K-1 Visa , Or CR-1?

[Cazwik 11]

So here is my situation... Its pretty complicated.

I joined the military a year ago today. Afterwards I was married , but blindly to the wrong women. My first duty station was korea, shortly after I found that my current wife was cheating and running around with another... I guess thats the way it works sometimes.. So we decided to divorce but of course the process isn't so easy overseas. It was uncontested and everything is finally coming to a end with her. Now with that , I met a good filipina here who captured my heart. She treats me better than any other has before. She was working here on a visa , and recently went back to the pines.

So I decided to Marry the right one this time... Of course in Korea the process is harder for a American Soldier. She went home in May 1st , I am leaving in September to head to FT. Carson. I would of tried to marry her here , but my divorce didn't go through quick enough and the chain won't let me because my divorce was final just recently... Oh well.

I am going to visit her in August to meet her family and see how she really lives. I'm excited. We want to marry in February... I was going to extend here , but lets just say life is miserable here as a Infantry man, so I decided to take my orders back to the states. She is worried that I will go back and realise how hard the process is and drop her... but I been through a lot of women , and finally this one gives me at ease feeling. I really want to see this through.

So My question is ... Would it be easier to marry her in the philippines and try for a CR1 Visa? Or try to bring her to the states on a K-1 Visa? how much time and money am I looking at for each and can I start some of the paper work now ? I have been trying to follow the posts on the steps but I pretty much don't know where to start. If I am stationed in the states , do I still need a commanders approval? I heard somewhere its alot faster to do a CR-1, but I know the plane ride after I leave here will be like 2000$ ... haha , not looking forward to that...Also ... will my recent divorce give me any trouble with marrying her in the future?

Thanks for the Info !

~P.S~ Please , no put downs. I know all the horror story's. This is not my first Rodeo.Life is funny... After coming here and living here for a year , I realised alot of american women could learn something from the eastern culture. Not just because they are submissive , but they give back what you put in, and they know how to love. I know there are good American women out there too , but they are a dime a dozen. Please help me out...

Edited May 21, 2011 by Theness

[souleymon 27]

Getting her a k-1 Visa is faster and cheaper than CR-1 Visa.the processes both have merits and demerits.

Most people go for K1 bcos of its quickness and the process which is step by step.the time line is estimated to be 5-6 months.

Having filed for divorce with proper documentation.Your ex shouldnt give u any problem with ur new love

[JoannaV 174]

Other people can probably give you answers more specific to your situation, ie the Philippines.

In general I say the CR1, but if you are waiting till February or later to get married then the K1 should mean you are apart for less time. With the CR1 you must get married before you can start the paperwork. With the K1 you could actually start the paperwork right now. This doesn't mean you would be rushed into marrying sooner. The fees for the K1 are greater but if you must buy a plane ticket to marry before filing CR1 then the K1 can work out the cheaper overall option, in some cases. (The K1 itself is slightly cheaper than CR1, but once in the States and married you must then pay another $1000 to adjust status, so the whole process combined is a lot more expensive.)

Of course, you have to consider if it matters where and when you marry, outside of the whole immigration process. Some people don't want to be apart after they are married, and so that is why they choose the K1.

Edited May 21, 2011 by JoannaV

[SupastarsaM 7]

K-1 is not cheaper after you take into account the Adjustment of Status after getting married here in the states... with the CR-1, she will receive her green card about three weeks after entering the States. My wife's GC came earlier this week.. no need to adjust status.. CR-1 will take longer but she will be in a much better position to look for work, travel after getting to the States instead of waiting for approval..

[SupastarsaM 7]

K-1 http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

CR-1 http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

This should help you out some more. Good Luck !