better to be engaged or married?

[J O Burton 0]

Just wondering, looking at all this, is it better to marry and do K3 or engaged and do K1. Boyfriend lives in Canada and we want to do the one thats easiest and of course moves more quickly. All this information is great but a bit overwhelming. Anyone have any knowledge on the subject? If he can move here and we get married, then apply for all the permissions, seems like that would be the way to go....

confused

[Sam and Ben 2]

Just wondering, looking at all this, is it better to marry and do K3 or engaged and do K1. Boyfriend lives in Canada and we want to do the one thats easiest and of course moves more quickly. All this information is great but a bit overwhelming. Anyone have any knowledge on the subject? If he can move here and we get married, then apply for all the permissions, seems like that would be the way to go....

confused

My USC fiance and I went through the same discussion. K1 was our choice, as it meant us being together much sooner.

Of course, we'll have to deal with the fact that I can't work right away, etc... but at least we'll be under the same roof while playing papertag with USCIS for all of the lingering ends to tie.

Edited June 11, 2009 by Sam and Ben

[YuAndDan 153]

Makes no difference.

Also if you are considering the K-3 you are better off considering the CR-1. K-3 is an OPTIONAL visa type for persons doing CR-1 or IR-1 spousal visas.

The K-3 is no longer a relevant visa type, it was developed at a time when I-130 for spousal visa was taking a year or longer to process through USCIS, in this case the K-3 allowed entry to the USA to wait for I-130 approval, so that the couple can either adjust status or interview for the spousal visa, since USCIS has begun approving I-129F AND I-130 on the same date, this eliminates the whole reason for K-3 (Entry and waiting for I-130 approval).

K-3:

I-130: $355

I-129F: NONE

Consulate: $131

Adjustment Of Status: $1010 I-485

($1496)

CR-1

I-130: $355

NVC I-864: $70

NVC Visa fee: $400 ($355+$45)

($825)

I see many posts from K-3 holders stating, "Wow this sucks, I am stuck at home because I don't have EAD, DL, etc, or I am having hard time getting added to bank accounts because of NO SSN." K-3 has a 90 day or longer period of limbo while waiting for EAD or Green-card.

K-3 was developed at a time when CR-1 was taking much longer that today, NVC and USCIS has greatly streamlined the CR-1 process to the point where K-3 becomes irrelevant.

[Minya's wife 25]

Just wondering, looking at all this, is it better to marry and do K3 or engaged and do K1. Boyfriend lives in Canada and we want to do the one thats easiest and of course moves more quickly. All this information is great but a bit overwhelming. Anyone have any knowledge on the subject? If he can move here and we get married, then apply for all the permissions, seems like that would be the way to go....

confused

The K-1 is the visa which would allow him to do that....once he obtains it, he moves to the US, you marry and apply for his residency.

It is a personal choice for everyone, whether to pursue a fiance(e) or spousal visa. Once you get all the information, discuss it with your b/f and come up with the path that is best for you both. The length of wait is different, because you're getting a different type of visa. I think it is a question of what you two want as a couple that should decide which type of visa you'd apply for.

[payxibka 10,045]

Just wondering, looking at all this, is it better to marry and do K3 or engaged and do K1. Boyfriend lives in Canada and we want to do the one thats easiest and of course moves more quickly. All this information is great but a bit overwhelming. Anyone have any knowledge on the subject? If he can move here and we get married, then apply for all the permissions, seems like that would be the way to go....

confused

except permanently "moving" here without the necessary permissions is not allowed.

[baron555 934]

K-1 is the quickest.

[YuAndDan 153]

K-1 is the quickest.

Yep, and the MOST Expensive, and also wont allow work in the USA until they have applied for and received EAD card or Green-Card.

So priorities need to be weighed.

K-1 costs $1596 in fees from I-129F filing through green-card, CR-1 costs $825, and the INSTANT green-card allows taking a JOB.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Just wondering, looking at all this, is it better to marry and do K3 or engaged and do K1. Boyfriend lives in Canada and we want to do the one thats easiest and of course moves more quickly. All this information is great but a bit overwhelming. Anyone have any knowledge on the subject? If he can move here and we get married, then apply for all the permissions, seems like that would be the way to go....

confused

Depends. CR-1 is better than K-3, lets say that at the outset.

If you need your fiancee to work right away, CR-1 is better. Also because Canadians enjoy easy travel, why be bottled up by a K-1 until AOS or AP? I mean for us, K1 was OK. It isn;t like we can run back to Ukraine every three weeks anyway and my wife did not needd to work when she arrived, so why not?

I live 6 miles from Canada and 43 miles from Montreal. Imagine if I had a fiancee from Montreal and I tell her, "Oh, by the way, you can't drive 1 hour to Montreal for 3-6 months" Crazy! If that was the case I would get married (here or there) apply for a CR-1 and go back and forth visiting (either of us could) until it got approved. Especially if she had some job to go to. You need to consider the whole of your realtionship and plans and the advantages and disadvantages of each visa. Consider it carefully and completely. Many people choose the K1 because it is the fastest to be together, but you are getting married, it is for all life. Choose which is best in the long run, not what gets you together 3 months sooner, just BECAUSE it gets you together 3 months sooner. All this will be over and fade into memories, really. Another month or three makes no difference in the long run.