Question about K1 visa process for Muslims

[TheArtist 1]

Hello all I am fula man from Freetown sierra Leone but now a naturalized US citizen. I recently placed Kola nuts for a girls hand in marriage which is considered more like an engagement. I am planning to do a visit this coming month as well. My question now is should I apply for a k1 visa and do a civil marriage here in the US or put the saddaqah and apply for a CR1 visa instead to avoid complications since Muslims are not considered a religion that engaged. We are both Muslims and also she is from the fula tribe too.

[Crazy Cat 41,919]

***Moved to What Visa Do I Need as OP is asking about both options***

[Crazy Cat 41,919]

If given the choice, marriage, then a spousal visa might be a good option:

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
  K-1 entrant cannot file for citizenship until after having Green Card for 3 years.
  Once an I-129F has been approved, delaying the case is difficult to impossible if the need arises.

CR-1/IR-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.
  The clock for citizenship filing starts immediately upon entry to the US.
  A CR-1/IR-1 case can be delayed indefinitely at NVC if the need arises. 
   

 

 

[powerpuff 6,714]

As a former K1 myself, CR1 is the way to go. Especially to avoid any problems with the scenario you presented. Moreover, it’s just a much better option and the processing time is not very different from K1. 

[TheArtist 1]

2 minutes ago, powerpuff said:

As a former K1 myself, CR1 is the way to go. Especially to avoid any problems with the scenario you presented. Moreover, it’s just a much better option and the processing time is not very different from K1. 

alright I appreciate the reply I will opt for that option. Because us being muslim it is weird to apply for a k1 visa because of tradition

 

40 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

If given the choice, marriage, then a spousal visa might be a good option:

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
  K-1 entrant cannot file for citizenship until after having Green Card for 3 years.
  Once an I-129F has been approved, delaying the case is difficult to impossible if the need arises.

CR-1/IR-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.
  The clock for citizenship filing starts immediately upon entry to the US.
  A CR-1/IR-1 case can be delayed indefinitely at NVC if the need arises. 
   

 

 

I appreciate the response thank you

 

[powerpuff 6,714]

1 minute ago, TheArtist said:

alright I appreciate the reply I will opt for that option. Because us being muslim it is weird to apply for a k1 visa because of tradition

 

It’s good you’re doing your research and weighing pros and cons. And the CO will know local traditions too so it’s wise of you to mitigate any potential issues that may arise in advance. Good luck in the process. 

[TheArtist 1]

Just now, powerpuff said:

It’s good you’re doing your research and weighing pros and cons. And the CO will know local traditions too so it’s wise of you to mitigate any potential issues that may arise in advance. Good luck in the process. 

 

1 minute ago, powerpuff said:

It’s good you’re doing your research and weighing pros and cons. And the CO will know local traditions too so it’s wise of you to mitigate any potential issues that may arise in advance. Good luck in the process. 

Thank you very much

[JeanneAdil 6,514]

Same tribe? Is she a 1st cousin?

What state do u live in (if she is a 1st cousin)?

 

Immirgration acknowledges marriages , even tribal ceremonies,  when registered with the country

Being Muslim doesn't make a difference to immigration 

they look for red flags like big age difference,  ages of both parties, 

u r of same culture,  same religion and know each other's family's and this helps

 

BUT the 1st 2 questions are important so let the VJ community help by answering them 

[TheArtist 1]

3 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

Same tribe? Is she a 1st cousin?

What state do u live in (if she is a 1st cousin)?

 

Immirgration acknowledges marriages , even tribal ceremonies,  when registered with the country

Being Muslim doesn't make a difference to immigration 

they look for red flags like big age difference,  ages of both parties, 

u r of same culture,  same religion and know each other's family's and this helps

 

BUT the 1st 2 questions are important so let the VJ community help by answering them 

Thank you. She is not a first cousin I know her uncle ever since I was little and he introduced us. We are from the same Fula tribe and we practice the same religion and also we are 12 years apart. She will be 18 on the 15th and I will be 30 on the 11th of this month

[JeanneAdil 6,514]

11 minutes ago, TheArtist said:

Thank you. She is not a first cousin I know her uncle ever since I was little and he introduced us. We are from the same Fula tribe and we practice the same religion and also we are 12 years apart. She will be 18 on the 15th and I will be 30 on the 11th of this month

I  and many others here will tell u to go for marriage in Sierre Leone and go the spouse visa I 130 as K1  is longer fast (or faster than CR1)

Marriage and the AOS process (after at $1225)  and then the ROC fees make the K1 more expensive and keep immigration your focus for years 

Usually any marriage over 10 years is suspect but u have a lot in  common 

 

allah yekbel 

[TheArtist 1]

I truly appreciate the response I will head to sierra Leone and do this marriage and go for spouse visa and get the marriage certificate and come back to do the CR1 instead. Thank you for your  advice.

[JeanneAdil 6,514]

2 hours ago, TheArtist said:

I truly appreciate the response I will head to sierra Leone and do this marriage and go for spouse visa and get the marriage certificate and come back to do the CR1 instead. Thank you for your  advice.

before u make the trip ,  read thru the CR1 process / know all that is needed to submit the I 130 online 

BTW i meant the K1 is no longer the fast way

 

Official lanugage of Sierre Leane is English but if any documents from your area are  in Krio or another language get the translations into English

u can make a copy of these in that country as the I 130 only needs scanned copies 

she will need the original for the interview

 

allah yekbel

[TheArtist 1]

18 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

before u make the trip ,  read thru the CR1 process / know all that is needed to submit the I 130 online 

BTW i meant the K1 is no longer the fast way

 

Official lanugage of Sierre Leane is English but if any documents from your area are  in Krio or another language get the translations into English

u can make a copy of these in that country as the I 130 only needs scanned copies 

she will need the original for the interview

 

allah yekbel

Thank you I am reading about the process right now as we speak. One of the document is marriage Certificate to apply which I will be bringing with me to apply. Also Since I will be there it will be better. I have done a I have done a I 130 before the only difference was it was for my mother I have read through all what is needed once I have applied I will send her the form as well so she can have a copy of it to review. I will make sure to have get her passport photos, birth certificate, underfive card and passport ready. Thankfully she understands english so it will not be in krio.

Edited January 5 by TheArtist

[ShazShaz 34]

Original marriage cert should be kept with her as she will need to present it during the interview. You can keep a scanned version or copy for I-130 filing. 

[JeanneAdil 6,514]

30 minutes ago, ShazShaz said:

Original marriage cert should be kept with her as she will need to present it during the interview. You can keep a scanned version or copy for I-130 filing. 

that's eactly what i said

u only need a copy 

she needs original for the interview

same with her birth certificate and any others UCISC wants for the petition