Fiancé Visa or Immigrant Visa: Which Is Best for You?

La fiancé(e) visa et le immigrant visa allow foreign nationals to immigrate to the US to be with their partners. While both types of visas can accomplish the same goal, they are different in their application. Which type is best for you depends on several factors, including your specific circumstances. Outlined below is a summary of both types of visas and how each compares with the other. Consulting an immigration lawyer can help you determine the best option.

Fiancé(e) Visa

La fiancé(e) visa, also known as a K1 non-immigrant visa, allows a US citizen to bring their fiancé(e) to the US on the condition that the couple marries within 90 days of the fiancé(e) arriving in the country. The US citizen must file Form I-129F, Petition For Alien Fiancé(e) with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) — the first step to having a fiancé(e) become a permanent resident. Once a couple marries within the 90-day time frame, the foreign fiancé(e) may apply for an adjustment of status with the USCIS to become a permanent resident or a green card holder. Green card holders or permanent residents are not eligible to apply for fiancé(e) visas, and neither are couples who are already married.

Immigrant Visa

The CR-1 and IR-1 visas are the two types of immigrant visas that allow US citizens and permanent residents to bring their spouses to the US. The visas require that couples first marry outside the US and have the US spouse file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with the USCIS. The CR-1 visa applies to couples married for under two years, while the IR-1 visa is an option for those married for more than two years. Once the petition has been approved, the foreign spouse can apply to the local embassy or consulate for a green card.

Eligibility Requirements

Below are the eligibility requirements for both types of visas. Parties must provide proof of any claims they make in the application process.

Fiancé(e) Visa Versus Immigrant Visa

Couples already married can only apply for an immigrant visa. Engaged couples may consider the following factors ahead of choosing a visa.

Filing Fees

La K-1 visa is a three-step process, while the immigrant visa is a two-step process which results in the cost of filing for the immigrant visa being less than that of the K-1 visa. The K-1 visa costs approximately US$2,025, while the immigrant visa costs about US$1,000. Costs are not inclusive of medical examination, travel, etc.

Processing Time

While processing times for immigrant and K-1 visas have narrowed somewhat, processing times for K-1 visas are still less than those for immigrant visas. The fiancé(e) visa takes approximately six to eight months to process, while the immigrant visa takes about 10 to 12 months.

International Travel After Entry

The ability to travel abroad is another factor that dictates which visa a couple chooses. K-1 visas are single-entry visas. Holders must apply for adjustment of status and obtain advance parole to travel outside the US after entry. If a K-1 visa holder were to travel abroad, they would be deemed to have abandoned their application. On the contrary, the immigrant visa renders a foreign spouse a legitimate green card holder upon their arrival in the US, and they can therefore travel abroad without sanction.

Employment Authorisation

Upon arrival in the US, a spouse with an immigrant visa automatically becomes a permanent resident and can immediately begin the search for work. Holders of fiancé(e) visas may apply for employment authorization; however, the process takes upwards of six months for the document’s approval, during which time they cannot legally work.

Talk to an Immigration Lawyer in Montreal

If you are still undecided about which type of visa best suits your circumstances, talk to our experienced and knowledgeable immigration lawyer at Silver Immigration. Call us at 1 (888) 799-4769 ou remplissez formulaire de contact pour planifier une consultation gratuite afin de discuter de votre cas.