K3 vs. IR1/CR1 speed in terms of being permitted to work in the US

[Avery Cates 1,141]

Thanks. Do you or does anyone else know if CR-1 takes a lot longer than the fiance visa would?

Also, would she be able to visit with a CR-1 pending?

K-1 visa is currently comparatively quick compared to CR-1s, but that can always change.

She could technically visit on VWP during the CR-1, but it's difficult, CBP will likely give a hassle and can turn her away at the border. It's easier for her to visit on a pending K-1 than a CR-1.

[B & G 200]

K-1 visa is currently comparatively quick compared to CR-1s, but that can always change.

She could technically visit on VWP during the CR-1, but it's difficult, CBP will likely give a hassle and can turn her away at the border. It's easier for her to visit on a pending K-1 than a CR-1.

Thats no necessarily true. And how you came to that conclusion I have no idea.

Having a K1 visa pending doesn't mean she will have an easier time visiting than a CR1. What petition you have filed has no barring in if you are allowed easier into the US or not.

I have filed a CR1 visa and have travelled twice on VWP since then without any hassles at POE.

What does play are role is the frequancy and length of visits into the US. If you read posts of people being denied entry or been hassled at POE, 90% of them is because of length of stay. Stayed for 90 days and a couple of months later tried to enter again for 90 days.

That does not mean that people haven't been able to do what I just mentioned.

To the OP. First you have to choose whats more important to you. How fast you want to have your fiancee in the US or if you want her working immediately.

Unfortunately there no option that will give you both.

A K1 visa is faster than a CR1 and will always be faster as a K1 does not include filing the Affirdavit of Support at the NVC. It is filed when your fiancee is in the US when you are filing to adjust status.

Also the CR1 petitions have been backlogged but things are picking up. Thats been said, nothing is guaranteed.

When my husband and I were looking to make the choice between the 2 visas here is what we thought out.

- A K1 visa takes 7-9 months. Then marriage within 90 days then AOS with EAD and AP filed. Means I would have been unable to work for about 3-4 months. Total costs of filing fees, close to $2000.

-A CR1 visa takes 12-13 months. I would be able to work immediately upon entry. Total cost of filing fees around $1000.

For us, it made sense to sacrifice 3-4 months of being away from each other and file for a CR1. (we have been together for 4 years now, 3 months isn't and hasn't killed us!)

It meant I will still be working and saving money for those 3-4 months rather than sitting at home in the US doing nothing.

Every couple is different. You guys will know whats best for you.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

K-1 visa is currently comparatively quick compared to CR-1s, but that can always change.

She could technically visit on VWP during the CR-1, but it's difficult, CBP will likely give a hassle and can turn her away at the border. It's easier for her to visit on a pending K-1 than a CR-1.

It's not exactly difficult, and as far as I'm aware no different to visiting on a pending K1. I've had no hassle visiting on VWP and I know far more people have no hassle than do. You can read some of the threads in the CR1 forums if you want to update your information.

A few of the UK filers I've talked to a lot on here have been hassled by CBP (both K1 and CR1) and they are the ones who do repeated long (90 day) visits because obviously that raises questions over whether the visitor has a job and Uk ties. That's what affects whether you have issues not the visa type.

[Darnell 8,478]

K3 vs. IR1/CR1 speed in terms of being permitted to work in the US

K-3 cannot work in the USA .

However, an AOS case, filed after arrival, would have an EAD card arrive 90 days after filing the AOS case.

Once the EAD card arrives, figure 3 more weeks to get a SSN at a SSA office.

IR-1/CR-1 can work in the USA, the endorsement stamp in the passport, given at the POE, turns the visa into a 1 year I-551 document, a temporary green card. A SSN can be chased at the SSA 3 weeks after arrival.

[NikLR 13,220]

B & G that was a well written, informative post. Good job and the OP would be wise to take everything in it to head and heart.

[B & G 200]

B & G that was a well written, informative post. Good job and the OP would be wise to take everything in it to head and heart.

Thank you very much NLR

[NikLR 13,220]

Yer welcome! Go Jr!!