K1 or CR1

[MariaRamos 15]

Hi Everyone!

I'm new here.  I have a couple of questions.

 

My fiancé and I are debating on applying for K1 visa and of course getting married here in the US. 

Which would mean he could meet my mom and other family members before getting married and we could have a little  ceremony where my daughter could attend. 

 

or getting married in Santo Domingo and then applying for the CR1. 

Only issue is that my job allowing me enough time off to travel to the DR and get married. 

My daughter wont be able to attend the little civil ceremony.

Plus he won't get to meet my family before marriage. (he has already met my daughter )  

Plus the money to get the flight, things translated ect, which I feel we can put towards the K1 visa instead. 

 

 

Is it true that the denial rate for a K1 is super high? 

Im worried about applying and us waisting money and getting denied just to have to try the CR1 route later. 

I know the amount of money I could save in just getting married and applying for the CR1 yet I still feel like the K1 is the best option for us right now. 

 

 

I guess I would like reassurance that applying for the K1 visa wouldn't be a waste of time and money?

 

 

 

 

 

[mushroomspore 3,044]

Where did you hear the denial rate for K1 is super high? That seems inaccurate. Lots of people here do K1 and most of them get through it perfectly fine.

[TM92 527]

18 minutes ago, MariaRamos said:

My fiancé and I are debating on applying for K1 visa and of course getting married here in the US.

There is also a third option: Your fiancé applies for and enters the US with a tourist visa in order to marry you and meet your family and then returns to his country to initiate the CR1 process. Check out thread below:

 

Edited July 4, 2018 by TM92
Fix

[Alabamak1 688]

@MariaRamos I don't know where you read that K-1 has a high rate of denials. We just finalized our k-1 process not even 2 months ago and all went fine. Do all the necessary research before embarking into k-1 or CR-1. They both have their positives and negatives. Good bonafide relationship evidence is necessary for both. Good luck on your choice

[EmmNM 180]

37 minutes ago, MariaRamos said:

Is it true that the denial rate for a K1 is super high? 

Not usually. It depends on the country. Normally K1s go pretty smooth from what I've seen as long as you can provide them with enough evidence of ongoing relationship and a good amount of time spend together.

 

On the other hand. I am applying through a high fraud country and I'm seeing denial after denial. Mostly on K1s but on some Cr1s too. I wish I would have done more research ahead of time. If I could go back and change things I would have gotten married on my last trip and filed for Cr1.

[MariaRamos 15]

39 minutes ago, mushroomspore said:

Where did you hear the denial rate for K1 is super high? That seems inaccurate. Lots of people here do K1 and most of them get through it perfectly fine.

I heard on a Dominican forum.  People were giving the advice to apply for a CR1 visa. 

[MariaRamos 15]

1 minute ago, EmmNM said:

Not usually. It depends on the country. Normally K1s go pretty smooth from what I've seen as long as you can provide them with enough evidence of ongoing relationship and a good amount of time spend together.

 

On the other hand. I am applying through a high fraud country and I'm seeing denial after denial. Mostly on K1s but on some Cr1s too. I wish I would have done more research ahead of time. If I could go back and change things I would have gotten married on my last trip and filed for Cr1.

How do you find out if the country is high fraud ? He is in the Dominican Republic. 

 

I'm going to do more research. Thanks for you advice and good luck to you! 

 

[EmmNM 180]

Just now, MariaRamos said:

How do you find out if the country is high fraud ? He is in the Dominican Republic. 

 

I'm going to do more research. Thanks for you advice and good luck to you! 

 

I don't know if there is some list somewhere that says what countries are high fraud. How Do I know mine is? I have been following the forums here and on other sites for a while and I see denial after denial and people talking about it as High fraud.

 

Additionally on the embassy's web page where it talks about the process of getting married in their county it has a huge disclaimer right at the top titled "Internet Romance and Marriage Fraud" and goes on to discuss warning signs that you are being used for a visa.

[Alabamak1 688]

A true relationship with a good frontload of bonafide relationship with loads of face time and plenty of proof has nothing to be scared of the CO. Also a variety of proof from passport stamps to hotel reservation and all the way to photos can make the k-1 very achievable 

[Crazy Cat 42,215]

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 he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 3-4 months)

    Spouse can not work until he 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.  Whatever your choice is, don't rush.  Get as much actual time together as possible.  That is crucial in any relationship, and especially high fraud countries. 

[mushroomspore 3,044]

7 minutes ago, MariaRamos said:

I heard on a Dominican forum.  People were giving the advice to apply for a CR1 visa. 

Oh ok. Most of Central and Latin America is considered high fraud so that contributed to your notion that K1 denials are high. Overall most K1 cases are fine. Whether you do K1 or CR1, just make sure to document everything. Take photos, collect receipts, boarding passes, any paperwork that proves you were physically together somewhere.

[MariaRamos 15]

2 minutes ago, mushroomspore said:

Oh ok. Most of Central and Latin America is considered high fraud so that contributed to your notion that K1 denials are high. Overall most K1 cases are fine. Whether you do K1 or CR1, just make sure to document everything. Take photos, collect receipts, boarding passes, any paperwork that proves you were physically together somewhere.

 

I have to search if I still have my previous boarding passes from last year. 

Will the stamps from my passport showing my entry date and date I left the country work as well as pictures of him and I and my daughter and our recently hotel information that is in his name ?

 

Are we allowed to submit screenshots from conversations on fb and WhatsApp ? 

 

Thanks so much!

 

[Crazy Cat 42,215]

1 minute ago, MariaRamos said:

Will the stamps from my passport showing my entry date and date I left the country work as well as pictures of him and I and my daughter and our recently hotel information that is in his name ?

Those are pieces of evidence worthy of including.

 

2 minutes ago, MariaRamos said:

Are we allowed to submit screenshots from conversations on fb and WhatsApp ? 

Yes.  Most people include chat logs and screenshots.

[MariaRamos 15]

Quick question,

 

Say if one gets denied for the K1 visa.  How much money is lost? It can't be the full $1650 because the AOS would of course not been completed yet correct? 

 

[MariaRamos 15]

1 minute ago, missileman said:

Those are pieces of evidence worthy of including.

 

Yes.  Most people include chat logs and screenshots.

Thanks so much !! I feel so much more confident with making a choice now.