CR1 vs K1 Philippines

[bigpot38 0]

Philippines specific question.

 

Is there any reason to do K1 over CR1? Is approval rate much different? Maybe I am just paranoid about being approved in general, but I've been researching and I read in several posts within the past few years that the K1 is very easy to get in the Philippines and there isn't that much scrutiny overall. Just wondering if that's the same for the CR1, or if filing for the CR1 would have a different set of scrutiny/circumstances that might make it harder to get approved than the K1? 

[Chancy 6,241]

27 minutes ago, bigpot38 said:

Is there any reason to do K1 over CR1?

1. The beneficiary has kids over 18 but under 21 years old.
2. It's an insurmountable hardship for the couple to meet again in person prior to filing the petition.
3. The couple have a strong emotional attachment to starting their married life together in the US -- ie, separation while engaged is acceptable, but not after being married.

[Crazy Cat 41,981]

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

K-1        
    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 6-8 months)    
    Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 6-8 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
    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.
   

 

[Crazy Cat 41,981]

39 minutes ago, bigpot38 said:

that might make it harder to get approved than the K1? 

Harder to get?  No.  But, as @Chancy pointed out, there might a practical reason.

[bigpot38 0]

I understand the general pros and cons of K1 vs CR1. What I'm trying to figure out is if getting married and doing the CR1 would somehow be "harder to prove" the marriage vs just a simple K1 petition (which again, sounded pretty simple to get on it's own in the Philippines). I don't want to "upgrade" to the CR1 by getting married, only to have the burden of proof be highly increased vs the K1. 

[Crazy Cat 41,981]

8 minutes ago, bigpot38 said:

I understand the general pros and cons of K1 vs CR1. What I'm trying to figure out is if getting married and doing the CR1 would somehow be "harder to prove" the marriage vs just a simple K1 petition (which again, sounded pretty simple to get on it's own in the Philippines). I don't want to "upgrade" to the CR1 by getting married, only to have the burden of proof be highly increased vs the K1. 

You are misinformed.  You seem to think a K-1 is just formality.....It isn't...and it carries many disadvantages compared to a CR-1.  Good luck with your decision..  There are members who were denied a K-1, then were approved for a CR-1.

Edited April 11, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[bigpot38 0]

5 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

You are misinformed.  You seem to think a K-1 is just formality.....It isn't...and it carries many disadvantages compared to a CR-1.  Good luck with your decision..  There are members who were denied a K-1, then were approved for a CR-1.

Not a formality. I was just referencing the several posts I've seen indicating the K1 has a pretty high approval rating and the scrutiny isn't that bad in the Philippines. I would love to get married and go the CR1 route for several reasons. My question was only a theoretical one; it was if the CR1 was harder to get than the K1, which again, I've been informed is pretty simple to get in the Philippines. 

[Crazy Cat 41,981]

1 minute ago, bigpot38 said:

Not a formality. I was just referencing the several posts I've seen indicating the K1 has a pretty high approval rating and the scrutiny isn't that bad in the Philippines. I would love to get married and go the CR1 route for several reasons. My question was only a theoretical one; it was if the CR1 was harder to get than the K1, which again, I've been informed is pretty simple to get in the Philippines. 

I certainly have not seen that to be the case.  I'm sure others, whose baliwicks are PI cases, will respond with their opinions.  Good luck.

[Unlockable 7,315]

6 minutes ago, bigpot38 said:

Not a formality. I was just referencing the several posts I've seen indicating the K1 has a pretty high approval rating and the scrutiny isn't that bad in the Philippines. I would love to get married and go the CR1 route for several reasons. My question was only a theoretical one; it was if the CR1 was harder to get than the K1, which again, I've been informed is pretty simple to get in the Philippines. 

I have not seen that claim of CR1s being harder to get than K1s. 

 

 

[RO_AH 1,659]

18 minutes ago, bigpot38 said:

Not a formality. I was just referencing the several posts I've seen indicating the K1 has a pretty high approval rating and the scrutiny isn't that bad in the Philippines. I would love to get married and go the CR1 route for several reasons. My question was only a theoretical one; it was if the CR1 was harder to get than the K1, which again, I've been informed is pretty simple to get in the Philippines. 

If your question is about approval, CR1 would probably be slightly higher. It really comes down to the other reasons listed above. I chose CR1 based on the above and along with that we had a beautiful wedding with all of her friends and family there, which was important to her and her family.

[Boiler 45,670]

I would imagine that K1s are more common because of what seems the normal profile of those going through Manila.

[bigpot38 0]

1 minute ago, Boiler said:

I would imagine that K1s are more common because of what seems the normal profile of those going through Manila.

Definitely, so the question is if the CR1 being more uncommon than the K1 makes it harder. K1 is super common and the consulate is very used to them, so it's easy. How about CR1 though? 

[Boiler 45,670]

3 minutes ago, bigpot38 said:

Definitely, so the question is if the CR1 being more uncommon than the K1 makes it harder. K1 is super common and the consulate is very used to them, so it's easy. How about CR1 though? 

They process ever variety of visa, VJ sees a lot of K1s

[GinoNiña 182]

You might want to consider cr1. check out this graph courtesy of VJ from this website. 

[RO_AH 1,659]

20 hours ago, bigpot38 said:

Definitely, so the question is if the CR1 being more uncommon than the K1 makes it harder. K1 is super common and the consulate is very used to them, so it's easy. How about CR1 though? 

It seems you came here asking for validation of your choice to do a K1. You don't need it. If that's what you want to do just do it. The thought process in this post is extremely flawed. They deal with all visa's all the time. Nothing harder or easier from one to the other. It comes down to advantages and disadvantages. You have been given the info, make your choice.You are factoring the Embassy into your decision making and you shouldn't. There is no such thing as "super easy".