Why did you file a K-1 over a CR-1?

[Jon9205 1]

I'm currently being questioned why I decided to take the fiance visa route over the spousal visa. Some believe that the spousal visa will not be scrutinized and be a sure thing. I'm trying to tell them that the K-1 is the fastest and safest route. They believe because I'm going through a high fraud consulate, that the safest route is the CR-1. My research has shown me that both visa's will be heavily scrutinized and the CR-1 takes longer. And if the CR-1 is denied, then what? At least if the K-1 is denied I can then try the CR-1. So maybe some others had the same choice to make and could elaborate as to why they chose the K-1 over the CR-1.

Edited May 2, 2013 by Jon9205

[Kastrs 723]

So I filed a K1 because at the time processing for a K1 was much faster than for a CR1 and because my fiance is currently living in Dubai and it just seems easier to get married in the US. Also, the US is where we plan to live.

[rlogan3030 6]

These are 2 different visa catagories. K1 is for fiancee and CR1 is for your spouse, I am not sure if you are already married but if you are you cannot file a K1. Good luck!

[Kastrs 723]

These are 2 different visa catagories. K1 is for fiancee and CR1 is for your spouse, I am not sure if you are already married but if you are you cannot file a K1. Good luck!

The OP knows this they wanted to know the reason why other people had filed for a K1 as opposed to getting married and then filing a CR1

[baron555 934]

I'm currently being questioned why I decided to take the fiance visa route over the spousal visa. Some believe that the spousal visa will not be scrutinized and be a sure thing.

Depends on the counsulate and your particular relationship.

I'm trying to tell them that the K-1 is the fastest and safest route.

It is slightly faster, yes.

They believe because I'm going through a high fraud consulate, that the safest route is the CR-1.

Based on my limited readings, I believe this is a true statement.

My research has shown me that both visa's will be heavily scrutinized and the CR-1 takes longer. And if the CR-1 is denied, then what?

You make other plans or develop better evidence of a legitimate relationship.

At least if the K-1 is denied I can then try the CR-1.

Nope, not an automatic. If you get denied for lack of relationship, just getting married doesn't change anything. The Embassy may just think you're still trying to come to the US for fraud reasons and don't have a legit relationship. It's all about your relationship and the evidence you can present that will convince a total stranger (the Embassy CO) that it is legit.

So maybe some others had the same choice to make and could elaborate as to why they chose the K-1 over the CR-1.

The K-1 was fastest and getting married in Russia was overall more expensive.

[Pitaya 2,577]

The K-1 visa process seemed more appropriate for our relationship and expected timeframe.

YMMV

[Tintin and Mike 127]

It was faster, didn't have the luxury of time (only allowed max of 3 weeks off from work) to go back to the Philippines + process the marriage license + marriage ceremony and didn't want to be separated after marriage.

Good luck!

[Azsara 110]

Plain and simply we figured itd be harder being apart as a married couple than as an engaged couple.....

[QueenOfBlades 224]

We didn't really know any better and just seemed better for us. Would like to get married in the US, and we didn't want to be apart for so long while married. The fraud thing wasn't so much of an issue as I'm going through the London consulate, and I just preferred the idea of a K1 visa then we can get married and start our life together in person. Just seemed right.

[mtcmk1 37]

Main Reason: We wanted to be together always once married, vs getting married overseas and having to wait to be with him...

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

I originally filed a K1 (approved but visa was denied in Lagos) because I've lived continously in the US since 1986, so all my friends, family associates, are here.

The denial was a blessing in disguise because it forced us to get married in Nigeria (on the same date that we had originally planned on so just a change of venue and I guess guests though soem USC traveled to Nigeria to attend the wedding).

It was a blessing because I was abel to do a formal marriage engagement, introduction, marriage and reception ceremony in our culture. Her entire sibbling, my sibblings except for two knuckleheads were there. Most importantly her Mum and my Mum were at the ceremonies.

So knowing what I now know I should just have gotten married in the first instance.

Let me step up to a soap box for a one second.

Thsi advice applies to me too, please put immigration second and your relationship/future plans first. You two decide how you plan your future and then see immigration will play into it. So if getting married amongst local relatives in a traditional Ghanian ceremony is important then don't even consider K1. The alleged time saving of a few months will pale in comparison to a lifetime of happiness in doing things in a traditional way, important to Africans.

Just my opinion but I woudl recommend to get married in Ghana.

Good luck.

PS: I die a little every day because my new young Wife is not next to me here in the US but at least she's in my house in Nigeria with my Mum and my Sister (still in the same city as my in-laws) but it's not the same. It's an odd way to start off but faith holds it together.

Edited May 2, 2013 by Gowon

[Ralph and Meghan 19]

We did go for the k1. Because it seemed to be the shorter time frame. It also did give us some time to plan the wedding etc.

[ilovemypants 6]

We chose the K1 over the CR1 because being apart after marriage seemed so harsh, it's hard enough being away from your loved one as is without having your wedding then being ripped apart

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

I'm currently being questioned why I decided to take the fiance visa route over the spousal visa. Some believe that the spousal visa will not be scrutinized and be a sure thing. I'm trying to tell them that the K-1 is the fastest and safest route. They believe because I'm going through a high fraud consulate, that the safest route is the CR-1. My research has shown me that both visa's will be heavily scrutinized and the CR-1 takes longer. And if the CR-1 is denied, then what? At least if the K-1 is denied I can then try the CR-1. So maybe some others had the same choice to make and could elaborate as to why they chose the K-1 over the CR-1.

The K1 is not the fastest nor safest route. I have seen 8 months+ K1's and 3-4 months CR1's. It changes back and forth depending on the service centers. One or two months difference is no big deal anyway and the CR1 is cheaper in the long run and the spouse can work sooner. No AOS ####### to go through.

I believe the CR1 carries "a bit" more punch to the crediblity of a bona fide relationship than the K1 in high fraud countries. That seems to be the pattern in Lagos.

If the CR1 is returned you get a second chance to address the issue to overcome it whereas if the K1 is denied you are done. CSC allows

the K1 to expire and it will not be reaffirmed. Once in a blue moon VSC will reaffirm a returned K1 petition.

Our K1 was denied. I went to my fiance's country to marry but the marriage application approval takes so long that the promised 7 business days processing turned into a now 3 months wait so far and is still not approved. I could not stay and wait any longer and flew back home, wedding stuff and all !

So we will perhaps repeat the K1 again but we would have preferred to marry and do a CR1 next.

It is a matter of personal preference, if's and but's, financial considerations and is really about different strokes for different folks. There is no clear cut one or the other being the only right thing to do.

Had I to do it over I would have married, done the CR1 and been present at the interview.

Life sucks sometimes.

[AB loves AG 54]

I am in the same boat, in a high fraud consulate, Ghana. I'm trying to decide what to do, K-1 or CR-1. We initially were going to get married and do the CR-1, as the filing is cheaper. But now we've switched to the K-1, mostly because of health insurance reasons. My insurance only allows me to add people at the time of being married or at January 1st of each year. In all the reading I've done, I'm worried about all the processing time for the K-1 and then end up getting denied. When we file for either one, we will have visited each other 2 x's, as that's all we can afford. I don't know what to do....:-(