mitzab

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.
 

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

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

Being from Nigeria does not bar someone from filing or being approved for naturalization. The reports about “extra vetting” don’t change eligibility to file an N-400. Naturalization is not an entry benefit  it’s governed by different INA codes (which is the authority used for travel bans). So the travel-ban framework doesn’t control N-400 eligibility. Yes, we are seeing some interviews get canceled or rescheduled, but from everything I have witnessed and again I might be a little off here, that appears to be more about additional due diligence than any change in eligibility. (things are changing daily)
 
We recently filed an N-400 ourselves, and honestly, it was probably the easiest form in the whole process. The requirements are very clear. Under the 3-year rule, you just need to show that you’ve been married to a U.S. citizen for three years, that you’ve been living together in marital union during that time, and that your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the full three-year period. The evidence is pretty straightforward if it’s a bona fide marriage — citizenship proof, green card, joint taxes, lease or mortgage, joint bank accounts, insurance, etc.
 
My suggestion would be to go ahead and start drafting the N-400 online. I’m almost certain you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how simple it is. And if you do get stuck, this forum and its members are an incredible resource. The only caveat I’d add is that if there’s anything questionable in his background, then it’s worth seriously considering an attorney. Otherwise, this is very doable on your own.
 
Wishing you nothing but the best
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I am sure everyone knows it but i just found out that now, if your N-400 was filed on or after Dec. 12, 2022, your N-400 receipt itself gives you a 24-month automatic extension.

Same here
 
A friend submitted in the first week of December (same exact case and almost same tineline as ours) they got a reuse notice and we got an appointment  
 
It is what it is.
 
 

Just wanted to share that my wife has officially submitted her N-400 under the 3-year rule
 
Couldn’t have got this far or done this without this community.
 

I am sure everyone knows it but i just found out that now, if your N-400 was filed on or after Dec. 12, 2022, your N-400 receipt itself gives you a 24-month automatic extension.

Yep, this is mostly helpful to those whose 10 year green cards are expiring. Those who have 2 year GC with pending I-751, already have 48 month extension letters which supercede 24 month extension from N-400.

I am sure everyone knows it but i just found out that now, if your N-400 was filed on or after Dec. 12, 2022, your N-400 receipt itself gives you a 24-month automatic extension.

Thank you so much! It's so much misinformation out there, even some lawyers are sparking fear on what ifs, his background is clean, straightforward case. We had our interview waived in the past , no rfes and clean background, not even a speeding ticket. We will definitely be getting this all in before year ending, thanks for the advice!

I'm going to go with my new 2026 mantra:
File as soon as allowed. Nobody has ever said "I wished I waited a few more months before filing" on this forum in the last 10 years

Being from Nigeria does not bar someone from filing or being approved for naturalization. The reports about “extra vetting” don’t change eligibility to file an N-400. Naturalization is not an entry benefit  it’s governed by different INA codes (which is the authority used for travel bans). So the travel-ban framework doesn’t control N-400 eligibility. Yes, we are seeing some interviews get canceled or rescheduled, but from everything I have witnessed and again I might be a little off here, that appears to be more about additional due diligence than any change in eligibility. (things are changing daily)
 
We recently filed an N-400 ourselves, and honestly, it was probably the easiest form in the whole process. The requirements are very clear. Under the 3-year rule, you just need to show that you’ve been married to a U.S. citizen for three years, that you’ve been living together in marital union during that time, and that your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the full three-year period. The evidence is pretty straightforward if it’s a bona fide marriage — citizenship proof, green card, joint taxes, lease or mortgage, joint bank accounts, insurance, etc.
 
My suggestion would be to go ahead and start drafting the N-400 online. I’m almost certain you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how simple it is. And if you do get stuck, this forum and its members are an incredible resource. The only caveat I’d add is that if there’s anything questionable in his background, then it’s worth seriously considering an attorney. Otherwise, this is very doable on your own.
 
Wishing you nothing but the best
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Just wanted to share that my wife has officially submitted her N-400 under the 3-year rule
 
Couldn’t have got this far or done this without this community.
 

Being from Nigeria does not bar someone from filing or being approved for naturalization. The reports about “extra vetting” don’t change eligibility to file an N-400. Naturalization is not an entry benefit  it’s governed by different INA codes (which is the authority used for travel bans). So the travel-ban framework doesn’t control N-400 eligibility. Yes, we are seeing some interviews get canceled or rescheduled, but from everything I have witnessed and again I might be a little off here, that appears to be more about additional due diligence than any change in eligibility. (things are changing daily)
 
We recently filed an N-400 ourselves, and honestly, it was probably the easiest form in the whole process. The requirements are very clear. Under the 3-year rule, you just need to show that you’ve been married to a U.S. citizen for three years, that you’ve been living together in marital union during that time, and that your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the full three-year period. The evidence is pretty straightforward if it’s a bona fide marriage — citizenship proof, green card, joint taxes, lease or mortgage, joint bank accounts, insurance, etc.
 
My suggestion would be to go ahead and start drafting the N-400 online. I’m almost certain you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how simple it is. And if you do get stuck, this forum and its members are an incredible resource. The only caveat I’d add is that if there’s anything questionable in his background, then it’s worth seriously considering an attorney. Otherwise, this is very doable on your own.
 
Wishing you nothing but the best
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Being from Nigeria does not bar someone from filing or being approved for naturalization. The reports about “extra vetting” don’t change eligibility to file an N-400. Naturalization is not an entry benefit  it’s governed by different INA codes (which is the authority used for travel bans). So the travel-ban framework doesn’t control N-400 eligibility. Yes, we are seeing some interviews get canceled or rescheduled, but from everything I have witnessed and again I might be a little off here, that appears to be more about additional due diligence than any change in eligibility. (things are changing daily)
 
We recently filed an N-400 ourselves, and honestly, it was probably the easiest form in the whole process. The requirements are very clear. Under the 3-year rule, you just need to show that you’ve been married to a U.S. citizen for three years, that you’ve been living together in marital union during that time, and that your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the full three-year period. The evidence is pretty straightforward if it’s a bona fide marriage — citizenship proof, green card, joint taxes, lease or mortgage, joint bank accounts, insurance, etc.
 
My suggestion would be to go ahead and start drafting the N-400 online. I’m almost certain you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how simple it is. And if you do get stuck, this forum and its members are an incredible resource. The only caveat I’d add is that if there’s anything questionable in his background, then it’s worth seriously considering an attorney. Otherwise, this is very doable on your own.
 
Wishing you nothing but the best
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Being from Nigeria does not bar someone from filing or being approved for naturalization. The reports about “extra vetting” don’t change eligibility to file an N-400. Naturalization is not an entry benefit  it’s governed by different INA codes (which is the authority used for travel bans). So the travel-ban framework doesn’t control N-400 eligibility. Yes, we are seeing some interviews get canceled or rescheduled, but from everything I have witnessed and again I might be a little off here, that appears to be more about additional due diligence than any change in eligibility. (things are changing daily)
 
We recently filed an N-400 ourselves, and honestly, it was probably the easiest form in the whole process. The requirements are very clear. Under the 3-year rule, you just need to show that you’ve been married to a U.S. citizen for three years, that you’ve been living together in marital union during that time, and that your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the full three-year period. The evidence is pretty straightforward if it’s a bona fide marriage — citizenship proof, green card, joint taxes, lease or mortgage, joint bank accounts, insurance, etc.
 
My suggestion would be to go ahead and start drafting the N-400 online. I’m almost certain you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how simple it is. And if you do get stuck, this forum and its members are an incredible resource. The only caveat I’d add is that if there’s anything questionable in his background, then it’s worth seriously considering an attorney. Otherwise, this is very doable on your own.
 
Wishing you nothing but the best
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Anyone wondering what happened to my case. I went to YYZ pre-clearance at first she said she doesnt know if it applies to K1. but she sent me to secondary inspection they did 20-30 min research without asking much and they revalidated it under AVR until the original date. 

Submitted online today 12/21 (Sunday), maybe we’ll receive a notice before the holiday🤞🏼 

just received appointment for Biometrics on 01/08/2026. looks like they are now doing mandatory biometrics scheduling after 12/15 filers

Same here
 
A friend submitted in the first week of December (same exact case and almost same tineline as ours) they got a reuse notice and we got an appointment  
 
It is what it is.
 
 

Same here
 
A friend submitted in the first week of December (same exact case and almost same tineline as ours) they got a reuse notice and we got an appointment  
 
It is what it is.
 
 

The most fulfilling "small part" of this process is filling in that final box of our VJ timelines.  Looking forward for when this time comes for you.

Just wanted to share that my wife has officially submitted her N-400 under the 3-year rule
 
Couldn’t have got this far or done this without this community.
 

Congratulations!