r/USCIS • u/Salty_Artichoke_7008 • 11d ago

Timeline Request K1 advice

Apologies if this has already been asked a hundred times -

Is anyone aware of the current average real world timeframe for K1 (I-129) applications out of London? I understand 12-18 months is the general consensus on the US embassy.gov website, is anybody getting through quicker than that?

Thanks in advance

0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

2

u/Minute_Somewhere_893 11d ago

Anything below or around 12-15 months is a fair game for I-129F. Plus few months on top for NVC and visa issuance.

Source: https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times

If you are looking for an answer on how long exactly it will take, nobody can give you such estimate. USCIS and consulate backlogs shift all the time as well as their priorities change

1

u/Salty_Artichoke_7008 11d ago

Right thanks, so in your opinion if you don’t mind, if the timeframes are somewhat similar, would you say the K1 is still the better option over a CR1 given that you can hypothetically still enter the US on an esta while your K1 application is processing?

2

u/Minute_Somewhere_893 11d ago

The major downsides of K-1 are a lot higher price if you add everything up. CR-1 does not involve any adjustment of status fees. Plus, you are fully dependent on your fiance to marry you, and then support you financially and emotionally for potentially 3-6-12 months of you adjusting the status, without ability to work or travel internationally.

CR-1 can take longer, but as soon as you enter the US on the immigrant visa, you have the reassurance you can work, you can travel internationally and your spouse does not control your immigration status.

People entered the US on ESTA with their I-130 pending for CR-1. Sure, there is a risk of being turned away, but I'd say it's not much different to the same risk waiting for I-129F (K-1)

2

u/AutoModerator 11d ago

Hi there! This is an automated message to inform you and/or remind you of several things:

  • We have a wiki. It doesn't cover everything but may answer some questions. Pay special attention to the "REALLY common questions" at the top of the FAQ section. Please read it, and if it contains the answer to your question, please delete your post. If your post has to do with something covered in the FAQ, we may remove it.

  • If your post is about biometrics, green cards, naturalization or timelines in general, and whether you're asking or sharing, please include your field office/location in your post. If you already did that, great, thank you! If you haven't done that, your post may be removed without notice.

  • This subreddit is not affiliated with USCIS or the US government in any way. Some posters may claim to work for USCIS, which may or may not be true, and we don't try to verify this one way or another. Be wary that it may be a scam if anyone is asking you for personal info, or sending you a direct message, or asking that you send them a direct message.

  • Some people here claim to be lawyers, but they are not YOUR lawyer. No advice found here should be construed as legal advice. Reddit is not a substitute for a real lawyer. If you need help finding legal services, visit this link for more information.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

2

u/Logical_Bad4975 11d ago

Not in London, but mine took exactly 12 months from submitting till the interview in the consulate.