PsylentKnight

Hi!
I recently obtained my Green Card through the K1 visa route, and as many have noted, it comes with its pros and cons.
Personally, I have some reservations about choosing the K1 visa route, primarily because I filed early in 2022 when the average processing time exceeded 15 months. Nowadays, USCIS processes cases much faster, with an average wait time of 7-8 months.
The embassy transfer process is relatively straightforward, particularly if you're transferring to the Italian embassy. Generally, interview slots are readily available. For instance, people are currently booking interviews for mid to late May without much difficulty.
If your priority is to be together as soon as possible, I would recommend opting for the K1 route.
Furthermore, Green Cards, Advance Parole (AP), and Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) are now processed swiftly for K1 visa holders. Many individuals receive their EAD or EAD+AP approvals shortly after biometrics.
Regarding restrictions, such as obtaining a driver's license, it varies significantly by state. For example, I was able to obtain my driver's license in Texas without needing an EAD. However, I've heard that California and other states are more stringent in this regard.

 

I have no data to prove it, but I think K-1 consulate transfers often take longer. I think that K-1 consulate transfers are more frequently handled by the consulates (meaning the new consulate initiated the transfer, communication between consulates, etc.)....whereas spousal visa consulate transfers are more often handled at the NVC level due to the DS-260 being submitted there........just my opinion. 

Interview location is based on the beneficiary’s address noted on I129F and I130…
I didn’t say you CANT transfer a K1 I said it can be very difficult and add months to the process:
The thread you linked had some success stories but also some stories with issues:
 
 
Here are the instructions for changing embassies spousal and k1:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/national-visa-center/immigrant-visas-processing-general-faqs.html#ivp13
 
You are free to choose K1 or CR1 but if you’re asking which is QUICKER… changing consulates will add time to the process. 
Here is an example of a timeline for transferring a K1:
 
K1 case transfer timeline:
 July 23 2021 the petition was approved 
December 12 2021 interview… (132 days) 
K1 no transfer
August 20 2021 petition approved 
November 3 2021 interview. (76 days) 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Of course! 
NVC timelines are fluctuating and Consulate appointments availability too. 
As far as I know scheduling the interview in Italy for a K1 visa is way faster than for CR1/IR1, also I know many people that requested to be transferred to the Italian consulate and on average it takes probably 2 weeks, and some people requested it directly at the NVC stage before receiving the case # (showing proof of citizenship/permanent residence). I can only speak about my experience and specific embassy, maybe other places are less efficient or have a higher volume of petitions. That's something that needs to be considered too. 

Based on what I've read online, it seems like the consensus has been that the CR-1 is strictly better than the K-1 because the processing times were similar but the CR-1 allows you to work as soon as you enter the US.
 
However, according to VJ, the processing times for the I-129F have halved in the past year while the I-130 has stayed roughly the same. I understand that the benefits of the CR-1 are significant, but right now our goal is to get together ASAP, so the K-1 seems better for us. Has the online consensus not caught up with the data or am I missing something? Even if VJ has a smaller, self-reported dataset, the trend seems quite clear