Visa K1 now (October) or Wait?

[JeanneAdil 6,197]

1 hour ago, HRQX said:

Just a note that both Americans and Brazilians don't need visas to enter Mexico as tourists. Thus, Mexico is a good option.

but they do for a marriage license according to the page sent

Your visitor’s permit, obtained at your port of entry

[Crazy Cat 39,227]

13 minutes ago, Silva Francine said:

Glad it worked out for you!  and how long did your CR-1 process take?

Pre-Covid, a CR-1 took 12-18 months on average from filing to visa in hand..  

[bobjennyhitched 99]

14 minutes ago, Silva Francine said:

Glad it worked out for you!  and how long did your CR-1 process take?

It took us 23 months. However, we suffered a massive delay due to my husband needing to re-file taxes to submit earnings. My friend in Boston took 13 months for his CR1  so I reckon 13 months is more accurate.

[Orangesapples 1,954]

17 minutes ago, bobjennyhitched said:

It took us 23 months. However, we suffered a massive delay due to my husband needing to re-file taxes to submit earnings. My friend in Boston took 13 months for his CR1  so I reckon 13 months is more accurate.

Well, at least you likely didn't have to do ROC. 

[HRQX 4,145]

22 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

but they do for a marriage license according to the page sent

Your visitor’s permit, obtained at your port of entry

Visa not required. That is referring to Forma Migratoria Múltiple issued at entry.

[Silva Francine 3]

28 minutes ago, bobjennyhitched said:

It took us 23 months. However, we suffered a massive delay due to my husband needing to re-file taxes to submit earnings. My friend in Boston took 13 months for his CR1  so I reckon 13 months is more accurate.

Aah I understand 😊 it's probably a little slower now

[carmel34 3,531]

5 hours ago, Silva Francine said:

Would a wedding in Mexico be better?  Brazil is extremely bureaucratic to marry foreigners

I can confirm from personal experience that for a USC to marry a Brazilian in Brazil it is a long process of red tape, best to be avoided if you can.  We looked into other countries, but my fiancé at that time did not even have a Brazilian passport so our options were limited.  We almost got married in Argentina but decided against it because of the cost and he wanted his family to be there.  Getting married in Brazil took about five months from the beginning of the process until we had our marriage certificate in hand.  I had to get all my US and Canadian documents "apostilled," by the Brazilian Consulate or the issuing state's secretary of state office--lots of FedEx charges. Then all the apostilled documents had to be sent and translated by an official translation service in Brazil that is recognized by the government--they charged per page and my divorce decree was 15 pages so it ended up being very expensive.  Then once all the documents are approved, next there's the marriage application at the local cartorio, for that couldn't travel to Brazil again just to sign papers, so instead I did a limited power of attorney in the US, in English, so that my fiancé's friend could legally sign the papers for me, then I drove to Sacramento to get it apostilled, then sent it to an official translation company in Brazil, then to the local cartorio.  After the application was done, there is a 30 or 60 day notice period before the marriage ceremony could be scheduled.  So yes, if you want to get married, definitely try to find a faster option, Mexico would be perfect if you can both get there.  Find out what documents you need in advance.  Good luck!

Edited September 21, 2020 by carmel34

[Gomast 65]

9 hours ago, Lucky Cat said:

Have you considered a CR-1 instead of a K-1?

 

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

K-1
    Possibly Slightly faster arrival in the US     
    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.
    A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire
  

CR-1
    Possibly Slightly slower arrival in the US 

    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.
  �

 

EAD wait time of up to 37 months. I’ve been waiting since September 2019...

[HRQX 4,145]

2 minutes ago, Gomast said:

EAD wait time of up to 37 months. I’ve been waiting since September 2019...

It went back to normal: "5.5 Months to 7.5 Months" https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

You should request an outside of normal processing times inquiry using the online form.

[Ontarkie 13,916]

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[Strawberrymermaid 346]

On 9/21/2020 at 5:45 PM, carmel34 said:

I can confirm from personal experience that for a USC to marry a Brazilian in Brazil it is a long process of red tape, best to be avoided if you can.  We looked into other countries, but my fiancé at that time did not even have a Brazilian passport so our options were limited.  We almost got married in Argentina but decided against it because of the cost and he wanted his family to be there.  Getting married in Brazil took about five months from the beginning of the process until we had our marriage certificate in hand.  I had to get all my US and Canadian documents "apostilled," by the Brazilian Consulate or the issuing state's secretary of state office--lots of FedEx charges. Then all the apostilled documents had to be sent and translated by an official translation service in Brazil that is recognized by the government--they charged per page and my divorce decree was 15 pages so it ended up being very expensive.  Then once all the documents are approved, next there's the marriage application at the local cartorio, for that couldn't travel to Brazil again just to sign papers, so instead I did a limited power of attorney in the US, in English, so that my fiancé's friend could legally sign the papers for me, then I drove to Sacramento to get it apostilled, then sent it to an official translation company in Brazil, then to the local cartorio.  After the application was done, there is a 30 or 60 day notice period before the marriage ceremony could be scheduled.  So yes, if you want to get married, definitely try to find a faster option, Mexico would be perfect if you can both get there.  Find out what documents you need in advance.  Good luck!

Thanks for sharing this information - I feel the general "CR-1" is better mentality is slightly discouraging when you have to pull the details of HOW to get married in other countries, especially during COVID times. Hope this helps OP to make her decision. 

 

Also.. many states in Mexico require a blood test to get married. Some of these states require you to get the blood test there, in mexico, no less than 14 days before you plan to get married. Lots of logistics!

Edited September 25, 2020 by Strawberrymermaid

[Todd and Katty 0]

On 9/21/2020 at 7:17 AM, Silva Francine said:

Hi everyone do you think it's a good idea to file my K1 petition now in October?  I am totally confused because there is no information about anything, and looking here, not even the biometrics they are taking, since my fiance is in the USA and I in Brazil and I don't have any other type of visa at the moment!  i'm afraid to be too late and take too long to get into the usa. Do you believe that processing will take more than 9 months now?

 No reason to wait...do it ASAP 

[Abdifatah 0]

Am looking the petition of My visa of last year 

[Xia Angela 5]

On 9/21/2020 at 7:17 PM, Silva Francine said:

Hi everyone do you think it's a good idea to file my K1 petition now in October?  I am totally confused because there is no information about anything, and looking here, not even the biometrics they are taking, since my fiance is in the USA and I in Brazil and I don't have any other type of visa at the moment!  i'm afraid to be too late and take too long to get into the usa. Do you believe that processing will take more than 9 months now?

Yes it will take more than 9 months,next oct willbe 1year for me. Filed k1 oct 2019 and approved march 2020 due to pandemic no k1 intrview until now at my country so yes expect more than 9 months for sure

[Silva Francine 3]

We decided that we will follow the path of Cr1, which may be longer, but better.  We will go to Mexico, my question is whether I will have to register the marriage certificate first in Brazil and then my fiance will enter the l-130 because the certificate will be from Mexico, or can I send the Mexico marriage certificate in the Cr1 petition? Someone here with a similar experience who can help me?!