K3 vs IR-1 / CR-1

[TomD 4]

Hi to all and thanks in advance for your help on this as I am a bit confused. I sent in the I-130 package with payment and received a I-797C(NOA)and a tracking number. This happened about 2 weeks ago. My wife and I were married before I sent this in to the USCIS. So am I applying for a K3 or a IR-1 / CR-1? When, where and by who is this decided? Additionally I am hearing that I should now file a I-129 after submission of the I-130. I dont get it. Seems like there is lots of duplication and redundancy here.

Should I be doing something or wait until I receive instructions from someone in the Immigration Service? I know that I have to put together a Affidavit of support but was under the impression that I dont do this until ask. I have that deer in the headlights feeling about all this like I am leaving something undone.

Tom

[TheBears 9]

CR1. K3 is no longer available. This was decided by USCIS a few months ago and has been causing tons of confusion. No K3 means you don't need to send in the I-129F. Yay! Less paperwork!

Right now, all you can do is wait. If you haven't started saving chat history or if you use a phone card that doesn't keep a record, you should change that now. You can start gather documents needed for the Affidavit of Support (like tax transcripts and keeping your paycheck stubs). You can practice filling out the AOS. You can even fill it out now (assuming you've filed 2009 taxes and are keeping the same job) and wait until it's requested to add the date. You can start sending letters or small trinkets in the mail, being sure to keep the receipts. If you chat and never took screen shots before, you can start doing that now. You can start researching the documents you'll need for the DS-230. Some places are more strict than others. There's lots you can do, but the most beneficial thing will be to remain calm through it all.

And... you can check out the shortcuts. Start at Step 0. It's good stuff. Here's the link: http://www.visajourn...he_NVC_ShortCut Read over it. Print it out. Study it until you have a good understanding of the whole thing.

Good luck!

Edited April 1, 2010 by TheBears

[pushbrk 12,822]

CR1. K3 is no longer available. This was decided by USCIS a few months ago and has been causing tons of confusion.

Yes there's been a lot of confusion including some in the above post. USCIS hasn't changed anything regarding K3 for more than three years. What's new came from NVC, part of the Dept. of State. The result is the same though. K3 hasn't saved any appreciable time in three years and now K3 is dead with only an obscure obituary. As a result the K3 ghost is still reaching out from the grave to slow down the CR1 process for anybody who hasn't read or heeded the obscure obituary.

[TheBears 9]

Yes there's been a lot of confusion including some in the above post. USCIS hasn't changed anything regarding K3 for more than three years. What's new came from NVC, part of the Dept. of State. The result is the same though. K3 hasn't saved any appreciable time in three years and now K3 is dead with only an obscure obituary. As a result the K3 ghost is still reaching out from the grave to slow down the CR1 process for anybody who hasn't read or heeded the obscure obituary.

Thank you for clearing that up. My mistake.

[TomD 4]

THEBEARS,

Thanks for the quick and detailed response. I like the less paperwork part the best . We dont call each other but email alot so I have those records for the past 2 yrs if push comes to shove. Also tons of pictures of us at various places including our wedding pics. I was over in her country twice for a total of 8 months with in the past 2 years. I haven't done my taxes and I am not working by choice but have the financials available when needed. I also opened a joint account with her on my last trip after we married. Your right I should and will complete the forms in advance as nothing should change and I can review them several times prior to their submission. I will see what the short cuts can offer as well again thanks for the great guidance.

Tom

[TomD 4]

Yes there's been a lot of confusion including some in the above post. USCIS hasn't changed anything regarding K3 for more than three years. What's new came from NVC, part of the Dept. of State. The result is the same though. K3 hasn't saved any appreciable time in three years and now K3 is dead with only an obscure obituary. As a result the K3 ghost is still reaching out from the grave to slow down the CR1 process for anybody who hasn't read or heeded the obscure obituary.

Well Dead is dead I dont care if its with a gun or a knife. Thanks again for the direction and clarification.

[amuna0526 11]

Hi to all and thanks in advance for your help on this as I am a bit confused. I sent in the I-130 package with payment and received a I-797C(NOA)and a tracking number. This happened about 2 weeks ago. My wife and I were married before I sent this in to the USCIS. So am I applying for a K3 or a IR-1 / CR-1? When, where and by who is this decided? Additionally I am hearing that I should now file a I-129 after submission of the I-130. I dont get it. Seems like there is lots of duplication and redundancy here.

Should I be doing something or wait until I receive instructions from someone in the Immigration Service? I know that I have to put together a Affidavit of support but was under the impression that I dont do this until ask. I have that deer in the headlights feeling about all this like I am leaving something undone.

Tom

hi Tom,

You dont have to fill out the K3 i was also under the impression that it could be filled out, but since you filed the I-130 that is good enough. It took 4 months for the I-130 to be approved. You can check the status of the I-130 online www.uscis.gov. Put in you case number and it will tell you where your case is. After your petition is approved, your case will go to the National Visa Center. The NVC will assign you a case # when you call this number 603-334-0700 and follow the prompts, put in your CIS # and once its in the system they will assign you an NVC case #. You need to call the NVC to get the updates on your case. They will ask for the beneficiary to pick an agent. It could be the petitioner. Then they will want you to pay the Affidavit of Support fee bill, you can do that online Immigrant Visa Invoice Payment Center, with a routing number and account number. You can also pay the DS-230 online application for immigrant visa. You have to wait until they are marked paid, Usually it takes 2-3 days then you can print out the cover sheets. You need the cover sheets to go with your applications and documents needed to go with them. Then you will have to wait until the NVC finishes processing all the paperwork. After the case is complete at the NVC it goes to the embassy. You will both receive notification petitioner and beneficiary of the date. Also there is a medical exam for the beneficiary.

[Moosker 7]

You decide if you want to continue with both routes just to see which one is faster. Many people say that neither one nor the other is faster, so going with the easiest one is best. I was also sent the K3 paperwork and disregarded it because we chose to do the CR1 visa route.

I would highly recommend the IR1/CR1 route. The benefit to the IR1/CR1 visa is that you automatically are able to work, apply for a SS card and continue with on with life. With a K3 visa you are approved, but still need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document and there is still paperwork that goes along with it. CR1 felt like a lot less hassle for me and once I was done with NVC it was smooth sailing.

Good luck with your process!

[pushbrk 12,822]

You decide if you want to continue with both routes just to see which one is faster. Many people say that neither one nor the other is faster, so going with the easiest one is best. I was also sent the K3 paperwork and disregarded it because we chose to do the CR1 visa route.

I would highly recommend the IR1/CR1 route. The benefit to the IR1/CR1 visa is that you automatically are able to work, apply for a SS card and continue with on with life. With a K3 visa you are approved, but still need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document and there is still paperwork that goes along with it. CR1 felt like a lot less hassle for me and once I was done with NVC it was smooth sailing.

Good luck with your process!

This answer is exactly two months out of date. There is no longer a K3 choice. Did you not read the previous responses before posting? Party foul!

[zenaxe 22]

Yes there's been a lot of confusion including some in the above post. USCIS hasn't changed anything regarding K3 for more than three years. What's new came from NVC, part of the Dept. of State. The result is the same though. K3 hasn't saved any appreciable time in three years and now K3 is dead with only an obscure obituary. As a result the K3 ghost is still reaching out from the grave to slow down the CR1 process for anybody who hasn't read or heeded the obscure obituary.

Funny post but dead on (no actual pun intended but sometimes you just get lucky)