k1 visa (Split)

[Keith1 1]

Hello everyone. I’m new here, and am about to start the K1 visa process. Do you have any recommendations for a good visa service?  Thanks in advance. 

Edited October 28, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 39,267]

***Comment split to new topic***

2 hours ago, Keith1 said:

Hello everyone. I’m new here, and am about to start the K1 visa process. Do you have any recommendations for a good visa service?  Thanks in advance. 

I assume you are aware of the K-1 limitations???

Edited October 28, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Boiler 43,446]

No simple way of answering this very much depends what you need help with.

[SalishSea 16,775]

9 minutes ago, Keith1 said:

Hello everyone. I’m new here, and am about to start the K1 visa process. Do you have any recommendations for a good visa service?  Thanks in advance. 

Have you looked at CR-1 and it’s MANY advantages over K-1?

 

Visa Journey is a DIY site, so most of us have done it without a visa service.

[JeanneAdil 6,203]

u don't need a visa service

a US lawyer if there are criminal issues or past visa overstay and waiver(s) needed

 

Think about the spouse visa

K1 couples go thru a lot of hassles

[Keith1 1]

2 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

***Hijack comment split to new topic***

I assume you are aware of the K-1 limitations???

Never assume anything.  I did say I was new and just asking if anyone recommended an actual visa service.  I’ve read the requirements for the K1, if that’s what you’re referring to.  We meet all requirements and neither have had any type of criminal issues. And I wasn’t trying to hijack the thread.  I thought it was a valid question.  But I’ll start a new thread as you suggested.  Thanks for those that responded.  Since I’m just starting and am not familiar with all the ups and downs, I just felt that a good visa service that will guide you the process might be what I need.  So now I’ll start a new thread as suggested by the moderator.  

[Crazy Cat 39,267]

4 minutes ago, Keith1 said:

Never assume anything.  I did say I was new and just asking if anyone recommended an actual visa service.  I’ve read the requirements for the K1, if that’s what you’re referring to.  We meet all requirements and neither have had any type of criminal issues. And I wasn’t trying to hijack the thread.  I thought it was a valid question.  But I’ll start a new thread as you suggested.  Thanks for those that responded.  Since I’m just starting and am not familiar with all the ups and downs, I just felt that a good visa service that will guide you the process might be what I need.  So now I’ll start a new thread as suggested by the moderator.  

Welcome to Visa Journey.  No need to start a new thread.  I did that for you.  It is a valid question.  I was referring to the big, big differences between a K-1 and a CR-1.  This is my comparison below.  Good luck on your journey.  Visa Journey is the best place for accurate immigration info.  Most people here don't use an attorney or service due to the resources we have here.

 

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
  K-1 entrant cannot file for citizenship until after having Green Card for 3 years.
  Once an I-129F has been approved, delaying the case is difficult to impossible if the need arises.

CR-1/IR-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.
  The clock for citizenship filing starts immediately upon entry to the US.
  A CR-1/IR-1 case can be delayed indefinitely at NVC if the need arises. 
   

 

Edited October 28, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Keith1 1]

7 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Welcome to Visa Journey.  No need to start a new thread.  I did that for you.  It is a valid question.  I was referring to the big, big differences between a K-1 and a CR-1.  This is my comparison below.  Good luck on your journey.  Visa Journey is the best place for accurate immigration info.  Most people here don't use an attorney or service due to the resources we have here.

 

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
  K-1 entrant cannot file for citizenship until after having Green Card for 3 years.
  Once an I-129F has been approved, delaying the case is difficult to impossible if the need arises.

CR-1/IR-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.
  The clock for citizenship filing starts immediately upon entry to the US.
  A CR-1/IR-1 case can be delayed indefinitely at NVC if the need arises. 
   

 

Wow!!  Thank you for that comparison information.  That helps a lot!!  I did not know the differences and/or which would be better.   Sounds like the spouse visa may be the better option for sure.  

[Crazy Cat 39,267]

1 minute ago, Keith1 said:

Wow!!  Thank you for that comparison information.  That helps a lot!!  I did not know the differences and/or which would be better.   Sounds like the spouse visa may be the better option for sure.  

I have moved this topic to the "Which Visa Do I Need" discussion area since you are now looking at both options.  

At one time in the past, the K-1 had a huge speed advantage over a CR-1.  However, now the processing time difference is relatively small to non-existent.  As you can see, there are also other significant differences.  I have seen a lot of couples choose a K-1, but regret that choice later.  I have seen no CR-1 couples who say they should have chosen a K-1 instead.  Good luck.  We are here to help. 

[powerpuff 5,906]

23 minutes ago, Keith1 said:

Wow!!  Thank you for that comparison information.  That helps a lot!!  I did not know the differences and/or which would be better.   Sounds like the spouse visa may be the better option for sure.  

As someone who has done the K1 process, I strongly recommend CR1 spousal visa. It has many more advantages and wait times are not that different.

[SalishSea 16,775]

42 minutes ago, powerpuff said:

As someone who has done the K1 process, I strongly recommend CR1 spousal visa. It has many more advantages and wait times are not that different.

Same here, 100%.  

 

Another point I'd like to make: the COVID pandemic taught us that in times when resources are limited globally, USCIS/DOS prioritizes spouses of US citizens over fiances. It makes sense if you think about it, as spouse is a legal/familial relationship, and fiance is not.

[Keith1 1]

1 hour ago, powerpuff said:

As someone who has done the K1 process, I strongly recommend CR1 spousal visa. It has many more advantages and wait times are not that different.

Thank you so much.  This is the input I need!!  I appreciate all the responses.  

22 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

Same here, 100%.  

 

Another point I'd like to make: the COVID pandemic taught us that in times when resources are limited globally, USCIS/DOS prioritizes spouses of US citizens over fiances. It makes sense if you think about it, as spouse is a legal/familial relationship, and fiance is not.

Makes perfect sense.  Thank you!!  

[Keith1 1]

On 10/28/2023 at 3:43 PM, powerpuff said:

As someone who has done the K1 process, I strongly recommend CR1 spousal visa. It has many more advantages and wait times are not that different.

 

On 10/28/2023 at 4:51 PM, Keith1 said:

Thank you so much.  This is the input I need!!  I appreciate all the responses.  

Makes perfect sense.  Thank you!!  

You guys are amazing, and thank you for your help. I know I’m a little nervous about this whole process.  From what I’m seeing here, I believe the spousal visa would be more beneficial for us. Since she is in South Africa, would you guys recommend an online marriage, and then going over to consummate it, or going there and being married in her country?  My thoughts are that it may make more sense to go back over, and marry her there.  I’ve read online that there’s only one online marriage accepted, and it’s Utah County.   Trying to decide which would be the smarter move.  Seems like if I have to go over anyway, why not just get married there?  Thoughts?

[Boiler 43,446]

Utah tends to be used by people who may have issues marrying in a normal fashion for whatever reason.

 

Some Lawyers do not like Utah for immigration purposes, I am not going that far.

[Keith1 1]

1 minute ago, Boiler said:

Utah tends to be used by people who may have issues marrying in a normal fashion for whatever reason.

 

Some Lawyers do not like Utah for immigration purposes, I am not going that far.

Gotcha.  Yeah neither of us have any criminal records or issues, so traveling back there may be the way to go.