Pros and cons of the K1 verses CR1

[Fernb 4]

Hi, 

Ive been reading EVERYTHING I can on both the K1 and CR1 and I’m torn between the two.....I love the idea of us getting married but the wait time for the CR1 will be hell....

Would people please give me their opinions on both...good and bad

[x_driven_x 1,778]

2 hours ago, Fernb said:

Hi, 

Ive been reading EVERYTHING I can on both the K1 and CR1 and I’m torn between the two.....I love the idea of us getting married but the wait time for the CR1 will be hell....

Would people please give me their opinions on both...good and bad

The wait time for K-1 is pretty long right now as well, plus the beneficiary won't be able to work for quite awhile once they enter the US as they must apply for adjustment of status and wait about a year to get a green card, probably about 5 months or so of that before they can get the authorization to work or travel outside of the US

 

If I had it to do over again, I'd probably go ahead and get married first and do CR-1. We're currently waiting on NOA2, we filed back in mid November. 

Edited May 22, 2018 by x_driven_x

[iulia.matey 25]

K1 here, wish we would've done CR1. I filed in October and i just got my NOA2 yesterday. The wait times are about the same, but at least you both get to have a life in the meantime, even if apart for another year.

[TBoneTX 45,329]

Thread is moved from the K-1 Process forum to the "What Visa Do I Need" forum.

[Paul & Mallory 1,398]

Both are equally lengthy, to be honest. The biggest differences between the two come down to the beneficiary's capabilities once in the states - with the K1, the beneficiary can't work immediately and can't travel internationally immediately. They have to apply for a work permit and Advanced Parole (in order to re-enter the states should they travel outside the country) during the AOS process. With the CR1, the beneficiary can work immediately.

 

My fiancé and I took the K1 route; he just entered the states last week and we're planning our wedding. Although now that this part's behind us and we're together, I'm just happy and relieved. But I think if we could go back to the beginning and do anything over, we'd consider the CR1 a bit more as an option than we did. Even if you go the CR1 route, get legally married first for the sake of a process, you can still have a "traditional" wedding afterward if you prefer. We are pretty much doing that already; getting legally married for the sake of the process now that he's here so we can have our traditional wedding in the fall to allow international family to visit.

 

It's so nice to see someone taking the time to research all options beforehand! Many people don't (myself included), and it can often lead to regret. Good luck to you and your partner no matter what route you take!

[Alabamak1 688]

We didn't want to wait for the Spouse Visa. We went ahead and applied for the K-1.  From acceptance of the K-1 petition to POE is 9 months.  We saw each other regularly, but still we decided on K-1 overall. Money is an issue, because you do save a little with the CR-1. If you want a big wedding and all that....you are going to spend anyhow. We are just having a court wedding. We also knew about the inconvenience with doing AOS and and and, but still K-1 was a choice we mutually decided on.

[Umka36 781]

OP, I recommend talking over this with your partner as well. It's good that you are researching now in order to avoid the "regrets" that some had with the K1 route.