Ready for Marriage

[David Moya 0]

I've been together with my girlfriend almost six years now and we are both ready for marriage. I've traveled many times to Ecuador and she's traveled many times to the U.S. She has two kids 13 and 17. Question is how to go about this and not get scammed. We have just started looking at all options and there are two different visas the K1 and Spousal. Which would be the best options? Cost wise an estimate of how much this would cost. We definitely want to get this done as soon as possible especially with everything that's goin on in Ecuador at the moment. 

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited 6 hours ago by David Moya

[Crazy Cat 46,646]

***Moved to the "What Visa Do I Need?" forum*****

[Crazy Cat 46,646]

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation. Also keep in mind that some countries are currently banned from entering the US via immigrant visas.  I don't think Ecuador is currently on this list.

 

K-1 
  More expensive than CR-1
  Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)

  Failing to marry/submit a proper I-485 within 90 days of entry can result in foreign spouse to be out of status and deportable.
  Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (up to 3-9 months) 
  Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (up to 3-9 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.
  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.

  Currently, shorter time from submitting I-129F to US entry via visa.
 

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 6 hours ago by Crazy Cat

[Boiler 49,007]

What is the plan for the children?