K1 or CR1? Detailed costs

[brisa2020 1]

Hi, everyone!
So this pandemic affected us all and a bunch of plans fell apart
Me and my fiancé are trying to figure out which visa to get for me now that the costs increased (specially for the AOS)

Can anyone help me out with what are the detailed costs for both processes, start to finish (until GC in hand) after the prices are reajusted (i guess it takes effect in october)

Also with the delays + plus the furlough this month I'm seeing this thing is gonna take looooong hahhaah but let's stay strong?

TIA

[mushroomspore 3,044]

Sending out the @Lucky Cat signal.

 

I think overall, CR1 is cheaper because there's no AoS. Keep in mind that USCIS is hurting real bad and increasing AoS fees by almost $1000. *Insert Munch's "The Scream" painting here*

[Crazy Cat 41,898]

36 minutes ago, mushroomspore said:

Sending out the @Lucky Cat signal.

 

I think overall, CR1 is cheaper because there's no AoS. Keep in mind that USCIS is hurting real bad and increasing AoS fees by almost $1000. *Insert Munch's "The Scream" painting 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.
    A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire
  

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.
  �

 

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,092]

Unless you're a literal cross-border couple (or needing to marry and spending an additional 6+ moths apart won't cause you to spend money on additional visits) and the intending immigrant does not intend to work any time soon, the government fees are not going to be the major driver of the cost differences between a CR-1 and a K-1, even with the new higher fees.

 

You should choose the path that meets your needs the best.

[brisa2020 1]

1 hour ago, mushroomspore said:

Sending out the @Lucky Cat signal.

 

I think overall, CR1 is cheaper because there's no AoS. Keep in mind that USCIS is hurting real bad and increasing AoS fees by almost $1000. *Insert Munch's "The Scream" painting here*

do you have the source of the fee increase?
cause I've been hearing ppl say it's increasing that much but I can't seem to find it anywhere 🥴

[Just Paul 4,595]

4 minutes ago, brisa2020 said:

do you have the source of the fee increase?
cause I've been hearing ppl say it's increasing that much but I can't seem to find it anywhere 🥴

So lazy . . . Have you considered looking at the USCIS website or even google it?

 

https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-adjusts-fees-to-help-meet-operational-needs

[brisa2020 1]

2 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

So lazy . . . Have you considered looking at the USCIS website or even google it?

 

https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-adjusts-fees-to-help-meet-operational-needs

Pardon me, sir, but I don't find any reason to be rude


The information I found was this 
It says the current fee is $1,140 and the final fee will be $1,130
It means there is a $10 dollar decrease of the fee
This screeshot comes from the link you sent me yourself and I just quoted
https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-adjusts-fees-to-help-meet-operational-needs

I have been seeing people say the fee has increased as much as $1,000
So there is a conflict in the information I've been receiving and the only thing I am trying to do is to clarify this misunderstanding, which can be entirely my fault, but laziness it is not

[mushroomspore 3,044]

 

 

10 minutes ago, brisa2020 said:

Pardon me, sir, but I don't find any reason to be rude


The information I found was this 
It says the current fee is $1,140 and the final fee will be $1,130
It means there is a $10 dollar decrease of the fee
This screeshot comes from the link you sent me yourself and I just quoted
https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-adjusts-fees-to-help-meet-operational-needs

I have been seeing people say the fee has increased as much as $1,000
So there is a conflict in the information I've been receiving and the only thing I am trying to do is to clarify this misunderstanding, which can be entirely my fault, but laziness it is not

Other fees have increased; I-485 specifically has decreased by $10. Total AoS costs have increased by nearly $1000 because they're going to start charging for I-765 and I-131, which were free if filing concurrently with I-485. Note that I did not say in my previous comment in this thread that the I-485 form was increasing by $1000; I said AoS costs (the whole package). There are other caveats and changes to consider when looking at the new fees now, not just the fees themselves. That spreadsheet line you pasted is part of the chart I was going to refer you too. Refer to that chart for all fee changes and specify what changes you're referring to in posts/comments.

Edited August 17, 2020 by mushroomspore

[brisa2020 1]

2 minutes ago, mushroomspore said:

 

 

Other fees have increased; I-485 specifically has decreased by $10. Total AoS costs have increased by nearly $1000 because they're going to start charging for I-765 and I-131, which were free if filing concurrently with I-485. That spreadsheet line you pasted is part of the chart I was going to refer you too. Refer to that chart for all fee changes and specify what changes you're referring to in posts/comments.

OOOHHH, thank you so much!
I was confused because it wasn't charged before
Now I understand it 
Thank you so much for your patience and kindness 
Even though I can communicate in English it's really hard for me to understand the language in these official documents so I came here for help, but now I understand it and it's become easier to do the calculations 😊
 

[mushroomspore 3,044]

Just now, brisa2020 said:

OOOHHH, thank you so much!
I was confused because it wasn't charged before
Now I understand it 
Thank you so much for your patience and kindness 
Even though I can communicate in English it's really hard for me to understand the language in these official documents so I came here for help, but now I understand it and it's become easier to do the calculations 😊
 

No problem and I can see why it was confusing. I was not aware they would be charging for I-765 and I-131 until late last week. Anyway, as others have said, it's ultimately up to you which visa is better. We can't really decide that for you because only you and your partner know your circumstances. It's also hard to say what traveling will be like, etc with COVID (especially since here in the US, it's just getting worse). However, overall, my leaning is towards CR1/IR1. K1 by itself takes a long time. Then you have to add AoS on top of K1.

 

Another consideration is: 1. Get married; 2. Wait a little bit of time; 3. File for spousal visa so you are approved AFTER your 2-year marriage anniversary to get IR1 visa. This makes you UNconditional permanent resident with a 10-year GC. No money wasted on Removal of Conditions. Food for thought. I know the waiting and separation would be tough.