Please help. I am overwhelmed and don’t even know where to begin

[aaron2020 11,651]

6 minutes ago, Bobio said:

Hey Aaron, thanks so much for the response.  We've discussed all of that and she's ok with staying in the states for a while and not working (she'll just go to the local CC and take ESL classes). I have heard that K1 is typically faster but since the embassy in Colombia is closed, that's not the case now, that's why we're so confused on what to do. If they now take the same amount of time for her to get here, maybe we should just get married in Colombia next month. Thanks, Bobby

I would go the spousal visa route.  Lots of VJ veterans would do the spousal visa.  No one has regrets doing the spousal visa.  Lots of people have regrets doing the fiancee visa.

Edited February 3, 2021 by aaron2020

[Crazy Cat 39,868]

5 minutes ago, Bobio said:

If they now take the same amount of time for her to get here, maybe we should just get married in Colombia next month.

Only you can decided which is the better option for you.......But I have never seen a couple who chose a spousal visa regret that decision.  I have seen many K-1 couples say they should have chosen otherwise.  The important thing is to have all the information before making an informed decision.  

Edited February 3, 2021 by Lucky Cat

[aaron2020 11,651]

Just now, Bobio said:

Right, that's what I was saying to Lucky Cat. She does have her kids and mom in Colombia, and she's the sole bread winner, so that is a compelling reason to go back there until her visa is approved. We just don't know what to do now. 

Right now, visitor visas are not being processed.  If she doesn't have one right now, then forget it.  You will have to visit her.  Concentrate on the big picture.

Will her kids be immigrating with her?

5 minutes ago, Bobio said:

Hey Aaron, thanks so much for the response.  We've discussed all of that and she's ok with staying in the states for a while and not working (she'll just go to the local CC and take ESL classes). I have heard that K1 is typically faster but since the embassy in Colombia is closed, that's not the case now, that's why we're so confused on what to do. If they now take the same amount of time for her to get here, maybe we should just get married in Colombia next month. Thanks, Bobby

Have you checked with the local CC to see if someone adjusting status can attend ESL classes?

[Bobio 3]

3 minutes ago, aaron2020 said:

I would go the spousal visa route.  Lots of VJ veterans would do the spousal visa.  No one has regrets about doing the spousal visa.  Lots of people have regrets doing the fiancee visa.

Thank you

1 minute ago, aaron2020 said:

Right now, visitor visas are not being processed.  If she doesn't have one right now, then forget it.  You will have to visit her.  Concentrate on the big picture.

Will her kids be immigrating with her?

Yes, her children are young, 8, 4 and 3 and her ex husband is a dead beat loser. He's fine with them all moving here. 

[aaron2020 11,651]

1 minute ago, Bobio said:

Thank you

Yes, her children are young, 8, 4 and 3 and her ex husband is a dead beat loser. He's fine with them all moving here. 

For the K-1, would her children be coming with her?  Or will you want them to come later?

[Bobio 3]

1 minute ago, aaron2020 said:

For the K-1, would her children be coming with her?  Or will you want them to come later?

With her. All 4 would come at the same time. 

[Removed20210801 22]

1 hour ago, Bobio said:

This is news to me. I was told that it is virtually impossible for them to come here to visit because it's assumed that they're just going to stay so they're guilty until proven innocent. 

Yes be ready to get sent to secondary. It’s not guaranteed but we have been harassed by them on a trip before. They will demean you and otherwise treat you like you are committing a crime. Like I said it’s not guaranteed to happen but I has and unfortunately a lot of them are not nice people.

Edited February 3, 2021 by alexatexas

[Crazy Cat 39,868]

3 minutes ago, alexatexas said:

Yes be ready to get sent to secondary. It’s not guaranteed but we have been harassed by them on a trip before. They will demean you and otherwise treat you like you are committing a crime. Like I said it’s not guaranteed to happen but I has and unfortunately a lot of them are not nice people.

There are a lot of people here who have had no problems at all..

[Removed20210801 22]

16 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

There are a lot of people here who have had no problems at all..

Like I said it’s not guaranteed to happen. We have also not had it happen but I would mentally be prepared to end up in secondary if you end up with someone having a bad day.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

  For most the spousal visa is a better route.  A little more time, less paperwork in the long run.  For me , I had employment that looked negatively at spouses residing in foreign countries so the K1 was better for me. 

 

[TBoneTX 43,535]

Thread is moved from the Mexico/Latin/South America forum to "What Visa Do I Need."

[Dashinka 23,423]

I agree, that I would go the spousal visa route especially with four people coming at the same time.  Much less headache after arrival and cheaper in the long run.  

 

Good Luck!

[Juliet57 304]

Reach out to people waiting for visas in Bogotá consulate, they should be well aware of the time it took to process either visa in pre covid times, and they usually actively communicate with other people in the same boat.

 

The K1 is not being scheduled in my Consulate, so even if it's supposed to take a shorter time, if the visa category is not being scheduled then it might take longer, that's why it's important to check with people who went to Bogota Consulate or are waiting for interview in Bogota.

 

There might be facebook groups, and you can also check the Regional group here on VJ.

[Timona 3,977]

I would just get married and do CR-1.

Even though you stated she is okay with not working immediately, I would still go CR-1.

 

@Lucky Cat already gave you a good breakdown. Basically, with COVID times, if you do a K-1, it will take you close to 3 years from filing to GC  and you have to pay extra to get the GC after she arrives. CR-1 will be half that time and no extra pay. The only difference in CR-1/K-1 visa (not GC) issuance is like 3 months. That being said, I would go CR-1. You are going to Colombia next month. You may as well get married. 

 

Basically, let us say you are filing now for either process.

1. For K-1, it may be until end year to just get the visa issued (Dec 2021). She comes over to US. You marry, file AOS ($$ to pay again). With COVID timeframes, you are looking at 2 years before your case lands on someone's desk for interview or waived interview (So mid 2023 to Jan 2024).
2. For CR-1, it may be anywhere from Dec 2021 to mid 2022 for her to receive both the visa and GC. No extra cost. 

 

Oooo and btw, if you go CR-1, she lands and get a GC asap. Having GC makes her eligible for loans/ grants for the schools she wants to go to. K-1 will not grant this till 2024 when she gets GC.

Edited February 4, 2021 by Timona

[Bobio 3]

20 hours ago, alexatexas said:

Yes be ready to get sent to secondary. It’s not guaranteed but we have been harassed by them on a trip before. They will demean you and otherwise treat you like you are committing a crime. Like I said it’s not guaranteed to happen but I has and unfortunately a lot of them are not nice people.

What is "secondary"? I am so new to all of this stuff.