Hi, all. I am currently in Nigeria to legally wed my fiance and I will be returning to the US to do a spousal visa. I chose this method because from my understand, it seemed preferable based on our plans. The fiance visa, while supposedly faster, from my understand, involves first getting a K1 visa and then traveling, getting married there within 90 days of arrival, and then applying for a change of status and green card. I also understand the fiance visa can take several months just like the IR spousal visa, but on top of that requires waiting for green card after already arriving at the US. I don't want my wife to have to wait after having already waited and I also hear that there's a higher chance of denial with the fiance visa compared to the spousal one. So this is my rationale.
I was asked by a relative who is also looking into this process, which would be better. She is going the K1 route but I said I'd do some research and confirm. So, I am posting this to ask for advice or speculation regarding this, but also to ask what one can expect nowadays as far as processing times and other expectations.
I am looking forward to starting this journey so I will be submitting the forms and documents the minute I get back to the US.
Thank you.