CR1 for my fiancé while I'm deployed

[xyang410 3]

Hello all,

 

I am a U.S. citizen, and my fiancée is Vietnamese, currently residing in Vietnam.

 

I am deployed overseas and will not return until early to mid-2026. We plan to marry in early July via the Utah online marriage service and file the CR1 petition right after. I understand the process can take quite a while. After deployment, I plan to go to Vietnam for a family wedding celebration and hope to bring her back with me soon after.

 

My questions:

1. Will an online marriage through Utah be recognized for a CR1 visa?

 

2. What is the current average processing time for a CR1 visa for a Vietnamese spouse?

 

3. We do not have many photos together. What is the minimum recommended for proof of relationship?

 

4. Do we need shared property or a joint bank account for additional proof?

 

5. Is there anything I might be missing or should prepare for?

 

6. Does my military status help or hurt in this process?

 

Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[Crazy Cat 44,086]

My opinions:

 

1.  Yes, if you meet either during or after the ceremony.

2.  I would check the VJ timelines.  It could take a couple years after filing the I-130.  Average time, according to data gathered here on VJ, is roughly 625 days from filing the I-130 to visa in hand.

3.  You don't need a great deal.  10 or 12, imo.

4.  No.  The best evidence is that evidence of time actually spent together.

5.  Read the guides for tips and processes.

6.  No, unless exceptional circumstances.

 

It will, likely, take more than a year just for the I-130.

Other members might have different opinions and answers.

Edited Tuesday at 04:02 PM by Crazy Cat

[Reynal2m 33]

1. Utah Online Marriage & CR1 Visa

Yes, a Utah online marriage can be recognized for a CR1 visa, but there's a very important catch:
👉 USCIS requires that the couple physically reunite and consummate the marriage after the online ceremony for the marriage to be considered valid under immigration law.
If you file the I-130 before physically being together after the wedding, the petition is likely to be denied.

2. CR1 Processing Time (Vietnam)

Current CR1 visa processing times, according to USCIS and community experience, are around 17+ months (sometimes longer).
So if you’re planning to bring her to the U.S. by mid-2026, the CR1 timeline may be tight — especially if you can’t reunite shortly after the Utah ceremony.

3. Proof of Relationship (Photos, etc.)

Even a small number of photos can work as long as they clearly show your relationship history — ideally:

• At least one in-person photo together

• Screenshots of video calls/chats

• Travel receipts or gifts exchanged

• Letters, emails, or messages

More is always better, but you don’t need a full album.

4. Shared Property / Joint Accounts

These are not required, but helpful if available.
For couples who are long-distance or haven't yet lived together, USCIS understands that some typical "marital" evidence may not exist — focus instead on consistent communication and any visits.

5. Important Things to Prepare

• Evidence of your post-wedding reunion (flight plans, passport stamps, photos).

• Keep a record of your communication (screenshots, call logs).

• Any documents showing plans to live together (letters, lease prep, etc.)

6. Military Expedite

Yes, being active-duty can help.
USCIS may expedite I-130 petitions for active military members under certain conditions, such as:

• Deployment schedule conflicts

• Urgent family reunification
  You’ll likely need a letter from your commanding officer explaining the request.

⚠️ Final Suggestion:

If your goal is to bring her to the U.S. sooner, a K-1 fiancée visa may be a better option. It typically takes 9–12 months, and doesn’t require you to marry first — just show you met in person within 2 years.

 

 

[Crazy Cat 44,086]

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 3-6 months) 
  Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 3-6 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.
 Current Presidential executive order (travel bans) don't allow K-1 visa holders from some countries to enter the US.

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. 
 Current Presidential executive order (travel bans) exempts immediate relatives (spouses) of US citizens.
   

 

Edited Tuesday at 04:18 PM by Crazy Cat

[Reynal2m 33]

Just now, Reynal2m said:

1. Utah Online Marriage & CR1 Visa

Yes, a Utah online marriage can be recognized for a CR1 visa, but there's a very important catch:
👉 USCIS requires that the couple physically reunite and consummate the marriage after the online ceremony for the marriage to be considered valid under immigration law.
If you file the I-130 before physically being together after the wedding, the petition is likely to be denied.

2. CR1 Processing Time (Vietnam)

Current CR1 visa processing times, according to USCIS and community experience, are around 17+ months (sometimes longer).
So if you’re planning to bring her to the U.S. by mid-2026, the CR1 timeline may be tight — especially if you can’t reunite shortly after the Utah ceremony.

3. Proof of Relationship (Photos, etc.)

Even a small number of photos can work as long as they clearly show your relationship history — ideally:

• At least one in-person photo together

• Screenshots of video calls/chats

• Travel receipts or gifts exchanged

• Letters, emails, or messages

More is always better, but you don’t need a full album.

4. Shared Property / Joint Accounts

These are not required, but helpful if available.
For couples who are long-distance or haven't yet lived together, USCIS understands that some typical "marital" evidence may not exist — focus instead on consistent communication and any visits.

5. Important Things to Prepare

• Evidence of your post-wedding reunion (flight plans, passport stamps, photos).

• Keep a record of your communication (screenshots, call logs).

• Any documents showing plans to live together (letters, lease prep, etc.)

6. Military Expedite

Yes, being active-duty can help.
USCIS may expedite I-130 petitions for active military members under certain conditions, such as:

• Deployment schedule conflicts

• Urgent family reunification
  You’ll likely need a letter from your commanding officer explaining the request.

⚠️ Final Suggestion:

If your goal is to bring her to the U.S. sooner, a K-1 fiancée visa may be a better option. It typically takes 9–12 months, and doesn’t require you to marry first — just show you met in person within 2 years.

 

 

We chose the Utah online marriage route because same-sex marriage isn’t legally recognized in the Dominican Republic. After the ceremony, we made sure to reunite in person for our honeymoon at a resort in Punta Cana.

One important note: it's best not to submit the I-130 immediately after the wedding, as doing so can raise red flags for potential fraud.

[Crazy Cat 44,086]

2 minutes ago, Reynal2m said:

as doing so can raise red flags for potential fraud.

How so? A lot of people file right after getting a marriage license.

Edited Tuesday at 04:06 PM by Crazy Cat

[Reynal2m 33]

2 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

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 3-6 months) 
  Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 3-6 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.
Current Presidential executive order (travel bans) don't allow K-1 visa holders from some countries to enter the US.

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. 
Current Presidential executive order (travel bans) exempt immediate relatives of US citizens.
   

 

Agreed, it's great that you highlighted the benefits of both options.

[Reynal2m 33]

4 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

How so? A lot of people file right after getting a marriage license.

This is from a USCIS fraud indicator sheet I found online... 

 

See also others: 

[Crazy Cat 44,086]

8 minutes ago, Reynal2m said:

This is from a USCIS fraud indicator sheet I found online... 

 

See also others: 

That would not apply to a spousal visa.  It might apply to an adjustment of status case after entering on a B2, for example, since an I-130 would be filed.  I have not seen that list in a few years.  Thanks for sharing it.

Edited Tuesday at 04:19 PM by Crazy Cat

[Reynal2m 33]

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

That does not apply to a spousal visa.  It might apply to an adjustment of status case.

Ok, thanks for clarifying

[S2N 199]

19 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

That would not apply to a spousal visa.  It might apply to an adjustment of status case after entering on a B2, for example, since an I-130 would be filed.  I have not seen that list in a few years.  Thanks for sharing it.

This is what it’s saying — it’s what USCIS uses to get around BIA’s binding ruling that pre-conceived intent isn’t sufficient to deny spousal AOS. Claim it as misrepresentation to CBP and they don’t have to worry about following a binding legal interpretation they don’t like.

 

It’s irrelevant for people doing consular processing.

[xyang410 3]

Thanks everyone for your input.

 

We have decided to still move forward with the online marriage in July, continue gathering supporting evidence during my deployment and hold our wedding ceremony in Vietnam once I return. After the ceremony, we will file the CR1 with a strong set of documents.

 

I understand the process will be long, but this seems to be the most secure and straightforward path for us to be together.

Edited Tuesday at 11:07 PM by xyang410

[S2N 199]

32 minutes ago, xyang410 said:

Thanks everyone for your input.

 

We have decided to still move forward with the online marriage in July, continue gathering supporting evidence during my deployment and hold our wedding ceremony in Vietnam once I return. After the ceremony, we will file the CR1 with a strong set of documents.

 

I understand the process will be long, but this seems to be the most secure and straightforward path for us to be together.

If you meet in person after the online wedding you can file after that. No need to wait for the deployment to end. You’re allowed to continue adding evidence after the initial I-130. So long as you have a prima facie case for bona fides at filing, strengthening it along the way via unsolicited evidence doesn’t hurt. The true test of bona fides is at the consular interview; and between filing and the interview you have time to accumulate more evidence.

Edited Tuesday at 11:40 PM by S2N

[top_secret 2,694]

47 minutes ago, xyang410 said:

Thanks everyone for your input.

 

We have decided to still move forward with the online marriage in July, continue gathering supporting evidence during my deployment and hold our wedding ceremony in Vietnam once I return. After the ceremony, we will file the CR1 with a strong set of documents.

 

I understand the process will be long, but this seems to be the most secure and straightforward path for us to be together.

 

 

Depending on where you are deployed overseas you may have options available to you that are not available to the general public.  Troops deployed in Korea, Japan etc can often accomplish a direct consular filing at the US Embassy and get a green card in as little as a month or two.  Definitely consult with base legal services and see what options and assistance are available to you before you file anything with USCIS.

[xyang410 3]

41 minutes ago, S2N said:

 You’re allowed to continue adding evidence after the initial I-130. 

I will not be able to meet her in person during my deployment, but just to confirm, are you saying I can file the CR1 right after the online marriage, and then continue adding evidence later, especially after our in-person wedding once I return?