K3 vs CR1

[orimai 2]

I'm sure someone will sigh when reading this, but the flowcharts and numbers really are confusing to us. We know that the K3 visa interview (once scheduled) is pretty short, maybe a month. What about CR1's? Are they the same wait period when scheduled as K3's? I didn't see any info (like the K3 flowchart) here nore at the embassy site in Manila. Again only non immigrant visa info. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

Orimai

[devblt 0]

I'm sure someone will sigh when reading this, but the flowcharts and numbers really are confusing to us. We know that the K3 visa interview (once scheduled) is pretty short, maybe a month. What about CR1's? Are they the same wait period when scheduled as K3's? I didn't see any info (like the K3 flowchart) here nore at the embassy site in Manila. Again only non immigrant visa info. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

Orimai

I don't believe there is much difference in scheduling the interview for either a K3 or and CR visa. I really think it's first come first serve basis at the consulate.. though I could be wrong. Some consulates are much busier than others so the wait time for an interview may be longer than at an other embassy.

What really shorten's the overall timeline is the amount of time your case is sitting at the USCIS or NVC. It used to be said that I129F were approved faster at USCIS than the I-130's.. but I think there is not much difference there. At the NVC a CR visa sits there for about 3 months before being sent to the embassy, where as with the K3 it only has a short pitstop at the NVC before being sent on to the embassy.

Good luck!

[misa 2]

Depends on the consulate I think and how they schedule things with NVC.

For example, with K3 interviews in Montreal, Canada it looks like a wait time of about 4 months after submitting packet 3 back before an interview. With completed CR-1/IR-1 cases, looks like a wait time of maybe 2 months from NVC case complete.

[jazzy 0]

Hi,

K-3's are scheduled by the embassy and are longer than month when scheduled. Cr-1's are scheduled by the NVC....once the interview is scheduled its usually 5 to 6 weeks, at least thats been the trend. Once you've been approved by the nvc you are put in the quue for an interview, its been aout 8 to 10 weeks from the time of approval till nterview scheduling.

Jazzy

I'm sure someone will sigh when reading this, but the flowcharts and numbers really are confusing to us. We know that the K3 visa interview (once scheduled) is pretty short, maybe a month. What about CR1's? Are they the same wait period when scheduled as K3's? I didn't see any info (like the K3 flowchart) here nore at the embassy site in Manila. Again only non immigrant visa info. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

Orimai

[BelwinMills 0]

I believe the CR1 interview time is a shorter wait. From 4 weeks until 8 weeks. K-3 still has some steps for an interview and takes a little longer. I also believe waiting the few extra months for CR1 is better then you are free of paperwork for 2 years. Our CR1 went through faster than K-3 if you look at our timeline below.

[orimai 2]

Ugh, was really hoping one of the two would generate an interview so we could be home by mid May in time for graduations. The US Embassy website in Manila said the waiting period for non immigrant visa interviews was under a month right now. So was hoping it was the same for CR1's. Is that even a possibility?

On another note, if we are scheduled for a K3 interview, is there any possible way we can just interview for the CR1 then instead since everything is submited?

Thanks again.

Orimai

[CherylandMike 0]

On another note, if we are scheduled for a K3 interview, is there any possible way we can just interview for the CR1 then instead since everything is submited?

Yes, I believe you can request the CR1 interview instead of the K3, but would only be possible if the Embassy has received the CR1 file before the interview date. Someone was refused the request at Manila a couple weeks ago because the file was not there yet. Some have said the CR1 is given automatically if they receive the file before the K3 interview. I suspect that may depend on location. For Manila, I read of someone who had the two interviews scheduled 2 weeks apart. I've heard of others calling or emailing the embassy. I would call, if at all possible.

If you haven't already, you might take a look at the Manila Embassy thread in the Foreign Embassy forum. There are a few CR1's at the bottom of the timelines list. You can get a general idea of how long it takes the file to get to Manila, and be scheduled for the interview.

Good luck,

Mike