K-1 vs. Spousal Visa

[Boo Rowe 9]

I am curious how this visa thing works? How is it the K-1 visa can take 3-4 months and the CR-1 Spousal visa can take double that. Maybe someone can give me the break down?

[lost_at_sea 995]

Maybe you could start by reading the comparison guide: http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

[Boo Rowe 9]

Thanks Lost At Sea but, not understanding the logics behind it because after reading the K-1 visa it seems that a lot of them are ending or just the given it up stages after a short time

lost_at_sea, on 27 Nov 2015 - 9:43 PM, said:

Maybe you could start by reading the comparison guide: http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

[LionessDeon 2,060]

http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

http://www.visajourney.com/content/guides

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

Using the guides is a great tool to help with explaining the different types of visas. You can do some research and then make the decision. That best fits your situation.

Edited November 28, 2015 by LionessDeon

[NikLR 13,227]

~~moved to what visa do I need from K1 process and procedures. OP is discussing different visa types~~

K1 takes less time to visa because it's technically a non-immigrant visa but it has immigrant intent. The visa holder can use the visa only once and then must marry and adjust their status. It's more expensive and if something goes wrong in the relationship before the AOS is filed, it's quite possible for the K1 visa holder to either have to return home because they cannot get a green card.

A IR1/CR1 needs to already be married and goes through more stringent process than the K1. When you arrive in the USA you have a green card.

K1 is generally faster to visa but IR1/CR1 is generally faster to green card. Faster to green card also means faster to remove conditions (if applicable) and faster to citizenship if desired.

It is good to note that I have seen CR1 visas take 4-6 months and K1 take over a year as well.

[walran 24]

My friends that have gone the "marry first" route in they last several years said it took them about a year and 10K.. I have always thought the whole process painful and lengthy at best. Friends from south america and other 3rd world places with money get a visa in a couple of months that lasts 5 years for multiple entries but they have lots of $$..

[mallafri76 1,012]

My friends that have gone the "marry first" route in they last several years said it took them about a year and 10K.. I have always thought the whole process painful and lengthy at best. Friends from south america and other 3rd world places with money get a visa in a couple of months that lasts 5 years for multiple entries but they have lots of $$..

It doesn't cost $10,000 to get a CR/IR-1 visa, unless you use a lawyer. If you do it yourself, it's about $1,200. Yes, the CR/IR-1 is definitely a painful and lengthy process.

I think the 5-year visa you're talking about with the multiple entries are tourist visas. The spousal visa takes around the same wherever you are, around 10 to 14 months and the fees to pay are the same regardless of your country.

OP, something to add about the difference between K-1 and CR-1 visa. On the CR-1 you can work as soon as you enter the US, on the K-1 you need to apply for EAD and AOS and bunch of other stuff. So while the K-1 usually gets you to the US faster, you can't work or leave the US until you've gotten married and filed multiple forms.

[gw68ad78 64]

It doesn't cost $10,000 to get a CR/IR-1 visa, unless you use a lawyer. If you do it yourself, it's about $1,200. Yes, the CR/IR-1 is definitely a painful and lengthy process.

I think the 5-year visa you're talking about with the multiple entries are tourist visas. The spousal visa takes around the same wherever you are, around 10 to 14 months and the fees to pay are the same regardless of your country.

OP, something to add about the difference between K-1 and CR-1 visa. On the CR-1 you can work as soon as you enter the US, on the K-1 you need to apply for EAD and AOS and bunch of other stuff. So while the K-1 usually gets you to the US faster, you can't work or leave the US until you've gotten married and filed multiple forms.

I think the last point is really worth considering. I've read too many posts where K1 people haven't prepared for the months of a single income household. In trying to cut corners they're unable to pay filing fees in a timely manner and they are really in a tough bind. Also K1 timelines have sped up as of late due to CSC rerouting.

[yuna628 9,676]

I am curious how this visa thing works? How is it the K-1 visa can take 3-4 months and the CR-1 Spousal visa can take double that. Maybe someone can give me the break down?

Our K1 process certainly did not take 3-4 months. Like many others, it took a very long time due to being stuck in the hell of Texas backlog, before action was finally take to clear it. I certainly appreciate and feel terrible for the CR-1 applicants that are currently still waiting though, and yes it is certainly unfair. K-1 will always take less time, with the tradeoff you can be with your loved one, but then must finish the rest of the process together while waiting for a green card (of which is also in backlog hell). Where as spousal visas will take more time, with the tradeoff the greencard will be granted at the end of it.