Totally confused now

[OKC_German 3]

Ok, we got the "hard part" over with, we got the I-130 and I-129F approved. We got our case number from the NVC. But, now were confused on our next steps. Much of the information that we find says our next step is to send an I-864 AOS to the NVC and pay some fees. Meanwhile my wife would send a DS-3032 to the NVC. However, I've sent e-mails to the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt Germany and they told me that they prefer the I-134 AOS for K-3 Visas. This makes me believe that they want my wife to bring the I-134 form directly to the consulate for the interview.

But, what about the I-864? What about the fees? It says on the USCIS website that there is no fee associated with the I-134. Will the NVC actually send me instructions on what form they will need so I'm clear? Or am I supposed to figure this out on my own sometime. Its very confusing.

[YuAndDan 153]

Keep in mind there are 2 visas in process here, CR-1, and K-3.

The fees paid to NVC and I-864, DS-3032, and other NVC processes have to do with the CR-1 visa process.

The I-134 brought to the consulate has to do with K-3 visa process, if you stick to the K-3 path you will later send the I-864 to USCIS when adjusting status.

If you follow the shortcuts, and have documents prepared for NVC, you can get the CR-1 processed and to the consulate at the time of K-3 interview, this will get the K-3 dropped and CR-1 visa interview, the CR-1 is the better and less expensive visa.

If you wish to immediately take a Job after entry to the USA, the K-Visa is NOT the way to go.

If considering K-3 think carefully about it. CR-1 and K-3 tend to take about the same time, K-3 may save you about a month, however the K-3 has the added pain of adjustment of status, and it NOT a work authorized visa, so also has the added period of limbo waiting for EAD to be able to do things like take a job, get SSN, etc...

For the most part CR-1 tends to take a bit longer than K-3 to get if you prepare for NVC when they request I-864 fee, and Visa fee, as well as documents requested by NVC. In many cases the CR-1 petition reaches the consulate just before K-3 interview, which causes K-3 to get dropped and the interview becomes a CR-1 visa interview.

K-3:

I-130: $355

I-129F: NONE

Consulate: $131

AOS: $1010

($1496)

CR-1

I-130: $355

NVC I-864: $70

NVC Visa fee: $400 ($355+$45)

($825)

I see many posts from K-3 holders stating, "Wow this sucks, I am stuck at home because I don't have EAD, DL, etc, or I am having hard time getting added to bank accounts because of NO SSN." K-3 has a 90 day or longer period of limbo while waiting for EAD or Green-card.

K-3 was developed at a time when CR-1 was taking much longer that today, NVC has greatly streamlined the CR-1 process to the point where K-3 becomes irrelevant.

If you consider CR-1, all you need to do is keep the NVC processing going for CR-1, and delay responding to the K-3 Packets from consulate, or reschedule K-3 interview to allow the CR-1 to complete at NVC and get sent to the consulate.

[OKC_German 3]

Thanks for the help. That makes it much more clear. So, we'll stick with the I-134 for K3 Processing. Its not very clear anywhere about using an I-864 for a CR-1. We're not too concerned with working. My wife already has a SSN from living and working here before for 2 years. Just want to be together the quickest way and right now K-3 seems to be the quickest route.