question whether we should file K1 or just get married?

[deezwho 7]

Hi, Im new to this forum. I tried searching for an answer but could not specifically find one.

I just got engaged. My fiance lives outside the country (obviously). She is going to be coming to the US on a visiting visa in a couple of months.

Would it be easier if we just get married while she is visiting and then file a IR-1/CR-1 or just start the K1 process instead.

My concern regarding the IR-1 is that we would not have a lot of documentary evidence regarding a "bonafide marriage" if we just got engaged/married and live in 2 separate countries.

What do people suggest based on prior experiences? We arent in a super rush as she's finishing university right now so the faster approval of K1 wouldnt necessarily be a major benefit.

Ideally I want to use whichever process requires the least amount of headache dealing with paperwork and beaurocracy.

Thanks

[Amar & Bindu 3]

I came on K1 visa to U.S but I would prefer Spouse visa.

[Krikit 1,164]

Moving from K-1 Process to General Immigration-Related Discussion. Have you taken a look at the guides?

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

Welcome to VJ.

[GodsGift225 54]

Personally... I choose the spousal visa cause is less expensive then the K-1 if you are looking at it in the financial part. Processing time you are looking at about the same time frame for the petitions to get approved. As for the "bona fide" of the marriage it goes both ways, you will have to proved to them that there is an on going relationship. Picture, trips, boarding passes, letters, email chats, property under both names, health insurance, anything to show a "tie" together. These are things that will show a "bona fide". Basically is up to the individual and there preferences. At one point K1 was the fast way to have the you loved one here will CR1/IR1 used to take years not the have minimized the process time one spousal visa to the same time for K1. But you do save some money when filing for CR1/IR1. My opinion go for the marriage one.

Edited September 4, 2012 by GodsGift225

[bigdog 376]

I would look at the guides and find the appropriate action plan. On the face, it would appear that your plan to come on a visa of other than a K1 and get married is not legal.

[bigdog 376]

<br />I would look at the guides and find the appropriate action plan.  On the face, it would appear that your plan to come on a visa of other than a K1 and get married is not legal.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Finishing my train of thought, both of us wished we would have gotten married then applied. Thus allowing for finishing up personal business etc. in her home country, what ever you do don't create issues you don't need. K1 worked for us but was longer,more hassle and more money. Good Luck to both of you.

[deezwho 7]

I see ... would it make a difference since she is definitely going back after visiting to finish school? Or will they give us problems later when we apply?

[bigdog 376]

You can come as a student and some where alone the line get married no issues. See the other threads regarding this. Come with "intent" to marry is the key to this whole thing, good luck.

[ceadsearc 516]

Intent to marry is NOT a problem. Intent to marry and STAY is a problem. It really just matters what is best for you - with a K-1 you could file now. No wait, so the process will most likely be done faster. A CR-1 would be cheaper overall (since she is visiting either way) and she would enter as an LPR once it is complete, so no wait to work.

[Xanax 349]

In regards to the least amount of "headache" you are looking at the CR-1 so you would get married first.

With the CR-1 visa there is no adjustment of status after your spouse enters the country so less paper work and less money spent overall; the processing times are similar.