Military expedite: Is it better to start k1 paperwork now or wait for Orders?

[constantine777 0]

I am a US citizen and military service member. I got my RFO and found out I am PCSing to an overseas duty station next February. My fiance is a citizen of a different country. We have not started the k1 paperwork yet, but that is the plan. I want to get married before I report overseas so that my fiance can join me officially and be command-sponsored. 

 

Is it better to start and submit it now and then do an expedite request once I get my orders? (I do not have my orders yet).

OR

Is it better to wait and submit all of the initial k1 paperwork WITH the expedite request at that point? 

In order to make this happen as quickly as possible

 

The UCIS guidance quoted elsewhere on various websites is: "If you are submitting an application or petition to USCIS, and are scheduled to deploy in the near future, write in bold letters, “I have an upcoming deployment” on the first page of the application/petition, or on a cover sheet attached to your application." (source: https://www.uscis.gov/military/deployments-and-moving)

 

Granted I do not have an upcoming deployment per se, but hopefully they view OCONUS PCS as essentially the same. 

 

Any and all help is greatly, greatly appreciated!

Edited April 29, 2021 by constantine777

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

5 hours ago, constantine777 said:

I am a US citizen and military service member. I got my RFO and found out I am PCSing to an overseas duty station next February. My fiance is a citizen of a different country. We have not started the k1 paperwork yet, but that is the plan. I want to get married before I report overseas so that my fiance can join me officially and be command-sponsored. 

Is it better to start and submit it now and then do an expedite request once I get my orders? (I do not have my orders yet).

OR

Is it better to wait and submit all of the initial k1 paperwork WITH the expedite request at that point? 

In order to make this happen as quickly as possible

The UCIS guidance quoted elsewhere on various websites is: "If you are submitting an application or petition to USCIS, and are scheduled to deploy in the near future, write in bold letters, “I have an upcoming deployment” on the first page of the application/petition, or on a cover sheet attached to your application." (source: https://www.uscis.gov/military/deployments-and-moving)

Granted I do not have an upcoming deployment per se, but hopefully they view OCONUS PCS as essentially the same. 

Any and all help is greatly, greatly appreciated!

If I were you then I would submit the K1 petition and request a expedite right away. That way you can bring your fiance here, get married, and have them added to your orders so that it can be accompanied not unaccompanied.