Some Tips For Starters (K3 Visa)

[patrickboy 0]

I'm kinda new in posting things like this but I just wanna share some tips for newbies. We filed for K3 Visa on our own, without help from any lawyers and started mailing our paperworks in mid March 2008. My K3 Visa got delivered in my home last September 25, 2008. Not bad.

These tips just complements the guides they have here in Visajourney. I suggest you read them first. As a disclaimer, let me tell you that these tips just came from our own experience and I'm no lawyer. So there, I hope my tips helps:

1. Start Collecting Evidence of Your Relationship As Early as Possible - As soon as the both of you decided to settle in the US, you should start gathering paperworks, photos, etc. as proof of your relationship. In our case we gathered the following:

>Photos of our time together when we were just dating

>Letters - We wrote to each other love letters, though we chat almost everyday over the net.

>Receipts - This includes receipts from FEDEX and other couriers that indicates we sent each other gifts over the course of our relationship

2. Medical Check-Up / Tests - When you have decided that you'll go for the K3 Visa, I do suggest that the beneficiary get tested (personally) as soon as possible in a reputable clinic. I'm from the Philippines so we get tested here for TB, STDs, HEPA B and other communicable diseases for the Visa application. I personally went to a clinic and had myself tested a year before I actually had a test in St. Lukes for those diseases. Its good I dont have any of those diseases, but well if ever you have them, it'll be treated as soon as possible and it'll save you a lot of time. Remember, TB takes a lot of time to treat (about 6 months to 1 year I think). I've heard horror stories in the hospital (St. Lukes) of healthy-looking individuals that had TB and had their paperworks delayed because of that.Go research on whats needed in your country and have the beneficiary tested.

3. Evidence of A Bona Fide Marriage - This is for the I-130 package. What we did is that after our honeymoon, we gathered our cash wedding gifts and put it into a joint account here in the Philippines. We asked the bank for a certificate of deposit and had our passbook photocopied. Added to that, we made affidavits (and have it notarized) coming from my wife's mom attesting that that our marriage is genuine. Those, together with our wedding pics and honeymoon pics constitutes our evidence of bonafide marriage.

4. NOA - This is embarrasing but I'll say it anyways. NOA means Notice of Action. NOA1 is the Notice of action indicating that the petition has been received. After we've sent the I-130 package, my wife is getting cranky because we were getting impatient with the reply from USCIS. WE never thought that the NOtice of Action that we received one -two weeks after we've sent the I-130 package (yeah, they're that fast) IS the NOA1 they are referring in Visajourney (Both of us are expecting a document which has a heading like "NOA1"....yeah, I know...). It took a month for us to figure it out and sent the I-129 application immediately as soon as we found out.

5. Pay Delbros ASAP - After the interview, another bummer we had was the waiting game for the Visa Delivery. Document verification varies and takes time. One way to hasten the paperworks is to pay Delbros as soon as you're eligible for interview. I paid mine a bit late (2 weeks after I've received the notice that I'm eligible for Visa interview).

6. Visajourney - I relied a lot on Visajourney, the USCIS site, and the USEM site for information. Specifically on Visajourney, you'll meet a lot of people who's in the same situation as yours and willing to help. The guides have been very helpful and I've met people who helped and informed me along the way. Go read forums. It'll give you a lot of information and save you time. Remember, its important that you know what you're doing and what to expect in your filing. Go read the forms over and over if yo dont understant it. Go read the guides thoroughly.

7. Filling Up Forms - Don't leave any unfilled portion in your application forms. Put "N/A" (Not applicable) if some questions are not applicable in your case. I've read in the forums here that some petitions got delayed just because of that.

8. Keep on Following Up - From my own experience I think it pays to let them know you're very eager to have our Visa as soon as possible. Follow up on the USCIS site for you case, follow up in the NSO, Delbros, and Embassy. Be nice and courteous even you want to scream in impatience because of the long delays. Remember, the one you're following up to are people too. I think being nice will get more results than being confrontational / angry about it. Ask for the status of your case. I was just following up on the status of my case (I haven't received the letter from the Embassy yet) when I surprisingly discovered that I'm already eligible for an interview. So there, be wise though when calling the call center cause it will cost you.

Thats all I can think of as of this moment. I hope this helps. This journey is a test of your patience and love for each other. It'll make your relationship stronger because it takes the two of you to make things happen. We did it on our own and so can you as long as you'll have the patience to really dwell into the details of the VIsa process. For me, even if you hired lawyers and such, YOU CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO READ AND STUDY THE VISA PROCESS. So there, if you've made the decision, go to the Us embassy near you and ask for information (the better if your petitioner is with you). Go the USCIS site, VISAJOURNEY, and the US Embassy site. The more interested and hardworking you are with these paperworks, the more its shows that you trully love your spouse / fiance.

Thanks again to Visajourney for all the information and help.

For the couples like us who are deeply in love and want to be together as soon as possible, goodluck and Godbless to all of you!!!

Regards,

Patrick and Cre

[Y's_habibitk 2]

This was very thoughtful of you to take the time to type all of this up for beginners.

Congrats on the speedy visa!

Did you go through CSC?

Lisa

Edited October 19, 2008 by Y_habibitk

[patrickboy 0]

Yeah, I went through CSC.

[Y's_habibitk 2]

Cool.

I think alot of people will find your info really helpful

[patrickboy 0]

Thanks!!!

[Dakine 26]

Tips for K3 starters is DON"T start the K3 but go with the CR-1 all the way solo. CRs have been moving fast and are MUCH MUCH better visas than K3s.

[LaurenAmber 0]

Tips for K3 starters is DON"T start the K3 but go with the CR-1 all the way solo. CRs have been moving fast and are MUCH MUCH better visas than K3s.

What? Please explain more.

[patrickboy 0]

Thats true, with what Haoey said. CR1/IR1 filers have been as fast as K3s lately. They're definitely better Visas. Its something you need to consider. But I still think its something you need to think about and discuss as a couple. I've been seeing cases here in Visajourney whose cases has been pending, taking them more than a year waiting for their cases.

In our case, we know you have to spend more money with K3. We just dont want to take the risk of waiting too long. Depends on your case I think. I suggest you see the timelines of those Visas first and the cases here in this site. Im just sharing my experience to those who wants or just started in that route (K3).

Again, read the guides. Plus the timelines.

Very well, whatever route you may choose, goodluck!!!

[Dakine 26]

K3 is a non immigrant visas and you have to pay $1010 to adjust status. Some people are still waiting after a year to get their GCs. Can't get a SSN until you have EAD or GC approval. LOTS of things you can't do without SSN. Doesn't happen often but you can still be deported if denied the GC.

CRs are immigrant visas. You get your GC and SS card in the mail shortly after arrival in the US.

If done properly they are "almost" as fast at this time.

Yeah we did the K3 but regret have done doing so.

If process times continue as they are now I can't see ANY reason for doing a K3. USCIS loves them tho as they make more $s from them.

[birch- phuk_beer 0]

Tips for K3 starters is DON"T start the K3 but go with the CR-1 all the way solo. CRs have been moving fast and are MUCH MUCH better visas than K3s.

depends on your goal. dont ya think?

research, dont listen to anyone blindly, research......

[jamster0105 7]

Tips for K3 starters is DON"T start the K3 but go with the CR-1 all the way solo. CRs have been moving fast and are MUCH MUCH better visas than K3s.

I agree that it's probably best to go with a CR-1, however, we all have our reasons for going the K-3.

In our case, my wife is due to give birth in early april, and based on our timeline, there is a chance we may cut this extremely close. If I can get her K-3 visa approved at least 4 weeks before she is due to give birth, our baby can be born on US soil. It the baby is born in the Philippines, we run the risk of delaying her arrival here even longer, on top of the extra paperwork and trips I will have to make overseas to register our baby with the US embassy in Manila.

Personally, I'd rather go through the extra hassles "after" she arrives in the US. Also, there is that chance that she may not even have her interview before she gives birth anyhow, which gives us the option to switch back to CR-1, if we really wanted to.

Do plenty of research, ask lot's of questions and leave yourself with a few options. As always, good luck to everyone out there and may we all be with our families again in the near future.

[Dakine 26]

Tips for K3 starters is DON"T start the K3 but go with the CR-1 all the way solo. CRs have been moving fast and are MUCH MUCH better visas than K3s.

I agree that it's probably best to go with a CR-1, however, we all have our reasons for going the K-3.

In our case, my wife is due to give birth in early april, and based on our timeline, there is a chance we may cut this extremely close. If I can get her K-3 visa approved at least 4 weeks before she is due to give birth, our baby can be born on US soil. It the baby is born in the Philippines, we run the risk of delaying her arrival here even longer, on top of the extra paperwork and trips I will have to make overseas to register our baby with the US embassy in Manila.

Personally, I'd rather go through the extra hassles "after" she arrives in the US. Also, there is that chance that she may not even have her interview before she gives birth anyhow, which gives us the option to switch back to CR-1, if we really wanted to.

Do plenty of research, ask lot's of questions and leave yourself with a few options. As always, good luck to everyone out there and may we all be with our families again in the near future.

From what I understand most airlines don't allow pregnant woman to fly after 7 months. Also it's not a good idea for newborns to fly because of lack of naturally acquiried antibodies. Not sure the timeline on that.

I don't think the USC has to appear in person at the embassy.

Edited October 20, 2008 by Haole

[Dakine 26]

K3 is a non immigrant visas and you have to pay $1010 to adjust status. Some people are still waiting after a year to get their GCs. Can't get a SSN until you have EAD or GC approval. LOTS of things you can't do without SSN. Doesn't happen often but you can still be deported if denied the GC.

CRs are immigrant visas. You get your GC and SS card in the mail shortly after arrival in the US.

If done properly they are "almost" as fast at this time.

Yeah we did the K3 but regret have done doing so.

If process times continue as they are now I can't see ANY reason for doing a K3. USCIS loves them tho as they make more $s from them.

Another reason among MANY the CRs are MUCH better than the Ks is that if the K petitioner should die before the beneficiary adjusts status they stand a chance of being deported.

[YGandMAT 0]

K3 is a non immigrant visas and you have to pay $1010 to adjust status. Some people are still waiting after a year to get their GCs. Can't get a SSN until you have EAD or GC approval. LOTS of things you can't do without SSN. Doesn't happen often but you can still be deported if denied the GC.

CRs are immigrant visas. You get your GC and SS card in the mail shortly after arrival in the US.

If done properly they are "almost" as fast at this time.

Yeah we did the K3 but regret have done doing so.

If process times continue as they are now I can't see ANY reason for doing a K3. USCIS loves them tho as they make more $s from them.

Another reason among MANY the CRs are MUCH better than the Ks is that if the K petitioner should die before the beneficiary adjusts status they stand a chance of being deported.

I agree, it all depends on the couple's goals. To me, K3 was way worth it. I heard a lot of people telling us to go the CR1 route, I'm glad I did not listen. AOS is not a big deal. The priority for us was to be together ASAP. Many consulates process K3 appointments faster than CR1 appointments (true in our case, Consulate in Mexico). And K3's fly at NVC, while CR1 takes over a month. We probably saved 4-5 months going with the k3.

[Qais 0]

Tips for K3 starters is DON"T start the K3 but go with the CR-1 all the way solo. CRs have been moving fast and are MUCH MUCH better visas than K3s.

Haole, when you say go with CR-1 all the way solo, do you mean to not even send in the 129F form for K-3? Can't you just send in both, and see which one comes in faster. Or are you suggesting that by not even submitting for a K-3, your CR-1 will move quicker? From reading the different posts, it seems like you are still eligible for the I130 even if you apply for K-3 as well. I guess somewhere down the road you have to make the decision of which one to pursue. Correct me anyone if I'm wrong.