Which would be the faster route to take?

[Sempiternal 0]

Hi everyone! I'd like some advice on which process would be faster and less riskier for us. Time is the major concern, not ability to work or filing fees.

I'm currently a permanent resident of the US and going to file N-400 sometime this week; he is a citizen of Russia currently residing there. Estimated processing time for my district office is 7.5 - 11 months.

 

1. Marry this July abroad -> apply for F2A immediately -> gain citizenship (will be before NVC) -> upgrade into CR-1 (8-9 months after upgrading to get visa according to the forums?)

2. Wait until citizenship -> apply for K-1 (10 months for visa)

 

I understand visa processing times can be quite unpredictable but still would like to hear some advice or insight from the forum 

Edited April 2, 2020 by Sempiternal

[geowrian 22,337]

Keep in mind that local field offices are not conducting any interviews until at least May now, so expect naturalization to take longer than current averages.

 

IMO, the F2A/CR-1 route would be a better approach. It's impossible to know which one will actually be faster, but that timeline is less dependent on the naturalization timeline (or result).

[milimelo 4,481]

Option 1 of course. 

[Boiler 45,525]

Will you be able to travel?

[Sempiternal 0]

Just now, Boiler said:

Will you be able to travel?

Yes, I'll be able to travel for the marriage and in general.

[millefleur 5,046]

Option one looks better to me. We have no idea how long citizenship will take given the current COVID-19 related delays, and also citizenship is deemed rather low priority compared to other cases.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

Please be aware things are moving much slower with office closures and embassy closures (except for emergencies) so timelines are going to be much much longer. 😞

[Mollie09 1,543]

I'd go with 1 once you're allowed to travel. Your citizenship process is likely going to take upwards of a year.

[Sempiternal 0]

Thank you for all the responses! Seems we'll be going with option 1. Hopefully shelter-in-place doesn't last until July.

 

I couldn't find much information on how long to receive the visa when upgrading from F2A to CR-1 before it reaches the NVC stage/I-130 is approved. Could anyone confirm that it is indeed 8-9 months?

[little immigrant 801]

I would marry asap, wait for naturalization and then apply for CR1. This way you don't have to upgrade. I've seen one post the other day where the request to upgrade got lost and was never processed. Too much hassle. Also, by the time your spouse enters, it could very well be 2 years of marriage already therefore you could skip ROC. 

[retheem 566]

Option 1 any day.

[NikLR 13,227]

Option 1.  This way it doesn't matter if you get the F2A or the CR1/IR1 because of the unknowns in two categories - citizenship and embassy scheduling once they reopen.  

USCIS normally takes about 8 months BUT it may be taking longer right now with people out sick etc.. 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

13 hours ago, little immigrant said:

I would marry asap, wait for naturalization and then apply for CR1. This way you don't have to upgrade. I've seen one post the other day where the request to upgrade got lost and was never processed. Too much hassle. Also, by the time your spouse enters, it could very well be 2 years of marriage already therefore you could skip ROC. 

I wouldn’t wait for naturalization, could be a year or longer especially now. If F2A remains current it makes even less sense to wait, there are definitely scenarios an F2A visa could be granted before naturalization. Some recent reports in the forum of 8-10 months for approval.