Please help. I am overwhelmed and don’t even know where to begin

[Crazy Cat 41,886]

1 minute ago, Bobio said:

What is "secondary"? I am so new to all of this stuff. 

The area where some people are taken to answer further questions......

[Bobio 3]

3 hours ago, Juliet57 said:

Reach out to people waiting for visas in Bogotá consulate, they should be well aware of the time it took to process either visa in pre covid times, and they usually actively communicate with other people in the same boat.

 

The K1 is not being scheduled in my Consulate, so even if it's supposed to take a shorter time, if the visa category is not being scheduled then it might take longer, that's why it's important to check with people who went to Bogota Consulate or are waiting for interview in Bogota.

 

There might be facebook groups, and you can also check the Regional group here on VJ.

How do I do that? I'm new to all of this and so overwhelmed. Thanks so much

[Bobio 3]

51 minutes ago, Timona said:

I would just get married and do CR-1.

Even though you stated she is okay with not working immediately, I would still go CR-1.

 

@Lucky Cat already gave you a good breakdown. Basically, with COVID times, if you do a K-1, it will take you close to 3 years from filing to GC  and you have to pay extra to get the GC after she arrives. CR-1 will be half that time and no extra pay. The only difference in CR-1/K-1 visa (not GC) issuance is like 3 months. That being said, I would go CR-1. You are going to Colombia next month. You may as well get married. 

 

Basically, let us say you are filing now for either process.

1. For K-1, it may be until end year to just get the visa issued (Dec 2021). She comes over to US. You marry, file AOS ($$ to pay again). With COVID timeframes, you are looking at 2 years before your case lands on someone's desk for interview or waived interview (So mid 2023 to Jan 2024).
2. For CR-1, it may be anywhere from Dec 2021 to mid 2022 for her to receive both the visa and GC. No extra cost. 

 

Oooo and btw, if you go CR-1, she lands and get a GC asap. Having GC makes her eligible for loans/ grants for the schools she wants to go to. K-1 will not grant this till 2024 when she gets GC.

Excellent info and great summary! Thanks so much!

[Bobio 3]

Everyone has been so helpful so far, what an awesome community, thanks so much! I spoke with her last night and we thought that we settled on K1 because my daughters wanted to be in the wedding here, but now after reading some more posts, I may be inclined to go spousal. So confused. 😣

[Dashinka 24,508]

9 minutes ago, Bobio said:

How do I do that? I'm new to all of this and so overwhelmed. Thanks so much

There is a regional forum for Mexico, Latin America and South America.  Here is a Colombia specific thread that you may be interested in.

 

 

[Timona 4,207]

10 minutes ago, Bobio said:

Everyone has been so helpful so far, what an awesome community, thanks so much! I spoke with her last night and we thought that we settled on K1 because my daughters wanted to be in the wedding here, but now after reading some more posts, I may be inclined to go spousal. So confused. 😣

 

 You can do a second big wedding in the US. However, your first wedding is what USCIS will go with.

I would just do a small inexpensive Colombian wedding - Civil/ court etc. Just to get married. 

[Bobio 3]

2 hours ago, Dashinka said:

There is a regional forum for Mexico, Latin America and South America.  Here is a Colombia specific thread that you may be interested in.

 

 

Thanks so much. 

2 hours ago, Timona said:

 

 You can do a second big wedding in the US. However, your first wedding is what USCIS will go with.

I would just do a small inexpensive Colombian wedding - Civil/ court etc. Just to get married. 

Thank you