K1 vs CR-1 Speed to GC

[drinkynz 0]

Hi VJers,

I am recently engaged to my american girlfriend of 5 years! We live together here in New Zealand. We wish to set up a life together in the US following a 5-6 months of travelling in 2014.

I am asking for a recommendation on whether to get married and file for CR-1 or file for a K1. My number one priority is to minimize the time from filing to work. I am in a dilemma currently, as the CR-1 visa total average processing time is closing in on approx. 400 days from NOA1 to Interview. I plan to file and travel around Europe and Asia while it is processing with her from June to November. My ideal situation would be for the CR1 it to be at the interview stage when I return to NZ in November 2014, so I dont have to muck around with EAD,AP, and AOS when I enter into the US. I see that it takes around 120 days to process an AOS. I hate the idea of sitting on my ### and not working for that long. I would rather volunteer my time for free. However, I dont like the prospect of being apart from my SO for a long period of time. With me in NZ and her in the US.

What do you guys think I should do in my situation? Are there any large or small factors that I am not considering that you could inform me of?

[B & G 200]

Have you looked into DCF in New Zealand? I think New Zealand offers Direct Consular Filing, though I am not 100% sure.

Usually DCF only takes 3 to 4 months for the CR1 to be issued.

That being said, you need to be married to petition for a CR1.

Also, travelling might not be doable. The process does not include only one form to be sent in and thats it. There are 3 basic stages to the process and you are constantly providing more paperwork at each step.

Here is the VJ guide for DCF

http://www.visajourney.com/content/dcf

Also take a look at your regional forum on here and speak with others filing from New Zealand for more accurate info

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/146-australia-and-new-zealand/

[lost_at_sea 995]

Have you looked into DCF in New Zealand? I think New Zealand offers Direct Consular Filing, though I am not 100% sure.

Usually DCF only takes 3 to 4 months for the CR1 to be issued.

That being said, you need to be married to petition for a CR1.

Also, travelling might not be doable. The process does not include only one form to be sent in and thats it. There are 3 basic stages to the process and you are constantly providing more paperwork at each step.

Here is the VJ guide for DCF

http://www.visajourney.com/content/dcf

Also take a look at your regional forum on here and speak with others filing from New Zealand for more accurate info

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/146-australia-and-new-zealand/

New Zealand does not offer DCF.

Here's the list of places that do: http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/international-immigration-offices

drinkynz:

If your priority is being able to work, then the CR-1 is the better visa, since you get an immediate green-card upon entry. The downside is it takes a bunch longer (I'm glad you've checked out the timelines!). Of course, timelines can change... the USCIS swaps priorities without much notice.

So, since you are already aware of the timelines, it's really down to you to pick what you think your priorities are. There's a comparison guide here, but it sounds like you already know the pros and cons: http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

I, personally, think CR-1 is better because of the GC and the reduced overall cost (you save yourself over $1k by not having to AOS, as a K1 would).

The question might be - can she come stay with you in New Zealand for a little longer, reducing the time apart, if you go down the CR-1 route?

[B & G 200]

New Zealand does not offer DCF.

My bad!