cr1 and k1

[WaitingToExhale 3]

hi guys! wondering,does uscis process cr1petitions separately from k1 or do they group them all together as spousal petitions?

wondering cos the % of k1 seems to be so much more than cr1 (esp at vsc) (on vj that is)

[Inky 1,111]

K-1 is not a spousal visa it is a Fiance(e) visa.

[Darnell 8,478]

there's queues and load balancing on same queues, so the groups of adjudicators may be retasked to a different petition type at any given time, depending on the size of each petition queue.

There's a pinned and locked topic that covers this in the K-1 forum - have a read? http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/220499-k-1-petition-information/ when you have some time.

[Benjamin44 10]

Actually, if I'm not mistaken, I think the OP's question was- why is it that there seem to be so many people doing K-1 visas as opposed to IR-1/CR-1, when the latter visa is FAR better? The truth is- as someone who is just completing an IR-1/CR-1, it's something I've been wondering as well. (In cases where DCF is an option then it's a no-brainer, as the immigrant visa actually comes FASTER since K-1 can't be done DCF, but I actually think most people DO realise this and file DCF if they are eligible.) It's true that the K-1 can sometimes take a bit shorter to process... but so what? You have to do AOS afterwards, which adds A LOT of money and A LOT of time, so the time until you are able to work- and CERTAINLY the time until you get your Permanent Resdident status, is significantly longer when doing K-1 (never mind the extra $1100 or so). And if it's an issue of getting to the U.S. as fast as possible so as not to be separated from each other for as long- with the ability to work a secondary priority- here too, I don't understand. For anyone from Canada and VWP countries- and people from these countries, from what I've seen, make up a LARGE chunk of K-1 filers- it is usually not that difficult to visit the U.S. while the application is pending, so there is no real reason to be apart at all during this time. (Or- one can even come on a visit immediately before the I-130 is filed, which would eliminate most of the problems at the border.)

I realise that the K-1 is for fiance(e)s and the immigrant visa is for spouses. But in most cases, it is not that difficult to undergo a civil marriage ceremony to enable the filing for the IR-1/CR-1. One can always have the "main" party or the religious ceremony later on at the desired time and place.

I'm not saying that everyone who files the K-1 is going about it the wrong way- quite the opposite! I'm saying that since so many people are doing the K-1 despite the points I have just laid out, then I MUST be something. I also suspect (and correct me if I'm wrong, OP) that the OP is in the same situation. Can anybody tell me (us) what it is that I'm missing? I've been wondering for some time, and I want to know how to advise others in the future.

Thanks all!!

[milimelo 4,500]

Moving to CR-1 visa forum.