How did you decide on a K1?

[joevegas 67]

Absolute no brainer...go for the CR-1...this being apart stuff after we're engaged..sheesh,cry me a river...I was stupid for doing the K-1..If i had known about the CR-1,I never would have done the K-1...

[JohnC811 4]

We chose the k-1 because as others have mentioned its terrible enough to be separated during our engagement, to have to deal with that being married would be far worse. The cost was never a consideration no matter what the cost is, I have found my soul mate we intend to be married as soon as she arrives, even if its just a civil wedding. Then we will plan and do the marriage ceremony (church wedding) when everything is settled and we can share that time with her family and friends in Brazil. I know that I love her and care for her very much. But all this paperwork is worth it. The only regret is I should have started the paperwork sooner but I had to wait for signed documents from her to submit them, With the petition and by mail this takes time. I am hoping all is done by the beginning of next year or sooner.....wish everyone luck on their journey.

[amykathleen2005 441]

We thought the K-1 was the obvious choice for where we were in our lives. We both just graduated and I was just looking for teaching jobs (there still aren't any btw, lol) so it made sense for us to start our new life together after we had the visa and could get married.

Frankly we really didn't consider the CR-1, it does have its benefits though.

Edited August 30, 2010 by amykathleen2005

[HeatDeath 430]

We chose the K1, like others here, for the two main reasons:

A ) Being separated while engaged is bad enough, but being separated after being married would really suck. We weren't comfortable with that.

and B ) I was working as a teacher in Canada so I wouldn't be able to come down for 10 months no matter how fast the visa got approved.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Absolute no brainer...go for the CR-1...this being apart stuff after we're engaged..sheesh,cry me a river...I was stupid for doing the K-1..If i had known about the CR-1,I never would have done the K-1...

That may be your opinion, but this thread is asking people why they chose waht they did. Everyone has their reasons and they're all valid.

[joevegas 67]

Yes,exasctly,It's just my opinion,and for me,It's still a no brainer. I would never ever have done a K-1 if I would of known about the CR-1..But if the K-1 worked for you,all the best

[Aztec&Taino 144]

Hello!

Well, my fiance wanted to marry me during my last visit to the DR, but after having read much about the pros and cons I decided that we would be better to file for a I-129 F (A.K.A. K1) because:

1. As other VJ members have said: It is painful enough to be apart while engaged, but be apart and be married?! That would be a close approximation to hell for me.

2. Historically, the K1 is processed faster.

3. To file for an I-130 and an I-129 F we would need more proof. Proof that we do not yet have (co-mingling of finances, bank and credit card accounts, etc.) Not only would more proof be needed, but it seems to me that the BURDEN of proof would be much heavier, whereas with the K1 the proof is to show a bona fide relationship and not proof of an actual marriage and all that THAT entails.

4. After being approved for a K1 we can get married in the US in the presence of my friends and we could file for his AOS, EAD, and AP right away. Even if he is not able to work immediately, since I am the best educated and most financially sound of the two that would not be a problem -plus he IS a better housekeeper, hence making him the better fit to be a housewife

5. It is hard enough for my family and friends to accept the fact that I am engaged after very few months of having met my fiance, but to have come back from the DR and tell everyone that I got married seemed too much for my poor old grandma to take!

[Evelyne 0]

we chose the k-1 because we thought it would be the fatest process among all, and because we don't think we can handle being apart while married.

[JlovesA 109]

Same reason as everyone else...didn't want to be apart for our first year of marriage.

I quit my job to move within a 2 hour drive of my fiance so that we could visit more often. And although it's not necessarily true, I feel more comfortable telling a border guard I'm going to visit my boyfriend rather than saying "husband." I would be more paranoid about being denied.

Also, since the K1 is supposed to be faster, we wanted to be together as soon as possible.

[Rob and Jill 82]

WOW! I am kind of dreading reactions to my answer to this, but it is the honest truth.

I did NOT want to get married first without knowing that he was going to be able to come into the States. I couldn't deal with the idea that I might get married to someone who had some weird, lurking, hidden issue (from me or himself), that might keep him from coming over. I couldn't risk investing that much to be shot down later. Maybe it's a form of self preservation.

Hence- K-1

[peace8 1]

I chose the k-1 visa as they said above i don't want to be married and he in another county it will drive crazy know my baby is not here and the children them

[goonergirl 2]

We are currently in a similar debate. This is what I've come up with:

K-1: It would get us together quicker and we could actually plan a wedding (with actual guests). Also, we are still waiting for his divorce to be final (after several long years of waiting!) so doing the K-1 means that we wouldn’t be getting married so soon after his divorce (which his (adult) kids might appreciate).

CR-1: Actually appears to be a better option for nearly every other reason. If you can wait a few more months apart it seems to have slightly less hassle (i.e. less paperwork) and immediate work/travel benefits (which again, is good for us if he wants/needs to see his kids sooner). There are also some financial benefits to being married before he gives up work over there, for things like pension rights (which are sad and horrible to think about, but he is significantly older than me so he is concerned). Another good benefit is that I can put him on my health insurance immediately after we get married so that when he visits me before the visa is approved he is covered. And also with the CR-1 we really like the idea of me being able to be his ‘agent’ and get his correspondence as well because mail is very questionable where he lives and we’d hate to rely on it.

So for us, it's a debate between emotional and practical issues...

[Chazzie 1]

We've chosen K1, simply because we both plan to have our dream church wedding back in the Philippines.It just make sense for both of us because most of our family and close friends are back there.We'll be having a small city hall wedding when he gets here for our " wedding for now", and then save money for about less than 2 years for our " wedding for later". Whatever decision u both choose, let it come from the heart nothing beats that one.

Good Luck!

[Barbara J 115]

My fiance and I are currently exploring our options for visas so that he can come and settle in the United States. We just got engaged and are weighing up the positives and negatives for either the K1 visa or the CR1. We don't want to be apart, but know that we're facing up to a year apart regardless of which option we go for. It's very frustrating, but we're trying to pick the best option.

We're considering getting married quickly (in the next few months) so that we can apply for a CR1 instead of a fiance visa. We know this will mean being apart during our first year of marriage, but it also means a considerable savings in cost and that my fiance can work as soon as he arrives into the country on his visa. Trying not be too sentimental about things, it does seem to be the best option.

However...we're talking about our marriage and it's hard not to be sentimental! It's very difficult to pick an option that means being apart as soon as we marry. But the benefits in the long run do seem to make up for it. We're having a very difficult time and keep going back and forth about what we should do.

For those of you who chose the K1, how did you choose? I know everyone is different, but it would be helpful to hear some of the thought processes behind your decisions. We're feeling very alone in this as nobody we know has had to go through this process before. It's all pretty overwhelming!

Thanks

Andrea

I would have to agree with what everyone has said here it all makes such good sense. We went with K1 as it was our only choice. I met my fiance last year on the net and went over last Sept and had 10 weeks with him. I moved all my belongings over as my marriage here was over but not divorced. I came back Nov and stayed in OZ till march. We were not planing on getting married straight away but did intend to marry thats for sure. I wanted to go back on B2 visa but I told the truth when asked why I was wanting to go back and the CO said I need to apply for a K1 so we did. Had to wait for my divorce to be final in Feb then we were able to send off 129f petition.

I waited till March when we got 1st NOA and decided I would go back for a 3 months waiver while we wee waiting and to help us get through the time apart. My fiance also was able to come and visit in Feb for 2 weeks. We knew it would take roughly 3-4 months to approval so I was fortunate enough to be able to go back over to USA. It has been fairly smooth sailing but the waiting is hard I admit. I came back to OZ June and we have now been all approved and had interview, Just waiting for my visa and I go home this weekend. We did think about getting married and then doing spousal visa but I did not want to be apart from my husband hard enough being apart from fiance.

It is expensive but so well worth it cause now when i go home we will be married on 11th sept and we can stay together forever no more being apart and thats the best feeling in the world right now.

Whatever you decide I wish you all the luck and happiness in the world.

Edited August 30, 2010 by barbarajlw

[SuperDuper! 230]

WOW! I am kind of dreading reactions to my answer to this, but it is the honest truth.

I did NOT want to get married first without knowing that he was going to be able to come into the States. I couldn't deal with the idea that I might get married to someone who had some weird, lurking, hidden issue (from me or himself), that might keep him from coming over. I couldn't risk investing that much to be shot down later. Maybe it's a form of self preservation.

Hence- K-1

You sound like a sound, smart individual who protects their interests. Good decision!