Are we doing the right thing??

[ebe 6]

Hi all!

I have been living with my Chilean/Swiss fiance in Chile for 14 months. We were planning on applying for a k1 visa as we want to move to the US in one year.

Reading all the info about the CR1, especially the faster timeframe for getting the green card and the fact that our case could get expedited given that we are abroad, we decided to go for the CR1 instead. Our real wedding celebration will still be in the US in September 2013, but we've just booked a date to get legally married here in Chile on September 1.

It's so soooon! We are totally ready to be married and commit our lives to each other, I am just worried about commiting to this visa process! Is this the right thing? We're shooting for a move date in late July 2013 or early August 2013. The timeline seems fine, even if our case is not expedited.

I just don't want to do the wrong thing and regret it later as far as the application process goes.

Note: we own a home together and have shared health insurance so proving the marriage shouldn't be hard.

Thoughts? Ideas? Are we taking the right steps?

Thanks for your help. Besos.

[Nick1980 11]

Hi all!

I have been living with my Chilean/Swiss fiance in Chile for 14 months. We were planning on applying for a k1 visa as we want to move to the US in one year.

Reading all the info about the CR1, especially the faster timeframe for getting the green card and the fact that our case could get expedited given that we are abroad, we decided to go for the CR1 instead. Our real wedding celebration will still be in the US in September 2013, but we've just booked a date to get legally married here in Chile on September 1.

It's so soooon! We are totally ready to be married and commit our lives to each other, I am just worried about commiting to this visa process! Is this the right thing? We're shooting for a move date in late July 2013 or early August 2013. The timeline seems fine, even if our case is not expedited.

I just don't want to do the wrong thing and regret it later as far as the application process goes.

Note: we own a home together and have shared health insurance so proving the marriage shouldn't be hard.

Thoughts? Ideas? Are we taking the right steps?

Thanks for your help. Besos.

Noone can tell you if it is the right thing for you. If you feel that you're ready to do it then go for it! If your concerns are because you will be filing soon after marriage, don't worry many people do.

[Ryan H 3,790]

Noone can tell you if it is the right thing for you. If you feel that you're ready to do it then go for it! If your concerns are because you will be filing soon after marriage, don't worry many people do.

[ebe 6]

Thanks guys! Well we definitely are ready for marriage, so from everything I've read here it seems like this is a good visa path to take in our situation. Thanks for the help!

[spectheintro 18]

Thanks guys! Well we definitely are ready for marriage, so from everything I've read here it seems like this is a good visa path to take in our situation. Thanks for the help!

If you are planning to get married and have no doubts about the relationship, I absolutely recommend the CR-1 route. The K-1 is really for people who are unsure and want some time to live with their S.O. in the US before committing to marriage. If you're not someone who needs a test period (and there's no shame if you are!) then the CR-1 allows you much, much more freedom and flexibility, costs less in the long run, AND preps you for citizenship sooner. Considering that the timelines are roughly equivalent now (6 mo vs. 8 mo, give or take) you're much better off going the CR-1 route.

[celinayfran 2]

If you are planning to get married and have no doubts about the relationship, I absolutely recommend the CR-1 route. The K-1 is really for people who are unsure and want some time to live with their S.O. in the US before committing to marriage. If you're not someone who needs a test period (and there's no shame if you are!) then the CR-1 allows you much, much more freedom and flexibility, costs less in the long run, AND preps you for citizenship sooner. Considering that the timelines are roughly equivalent now (6 mo vs. 8 mo, give or take) you're much better off going the CR-1 route.

I agree And your time frame sounds good even your case doesnt get expedited. We decided to go the NR1/CR1 route because we were not in a rush, 100% sure about marriage and moving to the US together and the flexability is key. With CR1/NR1 you enter the US as a permament resident, you can travel, you get your GC in about a month and are ready to work which was important to us. With the K1, your looking at up to several months without the possibilty to work.

Best of luck!

[Ryan H 3,790]

The K-1 is really for people who are unsure and want some time to live with their S.O. in the US before committing to marriage.

No, the purpose of the K1 is for a US Citizen to bring their fiance(e) to the US so they can get married, it's not a "test the waters" visa. The logic behind the creation of the K1 was there are onerous marriage requirements that make it difficult or impossible for US Citizens to marry in said foreign country.