I-130 / K-3 and working in the US

[jedinite 0]

I was reading the FAQ's about the different types of visas and I was wondering what the wait time is for being able to work in the US after your K-3 has been approved and you receive your visa. And to be more specific how long does it take for someone whom already has a SIN Card?

My wife has submitted the I-130 for me to join her again in the US. Before I left the States I was a TN-1 Visa Holder from Canada so I already have a SIN Card and was working for 7 years under TN's for different employers. On my last attempt to renew my TN-1 Visa I was questioned and stopped because of my change of marital status. Therefore I disqualified myself from the TN-1 visa based on the fact that I had just been married to an American and thus would have to pursuit immigration status.

I'm hoping someone with a similar situation knows the answer to this. I had a job offer before, and I hope I can make it back in time to retain that offer as well as be with my wife again. Otherwise I'll be searching for a new job after I return back to the US, and if that is the case I will need to know how long I can tell employers it will take before I can begin working.

Much appreciate the help that you all are able to provide. Cheers!

[Reba 2]

The K3 itself will take nearly a year to process, and then once you get to the US wth the K3 it'll be minimum 90 days after you enter before you'll have your EAD.

If you need to ability to work as soon as you enter the US, the CR1 immigrant visa is the better option. It too takes about a year to process (give or take) but it is a "green card" with work authorization as soon as you get there.

[pushbrk 13,084]

The K3 itself will take nearly a year to process, and then once you get to the US wth the K3 it'll be minimum 90 days after you enter before you'll have your EAD.

If you need to ability to work as soon as you enter the US, the CR1 immigrant visa is the better option. It too takes about a year to process (give or take) but it is a "green card" with work authorization as soon as you get there.

[jedinite 0]

I was reading the FAQ's about the different types of visas and I was wondering what the wait time is for being able to work in the US after your K-3 has been approved and you receive your visa. And to be more specific how long does it take for someone whom already has a SIN Card?

My wife has submitted the I-130 for me to join her again in the US. Before I left the States I was a TN-1 Visa Holder from Canada so I already have a SIN Card and was working for 7 years under TN's for different employers. On my last attempt to renew my TN-1 Visa I was questioned and stopped because of my change of marital status. Therefore I disqualified myself from the TN-1 visa based on the fact that I had just been married to an American and thus would have to pursuit immigration status.

I'm hoping someone with a similar situation knows the answer to this. I had a job offer before, and I hope I can make it back in time to retain that offer as well as be with my wife again. Otherwise I'll be searching for a new job after I return back to the US, and if that is the case I will need to know how long I can tell employers it will take before I can begin working.

Much appreciate the help that you all are able to provide. Cheers!

Awesome, thanks for the information. I hope it takes less than a year to process though.

[jedinite 0]

The K3 itself will take nearly a year to process, and then once you get to the US wth the K3 it'll be minimum 90 days after you enter before you'll have your EAD.

If you need to ability to work as soon as you enter the US, the CR1 immigrant visa is the better option. It too takes about a year to process (give or take) but it is a "green card" with work authorization as soon as you get there.

Oh no, forgot to ask what the process is for EAD? I have a SIN card already because I was working in the states before on a TN-1 Visa.

Finally, one more question. Should we send in the I-129F? We actually only sent in the I-130, didn't do anything after that but wait. We really want to be reunited but I also must be able to find work since it isn't cheap living in LA. Thanks again for the responses.

[Dakine 26]

The K3 itself will take nearly a year to process, and then once you get to the US wth the K3 it'll be minimum 90 days after you enter before you'll have your EAD.

If you need to ability to work as soon as you enter the US, the CR1 immigrant visa is the better option. It too takes about a year to process (give or take) but it is a "green card" with work authorization as soon as you get there.

Oh no, forgot to ask what the process is for EAD? I have a SIN card already because I was working in the states before on a TN-1 Visa.

Finally, one more question. Should we send in the I-129F? We actually only sent in the I-130, didn't do anything after that but wait. We really want to be reunited but I also must be able to find work since it isn't cheap living in LA. Thanks again for the responses.

The way things are at this time it's best to just stick with the I-130 solo especially if you want to work right away.

Edited June 3, 2008 by Haole

[Reba 2]

If you don't go with the K3, you don't need to muck with the EAD. The CR1 will give you work authorization upon entry.

[Flames9_RN 358]

SSN card doesn't mean one is legally able to work. The CR-1 and k3 (for Canadians) is pretty much running around the same time frame (close to a year) so probably better to go with the Cr-1