K-1 or K-3...which is better?

[AM_Weller 1]

Hi everyone! I need some advice about which route to take when petitioning for my fiancé to move to the US. 

 

I'm the American, my fiancé is British. We've been together for 2.5 years and engaged for 1 year. I've read the K-1 is quicker then the K-3. For anyone who has gone through or is going through the K-1 route please offer me some helpful advice.

 

Thank you in advance

[Unlockable 7,306]

K3 is obsolete. So no need to even mention it.

 

Your overall best bet is the CR1. It is a superior visa for many reasons. It has been discussed on here many times. You can use the search button to find topics on it are do a comparison with this link.

https://www.visajourney.com/content/compare/

[Roel 7,191]

Dont get your hopes up on any immigration process being "quick". 

 

Generally cr1 Visa is better than k1 Visa. But you need to get married first. K3 is no longer processed. 

[AM_Weller 1]

35 minutes ago, Roel said:

Dont get your hopes up on any immigration process being "quick". 

 

Generally cr1 Visa is better than k1 Visa. But you need to get married first. K3 is no longer processed. 

I don't think the process overall is quick. I was merely wondering which might shaves a month or so off the timeframe. Thank you for your advice 😊

55 minutes ago, Unlockable said:

K3 is obsolete. So no need to even mention it.

 

Your overall best bet is the CR1. It is a superior visa for many reasons. It has been discussed on here many times. You can use the search button to find topics on it are do a comparison with this link.

https://www.visajourney.com/content/compare/

Okay, I'll look at the link. Thank you for your advice 😊

[Daphne . 1,672]

20 minutes ago, am_rodriguez said:

I don't think the process overall is quick. I was merely wondering which might shaves a month or so off the timeframe. Thank you for your advice 😊

 

Even though the K1 might shave some time off the waiting for your partner to be able to move to The States, the stage that comes after that (AOS) is not a very pleasant one because your partner will not be allowed to work or travel (and even drive) for an extended period of time. The bliss of getting together more quickly could disappear very quickly when your partner has to spend the first months of marriage stuck.. 

Going the CR1 route might take a little longer until you get to be and stay together, your partner will be able to work and travel immediately upon arrival in The States. 

[Crazy Cat 39,227]

44 minutes ago, am_rodriguez said:

I don't think the process overall is quick. I was merely wondering which might shaves a month or so off the timeframe. Thank you for your advice 😊

Okay, I'll look at the link. Thank you for your advice 😊

This might help.

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.

K-1
    Slightly faster arrival in the US (currently about 5 months sooner)    
    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
    Slightly slower arrival in the US (currently about 5 months later)

    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.
  �

 

[Ontarkie 13,916]

~~Moved to What Visa Do I Need, from K1 P&P - The OP is looking into their options.~~

[little immigrant 800]

8 hours ago, Unlockable said:

K3 is obsolete. So no need to even mention it.

 

Your overall best bet is the CR1. It is a superior visa for many reasons. It has been discussed on here many times. You can use the search button to find topics on it are do a comparison with this link.

https://www.visajourney.com/content/compare/

I didn't know there was a comparison on here. Nice. I just wish it would break down the difference for children derivatives. 

[SalishSea 16,770]

6 hours ago, little immigrant said:

I didn't know there was a comparison on here. Nice. I just wish it would break down the difference for children derivatives. 

I believe that if the alien fiancee has minor children, the K-1 may be advantageous as they could all be petitioned together.  

[NikLR 13,220]

9 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

I believe that if the alien fiancee has minor children, the K-1 may be advantageous as they could all be petitioned together.  

That is an advantage of the K1, only 1 petition needed for multiples.  You just pay for it on the backside with multiple AOS. But if the child is close to or over 18 its okay.  Thry can still immigrate or follow to join up to age 21. 

[JulienR 92]

The K3 visa is not obsolete, it's just that not many are given anymore because they approve the I-130 directly instead. If you get married first and file an I-130 petition, my advice is to file the -129F petition at the same time, it might speed up the process. There is no additional fee and it's pretty much the same paperwork as for the I-130. The only downsides  if you get approved for a K3 visa instead of for a CR1 directly are that you won't be able to work right away once in the US, you have to ask for employment authorization (takes a few months) and you will have to go through AOS which is more expensive (several hundreds of dollars I believe).

[SalishSea 16,770]

5 hours ago, JulienR said:

The K3 visa is not obsolete, it's just that not many are given anymore because they approve the I-130 directly instead. If you get married first and file an I-130 petition, my advice is to file the -129F petition at the same time, it might speed up the process. There is no additional fee and it's pretty much the same paperwork as for the I-130. The only downsides  if you get approved for a K3 visa instead of for a CR1 directly are that you won't be able to work right away once in the US, you have to ask for employment authorization (takes a few months) and you will have to go through AOS which is more expensive (several hundreds of dollars I believe).

With five (5) total K-3s granted in 2018, that could be considered statistically obsolete.

[payxibka 10,044]

5 hours ago, JulienR said:

The K3 visa is not obsolete, it's just that not many are given anymore

Distinction without a difference 

[Crazy Cat 39,227]

5 hours ago, JulienR said:

The K3 visa is not obsolete, it's just that not many are given anymore because they approve the I-130 directly instead

Last year, only 6 were approved world wide.....This year?   I think the word "obsolete" is pretty accurate.

[payxibka 10,044]

8 minutes ago, missileman said:

Last year, only 6 were approved world wide.....This year?   I think the word "obsolete" is pretty accurate.

Obsolete:  no longer in general use; fallen into disuse.

 

Yup.  Me thinks I agree