K1 Visa vs CR1 Visa for Pakistan? No Photos

[fiddyfour 0]

Hello everyone, I have a little complicated case I need advice on and would appreciate help on this.

 

I (the petitioner) travelled to Pakistan and met my fiancé there. We met and talked however both of us have traditional families so we didn't take any photos together at all neither any of the family members. (I also didn't know about the K1 visa at the time or would probably have it taken)

When we returned we continued communication and then we got engaged. 

 

Now the main issue I am having is that we don't have any photos together and from what I read almost all applications have photos to show proof of meeting and given that Pakistan is a high fraud country it would probably be even more important. I have other proofs like passport stamps, boarding pass, receipts and can also get affidavits from family members who were there and others who were aware of us meeting. There are also call and chat logs (mostly between the parents) but its not too much.

Given that there are no photos together and I am not sure if the case would be weak and it would be better to apply with what I have or travel one more time and get photos together or apply for CR1 and people say it takes longer but is the stronger route and also given the current political climate might be better suited. 

 

My priority is for us to be together as soon as possible and that's why I was thinking about K1 visa instead of spouse visa as I am seeing that these days the K1 visa for Pakistan takes around 1 year and couple of months while spouse visa takes around 2.5 years.

Also I am seeing that NOA1 -> NOA2 is around 8-9 months and I will have opportunity to travel in 2-3 months and also later in the year. 

 

So I thought that there are a couple of options I could pursue and would appreciate everyone's input. 

 

1. Visit Pakistan again to take pictures together with family members then apply for K1

Pros: Stronger K1 application. Cons: Will cost couple of grand just to take trip for photos over a weekend

 

2. Submit K1 application without photos and if RFE is received can submit photos from trip I take 2-3 months later to show ongoing relationship

Pros: can apply right away and less expensive Cons: have higher likelihood of denial due to no photos together before filing

 

3.  Get married and Go CR1 route

Pros: Can appeal if any issues and looks safer. Cons: Longer

 

what does everyone think would be the best way to move forward  in my circumstance? Would appreciate everyone's input

 

[milimelo 4,945]

Option 3. 

[wildbug100420 393]

15 minutes ago, fiddyfour said:

Hello everyone, I have a little complicated case I need advice on and would appreciate help on this.

 

I (the petitioner) travelled to Pakistan and met my fiancé there. We met and talked however both of us have traditional families so we didn't take any photos together at all neither any of the family members. (I also didn't know about the K1 visa at the time or would probably have it taken)

When we returned we continued communication and then we got engaged. 

 

Now the main issue I am having is that we don't have any photos together and from what I read almost all applications have photos to show proof of meeting and given that Pakistan is a high fraud country it would probably be even more important. I have other proofs like passport stamps, boarding pass, receipts and can also get affidavits from family members who were there and others who were aware of us meeting. There are also call and chat logs (mostly between the parents) but its not too much.

Given that there are no photos together and I am not sure if the case would be weak and it would be better to apply with what I have or travel one more time and get photos together or apply for CR1 and people say it takes longer but is the stronger route and also given the current political climate might be better suited. 

 

My priority is for us to be together as soon as possible and that's why I was thinking about K1 visa instead of spouse visa as I am seeing that these days the K1 visa for Pakistan takes around 1 year and couple of months while spouse visa takes around 2.5 years.

Also I am seeing that NOA1 -> NOA2 is around 8-9 months and I will have opportunity to travel in 2-3 months and also later in the year. 

 

So I thought that there are a couple of options I could pursue and would appreciate everyone's input. 

 

1. Visit Pakistan again to take pictures together with family members then apply for K1

Pros: Stronger K1 application. Cons: Will cost couple of grand just to take trip for photos over a weekend

 

2. Submit K1 application without photos and if RFE is received can submit photos from trip I take 2-3 months later to show ongoing relationship

Pros: can apply right away and less expensive Cons: have higher likelihood of denial due to no photos together before filing

 

3.  Get married and Go CR1 route

Pros: Can appeal if any issues and looks safer. Cons: Longer

 

what does everyone think would be the best way to move forward  in my circumstance? Would appreciate everyone's input

 

What ever option you choose you must follow all instructions or your application will be subject to rfe, or denial. Highly recommend several visits as pakistan is high fraud country. 

[Boiler 48,379]

3.

 

After a few more visits

[Moda25 88]

Regardless of whichever you pick, just one visit is not enough. I would go for option 3 if I were you. However, you still need a few more visits.

[fiddyfour 0]

1 hour ago, milimelo said:

Option 3. 

 

Would you care the elaborate why you recommend this?

 

 

10 minutes ago, Boiler said:

3.

 

After a few more visits

 

3 minutes ago, Moda25 said:

Regardless of whichever you pick, just one visit is not enough. I would go for option 3 if I were you. However, you still need a few more visits.

 

You guys are saying CR1 after few more visits? Isn't legal marriage document only needed for CR1, why multiple visits?

 

 

Just from what I see that 

K1 

Best case: I save one year so total: 1.5 years

Worst case: I loose 6 months trying K1 then do CR1 so total: 2.5 years + 6 months = 3 years

 

CR1 - total: 2.5 years

 

 

[OldUser 11,161]

4 minutes ago, fiddyfour said:

 

You guys are saying CR1 after few more visits? Isn't legal marriage document only needed for CR1, why multiple visits?

It is needed so USCIS and DOS do not think this marriage is for immigration purposes. Usually people do not marry on the first visit. People learn about each other and think long and hard before committing to marriage 

[fiddyfour 0]

16 minutes ago, OldUser said:

It is needed so USCIS and DOS do not think this marriage is for immigration purposes. Usually people do not marry on the first visit. People learn about each other and think long and hard before committing to marriage 

But i already mentioned that I already visited once and met with my fiancé and would visit another time to marry. So total two visits. Wouldn't that be enough?

 

 

 

 

 

Also another question, from K1 it says only one meeting from last two years is required.

The only issue is that I cannot fully prove meeting due to no pictures but would other evidence(flight/receipts/affidavits) suffice or would not be sufficient?

 

Edited 23 hours ago by fiddyfour

[Boiler 48,379]

Depends on how keen you are to get it approved.

[OldUser 11,161]

13 minutes ago, fiddyfour said:

But i already mentioned that I already visited once and met with my fiancé and would visit another time to marry. So total two visits. Wouldn't that be enough?

 

In my immigration journey, it helped focusing on what all I can do to make the case stronger instead of thinking what the least amount of effort you can do.

 

What if you end up not liking married life together? The more you visit, the less risk it is for you and your fiance. And more evidence you have for immigration. Is there a big age gap, different ethnical or religious background? If yes to any, you need to prove case more. If all true, you need to work very hard to make case approvable.

Edited 23 hours ago by OldUser

[Moda25 88]

You can be approved at the UCIS stage and get denied at the interview. We have seen instances where K-1s are sent back to NVC and to USCIS after the interview so it’s up to you to work on providing enough evidence to support your case. Someone from a country will be good with just one visit while another in a different country won’t be. You already mentioned it’s a high fraud country so you should know why you need more visits. 

[appleblossom 5,585]

Another vote for CR-1 but only after more time together. Most people don’t choose to marry after such a short amount of time and  just a couple of weeks in each others company, and with a high fraud consulate you need to put a strong case forward. 

[mitzab 358]

3 hours ago, fiddyfour said:

Hello everyone, I have a little complicated case I need advice on and would appreciate help on this.

 

I (the petitioner) travelled to Pakistan and met my fiancé there. We met and talked however both of us have traditional families so we didn't take any photos together at all neither any of the family members. (I also didn't know about the K1 visa at the time or would probably have it taken)

When we returned we continued communication and then we got engaged. 

 

Now the main issue I am having is that we don't have any photos together and from what I read almost all applications have photos to show proof of meeting and given that Pakistan is a high fraud country it would probably be even more important. I have other proofs like passport stamps, boarding pass, receipts and can also get affidavits from family members who were there and others who were aware of us meeting. There are also call and chat logs (mostly between the parents) but its not too much.

Given that there are no photos together and I am not sure if the case would be weak and it would be better to apply with what I have or travel one more time and get photos together or apply for CR1 and people say it takes longer but is the stronger route and also given the current political climate might be better suited. 

 

My priority is for us to be together as soon as possible and that's why I was thinking about K1 visa instead of spouse visa as I am seeing that these days the K1 visa for Pakistan takes around 1 year and couple of months while spouse visa takes around 2.5 years.

Also I am seeing that NOA1 -> NOA2 is around 8-9 months and I will have opportunity to travel in 2-3 months and also later in the year. 

 

So I thought that there are a couple of options I could pursue and would appreciate everyone's input. 

 

1. Visit Pakistan again to take pictures together with family members then apply for K1

Pros: Stronger K1 application. Cons: Will cost couple of grand just to take trip for photos over a weekend

 

2. Submit K1 application without photos and if RFE is received can submit photos from trip I take 2-3 months later to show ongoing relationship

Pros: can apply right away and less expensive Cons: have higher likelihood of denial due to no photos together before filing

 

3.  Get married and Go CR1 route

Pros: Can appeal if any issues and looks safer. Cons: Longer

 

what does everyone think would be the best way to move forward  in my circumstance? Would appreciate everyone's input

 

 

K-1 can be faster, but it often comes with more scrutiny, RFEs, and stress and much more costly eventually.

 

Both work, the real question is what makes you comfortable. If speed matters most and your evidence is strong, K-1 can be fine. If peace of mind and a cleaner process matter more, CR-1 may be the better choice.

 

So if finances are a concern and you want a more straightforward, predictable process, CR-1 may be the better fit.

 

Also, the K-1 process itself is the same worldwide; cultural factors are mainly evaluated at the interview. Officers in Pakistan are familiar with local norms and restrictions, but that understanding usually comes with more detailed questioning rather than less scrutiny.

 

I really want to say that I had a fool proof case (minus the fact that the lawyer I hired and then fired made it worse) and from the date of filing to her arriving to the USA was lightspeed compared to others. But still if given a chance ill go CR-1 route.

 

This forum is full of very helpful advice (no shortcuts and no illegal advice) pour through it.

 

Wishing you the best.

 

[OldUser 11,161]

4 hours ago, mitzab said:

 

K-1 can be faster, but it often comes with more scrutiny, RFEs, and stress and much more costly eventually.

 

Both work, the real question is what makes you comfortable. If speed matters most and your evidence is strong, K-1 can be fine.

Don't forget:

1) I-129Fs expire, and it is a discretion of consulate to extend their validity

2) K-1 holders cannot enter if there is a travel ban. CR-1 typically are excluded from ban

 

So there's that

Edited 18 hours ago by OldUser

[TBoneTX 48,747]

6 hours ago, fiddyfour said:

Just from what I see that 

K1 

Best case: I save one year so total: 1.5 years

Worst case: I loose 6 months trying K1 then do CR1 so total: 2.5 years + 6 months = 3 years

 

CR1 - total: 2.5 years

In addition to what others have been saying, see the comparison, as compiled by our fine member Crazy Cat:

K-1 
  More expensive than CR-1
  Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)
  Spouse cannot leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (up to 9 months)
  Spouse cannot work until she/he receives EAD (up to 9 months)
  Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, and bank accounts 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
  If US spouse declines to participate in Adjustment of Status, the foreign spouse will have a very difficult avenue to legally remain in the US
  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 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