K1 vs k3 and CR1

[asheville57 1]

My Colombian fiance and I are planning to marry in Bogota, Colombia in June. Her family is there and we wanted to marry in Colombia for the family. Recently I have seen many posts that the K1 is approximately six months but the k3/CR1 is fourteen months. I would like to marry in Colombia for the family but I do not want to wait 2 years for my wife to come to the US. The only problem we forsee is I filed a k1 for a different person last year but withdrew the k1 prior to processing. Any suggestions?

[Dutchster 1,107]

While K-3 is still listed at the USCIS/VJ website guide, it is obsolete. This means that even if you tried to petition the K-3, it will more than likely be turned into CR-1.

Now, K-1 is going fairly slow too. Six months is now based on receiving just NOA2 (I-129F approval) and then it can take another few months for it all to be complete. I know someone who has waited 9 months for NOA2.
You might not want to be separated too long, but CR-1 is way cheaper than K-1 and she will able to work & travel after entering the US while K-1 holders cannot work and travel (or drive) until their I-765 and I-131 are approved. It takes another ~1 year after entering on a K-1 to receive permanent residency, plus an additional $1225

Edited April 1, 2018 by Dutchster
extra info

[Sunnyland 639]

Both processes take time. I doubt anything takes 6 months right now.  If anything everything is taking longer than ever. You both need to choose the visa that suits you better. If working/travelling is more priority for your Colombian fiancee then spouse visa is the way to go. The K1 visa you will need to marry in USA so her family should need to travel there for the wedding. 

 

I assume you are a USC since you filed a K1 for someone else last year. How recent was that? They may question about this previous K1 petition or maybe not.  If you decide to marry in her country and file for a spouse visa, the whole process should take 12-14 months approx. It could be less or more.

[asheville57 1]

Thank you. I feel relieved. It is very stressful. 

[Ermin&Zijada 141]

You cannot marry in Columbia and still enter on a K1. If you are set on getting married there you will have to do the CR1 route.

[asheville57 1]

I am an USC. Do I record the previous k1 A number on the I130? It asks for an account number but all i received was the A number for the withdrawal. Thank you all for your assistance. It is greatly appreciated.

Edited April 1, 2018 by asheville57

[Crazy Cat 41,898]

Just a quick recap of differences between K-1 and CR-1  (opinionated)...LOL

 

K-1

    More expensive than CR-1

    Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)

    Spouse can not leave the US until she receives approved Advance Parole (approx 3-4 months)

    Spouse can not work until she receives EAD (approx 3-4 months)

    some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period .

    Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.

CR-1

    Less expensive than K-1

    No AOS required.

    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US

    Spouse can start work if desired

    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card withing 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US

    Spouse  has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.

 

All-in-all, the CR-1 is superior to the K-1 imo.

[zeljuu 21]

As others have mentioned in this thread, even the K1 Visas are taking substantially longer than they have in the past. ~8-10 months from NOA1 to interview on average versus ~12-15 months on average for IR1/CR1. 

 

You should look at the positives and negatives of both before deciding.

 

[Dutchster 1,107]

Most importantly, the spouse that will immigrate has to decide what will work the best for her too. I, as many others here, underestimated the K-1 visa and the longevity of doing adjustment of status was horrible.

[SlavicPrincess 1]

1 hour ago, Dutchster said:

While K-3 is still listed at the USCIS/VJ website guide, it is obsolete. This means that even if you tried to petition the K-3, it will more than likely be turned into CR-1.

Now, K-1 is going fairly slow too. Six months is now based on receiving just NOA2 (I-129F approval) and then it can take another few months for it all to be complete. I know someone who has waited 9 months for NOA2.
You might not want to be separated too long, but CR-1 is way cheaper than K-1 and she will able to work & travel after entering the US while K-1 holders cannot work and travel (or drive) until their I-765 and I-131 are approved. It takes another ~1 year after entering on a K-1 to receive permanent residency, plus an additional $1225

It doesnt take a year to get a green card. It takes a few months.

[Dutchster 1,107]

2 minutes ago, SlavicPrincess said:

It doesnt take a year to get a green card. It takes a few months.

Wrong. Maybe for some, but already EAD/AP will take ~4 months as of right now.
My GC took 9 months in total, like most people that filed in 2016/2017.

[SlavicPrincess 1]

Just now, Dutchster said:

Wrong. Maybe for some, but already EAD/AP will take ~4 months as of right now.
My GC took 9 months in total, like most people that filed in 2016/2017.

Mine took 4 months.

[Dutchster 1,107]

Just now, SlavicPrincess said:

Mine took 4 months.

Yeah, but in what year? (your bio says you are currently filing ROC which means it's been about two years)

Just because yours took four months, that does not guarantee others will. It really depends on how slow your local office and NBC are.

[SlavicPrincess 1]

1 minute ago, Dutchster said:

Yeah, but in what year? (your bio says you are currently filing ROC which means it's been about two years)

Just because yours took four months, that does not guarantee others will. It really depends on how slow your local office and NBC are.

Idk what is ROC. And it was in 2016 but maybe it takes longer now, I didnt even have to go to the interview.

[j&ana 363]

2 hours ago, asheville57 said:

My Colombian fiance and I are planning to marry in Bogota, Colombia in June. Her family is there and we wanted to marry in Colombia for the family. Recently I have seen many posts that the K1 is approximately six months but the k3/CR1 is fourteen months. I would like to marry in Colombia for the family but I do not want to wait 2 years for my wife to come to the US. The only problem we forsee is I filed a k1 for a different person last year but withdrew the k1 prior to processing. Any suggestions?

others have already posted the difference between the k-1 visa and the CR-1 visa. I do believe that the CR_1 visa is a better visa. One of the main reason me and my wife decided to  get  Married in the Philippines so that her family could  attend the wedding which was worth waiting a little longer for the visa

withdrawing a k-1 visa will not be a problem. I also withdrew a k-1 for another person before I met my wife

Edited April 2, 2018 by j&ana