Getting married now - still use K-1?

[bigtex26 2]

I'm going to be getting married (Civil) to my fiance in Mexico in a week.

Before our decision for this, I had everything ready to go with my K-1 visa application.

My question is, should I continue my plans to get her to the U.S. through the K-1 fiance visa, then marry her in the U.S.?

Or is it easier (or quicker) to get her up her through another application/process?

Bonus question: When we have our civil marriage in Mexico, will that automatically mean we are legit married in the U.S.? Will it stand for anything or will we have to have another civil marriage in the U.S. when she gets here?

[Matt123 0]

K-1 is a FIANCE visa, if you get married in Mexico you are not fiances, you are married. Whole different process. I went K-1 route which my lawyer recommended but I'm sure there are others who did the other way that can help... But dont do K-1 app

[Anh map 2,098]

Married is married.

If you are married then you would submit the I-130 petition for your spouse. This is the CR1 visa.

K1 is for a fiance(e) whom you will marry after entry into the US.

[Ryan H 3,790]

I'm going to be getting married (Civil) to my fiance in Mexico in a week.

Before our decision for this, I had everything ready to go with my K-1 visa application.

My question is, should I continue my plans to get her to the U.S. through the K-1 fiance visa, then marry her in the U.S.?

Or is it easier (or quicker) to get her up her through another application/process?

Bonus question: When we have our civil marriage in Mexico, will that automatically mean we are legit married in the U.S.? Will it stand for anything or will we have to have another civil marriage in the U.S. when she gets here?

When you get married in a week, the K1 will no longer be available to you. You would have to file the I-130 for CR-1.

"Bonus question" answer: you do not need another civil marriage in the US after her arrival.

[bigtex26 2]

We decided to get married simply because we thought it might be faster/easier than the K-1.

I guess this isn't the case?

[ateneaalexander 10]

K-1 its easier and quicker in my opinion

[beautyfilipina 0]

K1 is definitely faster..I'm on K1 visa

[TracyTN 237]

K-1 its easier and quicker in my opinion

Agreed - but you don't have that option now.

Check the guides for information on the CR1 / IR1 spousal visa.

[bigtex26 2]

Okay, then we may rethink getting married in Mexico.

I checked CR1 - looks very similar to K-3... Is the only difference the fact that CR1 gives permanent residence automatically? Sorry for delving into a newb question.

[Ryan H 3,790]

I checked CR1 - looks very similar to K-3... Is the only difference the fact that CR1 gives permanent residence automatically? Sorry for delving into a newb question.

CR-1 and K3 are spousal visas, similarities end there. CR-1 is an immigrant visa, a green card is issued on arrival in the form of an I-551 stamp, the actual card arrives in the mail a short time later. K3 is a non-immigrant visa requiring adjustment of status after entry.

IMO, I don't think the K1 is any faster or easier than the CR-1. Posted times by USCIS from NOA1 to NOA2 are identical, 5 months. Granted the CR-1 involves processing at the NVC whereas the NVC is only a mail stop for K1. However, if managed properly on the petitioner's end, processing at the NVC can move quickly (you can't control what happens on the NVC end).

Choose the path that you are the most comfortable with and the path that suits your situation best.

[bigtex26 2]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I'm going to research this a bit more - frankly I was feeling very comfortable with the K-1 process, but I'm sure if I familiarize myself with the CR1 it shouldn't be that much more difficult.

[bigtex26 2]

Was reading up on CR1 in the guides and found this:

Note: Technically, a US Legal Permanent Resident can apply for this visa for their Non-US Citizen Spouse however the waiting time is up to five years. They can file and wait for a visa number to become available (again up to five years) or wait until they themselves become a US Citizen -- whichever comes first will allow the visa process to move forward immediately.

Can this really take up to five years?

[ryna 132]

Was reading up on CR1 in the guides and found this:

Can this really take up to five years?

For an LPR, yes.. But, since you were thinking about a K-1, you are a US Citizen, right?

[Eric-Pris 1,602]

Was reading up on CR1 in the guides and found this:

Can this really take up to five years?

If you are a US Citizen, that doesn't apply to you. (Only for LPR's)

[Eric-Pris 1,602]

Was reading up on CR1 in the guides and found this:

Note: Technically, a US Legal Permanent Resident can apply for this visa for their Non-US Citizen Spouse however the waiting time is up to five years. They can file and wait for a visa number to become available (again up to five years) or wait until they themselves become a US Citizen -- whichever comes first will allow the visa process to move forward immediately.

Can this really take up to five years?

If you are a US Citizen, that wouldn't apply to you. If you hold a GC, then it would.