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K1 2023

Do i need an immigration lawyer to apply for my K1 visa?

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Nigeria
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Hello, I’m a Nigerian. I’ve been in a relationship with an American for the past one year. He came to my country last week to propose to me. And has returned to the US. We need your service on how to proceed with our fiancé (K1) visa application. What are the procedures? do i need an immigration lawyer? if yes any recommendations?

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
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Welcome to Visa Journey!  There are guides here on VJ.  Have you considered a spousal visa?

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.
   


 

 

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Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

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In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Kenya
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1. No, if you can follow simple guidelines posted top right or read the forms. 

 

2. Yes, if opposite of 1 above. Upto you. 

Immigration journey is not: fast, for the faint at heart, easy, cheap, for the impatient nor right away. If more than 50% of this applies to you, best get off the bus.

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~~ Topic moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures ~~

 

Most people here did not use a lawyer.

 

16 minutes ago, K1 2023 said:

do i need an immigration lawyer?

Depends if you’re willing to do your research and put in the work. 

 

 

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
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Have you previously applied for a US visa?

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Nigeria
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I'm very new to visa applications and this is my first. i've contemplated for many months between spousal and fiancé before finally settling for K1. but i'm surprised a lot of people here prefer the spousal as its looking like their processing time is the same. Should i start regretting my decisions already? anyways i'd be very happy if i can find someone that can guide me through the process of filling the form. thank you so much in advance.

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2 minutes ago, K1 2023 said:

but i'm surprised a lot of people here prefer the spousal as its looking like their processing time is the same.

If it takes the same amount of time to Process why pick K1? That visa has zero advantages over spousal. Spousal makes you a permanent resident the minute you enter the US. You’re aware that with K1, once you enter you have to apply for adjustment of status right? 

 

 

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Nigeria
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2 minutes ago, powerpuff said:

If it takes the same amount of time to Process why pick K1? That visa has zero advantages over spousal. Spousal makes you a permanent resident the minute you enter the US. You’re aware that with K1, once you enter you have to apply for adjustment of status right? 

Yes i do? but according to my research online, it says it is faster. but with the look of things spousal woulda been a better option. My spouse already returned would have opted for marriage. is there anyone doing the K1 visa here?

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3 minutes ago, K1 2023 said:

but according to my research online, it says it is faster

that research is incorrect. Both take 2+ years.  
 

3 minutes ago, K1 2023 said:

is there anyone doing the K1 visa here?

Plenty of people. Did you look around the forum? There are monthly threads for each month of each year. I did one too but when processing times were not 2 years. 

Edited by powerpuff

 

 

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ukraine
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3 hours ago, K1 2023 said:

I'm very new to visa applications and this is my first. i've contemplated for many months between spousal and fiancé before finally settling for K1. but i'm surprised a lot of people here prefer the spousal as its looking like their processing time is the same. Should i start regretting my decisions already? anyways i'd be very happy if i can find someone that can guide me through the process of filling the form. thank you so much in advance.

 

It is your USC fiance/spouse that has to fill out the petition and sign it.  He should be here asking the questions.

 

If he cannot or does not want to put in the effort to read the guides to be able to fill out the forms correctly, and to stay on top of the case progress to act timely during the various stages, then it may lead to delays or denial.  In this case, I suggest you to consult several lawyers and pick one with competent immigration experience.

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3 hours ago, K1 2023 said:

Yes i do? but according to my research online, it says it is faster. but with the look of things spousal woulda been a better option. My spouse already returned would have opted for marriage. is there anyone doing the K1 visa here?

Other than processing times other factors determine if couples choose K1 over spousal. 

How long have you known your partner and how many times have you met in person?

You might want to research K1 vs spousal for people from Nigeria. 

Is your spouse a US born citizen or did they naturalize? 

Are you the same age or is there a big age gap?

Usually couples from Nigeria will meet 2-3 times before marrying and then file the spousal visa

Here are timelines for people going for the K1 from Nigeria: timelines vary from 539 days to 860.

Here are timelines for people going for spousal from Nigeria: 428 days to 1181. 

You'll want to research the issues Nigerian couples face when applying for a family based visa and make sure your initial application is strong and your spouse continues to visit you in Nigeria or your meet in a third country (if you are unable to secure a visit visa to the US) while you wait for the interview. 

 

 

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14 hours ago, K1 2023 said:

Hello, I’m a Nigerian. I’ve been in a relationship with an American for the past one year. He came to my country last week to propose to me. And has returned to the US. We need your service on how to proceed with our fiancé (K1) visa application. What are the procedures? do i need an immigration lawyer? if yes any recommendations?

You’ve only met the one time?

 

Nigeria is a very high fraud country when it comes to US immigration (potentially the highest).   You will have some red flags to overcome so that the consulate doesn’t think you’re just after a green card.

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Nigeria
Timeline
15 hours ago, K1 2023 said:

Hello, I’m a Nigerian. I’ve been in a relationship with an American for the past one year. He came to my country last week to propose to me. And has returned to the US. We need your service on how to proceed with our fiancé (K1) visa application. What are the procedures? do i need an immigration lawyer? if yes any recommendations?

Can anyone please recommend an immigration attorney?

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