K1 vs CR1

[debbiedoo 2,339]

i saw this mentioned in a comment on another thread but didnt want to derail it

 

(paraphrased) K1 used to be a lot faster than CR1, but now the difference is only a few weeks and since the CR1 comes with instant work/travel rights, might be the better choice

 

Is this true, regarding processing time? Him being able to work sooner would be  HUGE benefit, if the processing times are similar.  A few weeks difference i wont squibble about, you know? Better than him going stir crazy for 6 months waiting for adjustment. We had decided on the K1 probably a year ago solely based on the faster processing time.

 

We have 95% of our paperwork together for the K1, we're not filing till next month, but, as I said, getting married now wouldnt be a big deal if theres little processing time difference...we're not doing a big wedding anyways so no plans to change or worry about lol

 

What are the cost difference and document/requirement differences? (i know i can look it up but its stupid o'clock early lol). While the Cr1 is in process would be be able to travel back and forth from the US as he does now (another big deal). We know once the K1 is submitted he COULD be denied, but he has solid work and family ties to Canada so assuming the agent on duty isnt overzealous, crossing, we are hoping, wont be too much of an issue. And if it is, I can cross (its just harder for me with child and dog care -we have 5 pups and an 11 year old (previous marriage of mine) )

[KBA 542]

6 minutes ago, debbiedoo said:

i saw this mentioned in a comment on another thread but didnt want to derail it

 

(paraphrased) K1 used to be a lot faster than CR1, but now the difference is only a few weeks and since the CR1 comes with instant work/travel rights, might be the better choice

 

Is this true, regarding processing time? Him being able to work sooner would be  HUGE benefit, if the processing times are similar.  A few weeks difference i wont squibble about, you know? Better than him going stir crazy for 6 months waiting for adjustment. We had decided on the K1 probably a year ago solely based on the faster processing time.

 

We have 95% of our paperwork together for the K1, we're not filing till next month, but, as I said, getting married now wouldnt be a big deal if theres little processing time difference...we're not doing a big wedding anyways so no plans to change or worry about lol

 

What are the cost difference and document/requirement differences? (i know i can look it up but its stupid o'clock early lol). While the Cr1 is in process would be be able to travel back and forth from the US as he does now (another big deal). We know once the K1 is submitted he COULD be denied, but he has solid work and family ties to Canada so assuming the agent on duty isnt overzealous, crossing, we are hoping, wont be too much of an issue. And if it is, I can cross (its just harder for me with child and dog care -we have 5 pups and an 11 year old (previous marriage of mine) )

I would consider getting married...we ran into issues at the border traveling back and for with my fiancé even though he had ties to Canada. Basically they thought he would come to the states and not go back. We are on day 223 of waiting for our NOA2 and he has not been able to come into the states. Many other couples in similar situations haven’t had any problems at all, so I am just sharing my personal scenario. Ultimately it is whatever option works best for you...there is a lot of good information and advice on the site which can give you details. Good luck! 

[debbiedoo 2,339]

3 minutes ago, KBA said:

I would consider getting married...we ran into issues at the border traveling back and for with my fiancé even though he had ties to Canada. Basically they thought he would come to the states and not go back. We are on day 223 of waiting for our NOA2 and he has not been able to come into the states. Many other couples in similar situations haven’t had any problems at all, so I am just sharing my personal scenario. Ultimately it is whatever option works best for you...there is a lot of good information and advice on the site which can give you details. Good luck! 

it just seems to be a ####### shoot (re: crossing) either way.

 

Whatever we do, clock is ticking on us deciding which path to take.

[KBA 542]

15 minutes ago, debbiedoo said:

it just seems to be a ####### shoot (re: crossing) either way.

 

Whatever we do, clock is ticking on us deciding which path to take.

Yes, it all depends on who you get at the border...but it seems like they have been tougher on Canadians these days

[Chris Duffy 1,256]

51 minutes ago, debbiedoo said:

Is this true, regarding processing time? Him being able to work sooner would be  HUGE benefit, if the processing times are similar.  A few weeks difference i wont squibble about, you know? Better than him going stir crazy for 6 months waiting for adjustment. We had decided on the K1 probably a year ago solely based on the faster processing time.

 

Sounds like you are more interested in money versus a relationship.

 

I let my fiancé adjust for over a year before she started to look for work in the USA

[debbiedoo 2,339]

Just now, Chris Duffy said:

Sounds like you are more interested in money versus a relationship.

 

I let my fiancé adjust for over a year before she started to look for work in the USA

if that were the case id be moving there. he makes MUCH more there than he will HERE

 

I am interested in him not going batshit crazy and therefore driving ME batshit crazy for 6 months.

 

I was married for 20 years to a man who refused to work. This one has a little bit more drive and ambition.

[dentsflogged 352]

Even with processing times, I still say the K1 has it's place for some couples - it's wonderful for couples who don't have the money/time/flexibility to be able to get together & get married then wait out the CR1.   

 

For example my partner and I can't easily do CR-1 right now - he only gets 10 days leave per year including his sick leave, and in order for him to come to me he'd use up 4 of those days just travelling (thanks to flights that don't line up without 5+ hour layovers at 2 different airports - so this isn't ideal if he wastes half his leave and then what happens if he gets sick later?) and my job is great and pretty flexible, but they already gave me 15 weeks of paid leave in 2017 so they're understandably wanting me to... ya know, do my job ...for a while before I take more time off.   We put in K-1 and ~10-12 months from now we can be together.  If we wanted to CR-1, we'd have to wait until probably June or July until we can finally get together (that's the earliest I can even ask for time off again) in order to get married, then file CR-1; it'll be closer to 2 years apart.  No, thanks.  I'd rather go K-1 and take the 3-6 months of not working while I get settled into our home, spend time with his family, train the puppy he promised we could get, and plan out/plant my veggie patch rather than sleeping only 5 hours a night so I can spend time with him around work by staying here. 

That being said, for those who don't have restrictions on easily getting together to marry and would prefer to both be able to work right away, yeah, CR-1 is absolutely the best option because you've already got green card, ability to travel, work rights and overall cheaper.

Edited January 31, 2018 by dentsflogged

[RJandHamid 1,128]

As someone who recently went through the K1 process, I think that unless K1 processing times go back down again, getting married and filing the CR1 petition is a better option. I think current K1 processing times are at around 8-10 months and CR1 processing times are anywhere from 9-14 months. 

 

My husband arrived on his K1 visa in July 2017. We got married August 2017, then applied for his adjustment of status in September 2017. Last week, he finally received his work and travel authorization, after a stressful and boring 4 month wait. During those 4 months, he couldn't legally work or leave the country (or rather return to the country, he could leave if he wanted but would need a new visa in order to return).

 

As far as total costs go (minus costs of medical exams, copies of official documents, ect):

 

K1: $535 (petition, I-129F) + $265 (visa fee paid at interview) + $1225 (AOS filling fee I-485+biometrics, no filing fee for EAD and AP if filed concurrently with AOS) Total: $2025

 

CR1: $535 (petition, I-130) + $120 AOS (Affidavit of Support) + $325 (Immigrant Visa Fee) + $220 (New Immigrant Fee/green card production) Total: $1200

[debbiedoo 2,339]

thats a pretty significant price difference.

 

any idea on how hard a time the (canadian) applicants have had crossing the border during visa processing?