K1 or CR1 visa?

[Crazy Cat 41,922]

37 minutes ago, alliejourney said:

OP, I just went through the K1 process, filed in November 2022 and finally had my now-husband moved here and married this summer, 2024. If I could go back knowing then what I know now, I would choose CR-1. While K1 did have some benefits - specifically for us, we didn't like the idea of being separated after marriage - I can imagine how much easier life would be if he had arrived here with his green card and the ability to work. Doing simple things like obtaining a driver's license and opening a US bank account has been a pain for us. We're lucky that we're in a financial situation where we can afford for him not to be working, but that would definitely be a major issue for some people. Plus, the entire adjustment phase that we're going through now is an extra layer of anxiety that we wouldn't have had to worry about had we done CR-1.

 

I wouldn't say I necessarily regret the K1 path because ultimately things have worked out the way they were meant to, but I do think it would have been cheaper and less stressful to go through CR-1. 

Thanks.  Nothing speaks louder than personal experience.

[Brooke and Bruno 5]

Thanks everyone!! We decided on the CR1 route!

[powerpuff 6,715]

2 hours ago, alliejourney said:

OP, I just went through the K1 process, filed in November 2022 and finally had my now-husband moved here and married this summer, 2024. If I could go back knowing then what I know now, I would choose CR-1. While K1 did have some benefits - specifically for us, we didn't like the idea of being separated after marriage - I can imagine how much easier life would be if he had arrived here with his green card and the ability to work. Doing simple things like obtaining a driver's license and opening a US bank account has been a pain for us. We're lucky that we're in a financial situation where we can afford for him not to be working, but that would definitely be a major issue for some people. Plus, the entire adjustment phase that we're going through now is an extra layer of anxiety that we wouldn't have had to worry about had we done CR-1.

 

I wouldn't say I necessarily regret the K1 path because ultimately things have worked out the way they were meant to, but I do think it would have been cheaper and less stressful to go through CR-1. 

Well said, I feel the same way. I was fortunate that I was able to get a DL pretty soon after entry (NY), otherwise it would have been very difficult mentally to be stuck home, literally. 

[appleblossom 2,595]

3 hours ago, DELTAFOXTROT said:

Normal time depends on many factors, Including at the time which service center, which state you filed from, which embassy your interivew would take place, etc.

 

You timeline isn't filled out so nobody knows.

 

As has been mentioned before, the service centre is now the same, the state isn't relevant either. All I-129f's take the same amount of time. The only differential depending on the consulate is the interview wait, but that would be the case for either a K1 or a CR1. 

[appleblossom 2,595]

3 hours ago, DELTAFOXTROT said:

Time is money. You would have to make probably at least 2 trips to do a CR1 Visa, so being cheaper isn't true.

 

K1 go make a visit one time for a few weeks and boom your done and approved and your fiance is in the USA much much faster.

 

CR1 could be done after one trip too, but either way most people would want to do more than one visit during the time it takes, and it would be advised as well before interview. But they're the same in terms of only one in person meeting together actually being required for either route. 

 

13 minutes ago, Brooke and Bruno said:

Thanks everyone!! We decided on the CR1 route!

 

Congrats in advance on the wedding! If you decide to do the Utah marriage route, there is a ton of info about it on the forum. 

 

Best of luck. 

Edited November 9 by appleblossom

[DELTAFOXTROT 56]

On 11/9/2024 at 8:45 AM, appleblossom said:

 

As has been mentioned before, the service centre is now the same, the state isn't relevant either. All I-129f's take the same amount of time. The only differential depending on the consulate is the interview wait, but that would be the case for either a K1 or a CR1. 

Does not matter, before there was two service centers based upon your home state, and K1 visa for Philippines moved much faster than others.

 

One Service Center or 3 Service Centers the facts and history proves K1 moves faster from Philippines compared to other countries.

[appleblossom 2,595]

8 minutes ago, DELTAFOXTROT said:

Does not matter, before there was two service centers based upon your home state, and K1 visa for Philippines moved much faster than others.

 

One Service Center or 3 Service Centers the facts and history proves K1 moves faster from Philippines compared to other countries.

 

Perhaps it was different 10 years ago, but it's certainly not the case now, as has been explained to you previously. 

 

Now the consulate stage is the only variable, the I-129f processing time isn't anything to do with the country of the applicant and all are processed alongside each other. There are numerous threads grouped by month (not country) in the K-1 forum if you wanted to have a read and see how things are done now. 

 

In any event, the OP has decided on the CR1 visa, which everybody seems to agree is the most sensible choice for his/her situation.

Edited November 12 by appleblossom

[Marieke H 2,512]

On 11/9/2024 at 4:14 AM, DELTAFOXTROT said:

Time is money. You would have to make probably at least 2 trips to do a CR1 Visa, so being cheaper isn't true.

If you had paid attention, you would have known that the OP is currently living with her partner in Brazil, so this does not apply to their situation at all.

 

On 11/9/2024 at 4:16 AM, DELTAFOXTROT said:

Philippines K1 Visa processing as a general rule move pretty fast. 

Also not relevant for the OP, as they are in Brazil.

 

Your personal experience from a decade ago in the Philippines really does not add any value to OP's questions.

 

OP, glad you decided to go the CR-1 route! Good luck!

[DELTAFOXTROT 56]

On 11/9/2024 at 8:34 AM, Brooke and Bruno said:

Thanks everyone!! We decided on the CR1 route!

That's probably the best choice for you since you are already living together.

 

I like the 90 day wait time a K1 gives you so if you have only known your fiance for a couple weeks you can spend time together, get contracts signed before marriage, not have to be in a hurry trying to marry, and it gives the people more time to get to know each other.  I see way too many people fly off to like Philippines and meet their partners for a few weeks and then file a for a K1.

[Boiler 45,585]

The 90 days is a not a try it and see period.

[DELTAFOXTROT 56]

2 hours ago, Boiler said:

The 90 days is a not a try it and see period.

90 is set by the USCIS, not me. 

 

This is the rule established by USCIS, there is a reason they set it for 90 days.  It has been a long established Requirement for a K1.

 

I think it is very wise requirement for K1's.

[Boiler 45,585]

1 minute ago, DELTAFOXTROT said:

90 is set by the USCIS, not me. 

 

This is the rule established by USCIS, there is a reason they set it for 90 days.  It has been a long established Requirement for a K1.

 

I think it is very wise requirement for K1's.

 

You think I do not know that?

 

What has this to do with my post you quoted?

[DELTAFOXTROT 56]

12 minutes ago, Boiler said:

 

You think I do not know that?

 

What has this to do with my post you quoted?

If your fiancé(e) marries you within 90 days of being admitted to the United States as a K-1 nonimmigrant, he or she may apply for lawful permanent resident status in the United States (a Green Card).   Visas for Fiancé(e)s of U.S. Citizens | USCIS

[Lil bear 4,238]

40 minutes ago, DELTAFOXTROT said:

If your fiancé(e) marries you within 90 days of being admitted to the United States as a K-1 nonimmigrant, he or she may apply for lawful permanent resident status in the United States (a Green Card).   Visas for Fiancé(e)s of U.S. Citizens | USCIS

Major errors in interpretation occur when a statement is lifted out of a longer official statement/explanation.
Context. Context. Context.

K1 90 day period is not to “try and see”.  It is in  order to give time for each couple .. who have already signed affidavits that they are intending to marry .. note there are no caveats ,” if I like her.. If i find i really want to marry her”  listed.. to complete all the arrangements they may want  have in place for their ceremony 

 

 

 

Edited November 25 by Lil bear

[Marieke H 2,512]

10 hours ago, DELTAFOXTROT said:

I like the 90 day wait time a K1 gives you so if you have only known your fiance for a couple weeks you can spend time together, get contracts signed before marriage, not have to be in a hurry trying to marry, and it gives the people more time to get to know each other.  I see way too many people fly off to like Philippines and meet their partners for a few weeks and then file a for a K1.

The 90 days are not a try before you buy. By then, you will already have signed statements that you intend to marry each other, the immigrant fiancé will have packed up their live and left friends and family behind. You will have to be very serious by then. If the immigrant fiancé shows up at POE stating that they are just going to see how it goes and then decide if they are going to marry, they will be put on the next available flight home. The 90 days are to get settled in the US, make marriage arrangements, get married, file AOS.