I-130 filed- K3 much faster?

[Lindsay G 0]

Hello everyone,

I'm new here, and just filed I-130 for my wonderful husband living in Albania. This website is fantastic, and has really guided me throughout the initial and confusing process! I do have a question regarding the applicability of the K3 Visa. I hope some of you may be able to shed some light for me.

So from what I understand (and what my lawyer explained to me), was that the K3 visa was developed for spouses as a means of speeding up family unity since the I-130's used to take so long and were the only option. My lawyer told me that the K3, a few years ago, was a much faster way to unite (she said as little as 3-4 months), however, it appears that this Visa is really not that much faster than waiting for the I-130 process to c omplete. The processing times for the I-130 and I-129F are actually on... the same day... (according to California Service Center processing times posting- they're just doing Nov '07 as of May 15th).

Ideally my husband will come here via the I-130 visa, since then he will be able to work right away. I think this would be good for him to be able to come here and begin our life together right away in that regard. Plus, the K3 is quite a bit more expensive at the end of the day (about $1,000). I do know I can abandon the K3 process at any time.

So... what are your thoughts on this? Experience? Is there a marked difference that should compel me to also file the I-129F once I receive my NOA1 on the I-130? Of course we want to be together as quickly as possible, but I need some advivce on this one.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer (and sorry about this short story I've just written!)...

Warmly,

Lindsay

[brnidokiegurl 0]

i think most are doing cr1 over the k3

[pushbrk 13,120]

Hello everyone,

I'm new here, and just filed I-130 for my wonderful husband living in Albania. This website is fantastic, and has really guided me throughout the initial and confusing process! I do have a question regarding the applicability of the K3 Visa. I hope some of you may be able to shed some light for me.

So from what I understand (and what my lawyer explained to me), was that the K3 visa was developed for spouses as a means of speeding up family unity since the I-130's used to take so long and were the only option. My lawyer told me that the K3, a few years ago, was a much faster way to unite (she said as little as 3-4 months), however, it appears that this Visa is really not that much faster than waiting for the I-130 process to c omplete. The processing times for the I-130 and I-129F are actually on... the same day... (according to California Service Center processing times posting- they're just doing Nov '07 as of May 15th).

Ideally my husband will come here via the I-130 visa, since then he will be able to work right away. I think this would be good for him to be able to come here and begin our life together right away in that regard. Plus, the K3 is quite a bit more expensive at the end of the day (about $1,000). I do know I can abandon the K3 process at any time.

So... what are your thoughts on this? Experience? Is there a marked difference that should compel me to also file the I-129F once I receive my NOA1 on the I-130? Of course we want to be together as quickly as possible, but I need some advivce on this one.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer (and sorry about this short story I've just written!)...

Warmly,

Lindsay

Income lost from not working several months would offset any difference in expense but the K3 plus adjustment of status costs more anyway. It doesn't cost a thousand more. AOS is $1010 but the immigrant visa fee is far higher than the K3 visa fee.

[Dakine 26]

"The processing times for the I-130 and I-129F are actually on... the same day... (according to California Service Center processing times posting- they're just doing Nov '07 as of May 15th).

"

Yeah CSC may approve both at the same time but once they get to NVC things slow down a bit for the I-130 [CR-1] and the I-129F [K3] gets sent to the foreign embassy a lot quicker without the petitioner doing anything.

CR/IRs may still take a couple months longer overall but the waiting is worth it as the K3 can be a ###### doing AOS and getting SSN and green card!~ No guarens you'll get the GC in a decent time.

Some peeps still waiting after a year.

[Lindsay G 0]

"The processing times for the I-130 and I-129F are actually on... the same day... (according to California Service Center processing times posting- they're just doing Nov '07 as of May 15th).

"

Yeah CSC may approve both at the same time but once they get to NVC things slow down a bit for the I-130 [CR-1] and the I-129F [K3] gets sent to the foreign embassy a lot quicker without the petitioner doing anything.

CR/IRs may still take a couple months longer overall but the waiting is worth it as the K3 can be a ###### doing AOS and getting SSN and green card!~ No guarens you'll get the GC in a decent time.

Some peeps still waiting after a year.

Haole- Thanks for your explanation. I totally agree with you- even though it's so difficult not being together, I would rather have Edi (my husband) be able to arrive more established and have him wait 2-3 mo's to do so. You know, I think it really would just be better for his psyche as well to arrive with the ability to work, with the permanent status (CR until the 2 yr interview), and SS, etc. If we're talkin' 5,6 month difference, then it seems to make more sense to also apply for the K3. But that's only for me... I have to talk to Edi about it... I don't want others to think I'm judging what they're doing or their needs.

Another question for anyone else reading this: So I don't mean to whine, because I know most people on here miss their partner desperately... but I'm just wondering if it gets any easier? I mean after the first few initial shock weeks wear off? I left Edi on May 21st, and while I'm doing better than him, it's not getting much easier. He asks me to come back to him almost everyday-which breaks my heart. I thought that maybe we'd fall into a sort of lull where of course we'd miss one another, but that the weeks would go by faster and faster. Perhaps that was just hopeful. Anyways, I'm trying to stay in the US and begin my career in order to have money saved for when we will start our life together (hopefully 12-14 months from now!), but a plane ticket back to Albania and my savings account seems really appealing. Noone understands around me; they just say that I choose this and that I have to start my career, and yes, this is all true. Ahh... ok, I will refrain from going on and on... I think I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening (although... maybe you all stopped reading after I wrote... so I don't mean to whine... =) Night all.

[Dakine 26]

No problem! We ALL whined. I made a second one month trip after about 6 months. GOOD for me, wife and daughter. ALSO good for immigration as COs most always ask how many times you met.

I bought my wife a laptop, printer and webcam. Hooked her up with DSL. Amazing how much better you feel after camming awhile!!! Yeah we both were "naughty"!

[Creel 0]

It doesn't get any easier:-( I know in Albania the web cam idea doesn't work to well because most of them have to go to an internat cafe. We talked all the time. I had $1,000 a month phone bills when we were apart. We have a cheaper phone service now, $0.16/min for a cell phone to Albania and before that I used a calling card at $0.27/min. Let me know if you need the info. Most of the women I know say their men are in worse shape emotionally while they wait to come over. Their sadness makes us go crazy to get them here as quick as possible.

Just hold on and try to think of the little things that can make you smile. I visited him twice in the 5 months we were apart, so I know how tempting the plane ticket is. I'd say hold out as long as you can and hope you have an understanding boss that will let you take a little time to go visit in 3-6 months.

Good luck.

[MrsRowe 2]

I would say stick with the I-130. You would save yourself a whole lot of heartache. Plus by sticking with the I-130, you won't have to file any other papers once your husband is here. I would say, the wait is woth it. Besides, i wouldn't take a chance with waiting any longer for a green card.

[tchururu 0]

Hi Lindsay,

well, my husband has sent both forms for me. We were also very unsure whether to go with K3 or CR1 and thought we had a loooong time upon us. Luckily for us, our forms (both I130 and I129F) got approved 15 days after we sent them. We sent to California.

California is much faster approving K3's now than Vermont.

Yesterday I got my interview date, August 19th. So, that means that I will be with my honey 4 months after we sent the first form. This is very fast considering that there are people who have been waiting for 11 months for their approval.

We were also in doubt whether to go K3 or CR1. But we decided to go K3 since we already have the interview date.

It is more expensive, but at least your husband will be waiting for his work permit, SSN, etc by your side. That's what we thought when we decided to go on with K3.

So you need to see what's best for you. And just keep in mind that you can go both routes once they are approved.

And yes, I think it gets better after a month or so. You will get used to not having him around and he'll get used to not having you around. It's better if he works and so do you. You'll keep your minds occupied, try doing things, ok?

Best of luck!

Renata

[shiri 0]

Hello everyone,

I'm new here, and just filed I-130 for my wonderful husband living in Albania. This website is fantastic, and has really guided me throughout the initial and confusing process! I do have a question regarding the applicability of the K3 Visa. I hope some of you may be able to shed some light for me.

So from what I understand (and what my lawyer explained to me), was that the K3 visa was developed for spouses as a means of speeding up family unity since the I-130's used to take so long and were the only option. My lawyer told me that the K3, a few years ago, was a much faster way to unite (she said as little as 3-4 months), however, it appears that this Visa is really not that much faster than waiting for the I-130 process to c omplete. The processing times for the I-130 and I-129F are actually on... the same day... (according to California Service Center processing times posting- they're just doing Nov '07 as of May 15th).

Ideally my husband will come here via the I-130 visa, since then he will be able to work right away. I think this would be good for him to be able to come here and begin our life together right away in that regard. Plus, the K3 is quite a bit more expensive at the end of the day (about $1,000). I do know I can abandon the K3 process at any time.

So... what are your thoughts on this? Experience? Is there a marked difference that should compel me to also file the I-129F once I receive my NOA1 on the I-130? Of course we want to be together as quickly as possible, but I need some advivce on this one.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer (and sorry about this short story I've just written!)...

Warmly,

Lindsay

Lindsay,

You don't have to pay the $455 fee if you paid the $355 fee for the I130. When you are going for you K3 visa they waive that fee for you. Now, I am trying to find out more about this CR visa too. It appears we have to do the affidavits of support twice. Once with the I134 for the K visa and the I864 for the immigrant visa. Someone told me if we do the CR visa we only do the I864. Wow... this is all so complicated don't you think? It won't be once I wrap my mind around all the possiblities and cover all the bases for what happens if... ya know?

[shiri 0]

Hi Lindsay,

well, my husband has sent both forms for me. We were also very unsure whether to go with K3 or CR1 and thought we had a loooong time upon us. Luckily for us, our forms (both I130 and I129F) got approved 15 days after we sent them. We sent to California.

California is much faster approving K3's now than Vermont.

Yesterday I got my interview date, August 19th. So, that means that I will be with my honey 4 months after we sent the first form. This is very fast considering that there are people who have been waiting for 11 months for their approval.

We were also in doubt whether to go K3 or CR1. But we decided to go K3 since we already have the interview date.

It is more expensive, but at least your husband will be waiting for his work permit, SSN, etc by your side. That's what we thought when we decided to go on with K3.

So you need to see what's best for you. And just keep in mind that you can go both routes once they are approved.

And yes, I think it gets better after a month or so. You will get used to not having him around and he'll get used to not having you around. It's better if he works and so do you. You'll keep your minds occupied, try doing things, ok?

Best of luck!

Renata

I'm kinda confused and would love some clarification. I had called the customer service line for USCIS and the man I spoke with told me that I didn't have to pay the $455 for the K3 visa and that this would just allow my spouse to come to the US while we waited on the decision for the Immigrant visa, so you are telling me it is a lot more complicated than just that? Thanks for your help!