Not sure of best visa K-1 or K-3

[ChrisR13 1]

Hi, I'm new here and found this site while trying to see of Rapid Visa was worth using. Me and my fiance are trying to navigate the visa process and are not really sure of what the best choice would be. Initially, we were looking at the K-1 Visa and were planning on using RapidVisa then read here that it's not worth it since we still do all the work and they just file it but we really aren't sure of how to go about all this. The plan was to do K-1 as stated and then when she arrives (from Singapore) we planned on doing a justice of the peace within the 3 month period then have an actual wedding abroad after. Then I read about the K-3 and being able to go that route and not do the justice of the peace since we plan on marrying outside the US anyways. The other reason we were looking into RapidVisa was the green card paperwork included. We understand that nothing really guarantees approval but we are unsure of what is the best route to take, and I read that the K-1 can take different times varying on the sites I read but ranged from 6-12 months, assume the K-3 is probably the same length. Sorry if this has been asked before but we are very new to this process and I know how muddy the legal waters can get quickly if one thing is done wrong. Any advice is greatly appreciated, thank you.

[kris&me 572]

Most of us think rapid visa is waste of money as u do all the work/ same with a lawyer

he gets documents from u and makes copy for his files and mails it 

follow the guides above and do your own (personal opinion only)

it is not a K3 anymore /  it is called CR1

Cr 1 cheaper in the long run as the AOS after marrying here is $1250

 

[geowrian 22,335]

K-3 is obsolete. It would be a CR-1 visa. ETA: ~12-16 months.

K-1: ~8-12 months right now.

 

CR-1 is superior in virtually every way (cheaper, faster to get a green card, more protections if initially denied, can work right away,. can travel right away, etc.). The key drawback is it takes a few months longer to receive.

[ChrisR13 1]

Thank you both for the quick replies, I'll look into the CR-1 and the guides

[ThomasNC1988 762]

When considering K-1 vs cr-1 it's important to consider things like what would the added time be for you having to go to your fiance to get married, what area you live. Time frame for adjustment of status after k-1 range from as little bas 3 months to as long as 2 years depending on your local office. Also consider the laws for immigrants getting a driver's license in your state. Some like my state an immigrant can't have a license without a valid immigration document so they could have to be unable to drive while waiting for a greencard. If you are in an area where AOS goes fast it's a pretty good way to be together soon. If you are in a place like CA it's a little harder not to go with cr-1.

[ThomasNC1988 762]

Also RapidVisa is a glorious waste of money. They can do nothing for you. With RapidVisa or a lwayer you still have to do all the leg works. Lawyers are useful if there are complications but RapidVisa is just a racket.

[ChrisR13 1]

4 minutes ago, ThomasNC1988 said:

When considering K-1 vs cr-1 it's important to consider things like what would the added time be for you having to go to your fiance to get married, what area you live. Time frame for adjustment of status after k-1 range from as little bas 3 months to as long as 2 years depending on your local office. Also consider the laws for immigrants getting a driver's license in your state. Some like my state an immigrant can't have a license without a valid immigration document so they could have to be unable to drive while waiting for a greencard. If you are in an area where AOS goes fast it's a pretty good way to be together soon. If you are in a place like CA it's a little harder not to go with cr-1.

Thank you for the information, that's exactly what I'm thinking about now, it's hard to go back home for both of us after visiting, cr-1 we'd need time to get vacation and wedding planned which as you said is more time, k-1 we can be together quicker which is the important part for us, go through the justice of the peace and then have time to plan an actual ceremony abroad. I'll have to talk to her and talk about both options. I'm not sure of the driver's license for where I am, Florida, I'm sure she won't mind going a little stir crazy if she's here.

[Lemonslice 4,553]

6 minutes ago, ChrisR13 said:

Thank you for the information, that's exactly what I'm thinking about now, it's hard to go back home for both of us after visiting, cr-1 we'd need time to get vacation and wedding planned which as you said is more time, k-1 we can be together quicker which is the important part for us, go through the justice of the peace and then have time to plan an actual ceremony abroad. I'll have to talk to her and talk about both options. I'm not sure of the driver's license for where I am, Florida, I'm sure she won't mind going a little stir crazy if she's here.

Do not underestimate how difficult it is to find your bearings in a new society when you are not able to do anything. 

[ChrisR13 1]

1 minute ago, Lemonslice said:

Do not underestimate how difficult it is to find your bearings in a new society when you are not able to do anything. 

She's been here multiple times so has an idea but I completely understand what your saying, would hate for her to feel lost or trapped, thank you, I'll make sure that's brought up as well

[geowrian 22,335]

Agreed on feeling trapped / going stir crazy. Being home virtually 24/7 (she may or may not be able to get a driver's license on a K-1 even!) for a few days or weeks isn't too bad. After 4-6+ months, it hits many people hard.

Edited November 17, 2018 by geowrian

[ChrisR13 1]

5 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Agreed on feeling trapped / going stir crazy. Being home virtually 24/7 (she may or may not be able to get a driver's license on a K-1 even!) for a few days or weeks isn't too bad. After 4-6+ months, it hits many people hard.

From what I see in Florida she can get one once she has her green card, so that's a little time, but we would be submitting those forms asap, and in the meantime get her out as much as possible, more to talk to her about

[geowrian 22,335]

8 minutes ago, ChrisR13 said:

From what I see in Florida she can get one once she has her green card, so that's a little time, but we would be submitting those forms asap, and in the meantime get her out as much as possible, more to talk to her about

Green card would likely be in about a year or so after marrying and filing (varies by USCIS field office, but that is a typical timeframe now). An EAD would likely come sooner, which is around ~4-6 months after filing.

Edited November 17, 2018 by geowrian

[ChrisR13 1]

4 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Green card would likely be in about a year or so after marrying and filing (varies by USCIS field office, but that is a typical timeframe now). An EAD would likely come sooner, which is around ~4-6 months after filing.

Thank you again, you've been a great help, I know she'd want to get back to working quickly so that's really good to know and can get her driving, while they process I have family that lives a few houses down from mine so I'm sure they'd love to take her out too so she's not sitting here while I work, it's not the same as being able to hop in your own car and come and go but it should help some, thanks again we really appreciate all the help and advice and concern

[geowrian 22,335]

Best wishes!

Edited November 18, 2018 by geowrian

[K & R 343]

16 hours ago, ChrisR13 said:

Thank you for the information, that's exactly what I'm thinking about now, it's hard to go back home for both of us after visiting, cr-1 we'd need time to get vacation and wedding planned which as you said is more time, k-1 we can be together quicker which is the important part for us, go through the justice of the peace and then have time to plan an actual ceremony abroad. I'll have to talk to her and talk about both options. I'm not sure of the driver's license for where I am, Florida, I'm sure she won't mind going a little stir crazy if she's here.

We are in Florida. You can’t get a DL without an EAD or GC. A FL DL for an immigrant is only valid for as long as they are valid to be here. So technically you could get it while still on the K-1 visa but the DL would expire when the K-1 expires. IF you get the DL with an EAD you can bring you GC to get an extension. Also keep in mind that after you take your FL road test you have to wait 30 days to get your license because they have to verify your legal status. 

 

We did the K-1 visa and don’t regret it. However, from what I’ve seen we have one of the lucky few cases (no RFE, quick AP, GC in hand 3 months after AOS submission). This is not the normal. So keep that in mind. But for us, it ultimately saved us money doing the k-1 with what we would have spent on trips to see each other and an international wedding. 

 

Its a a good idea to look at the processing times for your city for AOS. If you’re in Jacksonville FL I can tell you the processing times right now are super quick. But Orlando and Miami are taking many members a year+. Just a lot to consider. 

 

 

I also wouldnt recommend a lawyer or rapid visa. It’s a big waste of money. I knew nothing about us immigration before we started our journey but I spent countless time researching and talking to people on here and was able to learn enough to get us through it. Good luck