UK Beneficiary processing times for K1 Fiancée Visa

[A Cone 0]

Hi,

 

How long has it taken or is taking UK Citizen beneficiary to have their K1 Fiancée visa processed? How long did you wait?

 

Have you entered the US during the process to visit your fiancée - did you do ESTA or B1/B2 Visa?

 

Did you get pulled aside by immigration due to having a K1 Visa pending?

 

Thanks 

[Crazy Cat 39,288]

You can visit during the process.  Why go the K-1 route??

 

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 K-1 might be a better choice when 18-21 year old children are immigrating also
    In some situations, marriage can affect certain Home country benefits, making a K-1 a better choice   
    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.
   

 

[A Cone 0]

Hi Crazy Cat

Thanks for reaching out.

 

The K1 was the best process for it is the shortest time we'd have to spend apart.

Due to Covid and Governmental Visa process changes, the wait time of fiancée and spousal have gone through the roof.

 

We agreed we want to get me to the US asap (which was with the K1) - if this means a longer process once married, it still means I will be allowed to reside in the US quicker. 

 

[Crazy Cat 39,288]

25 minutes ago, A Cone said:

Hi Crazy Cat

Thanks for reaching out.

 

The K1 was the best process for it is the shortest time we'd have to spend apart.

Due to Covid and Governmental Visa process changes, the wait time of fiancée and spousal have gone through the roof.

 

We agreed we want to get me to the US asap (which was with the K1) - if this means a longer process once married, it still means I will be allowed to reside in the US quicker. 

 

Your choice.  Your consequences. Actually, both the K-1 and CR-1 are pretty close in processing times.  Many people underestimate the problems associated with a K-1. The processing time will be 18-24 months for both the K-1 and CR-1. 

I'm out.

 

The immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and money.  A failure in any of those areas will result in more agony. 

Edited August 14, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 39,288]

 

 

Edited August 14, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Nylar 58]

6 hours ago, A Cone said:

Hi,

 

How long has it taken or is taking UK Citizen beneficiary to have their K1 Fiancée visa processed? How long did you wait?

 

Have you entered the US during the process to visit your fiancée - did you do ESTA or B1/B2 Visa?

 

Did you get pulled aside by immigration due to having a K1 Visa pending?

 

Thanks 

Applied April 2021, approved July 2022.

 

Entered the US via Canada (COVID travel ban) in September 2021 on an ESTA, no issues from immigration and no mention of pending K1 visa by them (I did not mention it to them). YMMV.

[fallenangels 0]

I've entered the US via Detroit airport in December 2021, I was taken to secondary due to the pending K1 and asked to prove I was returning to the UK at which point as I heard this could happen I produced my mortgage statement and contract of employment. I was let through however was told not to risk returning until I receive the visa as I could be refused entry and that would look "bad" they said. I was in secondary for over an hour and in the interview for about 20 minutes. 

 

I am very disappointed and now scared to re-visit, we are however on the NOA2 to NVC to Embassy stage so hopefully we don't have to be apart much longer.

 

I've heard of a lot of people being fine visiting however so maybe it was just the border control at Detroit. 

Edited August 14, 2022 by fallenangels

[A Cone 0]

thanks for the info - at least it was a smooth process

[A Cone 0]

2 hours ago, fallenangels said:

I've entered the US via Detroit airport in December 2021, I was taken to secondary due to the pending K1 and asked to prove I was returning to the UK at which point as I heard this could happen I produced my mortgage statement and contract of employment. I was let through however was told not to risk returning until I receive the visa as I could be refused entry and that would look "bad" they said. I was in secondary for over an hour and in the interview for about 20 minutes. 

 

I am very disappointed and now scared to re-visit, we are however on the NOA2 to NVC to Embassy stage so hopefully we don't have to be apart much longer.

 

I've heard of a lot of people being fine visiting however so maybe it was just the border control at Detroit. 

 

 

ok thanks for this. sorry it wasn't pleasant. had you been into the US at all before as a tourist?

 

When did you get your NOA1? 
Thanks 

[Mari_Justin 91]

15 hours ago, fallenangels said:

I've entered the US via Detroit airport in December 2021, I was taken to secondary due to the pending K1 and asked to prove I was returning to the UK at which point as I heard this could happen I produced my mortgage statement and contract of employment. I was let through however was told not to risk returning until I receive the visa as I could be refused entry and that would look "bad" they said. I was in secondary for over an hour and in the interview for about 20 minutes. 

 

I am very disappointed and now scared to re-visit, we are however on the NOA2 to NVC to Embassy stage so hopefully we don't have to be apart much longer.

 

I've heard of a lot of people being fine visiting however so maybe it was just the border control at Detroit. 

We entered on purpose in Detroit once, as to avoid JFK. Told the guy we were waiting for K1 and he said “good, that’s what we like to hear” asked for return flight and that was it. It’s so subjective, depending on the individual that you deal with. 

[SA21 20]

19 hours ago, fallenangels said:

I've entered the US via Detroit airport in December 2021, I was taken to secondary due to the pending K1 and asked to prove I was returning to the UK at which point as I heard this could happen I produced my mortgage statement and contract of employment. I was let through however was told not to risk returning until I receive the visa as I could be refused entry and that would look "bad" they said. I was in secondary for over an hour and in the interview for about 20 minutes. 

 

I am very disappointed and now scared to re-visit, we are however on the NOA2 to NVC to Embassy stage so hopefully we don't have to be apart much longer.

 

I've heard of a lot of people being fine visiting however so maybe it was just the border control at Detroit. 

So I’ve had mixed experiences at Detroit, like you, I was stopped in Jan this year and questioned about my pending K1, I explained my reasons for visiting (was giving an exam for professional licensing) and was allowed to pass after about 45mins of waiting in the hold area. I travelled again in May this year and was only questioned at the border gates, the officer was pleasant and I was done within minutes! 
 

As for travelling whilst waiting for the K1, it’s been fine for me and I’ve managed to visit 3 times since applying. Travelled on ESTA and always had supporting information on hand if needed. Now we are waiting for NVC/embassy. 
 

Overall its been a lengthy process and A LOT longer than we ever anticipated so definitely keep that in mind, backlogs and changes are constantly happening, I would say if you really do want to go ahead with the K1 give yourself at least 18months before you’ll be making any permanent move over to the US.

[A Cone 0]

8 hours ago, Mari_Justin said:

We entered on purpose in Detroit once, as to avoid JFK. Told the guy we were waiting for K1 and he said “good, that’s what we like to hear” asked for return flight and that was it. It’s so subjective, depending on the individual that you deal with. 

Great thanks for this 
It's good to know you had no issues 

I do hear the bigger airports are worse due to the amount of people coming through them! 

[A Cone 0]

5 hours ago, SA21 said:

So I’ve had mixed experiences at Detroit, like you, I was stopped in Jan this year and questioned about my pending K1, I explained my reasons for visiting (was giving an exam for professional licensing) and was allowed to pass after about 45mins of waiting in the hold area. I travelled again in May this year and was only questioned at the border gates, the officer was pleasant and I was done within minutes! 
 

As for travelling whilst waiting for the K1, it’s been fine for me and I’ve managed to visit 3 times since applying. Travelled on ESTA and always had supporting information on hand if needed. Now we are waiting for NVC/embassy. 
 

Overall its been a lengthy process and A LOT longer than we ever anticipated so definitely keep that in mind, backlogs and changes are constantly happening, I would say if you really do want to go ahead with the K1 give yourself at least 18months before you’ll be making any permanent move over to the US.

 

Ok perfect too - thank you

 

Can I ask, how long did you leave between your visits? You mentioned you went 3 times during the pending process?

 

Yes I know the wait is long, we're prepared for that.

When was you NOA1 and NOA2?  I guess are you from the UK?

 

Thanks 

[SA21 20]

18 minutes ago, A Cone said:

 

Ok perfect too - thank you

 

Can I ask, how long did you leave between your visits? You mentioned you went 3 times during the pending process?

 

Yes I know the wait is long, we're prepared for that.

When was you NOA1 and NOA2?  I guess are you from the UK?

 

Thanks 

We sent our application in April 2021, I visited in December 2021 (my fiance was with me on this occasion as he had visited me and we were going onward to Mexico for a holiday). I then went back myself end of January 2022 and again in May 2022. 
 

Our NOA2 was start of July 2022 but this was after receiving an RFE in June. Yes from I’m from the UK :)
 

[A Cone 0]

9 minutes ago, SA21 said:

We sent our application in April 2021, I visited in December 2021 (my fiance was with me on this occasion as he had visited me and we were going onward to Mexico for a holiday). I then went back myself end of January 2022 and again in May 2022. 
 

Our NOA2 was start of July 2022 but this was after receiving an RFE in June. Yes from I’m from the UK
 

 

It's good to know you went in several times - gives me more confidence

 

Did you stay the whole 3 months each time? 

 

That is a long time between the 2 dates - RFE's are frustrating too, just never know if you'll get one or not