IR1, CR1, or ¿K-3?

IR-1 and CR-1 are both immigrant visas and the only separation factor is time – IR-1 is the designation given to spouses of U. S. citizens, and the CR-1 is given to the same class who have not yet been married for 2 years at the time of the spouse’s immigration. The K-3 is a nonimmigrant visa which was instituted to allow spouses of U. S. citizens to come to the U. S. faster when I-130 petitions (immigrant visa petitions for alien relatives) were backed up further than they are now. The current processing time chart of U.S.C.I.S. is at 5 months for the adjudication of I-130 petitions. Given the present situation, the K-3 may be overtaken by an I-130 petition at the consular processing stage at the National Visa Center parent (a precondition to the filing of the K-3 petition is that an I-130 also be filed). In such situation, the K-3 will be canceled.Due to the limitations of the Lawyers.com Forums, Alan Lee, Esq.'s (the "Firm") participation in responding to questions posted herein does not constitute legal advice, nor legal representation of the person or entity posting a question. No Attorney/Client relationship is or shall be construed to be created hereby. The information provided herein by the Firm is general, and requires that the poster obtain specific legal advice from an attorney. The poster shall not rely upon the information provided herein as legal advice nor as the basis for making any decisions of legal consequence.