which is faster/cheaper/easier, fiance or spousal visa (merged)

[Bcrich82 1]

At this point regardless of where you live all new cases that would have gone to TSC are routed to CSC. CSC was really fast for my I-129F, it took 41 days with an RFE. The filing fee for I-129F is $340US, then there is the visa application fee when you book your interview $265US, as well as the medical which cost may vary by country but mine is $280CAD. Lastly as noted above AOS paperwork $1070 after you are married. With K1 expect anywhere from 4-8months.

[Mike-eeh and Odie 192]

K-1 may not be cheaper, but it sure is faster. I applied March 2013 and she was ready to interview in less than 5 months. My wife delayed her interview and came to the USA in January 2014 because she wanted to spend Christmas and New Years with her family.

[Gosia & Tito 199]

The fiance visa is fastest at roughly 5-6 months, but you will spend more money at the back end when she gets here to the USA. You will then have to file for her AOS paperwork which is $1070 right off the bat.

And you need to understand these are average times (both for K-1 and CR-1); each case is different and the averages can be used as a reference only; no one can predict how long your specific case might take; no amount of $, lawyering or 'backchannels' (which btw, don't exist) can change that. For example, if there is a RFE, than can easily add 30-60 days to your case.

[Marco&Bettina 502]

K-1 may not be cheaper, but it sure is faster. I applied March 2013 and she was ready to interview in less than 5 months. My wife delayed her interview and came to the USA in January 2014 because she wanted to spend Christmas and New Years with her family.

LOL. My wife's not from PI, but she delayed her arrival also to spend Xmas with her family. She spent New Year's with me & has been here ever since.

[justanea 1]

wow, 5 months is "fast", yet a million illegals per year get to just stay here. Big Brother at his finest.

[JohnandMhay 13]

CR1 was fairly quick for us as well.

Filed Oct 14, sent to TSC, I-130 approved Oct 31st.

Interview May 27th.

71/2 months from filing to interview......

[Shenzhen 34]

If you don't wait and file as fast as possible she could make it by September. Start having her get her police clearance and important documents together now. She could easily make it by the time classes start.