Context: My fiancé is American and lives there, I have a NZ passport but based somewhere in Asia (we're both second gen immigrant asians).
We've been long distance for 2 years and got engaged last year, we sent the K-1 application in end of November 2025, and got the confirmation it was received not long after in Dec.
But with how things are unfolding in the States, I feel like I would feel so much safer doing the CR-1 and landing already with a GC, not to mention I would have the rights to work straight away without relying on my to-be husband until I get my work permit. (He can support the both of us financially but I'm not sure how not being financially independent will affect me)
I don't know if it'd make me safer for sure, but the peace of mind seems like it's worth the maybe a year longer wait.
Statistically I know most likely I would be fine on the K-1 route, I know this is pretty much just "peace of mind vs shorter wait", but I feel like making a big move on a comfortably mind set is quite important. I do fear I might grow to resent a longer wait, but so far we've been really strong in our LDR.
Is this crazy to consider? Has anyone had experience doing this?
Yes I'm quite aware the filing fees of the k-1 is non refundable, though afaik the K-1 is generally more expensive due to the AOS, so even losing the filing fee and switching to the CR-1 would come out to be cheaper overall. And yes of course we would be together to get married, but I don't think we need to be living together to file for the i-30.