what is better to do cr1 or k1 and then AOS

[Patricksgirls 0]

My fiance is Canadian and we are indecisive about which way to go after talking with immigration attorneys. One says to do the K1 and AOS because he will be able to work after 90 days of marriage and we will be together faster. The other attorney states that the CR1 is just as fast. I am so confused even after reading information provided on here. Our gosl is to get him here asap since I have children that though they are not his he has been in my one year olds life for six months and my three year old is firmly attached to him and does not understand why he is up in Canada now. The other issue is that he wants to work shortly after he immigrates.

[canadian_wife 1,791]

Well, you have a lot to think about and most importantly, what is important to you. Look at the comparason guides for help

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

We went for the Cr-1 path because me working was important so I could contribute to our family. It is slightly longer than the K-1 but cheaper.

Also, where in Canada does your fiance live? If he is west of Manitoba I strongly suggest the K-1 as he will interview in Vancouver which is MUCH faster. If he is Ontario or East, Montreal is where he will interview regardless if it is a k-1 or a Cr-1 spousal visa. If you go for the spousal visa, Montreal is the only consulate that does spousal visas

Also, your fiance will be able to work and travel immediately if you chose the spousal visa route, not so with the fiance visa

Good luck

[joevegas 67]

No brainer..do the CR-1...unless you wanna go thru the whole process twice and pay double the money,aand go threw more hasles doing the AOS then you did the K-1...wish I knew about the CR-1 before i went threw the K-1 process...doing the K-1,he won't be able to work for months..doing the CR-1 he can work pretty well in weeks..good luck..

[Patricksgirls 0]

ya we are leaning toward the CR1 route as it seems the easiest to file. Plus he will be able to work in Canada during that time. I heard that the process time currently out of Montreal is about 10 months total. This was originally what we were going to do before we started talking to attorneys. I understand that with the cr1 we just have to have a spontaneous marriage is that correct?

[canadian_wife 1,791]

uh....no that is not correct. The point of the Cr-1 is that you are married. HOW you get married is up to you. You may get married in the US if you like, as long as your fiance returns to Canada afterwards

It took us 10 months from start to finish, but look from anywhere from 10 - 14 months - The wait for an interview in Montreal is LONG

Good luck

[OBX 51]

uh....no that is not correct. The point of the Cr-1 is that you are married. HOW you get married is up to you. You may get married in the US if you like, as long as your fiance returns to Canada afterwards

It took us 10 months from start to finish, but look from anywhere from 10 - 14 months - The wait for an interview in Montreal is LONG

Good luck

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

If i had to go through the process .. I would choose the CR-1 after reading over the link submitted by canadian wife... it's double the cost. if money isnt a factor then you can choose the K-1... but do you want to be dealing with all the immi non-sense when he's here..? least for the firt 2 years.

[patient2010 93]

good luck on whichever process u decide......

[Wayne and Claudia 40]

The comparison guide is a great way to decide what is best for the two of you. As for my wife and I we never considered the K-1 route because of the extra hassles associated with it. The couple of extra months waiting for the CR-1 is well worth the tranquility we will have here. Good luck in our decision.

[Norm and Grace 0]

My fiance is Canadian and we are indecisive about which way to go after talking with immigration attorneys. One says to do the K1 and AOS because he will be able to work after 90 days of marriage and we will be together faster. The other attorney states that the CR1 is just as fast. I am so confused even after reading information provided on here. Our gosl is to get him here asap since I have children that though they are not his he has been in my one year olds life for six months and my three year old is firmly attached to him and does not understand why he is up in Canada now. The other issue is that he wants to work shortly after he immigrates.

I petitioned for my wife (CR-1) and helped my firend petition for his fiance (K-1) and I would recommend the CR-1 route. CR-1 may take a month longer but in the long run its better. I mean no ajustment, no advance praole and its about 1 grand less. Plus under the CR-1 your wife will get a green card upon her arrival to the USA.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

CR-1 sounds like the option for you.

Although technically you will be waiting longer, he will be able to work immediately on entry. With the K1 you have however long it takes for you to get married, then pay the $1010 to file AOS and 90 days later HOPEFULLY he has his GC (sometimes longer, sometimes shorter).

The issue with CR-1 being you need to get married, then not be together for the first few months of marriage. It is cheaper, it gets an immediate GC.. but getting married & spending the vast majority of the first year of marriage apart.. sucks.

** moved from "IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures" to "Bringing Family Members of US Citizens" as the OP has not decided which path they are pursuing **

Edited October 18, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[AMERICAN/CANADIAN 0]

On another note....Montreal is now allowing people to schedule their own interviews. We are doing the DCF route (which is bc we both live in Canada) but still from initial filing date to interview is 154 days! Montreal really seems to be speeding the process up with the new system.

[Ryan H 3,790]

Go the CR-1 route.

[Patricksgirls 0]

Oh scheduling your own interview is interesting! That my help speed things up for sure. We wanted to try AOS route but he needs a border waiver due to an incident at the border in 1989. My worry is that I spent four months in Canada getting to know him and then when I tried to cross two weeks later to get my van that I had left there the Canadian border gave my a visitor visa hassle. So now seeing him may be difficult............especially if we get married first although we are going to do that anyway. For proof so far I have phone records and email between us along with photos in Canada of him holding my one year old and in the truck with him. Not many of us together though which worries me.

[Ighaepero 2]

No brainer..do the CR-1...unless you wanna go thru the whole process twice and pay double the money,aand go threw more hasles doing the AOS then you did the K-1...wish I knew about the CR-1 before i went threw the K-1 process...doing the K-1,he won't be able to work for months..doing the CR-1 he can work pretty well in weeks..good luck..

I understand if a K-1 is denied, you can marry and try again for a CR-1. However, if the CR-1 gets denied, you have no choice but to battle it out for years on end... Did any of you who did the CR-1 have any concerns about this? It sounds to me like a monumental risk. Thoughts?

Edited September 23, 2012 by Ighaepero