What's the best way to get her here?

[sjhael 0]

Hello All,

I was hoping for a little help here. My girlfriend/fiance is living in Japan and we are trying to find the best way to get her here to the US where I'm living. The more I read the more that I am convinced that the CR1 visa will be our best bet as I don't make enough money to support the both of us and she's going to have to work. Is the CR1 all that everyone says it is? We have the time (assuming it's the 6 mos to a year everyone mentions). But then does she need a re-entry permit everytime she wants to go back to Japan with a CR1?

These are questions I think I know the answer to but more importantly I am wondering if the process won't be sped up a bit if we get married in Japan the next time I go and apply for her visa as a married couple. Will that make a difference or will all the paperwork be pretty much the same? Any and all guidance you folks might have would be most appreciated.

[JayJayH 546]

The CR-1 will currently take roughly a year from the date of filing, until she can enter the US with the CR-1 visa stamped in her passport. Total cost for the CR-1 will come out to slightly over $1000 - Much more cost effective than the slightly faster K-1. Keep in mind that you cannot file until you're legally married, and in possession of your marriage certificate.

The CR-1 is an immigrant visa. What that means, is that when she has a CR-1 in her passport, once she lands at a US airport and the CBP officer stamps her CR-1, the CR-1 visa itself is dead, and she is officially a legal permanent resident. She can begin to work in the US from day one, and she can re-enter the country with no special permit except her green card. The stamped/endorsed CR-1 visa in her passport will act in lieu as her green card until the actual physical card arrives in the mail (usually 2 - 3 weeks after entry).

The major difference between the CR-1 and K-1 is that K-1 is technically a non-immigrant visa.

The K-1 in itself does not grant any special status upon entry into the US. It simply allows her to stay in the US for up to 90 days to get married to you, and then apply for resident status (green card) through a process called adjustment of status. She can apply for a work permit simultaneously, but she cannot work until that application is approved. You'd be looking at her not working from the time you enter, til you get married, and then til her work permit is approved. 3 - 6 months depending on how soon you get married. The K-1 process is also more expensive in the long run. She cannot leave the US at any time between the day she enters, and the day adjustment of status is approved.

If you want to be reunited in the US as soon as whatever possible, go for the K-1 (5 - 7 months total). If you can be in Japan a little longer, or you can be separated for a little longer (7 - 12 months total) go for the CR-1.

Edited November 19, 2013 by Yang-Ja

[TravelingFrog6476 3]

Hello All,

I was hoping for a little help here. My girlfriend/fiance is living in Japan and we are trying to find the best way to get her here to the US where I'm living. The more I read the more that I am convinced that the CR1 visa will be our best bet as I don't make enough money to support the both of us and she's going to have to work. Is the CR1 all that everyone says it is? We have the time (assuming it's the 6 mos to a year everyone mentions). But then does she need a re-entry permit everytime she wants to go back to Japan with a CR1?

These are questions I think I know the answer to but more importantly I am wondering if the process won't be sped up a bit if we get married in Japan the next time I go and apply for her visa as a married couple. Will that make a difference or will all the paperwork be pretty much the same? Any and all guidance you folks might have would be most appreciated.

1st. The K-1 will probably get her here faster, but you'll need to prove that you can support her financially, unless you have a co-sponsor that's willing to pick up any lack of money.

2nd. Both processes take about 1 year from start to green card... sometimes longer, sometimes shorter... so you two need to decide whether you should live together, for that year, in Japan or the U.S.

3rd. Traveling between countries, in 2013, appears to be like a weather report or a ####### shoot.... One could have a visa, or a green card or an advanced parole travel document or even a U.S. passport, for that matter, but have different results.

P.S. My wife and I chose the K-1 route and we're glad we did.

Hope this helps and good luck on your journey together

[lost_at_sea 995]

Hello All,

I was hoping for a little help here. My girlfriend/fiance is living in Japan and we are trying to find the best way to get her here to the US where I'm living. The more I read the more that I am convinced that the CR1 visa will be our best bet as I don't make enough money to support the both of us and she's going to have to work.

You should also know that K1 or CR-1, you're going to need to be able to financially sponsor her, or find a co-sponsor. This is going to come up before she moves to the USA and is able to start working.

It's unusual for the foreign beneficiary to be able to self-sponsor, since they have to have a boat-load of money in the bank or a US job.

But, if your concern is that you want her to work ASAP, then yes, CR-1 is likely the better bet.

You'll find the visa comparison guide here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

Edited November 19, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[sjhael 0]

Thanks for all the input! Now to start the paperwork and the long wait...haha.