K1visa- Algeria

[Jackie.nyc 1]

Good evening all

 

my fiancé is from Algeria and I am from The USA NY. I will like to know how long is the process for the K1 visa? We been together almost 3 years. And we met in person 2 times already and I’m going soon to visit him in his country.

Edited September 5, 2020 by Jackie.nyc

[SalishSea 17,827]

At least a year, if not more.  K visa interviews are not even routinely happening at the moment.

 

Why not get married when you're there, and file a CR-1?  You will have a much easier time petitioning a spouse than a fiance.

[Jackie.nyc 1]

9 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

At least a year, if not more.  K visa interviews are not even routinely happening at the moment.

 

Why not get married when you're there, and file a CR-1?  You will have a much easier time petitioning a spouse than a fiance.

Thank you for the heads up.I was told that in Algeria is very difficult if I file a CR-1 meaning with all the documents.

[SalishSea 17,827]

2 hours ago, Jackie.nyc said:

Thank you for the heads up.I was told that in Algeria is very difficult if I file a CR-1 meaning with all the documents.

K-1 is at least, if not more difficult from what I’ve read here.   You can research it though by reading threads on Algeria.

 

At least denials for spousal visas can be appealed;  denials for K-1s cannot.

Edited September 5, 2020 by Jorgedig

[Just Paul 4,595]

You don't have to marry in Algeria.   Covid19 has taught us that spouses are more favorably treated than fiances.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

I'm throwing my hat into the CR-1 ring. It's the better way to go. Not only on the application side but it's cheaper and the beneficiary will be able to work soon after the arrive where K-1 can wait up to 6-9 months.

 

This is what I have on the differences for the two visas.

 

K-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.

No I-944, Declaration of Self-Sufficiency to complete

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)

[Jackie.nyc 1]

2 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

I'm throwing my hat into the CR-1 ring. It's the better way to go. Not only on the application side but it's cheaper and the beneficiary will be able to work soon after the arrive where K-1 can wait up to 6-9 months.

 

This is what I have on the differences for the two visas.

 

K-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.

No I-944, Declaration of Self-Sufficiency to complete

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)

Thank you so much wow this was super clear for me I will definitely go with the

CR-1. I just want to have a family and want him here in the USA with me. 

[whiterose123 95]

On 9/4/2020 at 11:40 PM, Jackie.nyc said:

Good evening all

 

my fiancé is from Algeria and I am from The USA NY. I will like to know how long is the process for the K1 visa? We been together almost 3 years. And we met in person 2 times already and I’m going soon to visit him in his country.

Hey ! I am from Algeria too and we did a K1 visa, it took us 8 months from application to visa in hands. You can take a look at my timeline and let me know if you have questions.

One of the main reasons we prefered to do a fiance visa and not a spouse visa is that marriage in Algeria to a foreign citizen is very complicated and hard, many get denied and end up getting married in their spouse country... You need to be very careful with your choice

Edited September 11, 2020 by whiterose123