I had been divorced with a filipino woman for 5 years now and currently dating a thai girl. One of the many things I have learned in bringing a woman in the United States has advantages and disadvantages. I petitioned my filipino girl on a fiance visa but now I prefer CR1 visa. Here's the pros and cons below:

Fiance Visa

Relatively" fast process. As fast or quicker than K-3 and/or IR1 / CR-1 Visas (which are only available to married couples)

But: The K-1 Visa Holder will need to apply for Advance Parole (AP) if they wish to travel outside of the US while their AOS application is being processed and not yet approved. Leaving without an approved (and in hand) AP will result in abandoning the pending AOS application and require filing for a new visa (either K-3 or IR-1/CR-1) to re-enter the US.

CR1 Visa

This is an "Immigrant" Visa and will as such allow the applicant to arrive in the US as a Legal Permanent Resident

But: Separation from family may be longer than if filing for a K-3 Visa (or K-1 visa for a non-married fiance). The applicant will most likely not be able to enter the US while their IR1-CR-1 Visa is being processed.

Topic title edited to include country.

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