Where to start

[Zenora 0]

I am from the Netherlands and am engaged to an American guy. We were wondering what would be better/faster; to get married before filing paperwork to get me to the US or to file the paperwork before getting married?

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

Depends on how you both want to go about this.

There is no real "fast" way.

There is the K-1 visa, where you would come here to the US and get married within a 90 day period. This is the "quickest" option of the two if there is no issues along the way. But then you have to deal with adjustment of status afterwards also.

Or CR-1 visa, where you two can marry and the USC can petition for you as their spouse. This one takes a bit longer than the K-1 but has it's own benefits too like immediate green card, costs less...

Definately familiarize yourself here with the guides for both:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

Edited December 1, 2016 by Ben&Zian

[Fr8dog 312]

I just came across some other posts and felt this point is always overlooked when deciding the K-1 vs CR-1 route.

Though the K-1 may be "faster" in getting you two together in the US. You are than faced with the "sitting around doing nothing" routine until you get your EAD and or green card.

That means that currently you can expect a minimum of 90 days sitting around the house. And if you take a while to get married and even longer to get your AOS paperwork together, that can quickly turn in to 6 months (yep that was me).

Be prepared for that and if that is not an option, the CR-1 lets you enter with the green card.

[JFH 12,189]

The fastest way isn't always the best way for your circumstances. You need to look at the bigger picture.

When comparing the visa paths, don't just look at how quick you can get into the country (and the timelines are just averages, yours may be faster or slower) but what is the best overall for your situation. The K-1 means you will not be able to work for many months. Not everyone can afford this. Also it can lead to some people feeling very isolated and lonely in their first months in the US.

Speed of arrival is not really an issue for people from VWP countries who can visit very easily. We are doing CR-1 which has taken 10 months - in our opinion, those few extra months now are worth it in the long run. I can work immediately so no break in my career (which can be disastrous in some fields). I have a job starting 2 weeks after I plan to arrive. I also won't have to go through the whole adjustment of status drama. I will be a permanent resident from day one and for me that's very important that I will have a permanent status from the beginning as this is a permanent move. With the K-1 you are effectively in limbo for a few months.

So don't just look at timelines to getting the visa, but the whole situation.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

The fastest way isn't always the best way for your circumstances. You need to look at the bigger picture.

When comparing the visa paths, don't just look at how quick you can get into the country (and the timelines are just averages, yours may be faster or slower) but what is the best overall for your situation. The K-1 means you will not be able to work for many months. Not everyone can afford this. Also it can lead to some people feeling very isolated and lonely in their first months in the US.

Speed of arrival is not really an issue for people from VWP countries who can visit very easily. We are doing CR-1 which has taken 10 months - in our opinion, those few extra months now are worth it in the long run. I can work immediately so no break in my career (which can be disastrous in some fields). I have a job starting 2 weeks after I plan to arrive. I also won't have to go through the whole adjustment of status drama. I will be a permanent resident from day one and for me that's very important that I will have a permanent status from the beginning as this is a permanent move. With the K-1 you are effectively in limbo for a few months.

So don't just look at timelines to getting the visa, but the whole situation.

this is the mos the most logical advice that I have seen. people are often concerned about fast and not convinient