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Petrisaint Mpaka

DV Lottery of K1 Visa - Can I file for both?

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Argentina
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51 minutes ago, Petrisaint Mpaka said:

Dv for Diversity. We thought about, pour first idea was to actually get married first and file for the spousal visa from abroad but unfortunately his job doesn’t allow him to move from the US currently so I am the one who is going to move. We spoke with an immigration attorney who told us that told us we could file for the k1 visa and also spoke to us about the expenses and everything. 

He doesn't need to live with you. Actually him being in the US is better because, for the spousal visa, he would have to prove he's living in the US. 

 

With a K1, you also have to adjust your status later on. And while you adjust status you will not be able to leave the US or work. Are you ready to be "locked in" for 6-12 months?

FROM F1 TO AOS

October 17, 2019 AOS receipt date 

December 09, 2019: Biometric appointment

January 15, 2020 RFE received

January 30, 2020  RFE response sent

Feb 7: EAD approved and interview scheduled

March 18, 2020 Interview cancelled

April 14th 2020: RFE received

April 29, 2020 Approved without interview

May 1, 2020 Card in hand

 

REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS

February 1, 2022 package sent

March 28, 2022 Fingerprints reused

July 18, 2023 approval

July 20, 2023 Card in hand

 

N400 

January 30,2023: Online filing

February 4th, 2023: Biometric appointment

June 15th, 2023: Case actively being reviewed

July 11th, 2023: Interview scheduled.

August 30th, 2023: Interview!

August 31st, 2023: Oath ceremony scheduled.

Sept 19th, 2023: Officially a US citizen!

 


 

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46 minutes ago, IWander said:

You can also get married now and he can file a petition for you to emigrate to the US as spouse.

 

If the immigration attorney did not suggest this as an option then they are not much of an immigration attorney 

Yes this was actually his proposition to us but there was a slight difference on the waiting time by a few month between the k1 and a marriage based visa. Which is why we asked him to give us more information about the fiancé visa 

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1 hour ago, Petrisaint Mpaka said:

Yes this was actually his proposition to us but there was a slight difference on the waiting time by a few month between the k1 and a marriage based visa. Which is why we asked him to give us more information about the fiancé visa 

There are pros and cons to either visa type and speed to visa is only one and in my opinion not a very important one.  If speed to being able to work, drive, gaining permanent residency ( by sometimes several years) are important, then the visa choice is obvious.

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2 hours ago, Petrisaint Mpaka said:

Yes this was actually his proposition to us but there was a slight difference on the waiting time by a few month between the k1 and a marriage based visa. Which is why we asked him to give us more information about the fiancé visa 

Don't get hung up on just the visa processing time. While getting a CR-1 visa may take a few more months, it will allow you to start working, driving, etc, immediately after arrival in the US. With the K-1, you will basically be stuck at home for many months after arrival.

 

And to get back to your original question: the chance of winning the DV lottery is very small, so don't count on it. Your marriage-based immigration option has a much higher chance of success, so don't wait to find out the DV lottery results.

Edited by Marieke H
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4 hours ago, AndiB said:

To clarify he doesn't have to live with you for the spousal, many don't. He's actually required to have US domicile and salary to do a spousal with you. 
I personally didn't go for that due to wait time + living apart from my husband but each to their own

Overall wait times for K-1 and CR-1 currently are not measurably different.

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ghana
Timeline

Op, IMO don't worry yourself with DV lottery. You guys should marry file spousal petition I-130 and get the process rolling. US spouse doesn't need to be staying with you in order to petition you.

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DV is green card on the entrance, but it’s a lottery, so you have as much chance as the other guy. Spousal is also a green card on the entrance. K1: you wait as long as for the spousal but no green card on the entrance.  The waiting game starts then. No freedom to work, travel etc. Separation from your significant other is a due process in all three situations. Maybe it makes more sense laid out like this. 

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I know you want more info on the K1 visa, but I’ll just second what others have said: my suggestion would be to get married and have him file for a spousal visa. We went the K1 route way back when K1 was actually a lot quicker than CR1, but in hindsight, we would never do this again. It felt like forever for us to get my work permit and advanced parole approved, but back in 2017, it “only” took us about five months. These wait times are a lot longer now. And that’s not even a green card yet. As suggested, I wouldn’t get hung up on the couple of months you *might* shave off with a K1; it really isn’t worth it. Marrying would be relatively easy for you guys assuming that, since he can’t leave the U.S., you are the one usually making the trip. Just have a court house wedding next time you visit, and then file the necessary paperwork. You can plan a reception with all of your family and friends once you have set up shop together. 

Should you still want to pursue the K1, it should be relatively straight forward. The guides on here are very helpful, and the necessary documents needed should be relatively easy to obtain for you in Switzerland (at least that was my experience). 

Best of luck! 

ROC: 

12/30/2019 package sent to Texas Lockbox via USPS 

12/31/2019 package arrived at Texas Lockbox 

01/02/2020 package signed for

01/04/2020 $680 charged on credit card

01/06/2020 text message and email with case number received

01/09/2020 extension letter received; notice date: 01/03/2020

02/22/2020 biometrics appointment letter received 

03/06/2020 biometrics appointment 

08/09/2021 I-751 approved

08/16/2021 Green Card received

 

Naturalization:

12/29/2020 application filed online and receipt number received 

01/04/2021 hard copy NOA1 received 

02/27/2021 electronic biometric reuse letter received

09/19/2021 interview scheduled - electronic notice received 

09/27/2021 hard copy interview notice received (issue date: 09/21/2021)

10/27/2021 interview (10.40am), approved

11/06/2021 oath ceremony (7.30am) 

 

I AM A U.S. CITIZEN!!!!! 

 

Passport:

11/08/2021 appointment at USPS (2.00pm)

11/16/2021 money order cashed, passport “in process” (locator 69)

12/02/2021 approved and shipped

12/04/2021 passport book delivered

12/13/2021 passport card and NC delivered 

 

 

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  • Captain Ewok changed the title to DV Lottery of K1 Visa - Can I file for both?
  • 2 weeks later...

I came with a K1 visa in 2016 fro Germany for the same reasoning, to be together quicker. I would never do so again. The adjustment of status process after the K1 in the US is an expensive and timec-consuming mess during which you cannot work, drive or travel. For someone who lived a completely independent life prior to moving, being completely dependent on my spouse for months was pretty harrowing. And back then things were much quicker than they are now, I had my travel & work permit in about 3 months from filing and the Green Card 2 months later.


These days things take MUCH longer and you are stuck in this horrendous limbo. If you plan on getting married anyway, do so and file the CR1. It is cheaper in the end and will make your start in the USA much easier. 

 

Not sure what the point of the DV would be? As a US citizen spouse you are guaranteed a green card, no need for DV...

K1 time line

 


I-129F sent: 12/23/2014
NOA-1: 12/29/2014
NOA-2: 06/05/2015 (158 days)
NOA-2 hardcopy: 06/11/2015 (6 days post NOA-2, 164 days total)
Sent to NVC: 06/16/2015 (11 days post NOA-2, 169 days total)
NVC receive: 06/25/2015 (20 days post NOA-2, 178 days total)
NVC case no: 06/30/2015 (25 days post NOA-2, 183 days total)
NVC left: 07/02/2015 (27 days post NOA-2, 185 days total)
Case Ready: 07/07/2015 (32 days post NOA-2, 190 days total)
submitted DS-160, paid visa fee.: 07/21/2015 (46 days post NOA-2, 204 days total)
Packet 3 sent: 07/25/2015 (50 days post NOA-2, 209 days total)
Pack 4 received: 07/30/2015 (55 days post NOA-2, 214 days total)
Medical: 09/17/2015 Interview: 09/23/2015 (108 days post NOA-2, 268 days total)
Interview Result: Approved Administrative Processing: 09/23/2015
CEAC Status Issued: 09/24/2015
Visa in hand: 09/28/2015
POE: 12/29/2015 Wedding: 01/11/2016


AOS Time Line

 

AOS package mailed: 01/13/2016
AOS package received: 01/20/2016 (day 1)
AOS NOA-1 text/email: 01/23/2016 (day 3), actual NOA-1 date 01/22/2016 (day 2)
AOS Fingerprint fee received: 01/22/2016 (day 2)
AOS check cashed: 01-25-2016 (day 5) Got 6 month NJ driver's license: 01-25-2016
3x NOA-1 hardcopies: 02/03/2016 (day 14)

Biometrics letter: 02/05/2016 (day 16) Biometrics appt (Elizabeth, NJ): 02/17/2016 (day 28)

EAD and AP approved email/txt: 03/29/2016 (day 67)

GC approval email/text: 04/04/2016 (day 74)

I-797 for I-765/I-131 in mail: 04/04/2016 (day 74)

EAD/AP delivered: 04/05/216 (day 75)

GC card being mailed status update: 04/07/16 (day 77)

GC received: 04/11/16 (day 84 post AOS NOA-1)

DONE WITH USCIS FOR 21 MONTHS!

ROC Window opens: 01/04/2018

 

ROC Time Line
ROC package mailed to Vermont 01/04/2018
ROC package received at Vermont 01/08/2018 (day 0)
Check cashed: 01/16/2018 (day 8 )
NOA-1 date: 01/09/2018 (day 1)
NOA-1 received: 01/16/2018 (day 8 )
Biometrics notice received: 02/09/2018 (day 32)
Biometrics appointment: 02/23/2018 (day 46)
Received 18-month extension letter: 08/13/2018 (day 209)
ROC Approved: 03/09/2019 (day 425)
Card Received: 03/16/2019  (day 432)
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  • 5 months later...
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
Timeline

***Spammer ejected, and comment removed***

Edited by Crazy Cat

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

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

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

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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