Is I-129f still the fastest way to get to the US?

[UnusualHoney 2]

I’ve seen people say that I-129f is the fastest way to get to the US, but is this still true? A 15.5 month wait doesn’t seem fast to me. Would getting married over zoom, then applying for a spousal visa be quicker than I-129f??

[MonkeyDan 27]

11 minutes ago, Livdays said:

I’ve seen people say that I-129f is the fastest way to get to the US, but is this still true? A 15.5 month wait doesn’t seem fast to me. Would getting married over zoom, then applying for a spousal visa be quicker than I-129f??

Well technically the 15.5 month wait is just the USCIS portion.  Afterwards, it still needs to go through the NVC and embassy stages.  So technically the wait is closer 20-24 months.

[Verrou 1,962]

K1 it used to be fast long before the pandemic. it's not the case anymore. CR1 its not fast too. estimation around 1.5-2 years the difference just u dont need to file for AOS and get green card immediately. u have to consumate before filing for spouse visa though. ( need to meet in person)

Edited January 27, 2023 by Misscloud

[Caboose29 173]

A lot depends on the country involved.  My wife managed to get stateside in 11 months.  So the estimates mentioned here may be pessimistic. If I had to do it over again, I’d probably do CR1. 

[SalishSea 17,801]

23 minutes ago, Livdays said:

I’ve seen people say that I-129f is the fastest way to get to the US, but is this still true? A 15.5 month wait doesn’t seem fast to me. Would getting married over zoom, then applying for a spousal visa be quicker than I-129f??

LOL who said it was fastest?  Petition approval time is 15.5 months at the moment.

 

There is nothing fast about US immigration, full stop.

[SalishSea 17,801]

4 minutes ago, Caboose29 said:

A lot depends on the country involved.  My wife managed to get stateside in 11 months.  So the estimates mentioned here may be pessimistic. If I had to do it over again, I’d probably do CR1. 

Previous processing times are meaningless. 

[UnusualHoney 2]

2 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

LOL who said it was fastest?  Petition approval time is 15.5 months at the moment.

 

There is nothing fast about US immigration, full stop.

I just meant it was the fastest of the other options, not fast in general. In the past it’s been less than 15.5 months

[SalishSea 17,801]

Just now, Livdays said:

I just meant it was the fastest of the other options, not fast in general. In the past it’s been less than 15.5 months

It will take around two years, whether it is a CR-1 or K-1.

[Dashinka 24,480]

Do the CR1, you will not regret it.

[Mike E 11,739]

50 minutes ago, Livdays said:

I’ve seen people say that I-129f is the fastest way to get to the US, but is this still true? A 15.5 month wait doesn’t seem fast to me. Would getting married over zoom, then applying for a spousal visa be quicker than I-129f??

Data says CR-1 is nearly 3 months faster 

 

https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/stats.php?history=90 : 567 days to interview (and trending worse)

 

https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/irstats.php?history=90 483 days to interview (and trending better). 

 

[Lil bear 4,181]

36 minutes ago, Livdays said:

I just meant it was the fastest of the other options, not fast in general. In the past it’s been less than 15.5 months

In the past IR visas took 8 months start to finish .. like many other things .. in the past 😳

[Crazy Cat 41,811]

48 minutes ago, Livdays said:

I just meant it was the fastest of the other options, not fast in general. In the past it’s been less than 15.5 months

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.
   

 

[Caboose29 173]

7 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

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.
   

 

☝️☝️☝️THIS!!!☝️☝️☝️
 

As someone who went the K1 route and endured the copious amounts of cow caca on the other end, if it’s at all possible, get the CR1. 

Edited January 27, 2023 by Caboose29
Just because

[Daphne . 1,852]

You already have your answer on the 'fastest' way, but I think you should consider more than just a timeline. Consider what is the best situation for you as a couple, and more importantly, for the foreign national. Having them stuck in the US while doing the adjustment of status is not an ideal situation to be in, even if that means that they managed to get into the US a smidge earlier than if you would have done the CR1. Talk about this with your partner and make a decision that is a little less shortsighted than "we want to be together as soon as possible"

[Cheesehead22 86]

No shortcuts. Every possible route aside from crossing Bidens wide open border (don’t recommend), will likely take 2 years or longer start to finish.