Is CR1/IR-1 easier than K3?

[CoolHand2x2y2z 0]

Hello! ( I would really appreciate any advice.)

I've been busy doing a million things, in addition to trying to bring my wife to America, so I didn't read everything closely. It finally dawned on me today that there are actually 2 possible routes for a quick arrival now. All this time I thought the I-130 was going to take years and years, so I didn't even bother worrying about it -not reading up on it after applying. [i have been on the I-130 track but thinking that it was part of the K-3 process.]

Anyway, it seems like the I-130 has turned into the CR-1/IR-1 visa process for us. I still have not gotten the second NOA for the I-129F, which is coming, I guess. Meanwhile, the CR-1/IR-1 visa process has moved along. I guess once they send me the request for the DS-230, everything will be complete and be sent off to the embassy in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

My question is this: I just paid $400 for the Agent Fee (which seems ridiculous to me because I'm the sponsor), should I now not worry about the K-3?

I'm a bit confused. Let's say that the 2NOA for the I-129F arrives in the next few weeks and everything is sent to Vietnam, should I still do the stuff that they ask with the CR-1/IR-1 visa process? And if I continue with the K-3 process, I'll have to do another financial support packet, including getting another letter from my employer, etc. Which would be the best way to proceed?

By the way, how does one even opt to stop either of the processes? Can't the NVC or the embassy decide?

Thanks!

[sydkym 0]

If you are at the NVC now and going through the steps there, then just keep going. I wouldn´t hold your breath about the 129. Ours is still "pending" as well and we´re just about done with the NVC.

I don´t think you ever really want to "stop" your process. I think that will really mess things up. Once you start, just letting things flow may be the fastest way to the end.

[YuAndDan 153]

Yes CR-1 and IR-1 is easier than K-3 for a few reasons.

• K-3 requires the filing of an I-129F, CR-1 does not.
• K-3 requires adjusting status in the USA in-order to get green-card, CR-1 does not.

CR-1/IR-1 is the superior visa, it results in green-card upon entry, is work authorized. K-3 needs to file for EAD and/OR AOS and have EAD or green-card in-order to take a job, get SSN, and apply for a driver's license, EAD takes 90 days or more to get.

Compare timelines, for most CR-1 does not take much longer than K-3 to get.

[CoolHand2x2y2z 0]

Yes CR-1 and IR-1 is easier than K-3 for a few reasons.

• K-3 requires the filing of an I-129F, CR-1 does not.
• K-3 requires adjusting status in the USA in-order to get green-card, CR-1 does not.

CR-1/IR-1 is the superior visa, it results in green-card upon entry, is work authorized. K-3 needs to file for EAD and/OR AOS and have EAD or green-card in-order to take a job, get SSN, and apply for a driver's license, EAD takes 90 days or more to get.

Compare timelines, for most CR-1 does not take much longer than K-3 to get.

Thanks for the answers! You make me feel so much better about letting my $400 fly.

[CoolHand2x2y2z 0]

If you are at the NVC now and going through the steps there, then just keep going. I wouldn´t hold your breath about the 129. Ours is still "pending" as well and we´re just about done with the NVC.

I don´t think you ever really want to "stop" your process. I think that will really mess things up. Once you start, just letting things flow may be the fastest way to the end.

I see... I guess you still haven't got your 2NOA for the I-129F. I was just gaging everyone's timeline and thought that mine should be coming soon. Thanks!

Edited May 30, 2008 by 2x2y2z

[Marlita 0]

Yes CR-1 and IR-1 is easier than K-3 for a few reasons.

• K-3 requires the filing of an I-129F, CR-1 does not.
• K-3 requires adjusting status in the USA in-order to get green-card, CR-1 does not.

CR-1/IR-1 is the superior visa, it results in green-card upon entry, is work authorized. K-3 needs to file for EAD and/OR AOS and have EAD or green-card in-order to take a job, get SSN, and apply for a driver's license, EAD takes 90 days or more to get.

Compare timelines, for most CR-1 does not take much longer than K-3 to get.

Thanks for the answers! You make me feel so much better about letting my $400 fly.

Also, your $400 was not an "agent" fee. That actually does not exist. the $400 was your wife's immigrant visa fee. Its the fee for your visa. The K1 and K3 actually have a visa fee too but its like $131 cause its a non-immigrant visa fee.

[YuAndDan 153]

Yes CR-1 and IR-1 is easier than K-3 for a few reasons.

• K-3 requires the filing of an I-129F, CR-1 does not.
• K-3 requires adjusting status in the USA in-order to get green-card, CR-1 does not.

CR-1/IR-1 is the superior visa, it results in green-card upon entry, is work authorized. K-3 needs to file for EAD and/OR AOS and have EAD or green-card in-order to take a job, get SSN, and apply for a driver's license, EAD takes 90 days or more to get.

Compare timelines, for most CR-1 does not take much longer than K-3 to get.

Thanks for the answers! You make me feel so much better about letting my $400 fly.

Also, your $400 was not an "agent" fee. That actually does not exist. the $400 was your wife's immigrant visa fee. Its the fee for your visa. The K1 and K3 actually have a visa fee too but its like $131 cause its a non-immigrant visa fee.

Yep, you can forget about the K-3, If you paid that amount to NVC, then you are on the CR-1/IR-1 visa path.