Colombia: K1 or CR-1

[Sean_and_Dora 0]

I have already been through the K-1 process and brought my fiance(now wife) here last year. A friend of mine is thinking about doing the same thing. I want to know what is the best option a K1 or getting married in Colombia and applying for a CR-1?

How long does someone from Colombia usually have to wait before they can come to the US on a CR-1? Is one more easy to get than the other?

When I brought my fiance we had to wait about 7 months for her to get her interview and she entered the Us last May and we got married in June. She had to wait until October to be approved for permanent residency and then the green card was lost so we had to apply for a replacement card which she finally got last month.

It seems everything takes longer after entering on a K-1.

Is a CR-1 a better option then?

[Jenni__ 0]

En mi opinión la K1 involucra más gastos y es más tedioso pq hay trámites que se tienen que completar una vez el beneficiario entre a E.U. y se case. Sin embargo, el tiempo de espera distanciados es mucho más corto, ya que por lo que he podido ver no le ponen tantos issues ni les exigen muchas pruebas, lo que si sucede para las visas CR1. Como ya la persona entrará con todos los papeles listos a E.U., investigan todo y el proceso se hace más largo. Yo etoy en este trámite actualmente (CR1) y llevamos 1 año y 1 mes en estas circunstancias. En el USCIS el caso duró aproximadamente 8 meses y una vez llegó a la embajada de Bogotá nos citaron para entrevista y ese día nos colocaron en un proceso administrativo, del cual acabamos de salir la semana pasada. Ahora tenemos una nueva cita en junio. Ojalá termine ya toda esta odisea.

[TBoneTX 45,550]

En mi opinión [...]

Can you please provide a translation? It's supposed to be English-only outside the Regional Subfora. Thanks.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

En mi opinión la K1 involucra más gastos y es más tedioso pq hay trámites que se tienen que completar una vez el beneficiario entre a E.U. y se case. Sin embargo, el tiempo de espera distanciados es mucho más corto, ya que por lo que he podido ver no le ponen tantos issues ni les exigen muchas pruebas, lo que si sucede para las visas CR1. Como ya la persona entrará con todos los papeles listos a E.U., investigan todo y el proceso se hace más largo. Yo etoy en este trámite actualmente (CR1) y llevamos 1 año y 1 mes en estas circunstancias. En el USCIS el caso duró aproximadamente 8 meses y una vez llegó a la embajada de Bogotá nos citaron para entrevista y ese día nos colocaron en un proceso administrativo, del cual acabamos de salir la semana pasada. Ahora tenemos una nueva cita en junio. Ojalá termine ya toda esta odisea.

English ONLY in forums other than regional.

Translation here: "In my opinion the K1 involves more costs and more paperwork is tedious pq must be completed once the recipient enters EU and marry. However, the waiting time is much shorter apart because from what I have seen so many Issues do not pay or they require extensive testing, so if you happen to CR1 visas. As the person will come with all papers ready to the U.S., investigating everything and the process takes longer. I currently etoy in this process (CR1) and carry the 1 year and 1 month in these circumstances. USCIS In the case lasted for 8 months and once came to the embassy in Bogota cited us for interview and that day put us in an administrative process, which just left last week. We have a new appointment in June. And hopefully finish this whole ordeal."

Edited May 16, 2011 by Vanessa&Tony

[Ready to do it 101]

I did "K1" and other than the fact that I just didn't want to bother with all the hoops over what requirements there are to marry in Colombia I think I would probably opt for CR1 route. I know I just recently sent the K1 in and could easily cancel it, get married there, etc. But I really just don't have the time to read up on what it entails to marry in another country etc.

If that does not matter to you, it sounds like the CR1 is now a little bit faster (especially if your K1 service center is Vermont) and it sounds like getting all the travel and work approvals take a bit longer than I thought. I really just assumed once she is here and we marry it would only take a few weeks to be able to travel, work etc. Seeing that it looks like it takes another 4 months, that kind of puts a damper on some of my plans as I really was looking forward to perhaps traveling around the world with her a bit in the first few months.

If you read up on the requirements to marry in Colombia and they aren't a burden to you, then CR-1 sounds like the best alternative... shorter time frame, less expensive, and enter the US with much more ability to function in life... I.e. travel outside US and work

[Noel Calvert 0]

I did "K1" and other than the fact that I just didn't want to bother with all the hoops over what requirements there are to marry in Colombia I think I would probably opt for CR1 route. I know I just recently sent the K1 in and could easily cancel it, get married there, etc. But I really just don't have the time to read up on what it entails to marry in another country etc.

If that does not matter to you, it sounds like the CR1 is now a little bit faster (especially if your K1 service center is Vermont) and it sounds like getting all the travel and work approvals take a bit longer than I thought. I really just assumed once she is here and we marry it would only take a few weeks to be able to travel, work etc. Seeing that it looks like it takes another 4 months, that kind of puts a damper on some of my plans as I really was looking forward to perhaps traveling around the world with her a bit in the first few months.

If you read up on the requirements to marry in Colombia and they aren't a burden to you, then CR-1 sounds like the best alternative... shorter time frame, less expensive, and enter the US with much more ability to function in life... I.e. travel outside US and work

My name is Noel Calvert. I am here to find information on visas & such for after my fiance & I marry. I saw this post, & felt I had some useful information to post to add to it. Here is what I have listed below.

My fiance in Colombia sent me this set of requirements to marry at a civil wedding performed by notary in Colombia. This is what we are doing next month in November. The requirements are a bit odd, but not a huge amount of extra steps. The letter of intent/request to marry is actually a very romantic thought that is obviously a part of Latin Culture which I did not anticipate. My fiance wants me to recite the letter I wrote her at our official engagement party next month also!

1) Fotocopia auténtica de la cédula de ciudadanía o de extranjería, o del pasaporte, según sea el caso.

2) Solicitud verbal o escrita de los contrayentes manifestando su deseo de casarse. En dicha solicitud deberán expresar el nombre de sus padres, el domicilio de los mismos, los testigos que declararán sobre las cualidades necesarias de los novios para unirse en matrimonio y el domicilio de estos últimos.

3) Registro Civil de nacimiento de los contrayentes autenticado, con término de vigencia de 30 días para nacionales y 90 para extranjeros. La copia autenticada de su certificado de nacimiento, si fue emitida en un idioma distinto al español, debe ser traducida al español por un traductor oficial y debe llevar la Apostilla.

4) Certificado de soltería si alguno de los contrayentes o ambos son extranjeros,

Documentos exigidos excepcionalmente:

1) Si se obtuvo la nulidad del primer matrimonio o una dispensa pontificia, se deben presentar copia auténtica del registro civil de matrimonio y/o nacimiento donde conste la sentencia o la dispensa, según sea el caso.

2) Si se es viudo (a), copia auténtica del registro civil de matrimonio anterior y del registro civil de defunción del cónyuge.

3) Si se es divorciado (a), copia auténtica del registro civil de matrimonio anterior con la anotación marginal del divorcio.

4) En el caso de ceremonias civiles, el notario puede dar instrucciones para solicitar un juez colombiano quien realice el matrimonio.

1) Photocopy of the identification of genuine citizenship or immigration, or passport, as applicable.

2) verbal or written request of the parties expressing their desire to marry. The request shall state the name of their parents, the home of the same, the witnesses who will testify about the qualities necessary to join the couple in marriage and the home of the latter.

3) Civil Registration of birth of the parties authenticated, with term of validity of 30 days for nationals and 90 foreigners. The certified copy of your birth certificate, if issued in a language other than Spanish, must be translated into Spanish by an official translator and must bear the Apostille.

4) Certificate of bachelorhood if either party or both are foreigners,

Exceptionally required documents:

1) When was the first marriage or nullity of the papal dispensation, it must submit a certified copy of civil registration of marriage and / or birth stating the ruling or waiver, as applicable.

2) If you are a widow (er), certified copy of previous marriage civil registration and vital registration of death of a spouse.

3) If you are divorced (a), certified copy of previous marriage registry office in the marginal note of divorce.

4) In the case of civil ceremonies, the notary can be instructed to apply for a Colombian judge who performed the marriage.

[TBoneTX 45,550]

Very interesting, Noel. Thanks, and welcome to VJ!