key question is the embassy you will be interviewing at do they look favorably on K1 visa filing. Is it an issue. Is it a tough embassy (I doubt it its Madrid for goodness sake.biggrin.gif

K1 get my vote good.gif!

Case Complete to Interview spreadsheet

From now on your VJ Member name will be verified. If the name you put on form to be added to spreadsheet comes up not found, you will not be added to the spreadsheet. If you don't have a timeline you will not be added to the spreadsheet.

Please Please put your VJ member name only. Not nicknames or real names whatever your VJ name is. It's below your profile picture!!

 

Come join the current Interview thread: 

DQ-to-Interview-2023-all-countries

Case Complete to Interview Spreadsheet
Case Complete to Interview Form

 

 

 

ROC I-751
5/21/2018: Filed i751 ROC
6/12/2018: NOA1 Date
3/5/2019: Biometrics Appt
12/28/2019: 18 month Extension has expired
1/9/2020: InfoPass Appt to get stamp in Passport
2/27/2020: Combo Interview (ROC and Citizenship)
3/31/2020: submitted service request for being pass normal processing time
4/7/2020: Card being produced
4/8/2020: Approved
4/10/2020: Card mailed
4/15/2020: 10 year green card received
 
 
N-400
5/21/2019: Filed Online
5/21/2019: NOA1 Date
6/13/2019: Biometrics Appt
2/27/2020: Citizenship Interview
4/7/2020: In queue for Oath Ceremony to be scheduled
6/19/2020: Notice Oath Ceremony scheduled
7/8/2020: Oath Ceremony (Houston)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
Timeline

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to General Immigration-Related Discussion; OP is asking for information about two different visa processes.

Our journey:

Spoiler

September 2007: Met online via social networking site (MySpace); began exchanging messages.
March 26, 2009: We become a couple!
September 10, 2009: Arrived for first meeting in-person!
June 17, 2010: Arrived for second in-person meeting and start of travel together to other areas of China!
June 21, 2010: Engaged!!!
September 1, 2010: Switched course from K1 to CR-1
December 8, 2010: Wedding date set; it will be on February 18, 2011!
February 9, 2011: Depart for China
February 11, 2011: Registered for marriage in Wuhan, officially married!!!
February 18, 2011: Wedding ceremony in Shiyan!!!
April 22, 2011: Mailed I-130 to Chicago
April 28, 2011: Received NOA1 via text/email, file routed to CSC (priority date April 25th)
April 29, 2011: Updated
May 3, 2011: Received NOA1 hardcopy in mail
July 26, 2011: Received NOA2 via text/email!!!
July 30, 2011: Received NOA2 hardcopy in mail
August 8, 2011: NVC received file
September 1, 2011: NVC case number assigned
September 2, 2011: AOS invoice received, OPTIN email for EP sent
September 7, 2011: Paid AOS bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 9, 2011)
September 8, 2011: OPTIN email accepted, GZO number assigned
September 10, 2011: Emailed AOS package
September 12, 2011: IV bill invoiced
September 13, 2011: Paid IV bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 14, 2011)
September 14, 2011: Emailed IV package
October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
December 7, 2011: POE - Sea-Tac Airport

September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

September 23, 2013: Received NOA1 in mail (receipt date September 19th)

October 16, 2013: Biometrics Appointment

January 28, 2014: Production of new Green Card ordered

February 3, 2014: New Green Card received; done with USCIS until fall of 2023*

December 18, 2023:  Filed I-90 to renew Green Card

December 21, 2023:  Production of new Green Card ordered - will be seeing USCIS again every 10 years for renewal

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Australia
Timeline

The K-3 is obsolete so count that out.

When deciding between the K-1 and the CR-1.

Think about 1) where you want to get married, 2) how important is for you to be together once you are married and 3) if it is important for your fiancee to be able to work straight away or if it is ok to wait 3-4 months before they are eligible to work.

We became a couple : 2011-05-29
I visited him : 2011-10-28 - 2011-11-17
He visited me (and my crazy family) : 2012-02-05 - 2012-02-17
I-129F Sent : 2012-02-05
I-129F NOA1 : 2012-02-14
I entered on VWP to stay 3 months: 2012-04-11 - 2012-07-03
---
Went to get my medical done for interview in Australia (much cheaper in the US and I was already here):2012-05-20
Medical issue diagnosed
K-1 petition cancellation request sent to CSC : 2012-06-01
Married: 2012-06-21
Filed for AOS : 2012-08-08
NOA1 : 2012-08-10
Biometrics : 2012-09-14
EAD approved : 2012-10-16
Applied for SSN : 2012-11-01
Received SSN : 2012-11-13
Received interview notice :2012-12-27
Interview- APPROVED :2013-01-28
Green card received :2013-02-04
Baby girl born :2013-03-09

Filed for ROC :2014-12-05
NOA :2014-12-11
Biometrics : 2015-01-15

ROC Approval : 2015-05-14

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

Rid the K3 from your mind

Look at the comparason guides

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

Good luck

USCIS
August 12, 2008 - petition sent
August 16, 2008 - NOA-1
February 10, 2009 - NOA-2
178 DAYS FROM NOA-1


NVC
February 13, 2009 - NVC case number assigned
March 12, 2009 - Case Complete
25 DAY TRIP THROUGH NVC


Medical
May 4, 2009


Interview
May, 26, 2009


POE - June 20, 2009 Toronto - Atlanta, GA

Removal of Conditions
Filed - April 14, 2011
Biometrics - June 2, 2011 (early)
Approval - November 9, 2011
209 DAY TRIP TO REMOVE CONDITIONS

Citizenship

April 29, 2013 - NOA1 for petition received

September 10, 2013 Interview - decision could not be made.

April 15, 2014 APPROVED. Wait for oath ceremony

Waited...

September 29, 2015 - sent letter to senator.

October 16, 2015 - US Citizen

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Country: Spain
Timeline

Ok thanks everyone for the replies. I think we've decided on the K-1 visa just because it's faster and it's not that important that she works right away when she arrives.

Can someone still travel while the K-1 is in process? For example I think we are going to file the I-129F this week, but she'd still like to make a month long trip to Colombia with her family in September. Is there any conflict here? The way I see it is, she'd be back in October and hopefully there'll be something in her mailbox from the Madrid Consulate detailing what she needs to do. Once everything clears the NVC and all the stateside part of things, how much time does she have to gather documents (obviously we'll get started on that as well now) and finish the visa process in Madrid?

In the end, while it seems that there are always exceptions to the rule, the CR-1 could be up to 3+ months longer of a process AND we'd have to wait 3 months longer just to start it as opposed to the fiancé visa. So to sum up, could she travel (not to the US) while this is being processed? Is there a deadline to complete it once it reaches the Embassy stage in Madrid?

Thanks again!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

Ok thanks everyone for the replies. I think we've decided on the K-1 visa just because it's faster and it's not that important that she works right away when she arrives.

Can someone still travel while the K-1 is in process? For example I think we are going to file the I-129F this week, but she'd still like to make a month long trip to Colombia with her family in September. Is there any conflict here? The way I see it is, she'd be back in October and hopefully there'll be something in her mailbox from the Madrid Consulate detailing what she needs to do. Once everything clears the NVC and all the stateside part of things, how much time does she have to gather documents (obviously we'll get started on that as well now) and finish the visa process in Madrid?

In the end, while it seems that there are always exceptions to the rule, the CR-1 could be up to 3+ months longer of a process AND we'd have to wait 3 months longer just to start it as opposed to the fiancé visa. So to sum up, could she travel (not to the US) while this is being processed? Is there a deadline to complete it once it reaches the Embassy stage in Madrid?

Thanks again!

Yes, she may travel to Columbia

Good luck

USCIS
August 12, 2008 - petition sent
August 16, 2008 - NOA-1
February 10, 2009 - NOA-2
178 DAYS FROM NOA-1


NVC
February 13, 2009 - NVC case number assigned
March 12, 2009 - Case Complete
25 DAY TRIP THROUGH NVC


Medical
May 4, 2009


Interview
May, 26, 2009


POE - June 20, 2009 Toronto - Atlanta, GA

Removal of Conditions
Filed - April 14, 2011
Biometrics - June 2, 2011 (early)
Approval - November 9, 2011
209 DAY TRIP TO REMOVE CONDITIONS

Citizenship

April 29, 2013 - NOA1 for petition received

September 10, 2013 Interview - decision could not be made.

April 15, 2014 APPROVED. Wait for oath ceremony

Waited...

September 29, 2015 - sent letter to senator.

October 16, 2015 - US Citizen

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Colombia
Timeline

I personally think the CR1 is the best way to go. Yes, you can file for the K1 now and have that three month head start, however, she will have to file for AOS once she gets here which is not only an additional $1070, but she will also be without a work permit/advanced parole for at least 3-6 months, longer to get her permanent residency. Even if she doesn't plan to work or travel right away with a K1 visa she can't even get a driver's license until she gets her work permit. I've read a lot about people who go absolutely crazy at home during that time because they can't do anything without those documents.

Diana

CR-1

02/05/07 - I-130 sent to NSC

05/03/07 - NOA2

05/10/07 - NVC receives petition, case # assigned

08/08/07 - Case Complete

09/27/07 - Interview, visa granted

10/02/07 - POE

11/16/07 - Received green card and Welcome to America letter in the mail

Removing Conditions

07/06/09 - I-751 sent to CSC

08/14/09 - Biometrics

09/27/09 - Approved

10/01/09 - Received 10 year green card

U.S. Citizenship

03/30/11 - N-400 sent via Priority Mail w/ delivery confirmation

05/12/11 - Biometrics

07/20/11 - Interview - passed

07/20/11 - Oath ceremony - same day as interview

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Colombia
Timeline

I agree with Diana! if you want to travel outside the States for a honeymoon or a quick trip you can do that but she will not be able to enter the US. With your CR1 you can travel right away because once you go through the port of entry. she would be a legal permanent resident and will get her green card approxmately 20 days after she is here

V&B Suarez

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Country: Spain
Timeline

Actually I really don't think she cares about traveling soon after. Plus she's never been to the U.S. so a stateside honeymoon wouldn't be terrible. I appreciate all of the advice. And I know that the CR-1 overall is better,cheaper and all but we did the math: Based on the processing time charts (from what I can understand! haha) the difference in the K-1 and CR-1 is about 2 months, and we can also start the K-1 3 months earlier...so that's like 5 months faster that we can just start our life in the US.

Working won't be her top priority, and traveling isn't either. How long before she can do either with the K-1? I think I read somewhere between 3-4 months...

But is the CR-1 really THAT much better that it would be worth waiting 5 months or more longer?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

She cannot to anything with the K-1. The K-1 visa is a single entry visa and then it is void

Once you marry her and file for her adjustment of status, you can also send in the papers for her work and travel documents. After that is submitted then it taks about 90 days.

So, how long after she enters the US can she work and travel? That depends on when you file for adjustment of status. Keep in mind, lost of people dont' think it is necessary because work and travel isn't important as other factors. But what if there is an emergency and she must travel out of the US but doesn't have her documentations?

Good luck

USCIS
August 12, 2008 - petition sent
August 16, 2008 - NOA-1
February 10, 2009 - NOA-2
178 DAYS FROM NOA-1


NVC
February 13, 2009 - NVC case number assigned
March 12, 2009 - Case Complete
25 DAY TRIP THROUGH NVC


Medical
May 4, 2009


Interview
May, 26, 2009


POE - June 20, 2009 Toronto - Atlanta, GA

Removal of Conditions
Filed - April 14, 2011
Biometrics - June 2, 2011 (early)
Approval - November 9, 2011
209 DAY TRIP TO REMOVE CONDITIONS

Citizenship

April 29, 2013 - NOA1 for petition received

September 10, 2013 Interview - decision could not be made.

April 15, 2014 APPROVED. Wait for oath ceremony

Waited...

September 29, 2015 - sent letter to senator.

October 16, 2015 - US Citizen

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Country: Spain
Timeline

all very good points. I think we would get married like immediately, and file ASAP. The emergency thing is a good point, but I mean IF something bad happened, I think we'd just leave and accept the fact we'd have to start over and do a CR-1. But, we're not counting on any tragedies in the first 90 days haha.

We're still on the side of the K-1 right now. Money isn't a problem in terms of the CR-1 being cheaper (although it would be nice, we aren't RICH), and her working can wait 3 months. Personally I'd like her to wait a while, get accustomed, improve her English, etc. for a little while before jumping into the rat race of life. Travel, not ideal, but we'll be too broke to travel for a while after all of this anyway. Surprisingly, she isn't too too worried or disappointed about not being in Colombia for the wedding and not having many friends and family....actually almost none...I'm not sure what the requirements for tourist visas are ( I know, another topic for another thread), but her mom has a very average job, and her 2 sisters are students and don't have jobs (all Colombian nationals, legal residents of Spain, living in Madrid), and likely can't come to a stateside wedding. For both of us, although we see the advantages of the CR-1, i think the most important thing is that we are separated the least amount of time. That seems to be the K-1 by far, especially since we have a 3 month head start in filing it.

But, I very much appreciate everyone's comments and perspectives. Although, I'm still leaning on the K-1, I'd still appreciate more input. Either confirming our decision or others things to consider with the CR-1...like maybe it's not THAT much slower than the K-1 for example or I don't know...

Again thanks! This board is really helping me feel like I'm not alone with Google to try and figure everything out. I'm sure I'll be here all the time for the next X amount of months. Haha

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...