K-3 and IR1/CR1

[rosjostp 0]

I have received an approval from USCIS for both the I-130 and I-129 (K-3) visas.

I would like any advice possible as to how I may proceed with the I-130 as opposed

to the I-129. Thanks!

Service Center : Vermont Service Center

Consulate : Bogota, Colombia

Marriage : 2007-07-14

I-130 Sent : 2008-09-17

I-130 NOA1 : 2008-09-23

I-129F Sent : 2008-11-01

I-129F NOA1 : 2008-11-03

I-129F RFE(s) :

RFE Reply(s) :

I-129F NOA2 : 2009-04-14

NVC Received :

NVC Left :

Consulate Received :

Packet 3 Received :

Packet 3 Sent :

Packet 4 Received :

Interview Date :

Visa Received :

US Entry :

I-130 Approval : 2009-04-14

[YuAndDan 153]

This is why the K-3 is no longer a relavant visa type, the K-3 was developed at a time when USCIS was taking a very long tome to process I-130, the K-3 allowed the prospective immigrant to enter the USA and wait for I-130 to be approved, since they are now approving both on the same day lately, this makes the CR-1 the better choice.

Start with the NVC shortcuts, and keep the I-130 moving through NVC, this will save you TIME and MONEY when getting a green-card, CR-1 gets the card the moment they arrive, K-3 needs to adjust status, and WAIT MONTHS to get a green-card.

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/...s%27s_Shortcuts

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

Adjustment Of Status: $1010 I-485

($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.

Edited May 4, 2009 by YuAndDan

[RickD 0]

YuAndDan is correct. I estimate our CR-1 is going to take about 6 - 8 weeks longer to complete than the K-3. Since Ivonne already has a social security number from working in the US on an exchange program back in 98-99, the CR-1 will allow her to get a new job here right away. We are anticipating a June appointment at the Embassy in Bogota. The Embassy received her K-3 package at the end of March and we are just ignoring it. Of course, every couple has to decide for themselves, but I believe the CR-1 has many advantages over the K-3, especially the $$ savings.

RickD

IR-1 / CR-1 Visa

Event Date

Service Center : California Service Center

Consulate : Bogota, Colombia

Marriage : 2008-12-18

I-130 Sent : 2009-01-06

I-130 NOA1 : 2009-01-12

I-130 Approved : 2009-02-27

NVC Received : 2009-03-10

Received DS-3032 / I-864 Bill : 2009-03-17

Pay I-864 Bill 2009-03-17

Receive I-864 Package :

Return Completed I-864 : 2009-03-24

Return Completed DS-3032 : 2009-03-19

Receive IV Bill : 2009-03-31

Pay IV Bill : 2009-04-03

Receive Instruction Package :

Case Completed at NVC :

NVC Left :

Consulate Received :

Packet 3 Received :

Packet 3 Sent :

Packet 4 Received :

Interview Date :

Visa Received :

US Entry :

Comments : 01/26/2009 Touched

Processing

Estimates/Stats : Your I-130 was approved in 46 days from your NOA1 date.

[SSB 0]

This is why the K-3 is no longer a relavant visa type, the K-3 was developed at a time when USCIS was taking a very long tome to process I-130, the K-3 allowed the prospective immigrant to enter the USA and wait for I-130 to be approved, since they are now approving both on the same day lately, this makes the CR-1 the better choice.

Start with the NVC shortcuts, and keep the I-130 moving through NVC, this will save you TIME and MONEY when getting a green-card, CR-1 gets the card the moment they arrive, K-3 needs to adjust status, and WAIT MONTHS to get a green-card.

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/...s%27s_Shortcuts

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

Adjustment Of Status: $1010 I-485

($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.

thanks for the info

[Mike and Yan 0]

is all fairly automatic. The NVC runs it well (for the most part)

you will do the I-864 (Aff. of Sup) or similar

spouse will do DS-230. figure this form out ASAP. Does spouse read english? NO? Fill it out for her, mail it, spouse signs it, mail it back to you. (I tripped up here on my K3 to CR1 education) There are some difficulties with this PDF form.

Edited May 5, 2009 by Mike and Yan