I may have skipped a step :-(

[Y's_habibitk 2]

Just an FYI

Cr1 is a "better" visa, but filing the K3 is a much faster process.

Take care

[pushbrk 12,883]

Just an FYI

Cr1 is a "better" visa, but filing the K3 is a much faster process.

Take care

In general, that's usually true. In this case, it's not because the NOA1 date was three months ago already.

[Sabr 0]

The I-130 initiates the IR visa process....

In addition to the I-130, the K-3 process does not really begin until you file the I-129F petition

....so my I-130 petition will lay around up in Vermont waiting until I file an I-129?

[pushbrk 12,883]

The I-130 initiates the IR visa process....

In addition to the I-130, the K-3 process does not really begin until you file the I-129F petition

....so my I-130 petition will lay around up in Vermont waiting until I file an I-129?

Hell no. The I-130 starts the CR1 process. You don't have a K3 process until you also file an I-129F.

Go with a CR1 visa. There is no advantage to a K3 except speed and by not filing for three months, the speed advantage is used up.

You skipped no steps for a CR1 visa. You only skipped filing for a K3. Forget the K3.

[Paul's Mrs. 0]

Now I am confused. I didn't realize that there was a fee with an AOS from a K3 to a CR1. So if you get granted a K3 then you have to pay the $1000 fee for an AOS to a CR1? I thought it automatically adjusted from a K3 to a CR1 once the CR1 was approved. What the difference between a CR1 and IR1?

[pushbrk 12,883]

Now I am confused. I didn't realize that there was a fee with an AOS from a K3 to a CR1. So if you get granted a K3 then you have to pay the $1000 fee for an AOS to a CR1? I thought it automatically adjusted from a K3 to a CR1 once the CR1 was approved. What the difference between a CR1 and IR1?

AOS doesn't get you a new visa. It gets you a green card and yes, K3' and K4's must adjust status to get a green card.

Visas are used to ENTER countries. People already in the USA with a K3 visa, don't need a new visa. They need their non-immigrant status adjusted to an immigrant status.

CR1 and IR1 are both visas and permanent resident status. If you've been married for two years when the visa is issued, it will be an IR1 and the green card will be good for 10 years. If the visa is issued before the second wedding anniversary, it will be a CR1 visa.

Later the "status" associated with the CR1 and IR1 determination is based on when the US entry occurs.

All IR1 visa holders obtain IR1 status on entry and are issued 10 year green cards.

CR1 visa holders who first enter after their two year wedding anniversary, obtain IR1 status and ten year green cards.

CR1 vis holders who first enter before their two year wedding anniversary, retain CR1 status and receive 2 year green cards that must have "conditions" (the "C" in CR1) removed.

K3 visa holders who adjust status before their two year anniversary receive CR1 status and two year green card.

K3 visa holders who adjust status after their two year anniversary receive IR1 status and ten year green card.

Edited September 9, 2008 by pushbrk

[Ling Ling 22]

Now I am confused. I didn't realize that there was a fee with an AOS from a K3 to a CR1. So if you get granted a K3 then you have to pay the $1000 fee for an AOS to a CR1? I thought it automatically adjusted from a K3 to a CR1 once the CR1 was approved. What the difference between a CR1 and IR1?

AOS doesn't get you a new visa. It gets you a green card and yes, K3' and K4's must adjust status to get a green card.

Visas are used to ENTER countries. People already in the USA with a K3 visa, don't need a new visa. They need their non-immigrant status adjusted to an immigrant status.

CR1 and IR1 are both visas and permanent resident status. If you've been married for two years when the visa is issued, it will be an IR1 and the green card will be good for 10 years. If the visa is issued before the second wedding anniversary, it will be a CR1 visa.

Later the "status" associated with the CR1 and IR1 determination is based on when the US entry occurs.

All IR1 visa holders obtain IR1 status on entry and are issued 10 year green cards.

CR1 visa holders who first enter after their two year wedding anniversary, obtain IR1 status and ten year green cards.

CR1 vis holders who first enter before their two year wedding anniversary, retain CR1 status and receive 2 year green cards that must have "conditions" (the "C" in CR1) removed.

K3 visa holders who adjust status before their two year anniversary receive CR1 status and two year green card.

K3 visa holders who adjust status after their two year anniversary receive IR1 status and ten year green card.

Nice, clear, accurate reference. If it isn't already, this should be in the Wiki.

[Paul's Mrs. 0]

Yes. That was extremely helpful. Thanks. I started thinking that we had to pay another $1000 once our CR1 was approved. Thanks for the clarification.

[pushbrk 12,883]

Yes. That was extremely helpful. Thanks. I started thinking that we had to pay another $1000 once our CR1 was approved. Thanks for the clarification.

You won't pay $1010 to adjust status but the removal of conditions fee plus biometrics 21 months after entry will be $625.

[Sabr 0]

The I-130 initiates the IR visa process....

In addition to the I-130, the K-3 process does not really begin until you file the I-129F petition

....so my I-130 petition will lay around up in Vermont waiting until I file an I-129?

Hell no. The I-130 starts the CR1 process. You don't have a K3 process until you also file an I-129F.

Go with a CR1 visa. There is no advantage to a K3 except speed and by not filing for three months, the speed advantage is used up.

You skipped no steps for a CR1 visa. You only skipped filing for a K3. Forget the K3.

Thanks once again. Im getting a lot of bad advice from elsewhere (not this forum) and its causing me to second guess things.

So when this is approved, it goes to the Visa Center (some place in or around D,C?) who then contact the Embassy in my wife's country? Then they call her for an interveiew. Is that how it works?

[pushbrk 12,883]

The I-130 initiates the IR visa process....

In addition to the I-130, the K-3 process does not really begin until you file the I-129F petition

....so my I-130 petition will lay around up in Vermont waiting until I file an I-129?

Hell no. The I-130 starts the CR1 process. You don't have a K3 process until you also file an I-129F.

Go with a CR1 visa. There is no advantage to a K3 except speed and by not filing for three months, the speed advantage is used up.

You skipped no steps for a CR1 visa. You only skipped filing for a K3. Forget the K3.

Thanks once again. Im getting a lot of bad advice from elsewhere (not this forum) and its causing me to second guess things.

So when this is approved, it goes to the Visa Center (some place in or around D,C?) who then contact the Embassy in my wife's country? Then they call her for an interveiew. Is that how it works?

In very broad strokes, yes. If you want to know how it works, click on the word Guides at the top of any page here and read the CR1 guide. Stop reading about the K3. It will just confuse you.