K3 or K1 Visa.. which is easier?

[kristinakiko 0]

Ok, so my American friend here in Japan proposed to his Japanese girlfriend and reckons it's easier and faster to get married (at the ward office, no fuss) here and go through the K3 process so that's what they're gonna do. My fiance (a Brit) and I were gonna do the K1 process. We've read up on both and they both sound long and complicated. What I'm wondering is:

-Is one cheaper than the other?

-Would we be more likely to be approved going through the K1 process?

Although I guess no one would have experience going through both, has anyone heard about the differences between the K1 and the K3?

[Twisted K 2]

cr1 is cheaper just because you do not have to do adjustment of status and your spouse is able to work immediately, and leave the country without having to apply for advanced parole or a work authorization. we have kind of done both, however, the k1 was never finalized.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Both are roughly about the same in terms of "ease" - however, do not do the K-3, do the CR-1.

But since they want to get married in Japan, CR-1 is the way to go.

(CR-1 would be a tad easier to approve, IMHO, since your all ready demonstrated a bona fide relationship by being married, but in the end, they both have equal chance, as long as you provide the evidence/forms/fee's required)

[sachinky 465]

Read the guides and comparisons between the CR-1 and K-1.

Do not go for the K-3. Absolutely useless.

[payxibka 10,048]

Ok, so my American friend here in Japan proposed to his Japanese girlfriend and reckons it's easier and faster to get married (at the ward office, no fuss) here and go through the K3 process so that's what they're gonna do. My fiance (a Brit) and I were gonna do the K1 process. We've read up on both and they both sound long and complicated. What I'm wondering is:

-Is one cheaper than the other?

-Would we be more likely to be approved going through the K1 process?

Although I guess no one would have experience going through both, has anyone heard about the differences between the K1 and the K3?

If your American friend has currently been residing in Japan for more than 6 mos., then a marriage and a consulate filed I-130 (ultimately gaining a CR1 visa) might be the quickest.

Edited January 22, 2010 by payxibka

[kristinakiko 0]

Hold the phones! sachinky, thank you for smacking some sense into me by telling me to check the guides. I just saw, I can file for something called a DCF and it takes only 3 months and is half the cost of a K1 visa? Is... this real life? I've been a legal resident in Tokyo for over 6 months. I will gladly get married here if it saves us the time and cost! Off to research this....

[payxibka 10,048]

Hold the phones! sachinky, thank you for smacking some sense into me by telling me to check the guides. I just saw, I can file for something called a DCF and it takes only 3 months and is half the cost of a K1 visa? Is... this real life? I've been a legal resident in Tokyo for over 6 months. I will gladly get married here if it saves us the time and cost! Off to research this....

Please see post #5... exactly what I suggested

[kristinakiko 0]

Please see post #5... exactly what I suggested

Yep, thanks very much payxibka!

[sachinky 465]

If you qualify for DCF, go for that! Will save you tons in time and money.

Good luck.

[Penguin_ie 6,000]

Definitely recommend DCF if it is possible for you; much faster than anything else, results in an immediate greencard upon US entry, and tends to have the best chances of getting approved.