Switch to CR1?

[eggybreadb78 57]

Hi guys, 

 

I'm pretty sure this has been asked a few times but for some reason I'm having difficulties on my laptop with searching, who knows why! I have been engaged for two years this July and we only just recently filed our K-1 (meant to file like a year+ ago but things happened that prevented us annoyingly!), we also discussed getting married on my ESTA and doing AoS when I was there a couple of months ago but there was a lot we didn't want to risk (even though we didn't intend on it AT ALL in the first place), anyway... we got our NOA1 in October pretty quickly after USCIS got our payment and received the package itself. I think daily about whether or not we should just get married when he visits next and we file for the spousal visa. I am fully aware of the pros of the CR1 as I spent so much time trying to decide which visa to file in the first place buuuuuut, the main thing was always the time separated - but this seems pretty irrelevant now. Of course the CR1 is far superior in pretty much every expect but I can't help but ask myself, 'what if our K-1 does get approved sooner than a CR1 would as we've already filed?'. It's hard because I know CR1s aren't being neglected whereas K-1s are at my embassy. It's just that 'what-if' feeling. I guess I'm looking for some personal opinions or even people who are having the same thoughts. I also think when Biden takes office and starts to discuss any potential immigration plans/changes/mess arounds, this might help us make a decision.  

Edited January 14, 2021 by eggybreadb78

[Strawberrymermaid 346]

12 minutes ago, eggybreadb78 said:

Hi guys, 

 

I'm pretty sure this has been asked a few times but for some reason I'm having difficulties on my laptop with searching, who knows why! I have been engaged for two years this July and we only just recently filed our K-1 (meant to file like a year+ ago but things happened that prevented us annoyingly!), we also discussed getting married on my ESTA and doing AoS when I was there a couple of months ago but there was a lot we didn't want to risk (even though we didn't intend on it AT ALL in the first place), anyway... we got our NOA1 in October pretty quickly after USCIS got our payment and received the package itself. I think daily about whether or not we should just get married when he visits next and we file for the spousal visa. I am fully aware of the pros of the CR1 as I spent so much time trying to decide which visa to file in the first place buuuuuut, the main thing was always the time separated - but this seems pretty irrelevant now. Of course the CR1 is far superior in pretty much every expect but I can't help but ask myself, 'what if our K-1 does get approved sooner than a CR1 would as we've already filed?'. It's hard because I know CR1s aren't being neglected whereas K-1s are at my embassy. It's just that 'what-if' feeling. I guess I'm looking for some personal opinions or even people who are having the same thoughts. I also think when Biden takes office and starts to discuss any potential immigration plans/changes/mess arounds, this might help us make a decision.  

Very hard times we are in. We got NOA1 in July and we are abandoning it and getting married in Mexico next month to start over with CR-1. I get more rights to visit him as a wife while we wait and priority in visa processing. Don't stress out, just make a decision and go with it!

Edited January 14, 2021 by Strawberrymermaid

[eggybreadb78 57]

1 minute ago, Strawberrymermaid said:

Very hard times we are in. We got NOA1 in July and we are abandoning it and getting married in Mexico next month to start over with CR-1. I get more rights to visit him as a wife while we wait and priority in visa processing. Don't stress out, just make a decision and go with it!

That’s what’s tough, it is inevitably a better decision even just taking into considering the rights you get as a spouse. Just hard to abandon it and abandon the hope that we could be together this year

[Boiler 45,651]

Cr1 has so many advantages it is very rare a K1 would be a better bet.

[Strawberrymermaid 346]

8 minutes ago, eggybreadb78 said:

That’s what’s tough, it is inevitably a better decision even just taking into considering the rights you get as a spouse. Just hard to abandon it and abandon the hope that we could be together this year

I don't know about your embassy but mine is totally closed and not even processing emergency CR-1s for the most part. So I'm not even considering time as a factor since the wait will be so so long either way. The way things are going in the world, there's no way to know. My fiance is also from a country that is not part of the VWP and can't get an ESTA or easily visit the US. I am fully mentally prepared to wait two years or longer if that's what it takes. Best of luck!

[Strawberrymermaid 346]

5 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Cr1 has so many advantages it is very rare a K1 would be a better bet.

Besides being same sex marriage (where it may be hard to marry in beneficiary or 3rd country) , a k2 aging out, or not having the ability to actually meet up and get married, I don't see much advantage to k1 either.

[eggybreadb78 57]

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

Cr1 has so many advantages it is very rare a K1 would be a better bet.

Oh completely right, CR1 is far superior in every way just the length of time apart was the reason we decided to do the K-1, however it seems that there's no end in sight to the neglecting of K-1s. 

 

57 minutes ago, Strawberrymermaid said:

I don't know about your embassy but mine is totally closed and not even processing emergency CR-1s for the most part. So I'm not even considering time as a factor since the wait will be so so long either way. The way things are going in the world, there's no way to know. My fiance is also from a country that is not part of the VWP and can't get an ESTA or easily visit the US. I am fully mentally prepared to wait two years or longer if that's what it takes. Best of luck!

Ergh, it all just really sucks at the moment. I can't imagine how difficult it is for you guys and not having access to an ESTA - I feel so fortunate to have this option. I think for me the timing has always been the main factor. I just can't get those thoughts of, 'well... what if the K-1 is still quicker'. It's the dominating thought. But honestly the sensible and more beneficial option is (and always has been) the CR1. Maybe a miracle will happen and they'll just wave a wand and all our visas will be granted over night. 

[Strawberrymermaid 346]

20 minutes ago, eggybreadb78 said:

Oh completely right, CR1 is far superior in every way just the length of time apart was the reason we decided to do the K-1, however it seems that there's no end in sight to the neglecting of K-1s. 

 

Ergh, it all just really sucks at the moment. I can't imagine how difficult it is for you guys and not having access to an ESTA - I feel so fortunate to have this option. I think for me the timing has always been the main factor. I just can't get those thoughts of, 'well... what if the K-1 is still quicker'. It's the dominating thought. But honestly the sensible and more beneficial option is (and always has been) the CR1. Maybe a miracle will happen and they'll just wave a wand and all our visas will be granted over night. 

I don't see how k1 could be faster at this point. There's backlogs at least from March for people at both NVC and the embassy waiting for interviews for all types of visa. I don't think you could even guestimate a time of which will be faster. So at that point, with time not a factor... see which one is better as a couple, in both short and long term. 💖

Edited January 14, 2021 by Strawberrymermaid

[eggybreadb78 57]

4 minutes ago, Strawberrymermaid said:

I don't see how k1 could be faster at this point. There's backlogs at least from March for people at both NVC and the embassy waiting for interviews for all types of visa. I don't think you could even guestimate a time of which will be faster. So at that point, with time not a factor... see which one is better as a couple, in both short and long term. 💖

This is exactly what I've been battling with. It sucks not having a single clue! You're right, definitely needs to be the right decision for our relationship. I hope things get sorted out for you both!

[NeonParticles 126]

I'm currently considering this path as well.  Especially since my fiancee is based in the Philippines and they have the strictest lockdown on earth right now (that I know of).

[Removed20210801 22]

If you recently filed I would switch to the CR1. I just got my NOA2 and am 7 months into the K1 process and I still consider dropping it and switching to CR1 some days... 

[SauceS133 2]

I am very much considering switching to a CR1, NOA1 was received in September, still a long way to go. I read another similar thread and most others agreed on the benefits of the CR1. The only thing that really varies is where a couple is in their relationship and what they are most comfortable with. Oh, and if either party can get to a place where you can actually get married. 

[eggybreadb78 57]

10 minutes ago, SauceS133 said:

I am very much considering switching to a CR1, NOA1 was received in September, still a long way to go. I read another similar thread and most others agreed on the benefits of the CR1. The only thing that really varies is where a couple is in their relationship and what they are most comfortable with. Oh, and if either party can get to a place where you can actually get married. 

We filed towards the end of September and got our NOA1 in October, so I understand the frustration of knowing it's a long way to go! Yeah, the benefits of the CR1 are inarguably better and more than the K1 - especially now. Just a tough call with letting go of the possibility that we'll be together this year - I mean if we're lucky the CR1 won't take more than a year but who knows. 

[NandV 87]

I'm in the boat to wait 6 days to see what Biden's immigration rules are, that would have some impact. However, while CR1 appears to be the best route, it's difficult if you are not able to meet up to actually marry. I'm not able to fly into my fiance's country right now and personally don't feel comfortable flying in general

[eggybreadb78 57]

5 minutes ago, NandV said:

I'm in the boat to wait 6 days to see what Biden's immigration rules are, that would have some impact. However, while CR1 appears to be the best route, it's difficult if you are not able to meet up to actually marry. I'm not able to fly into my fiance's country right now and personally don't feel comfortable flying in general

My partner said the same thing about waiting in Biden's in office, hoping that he won't make things worse but instead, better. Oh no, that's awful, the world is such a crazy place right now!