Wait out K-1 or go CR-1?

[kostyaby 9]

So I am currently with my fiancé. 

 

We filed K-1 in early April. We still did not receive NOA2 since things are going so slow. Additionally, embassies are not processing K-1 visas.

 

We are considering going the CR-1 route, since it's much more stable and there is too much uncertainty and backlog with K-1, which may take longer than the 1 year CR-1 wait time.

 

Any suggestions on how to proceed?

[payxibka 10,045]

38 minutes ago, kostyaby said:

So I am currently with my fiancé. 

 

We filed K-1 in early April. We still did not receive NOA2 since things are going so slow. Additionally, embassies are not processing K-1 visas.

 

We are considering going the CR-1 route, since it's much more stable and there is too much uncertainty and backlog with K-1, which may take longer than the 1 year CR-1 wait time.

 

Any suggestions on how to proceed?

K1s are in the news.  Read the posting from the DOS

[In4theJourney 171]

K1 will still be waaaay faster 

[Cheburashka34 228]

If you start over with CR1 you may be waiting another year and a half. DOS just announced they are giving K visas high priority so it would be faster if you stick with K1

[Cheburashka34 228]

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/important-notice-for-k-visa-applicants-affected-by-covid-19.html

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

Personally I would stay where I was. However, what were the reasons you went with the k1 instead of marrying and filing the CR1? Because presumably those reasons haven't changed.

 

Also most people in pre-covid times don't receive their NOA2 within 4 months, nevermind now. 

Edited August 31, 2020 by Luckycuds

[SalishSea 17,836]

6 hours ago, kostyaby said:

We filed K-1 in early April. We still did not receive NOA2 since things are going so slow.

Even pre-covid, you're still well within normal processing time.  

[pooj97 89]

Stay with K1 for sure, especially with the new DOS announcement 

[kostyaby 9]

6 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

Even pre-covid, you're still well within normal processing time.  

My worry is the embassy stage. Embassies have been closed for what, 8 months? There is going to be a massive backlog of K-1 interviews, which I'm worrying will take months and months.

[Strawberrymermaid 346]

15 hours ago, kostyaby said:

So I am currently with my fiancé. 

 

We filed K-1 in early April. We still did not receive NOA2 since things are going so slow. Additionally, embassies are not processing K-1 visas.

 

We are considering going the CR-1 route, since it's much more stable and there is too much uncertainty and backlog with K-1, which may take longer than the 1 year CR-1 wait time.

 

Any suggestions on how to proceed?

I filed 129-F in July - if I was with my fiance right now I would get married. We are trying to plan for a destination wedding in third country in October/ November, God willing. It just makes more sense in our case since he really would like to work and not go through the AOS period. If that's important to you, it may be worth getting married and changing... if not, and you can deal with that period, maybe stick with the course you're on? It's hard to know what's best. I think it comes down to what the couple's desires/ needs/ etc are. Best of luck!

[Cheburashka34 228]

2 hours ago, kostyaby said:

My worry is the embassy stage. Embassies have been closed for what, 8 months? There is going to be a massive backlog of K-1 interviews, which I'm worrying will take months and months.

About 5 1/2. Even if there is a backlog it would still be faster than filing a new petition I would assume. But do what you feel is best 😊

[JeanneAdil 6,511]

26 minutes ago, Strawberrymermaid said:

I filed 129-F in July - if I was with my fiance right now I would get married. We are trying to plan for a destination wedding in third country in October/ November, God willing. It just makes more sense in our case since he really would like to work and not go through the AOS period. If that's important to you, it may be worth getting married and changing... if not, and you can deal with that period, maybe stick with the course you're on? It's hard to know what's best. I think it comes down to what the couple's desires/ needs/ etc are. Best of luck!

I agree and mainly because the CR1 has so many advantages

no one knows when any of these embassies will open for normal processing so there may be plenty of time for a CR1 to process

[Jeff fed 12]

3 hours ago, kostyaby said:

My worry is the embassy stage. Embassies have been closed for what, 8 months? There is going to be a massive backlog of K-1 interviews, which I'm worrying will take months and months.

 it also going to be a massive backlog of CR1 as well

[J&A1234 181]

3 hours ago, kostyaby said:

My worry is the embassy stage. Embassies have been closed for what, 8 months? There is going to be a massive backlog of K-1 interviews, which I'm worrying will take months and months.

I would assume there would be a pretty good backlog from pretty much any visa category 

[Burcin & Chris 40]

If I were you I would stick with K1 because you already submitted and spent time with it you waited for it so far... Spousal visa has way more waiting time than k1 even if covid times makes k1 time more than usual.