Best to apply for K1 before or after entering on a visitor visa - how long should she stay to visit? - Canada

[Crazy Cat 45,187]

This K-1 flowsheet might be helpful:  I agree with @Boiler.  Early marriage is better.

 

 

[JeanneAdil 7,225]

Many file a K3 to speed the process of K1 but US embassy in Canada says 

 K-3 visas are no longer being processed in Canada

 

https://ca.usembassy.gov/fiancee/

 

 

[Ontarkie 15,005]

I think you should look at the processing time filling to visa again.  A k1 is not going to be only 8-10 months to get a visa. Montreal is also way slower than most. 

[rbv_shard 8]

6 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

Many file a K3 to speed the process of K1 but US embassy in Canada says 

 K-3 visas are no longer being processed in Canada

 

https://ca.usembassy.gov/fiancee/

 

 

You meant to speed up CR-1 right?  I was under the impression that K-1 and K-3 have no overlap -- the first can only be used prior to marriage, and the other only after marriage.  Just the paperwork is largely the same...

[Crazy Cat 45,187]

2 minutes ago, rbv_shard said:

You meant to speed up CR-1 right?  I was under the impression that K-1 and K-3 have no overlap -- the first can only be used prior to marriage, and the other only after marriage.  Just the paperwork is largely the same...

I believe she meant to say to speed up the I-130. 

[poh 138]

Vistor visa then return and file k-1. Don't overstay.  Filing k-1 then visitor visa may look suspicious or raise red flags.  

[Cathi 5,877]

Timeline between CR1 and K-1 is negligible. CR1 is a far superior and a far less expensive option.

[Sam Burns 205]

13 hours ago, DSplaysthejazz said:

That's very good to know, thank you!  So you think it would best to probably get married around day 70 or so of the 90 days, and immediately afterwards file for the I-485?  Does just the act of applying and filing grant the

We got married on day 9. Why wait so long?

[TBoneTX 47,827]

To keep the terminology precise, you would file the I-129F petition, which, if approved, would enable her to apply for the K-1 visa.

If you were married, you'd file the I-130 petition, which, if approved, would enable her to apply for the CR-1 visa.

[DSplaysthejazz 0]

On 9/7/2025 at 4:44 PM, Ontarkie said:

I think you should look at the processing time filling to visa again.  A k1 is not going to be only 8-10 months to get a visa. Montreal is also way slower than most. 

Yes I am seeing now that the 8-10 months is just for the USCIS stage.  However I am seeing that Montreal has sped up more recently, at least according to what some people are saying.

[DSplaysthejazz 0]

23 hours ago, poh said:

Vistor visa then return and file k-1. Don't overstay.  Filing k-1 then visitor visa may look suspicious or raise red flags.  

Wouldn't filling the K1 show intent to return just by the nature of the process?  Being she has to come back for the interview for instance.  Why would someone apply for a K1, get on the radar, and then overstay?  That kind of person would just try to skirt under the lines.  Maybe I'm looking at this in a way very different from the what the guards will.  Would having a leave of absence be enough proof of intent to return?

[DSplaysthejazz 0]

22 hours ago, Cathi said:

Timeline between CR1 and K-1 is negligible. CR1 is a far superior and a far less expensive option.

It seems almost twice as long from my research.  Let's assume a year or so for K1.  A lot of places show CR1 as taking 1.5 - 2 years or more.  It seems CR1 constantly get delayed as well.  I can understand how it is superior in terms of cost and getting the green card, but having to be apart for two years would be unbearable.

[DSplaysthejazz 0]

21 hours ago, Sam Burns said:

We got married on day 9. Why wait so long?

Some people I talked to suggested that marrying that early could be a red flag.  It seemed more "normal" to have an engagement period and get married around day 60 or so.  But I am totally new to this, so coming in really completely blind.

[Boiler 47,842]

You are going to be engaged for 18 months? before she gets a K1, what does another 60 days do?

[Sam Burns 205]

1 hour ago, DSplaysthejazz said:

Some people I talked to suggested that marrying that early could be a red flag.  It seemed more "normal" to have an engagement period and get married around day 60 or so.  But I am totally new to this, so coming in really completely blind.

Nah that’s a weird take. Anyone doing the K1 route should have everything planned out for what they’re going to do the first few weeks their partner steps foot here. Imagine waiting 60 days, that’s 60 more days to wait for work permit and ability to travel.