Fastest Way

[Boiler 45,756]

More than 3 months, taking 4 months or so to get EAD.

[Pennycat 880]

1 hour ago, Kyle&Ana said:

OMG 3 months! and i work since i was 17 years old and i really love to do it... I'm already like trying to figure out if i can study, volunteer, make over to our future apartment... but Def, not just at home with netflix all day :/

maybe trying to be Optimistic would be like a time for learn how to make new things! i hope i don't get crazy! 

 

You can volunteer at a non-profit origination in a position that is normally a volunteer position (for example, like my husband, you can join the volunteer program at the local animal shelter, walking and training the dogs, but you can't "volunteer" to be the animal shelter's secretary, because the secretary is normally a paid position). 

 

Study is different-- you can't be in a degree program because that's for student visas and I'm not sure if you can take "real" university classes (that's an area I'm not sure about. I have no idea if USCIS allows it, but most universities won't allow it). But community based programs are fine. My husband also took English classes run by a charitable organization in our town.

 

If you've got any kind of time-intensive hobby (my husband fixes up old motorcycles, maybe you sew or paint etc), that's a great time to really dive into it. Otherwise, you can check out what sorts of things are available in your community. I notice that your profile says Bloomington, IL (great place!), looks like their recreation department takes volunteers for tons of different programs: http://www.bloomingtonparks.org/info/volunteer  you could even see if they'd let you run your own program teaching something you enjoy (do you cook, do fitness, etc) . There's always work with animals, or cooking for the homeless, there are church outreach programs, all sorts of stuff. I highly encourage you to take advantage of this "time off" (whether you want the time off or not) and really get out there and learn your new community, meet your new neighbors and really just kind of enjoy the break, doing things you don't have time to do.

 

If you'll need transportation, do not delay in getting your Social Security Number, even if it's not required for a driver's licence in your state, it will make the whole process much easier. You'll get the SSN in your maiden name, and can switch it after you're married.

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

18 hours ago, missileman said:

Only you and your fiance can decide which route is better for you.  This is my comparative analysis.

K-1: 8-10 months

    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: 12-14 months

    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.

You made a very good chart but I would not say that one visa is superior to another one in every case. It all depends on where your priorities are and how ready you are to such a big change in your life. Like you mentioned, in case of CR-1 you're likely to be separated for 4 extra months, in some cases it may be rough time to wait. In some countries getting married isn't a one day errand as well, for example in Russia after obtaining a marriage license you have to wait at least 30 days before you can legally sign it, and many places so booked with weddings that you may have to wait 2-3 months before you can get married after having a license, and your foreign fiance(e) has to be with you not only for marriage, but also for obtaining a license of course. Unless they live there with you, it's a lot of extra travel expenses and can overcome extra costs of K-1. With CR-1 you have harder time getting out if something doesn't work out, because you're basically married and have a GC once you get over jet lag, lol. I know, 99.9% of people don't even consider that they may need to turn everything around, but as we see from other people stories, it happens, and way more often than we desire. Once you arrive to the US not everything may go as you imagined. Sometimes your partner is acting differently, there had been many stories how random skeletons started to fall out of the closets soon after fiance(e)'s arrival, sometimes people simply realize US is not what they imagined and they have hard time assimilating and want to go back. Anything can happen. With K-1 you have 90 days grace period when you can look around, get the feeling of your new life, and make a final decision if it works out for you. And if not, you can leave with no strings attached, and get back to your old life with no legal issues you have to take care of. Also, how many CR-1 holders are able to jump into work a few days after they arrive? Unless the finances are a complete wreck, I believe it's good to take a little time off work and while you're waiting few months to get EAD, spend them diving into your new life. To learn the culture, town and area, fiance(e)'s family, friends etc. I came in with some savings and tbh I appreciated that I had a few months to look around and get used to the new country a little before I got a job.

 

- Victor from Russia

[R.Q. 14]

When my fiancé and I were looking at visa options, one lawyer shared that there is a situation called a “change of intent.” This is when a B1/B2 visa (business/tourist) holder suddenly gets married in the US as their original intent changed. This means that these people never planned to get married in the US at that time but circumstances beyond their control led them to that decision. Sharing this as you may find yourself in a visa fraud situation if you intend to marry in the states without a K1 visa.

[Pennycat 880]

I believe that people in Sweden can do Direct Consular Filing in London with special circumstances (like a job transfer perhaps)? There was a thread about it a while ago, try to search "DCF Sweden"?

 

Oh, and DCF is the fastest legal way. You marry abroad and the whole thing is handled at the embassy. Not overnight or anything, but the fastest way to a spouse visa by a long shot.

Edited April 18, 2018 by CatherineA

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

19 hours ago, Chris009 said:

Marriage in US

If your fiancée comes to the US with intent to marry you while having a visa that doesn't involve marriage (e.g. visitor's/tourist visa), you're both committing an immigration fraud and if something floats up at the POE or with USCIS, it potentially can cause some legal troubles up to a visa cancellation and US travel ban for your fiancée. Just something to think about. If you don't want to commit a fraud, then K-1 or CR-1 are the only options you have, unless there is DCF available in your country but I am not knowledgeable about it.

 

- Victor from Russia

Edited April 18, 2018 by Amy_and_Victor

[NikLR 13,230]

To be crystal clear: intending to MARRY in the USA is perfectly okay.  Intending to STAY after getting married when you enter is Visa fraud.  Lying to CBP can give you a ban that may or may not be waiverable. Many people change their minds and AOS from a visitor, student, or work visa (or esta) is legal.  

[Jenny17655 284]

8 hours ago, NikLR said:

$1225 for a k1 AOS.  K1 Visa is $800 plus medical and police certificates and travel. So $2025.

CR1 is $1240 plus medical, police certs and travel.

K1 is $535 not $800

[Umka36 781]

I've said this before, but the cost difference between K1 to CR1 is so immaterial in the long run. Each visa has it's purpose, so I cannot say one is better than the other.

 

I personally wouldn't pick the K1 or CR1 visa based on which will get my fiancé or spouse here quicker as the main reason. OP, look at the pros vs. cons to each visa with your partner.

[TearsOfBabylon 1,680]

54 minutes ago, Jenny17655 said:

K1 is $535 not $800

Incorrect. That is just the petition I-129f.
The beneficiary also has to pay visa fee once he/she gets pack 3 from the embassy.



OP.
My K1 last year took 139 days from NOA1 to interview. That was a light speed run.
I arrived end of September, married end of October and filed AOS middle December.
I'm past 120 days waiting for the combocard.

If I had the choice right now I would get married and file CR1.
The processing times of K1 have increased a lot, and so have the AOS/EAD/AP processing times.

All in all, from filing to actually being a resident, a CR1 is much cheaper and much faster. 
CURRENTLY at least. Who knows how things may look in a couple of weeks. 
But since traveling back and forth from and to Sweden shouldn't be a problem at all, I'd pick CR-1.

Good luck for whatever you do!

[NikLR 13,230]

1 hour ago, Jenny17655 said:

K1 is $535 not $800

I-129f is $535.  Ds-160 (Visa apppication) is $265.  Total is $800.  

[NikLR 13,230]

29 minutes ago, Umka36 said:

I've said this before, but the cost difference between K1 to CR1 is so immaterial in the long run. Each visa has it's purpose, so I cannot say one is better than the other.

 

I personally wouldn't pick the K1 or CR1 visa based on which will get my fiancé or spouse here quicker as the main reason. OP, look at the pros vs. cons to each visa with your partner.

It's not immaterial, but I agree you need to figure out the pros and cons and decide as a couple which is best.  But picking a route because "fastest" or "cheapest" isnt a wise decision.  

[Chris009 0]

Hey again, 
First off, WOW! Went to bed and to work and came back to some great answers. 

I feel like I need to clear things up a bit. I have been living in Sweden for over eight years now and have duel citizenship. My girlfriend and I have been together for three years and have often contemplated about marriage actually. It has taken a great deal of time to finally come to the decision to move back to Colorado and for many reasons, we just want to get the hell out of here. It's unfortunate that it seems we might have to skip the romance of getting married but if the state approves us easier than we are willing to just sign the paperwork. 

So after looking at some of the options, the CR-1 route seems to be the safest. What steps would make the most sense then? We both live in Sweden currently, so should we get "married" and then start filling for the CR-1?
(extra homework: Does it help if she legally changes her last name too? We would like to save it for the actual ceremony in the future.)

Certainly many more questions to come later, but that's what I got now. 
Thank you all so much!!!
Cheers

[Umka36 781]

Yes, you must marry first before you can start the CR1 filing (need the marriage certificate). She can always change her last name at a later date. FWIW, my wife still uses her maiden name for now but may change it later for our children.

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

My wife never changed her name. She maintains her maiden name Your fiance can change her name later if she wants.  I don't recall any CR-1 Green Card holders saying they should have gone the K-1 route.  However, I have seen many K-1 visa holders say they should have married first, then done the CR-1....Good luck...