Why did you file a K-1 over a CR-1?

[Jon9205 1]

I have not filed yet. Actually I am preparing to send out my K-1 fiance visa in the next couple of weeks, with just one visit to document. Maybe the second trip might be a better idea for Ghana and get married there. I'm committed to my fiance regardless so I'm just looking for the safest route. Its not so much about money or even time, (because that is a given) but more about setting ourselves up for success with the Ghana Embassy. I'm confident I can send in the I-129f without a RFE but the interview at the embassy is the unknown variable that I would like to improve my odds with. I'm starting to really consider the CR-1 over the K-1 in relation to Ghana. But I'm still undecided because I'm feeling a little confident about the K-1 too. Thanks for all the valuable feedback and please keep it coming, I appreciate it so much.

[M and C 32]

We chose K1 over CR1 for the simple reason that we want to be together once we're married, rather than get married first and be apart while waiting.

[S & H 4]

We decided to go the CR-1 route over the K-1 for various reasons. It will be easier for the wife and kids to have green cards immediately upon arrival to the United States. My wife had an annulment and her attorney recommended to get married in the Philippines instead of the states. The court clerk said the US Embassy fraud unit made a few annulment inquiries for other Filipinos getting K-1 visas. This possibility (although unlikely) would cause even longer delays.

Also, I'm in the military and my pay increases as a result of being married.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

We decided to go the CR-1 route over the K-1 for various reasons. It will be easier for the wife and kids to have green cards immediately upon arrival to the United States. My wife had an annulment and her attorney recommended to get married in the Philippines instead of the states. The court clerk said the US Embassy fraud unit made a few annulment inquiries for other Filipinos getting K-1 visas. This possibility (although unlikely) would cause even longer delays.

Also, I'm in the military and my pay increases as a result of being married.

You bring up another point.

Being married offers tax advantages while you're doing the waiting.

[Ismael&Blair 66]

This advice applies to me too, please put immigration second and your relationship/future plans first. You two decide how you plan your future and then see immigration will play into it.

Agree with this comment....We knew we wanted to be together as husband and wife and being married officially was the important part for us.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

I am in the same boat, in a high fraud consulate, Ghana. I'm trying to decide what to do, K-1 or CR-1. We initially were going to get married and do the CR-1, as the filing is cheaper. But now we've switched to the K-1, mostly because of health insurance reasons. My insurance only allows me to add people at the time of being married or at January 1st of each year. In all the reading I've done, I'm worried about all the processing time for the K-1 and then end up getting denied. When we file for either one, we will have visited each other 2 x's, as that's all we can afford. I don't know what to do....:-(

Please explain further why you think health insurance reasons would affect your CR1.

[Jon9205 1]

I originally filed a K1 (approved but visa was denied in Lagos) because I've lived continously in the US since 1986, so all my friends, family associates, are here.

The denial was a blessing in disguise because it forced us to get married in Nigeria (on the same date that we had originally planned on so just a change of venue and I guess guests though soem USC traveled to Nigeria to attend the wedding).

It was a blessing because I was abel to do a formal marriage engagement, introduction, marriage and reception ceremony in our culture. Her entire sibbling, my sibblings except for two knuckleheads were there. Most importantly her Mum and my Mum were at the ceremonies.

So knowing what I now know I should just have gotten married in the first instance.

Let me step up to a soap box for a one second.

Thsi advice applies to me too, please put immigration second and your relationship/future plans first. You two decide how you plan your future and then see immigration will play into it. So if getting married amongst local relatives in a traditional Ghanian ceremony is important then don't even consider K1. The alleged time saving of a few months will pale in comparison to a lifetime of happiness in doing things in a traditional way, important to Africans.

Just my opinion but I woudl recommend to get married in Ghana.

Good luck.

PS: I die a little every day because my new young Wife is not next to me here in the US but at least she's in my house in Nigeria with my Mum and my Sister (still in the same city as my in-laws) but it's not the same. It's an odd way to start off but faith holds it together.

I do plan on following the traditional custom for engagement and marriage. Currently I work two full time jobs and it is hard to get time off of work. I'm also supporting my fiance abroad so saving for multiple trips is difficult. That is why I thought about the K-1 visa. But I'm learning from this website that hastily filing a K-1 with just one visit, in a high fraud consulate, could jeopardize the entire process. Unfortunately I will not be able to make it back to Ghana for 6 months. Which means I wouldn't be able to file for the CR-1 until that date or later. Its a big gamble and I'm still conflicted. This is the most important decision of my life and I need to thoroughly vet each option. I also need to express how appreciative I am to all those who are providing me with your support.

Edited May 3, 2013 by Jon9205

[LORIEandPHIL 123]

We had no choice but to go the K-1, K-2 route. I have an 18 year old son that wants to move with me. The K-1 is the only visa that counts under 21s as children, the CR1 it's under 18s.

[Togbega II 25]

My fiancee and I decided to go for the K1 cos that is the easier option. Moreover, she made it clear to me that she wouldnt want us to be married and still living apart. She wants us to marry and then just continue with our lives. And i think this has been the better option we chose. Anyway, to all Dec filers, our time is coming sooner. Good luck

[Dieseltu 19]

I did the K1 because my coworker did it. My attorney said if the K1 is rejected . We can do the CR1. Chinese women don't understand the K1 though. They want to get married in China. And I had some hot discussions about it. Until the attorney , she picked, explained it to her.

[AB loves AG 54]

Please explain further why you think health insurance reasons would affect your CR1.

If we file for the K1 and get married in the US, then i can get health insurance right away for my husband. If we get married in Ghana and file the CR-1, if for example his POE is in February, I couldn't add him to my health insurance until January 1st of the following year. Most health insurances have an enrollment period towards the end of the year for the next calendar year. So we could potentially go almost a whole year with no health insurance, unless I look for individual health insurance which is very expensive.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

If we file for the K1 and get married in the US, then i can get health insurance right away for my husband. If we get married in Ghana and file the CR-1, if for example his POE is in February, I couldn't add him to my health insurance until January 1st of the following year. Most health insurances have an enrollment period towards the end of the year for the next calendar year. So we could potentially go almost a whole year with no health insurance, unless I look for individual health insurance which is very expensive.

This makes no sense to me but perhaps it's based on individual terms.

My health insurance adds benefits whenever a qualified change happens. So I added my Wife effective a month after our marriage date.

[AB loves AG 54]

This makes no sense to me but perhaps it's based on individual terms.

My health insurance adds benefits whenever a qualified change happens. So I added my Wife effective a month after our marriage date.

Yes, my insurance works the same way. But what's the point in adding my husband on my insurance and paying for the premiums if he's not in the United States. So I'll have to wait for the enrollment period at the end of the calendar year in which he comes to the US. That being said, if he comes to the US in February, i would have to wait until January the following year to add him.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

Yes, my insurance works the same way. But what's the point in adding my husband on my insurance and paying for the premiums if he's not in the United States. So I'll have to wait for the enrollment period at the end of the calendar year in which he comes to the US. That being said, if he comes to the US in February, i would have to wait until January the following year to add him.

I see.

I work for a hospital so health insurance is semi free but even if not the additional proof of a bona fide relationship that it might offer as part of a total package is worth it to me. We were denied for lack of bona fide relationship in Lagos already so this time I am edging the bets towards my side.

But I understand what you are saying.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

I see.

I work for a hospital so health insurance is semi free but even if not the additional proof of a bona fide relationship that it might offer as part of a total package is worth it to me. We were denied for lack of bona fide relationship in Lagos already so this time I am edging the bets towards my side.

But I understand what you are saying.

I agree with health insurance as an added benefit to prove a bona fide relationship.