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MohamedAndRebecca

K-1 or CR-1 Visa? Which would be easier? (Egypt)

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Filed: Other Country: Egypt
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Hello everyone,

 

We are new to all of this so just looking for some solid advice about where to get started.

 

I am in USA, and my other half is in Egypt.  We are not married yet.

 

If we want to live in the states, which visa route might be the easiest/quickest?  The K-1 fiance visa, or a CR-1 spouse visa?

 

I'm sure there are ups and downs to both sides, just interested to know what those might be and what your experienes or opinions are!

 

Thank you!

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None.

There is no easy or quick way.

 

And there is couple hundreds of threads comparing K1 and CR1. Might want to check those before asking.

K1

29.11.2013 - NoA1

06.02.2014 - NoA2

01.04.2014 - Interview. 

AoS

03.2015 - AoS started.

09.2015 - Green Card received.  

RoC

24.07.2017 - NoA1.

01.08.2018 - RoC approved. 

 

 

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Egypt
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5 minutes ago, MohamedAndRebecca said:

Hello everyone,

 

We are new to all of this so just looking for some solid advice about where to get started.

 

I am in USA, and my other half is in Egypt.  We are not married yet.

 

If we want to live in the states, which visa route might be the easiest/quickest?  The K-1 fiance visa, or a CR-1 spouse visa?

 

I'm sure there are ups and downs to both sides, just interested to know what those might be and what your experienes or opinions are!

 

Thank you!

Hello

 

We just went through this process in Egypt and we used the K-1 visa approach. This was recommended by our lawyer as it is quicker and for our situation better as I wanted to get married in the US. Hope this helps. We are thankfully enjoying our lives together now. 😊

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Filed: Other Country: Egypt
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3 minutes ago, Roel said:

None.

There is no easy or quick way.

 

And there is couple hundreds of threads comparing K1 and CR1. Might want to check those before asking.

Well, definitely no need for the harsh comment!  I know nothing will me exactly easy or quick, was just looking for advice- I thought that was the point of forums like this!

 

And as I stated, I'm hew here and this is my first post.  I'm not totally familiar with now the site works or how to look at under the different topics.

 

Definitely not a warm welcome.  If you didn't like my post or felt bothered by it, you didn't need to comment.

4 minutes ago, GHJourney said:

Hello

 

We just went through this process in Egypt and we used the K-1 visa approach. This was recommended by our lawyer as it is quicker and for our situation better as I wanted to get married in the US. Hope this helps. We are thankfully enjoying our lives together now. 😊

That's awesome!  About how long was it from start to finish?

 

So happy to hear you all are enjoying your lives together now! :D 

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Egypt
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13 minutes ago, MohamedAndRebecca said:

Hello everyone,

 

We are new to all of this so just looking for some solid advice about where to get started.

 

I am in USA, and my other half is in Egypt.  We are not married yet.

 

If we want to live in the states, which visa route might be the easiest/quickest?  The K-1 fiance visa, or a CR-1 spouse visa?

 

I'm sure there are ups and downs to both sides, just interested to know what those might be and what your experienes or opinions are!

 

Thank you!

K 1 is slightly faster WAY more expensive.

 

if your relationship is legit, you file for CR1 yes there is a little longer wait way less expensive but it has just as much of a success rate as the K1.

Edited by Khallaf
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1 minute ago, MohamedAndRebecca said:

Well, definitely no need for the harsh comment!  I know nothing will me exactly easy or quick, was just looking for advice- I thought that was the point of forums like this!

 

And as I stated, I'm hew here and this is my first post.  I'm not totally familiar with now the site works or how to look at under the different topics.

 

Definitely not a warm welcome.  If you didn't like my post or felt bothered by it, you didn't need to comment.

It's not harsh. You ask about easy and quick way and I told you there is none.

And searching through the forum is pretty basic option.  Like I said, all your answers are there.

K1

29.11.2013 - NoA1

06.02.2014 - NoA2

01.04.2014 - Interview. 

AoS

03.2015 - AoS started.

09.2015 - Green Card received.  

RoC

24.07.2017 - NoA1.

01.08.2018 - RoC approved. 

 

 

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Filed: Other Country: Egypt
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5 minutes ago, Khallaf said:

K 1 is slightly faster WAY more expensive.

 

if your relationship is legit, you file for CR1 yes there is a little longer wait way less expensive but it has just as much of a success rate as the K1.

That makes a lot of sense, and saving money is always a good thing.  A little longer wait might be worth it.  Thank you so much!!!

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
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CR1  is the superior visa, especially where high fraud countries are involved.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Egypt
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6 minutes ago, MohamedAndRebecca said:

That makes a lot of sense, and saving money is always a good thing.  A little longer wait might be worth it.  Thank you so much!!!

I sent you a personal message.

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
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K-1

More expensive than CR-1    
Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)    
Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 5-6 months)    
Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 5-6 months)    
Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period    
Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.

 

CR-1    
Less expensive than K-1    
No Adjustment of Status  (I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    
Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.
Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US. 

My Final Analysis:  If you can marry your fiance in his/her country, CR-1 is a much, much better option

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

August 7, 2022: Wife filed N-400 Online under 5 year rule.

November 10, 2022: Received "Interview is scheduled" letter.

December 12, 2022:  Received email from Dallas office informing me (spouse) to be there for combo interview.

December 14, 2022: Combo Interview for I-751 and N-400 Conducted.

January 26, 2023: Wife's Oath Ceremony completed at the Plano Event Center, Plano, Texas!!!😁

February 6, 2023: Wife's Passport Application submitted in Dallas, Texas.

March 21, 2023:   Wife's Passport Delivered!!!!

May 15, 2023 (about):  Naturalization Certificate returned from Passport agency!!

 

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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Filed: Other Country: Egypt
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39 minutes ago, missileman said:

K-1

More expensive than CR-1    
Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)    
Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 5-6 months)    
Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 5-6 months)    
Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period    
Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.

 

CR-1    
Less expensive than K-1    
No Adjustment of Status  (I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    
Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.
Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US. 

My Final Analysis:  If you can marry your fiance in his/her country, CR-1 is a much, much better option

That is some awesome advice, thank you!!!!!!!

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Egypt
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On 11/28/2018 at 1:28 PM, missileman said:

K-1

More expensive than CR-1    
Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)    
Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 5-6 months)    
Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 5-6 months)    
Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period    
Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.

 

CR-1    
Less expensive than K-1    
No Adjustment of Status  (I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    (IF MARRIED OVER TWO YEARS)
Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.
Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US. 

My Final Analysis:  If you can marry your fiance in his/her country, CR-1 is a much, much better option

Just a small small correction above :) (bolded and marked in red)

 

Great Advice and Information!

Met June 2015

First Trip - October 2015

Second Trip (w/ Family too) - March 2016

Third Trip - July 2016 - He proposed, I said YES!

Fourth Trip (w/ Family too) - October 2016 (Engagement Party)

Fifth Trip and 6 month move to Egypt - January 2017-end of July 2017

March 2017-Family and Friends come for Wedding (March 20th, 2017)

Sixth Trip - October 2017

Seventh Trip (w/ Family) - February 2018

Eighth Trip - May 25th, 2018 - June 3rd, 2018

Ninth Trip - October 26th, 2018 - November 4th, 2018 (w/Family)

Tenth Trip -upcoming March 1st, 2019

Service Center: Nebraska

I - 130 Stage (USCIS):

November 13th, 2017 - I-130 sent

November 24th, 2017 - NOA1 (Received Hard Copy by Mail)

June 7th, 2018 - Online Case Update - Case Transferred and /New Office Has Jurisdiction

June 8th, 2018 - was told my petition is being sent to The National Benefits Center (NBC)

June 8th, 2018 - Online Case Update - we received your case

June 8th, 2018 - Online Case Update - Case Transferred and New Office Has Jurisdiction

June 14th, 2018- Hard Copy of Transfer Notice (sent 6/6/18)

July 9th, 2018- worked with caseworker at congressional office, made a inquiry

August 3rd, 2018 - caseworker was told by liaison that my case had been transferred to another department for review

August 17th, 2018 - expedite request sent per caseworker, due to USCIS error.

August 27th, 2018 - our petition was yet again sent to the wrong office (Adoption Unit...) another request for expedite was placed by caseworker.

August 30th, 2018 - petition was sent BACK to Nebraska Service Center.  Caseworker spoke with NSC liaison detailing the erroneous transfer that has put your case behind normal processing times, as well as the delays/lack of communication/action at NBC"

September 13th, 2018 - Case was transferred to a new office

September 14th, 2018 - Case transferred and new office has jurisdiction - called and they said it was at Nebraska still...

September 14th, 2018 - Case is APPROVED

September 17th, 2018 - Hard Copy NOA2 Received (PD SAYS 9/13/18)

September 26th, 2018 - Sent to the Department of State (online notification)

October 2nd, 2018 - NVC Received

October 26th, 2018 - Case # Received via email

November 7-9th, 2018 - Submitted DS260 and AOS, Civil Documents, etc. via CEAC

November 14th, 2018 - new police certificate was uploaded

November 27th, 2018 - Case Complete at NVC!

Feb 14, 2019 - Received interview date via email

March 5th, 2019 - scheduled interview date - APPROVED
March 9th, 2019 - Visa in Hand

 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
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8 minutes ago, Allison and Ahmed said:

Just a small small correction above :) (bolded and marked in red)

 

 

Your "correction" is incorrect.....Adjustment of Status is not required if married for less than 2 years... .I think you read it as "Removal of Conditions"...

Edited by missileman

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

August 7, 2022: Wife filed N-400 Online under 5 year rule.

November 10, 2022: Received "Interview is scheduled" letter.

December 12, 2022:  Received email from Dallas office informing me (spouse) to be there for combo interview.

December 14, 2022: Combo Interview for I-751 and N-400 Conducted.

January 26, 2023: Wife's Oath Ceremony completed at the Plano Event Center, Plano, Texas!!!😁

February 6, 2023: Wife's Passport Application submitted in Dallas, Texas.

March 21, 2023:   Wife's Passport Delivered!!!!

May 15, 2023 (about):  Naturalization Certificate returned from Passport agency!!

 

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Egypt
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4 minutes ago, missileman said:

Your "correction" is incorrect......I think you read it as "Removal of Conditions"...

Yep, you are correct.

 

Still relevant information for the CO.

 

Thanks for your correction.

 

 

Met June 2015

First Trip - October 2015

Second Trip (w/ Family too) - March 2016

Third Trip - July 2016 - He proposed, I said YES!

Fourth Trip (w/ Family too) - October 2016 (Engagement Party)

Fifth Trip and 6 month move to Egypt - January 2017-end of July 2017

March 2017-Family and Friends come for Wedding (March 20th, 2017)

Sixth Trip - October 2017

Seventh Trip (w/ Family) - February 2018

Eighth Trip - May 25th, 2018 - June 3rd, 2018

Ninth Trip - October 26th, 2018 - November 4th, 2018 (w/Family)

Tenth Trip -upcoming March 1st, 2019

Service Center: Nebraska

I - 130 Stage (USCIS):

November 13th, 2017 - I-130 sent

November 24th, 2017 - NOA1 (Received Hard Copy by Mail)

June 7th, 2018 - Online Case Update - Case Transferred and /New Office Has Jurisdiction

June 8th, 2018 - was told my petition is being sent to The National Benefits Center (NBC)

June 8th, 2018 - Online Case Update - we received your case

June 8th, 2018 - Online Case Update - Case Transferred and New Office Has Jurisdiction

June 14th, 2018- Hard Copy of Transfer Notice (sent 6/6/18)

July 9th, 2018- worked with caseworker at congressional office, made a inquiry

August 3rd, 2018 - caseworker was told by liaison that my case had been transferred to another department for review

August 17th, 2018 - expedite request sent per caseworker, due to USCIS error.

August 27th, 2018 - our petition was yet again sent to the wrong office (Adoption Unit...) another request for expedite was placed by caseworker.

August 30th, 2018 - petition was sent BACK to Nebraska Service Center.  Caseworker spoke with NSC liaison detailing the erroneous transfer that has put your case behind normal processing times, as well as the delays/lack of communication/action at NBC"

September 13th, 2018 - Case was transferred to a new office

September 14th, 2018 - Case transferred and new office has jurisdiction - called and they said it was at Nebraska still...

September 14th, 2018 - Case is APPROVED

September 17th, 2018 - Hard Copy NOA2 Received (PD SAYS 9/13/18)

September 26th, 2018 - Sent to the Department of State (online notification)

October 2nd, 2018 - NVC Received

October 26th, 2018 - Case # Received via email

November 7-9th, 2018 - Submitted DS260 and AOS, Civil Documents, etc. via CEAC

November 14th, 2018 - new police certificate was uploaded

November 27th, 2018 - Case Complete at NVC!

Feb 14, 2019 - Received interview date via email

March 5th, 2019 - scheduled interview date - APPROVED
March 9th, 2019 - Visa in Hand

 

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Egypt
Timeline
On 11/28/2018 at 9:07 PM, GHJourney said:

Hello

 

We just went through this process in Egypt and we used the K-1 visa approach. This was recommended by our lawyer as it is quicker and for our situation better as I wanted to get married in the US. Hope this helps. We are thankfully enjoying our lives together now. 😊

So u been through AP too and how long it takes??

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