Really confused and need your guy's help

[Ramses 0]

Hi everyone my name is Kris and I filed the K-3 Visa for my wife. The I-130 portion of it was approved back in late February of this year, but the I-129F was sent back to me for "Request for Initial Evidence". So assuming they lost everything because the "request" was for basically everything that was needed in the I-129F instructions, I sent everything back to them. Well I checked the mail today and sure enough the I-129F approval letter was there! .....But here's where my confusion is. I talked to a customer service rep at the N.V.C. (National Visa Center) and she told me that since the I-130 was already approved and that they have processed it, I should ignore the I-129F and just go with their forms. What? The rep told me that if I go with the K-3 I'll have to pay $930.00 for my wife's adjustment status and another $80.00 for her biometrics when she arrives in the USA. Now, the rep also said that if I pay the $400 which is required by the N.V.C., my wife will get her interview faster after I fill out the DS-230. So what should I do guys! I'm really really confused and don't know what to do ....Should I not pay the $400 like one of the N.V.C. reps told me not to and go with the K-3 (I-130 & I129F) or should I pay the $400 and do the whole DS-230!! If I made any mistakes in this topic please let me know. All of your help is much obliged. Thanks!

-Kris R.

Edited March 21, 2009 by Ramses

[RickD 0]

Ramses,

Go with the I-130. You will save money and Kris will be able to work (if she wants to) as soon as Social Security issues an SSN. Ivonne and I had both approved the same day, but going with the I-130 will only add a couple of weeks to the process (if that!) and the advantages are huge. Your will save about $600.00 total. You can pay the AOS fee and the IV fee online (if you have a US bank account) and that will shave a lot of mailing time off the timeline. Use the WIKI shortcuts, where applicable. With good documents and the shortcuts, you can get through NVC pretty quick. Best wishes,

RickD

[Ramses 0]

Ramses,

Go with the I-130. You will save money and Kris will be able to work (if she wants to) as soon as Social Security issues an SSN. Ivonne and I had both approved the same day, but going with the I-130 will only add a couple of weeks to the process (if that!) and the advantages are huge. Your will save about $600.00 total. You can pay the AOS fee and the IV fee online (if you have a US bank account) and that will shave a lot of mailing time off the timeline. Use the WIKI shortcuts, where applicable. With good documents and the shortcuts, you can get through NVC pretty quick. Best wishes,

RickD

Rick So the I-130 is faster and money saving?

[RickD 0]

Not ALWAYS faster, but these days the difference is frequently insignificant for many people. It is definitely cheaper. We started with both the I-130 and the I-129F, but now, we will only pursue the I-130. Ivonne lived and worked in the US (legally!) in the late 90's for a while so she already has a US SSN. The I-130 will let her work here legally again from day one. For most consular posts, the NVC is just collecting, verifying, and forwarding the paperwork, collecting the AOS and IV fee, and making the interview appointment. The approval still has to come from the consular officer where our spouses live. At this point, I almost feel like I could be a Visa attorney .

Rick

[pushbrk 13,072]

Ramses,

Go with the I-130. You will save money and Kris will be able to work (if she wants to) as soon as Social Security issues an SSN. Ivonne and I had both approved the same day, but going with the I-130 will only add a couple of weeks to the process (if that!) and the advantages are huge. Your will save about $600.00 total. You can pay the AOS fee and the IV fee online (if you have a US bank account) and that will shave a lot of mailing time off the timeline. Use the WIKI shortcuts, where applicable. With good documents and the shortcuts, you can get through NVC pretty quick. Best wishes,

RickD

Rick So the I-130 is faster and money saving?

About the same timeline from this point but you'll save about $700 and a whole status adjustment process. She'll also be work authorized upon arrival. Technically, your I-129F should not have been approved, as one of the requirments is an underlying PENDING I-130. Yours was already approved, not pending anymore.

[Ramses 0]

Not ALWAYS faster, but these days the difference is frequently insignificant for many people. It is definitely cheaper. We started with both the I-130 and the I-129F, but now, we will only pursue the I-130. Ivonne lived and worked in the US (legally!) in the late 90's for a while so she already has a US SSN. The I-130 will let her work here legally again from day one. For most consular posts, the NVC is just collecting, verifying, and forwarding the paperwork, collecting the AOS and IV fee, and making the interview appointment. The approval still has to come from the consular officer where our spouses live. At this point, I almost feel like I could be a Visa attorney .

Rick

Thanks a lot buddy. Wish me luck man I hope my wife gets here soon

Ramses,

Go with the I-130. You will save money and Kris will be able to work (if she wants to) as soon as Social Security issues an SSN. Ivonne and I had both approved the same day, but going with the I-130 will only add a couple of weeks to the process (if that!) and the advantages are huge. Your will save about $600.00 total. You can pay the AOS fee and the IV fee online (if you have a US bank account) and that will shave a lot of mailing time off the timeline. Use the WIKI shortcuts, where applicable. With good documents and the shortcuts, you can get through NVC pretty quick. Best wishes,

RickD

Rick So the I-130 is faster and money saving?

About the same timeline from this point but you'll save about $700 and a whole status adjustment process. She'll also be work authorized upon arrival. Technically, your I-129F should not have been approved, as one of the requirments is an underlying PENDING I-130. Yours was already approved, not pending anymore.

Then I will continue with only the I-130 from what you guys are telling me. Thanks fellas. Wish me luck!!

[I Miss Her 0]

Hi everyone my name is Kris and I filed the K-3 Visa for my wife. The I-130 portion of it was approved back in late February of this year, but the I-129F was sent back to me for "Request for Initial Evidence". So assuming they lost everything because the "request" was for basically everything that was needed in the I-129F instructions, I sent everything back to them. Well I checked the mail today and sure enough the I-129F approval letter was there! .....But here's where my confusion is. I talked to a customer service rep at the N.V.C. (National Visa Center) and she told me that since the I-130 was already approved and that they have processed it, I should ignore the I-129F and just go with their forms. What? The rep told me that if I go with the K-3 I'll have to pay $930.00 for my wife's adjustment status and another $80.00 for her biometrics when she arrives in the USA. Now, the rep also said that if I pay the $400 which is required by the N.V.C., my wife will get her interview faster after I fill out the DS-230. So what should I do guys! I'm really really confused and don't know what to do ....Should I not pay the $400 like one of the N.V.C. reps told me not to and go with the K-3 (I-130 & I129F) or should I pay the $400 and do the whole DS-230!! If I made any mistakes in this topic please let me know. All of your help is much obliged. Thanks!

-Kris R.

Go for CR1/IR1 and start with sending e-mail (by beneficiary to NVC) regarding DS-3032 if you know your NVC case#