IR-1, CR-1 or K3 what do I want?

[Crazy Cat 41,888]

Just now, Sunfl0wer said:

Why does it say 7-10 months on the webpage? Is that just for the I130 part then you need to add on the rest of the forms after?

That is just the I-130 approval portion....you still have the NVC portion, and the consular interview....another several months normally.

[Crazy Cat 41,888]

1 minute ago, Sunfl0wer said:

Thanks  thankfully they will pay for all of it but that seems like 1/2 the battle only.

Yes, the gut-wrenching part is the waiting.......

[accumbyte 149]

1 hour ago, Cyberfx1024 said:

You can forget about the K3 because there was less than 18 given out last year.

Way less, actually. Below are the number of K-3 visas issued worldwide per fiscal year; https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/AnnualReports/FY2018AnnualReport/FY18AnnualReport - TableXVIB.pdf:

• 2018: 6 visas
• 2017: 15 visas
• 2016: 102 visas
• 2015: 182 visas
• 2014: 392 visas
• 2013: 144 visas

Probably near 0 K-3 visas will be issued in fiscal year 2019.

[NikLR 13,227]

Regardless, OP, it's actually a good thing he's already working and living in the USA because then you wont need a joint sponsor or have any domicile issues.  

Follow the IR1 process. It's pretty simple and you can do all the paperwork yourself.  I actually suggest you do that vs using a lawyer so you have more control over your journey.  Remember you can visit even during the process.  

Best wishes! I also had zero thoughts of ever living in the USA until my husband landed his dream job.  (Which occassionally is a nightmare though!) 

[Sunfl0wer 12]

5 minutes ago, NikLR said:

Regardless, OP, it's actually a good thing he's already working and living in the USA because then you wont need a joint sponsor or have any domicile issues.  

Follow the IR1 process. It's pretty simple and you can do all the paperwork yourself.  I actually suggest you do that vs using a lawyer so you have more control over your journey.  Remember you can visit even during the process.  

Best wishes! I also had zero thoughts of ever living in the USA until my husband landed his dream job.  (Which occassionally is a nightmare though!) 

Thank you for the positive! I need that right now! Hardest for my husband right now living alone after living in the circus for 10 years with us  He is also in denial and can’t accept any of this will take as long as it will.

[carmel34 3,633]

1 hour ago, Sunfl0wer said:

Thank you for the positive! I need that right now! Hardest for my husband right now living alone after living in the circus for 10 years with us  He is also in denial and can’t accept any of this will take as long as it will.

Years ago it only took two or three months for an IR-1, I went through that twice a long time ago and the process was the same but so much faster.  So people who file today sometimes heard about the old timeline, then when they find out that the backlog is so bad now that it takes 14 months they are shocked.  It's understandable but still doesn't make any easier.  He can come and visit you as often as he can during the long wait to be together.  Good luck and hang in there--nothing you can do about it except file the documents right away!  

[Sunfl0wer 12]

I don’t want to start another question but my husbands thought is to move the children over since they have dual citizenship so they can start school in September in the US and I can move my stuff after my visa gets cleared, question is, if we go this route will I still be able to visit for the 6 months out of the year or will I get turned away? Anyone know this answer?

[LilyJ 1,258]

22 minutes ago, Sunfl0wer said:

I don’t want to start another question but my husbands thought is to move the children over since they have dual citizenship so they can start school in September in the US and I can move my stuff after my visa gets cleared, question is, if we go this route will I still be able to visit for the 6 months out of the year or will I get turned away? Anyone know this answer?

Check the pinned thread at the top of the forum: 

Basically, yes, in theory you can, but ultimately the decision is up to the CBP officer. 

[NikLR 13,227]

6 months with USC husband and children? No they will deny you entry for that long of a trip. 

[Sunfl0wer 12]

4 minutes ago, NikLR said:

6 months with USC husband and children? No they will deny you entry for that long of a trip. 

How long would be reasonable? 3 months or more like 1 week?

[Unlockable 7,314]

6 hours ago, Sunfl0wer said:

How long would be reasonable? 3 months or more like 1 week?

The point is you have a reason to stay. Your husband and children will be living here while you wait in another country. This is the probably the biggest red flag for someone who wants to visit. It is all the reason why someone here visiting can change their mind and not go home. You have the ability to visit during this process and right off the bat you are talking about staying for the longest amount of time possible, 6 months.

 

If you don't want to be turned away you have to convince the border agent that you WILL be returning after your short visit.

 

[NikLR 13,227]

To be honest having the kids stay in school in Canada during your process and you working would be the best chance for visiting.  It would likely be cheapest for hubs to visit you. 

 

Edited March 29, 2019 by NikLR

[Sunfl0wer 12]

43 minutes ago, NikLR said:

To be honest having the kids stay in school in Canada during your process and you working would be the best chance for visiting.  It would likely be cheapest for hubs to visit you. 

 

I don’t even work and haven’t since the kids were born so I see why they wouldn’t let me in but my husband thinks since I’m allowed to come for 6 months then they can’t stop me. I really don’t want my kids to be living without me for a year while I sit here and wait! Are there any websites or something I can send him to get these ideas out of his head? I think he will have a problem moving our house and children across without me on the paperwork but he seems to think no issues with that, they can’t stop him.  I don’t want to be selling my house to find out his big plans don’t work!

[Sunfl0wer 12]

3 hours ago, Unlockable said:

The point is you have a reason to stay. Your husband and children will be living here while you wait in another country. This is the probably the biggest red flag for someone who wants to visit. It is all the reason why someone here visiting can change their mind and not go home. You have the ability to visit during this process and right off the bat you are talking about staying for the longest amount of time possible, 6 months.

 

If you don't want to be turned away you have to convince the border agent that you WILL be returning after your short visit.

 

The 6 months would hopefully bring us to the end of our wait for the immigration that was why, I wouldn’t have to change my mind because I already put in the 7-8month wait and another 6 months should take me to the end but I guess they don’t see it that way.

[Crazy Cat 41,888]

28 minutes ago, Sunfl0wer said:

I don’t even work and haven’t since the kids were born so I see why they wouldn’t let me in but my husband thinks since I’m allowed to come for 6 months then they can’t stop me. I really don’t want my kids to be living without me for a year while I sit here and wait! Are there any websites or something I can send him to get these ideas out of his head? I think he will have a problem moving our house and children across without me on the paperwork but he seems to think no issues with that, they can’t stop him.  I don’t want to be selling my house to find out his big plans don’t work!

I'm sorry, but your husband is 100% wrong.  No one but US citizens are guaranteed entry.  THEY CAN STOP YOU, and they have stopped others entering from Canada due to trying to live in the US using a tourist route. I think that your children being in schools in Canada is one of your stronger ties to your home country.