switching to cr1- processing times

[ricky and elaine 8]

Hi! I checked on this forum for Processing times for the field office in Las Vegas. We are considering switching from K1. It DOES NOT mention CR1. It does mention 1-485 (sepT 27/12) N -400 (5 months) N-600 (Aug 25/12) DOES ANYONE SEE ANY BENEFIT IN CHANGING FROM K1? Is it true that CR1 goes to field offices or do you still have to do those months and months of waiting at CSC Also? Please advise guys. Btw we are only newly into NOA1 for K1 (1 mth)

[oohpartiv 484]

The only benefit of switching from K-1 to CR-1 would be not having to do AOS after arrival - you've immediately be given a conditional 2 year greencard. However, the wait would be just as long. Regardless of the fact that most cases are being shipped off to field offices, it's still taking months and months for most people to get their NOA2. If you're thinking of switching merely because you want a quicker NOA2, I wouldn't bother.

[stevie b 141]

take a look at your local office directly.. i dont think there is enough data on this site for that ...

http://dashboard.uscis.gov/index.cfm?formtype=4&office=87&charttype=1

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

There is no switching as such, there is only starting again- new fees and all. Plus, you'd need to get married first and wait for the marriage cert, which can take weeks too.

[NikLR 13,232]

Sometimes, depending on the local office, the wait can be considerably less, sometimes it's more. You would have to marry and refile with the I-130.

[NikLR 13,232]

BTW as a note, I do not believe any of the local offices show online that they are processing i-130 petitions except in the trends and volume page. So finding a speed for an office is difficult.

[hikergirl 277]

I’ve seen on a few threads that CSC is now expecting K-1s to take a year for processing. I’m not sure where they’ve gotten this information but it sounds very disheartening. I know they’re very behind and don’t seem to be making much progress at all.

The CR-1s are not going through CSC at all right now. They are going through MSC and Field Offices. The only FO I’ve seen with real issues is Atlanta.

Also, you may qualify for Canadian EI right away as a CR-1 whereas you have to wait for EAD as a K-1. The EI alone could more than pay for your new filing.

If you can afford to get married and re-file as a CR-1 it may be worth your while.