K1 vs CR1

[NoMansLand2020 298]

What is the price difference between K1 and CR1 when taking into consideration my fiancée has two small children that will accompany her to the US and AOS/ other misc. fees when going the K1 route? 

[Chancy 6,241]

1 hour ago, NoMansLand2020 said:

What is the price difference between K1 and CR1 when taking into consideration my fiancée has two small children that will accompany her to the US and AOS/ other misc. fees when going the K1 route? 

 

Costs excluding SLEC medical exam fee, which will be the same whether K1 or CR1 --

 

K1/K2 + AOS

• $535 = I-129F filing fee x 1 petition
• $795 = $265 (MRV fee) x 3 visa applicants
• $1,225 = $1,140 (I-485 filing fee for adult) + $85 (biometrics fee)
• $1,500 = $750 (I-485 filing fee for under 14 years old) x 2 kids

CR1/CR2

• $1,605 = $535 (I-130 filing fee) x 3 petitions
• $120 = affidavit of support fee, which covers spouse + children immigrating at the same time
• $975 = $325 (IV fee) x 3 visa applicants
• $660 = $220 (immigrant fee for GC production) x 3 immigrants

 

Also, is your fiancee planning to work soon after entering the US?  I ask because opportunity cost from lost income may also be a major financial hit with the K1 AOS route.  The new immigrant will not be authorized to work, possibly for up to a year after US entry with a K1 visa.  With a CR1 visa, they are allowed to work from day 1.

 

[SalishSea 17,818]

3 minutes ago, Chancy said:

Also, is your fiancee planning to work soon after entering the US?  I ask because opportunity cost from lost income may also be a major financial hit with the K1 AOS route.  The new immigrant will not be authorized to work, possibly for up to a year after US entry with a K1 visa.  With a CR1 visa, they are allowed to work from day 1.

In addition to being unable to work, she would not be able to return to the US if she leaves during this time.  So if emergency travel back home is a possibility, CR-1 would be a better choice.

[top_secret 2,417]

What's probably a more important detail than any of the fees though.   At this time in USEM there is a backlog of 6,000 to 8,000 approved K-1 petitions just waiting for interviews and they have been averaging under 50 interviews a month.  CR-1's seem to mostly be caught up.  Starting a new K-1 petition in the Philippines at this time would put someone at the back of a line that goes back to 2019.  Additionally, a non-Filipino fiancé outside of the Philippines has no path into the Philippines if they want to visit while they wait.   An overseas spouse of a Filipino can get a 9a visa to enter the Philippines should they want to spend time together while they wait.

[Tahoma 2,292]

Correction:

 

K-1’s can get an emergency authorization to go home and then enter the U.S.

[Joe Kano 327]

9 hours ago, Tahoma said:

Correction:

 

K-1’s can get an emergency authorization to go home and then enter the U.S.

Do you think those are rather easy to get? I assume you go to a USCIS office and request it there?

 

 

[Joe Kano 327]

16 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

In addition to being unable to work, she would not be able to return to the US if she leaves during this time.  So if emergency travel back home is a possibility, CR-1 would be a better choice.

Who in the world want to come to USA and have to go to work almost immediately ?

 

I have always suggested giving a girl from Philippines about one year to adjust to USA, let her learn the way things work here, learn our culture, etc.  And then if she wants to work then let her work.

 

I would say the lion share of K1 petitioners in Philippines section is male and older than their fiance/spouses

 

 

[AlaMike 231]

2 hours ago, Joe Kano said:

Who in the world want to come to USA and have to go to work almost immediately ?

 

I have always suggested giving a girl from Philippines about one year to adjust to USA, let her learn the way things work here, learn our culture, etc.  And then if she wants to work then let her work.

 

I would say the lion share of K1 petitioners in Philippines section is male and older than their fiance/spouses

 

 

I would agree with you @Joe Kano But, my wife has wanted to work from the day she got here. I have explained each time, that she does not have EAD yet. Not to mention she is still learning to drive.

[Unlockable 7,314]

3 hours ago, Joe Kano said:

Who in the world want to come to USA and have to go to work almost immediately ?

 

 

 

Many people. My wife wanted to work right away to start contributing to the household. You will find the majority of people would want to get to work as soon as they arrive in the US. It is not as uncommon as you think. In fact, I would say it is more uncommon for immigrants NOT wanting to work immediately upon arrival.

[Joe Kano 327]

1 hour ago, AlaMike said:

I would agree with you @Joe Kano But, my wife has wanted to work from the day she got here. I have explained each time, that she does not have EAD yet. Not to mention she is still learning to drive.

On the driving part I hired a driving instructor who specialize in Adults learning to drive.  With my short temper and her lack of driving skills looking back it was a very smart decision on my part.   😈

 

My wife was at least smart enough to get a Driver Licenses from the PHilippines, She had no clue how to drive but she had the license to be legal in the USA.

 

 

Edited August 12, 2021 by Joe Kano

[Joe Kano 327]

1 hour ago, Unlockable said:

Many people. My wife wanted to work right away to start contributing to the household. You will find the majority of people would want to get to work as soon as they arrive in the US. It is not as uncommon as you think. In fact, I would say it is more uncommon for immigrants NOT wanting to work immediately upon arrival.

I would be a little apprehensive if someone came to USA and wanted go work immediately,  Geez come to USA and spend a few months adjusting to the USA and our lifestyle.  Then look for work.

 Thankfully for me I own a business and it has been successful for many years so I don't need my wife to contribute to the household.   I was looking more of a housewife to cook, clean and take care of me,  Her job is me 😁

[flicks1998 1,044]

25 minutes ago, Joe Kano said:

I would be a little apprehensive if someone came to USA and wanted go work immediately,  Geez come to USA and spend a few months adjusting to the USA and our lifestyle.  Then look for work.

 

Each persons situation is different but I tend to agree with this.  If arriving into the US and immediately working, I feel a person misses out on alot.  We have used the time to travel around to many different states and regions of the country just so she can get a feel for the place.  Been doing history lessons as well as we travel.  Introducing her to baseball.    Both of us are still not convinced that this is the place we want to be.  Her having never been to the US and me being away for 25 years, we didnt know what to expect, just that we are not entirely pleased with what has occured over that 25 year period.  And no, we wouldnt be returning to the Philippines to live.  I feel if my wife arrived and immediately started working, we would both get caught up in the rat race and not taking the time to digest everything. 

[powerpuff 6,697]

How about the person makes their own decision in regards to working? 🙄 a lot of people would want to be productive and start/continue their career. 

[Tahoma 2,292]

6 hours ago, Joe Kano said:

Do you think those are rather easy to get? I assume you go to a USCIS office and request it there?

 

 

Yes, you go to the USCIS office.  I’ve never heard of anyone turned down when they had a legitimate reason.

 

~ Tahoma

Edited August 12, 2021 by Tahoma

[Tahoma 2,292]

Chancy and top_secret:

 

Good points!

 

~ Tahoma