CR-1 instead of K-1?

[gap1 21]

I'm just curious about quicker options, since the CSC doesn't appear to be doing anything.

We have applied for a K-1 and are 3 months in without an update. We desperately want to be together and this wait is killing us. He is ready to move here whenever he gets a visa and I have all of the paperwork ready. I am visiting him in the UK in January, if we decided to cancel the K-1, get married in England, then I started the CR-1 visa process instead would that save time? Could he live here while that was in progress or would we just end up waiting a million months for approval on that as well? Is there any way to speed this up or are we all just stuck waiting indefinitely?

I'm just thinking of other ways. Any help would be appreciated.

[R&V 8]

I'm not completely sure, it's just what I remember from other posts.

I think: The CR-1 is actually slower but your then husband would be able to work right when he gets in. You still have to wait with him in Britain.

You're already three months in! That's right about when we got the NOA2.

Don't give up.

[canadian_wife 1,823]

If you cancel the K-1 now, you've wasted 3 months. SO that isn't good. Plus, the K-1 goes slightly faster than the CR-1 because of the time the CR-1 takes at NVC - which the K-1 does not. HOwever, the Cr-1 does allow for work and travel upon entrance.

USCIS process at about 5 months - so if you cancel now, you'll still have to wait your processing time since K-1s and Cr-1 process at about the same time at USICS

GOod luck

[gap1 21]

Thanks for the responses, but you are both dealing with the VSC. The CSC is months behind and no one seems to have heard from them since August. We have no idea how long this will take. It looks like we'll be waiting long past 5 months just to get our NoA2, let alone the interview. If we were registered with Vermont I'd be more than happy to wait my turn, but California is awful.

[R&V 8]

I didn't know that the CSC is that far behind.

Now sure how accurate the VJ timeline-analysis is, but it says 93 days for VSC, 111 for CSC: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1historical

"Applications for June 22 are now being processed" - who knows? Maybe you get lucky within the next couple of weeks...

In comparison, the CR-1 timeline says 159 days.

Like I said, I think patience will pay off here. But, of course, your call.

[canadian_wife 1,823]

When we petioned, CSC was approving petitions in 2-4 months. We were stuck at VSC where we waited 178 days. So I know exactly how you feel.

Don't lose more time by cancelling your petition, marrying, and then petioning again

Good luck

[JlovesA 109]

Thanks for the responses, but you are both dealing with the VSC. The CSC is months behind and no one seems to have heard from them since August. We have no idea how long this will take. It looks like we'll be waiting long past 5 months just to get our NoA2, let alone the interview. If we were registered with Vermont I'd be more than happy to wait my turn, but California is awful.

Just because they went through VSC doesn't discredit their advice. They are right...if you cancel your K1 in January (and I think the odds are low you won't have received the NOA2 by then), you have just wasted all that time and you are putting yourself at the back of the line again, and must wait for a visa that actually takes longer than the K1. So would you rather him move next spring or like, fall-winter 2011?

My advice? Count your blessing that you can actually visit each other. Some people can't. And be glad that once you get the NOA2 you have a relatively short wait. I think your NOA1 is 1 day after me but because I'm going through Montreal and you're (I think) going through London, your fiance will be in the USA way before I'll get there. So try to calm down and realize this isn't the end of the world...yes CSC has been slow but I have hope they'll start approving people again soon.

Edited October 11, 2010 by JlovesA

[gap1 21]

I wasn't discrediting their advice as it was useful, I just don't think we can compare cases in terms of "keep your chin up, it's coming!" because they were fortunate and dealt with a center that actually works.

I'm just trying to weigh other options to ease the awful state my life has become since this process began. I'm just attempting to consider different plans if there is a better way.

It may not be the end of the world, but we can't plan anything in our lives until he gets here. Everything is on hold until the CSC decides to start working again. Slow? They're dormant...

Edited October 11, 2010 by gap1

[JlovesA 109]

I wasn't discrediting their advice as it was useful, I just don't think we can compare cases in terms of "keep your chin up, it's coming!" because they were fortunate and dealt with a center that actually works.

I'm just trying to weigh other options to ease the awful state my life has become since this process began. I'm just attempting to consider different plans if there is a better way.

It may not be the end of the world, but we can't plan anything in our lives until he gets here. Everything is on hold until the CSC decides to start working again. Slow? They're dormant...

Well as I said in another thread, someone just got an RFE last week so they ARE looking at I-129F's over there.

TBH, you can't keep denying everybody's positivity. Your negativity about it seems to be eating you alive and it's no way to live. CSC is going to approve your petition soon and your fiance will be moving there sometime in the next few months. I know it's hard sitting here waiting, but the end of this is coming and shooing everyone's optimism is only making it worse for you in the meantime.

[CBM 14]

The CR-1 visa is not 3 months faster than the K-1, correct? It's actually slower. So, since you've already spent 3 months waiting for the K-1, it hardly makes sense to jump ship and hop on board the CR-1. Especially since you mentioned getting married in January. So, in January, another 3 months away, you start from square one. That would mean you would be 6 months into the K-1 processing.

And, you would still be sending your CR-1 to CSC. So, if indeed CSC has stopped working completely, when it starts back up, does it make sense that your K-1 which has sat there for months, or a fresh CR-1 would be adjudicated first? I assume the K-1.

For what it's worth, I hear the UK spousal visas are about as easy to get as carton of milk, so if you're that impatient and trying to "ease the awful state your life has become", you could consider moving to the UK? That may or may not be a viable option for you right now, but I'm pretty sure they're faster than US immigration, if that's an option you & your fiance want to consider.

[gap1 21]

Well as I said in another thread, someone just got an RFE last week so they ARE looking at I-129F's over there.

TBH, you can't keep denying everybody's positivity. Your negativity about it seems to be eating you alive and it's no way to live. CSC is going to approve your petition soon and your fiance will be moving there sometime in the next few months. I know it's hard sitting here waiting, but the end of this is coming and shooing everyone's optimism is only making it worse for you in the meantime.

How am I denying everybody's positivity? I was just saying that the VSC moves a lot faster than the CSC right now. I am not exaggerating when I say that the CSC hasn't been working on K visas. Yes, there was that one person who got an RFE, you're right. Forgive me if I didn't take that as a sure fire sign they are moving right along.

I did consider a move to the UK (I'd love to), but he has his heart set on moving here first and that's what we've decided. We plan to move there in a few years.

Edited October 11, 2010 by gap1

[JlovesA 109]

How am I denying everybody's positivity? I was just saying that the VSC moves a lot faster than the CSC right now. I am not exaggerating when I say that the CSC hasn't been working on K visas. Yes, there was that one person who got an RFE, you're right. Forgive me if I didn't take that as a sure fire sign they are moving right along.

I did consider a move to the UK (I'd love to), but he has his heart set on moving here first and that's what we've decided. We plan to move there in a few years.

Fair enough, but it just seems like when everyone else is trying to remain positive, you're wallowing in self-pity. That's what I was referring to...and like I said, I know it sucks. None of us in our ideal situations but the best we can do is keep affirming the end of the journey is near.

[candn 17]

How am I denying everybody's positivity? I was just saying that the VSC moves a lot faster than the CSC right now. I am not exaggerating when I say that the CSC hasn't been working on K visas. Yes, there was that one person who got an RFE, you're right. Forgive me if I didn't take that as a sure fire sign they are moving right along.

I did consider a move to the UK (I'd love to), but he has his heart set on moving here first and that's what we've decided. We plan to move there in a few years.

Gap hang in there I gripe and complain but I have a back up plan and that's what you should do. Have a back up plan in case things don't work the way you want them to. I think your feelings are completely natural under the circumstances. We all handle things differently. Just take care in knowing if all else fails, you already have discussed moving to the UK.

[gap1 21]

Fair enough, but it just seems like when everyone else is trying to remain positive, you're wallowing in self-pity. That's what I was referring to...and like I said, I know it sucks. None of us in our ideal situations but the best we can do is keep affirming the end of the journey is near.

Sorry, I don't know how to be positive. To me, thinking happy thoughts doesn't get him here any faster. I know it's the healthier way to be and less stressful, but it's not in my DNA. I feel like people should be allowed to vent regardless of coping mechanism of choice.

I apologize if this annoys you. I will tone it down.

Anyway, yes we are just five days apart in time line.

Edited October 11, 2010 by gap1

[gap1 21]

Gap hang in there I gripe and complain but I have a back up plan and that's what you should do. Have a back up plan in case things don't work the way you want them to. I think your feelings are completely natural under the circumstances. We all handle things differently. Just take care in knowing if all else fails, you already have discussed moving to the UK.

Thanks candn. I appreciate that and I will.