CR1 or K1

[jquan 4]

Me and my boyfriend known each other since we were young because our parents are best friends.

We started talking through text, video chat since February and I visited him in July started actual dating. Now Im back in the US and trying to bring him over here.

What would be the best way to bring him?

apply for K1 or go back to China and get married then apply for CR1?

I was thinking about K1 since we dont have a long communication history but he is saying that CR1 has better validity than K1. But im afraid that we dont have enough documentation to show bonafide marriage( bank statement, lease agreement.)

All we have is the pictures that we took during the two month, pictures when we were kids, video chat snap shot, text history.

What would be your recommendation?

[jquan 4]

??

[Darnell 8,478]

well, you could file I-129F now, chasing a K-1 or

get back to China, get married, and then come back to USA and file the I-130.

When filing after 'just married' - there's not much evidence to be had except for the trip receipts and photos of you with him and his family, and the USCIS adjudicators know that.

[Simeon 25]

But im afraid that we dont have enough documentation to show bonafide marriage( bank statement, lease agreement.)

When my wife and I applied for the K-1, we did not have common domicile, co-mingled finances, or a marriage certificate. The US Consulate in Guangzhou did not have an issue with our relationship, and so it was not hard to prove. Then again, we had been dating for 4 years and Skype/e-mailed/visited during that period. If you have mutual friends that can write an sworn affidavits for you, legitimizing your relationship, that would be helpful. Save any and all documents/tickets/pictures from your visits to each other. Identify everyone in your pictures, and ask them if they can write affidavits. We even sent them our mushy love letters showing how much we loved/missed each other in long distance. You're simply trying to show that your relationship is legitimate AND not a sham, so just put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself what it would take to convince yourself. Lastly, remember that they actually have to READ all of this, and so you want to tell your story concisely, or your case will simply be unnecessarily delayed. So, full logs are probably unnecessary. Make it easy for them to understand your relationship.

Edited September 16, 2013 by Simeon

[jquan 4]

In my situation which one would be better, K1 or CR1??

I feel like I need to prove more with CR1 and im concerned that we dont have a lot documentation to prove the relationship since we are still young(26) and just graduated.

If the sworn affidavit is written in Chinese, do I need to translate and notarized ?

[Ryan H 3,795]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to What Visa Do I Need - Family Based Immigration forum; OP is determining which path to take.

[lierre 224]

Read the Guides up above and figure out which visa application with its own set of required evidence you're most comfortable pursuing. Best to prepare what you'll eventually send. Like, if you knew you were doing CR 1 (spouse) visa, then you will consciously collect evidence (e.g. Plane tickets, wedding certificate, wedding license, etc) and it will be pretty easy to just copy them and send the copies with your petition.