morocco which visa to choose k1 or CR1? Help!

[khalidandMelissa 1]

I'm looking for some advice on our  situation. Me and my girlfriend are confused on which type of visa we should apply for but first let me tell you about our story.

 

my girlfriend is from the US and she's 22yo and i'm from morocco and i'm 26yo.

 

we have met in summer 2017 in the hotel where i used to work during her vacation in morocco, so we met during her 3 days visit and that's when we exchanged social media accounts. we started talking everyday since then and after a couple of months our relationship became serious and we have been facetiming everyday and texting each other. 

 

Now we are going to meet again this fall for 9 days and on this trip i'm going to meet her brother and mom because they are also coming.

 

we were thinking of starting our visa journey after this visit but we didn't know which visa will put us in a good position. because our next meeting might be in 2019 around summer and that's because my girlfriend has a busy schedule at work.

 

I hope you can guide us and tell us which visa can be the best for our case and will make the guys at casablanca approve us.

 

thanks a lot 

[EandH0904 1,184]

Just be aware that the Casablanca embassy is a very difficult embassy to get approved through. While your ages are similar, and it's great that you will be meeting her mother and her brother - a 3 day visit and a 9 day visit is not a whole lot of time together. Casablanca tends to focus very heavily on time spent together for either visa - K1 or CR1. 

 

I know people of similar ages who met 4 times or spent months together and did not get approved for K1. Others who met once or twice did. There seems to be no standard. If you look at the USCIS site you will see that some months only 1 K1 is approved, and others there might be 10 (which is still low compared to the 150-200 interviews a month). 

 

A CR1 is more proof of a "real" relationship in Morocco - but even then, 2 short visits may be very difficult. They will likely be asking you questions like how can you want to marry a woman you only spent 12 days with? Is she able to support you on her own? Are you getting engaged this time? 

 

The key thing they will look for - with either visa - is time spent. You will want to spend weeks together before thinking about doing either visa and having success at it. 

 

I've found that in the end, people generally come on here seeking advice and then do what they want to do anyway - so I'm sure you will file K1 after you meet again and then will be back in another year wondering why it didn't work out. But if you do your research you will see how difficult it actually is and spend time improving your chances. 

[C&AH 104]

No one can make the decision for you but here are a few things to consider.  First, from what I've read here on VJ, Morroco is one of the more difficult countries for K1 approvals. This might be the case, especially since you will have only met face to face twice upon filing.

 

Second, with a K1, you will not be able to work or travel for up to six months after entry into the USA. This is the period where you will be adjusting your status. The CR1 would allow you to work and travel almost immediately upon arrival.

 

Third,  the K1 visa is much more expensive than the CR1 route.

 

The K1 used to be a shorter time span but I'm reading that there is little difference in the wait time between the two. 

 

My wife and I decided to go the CR1 route because she would go stir crazy not being able to work and, being the type of person she is, she definitely wants to share expenses as would most married couples this day and time. In the 21st century United States, it is difficult to survive on one income unless you have a high paying job.

 

I admit that I'm biased but the CR1 just felt right for us for more than the reasons noted above. Again, it is your decision.  Take your time and think things through carefully because the decision you make now will affect you down the road. 

Edited August 27, 2018 by C&AH

[C&AH 104]

20 minutes ago, EandH0904 said:

 

 

I've found that in the end, people generally come on here seeking advice and then do what they want to do anyway - so I'm sure you will file K1 after you meet again and then will be back in another year wondering why it didn't work out. 

Absolutely. One of two things might happen with the K1: Either wondering why the case was denied or struggling financially in the USA (which can take a toll on a marriage). I don't know the situation but,  unless the USC fianceè has a high paying job or either person has a good amount in savings, then the K1 might be a difficult road to travel. Further,  if my fianceè were from Morroco,  I'm not sure that I would even consider the K1 (especially given the statistics that you graciously shared).

Edited August 27, 2018 by C&AH

[khalidandMelissa 1]

Thank you @EandH0904 for your reply.

 

Definitely we are not like others and that's why we are here seeking advice because we are really not so encouraged to go the K1 route.

 

the only problem that we are thinking about is the timeline of the CR1 visa process, we can't wait to be together, but it seems like we have until 2020 to be together which is really hard.

 

[khalidandMelissa 1]

thanks C&AH, we really appreciate your advice.

 

As you said , the CR1 is worth it in the long term even if it takes a longer time but eventually it's really the best choice.

[RJandHamid 1,133]

I agree with the advice that you have already received in this thread. Better to spend more time together and wait a bit longer to file, than to file too quickly and have to deal with the stress and heart break of a potential denial.

 

Our situation was somewhat similar to yours. (My husband and I are close in age, we met in Morocco while I was visiting). I made 4 trips to visit him before we filed the K1 visa. Our petition was successful, and I think that my numerous visits played a large part in our approval. 

 

The CR1 visa is actually the better visa anyway, as you will be able to work and travel right after arriving in the USA (unlike the K1 visa where you will need to pay an additional filing fee and wait several months). Also the processing times for the K1 visa have gone up, and now the CR1 is only taking a few months longer. 

[EandH0904 1,184]

4 minutes ago, khalidandMelissa said:

Thank you @EandH0904 for your reply.

 

Definitely we are not like others and that's why we are here seeking advice because we are really not so encouraged to go the K1 route.

 

the only problem that we are thinking about is the timeline of the CR1 visa process, we can't wait to be together, but it seems like we have until 2020 to be together which is really hard.

 

Its definitely hard waiting...I have been trying to get my now husband here for 2 years after a failed k1. However in the end you want a successful visa attempt and although it's hard to wait (everyone here knows that) there is no rushing in the process. Nothing cheap or fast about this. If it's right now it will be right in 1 or 2 years. If it's not then it wasnt meant to be. The distance does break up some couples for sure. 

[khalidandMelissa 1]

Thanks RJandHamid ,

 

yeah the CR1 just seems the best option for us right now! and definitely we don't want to rush anything that would make us lose more time.

[khalidandMelissa 1]

thanks EandH0904 ,

 

that must have been really hard to be denied for the k1 and then start from all over again. 

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

51 minutes ago, khalidandMelissa said:

Thank you @EandH0904 for your reply.

 

Definitely we are not like others and that's why we are here seeking advice because we are really not so encouraged to go the K1 route.

 

the only problem that we are thinking about is the timeline of the CR1 visa process, we can't wait to be together, but it seems like we have until 2020 to be together which is really hard.

 

K1 is taking a year now and CR1 14 months so not that much difference

few K1 's are approved even 1 for a Moroccan here engaged to a Moroccan woman he had known alll his life

marriage is the best route but spend as much time together as possible 

and it takes about a month in Morocco to do the process for an American to marry there

 

[khalidandMelissa 1]

thanks adil-rafa

 

yeah we defiitely have to work on that...even less than a month it depends if you know people

[little immigrant 801]

When I was the beneficiary of the CR1 my then-spouse came to my country to be with me. He stayed until I was approved. This way there was no long separation. I understand that not everyone's circumstances would allow this but it's a possibility. 

[khalidandMelissa 1]

thanks for your reply..yeah it really just depends on the circumstances

[debbiedoo 2,339]

for the consulate in Morroco, 2 visits is not enough. not enough for a K1 not enough for a CR1.

 

it is a high fraud country that is VERY difficult to get approved from. she may be busy at work, but if she wants to spend the proverbial forever (or until one of you gets sick of the other type of forever), she needs to invest more time there with you before filing for ANY visa.