Crazy Cat

As a US citizen you can file an I-130 for your sister now. However, it will be a long process.....like 20 years. Visa numbers are limited for siblings. Those who have priority dates in early June 2007 are just now eligible for visa numbers.

That looks like they want to segregate people instead of promoting inclusiveness. Rules for thee, but not for me?

Spoof or non-spoof. Hmmm. I guess it could non-binary in a way.

Waiting is the hard part. Fast, convenient, and inexpensive are not words we see normally in the vocabulary of USCIS and the Department of State.

Because cases are generally processed in the order they were received, and as the late, great @geowrian always said, "USCIS is like a large grocery store. Some lines are just faster than others.". You are overthinking. Try to relax and remember that patience is a virtue in the world of immigration. Good luck. I think you are only a few weeks away, at most. The average Visa Journey reported case is taking almost 9 months at California.

Sounds like visits to me.

Those are outdated sources.

Exactly the same as a K-1. Short visits are allowed during both K-1 and CR-1 processes.

Both the K-1 and CR-1 will take about the same amount of time before you can live in the US. With a CR-1, you can start work immediately after entry into the US with the visa. With a K-1, you would have to enter the US with the visa, marry, file for a Green Card, and wait about 6 months before you can work. Among other reasons, if working sooner is a priority, then I would eliminate the K-1 completely. With a CR-1, you receive the Green Card almost immediately after entry. With a K-1, you could be waiting a year after entry for a Green Card.

The "what if" mental gymnastics can have a negative effect on your health. Have you seen the K-1 flowsheet? It is a good tool which lays out a structured schedule of needed actions.

If asked "Do you plan to marry in the US", do not say something like "Maybe, maybe not". That answer caused a K-1 holder to be denied entry. In fact, that is the only K-1 entry denial that I can remember ever hearing about. Honestly, you are overthinking this. Don't let something like the topic of this thread to draw your attention away from the real place you need to focus on.

That isn't the exact process. You don't marry during a visit. In fact, it is visa fraud to enter the US as a visitor with the intent to apply for a Green card. However, you can visit during the fiance visa process and the spousal visa process. You could, however, marry during a visit, then start the CR-1 process for a spousal visa...but you would have to return to home country.

***Moved to the RUB regional forum***

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Here is my analysis of the fiance visa (K-1) vs a CR-1 (Spousal Visa): 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. 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.

***Moved to What Visa Do I Need?***

@mopekmez, here are a few of the most recent UK CR-1 cases:

You should study the guide. 1. You submit I-130, I-130a, fee, and all supporting documents to USCIS 2. USCIS will process the I-130 (about 11-12 months on average). Right now, there are more than a million I-130s sitting at USCIS waiting to be processed. 3. After USCIS approves the I-130, they will send the case to NVC. 4. You will then pay fees and submit documents (I-864, tax documents, income documents, DS-260, Police reports, etc.) to NVC. 5. NVC will process/approve document submission, then document qualify the case. 6. NVC will then place your case in a queue for your consulate (London) to wait for interview scheduling. 7. When your case reaches the front of the line, NVC will schedule the interview and send the case to the consulate. 8. Medical exam can then be done. 9. Foreign spouse is then interviewed at US consulate. 10. Upon approval of the Consulate Officer, the CR-1 visa will then be issued. Average time, per other VJ members, is about 18 months from filing the I-130 to interview. You can see the timelines of other UK cases in the "timeline" area of V to see specific data. She can get medical and interview in UK.

Can you clarify what that is?

1.. That depends on you and your spouse. Many people complete the process themselves, while others either need or want professional help. Some people are capable of navigating the process themselves, while others find otherwise. Some people want pro guidance. It really depends on you. 2. The spousal visa process will, likely, take about 18 months. It could take a little longer. 3. She will be able to interview in her choice of country of legal residence or her home country when the time comes. 4. See #3 above. 5. Study the guide...ask questions as needed. We are here to help. 6. The I-130 and supporting documents are sent first (Read the guide). Later, at the NVC stage, the I-864 will be sent along with more documents. This is a multi-step process. 7. Per other VJ members, the average processing time is about 18 months. 8. You, the petitioner, will file the I-130. The I-130a, filed with the I-130, will concern the foreign spouse. The immigration process requires a great deal of Knowledge, Planning, Time, Patience, and a significant amount of Money. It is quite a ride...believe me. Welcome to Visa Journey. You have found the best source of accurate DIY immigration info on the web!!

You might want to start by studying the VJ guide I will link below. Becoming an "A" student of the process and forms will help make your journey smoother. Good luck.

Unless the OP misrepresented himself/herself at POE, there likely won't be a discussion of prior intent at the Adjustment of Status interview. I have seen only one case denied at the interview for misrep of intent. In that case, the applicant made specific statements during a secondary inspection in which she stated "I will not adjust status" to an officer. Later, during the interview, the written interview notes and statement from secondary were used to charge her with misrep. We never heard back from the spouse, who was seeking help here. Intent is normally determined at the point of entry. I have seen no other cases in which the subject even arose during the interview. There could be cases, but I know of no others. ...just my observations here on VJ.

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Normal. Use the receipt number you received after paying the immigrant fee to track your Green card.

I would either stay the course with the first package. Otherwise, you could end up with two paid I-485s in the system...and that would cause a problem.