K1 or CR1

[geowrian 22,337]

18 minutes ago, MariaRamos said:

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? 

 

I-129F: $535

MRV fee: $265

Translations & copies of documents: <varies>

Medical: <varies by country: expect $200-$400>

[Kyle&Ana 718]

Hey María im from Dominican republic he could get a tourist visa here ...is kinda difficult not impossible but difficult he has to have a lot of ties, good job, etc... but like he already have a immigration intent could be a little bit more difficult... im the beneficiary from DR we choosed K1 because we though was faster....

 

But not faster or cheaper... now im dealing with the problem that for our future wedding a lot of my family wont go  because they have no visa or money to cover the expense of  traveling to states. Also he couldnt work after entry and is taking kinda 3-6 months waiting for EAD...

 

If we could choose again, we'd choose CR1 instead K1 ... almost the same time waiting... less money.. and probably for ur family would be easier travel here because flight tickets are cheaper from USA to DR ..and about the high rate of denial in K1 is not true ... i know a lot of ppl here that got it without any issues...of course if u relationship is real not problem at all ...start gathering all the information, pictures, receipts, boarding passes etc.. but is up to you guys...  

 

Good luck!!! And any question please feel free to ask here because the are a lot of wise Vj's members from DR can help like @NuestraUnion ... 

 

[JFH 12,190]

*~*~*moved from “K-1 fiancé visa process and procedures” to “what visa do I need”*~*~*

[little immigrant 801]

Hi there I highly favor the CR1. That's the route I went. The beneficiary becomes a green card holder upon arrival and can work. All in all it cost less. And seeing that the wait time for a K1 now is very close to CR1 I wouldn't want to waste my time having to do AOS and wait even more. You can get married anywhere you want which I see as a big plus too. 

[C&AH 104]

My wife and I were married in the DR and subsequently applied for the CR1 visa. I have two kids,  8 and 18 and they weren't able to attend (which I hope doesn't come back to bite us during the interview). Both of my parents are deceased and I have no siblings.  Her family attended. Because of that, we plan to have a church wedding to renew our vows in the USA, once we are established maybe two to three years down the road, in order that the whole family can be present. The CR1 just felt more secure to us for lots of other reasons. In the long run, you have to do what is best for the two of you.  My advice is to trust your gut instincts. 

[Barry Krebs 13]

You'll have evaluate your circumstance carefully and decide which option fits your needs.  Overall, I have read that the K1 rejection is low. I've also heard that the K1 option isn't as popular but I could be wrong on that.  One thing I will tell you is that the K1 has a lot of restrictions put on it.  First, you can't work till you get married because work authorization won't be granted for at least 90 days after that marriage.  You have to apply and pay for it-no refunds if your application is rejected.  Can you afford to strain yourself financially on just one income?  What are you going to do in the mean time-after wedding and before you get some sort of authorization-hope you have a plan and not sit home and watch TV all day.  If you decide to stay in US, you have to file for AOS for your green card.  You can apply for work authorization at the point as well as advance parole (permission to leave the country while AOS paperwork is being processed).  There is no charge for these applications along with AOS application.  And getting a green card these days just happens to take much longer.  Your best bet is in my opinion is to get your CR1 immigrant visa.  That way, you'll be able to hit the ground running seeking employment.  Your life will also come together faster when you already have a green card in your possession.  BTW:  I believe you can apply for a social security number with a K1 visa but it won't allow you to work-you'll need a work authorization and then can get a working card-number is same but the restrictions will be removed.  You get the new card when you get work authorization.  With a CR Visa, you can get a number before you immigrate or after.  How do I know all this?  I was considering the K1 option myself but living on the Canada/US border-no discussion.  I want the freedom to come and go from Day 1.  I'm sure you want that too.  So I opted for CR1 immigrant visa.

Edited July 4, 2018 by Barry Krebs

[Unlockable 7,314]

Hi @MariaRamos,

 

Welcome to the forum. You will find that VJ has a lot of valuable resources to prepare you for this journey. Feel free to ask questions and use the guides to help you out. You can use the Dominican portal that can connect you to status updates, topics, and other Dominican members . You can even browse the Caribbean section to see topics from people who are from the same region. 

 

Guides: http://www.visajourney.com/content/guides/

Portal: http://www.visajourney.com/portals/

Caribbean forum: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/153-caribbean/

Comparison of Fiance and Spousal visas (note... the estimated times are outdated): http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

 

You can also PM me (or another other member you are comfortable with) if you don't want to post something particular on the forum, but rest assured you will get all of the info you are seeking from members here. You have already been given great advice.

 

Best of luck to you!

 

[Loren Y 2,755]

One thing people forget to mention is that with the K1 you get a 90 day Try before you Buy period. I know everyone loves everyone so much after spending a week of vacation with them in some " Paradise" of a foreign country. But with the K1 you have that 90 days to live together before you have to make the commitment . I always wish everyone the best, but lets face facts, Moving half-way around the world and living with someone is a whole other ball game than a few weeks with them abroad. I spent about 10 weeks total with my fiancee abroad in her country and others before I decided on the K1, because if things don't work out it's no big deal, one way ticket back to their home country before the 90 days is up and have a nice day. If you are already married and find out things aren't working the money you thought you saved is long gone in all the divorce proceedings and other things you will have to go thru to get out from under that boulder. Then again I have blown the cost of the I129, and the AOS in one day in a cabana at the Drais day club here in Vegas, so the cost wasn't my main concern, but having that choice to part as friends with basically no strings attached is a nice bonus with the K1. I love my fiancee with all my heart, and I am 99% certain that we will work out and be just fine and live happily ever after in the little white house with the picket fence that everyone that doesn't live in the USA thinks we all have for some reason, but I know if that 1% comes around I have a way out. I am sure I'll get some flak for this because why are you going thru all of this if you don't love her/him, I'm just hedging my bet and hoping for the best. And if you can make that first 90 days together when you are basically spending every moment together because one of you can't work or travel or do much of anything, and you don't kill each other , then I consider that the hardest part of a relationship. You make it thru that and your relationship is going to stand the test of time. Just something else to consider.

[OlayemiLoray 172]

But that is not what the K1 is for, "Try before you buy" period..K1 is exactly what it states and that is you have within 90 days to get married and not 90 days to see if this relationship is going to work out or not...

 

Maria you received great advice from the commenters on here on what visa should be suitable for you..I did the CR1 and have no regrets..Not telling you which one you should do, but follow your heart on what you think is best for you...Good luck on your journey!

[geowrian 22,337]

While I understand the 90 days is a decent period of time to get a different take on being with your fiance/fiancee (vacation geowrian is a lot different than home geowrian!), I wouldn't call it a "try before you buy". A requirement of the K-1 is a firm commitment to marry. Things can happen to change that and not go through with the wedding, sure, but one must enter into the process with full intent to marry.

[Chris & Pam 11]

21 hours ago, missileman said:

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. 

As missileman stated, the overarching key to any successful visa is time.  

 

My wife and I initially applied for a K1, that was sent back for review (an oblique denial).  I suspect it was because at the time of the filing, we had only been in a relationship for six months.  My wife (fiance at the time) mentioned the consular commented twice during the interview, how quickly things had progressed.

 

We're currently in process with a CR1, and over two years into our relationship now.

 

Patience and persistence are your best friends.