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Is a K-3 Visa process easier than a K-1?

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Thailand
Timeline

We are going to get married in Thailand, but we were wondering if it will be harder for him to immigrate to the US through this method.

ฉันรักคุณ
K-1
Filed May 2011
116 days to NOA2
4 days for the NVC
74 days to the interview
Interview date: 12/14/11 APPROVED!
POE: 12/16/11
Total days from NOA1 to K-1 Visa in hand: 202
Wedding Date: 12/27/11

AOS
Sent AOS: 4/21/12
NOA1: 4/30/12
RFE: 5/14/12
Biometrics App.: 5/21/12
Sent RFE Response: 5/31/12
Interview: 7/24/12
Approval: 10/12/12

Currently.... they have issued Ice the incorrect GC and we have tried 4 times to fix it. First time they had us send it to the incorrect address. Second time they said we used an expired form, which was the form they gave us. Third time was "oh sorry we lost the last page, can you send it again?." Fourth time is the gov is shut down. Will this ever be corrected in time for Ice to get the permanent GC? Stay tuned to find out. T_T

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K-3 really is no longer a viable option as they are being administratively closed. If you aren't married and want to get married in the US then you can do a K-1 which is a fiance visa. If you are already married or want to get married in Thailand then get married first a do a CR-1. I think both are pretty much equal in being difficult to obtain. CR-1 takes a little longer but it comes with a green card when approved as opposed to having to adjust status later on with a K-1. Read the Guides found in the menu at the top of the page for more information.

England.gif England!

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, You make me sing.

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

b0cb1a39c4.png

ROC Timeline

Sent: 7/21/12

NOA1: 7/23/12

Touch: 7/24/2012

Biometrics: 8/24/2012

Card Production Ordered: 3/6/2013

*Eligible for Naturalization: October 13, 2013*

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
Timeline

We are going to get married in Thailand, but we were wondering if it will be harder for him to immigrate to the US through this method.

K-3 really is no longer a viable option as they are being administratively closed. If you aren't married and want to get married in the US then you can do a K-1 which is a fiance visa. If you are already married or want to get married in Thailand then get married first a do a CR-1. I think both are pretty much equal in being difficult to obtain. CR-1 takes a little longer but it comes with a green card when approved as opposed to having to adjust status later on with a K-1. Read the Guides found in the menu at the top of the page for more information.

OP: Regardless of the method you choose (K1 or CR-1), Embassy personnel (once they receive the file) will scrutinize your relationship. To expand on what amykathleen2005 stated regarding the K3, what the USCIS does is they tie both the I-130 and I-129F together, approve them together, and send them to the NVC together. The NVC will then administratively close the I-129F leaving only the I-130 active.

Our journey:

Spoiler

September 2007: Met online via social networking site (MySpace); began exchanging messages.
March 26, 2009: We become a couple!
September 10, 2009: Arrived for first meeting in-person!
June 17, 2010: Arrived for second in-person meeting and start of travel together to other areas of China!
June 21, 2010: Engaged!!!
September 1, 2010: Switched course from K1 to CR-1
December 8, 2010: Wedding date set; it will be on February 18, 2011!
February 9, 2011: Depart for China
February 11, 2011: Registered for marriage in Wuhan, officially married!!!
February 18, 2011: Wedding ceremony in Shiyan!!!
April 22, 2011: Mailed I-130 to Chicago
April 28, 2011: Received NOA1 via text/email, file routed to CSC (priority date April 25th)
April 29, 2011: Updated
May 3, 2011: Received NOA1 hardcopy in mail
July 26, 2011: Received NOA2 via text/email!!!
July 30, 2011: Received NOA2 hardcopy in mail
August 8, 2011: NVC received file
September 1, 2011: NVC case number assigned
September 2, 2011: AOS invoice received, OPTIN email for EP sent
September 7, 2011: Paid AOS bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 9, 2011)
September 8, 2011: OPTIN email accepted, GZO number assigned
September 10, 2011: Emailed AOS package
September 12, 2011: IV bill invoiced
September 13, 2011: Paid IV bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 14, 2011)
September 14, 2011: Emailed IV package
October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
December 7, 2011: POE - Sea-Tac Airport

September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

September 23, 2013: Received NOA1 in mail (receipt date September 19th)

October 16, 2013: Biometrics Appointment

January 28, 2014: Production of new Green Card ordered

February 3, 2014: New Green Card received; done with USCIS until fall of 2023*

December 18, 2023:  Filed I-90 to renew Green Card

December 21, 2023:  Production of new Green Card ordered - will be seeing USCIS again every 10 years for renewal

 

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
Timeline

Sometimes my language usage seems confusing - please feel free to 'read it twice', just in case !
Ya know, you can find the answer to your question with the advanced search tool, when using a PC? Ditch the handphone, come back later on a PC, and try again.

-=-=-=-=-=R E A D ! ! !=-=-=-=-=-

Whoa Nelly ! Want NVC Info? see http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process

Congratulations on your approval ! We All Applaud your accomplishment with Most Wonderful Kissies !

 

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Filed: Other Country: China
Timeline

Once consideration specific to Thailand is that the K1 applicants tend to be subjected to far less scrutiny at interview than the immigrant spouse visa applicant. If you have plenty of relationship evidence and the applicant is well prepared for the interview, scrutiny is overcome. Either way, I generally advise couples to make their life and relationship decisions (including where and when to marry) based on their own considerations, then follow the immigration path that matches their life decisions.

Facts are cheap...knowing how to use them is precious...
Understanding the big picture is priceless. Anonymous

Google Who is Pushbrk?

A Warning to Green Card Holders About Voting

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/606646-a-warning-to-green-card-holders-about-voting/

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Thailand
Timeline

Once consideration specific to Thailand is that the K1 applicants tend to be subjected to far less scrutiny at interview than the immigrant spouse visa applicant. If you have plenty of relationship evidence and the applicant is well prepared for the interview, scrutiny is overcome. Either way, I generally advise couples to make their life and relationship decisions (including where and when to marry) based on their own considerations, then follow the immigration path that matches their life decisions.

100% agree. Not sure why that is.

Service Center : Vermont Service Center

Consulate : Bangkok, Thailand

Marriage : 2006-11-08

I-130 Sent : 2008-02-22

I-130 NOA1 : 2008-03-10

I-129F Sent : 2008-04-08

I-129F NOA1 : 2008-04-14

I-129F touched: 2008-05-06

I-130 touched: 2008-05-09

I-129F approved 2008-09-05

I-130 approved 2008-09-05

NVC received 2008-09-12

Pay I-864 2008-10-08

Pay IV bill 2008-10-08

Receive Instruction 2008-11-05

Case Complete 2008-11-18

Medical 2009-01-19/20 passed

Receive Pkt 4 2009-01-30

Interview 221g 2009-02-23

Second interview 2009-03-02 Approved

POE DFW 2009-03-07

Received SS card 2009-03-17

Received GC 2009-04-01

Done for 3 years or 10 years. Haven't decided yet.

(I'm going for the IR-1 and blowing off the K-3. Even if it takes an extra couple months, it's worth it to not have to deal with USCIS again)

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Note:

Please fill out I-130, wait 6 months for approval, then 3 more months for an interview. (Unless of course we've bombed your country into the stone age, then you qualify for expedited processing.)

Welcome to the USA!!!

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Thailand
Timeline

Does that mean that they will be less harsh at the interview with him if he is going for a K-1 instead of us getting married and then trying to have him immigrate here? Whichever is better for him I want to do.

ฉันรักคุณ
K-1
Filed May 2011
116 days to NOA2
4 days for the NVC
74 days to the interview
Interview date: 12/14/11 APPROVED!
POE: 12/16/11
Total days from NOA1 to K-1 Visa in hand: 202
Wedding Date: 12/27/11

AOS
Sent AOS: 4/21/12
NOA1: 4/30/12
RFE: 5/14/12
Biometrics App.: 5/21/12
Sent RFE Response: 5/31/12
Interview: 7/24/12
Approval: 10/12/12

Currently.... they have issued Ice the incorrect GC and we have tried 4 times to fix it. First time they had us send it to the incorrect address. Second time they said we used an expired form, which was the form they gave us. Third time was "oh sorry we lost the last page, can you send it again?." Fourth time is the gov is shut down. Will this ever be corrected in time for Ice to get the permanent GC? Stay tuned to find out. T_T

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Filed: Other Country: China
Timeline

Does that mean that they will be less harsh at the interview with him if he is going for a K-1 instead of us getting married and then trying to have him immigrate here? Whichever is better for him I want to do.

In means that in the experiences reported to me about interviews in Bangkok, K1 visa applicants have easier interviews and a higher percentage of success. It also means everything else I said including that legitimate and properly managed immigrant spouse visa cases are successful to and that I advise you to make your life plans first, then take the immigration path that matches them.

Facts are cheap...knowing how to use them is precious...
Understanding the big picture is priceless. Anonymous

Google Who is Pushbrk?

A Warning to Green Card Holders About Voting

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/606646-a-warning-to-green-card-holders-about-voting/

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annectdotal evidence also suggets men have it a bit easier during interview i would bet there are significantly fewer men immigrating than womene from thailand. it's been a few years for us but i was actually allowed to be at the window with my husband during interview and actually made friends with the "evil lady at window 5" don't think she's there anymore. for more thailand specific info i encourage you to stop by the thread sawasdee 4. i will post that link in a minute.

best of luck

ROC Timeline

18 NOV 2010 Sent 1.8lb packet to USCIS in Laguna Niguel (day 1)

19 NOV 2010 Package signed for V SEMEGI (day 2)

24 NOV 2010 Package returned because USC didn't sign petition (day 6)

calendar reset

26 NOV 2010 Package sent out again (day 1)

29 NOV 2010 Package signed for by V SEMEGI (day 3)

29 NOV 2010 NOA1 issued (day 3)

03 DEC 2010 Hardcopy of NOA received (day 7)

07 JAN 2011 Successful walk in biometrics (day 42) original date 1 FEB

01 MAR 2011 Date on Approval notice (although it arrived after the card did) (day 94)

03 MAR 2011 Card received (day 96)

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