K1 Visa- How long is the "real" wait? & I-129 F vs. I-130

[Aztec&Taino 144]

Hello everyone!

I am so excited to have found this website; a community of people willing to share their experiences and advice regarding the complicated, tedious, expensive, and long process of visa/immigration applications. I know the process first hand; being a naturalized American citizen and Mexican native.

Here is a summary of my recent history, and newly found interest in all things Dominican. I took a very needed vacation to the Dominican Republic in May 2010. During this vacation I met the man who I now intend to marry. We were inseparable since the moment we met, and we have kept daily contact. I am planning on going back at the end of July in order to spend more time with him and meet his family. We want to be together and we are both certain we are meant to be together.

I have been reading different websites and forums and it seems as though the fastest way to get him to the US in order to be together is to file for the fiance visa (K1 I-129 F) rather than marry him first and then file form I-130. Obviously, we want to be together as a couple as soon as possible. Am I correct in that the fastest and easiest way to get him to the US is through the K-1 visa? Or would it be faster if I marry him in the Dominican Republic when I visit him at the end of July and then file I-130 upon my return to the US? So, that is my first question.

Now, for my second question, -a question that I am guessing is what everyone wants to know at some point or another of their visa journey- how long, in average, is the "real" wait from the moment of filing the application until a fiance visa is granted? I am fearful because I have read that the Dominican Republic is a "high fraud" country and has a backlog of applications. I would like to have a rough idea or estimate of how long we will have to wait before my fiance is able to come to the US and we can start our life together. It seems to me like the processing times vary greatly from country to country, and even in the same country and consulate, it varies greatly from case to case!

I am particularly interested in reading the comments/experiences of people whose fiance(es) are from the Dominican Republic and had to work with the American consulate in Santo Domingo, but all advice is welcome and appreciated!

Sincerely,

Aztec in love with a Taino.

[JlovesA 109]

In general, the K1 is faster than a CR/IR-1 but there is no hard and fast answer.

You are asking questions that don't have definite answers. My advice is to look through the timelines (found at the top of the page) and compare the processing times for visas in the Dominican Republic.

I also recommend reading the embassy reviews for the DR as well as Latin America/Mexico/Caribbean forum on here.

[Aztec&Taino 144]

Thank you for the advice. I have been reading through many forum posts and have looked at the timelines. I know that I am asking questions without definite answers, so much uncertainty in life and in immigration processes! It does give me much hope, however, to read the posts and see that many people have survived the process and have been approved. So, there is hope for me, too. For us. It is such a wonderful feeling to be in love and have hope in the future

In general, the K1 is faster than a CR/IR-1 but there is no hard and fast answer.

You are asking questions that don't have definite answers. My advice is to look through the timelines (found at the top of the page) and compare the processing times for visas in the Dominican Republic.

I also recommend reading the embassy reviews for the DR as well as Latin America/Mexico/Caribbean forum on here.

[MrTee12 64]

Hello everyone!

I am so excited to have found this website; a community of people willing to share their experiences and advice regarding the complicated, tedious, expensive, and long process of visa/immigration applications. I know the process first hand; being a naturalized American citizen and Mexican native.

Here is a summary of my recent history, and newly found interest in all things Dominican. I took a very needed vacation to the Dominican Republic in May 2010. During this vacation I met the man who I now intend to marry. We were inseparable since the moment we met, and we have kept daily contact. I am planning on going back at the end of July in order to spend more time with him and meet his family. We want to be together and we are both certain we are meant to be together.

I have been reading different websites and forums and it seems as though the fastest way to get him to the US in order to be together is to file for the fiance visa (K1 I-129 F) rather than marry him first and then file form I-130. Obviously, we want to be together as a couple as soon as possible. Am I correct in that the fastest and easiest way to get him to the US is through the K-1 visa? Or would it be faster if I marry him in the Dominican Republic when I visit him at the end of July and then file I-130 upon my return to the US? So, that is my first question.

Now, for my second question, -a question that I am guessing is what everyone wants to know at some point or another of their visa journey- how long, in average, is the "real" wait from the moment of filing the application until a fiance visa is granted? I am fearful because I have read that the Dominican Republic is a "high fraud" country and has a backlog of applications. I would like to have a rough idea or estimate of how long we will have to wait before my fiance is able to come to the US and we can start our life together. It seems to me like the processing times vary greatly from country to country, and even in the same country and consulate, it varies greatly from case to case!

I am particularly interested in reading the comments/experiences of people whose fiance(es) are from the Dominican Republic and had to work with the American consulate in Santo Domingo, but all advice is welcome and appreciated!

Sincerely,

Aztec in love with a Taino.

It's really up to you what you feel is best for the two of you. Historically, the K1 is faster and more popular choice but that has changed. The K1 process fees just increased and the processing times both average 6 months as of lately (but CR1 in the past took several months longer).

The CR1 process (marriage) is a better overall option because of cost and also "benefits". Once you two marry you, he can get his "green card, employment authorization" once you arrive in the US. You will not have to file for Advanced Parole (to travel before you receive your green card).

Compared to the K1 where you have to spend ($1,010) more to file for AOS (Adjustment of status) to get green card and for employment authorization and for Advanced Parole.

But again, the choice is up to you. If you feel like you want to wait to get married later (like my fiancée and I chose) or get married now, just do it with good faith and stick together throughout this experience. You will need to work together, have patience, and believe.

I wish you the best. For information on CR1, visit the CR1 Guide

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

and forums

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/110-ir-1-cr-1-spouse-visa-process-procedures/

They can give you more information than me.

Also check the immigration timelines of other Dominican Rep members who chose to do CR1

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?cfl=0&op1=3&op2=d&op3=5&op4=1&op5=5,6,8,10,11,13,14,15,16,17,18,20,21,22,25,26,27,28&op6=All&op7=Dominican%20Rep&dfile=No

[pushbrk 13,396]

Hello everyone!

I am so excited to have found this website; a community of people willing to share their experiences and advice regarding the complicated, tedious, expensive, and long process of visa/immigration applications. I know the process first hand; being a naturalized American citizen and Mexican native.

Here is a summary of my recent history, and newly found interest in all things Dominican. I took a very needed vacation to the Dominican Republic in May 2010. During this vacation I met the man who I now intend to marry. We were inseparable since the moment we met, and we have kept daily contact. I am planning on going back at the end of July in order to spend more time with him and meet his family. We want to be together and we are both certain we are meant to be together.

I have been reading different websites and forums and it seems as though the fastest way to get him to the US in order to be together is to file for the fiance visa (K1 I-129 F) rather than marry him first and then file form I-130. Obviously, we want to be together as a couple as soon as possible. Am I correct in that the fastest and easiest way to get him to the US is through the K-1 visa? Or would it be faster if I marry him in the Dominican Republic when I visit him at the end of July and then file I-130 upon my return to the US? So, that is my first question.

Now, for my second question, -a question that I am guessing is what everyone wants to know at some point or another of their visa journey- how long, in average, is the "real" wait from the moment of filing the application until a fiance visa is granted? I am fearful because I have read that the Dominican Republic is a "high fraud" country and has a backlog of applications. I would like to have a rough idea or estimate of how long we will have to wait before my fiance is able to come to the US and we can start our life together. It seems to me like the processing times vary greatly from country to country, and even in the same country and consulate, it varies greatly from case to case!

I am particularly interested in reading the comments/experiences of people whose fiance(es) are from the Dominican Republic and had to work with the American consulate in Santo Domingo, but all advice is welcome and appreciated!

Sincerely,

Aztec in love with a Taino.

You'll need specific interview delay data for the DR to get the complete picture but not only is K1 "generally" at least a few weeks faster, you must also consider that you can file the I-129F petition now, rather than waiting until you are married. So, add however much time between now and when you could arrange to marry to the normal two weeks.

Again, check on current wait times for the interview in the DR, as they vary by country and sometimes by petition type. Something in the back of my head is telling me that one visa type has an extra long wait in the DR. I don't recall which.

[Fresita 1]

I am new to this forum but would like to share my experience which is somewhat similar I need HELP !!!! MY interview with my fiance was on July 27, 2011

Make a long story short we were approved we have been together since 2002 we have 9 years together and I have since finished college and am a school teacher.

My father and his father grew up together and I stay for months at a time at our home in the Dominican Republic we are truly in love !! The consular told me you are approved BUT the petition will expire soon. I began to cry and my fiance was calming me down while all the people were staring at me at the window. She told us that we would have to file once again for the petition, I said WHAT??? isnt there anything you can do. She turned the mic off and asked two supervisors and they spoke. She told me ok I can give it to you but you have to wait under ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING, she kept his passport and gave us the ticket to pay DOMEX but its been 2 weeks and nothing has happend the petition expired August 6. how is it my fault ??? the interview they gave it to us late.... I dont understand, I call and called the 7 dollars for the pin and they told me to call back in OCTOBER!!!!!???!!! I started to cry what is going on??? I just found out i am PREGNANT and I want to be with him as soon as possible at least before the summer ends. I did everything I paid so much money to get my papers filled out everything right and I still have to go through this??? Please help has anyone else been through this.... She was gonna fill out a green slip and give it to me but she said OH you dont even need this go pay! We are going to do Administrative processing.... please help!