What the heck...?!!

[Christi and Ian 24]

This isn't meant to offend anyone...I have no animosity towards anyone who have gone K-1, but I am entirely frustrated that there seem to be K-1 approvals through the California Service Center almost DAILY...

Why does it seem that Fiancee Visa's are being approved faster and in a greater quantity than those of us who are ALREADY married to our SO's?

Is there less work involved in the process?

Any other K-3, CR1/IR1 filers feel the same?

[Christi and Ian 24]

Hey - turns out, CSC has a Facebook page...

http://tinyurl.com/ybfmbfr

[sachinky 465]

Yes, I do. Don't even get me started on the endless supply of K-1 approvals from CSC.

On the other hand, K-1 is a non-immigrant visa and most of the work is done during the AOS stage. Similar to K-3, as I believe that too is classified as a non-immigrant visa.

CR-1s are essentially green cards on arrival.

[Sinergy 3]

Yes most of the work for the K-1 is during the AOS period of our horrible experience with USCIS. Its not during the approval time.

I did my research before i filed and when i saw that the K3 does take longer than the K1 i went the K1 route. Also being already married to your SO does not guarantee you a quick process.

[TBoneTX 45,288]

In addition, both service centers go on "flurries" wherein they concentrate on visa types on which they've fallen behind. Once they catch up, they may move to another visa type.

[pushbrk 12,883]

This isn't meant to offend anyone...I have no animosity towards anyone who have gone K-1, but I am entirely frustrated that there seem to be K-1 approvals through the California Service Center almost DAILY...

Why does it seem that Fiancee Visa's are being approved faster and in a greater quantity than those of us who are ALREADY married to our SO's?

Is there less work involved in the process?

Any other K-3, CR1/IR1 filers feel the same?

The quantity of K1 filings (I-129F for spouse) vastly exceed the number of K3 filings (I-129F for spouse) at both service centers. So, the number of approvals would be far greater as well. One reason there are so few K3 filings is that the informed petitioners know K3 is virtually obsolete and that filing the I-129F for a spouse actually slows the reunion of the couple in most cases.

K3 being virtually dead is the most frequent discussion here. Did you not notice?

[Christi and Ian 24]

While I appreciate the feedback, and what you you're saying makes perfect sense, the condescension is COMPLETELY unnecessary PUSH. I am neither ignorant nor stupid.

[Christi and Ian 24]

In addition, both service centers go on "flurries" wherein they concentrate on visa types on which they've fallen behind. Once they catch up, they may move to another visa type.

Blurg...I guess asking them to process them in the order received is too much to ask...

[pushbrk 12,883]

Blurg...I guess asking them to process them in the order received is too much to ask...

In a way, yes, it's too much to ask. They would tell you that's what they're doing though.

They begin processing cases of the same type, in order but processing has multiple steps. They do not complete cases in the order they were received or the order they were started.

Also, they find it more efficient and avoid more errors when they process batches of like cases in groups rather than having a group of adjudicators bouncing back and forth between I-130, I-129F for fiance and I-129F for spouse cases throughout their day.

[klicristina 0]

Do u know what I hate about this process (visas)??

It is like we are asking for a F* favor!

WTH? We are paying for!

[Gemmie 142]

I don't think married couples should have more rights than engaged couples when it comes to the filing time. Because, and I don't mean this to be disrespectful to anyone, people know when marrying a foreigner that there will be paperwork involved and I believe it's up to the couple to choose which direction they want to go in. If you wanted to get married first because you wanted to go on a honeymoon or you wanted to do it in the foreigner's country, then that's fine... but be aware of the waiting time if you do.

We looked at the applications before we filed, and saw that the K1 reunites the couple quicker but then requires a few more months of paperwork afterwards. The CR-1 means a longer separation time but more rights and privileges on arrival. I saw a LOT about the invalidity of filing a K3 since it was taking around a year for approval, and then AOS was still required.

We thought it was more important to be together and then wait for the green card together, so we filed the K1. Took over 8 months, so it still wasn't quick... then a further 2.5 months with the AOS application. All in all, about the same as a spousal application, but we are pleased with the route we took because we were together during the green card stage.

Edited January 13, 2010 by Gemmie

[pushbrk 12,883]

Do u know what I hate about this process (visas)??

It is like we are asking for a F* favor!

WTH? We are paying for!

You, if fact are petitioning for a privilege for your foreign fiance or spouse. They then are applying for a privilege. You are paying a fee to process your petition and a fee to process a visa application. Your loved one does not have a right to enter the USA simply based on having a relationship with you.

[christeen 966]

Blurg...I guess asking them to process them in the order received is too much to ask...

Another issue to consider with a K3 is that the I-130 is accepted, then the K3 application is filed, so BOTH applications are being reviewed and the I-130 is usually held up to allow for the completion of the K3 application... These essentially TWO applications together take longer to process and marry together then it would be just filing the spousal visa and not the non-immigrant version along with it (the K3).

I know that you are aware of the K3 issues as you have indicated in other threads, but you chose to pursue the K3 in hopes of being reunited faster and time was more important than $. However, I believe from what I have read and seen, that the K3 application actually slows down the entire application process.

I do however understand the frustration with the fiance visa versus the spouse visa... Logically, it would seem that reuniting a married couple should take priority since the priority of USCIS is the reunification of families and a married couple is a legal family whereas a fiance is not considered "family" until the marriage occurs. However, the lack of rights of K1 applications upon entry and the restrictions on them from time of entry until they have legally adjusted their status means that they the majority of paperwork and checks are completed by a different unit at a different time, thus the processing is less on the front side.

[Christi and Ian 24]

Another issue to consider with a K3 is that the I-130 is accepted, then the K3 application is filed, so BOTH applications are being reviewed and the I-130 is usually held up to allow for the completion of the K3 application... These essentially TWO applications together take longer to process and marry together then it would be just filing the spousal visa and not the non-immigrant version along with it (the K3).

I know that you are aware of the K3 issues as you have indicated in other threads, but you chose to pursue the K3 in hopes of being reunited faster and time was more important than $. However, I believe from what I have read and seen, that the K3 application actually slows down the entire application process.

I do however understand the frustration with the fiance visa versus the spouse visa... Logically, it would seem that reuniting a married couple should take priority since the priority of USCIS is the reunification of families and a married couple is a legal family whereas a fiance is not considered "family" until the marriage occurs. However, the lack of rights of K1 applications upon entry and the restrictions on them from time of entry until they have legally adjusted their status means that they the majority of paperwork and checks are completed by a different unit at a different time, thus the processing is less on the front side.

My I129F is only 7 days behind my I-130 - I had both applications ready to go at the same time, and only had to wait for the NOA1 for the I-130...

My frustration stems from watching Igor's list - 4 K-1 NOA2's yesterday, 5 on Friday, 4 on Thursday, 2 on Wednesday...

Then on K-3 - 1 approved on Friday, the one before was 3 weeks before that, then 5 days before that, then a week before that - it seems there's one lucky k-3 petitioner per week...

Edited January 13, 2010 by Christi and Ian

[Christi and Ian 24]

If we had to do it again, we'd probably go k-1, since being together is our #1 priority...adjustment of status etc aside, I'd rather go through it with him here