K1 vs CR1 Visa

[mam521 2,062]

If you fill out your timeline here: https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=415094 , then you can check out the links in my signature for a tracking spreadsheet of timelines for IR/CR-1's in Canada and FAQ's for the process.  Then, you can start reading along on this thread: 

 

We have quite the little community going for quite some time now.  

[Cathi 5,748]

2 hours ago, inbriars said:

Our single goal would be to be together the quickest way.

There is nothing easy, cheap or quick about US immigration. Nothing.

Now that we have that settled, the CR1/IR1 is by far the superior option.

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

Just now, Cathi said:

There is nothing easy, cheap or quick about US immigration. Nothing.

Now that we have that settled, the CR1/IR1 is by far the superior option.

Well said...😆

[Huckleberry&Koala 184]

If you don't have any romantic opinions regarding getting married and being apart while married, i would advise to get married asap and go with CR-1 since timewise it is not that different from K1 nowadays and due to fact that you have greencard in hand as soon as you arrive to the US. 

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

10 minutes ago, Huckleberry&Koala said:

If you don't have any romantic opinions regarding getting married and being apart while married, i would advise to get married asap and go with CR-1 since timewise it is not that different from K1 nowadays and due to fact that you have greencard in hand as soon as you arrive to the US. 

Agree.  Some people make decisions based on short term emotion....while others, like me, make decisions based on long term and practical results.... 

[SalishSea 17,827]

4 hours ago, inbriars said:

Our goal is to be able to be together in person the quickest way possible

Either route will take at least two years, possibly more.  

[Huckleberry&Koala 184]

43 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Agree.  Some people make decisions based on short term emotion....while others, like me, make decisions based on long term and practical results.... 

We still think that we can't be apart as a married couple, so if we were to apply now, we would still apply to K1 despite waiting for greencard in the US. So i would not name it as short term vs long term since my and my hubby's emotions/opinions for what marriage mean didn't change ☺️ Eventually, it comes to a point what one can risk and compromise and not. In my case, we could and still would risk of not working and not having the greencard in the US for sometime but we can't risk of being apart as a married couple vs. in your case you can't risk not having greencard asap, and you can risk being apart as a married couple.

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

9 minutes ago, Huckleberry&Koala said:

We still think that we can't be apart as a married couple, so if we were to apply now, we would still apply to K1 despite waiting for greencard in the US. So i would not name it as short term vs long term since my and my hubby's emotions/opinions for what marriage mean didn't change ☺️ Eventually, it comes to a point what one can risk and compromise and not. In my case, we could and still would risk of not working and not having the greencard in the US for sometime but we can't risk of being apart as a married couple vs. in your case you can't risk not having greencard asap, and you can risk being apart as a married couple.

Your choice.  A K-1 holder must pay more, must wait longer to work, must wait to longer to leave the US, must wait longer for a Green Card, must wait longer to apply for citizenship......Your personal choice....and consequences.  Good luck.

Edited March 10, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Mike E 11,739]

4 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Your choice.  A K-1 holder must pay more, must wait longer to work, must wait to longer to leave the US, must wait longer for a Green Card, must wait longer to apply for citizenship......Your personal choice....and consequences.  Good luck.

And these days wait longer to get a visa. 

[inbriars 12]

4 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

The quickest way to a green card is a spousal visa...a CR-1. 

Do you by chance know how to determine where your application will go? I notice there is varying processing times depending on the center. He would be applying using a Florida address.

Looking at your timeline, it appears you received it all and was able to come in approximately a year? (I am looking at best and worst case scenario)

 

Thank you for all of your help. We appreciate you so much!

[Mike E 11,739]

I am reminded by 

of another reason why the K-1 is not a good option.  Each state has varying degrees of challenges for foreigners obtaining drivers licenses.  We live in California which has perhaps the  the most K-1 friendly motor vehicles licensing regulations and didn’t have problem.  But in the above link, we find on that paper at least, Massachusetts is among the least friendly for K-1s. 

I see you apparently plan to settle in Florida.  Fortunately Florida has a special deal for Canadian citizens but if you think might live in another state while your green card is pending, investigate the drivers licensing regulations carefully. 

[Mike E 11,739]

2 hours ago, inbriars said:

 Looking at your timeline, it appears you received it all and was able to come in approximately a year? (I am looking at best and worst case scenario)

Take a closer look at that timeline. 2 years and 11 months after filing I-751 still no removal of conditions interview. 
 

Slow roll the CR-1 process to get a 10 year green card after entering the USA.  

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

I-130s- Assigned to a USCIS service center based on USCIS workload and other internal USCIS procedures.  Petitioner residence is not a factor.

 

Our spousal visa process took 13 months from filing to visa in hand.  After 4 months the I-130 was transferred from Nebraska to Texas.  It was approved 2 weeks later.

 

 

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

2 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Take a closer look at that timeline. 2 years and 11 months after filing I-751 still no removal of conditions interview. 
 

Slow roll the CR-1 process to get a 10 year green card after entering the USA.  

Good point.  If at all possible, entering the US after 2 years of marriage is the way to go.   My wife entered 30 days prior to our 2nd anniversary......I wish I knew then, what I know now...LOL.

[leviiathan 206]

4 hours ago, inbriars said:

Do you by chance know how to determine where your application will go? I notice there is varying processing times depending on the center. He would be applying using a Florida address.

Looking at your timeline, it appears you received it all and was able to come in approximately a year? (I am looking at best and worst case scenario)

 

Thank you for all of your help. We appreciate you so much!

You can't determine it. It isnt location based. You'll find out after applying once it's sent to an embassy which one its at.