CR1 vs K3

[jahmakeka 8]

My brother's fiance resides in Italy. We are trying to determine the best way to file the petition. We are considering the CR1 to have everything done by the time she gets here. Can I file a petition before the marriage but continue to use the I30/CR1?

[Daveadams903 19]

No you can't. you either filed for the fiance visa(and get married in the States and continue with the process over there) or get married and filed for the I-130/CR1(which this one usually takes longer) if you opt for the second option i-130 you can also filed for the K-3 visa at the same time which will let her enter in the US and adjust her status. its like a race whichever gets approve first.

[Hypnos 6,576]

The K-3 is tantamount to obsolete; it's highly unlikely you would receive one.

[Darnell 8,478]

My brother's fiance resides in Italy. We are trying to determine the best way to file the petition. We are considering the CR1 to have everything done by the time she gets here. Can I file a petition before the marriage but continue to use the I30/CR1?

eh - no.

the I-129F for a fiancé and I-129F used for a K-3 are a bit different on how stuff gets moved around,

so

if they are not married yet,

just file the I129F, chasing a K-1 visa later, instead of trying to rely on ONE I-129F being viable across 2 visa types.

Problem for the brother:

get married ? K-1 visa unattainable - usually the I-129F petition is considered abandoned by USCIS.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to What Visa Do I Need - Family Based Immigration forum.