Is K3 even worth doing anymore?

[john & jean 37]

What does it hurt to apply for the K3?

I want to be reunited ASAP.

From California my I129f and the I130 were both sent to tne NVC.

Total time at USCIS 1 month

At the NVC my I129f left for the embassy in 12 days.

But the I130 is 'not received'. still!!

If the embassy gets the I130 from NVC, then switch to the CR1.

Otherwise the K3 is still happening!

Hopefully my spouse interview sooner.

Yes the K3 is more expensive.

Yes the adjustment of status afterwards is a pain.

BUT I am new to this!!!

so . . I welcome "seasoned input"

B)

you have had some of the most seasoned input available on this site. so maybe you will make the proper choices. HOWEVER THE NOOBS SEEM TO BE SET ON STOOPID......

[Dakine 26]

I posted the K3 a dinosaur about a year ago. Yeah I did K3/K4 3 years ago but at that time CR/IRs were taking a LOT longer. After all the cost and hassel we went thru adjusting status I should have still done the CR.

To start CRs are immigrant visas and receive their GC and SS card in the mail shortly after arriving in the US.

No need to go thru the $1010 cost, stress and hassle of doing the AOS.

No need another interview or do biometrics.

Not having a SS card can prevent one doing a lot of things such as get drivers license, joint bank accounts etc.

K3s are nonimmigrant visas and have to go thru AOS. It can take a LONG time to get GC. Can be denied and deported also. Rare but the chance is still there.

If the relationship or petitioner goes belly up before the beneficiary has GC in hand they stand an excellent chance of being deported.

At this time if done properly it only takes about a month longer to do the CR-1 or IR-1.

The CR-1 recipient can almost immediately work, get drivers license, joint bank accounts, and anything else where a GC and SS card are required .

PLus can return home without waiting for AP or GC in case of emergency!

K3 visas have to wait at about 3 months for EAD so they can get a SSN.

K3 petitoner has to qualify financially at the interview and then a few months later at the AOS. Some petitioners have been getting laid off due to the economy causing more problems qualifying financially at AOS time.

CR/IR only does so at NVC and the interview.

[Dakine 26]

I posted the K3 a dinosaur about a year ago. Yeah I did K3/K4 3 years ago but at that time CR/IRs were taking a LOT longer. After all the cost and hassel we went thru adjusting status I should have still done the CR.

To start CRs are immigrant visas and receive their GC and SS card in the mail shortly after arriving in the US.

No need to go thru the $1010 cost, stress and hassle of doing the AOS.

No need another interview or do biometrics.

Not having a SS card can prevent one doing a lot of things such as get drivers license, joint bank accounts etc.

K3s are nonimmigrant visas and have to go thru AOS. It can take a LONG time to get GC. Can be denied and deported also. Rare but the chance is still there.

If the relationship or petitioner goes “belly up” before the beneficiary has GC in hand they stand an excellent chance of being deported.

At this time if done properly it only takes about a month longer to do the CR-1 or IR-1.

The CR-1 recipient can almost immediately work, get drivers license, joint bank accounts, and anything else where a GC and SS card are required .

PLus can return home without waiting for AP or GC in case of emergency!

K3 visas have to wait at about 3 months for EAD so they can get a SSN.

K3 petitoner has to qualify financially at the interview and then a few months later at the AOS. Some petitioners have been getting laid off due to the economy causing more problems qualifying financially at AOS time.

CR/IR only does so at NVC and the interview.

OOPs 1 1/2 ago .

QUOTE (Delicia @ Nov 18 2007, 04:04 PM)

I see alot of people who file the I-130 and the I-129 either at the same time or file the I-129 after the I-130 check is cashed. Is this for people who are doing a Cr-1/IR-1 and a K-3 just to see which gets processed faster?

I am hoping that I didn't mess anything up...

LOTs of people are wishing they didn't do the I-129F at all and just did the I-130.

Me for one!

K3 is a dinosaur at this time.

USCIS loves people doing K3s as they make a LOT more money for a LOT more hassle for the petitoner.

Edited April 20, 2009 by Haole

[scandal 951]

I posted the K3 a dinosaur about a year ago. Yeah I did K3/K4 3 years ago but at that time CR/IRs were taking a LOT longer. After all the cost and hassel we went thru adjusting status I should have still done the CR.

To start CRs are immigrant visas and receive their GC and SS card in the mail shortly after arriving in the US.

No need to go thru the $1010 cost, stress and hassle of doing the AOS.

No need another interview or do biometrics.

Not having a SS card can prevent one doing a lot of things such as get drivers license, joint bank accounts etc.

K3s are nonimmigrant visas and have to go thru AOS. It can take a LONG time to get GC. Can be denied and deported also. Rare but the chance is still there.

If the relationship or petitioner goes “belly up” before the beneficiary has GC in hand they stand an excellent chance of being deported.

At this time if done properly it only takes about a month longer to do the CR-1 or IR-1.

The CR-1 recipient can almost immediately work, get drivers license, joint bank accounts, and anything else where a GC and SS card are required .

PLus can return home without waiting for AP or GC in case of emergency!

K3 visas have to wait at about 3 months for EAD so they can get a SSN.

K3 petitoner has to qualify financially at the interview and then a few months later at the AOS. Some petitioners have been getting laid off due to the economy causing more problems qualifying financially at AOS time.

CR/IR only does so at NVC and the interview.

Without detracting from your overall post which is correct to the best of my knowledge, the one point in bold above is incorrect, I believe.

The beneficiary of a K visa can get an SSN effectively immediately after POE (the advice I generally see here on VJ is to wait approx. 2 weeks after arrival for the SS computer databases to be updated, but I've also heard of people going to SS offices directly from the airport).

The SS card does not authorize employment, but it can be used for any other purpose e.g. opening a bank account.

If I'm wrong about any of this, I welcome corrections from those with greater expertise (pushbrk, for example).

[Arthur Roberta 1]

I sometimes wonder when people make an inquiry and there is a wealth of experience and good advice that reply, people still question. If you read my earlier post, I personally have had the experience of doing a K3 visa, in my case through to AOS. I have stated what it is (from personal experience) yet people still question as to whether a K3 is worth doing. My post coupled with that of others who have in no uncertain term spelled out what it is.... expensive, a LOT of hassle and ultimately not much if any quicker that the CR-1, IR-1 route.

Now if you want this K3 dinosaur to continue to have a place in this immigration process then apply for it. But ultimately you will find out to your own personal cost it was a mistake. I urge those questioning the good advice given by those well experienced to think carefully before they act.

Best wishes

Arthur and Roberta

[rin and john 71]

I posted the K3 a dinosaur about a year ago. Yeah I did K3/K4 3 years ago but at that time CR/IRs were taking a LOT longer. After all the cost and hassel we went thru adjusting status I should have still done the CR.

To start CRs are immigrant visas and receive their GC and SS card in the mail shortly after arriving in the US.

No need to go thru the $1010 cost, stress and hassle of doing the AOS.

No need another interview or do biometrics.

Not having a SS card can prevent one doing a lot of things such as get drivers license, joint bank accounts etc.

K3s are nonimmigrant visas and have to go thru AOS. It can take a LONG time to get GC. Can be denied and deported also. Rare but the chance is still there.

If the relationship or petitioner goes "belly up" before the beneficiary has GC in hand they stand an excellent chance of being deported.

At this time if done properly it only takes about a month longer to do the CR-1 or IR-1.

The CR-1 recipient can almost immediately work, get drivers license, joint bank accounts, and anything else where a GC and SS card are required .

PLus can return home without waiting for AP or GC in case of emergency!

K3 visas have to wait at about 3 months for EAD so they can get a SSN.

K3 petitoner has to qualify financially at the interview and then a few months later at the AOS. Some petitioners have been getting laid off due to the economy causing more problems qualifying financially at AOS time.

CR/IR only does so at NVC and the interview.

Without detracting from your overall post which is correct to the best of my knowledge, the one point in bold above is incorrect, I believe.

The beneficiary of a K visa can get an SSN effectively immediately after POE (the advice I generally see here on VJ is to wait approx. 2 weeks after arrival for the SS computer databases to be updated, but I've also heard of people going to SS offices directly from the airport).

The SS card does not authorize employment, but it can be used for any other purpose e.g. opening a bank account.

If I'm wrong about any of this, I welcome corrections from those with greater expertise (pushbrk, for example).

True for a K-1, not for a K-3. A K-3 is not work eligible upon entry. They must file for their EAD.

[pushbrk 12,606]

I posted the K3 a dinosaur about a year ago. Yeah I did K3/K4 3 years ago but at that time CR/IRs were taking a LOT longer. After all the cost and hassel we went thru adjusting status I should have still done the CR.

To start CRs are immigrant visas and receive their GC and SS card in the mail shortly after arriving in the US.

No need to go thru the $1010 cost, stress and hassle of doing the AOS.

No need another interview or do biometrics.

Not having a SS card can prevent one doing a lot of things such as get drivers license, joint bank accounts etc.

K3s are nonimmigrant visas and have to go thru AOS. It can take a LONG time to get GC. Can be denied and deported also. Rare but the chance is still there.

If the relationship or petitioner goes “belly up” before the beneficiary has GC in hand they stand an excellent chance of being deported.

At this time if done properly it only takes about a month longer to do the CR-1 or IR-1.

The CR-1 recipient can almost immediately work, get drivers license, joint bank accounts, and anything else where a GC and SS card are required .

PLus can return home without waiting for AP or GC in case of emergency!

K3 visas have to wait at about 3 months for EAD so they can get a SSN.

K3 petitoner has to qualify financially at the interview and then a few months later at the AOS. Some petitioners have been getting laid off due to the economy causing more problems qualifying financially at AOS time.

CR/IR only does so at NVC and the interview.

Without detracting from your overall post which is correct to the best of my knowledge, the one point in bold above is incorrect, I believe.

The beneficiary of a K visa can get an SSN effectively immediately after POE (the advice I generally see here on VJ is to wait approx. 2 weeks after arrival for the SS computer databases to be updated, but I've also heard of people going to SS offices directly from the airport).

The SS card does not authorize employment, but it can be used for any other purpose e.g. opening a bank account.

If I'm wrong about any of this, I welcome corrections from those with greater expertise (pushbrk, for example).

The bold part above is true for K1 only, not K3. We are discussing K3. A K3 visa holder must first apply for and receive EAD before obtaining an SSN.

[Dakine 26]

I posted the K3 a dinosaur about a year ago. Yeah I did K3/K4 3 years ago but at that time CR/IRs were taking a LOT longer. After all the cost and hassel we went thru adjusting status I should have still done the CR.

To start CRs are immigrant visas and receive their GC and SS card in the mail shortly after arriving in the US.

No need to go thru the $1010 cost, stress and hassle of doing the AOS.

No need another interview or do biometrics.

Not having a SS card can prevent one doing a lot of things such as get drivers license, joint bank accounts etc.

K3s are nonimmigrant visas and have to go thru AOS. It can take a LONG time to get GC. Can be denied and deported also. Rare but the chance is still there.

If the relationship or petitioner goes “belly up” before the beneficiary has GC in hand they stand an excellent chance of being deported.

At this time if done properly it only takes about a month longer to do the CR-1 or IR-1.

The CR-1 recipient can almost immediately work, get drivers license, joint bank accounts, and anything else where a GC and SS card are required .

PLus can return home without waiting for AP or GC in case of emergency!

K3 visas have to wait at about 3 months for EAD so they can get a SSN.

K3 petitoner has to qualify financially at the interview and then a few months later at the AOS. Some petitioners have been getting laid off due to the economy causing more problems qualifying financially at AOS time.

CR/IR only does so at NVC and the interview.

Without detracting from your overall post which is correct to the best of my knowledge, the one point in bold above is incorrect, I believe.

The beneficiary of a K visa can get an SSN effectively immediately after POE (the advice I generally see here on VJ is to wait approx. 2 weeks after arrival for the SS computer databases to be updated, but I've also heard of people going to SS offices directly from the airport).

The SS card does not authorize employment, but it can be used for any other purpose e.g. opening a bank account.

If I'm wrong about any of this, I welcome corrections from those with greater expertise (pushbrk, for example).

"The beneficiary of a K visa can get an SSN effectively immediately after POE (the advice I generally see here on VJ is to wait approx. 2 weeks after arrival for the SS computer databases to be updated, but I've also heard of people going to SS offices directly from the airport). "

That's a K1 visa and you can go to the SSA from the airport but unless things have changed the info won't be in the SAVE system yet. You have to wait about 2 weeks.

[pushbrk 12,606]

I posted the K3 a dinosaur about a year ago. Yeah I did K3/K4 3 years ago but at that time CR/IRs were taking a LOT longer. After all the cost and hassel we went thru adjusting status I should have still done the CR.

To start CRs are immigrant visas and receive their GC and SS card in the mail shortly after arriving in the US.

No need to go thru the $1010 cost, stress and hassle of doing the AOS.

No need another interview or do biometrics.

Not having a SS card can prevent one doing a lot of things such as get drivers license, joint bank accounts etc.

K3s are nonimmigrant visas and have to go thru AOS. It can take a LONG time to get GC. Can be denied and deported also. Rare but the chance is still there.

If the relationship or petitioner goes “belly up” before the beneficiary has GC in hand they stand an excellent chance of being deported.

At this time if done properly it only takes about a month longer to do the CR-1 or IR-1.

The CR-1 recipient can almost immediately work, get drivers license, joint bank accounts, and anything else where a GC and SS card are required .

PLus can return home without waiting for AP or GC in case of emergency!

K3 visas have to wait at about 3 months for EAD so they can get a SSN.

K3 petitoner has to qualify financially at the interview and then a few months later at the AOS. Some petitioners have been getting laid off due to the economy causing more problems qualifying financially at AOS time.

CR/IR only does so at NVC and the interview.

Without detracting from your overall post which is correct to the best of my knowledge, the one point in bold above is incorrect, I believe.

The beneficiary of a K visa can get an SSN effectively immediately after POE (the advice I generally see here on VJ is to wait approx. 2 weeks after arrival for the SS computer databases to be updated, but I've also heard of people going to SS offices directly from the airport).

The SS card does not authorize employment, but it can be used for any other purpose e.g. opening a bank account.

If I'm wrong about any of this, I welcome corrections from those with greater expertise (pushbrk, for example).

"The beneficiary of a K visa can get an SSN effectively immediately after POE (the advice I generally see here on VJ is to wait approx. 2 weeks after arrival for the SS computer databases to be updated, but I've also heard of people going to SS offices directly from the airport). "

That's a K1 visa and you can go to the SSA from the airport but unless things have changed the info won't be in the SAVE system yet. You have to wait about 2 weeks.

And again this is not correct. It's correct for K1. A K3 visa holder cannot get an SSN until they file for and receive EAD.

[amysaid 9]

For me, there is still a benefit to the K3 process, in that I don't have to fill out the Affidavit of Support for the CR1. I'm a student and have to have a co-sponsor, I had a hard enough time finding a cosponsor for the K3, it would be nearly impossible for me to find a co-sponsor for the CR1... Anyway, that's my take. It may cost more in the end, but it is my family's only current option, and I'm thankful for it.

[pushbrk 12,606]

For me, there is still a benefit to the K3 process, in that I don't have to fill out the Affidavit of Support for the CR1. I'm a student and have to have a co-sponsor, I had a hard enough time finding a cosponsor for the K3, it would be nearly impossible for me to find a co-sponsor for the CR1... Anyway, that's my take. It may cost more in the end, but it is my family's only current option, and I'm thankful for it.

Yes, that would be one of those rare cases where the K3 offers benefit. Hopefully, you'll be working and qualify as a sponsor before filing to adjust status.

[easygoingcouple 0]

Greetings PSHBRK and HAOLE,

I have posted a question earlier for HAOLE but i think i posted in the wrong forum.

Like I mentioned earlier, NVC still holding my approved I-130 petition (K3 originally), well not even a case number and still waiting.

Now, we just got a letter confirmation from NVC that my approved I-129 has been forwarded USEM, Manila. We want to pursue CR1, now my packet 3 will be send anytime soon from the Embassy, what should I do? Should I delay sending the packet 3 back to them? we are hoping wil getl a word from NVC for my I-130.

I need your inputs on this....if you can guide us to the right path.....of course $$$$ does matter to us too......

Thank you and good day.

Rose and Dan

[Frenchwife 1]

K3 is a joke. Don't go for it.

Had we not done it we would have been already approved most probably.

[andrea00912 0]

What does it hurt to apply for the K3?

I want to be reunited ASAP.

From California my I129f and the I130 were both sent to tne NVC.

Total time at USCIS 1 month

At the NVC my I129f left for the embassy in 12 days.

But the I130 is 'not received'. still!!

If the embassy gets the I130 from NVC, then switch to the CR1.

Otherwise the K3 is still happening!

Hopefully my spouse interview sooner.

Yes the K3 is more expensive.

Yes the adjustment of status afterwards is a pain.

BUT I am new to this!!!

so . . I welcome "seasoned input"

B)

Come back and tell us how much time you saved and if it was worth the hassle or the extra money. You have a very fast timeline every step of the way, so far. Frankly, I'm surprised the I-129F managed to get married up with the I-130 with that fast of an I-130 approval. So far, I'd a call it a fluke but things do seem to be changing fast.

I guess I must be one of the very few exceptions, I applied for both the I-130 and the K3 and while my I-130 still is pending, I'm going in for my K3 interview in a couple weeks.

[betazed 0]

You know, I've often asked this question even before joining VJ.

My husband was getting very impatient with physically living apart especially since we've been married for a year. For him, the higher certainty to be able to be together faster (no USCIS agent would outright say that the CR/IR was just as fast in reality, just b/c something COULD happen) was what made him decide to go with the K3.

I really pushed for the CR/IR-1 for as long as I could. Not because in practice it is just as fast, but rather the idea that it would take longer (I really love Vancouver and my job), and all the benfits I would have when it finally arrives (ie. work authorization). As opposed to a possible 30-90 days wait for EAD, I would still be working with my job in Vancouver til the bitter end, and when I cross be automatically authorized to look for work.

But alas, my husband is stubborn and can be a bit selfish when he gets impatient.

If your circumstances allow it (ie: you have a full-time steady job), go with the CR-1/IR-1.

I can only really see K3 being an advantage (ON PAPER) if the distance between spouses is a few plane rides away, and the international spouse's quality of life in their homeland is considerably worse. But, the K3 is apparently being phased out, which makes arguments for the K3 moot.