Getting married now - still use K-1?

[Casprd 167]

K-1 its easier and quicker in my opinion

Actually K-1 start to finish isn't faster and certainly not easier. With the K-1 there is a whole additional process and list of expenses that you have to go through after your SO arrives in the US. The time from initial filing for a K-1 vs a CR-1 is pretty comparable with a "routine" CR-1's taking about 8 to 10 months now. The fees are a little higher for the CR-1, but once your SO is here then you don't have the additional steps and fees that the K-1 has and your SO gets a green card at entry (well some time for it to arrive in the mail) while K-1 doesn't so work, school and in many states now, drivers licenses are all put on hold for the K-1. Another factor that plays in is Mexico has electronic processing so the amount of time spent at the NVC for a CR-1 is about 4 to 6 weeks so it doesn't add a significant amount of time.

Regardless of that if you are already getting married next week then you don't have a choice.

Edited June 21, 2011 by Casprd

[Channah&Aaron 51]

; I get so tired of people who wants to petition for something that they don't even know what it means...

DO RESEARCH BEFORE YOU WANT TO DO ANYTHING FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[san diego 407]

; I get so tired of people who wants to petition for something that they don't even know what it means...

DO RESEARCH BEFORE YOU WANT TO DO ANYTHING FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think this is rude. If you don't want to read it don't read it. Our site is designed for people to ask questions. If you don't like questions you can remove yourself from the website you can stop reading threads. This site is educational and is designed for friendly interactions.

[KittyPollitt 284]

; I get so tired of people who wants to petition for something that they don't even know what it means...

DO RESEARCH BEFORE YOU WANT TO DO ANYTHING FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DB

[bigdog 376]

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?

[bigdog 376]

Don't change mid stream it could delay you, if you applied for K1. It is slow but hang in there, trade friendship rings. If no application then apply as married. Most think K1 is faster it took us from start to marriage 10 months. Then back on the waiting bandwagon for EAD and green card interview. Date you mail for I485 and their acceptance is about 30.

Edited June 22, 2011 by bigdog

[Channah&Aaron 51]

I think this is rude. If you don't want to read it don't read it. Our site is designed for people to ask questions. If you don't like questions you can remove yourself from the website you can stop reading threads. This site is educational and is designed for friendly interactions.

I'm not trying to be rude... If you have questions after filed for K1/I-129f, that I understand. But my point is, before you file, you need to know what this Visa actually means.

Anyways, I am not going further into this. I won't remove myself from the website, duh, I gave my opinion, and if you don't like it, don't read it nor reply to it.

To the OP: Good luck for the rest of the journey!!

[Stephalex 2]

These threads are posted for informational purposes as well as opinions, but practically shouting (Caps lock kinda means you're infuriated or trying to get a point across, especially with the !!!!!! at the end) that YOU get tired of people basically asking questions.. Sure, they should've researched it more, but isn't that what this site is about? To help get more sources and information? I've seen you post before and I've actually thought you were a credible person, but what you posted was rude.. Sorry...

It's one thing to give an opinion, but it's another thing to give an opinion and be rude about it when I'm sure if he was expecting this kind of response, he wouldn't have posted this.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Given the choice between filing a K-1 and waiting and finally traveling to the US and getting married there and then filing for AOS . . . . for $1,070, and waiting another 3 to 5 months before she can get a driver's license or can work, and . . . .

getting married in Mexico and filing for an CR-1 (K-3 is dead and buried), and entering the US as a Green Card holder and not having to go through the dreaded and expensive AOS process and being able to get a driver;s license and work from day 1 on . . .

the CR-1 wins hands down.

It's so much better, that the K-1 is totally a non-viable option for people who can get married first. It's like figuring out if you choose a house or a trailer if both were free.

That's a no brainer, like totally!

Edited June 22, 2011 by Just Bob

[Ippsy Pippsy 31]

Given the choice between filing a K-1 and waiting and finally traveling to the US and getting married there and then filing

the CR-1 wins hands down.

It's so much better, that the K-1 is totally a non-viable option for people who can get married first. It's like figuring out if you choose a house or a trailer if both were free.

That's a no brainer, like totally!

Except if you wait for a K-1, your fiance can visit the US during the process (assuming you are in a VWP country, and you do it carefully). I'm pretty sure they wouldn't let you in if you were waiting for a CR-1.

[Ryan H 3,790]

(K-3 is dead and buried)

This is the only part of your post that is not correct. The provision of the LIFE Act that created the K3 has never been repealed and there have been recent instances of the USCIS sending an I-129F that was filed in conjunction with an I-130 to the NVC so it arrives there first, thus the K3 goes forward.

Agree with everything else you wrote.

[LBeachey 44]

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.

Have you filed the K-1 Petition yet? You haven't filled out your timeline.

[*Snowdrop* 603]

Except if you wait for a K-1, your fiance can visit the US during the process (assuming you are in a VWP country, and you do it carefully). I'm pretty sure they wouldn't let you in if you were waiting for a CR-1.

If you are from a VWP country it's just as easy to visit while waiting for a CR1 as a K1 - it just depends on the CO at the POE and if necessary any evidence you have that you'll return home at the end of your trip. I visited multiple times - 4 or 5 while in the middle of the CR1 process.

And I assume people with an already existing tourist visa have the same options.

[Harsh_77 716]

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?

If you are already married - you cannot use K1 anymore.

You will need the CR1

[san diego 407]

Given the choice between filing a K-1 and waiting and finally traveling to the US and getting married there and then filing for AOS . . . . for $1,070, and waiting another 3 to 5 months before she can get a driver's license or can work, and . . . .

getting married in Mexico and filing for an CR-1 (K-3 is dead and buried), and entering the US as a Green Card holder and not having to go through the dreaded and expensive AOS process and being able to get a driver;s license and work from day 1 on . . .

the CR-1 wins hands down.

It's so much better, that the K-1 is totally a non-viable option for people who can get married first. It's like figuring out if you choose a house or a trailer if both were free.

That's a no brainer, like totally!

I agree with everything said here with one important missed downside: CR1 is at least 1-2 months longer, which was important for me. In addition, CR1 requires more proof of ongoing relationship and often longer relationship than K1 does. If you do not care about your fiancee working from day 1, you can find the way to drive in most states. In most states you can apply for DL immediately, pass driving test, get married immediately. The DL will be valid until I94 expires. Most of the time if you do everything promptly by the time your I94 expires you will get EAD card and this is sufficient to get temporary DL for another 60 days until your GC arrives. The rest is the same as with GC.. bank accounts, etc.