Which path should I take now?

[Unlockable 7,314]

3 hours ago, Kaykay2019 said:

Ok, I will just stick with the K1 but still do the traditional just for the sake of my dad witnessing the marriage. We will get married here and proceed with the next steps. Thanks again 😊!

Do NOT do that. You can't have ANY  type of wedding, whether its traditional, cultural, or unofficial, anywhere in the world before you come to the US on a K1. There are tons of threads on this forums where people have been denied for a K1 for having traditional weddings in their country.

 

 

Don't believe us? Look what happened to these people...

 

If having your father witness you union is that important, then forget the K1 and do the CR1 (spousal) visa. You have to make the proper decision now. If your K1 is denied, you are looking at about 2 years delay in you two being together. Because you will have to start all over by getting married then filing for the spousal visa. So that may be around 2022-ish. It is not worth it.

 

The choice is yours.

Edited April 11, 2020 by Unlockable

[retheem 565]

1 hour ago, JesStef said:

I would recommend the CR-1 method.  It will take a little longer but your spouse will get his green card and social security upon entry to the US.  This way they can get a job and do the normal business dealings thus integrating into their new environment way easier.  

Hehehe and the way i was bashed here

 

3 hours ago, Lucky Cat said:

Do not participate in any kind of traditional wedding prior to the marriage in the US.  

 

I think a review of K-1 vs CR-1 is in order here:

 

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.
  �

 

 

And the way i was bashed here when i said here a K1- is basically a waste of time and money. Thank you for keeping things in the light

[Kaykay2019 5]

3 hours ago, Luckycuds said:

If having your dad be at the ceremony (which I completely understand) is most important then you should really go the CR1 route. Any ceremony -even those not legally binding will look too married. To save you from headaches down the road, in my opinion, you should get married in Sierra Leone and apply for CR1- Yes, it means it will take longer for your fiancé to get to the US but a positive is your dad will be at your ceremony and once your fiancé (then- husband) gets here he will be able to work and travel ASAP. CR1 is only a bit longer than k1- although everything will be longer now due to COVID-19. If you were to file k1 today- there’s no way your fiancé would in the US and then able to travel back to Sierra Leone by December.

 

During your time apart you can make as many visits as you’d like or meet in a third country if the separation is too much.

I will consider the CR1 route. Thanks for the advice!

[Kaykay2019 5]

8 hours ago, Sparkle Sparkle said:

You can file K1 now but you cannot marry outside the USA, you cannot do a traditional wedding or any kind of wedding outside the USA...if you file K1 now January filers are currently being approved..cahnces are he might have visa in hand by december are maybe a couple of months after....but he must go to USA to marry. CR1 yes you will have to wait till you see him to marry him and file CR1 and might take 2 years 

Ok. Thanks!

[Loren Y 2,755]

Is your dad unable to travel? He could come to the US for the wedding and then return home.

[Sparkle Sparkle 914]

3 hours ago, Kaykay2019 said:

Ok. Thanks!

Just in case you still have doubts, I grab a cup of coffee seat tight and read through the link. 

[Kaykay2019 5]

23 hours ago, Loren Y said:

Is your dad unable to travel? He could come to the US for the wedding and then return home.

Yes, he is unable to travel due to his health issues. 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

On 4/11/2020 at 6:41 PM, Loren Y said:

Is your dad unable to travel? He could come to the US for the wedding and then return home.

Even if he could travel this is a dodgy route, given Sierra Leone has a nearly 60% refusal rate for tourist visas. We’ve seen many posts of family members being refused visas for weddings before, imo this wouldn’t be a plan to bank on.