Which visa should I file

[Ghsun321 3]

I meet my boyfriend in 2018 while living in Ghana. We are planning the wedding for Dec 2022 and have seen each other multiple times over the past 4 years. Which visa process is easy and fastest? I am hoping to start planning a family 2 years before I am 30 and want him here in the states by then. Should we get officially married in December or just wait till he moves to the states? Can we have a ceremony then do the K1 visa? Is the k3 or IR1 visa faster? 

[aaron2020 11,651]

5 minutes ago, GHbabe12 said:

I meet my boyfriend in 2018 while living in Ghana. We are planning the wedding for Dec 2022 and have seen each other multiple times over the past 4 years. Which visa process is easy and fastest?  There is no such thing as easy or fastest with US immigration. I am hoping to start planning a family 2 years before I am 30 and want him here in the states by then. Should we get officially married in December or just wait till he moves to the states? Your choice.  Pros and cons to both choices.  Can we have a ceremony then do the K1 visa? Absolutely not.  This is an automatic denial.  Is the k3 or IR1 visa faster? Faster doesn't matter.  You're not going to get a K3.  You can go for a CR1/IR1 for a spousal visa.  

Hi,

 

You have a lot to learn.  

 

There are two processes that you should look into.  K-1 fiancee visa vs. CR-1 spousal visa.  Lots of info on VisaJourney for you to look at.

Do you want to get marry in the US or abroad?  It matters.

 

Does him working and being able to travel internationally important?  Is he okay with possibly not working or being able to travel internationally for 6-8 months?

Best of luck.

[Redro 4,611]

1 hour ago, GHbabe12 said:

I meet my boyfriend in 2018 while living in Ghana. We are planning the wedding for Dec 2022 and have seen each other multiple times over the past 4 years. Which visa process is easy and fastest? I am hoping to start planning a family 2 years before I am 30 and want him here in the states by then. Should we get officially married in December or just wait till he moves to the states? Can we have a ceremony then do the K1 visa? Is the k3 or IR1 visa faster? 

The visa process is not fast or fun.

Plus

Unfortunately Ghana is slow. 

K1 is currently taking 13 months for the initial phase (When you file the I-129F). Then you have to wait for an interview slot to open up. 

Spousal usually takes 1.5- 2 years. But, Ghana is backlogged and people who started the process in 2019/2020 are still waiting for an interview. 

 

I'm not sure but K1 might be faster out of Ghana these days... 

 

 

[JeanneAdil 6,498]

if u want to start a family after he arrives (or before after marriage in Ghana)  u will want the spouse visa so he can work to support u in any pregnancy

and to do the K1 and wait a year or longer for him to get the work permit   is just not in your favor

 

marry in December in his country as planned and do the spousal petition

[TBoneTX 45,284]

Thread is moved from the K-3 Process forum to "What Visa."

[powerpuff 6,697]

4 hours ago, GHbabe12 said:

Which visa process is easy and fastest?

That simply doesn’t exist.

 

K1 timelines for Ghana:. You’re looking at about 2+ years:

https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?op6=All&op66=All&op7=Ghana&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=
 

CR1/IR1 timelines. 2.5-3+ years:

https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?op6=All&op66=All&op7=Ghana&op1=3&op2=&dfile=No&op3=5&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=
 

[nastra30 2,284]

5 hours ago, GHbabe12 said:

I meet my boyfriend in 2018 while living in Ghana. We are planning the wedding for Dec 2022 and have seen each other multiple times over the past 4 years. Which visa process is easy and fastest? I am hoping to start planning a family 2 years before I am 30 and want him here in the states by then. Should we get officially married in December or just wait till he moves to the states? Can we have a ceremony then do the K1 visa? Is the k3 or IR1 visa faster? 

Your options are K1 or CR1/IR1. The choice is yours when you guys want to get married. Once you get married or have a 'ceremony' K1 no longer becomes an option. 

Though my recommendation will be for guys to get married ASAP and file I-130 petition and get it rolling since personally, overall, I think the CR1/IR1 route is the best considering all variables. Nonetheless, you still have to look at your personal circumstances and that will drive the decision on what visa type to pursue. Regardless of the route you take there's nothing fast about the immigration process; you'll be looking at minimum 2 years. 

 

Read the guides on VJ.

[JeanneAdil 6,498]

Fast does not exist -true

but timewise CR1 is best 

 

K1  file and wait 1 1/2 to 2 years for an interview

then wait another 1 1/2 years in US for AOS , EAD and AP so he can work,  travel and receive the green card

 

CR1  file and wait 1 1/2 to 2 years for the interview and then green card and SS# are available after  POE

 

[Zain1244 1]

On 5/17/2022 at 10:10 PM, GHbabe12 said:

I meet my boyfriend in 2018 while living in Ghana. We are planning the wedding for Dec 2022 and have seen each other multiple times over the past 4 years. Which visa process is easy and fastest? I am hoping to start planning a family 2 years before I am 30 and want him here in the states by then. Should we get officially married in December or just wait till he moves to the states? Can we have a ceremony then do the K1 visa? Is the k3 or IR1 visa faster? 

Get married and file for i130, that's your best bet...

[Gary Rich 267]

On 5/17/2022 at 7:21 PM, ROK2USA said:

The visa process is not fast or fun.

Plus

Unfortunately Ghana is slow. 

K1 is currently taking 13 months for the initial phase (When you file the I-129F). Then you have to wait for an interview slot to open up. 

Spousal usually takes 1.5- 2 years. But, Ghana is backlogged and people who started the process in 2019/2020 are still waiting for an interview. 

 

I'm not sure but K1 might be faster out of Ghana these days... 

 

 

ROK2USA. I was just recently in Ghana ( In march 2022... and planning on returning in Oct 2022) me and my finesse, just so happen to visit the USA embassy in Acura ( there is a restaurant called Capitol Cafe near by we had lunch at) The embassy there is open and people are going in and out of the embassy. Now i don't know which kind of business the people was doing  while there, and the security at the gates told us that things are moving slowly but surely. I'm not an expert on a lot of things.. but i do tell people, if you are visiting you finesse ( don't matter what country it is ) it's best to take time to visit the embassy to get first hand information. ( I always ask the the security guards because they are the ones who confirms the appointments at the door )