K-1 vs CR-1 time to visa

[R. Wolfe 25]

Is the information on this page correct?  Marriage Based Visa Comparison Table

 

 

It says that the "Time for Visa" is 13.5 months for a K-1 and 18.5 months for a CR-1. 

 

I understand that things are faster (and cheaper) once you are together in the US, but if you'd rather be together sooner - even if it means waiting (together) longer for a work permit, greencard etc. after that - then isn't the K-1 a better route by several months?

 

 

[Redro 4,611]

10 minutes ago, R. Wolfe said:

Is the information on this page correct?  Marriage Based Visa Comparison Table

 

 

It says that the "Time for Visa" is 13.5 months for a K-1 and 18.5 months for a CR-1. 

 

I understand that things are faster (and cheaper) once you are together in the US, but if you'd rather be together sooner - even if it means waiting (together) longer for a work permit, greencard etc. after that - then isn't the K-1 a better route by several months?

 

 

K1 has slowed down in recent times. If you read the forums you'll see some people from April, May, June 2021 are still waiting for their NOA2.

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/128-k-1-fiancee-visa-case-filing-and-progress-reports/

I-130s are currently taking about 12 months to NOA2. Then +/- 75 days at NVC. 

 

Then depending on the embassy the wait to interview might take a month or two or maybe 6 months or more. Depending on embassy (for both types of petitions).

 

 

 

Best to compare K1 visas out of Thailand:

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

 

vs IR/CR1 visas out of Thailand. 

https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?op6=All&op66=All&op7=Thailand&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=0

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 10, 2022 by ROK2USA

[MarJhi 959]

20 minutes ago, R. Wolfe said:

Is the information on this page correct?  Marriage Based Visa Comparison Table

 

 

It says that the "Time for Visa" is 13.5 months for a K-1 and 18.5 months for a CR-1. 

 

I understand that things are faster (and cheaper) once you are together in the US, but if you'd rather be together sooner - even if it means waiting (together) longer for a work permit, greencard etc. after that - then isn't the K-1 a better route by several months?

 

 

Well we are 11.5 months into our K1 and still waiting for NOA2, so that 13.5 month number is not accurate, at least not for K1. We are expecting to wait at least another couple of months for NOA2, then maybe by this time next year she will have her visa in hand (2 years total)

[Crazy Cat 41,842]

Sometimes, there are reasons to consider the long term effects of a decision:

 

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.

K-1        
    More expensive than CR-1    
    Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)    
    Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 6-8 months)    
    Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 6-8 months)    
    Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period    
    Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.
    A K-1 might be a better choice when 18-21 year old children are immigrating also
    In some situations, marriage can affect certain Home country benefits, making a K-1 a better choice   
    A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire
    

CR-1
    Less expensive than K-1    
    No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    
    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
    Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
    Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.
    Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.
   

 

[Daphne . 1,852]

As much as I understand that you want to be together as soon as possible, just basing a decision on timelines might not be the best approach. Timelines vary per country and per case even.

 

Why not look at what the pros and cons of the K1 and CR/IR1 are? The K1 will put the immigrant in a very tricky situation during the required adjustment of status period. They are stuck in the US without being able to be independent for many months. I know that this might not seem like a big issue at this point, you just want to be together as soon as possible, but reality will kick in very quickly.

The CR/IR1 will give the immigrant the opportunity to be independent, free to work and travel immediately upon arrival in the US. They will have a better opportunity of getting settled and integrate in the US. I my opnion, your life together in the US will be more of an equal partnership this way. 

Edited July 10, 2022 by Daphne K

[Nuba 57]

Historically a K1 was the faster route to get your fiance to the US and then you would be together in the US while waiting for the green card. In fact this was even true last November when I filed for a K1.  Post pandemic the situation is reversed. It is faster to get a Cr-1 approval than to get K1. Most importantly, the Cr-1 includes the green card approval and the K1 does not. So  K1 filers have up to another year wait for the green card via adjustment of status once the fiance arrives and you get married. I

 

If you can meet in person and get married you  are better off to file for the CR-1. I wish I had done that.

 

Also don't trust any other estimates you see on line for processing times. They are almost all out of date. The data here at VJ is based on members' timelines and is a reasonably accurate statistical  sample.of the overall application pool.  In fact the data here is more accurate than the official USCIS projections because it is more up to date.

Edited July 10, 2022 by Nuba

[powerpuff 6,697]

1 hour ago, R. Wolfe said:

I understand that things are faster (and cheaper) once you are together in the US, but if you'd rather be together sooner - even if it means waiting (together) longer for a work permit, greencard etc. after that - then isn't the K-1 a better route by several months?

Processing times for K1 have increased significantly in the past year. It has lost the speediness advantage a long time ago. USCIS stage alone takes 13-15 months. There is also the NVC and consulate stage. Might as well apply for a CR1 at this point.

[JeanneAdil 6,495]

you are thinking faster way but you already complicated a new case 

your (ex) wife was denied AOS December 2021 -why -we don't need to know

 

but doing a 2nd K1 this fast (even if allowed past the 2 year mark) is going to have extra security 

 

To prove a relationship is bona fida (the 2nd time around)  a spouse visa would have be a stronger case 

just saying 

as now your case needs the divorce papers and requires more work for immigration than your first K1

[Daphne . 1,852]

Just to add, I read that your previous marriage ended and you never started the AOS. The K1 is not a (and this will sound horrible) ‘try before you buy’ visa. 

If you are sure about this relationship, go for it and get married so you can start the CR1. If you are not sure yet, develop the relationship more and take the next steps when you are ready. 

[Cathi 5,747]

The CR1 is the superior visa.

[bakphx1 789]

Couples have had relationships deteriorate on the K1.  The immigrating spouse quickly finds being home alone while the other spouse goes to work quite dull, and they are far from friends and family.  Financial strain can also develop if one income is suddenly shared.  And if a family member has an emergency, they have the choice of abandoning their AOS to go home.  

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,092]

15 hours ago, Cathi said:

The CR1 is the superior visa.

I don't think anyone has ever argued otherwise.

 

There are some circumstances where the K-1 has a superior process (and used to be more pre-pandemic) and at times has been significantly faster to get your partner to the US (though not to having a green card).

 

Having said that, I strongly recommend choosing whatever path you choose based on what fits your circumstances best, not on processing times. Processing times are subject to wild swings even in the best of times (over the five years or so I've been following things, I-129Fs have gone as low as 3-4 months from NOA1 to NOA2 on average here at VJ and as high as well over a year, and I believe CR-1s have been just as variable), and basing a decision on processing times today may have you thinking very differently six months from now.