K1 questions

[OldUser 6,639]

12 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

 The next part can take several more months.

Few months for DS-160. And another 9-15 months after entering the US easily on top of the wait that's already behind in home country.

Edited January 26 by OldUser

[OldUser 6,639]

15 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

K-1 is not a smart choice with the financial issues of the petitioner.   

I literally ran out of reasons why somebody may choose K1 over CR1 in 2024. Other than they cannot marry because of visas. But even then there are third countries and Utah zoom (with consumation of course)

Edited January 26 by OldUser

[widude 38]

 ‘Utah zoom’ , ‘consummation’ ?? 

Edited January 26 by widude

[OldUser 6,639]

5 minutes ago, widude said:

 ‘Utah zoom’ , ‘consummation’ ?? 

Yes, you can get legally married over a zoom call in Utah state. No matter where you live. But then you need to physically meet in person in order to qualify for CR-1

[Tiff. 2]

17 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

K-1 is not a smart choice with the financial issues of the petitioner.   
 

Also wanted to clarify:  the 15 months is for the petition approval only.   The next part can take several more months.

What’s different for the cr1 financially?  Also our biggest concern is me getting there since it’s so draining and I thought k1 was the fastest. We don’t mind the costs and I’m ok with not being able to get a gc right away. We already have the entire package ready but if we were to start the cr1 how would that go? Would that still be faster even tho we’d have to plan to get married first? How do we plan that when i won’t be allowed to enter for marriage since i have weak ties to my country? Is there another way? 

[Lemonslice 4,836]

This recent thread might also be of interest:

 

....

Since you're planning to come and visit soon, why not get married then? Or your fiancé might also want to fly to you and get married with your family. 

 

Immigration isn't fast, easy, or cheap, no matter which path you take.  However, the K1 comes with extra hurdles, and much less protection for you, the immigrant.  Don't rush into your decision.

 

Best of luck.

[OldUser 6,639]

16 minutes ago, Tiff. said:

What’s different for the cr1 financially?  Also our biggest concern is me getting there since it’s so draining and I thought k1 was the fastest. We don’t mind the costs and I’m ok with not being able to get a gc right away. We already have the entire package ready but if we were to start the cr1 how would that go? Would that still be faster even tho we’d have to plan to get married first? How do we plan that when i won’t be allowed to enter for marriage since i have weak ties to my country? Is there another way? 

Your significant other can come and marry you in your country.

 

The cost of CR1:

- I-130 - $535

- Medical exam (variable)

- Elis fee - $220

 

The cost of K-1:

- I-129F - $535

- Medical exam (variable)

- Adjustment of status (now: $1225 and will be more expensive soon)

 

 

Time to enter the US: about the same

Overall time to get GC: additional 9-18 months on K1.

 

 

Protections:

- K1: if petitioner changes their mind to about marriage within 90 days of your entry to the US or changes their mind during long Adjustment Of Status process => you're out of status, cannot stay in the US.

- CR1: they can change their mind after you enter the US => not your problem. If you want to stay in the US, you can. 

Edited January 26 by OldUser

[Tiff. 2]

3 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Your significant other can come and marry you in your country.

 

The cost of CR1:

- I-130 - $535

- Medical exam (variable)

- Elis fee - $220

 

The cost of K-1:

- I-129F - $535

- Medical exam (variable)

- Adjustment of status (now: $1225 and will be more expensive soon)

 

 

Time to enter the US: about the same

Overall time to get GC: additional 9-18 months on K1. 

how would visiting while pending work? I wanna visit in May with the k1 pending and since I don’t have strong ties I’m scared I’ll get denied access. Would a cr1 give the same type of scrutiny or would it be worse? 

[OldUser 6,639]

7 minutes ago, Tiff. said:

how would visiting while pending work? I wanna visit in May with the k1 pending and since I don’t have strong ties I’m scared I’ll get denied access. Would a cr1 give the same type of scrutiny or would it be worse? 

Equal risk... Essentially, there's always a risk you can enter the US and stay with your significant one, whether you have K-1 or CR-1 pending or no cases pending at all. But, if any petition is filed, I *believe* CBP can see it in their system. They can always ask whether you know anybody in the US etc and you have to answer truthfully. If you lie, that could be a misrepesentation, which is an issue for becoming a lawful resident or getting other visas.

 

However... This forum knows many examples when people with pending K-1 or CR-1 visited and left just fine.

 

If you want a definite answer - I cannot give unfortunately. There's a lot of discretion by CBP, when you enter the US. A person may be in a bad mood and deny somebody, that's not that rare.

Edited January 26 by OldUser

[Redro 4,611]

3 minutes ago, Tiff. said:

how would visiting while pending work? I wanna visit in May with the k1 pending and since I don’t have strong ties I’m scared I’ll get denied access. Would a cr1 give the same type of scrutiny or would it be worse? 

Having a petition pending (K1 or CR1) is pretty much the same as having a boyfriend you are constantly visiting in the US. 

I visited the US when I didn’t have an I130 on file and was still visiting my boyfriend’s family and I got some questions from CBP as they assumed I wanted to stay and adjust.

Don’t live a fear based life. 
What has your experience been up to now? Do they question you when you enter and do you tell them you’re visiting your boyfriend or do you enter the U.S. with no questions? 

[Tiff. 2]

1 hour ago, Redro said:

Having a petition pending (K1 or CR1) is pretty much the same as having a boyfriend you are constantly visiting in the US. 

I visited the US when I didn’t have an I130 on file and was still visiting my boyfriend’s family and I got some questions from CBP as they assumed I wanted to stay and adjust.

Don’t live a fear based life. 
What has your experience been up to now? Do they question you when you enter and do you tell them you’re visiting your boyfriend or do you enter the U.S. with no questions? 

They asked me what the purpose of my visit was and every time I’ve told them it was to visit my boyfriend. The third time I visited it was December 10th 2022 and the visit before that one I left on September 27th. The officer told me that it was getting suspicious and to wait a little longer or had him visit which I did since my visit after wasn’t till July 2023. I heard you should stay in your home country twice the amount you were there and I didn’t know that yet so I assume that’s why. I visited for 42 days last time and it’s already been triple the amount of that so I’m assuming I’d be fine in May if that’s how it works? What ties me to my home country if I don’t have a job and live with family? 

[Lil bear 4,199]

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

Your significant other can come and marry you in your country.

 

The cost of CR1:

- I-130 - $535

- Medical exam (variable)

- Elis fee - $220

 

The cost of K-1:

- I-129F - $535

- Medical exam (variable)

- Adjustment of status (now: $1225 and will be more expensive soon)

 

 

Time to enter the US: about the same

Overall time to get GC: additional 9-18 months on K1.

 

 

Protections:

- K1: if petitioner changes their mind to about marriage within 90 days of your entry to the US or changes their mind during long Adjustment Of Status process => you're out of status, cannot stay in the US.

- CR1: they can change their mind after you enter the US => not your problem. If you want to stay in the US, you can. 

You forgot the Ds260 and AOS fees payable at  the NVC stage for the Cr1 visa 

[OldUser 6,639]

1 minute ago, Lil bear said:

You forgot the Ds260 and AOS fees payable at  the NVC stage for the Cr1 visa 

I forgot DS-160 and DS-260 fees.

 

Why would AOS fees be needed for CR1?

[OldUser 6,639]

1 minute ago, OldUser said:

I forgot DS-160 and DS-260 fees.

 

Why would AOS fees be needed for CR1?

Oh, I see. You mean Affidavit Of Support and not Adjustment of Status.

 

I think better abbreviations should have been invented not to confuse those 😃

[Lil bear 4,199]

4 minutes ago, OldUser said:

I forgot DS-160 and DS-260 fees.

 

Why would AOS fees be needed for CR1?

Affidavit of support fee for CR/IR visa .. not Adjustment of status. Acronyms can be confusing 

3 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Oh, I see. You mean Affidavit Of Support and not Adjustment of Status.

 

I think better abbreviations should have been invented not to confuse those 😃

Context is always critical !