K1 or CR1? Covid Situation

[Bluegirl55 0]

5 minutes ago, DaveAndAnastasia said:

You can't actually see that.

 

You can see nominal official estimates on USCIS' web site, and self-reported averages of VisaJourney users over the last year here.

 

But it's clear USCIS is not using data to determine reported processing times right now (at least not for AOS, where field offices that have never had close to similar processing times are now showing the same absurdly large 9-35.5 month range), and VJ averages pick up speed ups a lot faster than slow downs because if your status isn't changing there's nothing to report.

DId anyone find here an average of waiting time for K1 and for CR1?

[HRQX 4,145]

4 hours ago, Bluegirl55 said:

Where we can see processing times? Which case is currently in the process for K1 and CR1?

Even if that data was available for previous timelines, it wouldn't be meaningful for future processing times. DOS has designated IR-1/CR-1 as "mission critical" and K-1 backlog should be expected. In June 2020, 952 IR-1/CR-1 visas were issued and only 151 K-1 visas were issued.

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/Immigrant-Statistics/MonthlyIVIssuances/June 2020 - IV Issuances by Post and Visa Class.pdf

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/Non-Immigrant-Statistics/MonthlyNIVIssuances/June 2020 - NIV Issuances by Post and Visa Class.pdf

[CoriandPhilemon 9]

On 8/9/2020 at 7:23 AM, JFH said:

A “little more” is debatable. After the October fee increase the K-1 will cost over $2000 more than the CR-1. Adjustment of status is increasing in cost from $1225 to $2170. There is no adjustment of status for CR-1. That’s an extra $2170 the K-1 people have to pay to be in an “inferior” status for months when they arrive. 
 

I never saw the benefits of a K-1 before the fee increase but even those who previously thought the K-1 was a good idea must now be re-thinking that. 

Except for couples like us... my fiancé is Nigerian so the CR-1 isn’t an option for us. Coronavirus aside, family-based immigration from Nigeria is barred until further notice thanks to Mr. Trump. We were going to do the CR-1 but now our hand has been forced. 

[Bret L Smith 15]

8 hours ago, CoriandPhilemon said:

Except for couples like us... my fiancé is Nigerian so the CR-1 isn’t an option for us. Coronavirus aside, family-based immigration from Nigeria is barred until further notice thanks to Mr. Trump. We were going to do the CR-1 but now our hand has been forced. 

You may want to double check before you make a decision, because no interviews are being conducted right now for either the CR-1 or the K-1 visa.

What makes you think a K-1 would be any faster right now?

[CoriandPhilemon 9]

5 hours ago, Bret L Smith said:

You may want to double check before you make a decision, because no interviews are being conducted right now for either the CR-1 or the K-1 visa.

What makes you think a K-1 would be any faster right now?

It won’t be faster right now, but once the embassies reopen it will be because technically the K-1 is not an immigration visa, so it allows us a small loophole that the CR-1 does not. Unless we get a new president who lifts the immigration ban the K-1 is our best shot 

[Bret L Smith 15]

The Immigration Ban DOES NOT apply to CR1 Spousal Visas! I’ve talked to a couple reps at the NVC recently, so you may want to call USCIS and check for yourself. 

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,079]

27 minutes ago, Bret L Smith said:

The Immigration Ban DOES NOT apply to CR1 Spousal Visas! I’ve talked to a couple reps at the NVC recently, so you may want to call USCIS and check for yourself. 

The previous poster was talking about the ban on issuing new immigrant visas for Nigeria (which does include CR-1s) , not the COVID-19 related travel ban from the Schengen area and some other countries (which excludes the spouses of US citizens).

[Bret L Smith 15]

19 hours ago, CoriandPhilemon said:

Except for couples like us... my fiancé is Nigerian so the CR-1 isn’t an option for us. Coronavirus aside, family-based immigration from Nigeria is barred until further notice thanks to Mr. Trump. We were going to do the CR-1 but now our hand has been forced. 

 

4 hours ago, CoriandPhilemon said:

It won’t be faster right now, but once the embassies reopen it will be because technically the K-1 is not an immigration visa, so it allows us a small loophole that the CR-1 does not. Unless we get a new president who lifts the immigration ban the K-1 is our best shot 

Read the information on this Link. CR1 Spousal Visas Re Excluded from the Ban!

(”Exempted the following individuals:

•Spouses and children of U.S. citizens.”)

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.natlawreview.com/article/unpacking-national-interest-exception-requirements-to-recent-presidential%3famp

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, Bret L Smith said:

Read the information on this Link. CR1 Spousal Visas Re Excluded from the Ban!

(”Exempted the following individuals:

•Spouses and children of U.S. citizens.”)

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.natlawreview.com/article/unpacking-national-interest-exception-requirements-to-recent-presidential%3famp

There is a different proclamation that currently affects CR-1 visas for citizens of Nigeria: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/presidential-proclamation-archive/presidential-proclamation9645.html It clearly says "No immigrant or diversity visas, except for Special Immigrants whose eligibility is based on having provided assistance to the United States Government." in the row for Nigeria. After initial refusal, the CO should consider the applicant for a waiver to that restriction.

6 hours ago, CoriandPhilemon said:

so it allows us a small loophole that the CR-1 does not.

Some have gotten waivers after the initial refusal at CR-1 interview:

 

[CoriandPhilemon 9]

8 hours ago, HRQX said:

There is a different proclamation that currently affects CR-1 visas for citizens of Nigeria: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/presidential-proclamation-archive/presidential-proclamation9645.html It clearly says "No immigrant or diversity visas, except for Special Immigrants whose eligibility is based on having provided assistance to the United States Government." in the row for Nigeria. After initial refusal, the CO should consider the applicant for a waiver to that restriction.

Some have gotten waivers after the initial refusal at CR-1 interview:

 

Wow!! Thank you so much for this!!!!!

[Drewjoy 4]

On 8/18/2020 at 1:44 PM, Bret L Smith said:

The Immigration Ban DOES NOT apply to CR1 Spousal Visas! I’ve talked to a couple reps at the NVC recently, so you may want to call USCIS and check for yourself. 

Thank you so much I will call USCIS

[Drewjoy 4]

On 8/18/2020 at 3:44 PM, HRQX said:

There is a different proclamation that currently affects CR-1 visas for citizens of Nigeria: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/presidential-proclamation-archive/presidential-proclamation9645.html It clearly says "No immigrant or diversity visas, except for Special Immigrants whose eligibility is based on having provided assistance to the United States Government." in the row for Nigeria. After initial refusal, the CO should consider the applicant for a waiver to that restriction.

Some have gotten waivers after the initial refusal at CR-1 interview:

 

Thank you for this info 

[Bret L Smith 15]

Thank you for the clarification!

[CS_Bradshaw 55]

On 8/9/2020 at 8:05 PM, Bluegirl55 said:

Hi everybody.

I have some questions about visas. 

Which visa is better K1 or CR1? What is situation about COVID.? Which visa is shorter to wait K1 or CR1?

I read somewhere on internet that K1 visa has waiting time like CR1.

What are the requirements for CR1 if a person is not working, but he has a sponsorship support.

Im from Sarajevo. Thanks a lot.

I would suggest to just go with the CR1. I have a friend who went to the US with K1 visa and she is frustrated right now because it has been 9 months since she is doing the adjustment status there and till now she still haven't got her green card. Also, because of this pandemic, the CR1/IR1 has more advantages, because they consider you as immediate relatives and will still work on your case even it might take time, but seeing the current condition in everywhere, K1 application might take longer than CR1.  

 

Also, effective Oct 2, the fees for adjustment status increase 62% from the current fees, so if you still wanna go with K1, you need to make sure that you are ready to deal with paying those expenses and wait time until you can get your green card or if you want to travel outside US. Once you get to the US with CR1 you just need to wait till you get your green card (i have heard most people get it around 1~3 months after their arrival in the US).