a2mindy

Hi all -

I am a British citizen and I live and work in the UK. My fiancée is an American citizen and lives and works in the US. I want to join my fiancée in the US as soon as possible. I have three options on the table right now:

1. I have been working with a UK organization (a charity) for the last 5 years. We are in the process of growing our office in the US (a 501c3) and I could request an L-1 transfer visa (my organisation is keen that I support the development of our strategy in the US in a managerial capacity).
2. I can apply for a fiancée visa.
3. Or, we can get married and then I can apply for a spouse visa.

I would like to better understand the implications of choosing any one of these paths in terms of:

- Whether one is “quicker” or “easier” than the other
- Any implications on my longer term plans on staying in the US

I am grateful for any advice!

Noorah101

Hi and welcome to BE.

Option 3 is the safest way to go. With L1 or K1 you still have to do an adjustment of status (AOS) after marriage to become a US PR.

With option 3, you become a US PR as soon as you enter the USA using your immigrant visa.

Rene

Rete

As for quickest, the K-1 would take approx 8 -12 months while the CR-1 visa after marriage would be approx 12 - 18 months.

L1 is definitely the quickest but then you have to live wherever your non-profit opens an office and you have to be qualified to get an L-1.