Any changes in the process in 12 years??

[with-a-z 0]

Hello All!

Ahhhh---- haven't been here in years, it's like going home!!!  

It's been 12 years since I worked on all my husband's paperwork for his K-1 visa to come from England - celebrating 11 amazing years of marriage this year! 

 

Now we are helping some friends who have become engaged -- she is from Canada.

 

Has the process changed in any substantial ways since I navigated the waters 12 years ago?  We will be having dinner with them on Sunday, and I will absolutely be pointing them to here for all the amazing support I received when I went through it myself.  But if there is anything I should be aware of so I don't instruct them incorrectly, I would appreciate any help you can provide.

 

Thank you a ton!

Liza

[JFH 12,191]

Hard to say. Those that went through and were familiar with the process 12 years ago probably don't know much about the current process (if they are even still around - why would they be? Most see no more need to be here once they have completed their immigration journey). And those who are currently going through the process and know all about it now were probably not involved with the process 12 years ago. 

 

Best thing to do is to download the latest versions of the forms and instructions from the USCIS website, read through them and come back and ask questions if you have any. Whatever question or scenario you can think of, there's likely to be someone here with experience of it who can help. 

[Jordan8768 107]

The process is probably the same but the paperwork/forms will be different. Could be wrong. 

[Going through 5,671]

11 minutes ago, JFH said:

Hard to say. Those that went through and were familiar with the process 12 years ago probably don't know much about the current process (if they are even still around - why would they be? Most see no more need to be here once they have completed their immigration journey). And those who are currently going through the process and know all about it now were probably not involved with the process 12 years ago. 

 

Best thing to do is to download the latest versions of the forms and instructions from the USCIS website, read through them and come back and ask questions if you have any. Whatever question or scenario you can think of, there's likely to be someone here with experience of it who can help. 

This summed up perfectly almost exactly what I was getting ready to type out, myself.  

[cdneh 3,112]

Welcome back

 

I would suggest the best thing would be to get your friend to register here, so they can see how the process works, and ask any questions that might arise. I don't know how much the process has changed itself may have changed if at all, but I would think the forms and similar may have.

 

I don't go back as far as you do, but you will find many people do stay around after the process is complete. To help the newcomers through the maze, as it were.

 

Good luck to your friend, and congratulations to you on your eleventh anniversary!

[Crazy Cat 42,220]

I'd bet the process is slower than it was 12 years ago.

[Elsalove2016 34]

A question for you how much did it cost 12 years ago ? 

[Lemonslice 4,963]

40 minutes ago, missileman said:

I'd bet the process is slower than it was 12 years ago.

Was probably slower back then, that is why K3 were issued...  I was able to do the first electronic processing pilot and it was close to 10 years ago.

[Boiler 46,059]

It is essentially the same, just a bit faster nowadays.

[with-a-z 0]

Wow!!  Thank you all a ton -- so nice to wake up to a bunch of responses!  

 

Yes - it probably is a silly question.  But your comments are helpful.  I am absolutely going to have them join the site - I could have never made it through the process without VJ.

 

As far as how much did it cost - I honestly do not remember specifically JUST the immigration costs.  I know I wrote so many checks though!!  We also had expense for shipping all his belongings over, as well as wedding planning, all at the same time.  For some reason I want to say it was about $1,200 just for immigration, but honestly that is a very foggy recollection and could be way off.

 

I am hoping that there is more of an opportunity to take advantage of technology 12 years later, but I know they like their originals and hard copies of EVEERRRRYYTHIIINNGGGG!!!  LOL

 

Looks like all my historical info is gone from my profile - my timeline is lost.    I'll have to see if I have it saved somewhere. I seem to remember doing a copy/paste into a Word doc to save it at some point.   Hmmmm....  

 

Thanks again!!

Liza

[Unlockable 7,315]

Prices have gone up.

 

For a K1, I would guestimate between $1700 - 2000 from filing the petition to green card in hand. That is not covering traveling expenses.

 

Don't rule out the CR1. To me it is a better choice.

[with-a-z 0]

16 minutes ago, NuestraUnion said:

Prices have gone up.

 

For a K1, I would guestimate between $1700 - 2000 from filing the petition to green card in hand. That is not covering traveling expenses.

 

Don't rule out the CR1. To me it is a better choice.

I don't recall a CR1 Visa - what is the difference between this and K1?

 

Yeah - I think I told them to plan for about $2,000 just to be on the safe side.

[Unlockable 7,315]

29 minutes ago, with-a-z said:

I don't recall a CR1 Visa - what is the difference between this and K1?

 

CR1 is a spousal visa. So they can still get married (in the country of their choice) then apply for the visa afterwards. Currently spousal visas take up to a year as opposed to 6 - 9 months for a fiance (K1) visa.

 

But the benefits favor the spousal visa especially if the beneficiary is from Canada where he/she can visit the US while the visa process is occurring.

 

Key benefits of the spousal visa is they can plan a wedding on their own schedule, the beneficiary can work immediately after arriving in the US, the overall cost of the process is much lower, there is no additional adjustments to be made after arriving in the US, and travel is not restricted.

 

With the K1 the beneficiary has to get married within 90 days of entering the US (kind of a rush for some people) and it has to be within the US, after marriage the beneficiary has to adjust status which requires more forms, fees, and evidence and possible interview, during the adjustment of status the beneficiary can NOT work or travel abroad (the current wait for approval for work and travel is 120 days which is a long time of sitting around). Afterwards, the beneficiary should receive permanent resident status (green card) about 6 months after filing for adjustment of status.

 

You should give them both options to think about. Like I said before, with the spousal visa they have more flexibility. Even though it takes longer he or she can still come visit during the process. This will also give them time to finalize the transition from Canada to the US.

 

Hope this helps.

 

[with-a-z 0]

3 hours ago, NuestraUnion said:

CR1 is a spousal visa.

 

Ah yes --- I do recall this option now.  We opted to not do this due to the distance and time -- it's all coming back to me!  

 

Yes - I will definitely suggest this as an option. It might have other logistic benefits.

 

Thank you so much!