Switching K1 to CR1

[ricky and elaine 8]

Hi! Well all us people having our petitions at California Service Centre might wonder if we should change...I have a hard time deciding from the stats if it pays...granted depends on how much time you are into it. My personal issue is I have an elderly dad(90) in a facility in Canada and I am worried the longer it goes on...the longer it will take me to get Advanced Parole to travel if I need to go to Canada. I am an only child and things are fine now but it is a worry. CR1 comes with Advanced Parole and ability to work etc. And for heavens sake looks like it is cheaper...What do you think? btw i realise it is starting over..but given the timelines..is it that much worse or better?

[Zachris 5]

Hi! Well all us people having our petitions at California Service Centre might wonder if we should change...I have a hard time deciding from the stats if it pays...granted depends on how much time you are into it. My personal issue is I have an elderly dad(90) in a facility in Canada and I am worried the longer it goes on...the longer it will take me to get Advanced Parole to travel if I need to go to Canada. I am an only child and things are fine now but it is a worry. CR1 comes with Advanced Parole and ability to work etc. And for heavens sake looks like it is cheaper...What do you think? btw i realise it is starting over..but given the timelines..is it that much worse or better?

I've been thinking the same thing, and for similar reasons.

Right now, we're 6 months post NOA1. The main thing that prevents quitting and going the marriage route is that we would have to start all over.

Still, I told myself back in August that K-1 brings her here faster. Somehow, I do not think that is true.

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

You are pretty new into the process. I assume that your fiance lives in America? The processing time will largely depend on what state he is living at and which field office has jurisdiction.

I wouldn't expect it to go more quickly, but the CR1 does have the added benefit of being able to work and travel immediately.

[milimelo 4,481]

Hi! Well all us people having our petitions at California Service Centre might wonder if we should change...I have a hard time deciding from the stats if it pays...granted depends on how much time you are into it. My personal issue is I have an elderly dad(90) in a facility in Canada and I am worried the longer it goes on...the longer it will take me to get Advanced Parole to travel if I need to go to Canada. I am an only child and things are fine now but it is a worry. CR1 comes with Advanced Parole and ability to work etc. And for heavens sake looks like it is cheaper...What do you think? btw i realise it is starting over..but given the timelines..is it that much worse or better?

Since you only recently sent in your petition and given your circumstances - withdraw the K-1 petition, come to the US and get married and start the CR-1 process. When you do city hall/judge marriage ceremony, ask about "walking the signed marriage license to the registrar and requesting expedited issuance of the marriage certificate" - also get 3-4 extra copies.

You should have no problems visiting during I-130 processing as long as you have the usual ties to Canada - work letter, return ticket, mortgage/lease, property ownership...

[baron555 934]

Hi! Well all us people having our petitions at California Service Centre might wonder if we should change...I have a hard time deciding from the stats if it pays...granted depends on how much time you are into it. My personal issue is I have an elderly dad(90) in a facility in Canada and I am worried the longer it goes on...the longer it will take me to get Advanced Parole to travel if I need to go to Canada. I am an only child and things are fine now but it is a worry. CR1 comes with Advanced Parole and ability to work etc. And for heavens sake looks like it is cheaper...What do you think? btw i realise it is starting over..but given the timelines..is it that much worse or better?

CSC would still process the front part of the CR-1 petition. So what's the use? It would only extend the time you have to wait. I would ride it out.

[hikergirl 277]

CSC would still process the front part of the CR-1 petition. So what's the use? It would only extend the time you have to wait. I would ride it out.

Stand-alone I-130s are not being processed at the normal service centers (changed Aug 15, 2012) due to a workload shift.

It could be quite a difference in the time with CSC being so slow.

OP: CR-1 doesn’t come with AP and EAD. CR-1s are granted a green card right away. Just semantics I know.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

In your case, a CR-1 may be better due to being able to travel immediately. But it would not be cheaper as you'd need to pay all the CR-1 fees, and have already payed the K1 fee.