k1 fiance visa I need help with the K1 visa process!

[Esuroi 0]

Hello, everyone! I'm new so excuse my lack of knowledge on how this whole thing works... My fiancé, Cameron, and I are trying to do this whole k1 process by ourselves. We want to save as much money as possible, so we are looking for answers outside of lawyers. 

 

We already have the i-129f form, of course, but we are also going to have my mom help sponsor him with me. We've looked around and found the i-864a/ i-864 forms and then the i-134 form. We are kinda confused on what steps to take and which forms we need and how and when to mail them. 

 

Any help would be great! Thank you so much! 😁

[payxibka 10,045]

6 minutes ago, Esuroi said:

Hello, everyone! I'm new so excuse my lack of knowledge on how this whole thing works... My fiancé, Cameron, and I are trying to do this whole k1 process by ourselves. We want to save as much money as possible, so we are looking for answers outside of lawyers. 

 

We already have the i-129f form, of course, but we are also going to have my mom help sponsor him with me. We've looked around and found the i-864a/ i-864 forms and then the i-134 form. We are kinda confused on what steps to take and which forms we need and how and when to mail them. 

 

Any help would be great! Thank you so much! 😁

I134 but that comes much later ar the time of consulate interview 

[Villanelle 4,122]

Please check the guides section at the top and compare K to CR spouse visa to make sure its the right path for you. 

[Esuroi 0]

2 minutes ago, Villanelle said:

Please check the guides section at the top and compare K to CR spouse visa to make sure its the right path for you. 

Yes, we are doing the K because we are engaged and not married yet, but thank you 😊

[In4theJourney 171]

If I were you, I would be taking a close look at next week July 2  and august before I would submit anything. The USCIS is about to furlough 70% of its workforce if it doesn’t get bail out money from trump. I’m willing to bet, that will not happen. In my opinion, this could be a backlog of years, not the 4-7 months its taking USCIS to approve petitions right now. This is all the perfect storm just raining down in favor of anti legal  immigration crowd 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

11 minutes ago, Esuroi said:

Hello, everyone! I'm new so excuse my lack of knowledge on how this whole thing works... My fiancé, Cameron, and I are trying to do this whole k1 process by ourselves. We want to save as much money as possible, so we are looking for answers outside of lawyers. 

 

We already have the i-129f form, of course, but we are also going to have my mom help sponsor him with me. We've looked around and found the i-864a/ i-864 forms and then the i-134 form. We are kinda confused on what steps to take and which forms we need and how and when to mail them. 

 

Any help would be great! Thank you so much! 😁

I-864, Affidavit of Support is for AOS and comes after marriage. I-134, Affidavit of Support is needed for the interview so you some ways off. Go to the blue ribbon above, select "guides" then look for K-1 visa process. Good luck and stay engaged. .  

[Greenbaum 12,259]

2 minutes ago, Esuroi said:

Yes, we are doing the K because we are engaged and not married yet, but thank you 😊

The point that the poster was trying to advise you that the K-1 may not be the direction you want to travel in. You might consider getting married then file the CR-1 since it does have its benefits over the K-1. Cheaper and when she gets to the USA she can work right away if that is your plan. With the K-1 she will have to wait 3-4 months to be approved to work.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

4 minutes ago, In4theJourney said:

If I were you, I would be taking a close look at next week July 2  and august before I would submit anything. The USCIS is about to furlough 70% of its workforce if it doesn’t get bail out money from trump. I’m willing to bet, that will not happen. In my opinion, this could be a backlog of years, not the 4-7 months its taking USCIS to approve petitions right now. This is all the perfect storm just raining down in favor of anti legal  immigration crowd 

Why wait till the line gets shorter when everyone is getting in line in front of you? Doesn't make sense. You're speculating that the furlough is a sure thing. Best to wait and see but for the OP they should go ahead and file whichever visa they are apply for.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Let me help the OP out with the differences.

 

1 vs CR-1 Full Analysis

 

K-1

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 (about 5-6 months)    

Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (about 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 10 to 12 months after Adjustment of Status is filed.

If you have red flags this may be the best place to start in case of denial.

Estimated timeline is approximately 8 to 10 months (NOA1 to Interview)  This is officially quoted as 6 to 12 months.

 

K-1 Fees

$535 - USCIS Filing Fee

$265 per person - DS-160 (Visa Application)

$200 to $400 - Medical Fee

$1,225 per person - AOS Fee (Includes EAD/AP if filed together)

$750 per child under 14

$680 per person - ROC Fee

 

 

$2,705 plus medical (K-1)

$2,170 plus medical (K-2 over 14 years old)

$1,695 plus medical (K-2 14 years old and younger)

 

 

CR-1    

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 (LPR) status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to the United States

If denied, a K-1 has no practical options other than to start over from scratch. A denied CR-1 can be reaffirmed. So if there are red flags and one is concerned about being denied, I would suggest steering away from the K-1.

 

Estimated timeline is 10 to 12 months (NOA1 to Interview) This is officially quoted at 12 to 14 months.

 

CR-1 Fees

$535 - USCIS Filing Fee

$120 - Affidavit of Support Fee

$325 - DS-260 (Visa Application)

$200 to $400 - Medical Fee

$220 - USCIS Immigrant Fee

$680 - ROC (if married less than 2 years at POE)

 

$1,200 plus medical (per person if married more than 2 years when filing)

$1,880 plus medical (per person if married less than 2 years at POE)

[Just Paul 4,595]

Just file the I-129F now.  The I-134 comes into play at the consulate.  Review the income requirements in I-864p.   This is the minimum amount.  Consulates often will require more due to public charge concerns.

 

But looking at the spousal visa often makes for sense in that it is a smoother transition for Cameron to make to the US.  He is allowed to work and travel immediately on entry.  Much less paperwork and fees are required.   It is a lot less stress.   Spousal visa holders have been exempted from the recent travel bans.

[Just Paul 4,595]

3 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

CR-1    

Less expensive than K-1    

No Adjustment of Status  (I-485, I-131, I-765) required.

And NO I-944 needed!

[In4theJourney 171]

11 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

The point that the poster was trying to advise you that the K-1 may not be the direction you want to travel in. You might consider getting married then file the CR-1 since it does have its benefits over the K-1. Cheaper and when she gets to the USA she can work right away if that is your plan. With the K-1 she will have to wait 3-4 months to be approved to work.

Good point, people really need to figure which way to go now more than ever. 

[Just Paul 4,595]

2 minutes ago, In4theJourney said:

Good point, people really need to figure which way to go now more than ever. 

I've haven't been a fan of K1's in a long time.  It really puts a strain on most relationships and does not really help the immigrant adjust. The only times I recommend them is then there are kids aging out and like in your case where CR1 in Mexico are backed far up.

[powerpuff 6,697]

Just keep in mind that everyone has different situations and preferences... for some K-1 works better, for others it's CR-1. We opted for a K-1 because it fits our needs and situation better. Plus due to travel restrictions and coronavirus, getting married is not so easy for some. Good luck and don't be discouraged! 

[JeanneAdil 6,491]

33 minutes ago, In4theJourney said:

Good point, people really need to figure which way to go now more than ever. 

Proposed AOS fees to change

 

Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

Although the base I-485 application fee will be lowered, it will no longer include the fee for Form I-765 (employment) and Form I-131 (advance parole). Adjustment applicants who wish to file for those benefits must submit separate payments with those ancillary applications. And so, whereas currently an adjustment applicant pays $1,140 for adjustment, employment, and advance parole, under the proposal the same applicant would pay almost double: $1,120 for adjustment, $545 for employment, and $ 585 for advance parole, resulting in fees of $2,250, a 97% net hike of $1,110.

 

sorry i made a mistake at first about your country as his name is similar to country name

good luck to you

Edited June 24, 2020 by JeanneAdil
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