Can I turn a K-1 Visa application into a CR-1 application?

[Sun Wukong 2]

So, I am currently working on the K-1 visa application in order to bring my Chinese Fiance to the United States. However, I am also simultaneously looking for a new career. I miss, my fiance quite a bit, and was considering sending in the K-1 visa petition while I was still in the states, and then moving back to China for work and finishing the K-1 work while I was living in China. Hopefully I could stay in China for a year, and then both my fiance and I could return to the United States together. However, I then came across a problem with my plan. I worry that if I do end up moving back to China, what if I find a position that I really like, and end up wanting to stay for say, 2 or 3 years? I then fear that my application for the K-1 visa would become void. So, my question is if the following plan would be possible/ work-

Apply for the K-1 visa while continuing to apply for work in both the USA and China.

If I find a job I am particularly happy with in China, move back to China for a year to be with my fiance while continuing the K-1 process. After about a year, move back to the USA with my fiance and her new K1 visa

If the job I find requires me to stay for more than a year, or takes so much time that the K-1 visa would become void, instead marry my fiance while in China, and then change my application from a K1 visa to a CR-1 visa

Currently, I am extremely stressed over the whole situation. I want to start the visa process, as I know that it takes a long time and I miss my fiancee very much. However, I still am not certain if I will be working here in the States or if I can find a well paying job in China. If anyone has any advice or information regarding this question, please let me know. Thank you all very much!

[p-ana 933]

It doesn't change. You'd have to start over, another petition, waiting time, etc

[Pitaya 2,577]

As mentioned above, if you have filed for one type of family visa and now want another. you can't simply "change"

from one visa to another. You must properly cancel the first visa, and then start anew with the next visa program.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Kind of difficult to decide on the best visa option when you don't know where life will lead you yet.

My advice: apply for jobs in USA and China....decide on employment.....then decide which visa option works best for you.

I realize you want to be with your fiance as soon as possible, but your current plan sounds a bit complicated. I prefer one step at a time. China's embassy info shows that DCF option is available too. May want to keep that in mind.

Do what's best for you, tho! Good Luck

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Unless you find a co sponsor they want you to be rooted and grounded in your job for at least 6 month for the affidavit of support.

I would either stay in the US and do the K1 or move to China and do direct consular filing if available.

You can also start the CR1 here and move to China to wait for everything to complete. I guess it all will depend on what job pops

up where and you can then plan better.

You can not change from a K1 to another visa type but have to start over.

[Ryan H 3,812]

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