K1 visa versus spouse visa

[annemaniti 1]

My boyfriend and I just got engaged today and we’re really excited planning our wedding on october. But we don’t really know what we need to do regarding filing of petition. We’re in a relationship for 3 months now and just got engaged today. Is is safe if we apply for k1 visa or we wait until we get married on october to apply for spouse visa? We surely are in love with each other. But since there are a lot of issue regarding visa so we wanna do precautions too. I will highly appreciate your advice/tips/help. Thank you!

[Roel 7,193]

There are like dozens of dozens of threads where posters explain in detail the differences and benefits of both visas. Use search option. 

 

This question pops like every week. 

[Alabamak1 688]

1 minute ago, annemaniti said:

My boyfriend and I just got engaged today and we’re really excited planning our wedding on october. But we don’t really know what we need to do regarding filing of petition. We’re in a relationship for 3 months now and just got engaged today. Is is safe if we apply for k1 visa or we wait until we get married on october to apply for spouse visa? We surely are in love with each other. But since there are a lot of issue regarding visa so we wanna do precautions too. I will highly appreciate your advice/tips/help. Thank you!

If you are already set to get married in october...don't do  a k-1. wait to get married and file afterwards for spousal visa.  

 

 

[annemaniti 1]

Just now, Alabamak1 said:

If you are already set to get married in october...don't do  a k-1. wait to get married and file afterwards for spousal visa.  

 

 

Gotcha! Thank you! ☺️

[bakphx1 789]

CR1 is better in virtually every way. The limitations with the K1 are harsh.   No working or studying for several months.  A long time to be bored and possibly a burden.  You also may not travel out of the country till you complete adjustment of status, and many people end up having to abandon the visa and start over due to a family emergency. 

[annemaniti 1]

30 minutes ago, bakphx1 said:

CR1 is better in virtually every way. The limitations with the K1 are harsh.   No working or studying for several months.  A long time to be bored and possibly a burden.  You also may not travel out of the country till you complete adjustment of status, and many people end up having to abandon the visa and start over due to a family emergency. 

Oh wow! I see how complicated it is in some ways. I guess I’ll take your advice for CR1 instead. Thank you so muchb

[Alabamak1 688]

@annemaniti I have read that K-1 being such a burden so many times, like a broken record!!! It depends on how fast you really want to be together with your fiance. Spousal visa is still 12 to 14 month to wait. Then they claim the financial burden. If one has money problems, one should not find a fiance or spouse overseas, because either way...it's going to be expensive.

[annemaniti 1]

6 minutes ago, Alabamak1 said:

@annemaniti I have read that K-1 being such a burden so many times, like a broken record!!! It depends on how fast you really want to be together with your fiance. Spousal visa is still 12 to 14 month to wait. Then they claim the financial burden. If one has money problems, one should not find a fiance or spouse overseas, because either way...it's going to be expensive.

Both of us are financially stable. But if K1 visa is really a pain then I think we should go with spouse. I’ll still keep holding on and bear this long distance relationship. 😅 Thank you so much!

[Alabamak1 688]

1 minute ago, annemaniti said:

Both of us are financially stable. But if K1 visa is really a pain then I think we should go with spouse. I’ll still keep holding on and bear this long distance relationship. 😅 Thank you so much!

it's all relative. My fiance is done with the process of K-1 almost and immigration (me being a immigrant myself) is a pain no matter what.  In a case like yours....a K-1 is just not doable. In my case...the spousal visa was to long to wait for.  Having to go and see her multiple times even if married is not inexpensive either. Just saying

[annemaniti 1]

6 minutes ago, Alabamak1 said:

it's all relative. My fiance is done with the process of K-1 almost and immigration (me being a immigrant myself) is a pain no matter what.  In a case like yours....a K-1 is just not doable. In my case...the spousal visa was to long to wait for.  Having to go and see her multiple times even if married is not inexpensive either. Just saying

Right right! If waiting will be worth it then we’ll go for it!

[Alabamak1 688]

1 minute ago, annemaniti said:

Right right! If waiting will be worth it then we’ll go for it!

I am not independently wealthy, but the time with her is priceless. A K-1 is what I went for. 

[bakphx1 789]

The problem with telling a couple living apart that the K-1 Visa is a few months faster is always a problem. Their judgement is clouded because they think they need to be together ASAP.  In the bigger picture of things, the few months that are involved to are really not that important. And the trade-off is the next months after being in the states the K-1 Visa holder really is bored out of their mind. Even though they are together it is better to use those few months waiting on the CR1 to save money and get the household ready for your new spouse. I also was happy we didn't have to make separate trips for the social security card and green card after adjusting status. With the cr1 all of those just come to you in quick order.

[JFH 12,191]

*~*~*moved to "what visa do I need?" where similar questions are asked*~*~*

[JFH 12,191]

19 hours ago, Alabamak1 said:

 If one has money problems, one should not find a fiance or spouse overseas, because either way...it's going to be expensive.

So only wealthy people should marry someone from overseas? OK..... What you are forgetting that some of us (myself and my husband included) did not go looking for a partner overseas. We didn't "find an overseas fiancé". Not all of us here are the result of online dating. I was working overseas when I met my husband. Was I supposed to check his bank balance before falling in love with him? Maybe get a copy of his credit report? Ridiculous. I fell in love with him as a person, not the lifestyle he had. In our case, I'm the breadwinner of the household. I make more than double what my husband makes. So for us it made sense to do the spouse visa. I was working less than 2 weeks after arriving (and worked until the Friday before I left the U.K.). I didn't go to university for 7 years doing 2 degrees to stay home for months. I enjoy my job. 

 

Those couple of extra months apart we're worth it when we have decades together ahead of us. We thought with our heads, not our hormones. And I visited every 6 to 8 weeks also. 

[annemaniti 1]

21 hours ago, JFH said:

So only wealthy people should marry someone from overseas? OK..... What you are forgetting that some of us (myself and my husband included) did not go looking for a partner overseas. We didn't "find an overseas fiancé". Not all of us here are the result of online dating. I was working overseas when I met my husband. Was I supposed to check his bank balance before falling in love with him? Maybe get a copy of his credit report? Ridiculous. I fell in love with him as a person, not the lifestyle he had. In our case, I'm the breadwinner of the household. I make more than double what my husband makes. So for us it made sense to do the spouse visa. I was working less than 2 weeks after arriving (and worked until the Friday before I left the U.K.). I didn't go to university for 7 years doing 2 degrees to stay home for months. I enjoy my job. 

 

Those couple of extra months apart we're worth it when we have decades together ahead of us. We thought with our heads, not our hormones. And I visited every 6 to 8 weeks also. 

JFH is right. I think there’s a little bit judgement in there. Some people would think the only reason why having relationship or spouse from overseas is some kind of earning money. That’s kind of being a narrow minded. I am more confident too that I genuinely and unconditionally love my fiance. He’s not ruch, but I know working together we get through everything.