Switch to CR1?

[NandV 87]

3 minutes ago, eggybreadb78 said:

My partner said the same thing about waiting in Biden's in office, hoping that he won't make things worse but instead, better. Oh no, that's awful, the world is such a crazy place right now!

I agree! Historically, democrats are more in the favor of immigration. I think he's planning on modifying a ton of the H1B rules, I would hope he would consider us also

[NeonParticles 126]

1 minute ago, NandV said:

I agree! Historically, democrats are more in the favor of immigration. I think he's planning on modifying a ton of the H1B rules, I would hope he would consider us also

I've been trying to figure out a way for all of us to get the attention of "the powers that be" and get this process moving along, but I haven't been able to come up with anything yet.

[AB UK US 16]

We are going to wait a little longer but our paperwork has been at the NVC since April 2020 and we have been hoping the travel ban would be lifted. Keeping positive this will happen soon, if not we will have to consider the best alternative.

[Boiler 46,818]

You can see his plans on his web site, for those seeking more conventional routes a much longer processing time seems inevitable.

[eggybreadb78 57]

5 minutes ago, Boiler said:

You can see his plans on his web site, for those seeking more conventional routes a much longer processing time seems inevitable.

For sure, but it wouldn't be out of the ordinary for things to change or not actually happen at all - but inevitably will be waiting longer for us to find that out. I think just even the shift in administration will cause delays - pretty sure historically that's been the case?

[molehills 77]

Considered a switch during the summer. We're going to be 1 year into the K1 in February. Reason we didn't switch is that the processing time of CR1 is like 2 years from submit to visa in hand. 
 

[Bug&Bug 147]

2 hours ago, eggybreadb78 said:

This is exactly what I've been battling with. It sucks not having a single clue! You're right, definitely needs to be the right decision for our relationship. I hope things get sorted out for you both!

If its of any help, Im in the UK and our CR1 was hit with delays when the London Embassy shut. Instead of getting interviewed in March I was interviewed in September and the whole thing took 1.5years.

[SauceS133 2]

I have heard *through the grapevine* part of the issue is staffing and funding. A majority of the jobs in the government are 1099 or contract work. Those are also the first people that are let go and last to come back when there are budget cuts. Not having the man power to process apps, coupled with closed embassies really brought everything to a screeching halt. 

[millefleur 5,050]

13 minutes ago, SauceS133 said:

I have heard *through the grapevine* part of the issue is staffing and funding. A majority of the jobs in the government are 1099 or contract work. Those are also the first people that are let go and last to come back when there are budget cuts. Not having the man power to process apps, coupled with closed embassies really brought everything to a screeching halt. 

Seems to me it's really been an issue with embassies being completely closed except for certain visas getting processed. For example, Moscow is only doing student, athlete/entertainer and crewmember visas right now for some reason....everything else is on hold until further notice, including spousal visas. So, in that case, really makes no difference between K-1 or spousal because neither are getting processed right now.

Edited January 14, 2021 by millefleur

[carmel34 3,688]

1 hour ago, eggybreadb78 said:

My partner said the same thing about waiting in Biden's in office, hoping that he won't make things worse but instead, better. Oh no, that's awful, the world is such a crazy place right now!

What Biden will do when he takes over next week is very uncertain.  On the one hand, he says things like he'll revoke current executive orders regarding immigration, then on the other says that fighting COVID will be his first priority and that could mean more strict national policies regarding international travel, so it is difficult to know right now.  Maybe wait a week or two and see what happens, then decide what to do.  Unfortunately, the US government is a huge bureaucracy and making any changes will be like trying to turn the Titanic, it will take a long time for sure.  Big immigration changes will be up to Congress and that's been a mess for years, especially regarding immigration law.  They can't seem to agree on anything that would improve immigration processes, to speed them up.  Just the backlog in the immigration court system is mind-boggling as someone posted on VJ just a few days ago.  Good luck whichever way you decide to go!  I hope you can be together soon.

Edited January 14, 2021 by carmel34

[JFH 12,192]

If you want to get married in the UK your fiancé will need a marriage visa. Even if you are not planning to live in the UK. The “quickly get married while visiting” a la Las Vegas style doesn’t really exist for the UK. 
 

On the subject of UK visas, it’s traditionally been much quicker to get a UK visa for a spouse than to get a CR-1. Have you considered the USC making the move? 

[eggybreadb78 57]

16 minutes ago, JFH said:

If you want to get married in the UK your fiancé will need a marriage visa. Even if you are not planning to live in the UK. The “quickly get married while visiting” a la Las Vegas style doesn’t really exist for the UK. 
 

On the subject of UK visas, it’s traditionally been much quicker to get a UK visa for a spouse than to get a CR-1. Have you considered the USC making the move? 

Ergh, I know, I wish it was easier like in Vegas! I do need to look more into it though, if this is an option we decide to take further. Nope, I mean we've looked into it out of curiosity, but it's never been on the table seriously as I've lived over in the states previously and we both have a great life there and it's a place we both love; I have aspirations there etc etc. If only it was as quick as the UK can be! 

[neca 166]

Seconding JFH's idea, as I basically did the same thing. We married in the US thinking we'd do the AOS but decided it was too-premeditated, so moved to Ireland and started the CR-1 process there. It took me about three months of waiting for my appointment and showing my marriage certificate to get my residence permit there, lol.

We both want to live in the US and are planning on having our futures there, but if it's a matter of wanting to be together ASAP, then living in the UK until the US gives you your visa is an option, especially if they're anything like how Ireland was for me re: expedience.

Another thing to note (and I could be wrong about this so anyone else please correct me), my understanding is that embassies were not processing K-1 visas for most of, if not all of 2020 due to the travel restrictions of covid. You could potentially be looking at a more massive backlog than people waiting for their CR-1 visas. In any case, this website has resources for you to look up the timelines of those in situations similar to yours so you can see if K-1 filed earlier or a CR-1 filed later would be faster. Of course, covid messes up everything so it's not as reliable, but it's still better information than nothing.

 

Good luck!

[PWB 213]

After a long period of time in AP, mostly caused by Manila Embassy mistakes, our K1 was approved.  Now we are beginning to process the AOS and it is a pain in the ...  The same stupid questions/documentation are required plus a 1226.00 USD processing fee in order to get in line and wait.   Trump made the AOS much more invasive with the filing requirements of the I-944.  The AOS makes you wonder why you even bothered to file a 129f and a 134  and go through an interview only to repeat  much of the same requirements with a governmental agency that is as difunctional as the USCIS.   CR1 is the way to go, both today and tomorrow. 

[MarkPajr 23]

I see so many discussions about CR1 vs K1 here recently, but realistically is CR1 even an option for many due to Covid? I'm in US and my partner is in Hong Kong, which doesn't allow any non-HK Citizen to enter unless on some form of non-tourist visa. This makes getting married right now almost impossible leaving our only option the K1 visa. Alternatives are to attempt to find another country that we are both able to meet up in, but with Covid Restrictions, Work Quarantine rules, Airline issues, etc. the likely hood of that is slim to none as well.