K1 vs CR1, which should we choose?

[zthomas7 0]

My fiancé and I are in the process of deciding which visa we should choose for our situation. My fiancé is from Sweden and she has been in the US since December of 2021. This is our second time meeting in person and we are recently engaged (only a few weeks). We are both dreading the wait of the time it will take to get her back to the states and are juggling our options, specifically the K1 visa and CR1 visa.

 

We're both 22 years old and have no criminal records. Our biggest concern is being apart from each other for a long time although we know this is inevitable. We have been getting a lot of different opinions about the amount of time is takes from applying, to her getting into the states from multiple sources and it has caused a lot of confusion.

 

We are looking for input/advice on which one we should choose and which one would take the least amount of time.

 

Thanks,

[SalishSea 17,829]

2 hours ago, zthomas7 said:

My fiancé and I are in the process of deciding which visa we should choose for our situation. My fiancé is from Sweden and she has been in the US since December of 2021. This is our second time meeting in person and we are recently engaged (only a few weeks). We are both dreading the wait of the time it will take to get her back to the states and are juggling our options, specifically the K1 visa and CR1 visa.

 

We're both 22 years old and have no criminal records. Our biggest concern is being apart from each other for a long time although we know this is inevitable. We have been getting a lot of different opinions about the amount of time is takes from applying, to her getting into the states from multiple sources and it has caused a lot of confusion.

 

We are looking for input/advice on which one we should choose and which one would take the least amount of time.

 

Thanks,

CR-1 is a better choice.  Post-COVID, there is no "least amount of time" component to the pros/cons of the two.

 

Neither is fast.  Either option will take a couple of years from start to finish.

 

US immigration is not fast, easy or cheap.  You will need to start educating yourselves by reading and researching as much as possible about the process.

[Dashinka 24,499]

It all really depends on your personal situation, but nothing is fast when it comes to immigration.  Currently you have several options since your fiancé is currently in the US.  You could get married before their current stay ends and file for adjustment of status and they can stay in the US until they either get the EAD/AP or GC.  You can get married and file for a CR1 and they leave to work through the process, but they can still visit assuming they do not lose their ESTA privileges.  You can file the I219F for a K1.

 

Overall, the CR1 is far superior to the K1.

 

Good Luck!

[Redro 4,611]

Don't be short sighted about your future.

What do you want your marriage to look like?

 

Research the AOS process in your state and find out when GC interviews. 

Also research driver's license and see if she'll be able to drive while she waits the 6-8 months for EAD and AP. 

Do you have the financial resources to support the both of you while she is unable to work? 

Do you live in an area where she can get around without your help? 

 

If she is okay with not working for 6-8 months (maybe more) you can also consider getting married now and adjusting status before her current stay ends. 

Or apply for the K1 now and wait 9-12 months for NOA2 then check to see how long it will take to schedule an interview in Sweden.

Check out this thread to see the difference between K1 and CR1 for Sweden:

 

 

If it is important that your partner is able to continue working while you go through this process, get married now then file an I-130 for consular processing.

As she is on ESTA she should be able to visit the US while you wait out the process. 

 

None of this is quick, cheap or easy. You need to figure out what type of relationship you want to have for the next 1-3 years. 

 

Edited February 28, 2022 by Kor2USA