K1 vs CR1

[Clintcizek 0]

My fiancé (Turkish) and I (American) are trying to figure which option is best for us to be together as soon as possible. We have the opportunity to marry in June (in Turkey) or file the K1 by early April. What is the quickest way for her to come to America? 

[mam521 2,242]

The first thing to remember is there's rarely anything quick about immigration.  It all takes time, money and patience.  

 

Our very knowledgeable @Crazy Cat offers this list for comparison:

 

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.

 

Your mileage may very, but the senior members of the community would agree with the accuracy of this list.  Additionally, a good chunk of the community who've come on a K-1 have also stated if they had to do over, they'd have done the CR-1.  The complete dependence on a partner after moving to a foreign country is typically challenging for the beneficiary. 

[JeanneAdil 6,693]

Neither is fast/ u are looking at 18 months or longer if all goes well

American woman ?

Turkish man?

Muslim?

Read the red flag warning list on following site

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/red-flags-that-make-uscis-suspect-marriage-fraud.html

 

I think always better to marry (my opinion only) as K1 can be denied after long long wait and then you must marry to continue for a visa / that requires all new fees

Be prepared to show quality face time and that the Turkish family approves of relationship (like photos of USC and the fiance's family)

 

 

[mitzab 300]

Both the K1 fiancé visa and the marriage-based immigrant visa (CR1/IR1) have their advantages. The K1 route lets you enter the U.S. as a fiancé(e) and marry within 90 days, after which you can file for adjustment of status to obtain permanent residency; this process might allow you to be together sooner, though you'll face additional steps like applying for a work permit. Conversely, if you marry abroad and apply for a CR1/IR1 visa, you'll be processed as an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, and upon entry you receive a green card right away—but this option often involves longer processing times and additional consular steps.

 

[OldUser 7,862]

5 minutes ago, mitzab said:

but this option often involves longer processing times

If you include time AOS takes, time to green card is probably shorter on CR-1

[IssacO 0]

@Clintcizek We're in the same exact boat as you, down to marrying (or having the opportunity to) in May/June! Because she'll maintain employment, and the overall time to Green Card seems the same or shorter for CR-1 vs K1, we're planning on marrying in Turkey and doing CR-1.

 

Currently trying to decide if we should use an immigration attorney or not. Curious what your plans are?