K-3 visa vs. CR-1

[Antwifam 0]

I am very new to this entire process. Can anyone tell me why one would go with a CR-1 instead of the K-3? We have already filed the K-3 and we are still waiting for a response from USCIS. Is the CR-1 process faster than the K-3?

Thanks in advance for you time and response.

[New Beginnings 32]

They have about the same timelines now. In the past, the K-3 was much faster than the CR-1 however now they're within weeks of each other. The benefits of coming in on a CR-1 versus the K-3 are immense. With the K-3 once the person arrives in the US you need to apply for Employment authorization and for AOS. That costs about $1010 whereas with the CR-1 you basically pay $500 at the NVC and once the person arrives they are able to work right away.

K-3 is just a hassle and will only save you about 2-3 weeks (maybe a month). I know that seems like forever right now, but it's worth it to just follow the CR-1 path. You started that when you submitted the I-130 and you will be notified by the NVC when it's time to pay the other fees prior to the interview being scheduled.

[Beth/ Paris Heart 2]

They have about the same timelines now. In the past, the K-3 was much faster than the CR-1 however now they're within weeks of each other. The benefits of coming in on a CR-1 versus the K-3 are immense. With the K-3 once the person arrives in the US you need to apply for Employment authorization and for AOS. That costs about $1010 whereas with the CR-1 you basically pay $500 at the NVC and once the person arrives they are able to work right away.

K-3 is just a hassle and will only save you about 2-3 weeks (maybe a month). I know that seems like forever right now, but it's worth it to just follow the CR-1 path. You started that when you submitted the I-130 and you will be notified by the NVC when it's time to pay the other fees prior to the interview being scheduled.

Welcome and good luck on a smooth journey!!

[R de la R 2]

I am very new to this entire process. Can anyone tell me why one would go with a CR-1 instead of the K-3? We have already filed the K-3 and we are still waiting for a response from USCIS. Is the CR-1 process faster than the K-3?

Thanks in advance for you time and response.

My advice is to change to a CR-1.

Edited July 1, 2009 by YMR

[R de la R 2]

I am very new to this entire process. Can anyone tell me why one would go with a CR-1 instead of the K-3? We have already filed the K-3 and we are still waiting for a response from USCIS. Is the CR-1 process faster than the K-3?

Thanks in advance for you time and response.

here are the guides

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=guides

[UN-KNOWN 0]

CR-1 is better.

[AngelnSteve 0]

Sorry to ask a question in someone elses thread but checking the stats on VJ site I see this:

K3 - Avg. Days between Consulate

Receiving Information from NVC

and Actual Interview - 23 days

IR1/CR1 - Avg. Days

btw NOA2

and Interview - 213 days

We're desperate to get back together as soon as possible - is there not currently still a significant deference in actually getting an interview date (i.e. more than a couple of months?).

We know CR1 is better - but we're talking about faster in reuniiting!

Edited July 2, 2009 by AngelnSteve

[Antwifam 0]

They have about the same timelines now. In the past, the K-3 was much faster than the CR-1 however now they're within weeks of each other. The benefits of coming in on a CR-1 versus the K-3 are immense. With the K-3 once the person arrives in the US you need to apply for Employment authorization and for AOS. That costs about $1010 whereas with the CR-1 you basically pay $500 at the NVC and once the person arrives they are able to work right away.

K-3 is just a hassle and will only save you about 2-3 weeks (maybe a month). I know that seems like forever right now, but it's worth it to just follow the CR-1 path. You started that when you submitted the I-130 and you will be notified by the NVC when it's time to pay the other fees prior to the interview being scheduled.

Thank you all for your response. I now know that we will take the CR-1 path. I have been on a couple of websites including USCIS trying to find the documents I will need to file the CR-1 but can't find anything. Are there any additional documents that I would need to file with the K-3visa? Is there an application for the CR-1 or do I just wait to hear back from USCIS in regards to the k-3?

You help is tremendously appreciated.

[Beebay 0]

I used K-3 and I regretted it, even uptill now. Please do not use K-3. Just go for the CR-1 instead. With that, NVC schedules your visa appointment but with K-3, the embassy does and they will give you 4-6 months to come for interview which will virtually erase any time gained or even add you more time in total.

If you arrive in the US with K-3, you cannot get a license or SS# unless you apply for work permit or AOS which will set you back over $1000 and also time for waiting for all the papwer work.

Stay away from K-3 for your own good, money and time and stress.

[DouglasFiel 53]

I agree mostly with the others,,, With the rare exception that one of the petitions gets lost between the Service Center and the NVC...

Which happened to my K3, and I have read another case where the CR1 got lost... So I had no choice in the matter. The K3 has been

lost for 58 days and counting. But, the CR1 arrived at the NVC in a few days (i pursued that option) and now the interview has been

scheduled. The entire process was 132 days from I-130 submission to the scheduled Interview date.

In short, I filed for both, cause the I-129F for the K3 costs nothing other then a bit of time.

This is from the cover letter I sent for the K3 Visa petition...

Contents of I-129F package:

□ Copy of I-797C, Notice of Action (From submission of I130)

□ Filing Fee – Note: No Fee Required for I129F/K3 where the underlying I-130 petition is currently pending.

□ I-I29F petition filed by USC, petitioner on behalf of ALIEN, beneficiary

□ I-129F addendum (additional information in support of I-129F)

□ Copy of Birth Certificate of USC

□ Copy of Birth Certificate of ALIEN

□ G-325a Completed by USC

□ G-325a Completed by USC - Addendum

□ Passport type picture of USC

□ G-325a Completed by ALIEN

□ G-325a Completed by ALIEN - Addendum

□ Passport type Picture of ALIEN

□ Copy of Marriage Certificate (copy of the registered marriage license from the local register)

Good Luck,

Edited July 17, 2009 by DouglasFiel

[Urge To Race 2]

To start the process for a CR1, you would file a I130 petition. Since you petitioned for a K3, you already did so for a CR1 (actually you probably did that first, then sent in the I129F with the I130 NOA1 to petition for a K3). If both petitions are approved and sent to NVC, make sure to follow up on the NVC mailings for the CR1, and to delay any consulate activity on the K3. That all.

They have about the same timelines now. In the past, the K-3 was much faster than the CR-1 however now they're within weeks of each other. The benefits of coming in on a CR-1 versus the K-3 are immense. With the K-3 once the person arrives in the US you need to apply for Employment authorization and for AOS. That costs about $1010 whereas with the CR-1 you basically pay $500 at the NVC and once the person arrives they are able to work right away.

K-3 is just a hassle and will only save you about 2-3 weeks (maybe a month). I know that seems like forever right now, but it's worth it to just follow the CR-1 path. You started that when you submitted the I-130 and you will be notified by the NVC when it's time to pay the other fees prior to the interview being scheduled.

Thank you all for your response. I now know that we will take the CR-1 path. I have been on a couple of websites including USCIS trying to find the documents I will need to file the CR-1 but can't find anything. Are there any additional documents that I would need to file with the K-3visa? Is there an application for the CR-1 or do I just wait to hear back from USCIS in regards to the k-3?

You help is tremendously appreciated.

[pushbrk 12,890]

I am very new to this entire process. Can anyone tell me why one would go with a CR-1 instead of the K-3? We have already filed the K-3 and we are still waiting for a response from USCIS. Is the CR-1 process faster than the K-3?

Thanks in advance for you time and response.

My advice is to change to a CR-1.

This is horrible advice. The OP has both a CR1 and K3 process already in play. Trying to withdraw the I-129F is just going to delay things or get both cases fouled up. If you want an immigrant visa for spouse, don't file an I-129F. Now that you have, you can ignore the P3 from the Embassy or Consulate for the K3 and simply carry on with the CR1 process.

[daboyz 36]

I am very new to this entire process. Can anyone tell me why one would go with a CR-1 instead of the K-3? We have already filed the K-3 and we are still waiting for a response from USCIS. Is the CR-1 process faster than the K-3?

Thanks in advance for you time and response.

My advice is to change to a CR-1.

This is horrible advice. The OP has both a CR1 and K3 process already in play. Trying to withdraw the I-129F is just going to delay things or get both cases fouled up. If you want an immigrant visa for spouse, don't file an I-129F. Now that you have, you can ignore the P3 from the Embassy or Consulate for the K3 and simply carry on with the CR1 process.

That's what we did. When my wife got packet 3 for the K-3, I told her to throw it in the trash. She was obviously a little dumbfounded by this, but she understands now.

[And_Sam 44]

I am very new to this entire process. Can anyone tell me why one would go with a CR-1 instead of the K-3? We have already filed the K-3 and we are still waiting for a response from USCIS. Is the CR-1 process faster than the K-3?

Thanks in advance for you time and response.

My advice is to change to a CR-1.

This is horrible advice. The OP has both a CR1 and K3 process already in play. Trying to withdraw the I-129F is just going to delay things or get both cases fouled up. If you want an immigrant visa for spouse, don't file an I-129F. Now that you have, you can ignore the P3 from the Embassy or Consulate for the K3 and simply carry on with the CR1 process.

That's what we did. When my wife got packet 3 for the K-3, I told her to throw it in the trash. She was obviously a little dumbfounded by this, but she understands now.

So basically since we have applied for the CR-1 and the K3 visa, we don't need to do anything if we decide to stick with the CR-1 visa? Just ignore any paperwork that comes for the K3 visa? That's what I need to find out. The NVC doesn't combine both applications?

Thanks...

[daboyz 36]

I am very new to this entire process. Can anyone tell me why one would go with a CR-1 instead of the K-3? We have already filed the K-3 and we are still waiting for a response from USCIS. Is the CR-1 process faster than the K-3?

Thanks in advance for you time and response.

My advice is to change to a CR-1.

This is horrible advice. The OP has both a CR1 and K3 process already in play. Trying to withdraw the I-129F is just going to delay things or get both cases fouled up. If you want an immigrant visa for spouse, don't file an I-129F. Now that you have, you can ignore the P3 from the Embassy or Consulate for the K3 and simply carry on with the CR1 process.

That's what we did. When my wife got packet 3 for the K-3, I told her to throw it in the trash. She was obviously a little dumbfounded by this, but she understands now.

So basically since we have applied for the CR-1 and the K3 visa, we don't need to do anything if we decide to stick with the CR-1 visa? Just ignore any paperwork that comes for the K3 visa? That's what I need to find out. The NVC doesn't combine both applications?

Thanks...

NVC will just forward the K-3 petition to the consulate. They will send your SO packet 3. If you want to go CR-1, ignore the packet 3. NVC will send the petitioner (or the attorney if you have one) two bills. One for $400 (IV bill) and one for $70 (Affidavit of Support) K-3 is a waste of time and money now. Look here for the best info:

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/...he_NVC_ShortCut