K1 Fiancé Visa vs. CR1 Spouse Visa: Which is Right For You?

The current estimated processing times for the CR1 visa process and K1 application process are roughly equal, give or take a few months.

Approval timelines are a rough estimate, not a guaranteed approval date. Timelines can change based on your specific application as well as government backlogs. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) handles the first step of the spousal and fiancé visa approval process. In their most recent update: the average approval time for the spousal visa process was about 9-11 months. The average approval time for the fiancé visa process was also about 16.5 months.

The initial application fees for both visa types are comparable — around $1,200 for the spousal visa and around $1,000 for the K-1 visa process. However, it’s important to note that the K-1 process requires additional costs down the road. Couples who choose to go the K-1 route also have to apply for a green card once the foreign fiancé enters the U.S. and the couple gets married. Proposed fees by the U.S. government could also make the K1 petition to green card process much more expensive in the coming months.

If the new government fees go into effect, CR1 spouse visa applications will cost around $1,485, a minor increase of only $285. On the other hand, the total K-1 fiance visa and marriage green card costs will jump to over $3,000 — more than double the cost of a CR1 spouse visa.

The initial application fees for both visa types are comparable — around $1,200 for the spousal visa and around $1,000 for the K-1 visa process. However, it’s important to note that the K-1 process requires additional costs down the road. Couples who choose to go the K-1 route also have to apply for a green card once the foreign fiancé enters the U.S. and the couple gets married. Proposed fees by the U.S. government could also make the K1 petition to green card process much more expensive in the coming months.

If the new government fees go into effect, CR1 spouse visa applications will cost around $1,485, a minor increase of only $285. On the other hand, the total K-1 fiance visa and marriage green card costs will jump to over $3,000 — more than double the cost of a CR1 spouse visa.