K-1 Fiance or Spousal Visa

[Biola 21]

Hello,

I am a US citizen and my fiancé is based in Nigeria. We are both from the same country.
We are trying to determine the best option of having filing a K-1 or spousal visa. We are currently not married but we would like for him to join me as soon as possible but also be able to work or at the worst go to school. I have tried to read through the instructions for both but still having difficult which one is best.
These are my questions

• Which one is faster Fiancé (K-1) or Spousal Visa? I will be applying to the Texas location. 
• How long will it take for him to join me here through K-1 or Spousal?
• If he comes here on the Fiancé (K-1), is he allowed to go work or go to school? I read online somewhere that after we get married within the 90 day period, we can apply for the I-485- Adjustment to Permanent residence along with a form I-765 – card. Can this be done while he is on K-1 visa or simultaneously with I-485?
• Any other information you have would be greatly appreciated. I need to get the process started as soon as possible as we are anxious to be together and start a family while he can either go to school or work. 

[payxibka 10,045]

1 minute ago, Biola said:

Hello,

I am a US citizen and my fiancé is based in Nigeria. We are both from the same country.
We are trying to determine the best option of having filing a K-1 or spousal visa. We are currently not married but we would like for him to join me as soon as possible but also be able to work or at the worst go to school. I have tried to read through the instructions for both but still having difficult which one is best.
These are my questions

• Which one is faster Fiancé (K-1) or Spousal Visa? I will be applying to the Texas location. 
• How long will it take for him to join me here through K-1 or Spousal?
• If he comes here on the Fiancé (K-1), is he allowed to go work or go to school? I read online somewhere that after we get married within the 90 day period, we can apply for the I-485- Adjustment to Permanent residence along with a form I-765 – card. Can this be done while he is on K-1 visa or simultaneously with I-485?
• Any other information you have would be greatly appreciated. I need to get the process started as soon as possible as we are anxious to be together and start a family while he can either go to school or work. 

@missileman

 

Second post within 10 minutes requesting the same information 

[USS_Voyager 1,972]

4 minutes ago, payxibka said:

@missileman

 

Second post within 10 minutes requesting the same information 

That K-1 vs CR1 someone should make a pinned post in both the K1 and CR1 forum

[Crazy Cat 41,898]

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.

K-1
    Slightly faster arrival in the US 
    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 she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 5-6 months)    
    Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 5-6 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
    Slightly slower arrival in the US 

    Less expensive than K-1    
    No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    
    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
    Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
    Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.

    Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.
  �

 

[USS_Voyager 1,972]

3 minutes ago, missileman said:

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.

K-1
    Slightly faster arrival in the US 
    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 she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 5-6 months)    
    Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 5-6 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
    Slightly slower arrival in the US 

    Less expensive than K-1    
    No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    
    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
    Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
    Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.

    Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.
  �

 

Can you pin this at the top of K1 and CR1 forum?

 

[Crazy Cat 41,898]

9 minutes ago, missileman said:

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.

K-1
    Slightly faster arrival in the US 
    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 she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 5-6 months)    
    Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 5-6 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
    Slightly slower arrival in the US 

    Less expensive than K-1    
    No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    
    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
    Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
    Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.

    Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.
  �

 

Only the site Admin can do that.......but feel free to copy, paste and use it anytime you want....I have it saves as a text file, myself....😉

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

If him working ASAP is a priority do the CR1. Nigeria can be a tough consulate so many sure there have been many visits and start co mingling your lives.

[USS_Voyager 1,972]

1 hour ago, Biola said:

We are trying to determine the best option of having filing a K-1 or spousal visa.

One thing to add, is by far, the vast vast vast majority of people expressed regrets (if any) that is they should have done CR1 instead of K1. We almost never heard anyone express their regrets for doing CR1 and instead should have done K1

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from K1 Progress Reports to What Visa Do I Need - Family Based Immigration forum.