Help me to persuade my boyfriend to switch to CR! pls

[SalishSea 18,064]

Just now, Daphne K said:

You also would not be able to travel back to Canada for a good few months (providing that the same rules apply to Canadians?), so if there is an emergency ‘back home’ you would be stuck.. 

AP is taking much more than a few months these days.....more like 8-10.  And yes, the terms of adjusting status from a K1 apply to all applicants.

[millefleur 5,047]

There are cases where a K-1 makes sense. In your case, I don't see that, refer to all the great advice above already pointed out here. It will be worth it to risk a possible longer wait for the benefits the CR-1 offers.

[CMJuilland 485]

I will just chime in with a personal story adding to what @Daphne K said regarding “emergency back home”.  I came on a K1 when it was still slightly faster than CR1/IR1, but processing times were definitely on their way up.  Also, it was during the process when AP/EAD processing times went from a few weeks to a few months.  Still better than now, but still.  While we were waiting for my AP/EAD, my grandmother in Switzerland passed away.  We had been incredibly close (I was her first granddaughter; before me, there were four boys), and while we had said our goodbyes when I left the country, I would still have loved to see her one last time or at least to be able to attend the funeral.  I almost decided to fly back anyway for the funeral, but my parents convinced me to stay here and not jeopardize everything my wife and I had worked so hard for because “grandma wouldn’t want that for you”.  

This is a decision I wouldn’t wish for anybody else to face; it was hard and horrible, but had we gone the CR1 route, it wouldn’t have been an issue, and we could have flown back…

I hope you guys can find the most suitable option for you, but like others have said, “fast” is not available… Best of luck! 

Edited April 4, 2022 by CMJuilland

[Ellie_7 103]

I have a friend who did the K-1 route approximately 5 years ago, and it took perhaps 6 months from when her husband (fiance at the time) filed the I-129F to her arrival in the U.S. Also at that time, the AOS process for K-1s didn't require an interview for the green card by default. She had her green card in 3-4 months after sending in her AOS application. Unfortunately, it's an entirely different ballgame now. It made more sense back then to do K-1, but nowadays CR-1 is much more advantageous.

[Redro 4,611]

15 hours ago, MRJ9987 said:

Thanks for sharing your experience! I see how K-1 is a more appropriate option for the two of us.  

 

We have discussed options.  I am okay with not working while waiting for papers and he doesn't mind supporting us (we want to start trying for kids, so it would work out perfect if I was at home).  The only thing that would suck was if I couldn't drive but it seems like New York would allow me to keep my licence while waiting for papers.  

This might be unsolicited advice BUT:

You can start trying for kids but there is no guarantee you'll fall pregnant straight away or even during your first year of trying. Fertility can be extremely fickle for some. 

8-12 months stuck at home with your only focus being potential baby might not be the best choice for your mental well being. 

 

[MRJ9987 31]

18 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

I-129F petitions are taking 10-12 months for approval, according to USCIS.gov.  I130 for CR-1 petition processing times are similar.

That's just visa processing portion before the interview that is taking that long for either visa, correct?  Consulate/embassy interview is in the addition to that.  

[Redro 4,611]

5 minutes ago, MRJ9987 said:

That's just visa processing portion before the interview that is taking that long for either visa, correct?  Consulate/embassy interview is in the addition to that.  

That is the PETITION stage. 

After petition is approved you are invited to apply for the visa.

With K1 you wait for petition to be sent to NVC then consulate and you have to choose your own interview date.

This can be tricky as interview dates are released at different times and you can't always choose the most convenient date. 

Read up on the process after NOA2 is received for those from Canada here:

 

 

Edited April 4, 2022 by Kor2USA

[MRJ9987 31]

14 hours ago, CMJuilland said:

I will just chime in with a personal story adding to what @Daphne K said regarding “emergency back home”.  I came on a K1 when it was still slightly faster than CR1/IR1, but processing times were definitely on their way up.  Also, it was during the process when AP/EAD processing times went from a few weeks to a few months.  Still better than now, but still.  While we were waiting for my AP/EAD, my grandmother in Switzerland passed away.  We had been incredibly close (I was her first granddaughter; before me, there were four boys), and while we had said our goodbyes when I left the country, I would still have loved to see her one last time or at least to be able to attend the funeral.  I almost decided to fly back anyway for the funeral, but my parents convinced me to stay here and not jeopardize everything my wife and I had worked so hard for because “grandma wouldn’t want that for you”.  

This is a decision I wouldn’t wish for anybody else to face; it was hard and horrible, but had we gone the CR1 route, it wouldn’t have been an issue, and we could have flown back…

I hope you guys can find the most suitable option for you, but like others have said, “fast” is not available… Best of luck! 

Sorry to hear that 😞 

[MRJ9987 31]

3 minutes ago, Kor2USA said:

That is the PETITION stage. 

After petition is approved you are invited to apply for the visa.

 

Sorry for mixing up terms.  I am still trying to wrap my head around all the terminology (and the whole process!!!!!).  

 

So the petition stage for K-1 and CR-1 would take about the same time (roughly - at this time - as thing stand).  And then I apply for Visa, which for CR-1 would take longer but then when I get into the country I could start working and driving?  

[Crazy Cat 42,032]

8 minutes ago, MRJ9987 said:

And then I apply for Visa, which for CR-1 would take longer but then when I get into the country I could start working and driving?  

After entering the US via a CR-1, you would IMMEDIATELY become a legal resident which authorizes you to work and/or leave the US if needed.  You would automatically receive your green card in a few weeks to a few months.  Your entry into the US also starts the 3 year clock for citizenship eligibility.  With a K-1, you cannot file for citizenship until 3 years after your green card is approved......the approval could easily take more than a year after entering the US.  

Edited April 4, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Redro 4,611]

11 minutes ago, MRJ9987 said:

Sorry for mixing up terms.  I am still trying to wrap my head around all the terminology (and the whole process!!!!!).  

 

So the petition stage for K-1 and CR-1 would take about the same time (roughly - at this time - as thing stand).  And then I apply for Visa, which for CR-1 would take longer but then when I get into the country I could start working and driving?  

Petition Approval for CR1 can take anywhere between 4-15 months

Petition Approval for K1 is currently on March 2021 (so 11 months)

After that CR1 goes to NVC and that takes 2-3 months (visa application)

K1 goes to NVC for ??? until it moves to the consulate and K1 applicant is responsible for booking interview

• Latest two K1s NOA2 2021-12-07 Interview 2022-05-17 & NOA2 2021-09-30 Interview 2022-05-17 
• https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?op6=All&op66=All&op7=Canada&op1=3&op2=&op3=1&op4=1&op5=5%2C6%2C8%2C10%2C11%2C13%2C14%2C15%2C16%2C17%2C18%2C20%2C21%2C22%2C25%2C26%2C27%2C28%2C108%2C110%2C111%2C208%2C210%2C211&cfl=

Check out timelines for CR1/IR1 here... 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LvnDvX95_tfWtTvsJJM49PDPPvPKal0WG2rgdZHhsz0/edit#gid=255923754

 

 

Unfortunately every petition is unique so you can't pin down the exact time. Everyone has different priorities so we don't know if big gaps between NOA2 to interview is due to CHOICE or AVAILABILITY of INTERVIEWS

 

 

Edited April 4, 2022 by Kor2USA

[MRJ9987 31]

On 4/3/2022 at 10:23 AM, Mike E said:

 

Definitely go the CR-1 route. Indeed get married immediately (can be done online to save time versus waiting for a meeting).  
 

 

How do I get married online?  

[MRJ9987 31]

8 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

After entering the US via a CR-1, you would IMMEDIATELY become a legal resident which authorizes you to work and/or leave the US if needed.  You would automatically receive your green card in a few weeks to a few months.  Your entry into the US also starts the 3 year clock for citizenship eligibility.  With a K-1, you cannot file for citizenship until 3 years after your green card is approved......the approval could easily take more than a year after entering the US.  

Noted 🙂 

[Crazy Cat 42,032]

5 minutes ago, MRJ9987 said:

How do I get married online?  

Utah online marriage.

 

https://www.utahcounty.gov/dept/clerkaud/PassMarr/RemoteAppearanceFAQ.asp

[MRJ9987 31]

5 minutes ago, Kor2USA said:

Petition for CR1 can take anywhere between 4-15 months

Petition for K1 is currently on March 2021 (so 11 months)

After that CR1 goes to NVC and that takes 2-3 months (visa application)

K1 goes to NVC for ??? until it moves to the consulate and K1 applicant is responsible for booking interview

• Latest two K1s NOA2 2021-12-07 Interview 2022-05-17 & NOA2 2021-09-30 Interview 2022-05-17 
• https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?op6=All&op66=All&op7=Canada&op1=3&op2=&op3=1&op4=1&op5=5%2C6%2C8%2C10%2C11%2C13%2C14%2C15%2C16%2C17%2C18%2C20%2C21%2C22%2C25%2C26%2C27%2C28%2C108%2C110%2C111%2C208%2C210%2C211&cfl=

Check out timelines for CR1/IR1 here... 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LvnDvX95_tfWtTvsJJM49PDPPvPKal0WG2rgdZHhsz0/edit#gid=255923754

 

 

Unfortunately every petition is unique so you can't pin down the exact time. Everyone has different priorities so we don't know if big gaps between NOA2 to interview is due to CHOICE or AVAILABILITY of INTERVIEWS

 

 

Thanks!  

 

Now, I just need to figure out how to get married, withdraw K-! application, and then submit CR-1.