Fiance Visa

[shellyalex 0]

Hi,I need someone to steer me in the right direction

A friend of mine who is applying for a fiance's visa would like to find out whether he can work while here (legally) in the U.S. and waiting on his permanent papers.

Thanks in advance.

[YuAndDan 153]

Well this is not an IR-1/CR-1 spouse visa question, so will be moved to K-1 forum.

K-1 is not a work visa, so visa holder will not be able to take a job until they have EAD or Green-card. Can apply for EAD when they apply to adjust status, EAD can take about 90 days to get, green-card tends to come a month or so later.

Essentially K-1 visa holder will be unable to work for at least 4-6 months after arrival.

IF work shortly after arrival is desired, then the better visa is CR-1, (marry first, then apply for visa) CR-1 spouse visa costs less and gets green-card upon arrival to the USA, also with much improved processing, for most consulates CR-1 tends to take perhaps 1 - 1.5 months longer to get than a K-1.

K-1 may give you a visa is a slightly shorter time, perhaps a month or so, when factoring in the paperwork at NVC.

Compare:

K-1 (FEES ~$1800)

K-1 cannot take a job until getting EAD or Green-card, this can take MONTHS after arrival

K-1 cannot get a DL until they have EAD or Green-card, can use foreign DL in most states though.

K-1 becomes land locked and cannot travel out of the USA until having green-card or AP doc, which can take MONTHS to get.

CR-1 (FEES ~$900)

CR-1 gets green-card the moment they arrive in the USA so can take a job immediately

CR-1 gets green-card so can apply for a DL

CR-1 gets green-card so can immediately travel, conceivable the next day, passport is stamped I-551 which allows work and travel

CR-1 does not take much longer to get than a K-1

[shellyalex 0]

thanks, this is very helpful.