K3 Administratively closed

[dbarker2 1]

I can't see any good reason for the K-3. Some people say it's better when children are involved for the K-4 derivative, but you will still need to pay $1010 X2 for AOS, Still doesn't make sense. K-3 was implemented 10 years ago with the LIFE act when it was taking 2-3 years to adjudicate CR-1/IR-1 visas. That time difference is basically gone.

I have seen so many stories here with K visa folks. They get here, they can't drive, they can't work etc. etc.

Well, in my case it is what we are doing simply because getting her here even a month earlier is worth it to us. And in our case the price will be pretty close. We will pay the 131 down in Mexico for the Visa, whatever it is for the medical plus travel expenses. At the Ciudad Juarez Consulate they don't require vaccinations for K Visa applicants, and since my wife doesn't have records of her vaccinations ours would end up costing around 400-500 dollars based on the prices. So getting her here will give us the chance to get her vaccinations up here for a better price, and at least she will be here.

The main reason though is because she is pregnant and we really just want to get her here as quickly as possible.

Our I-129f was at the consulate being processed within a week of it arriving at the NVC whereas we haven't received any paperwork concerning the I-130 and it would probably at least take another month minimum to get to this point for the CR-1/IR-1.

So I can definitely see how the CR-1/IR-1 is a better visa for many people, especially if they were planning on doing it in the first place and had everything ready and prepared, and I don't blame anyone for doing it, but I still think people should have the choice.

[daboyz 36]

Well, in my case it is what we are doing simply because getting her here even a month earlier is worth it to us. And in our case the price will be pretty close. We will pay the 131 down in Mexico for the Visa, whatever it is for the medical plus travel expenses. At the Ciudad Juarez Consulate they don't require vaccinations for K Visa applicants, and since my wife doesn't have records of her vaccinations ours would end up costing around 400-500 dollars based on the prices. So getting her here will give us the chance to get her vaccinations up here for a better price, and at least she will be here.

The main reason though is because she is pregnant and we really just want to get her here as quickly as possible.

Our I-129f was at the consulate being processed within a week of it arriving at the NVC whereas we haven't received any paperwork concerning the I-130 and it would probably at least take another month minimum to get to this point for the CR-1/IR-1.

So I can definitely see how the CR-1/IR-1 is a better visa for many people, especially if they were planning on doing it in the first place and had everything ready and prepared, and I don't blame anyone for doing it, but I still think people should have the choice.

Not sure but I think there is a vaccination waiver for pregnant women. I swear I saw that somewhere here before.

[dbarker2 1]

Not sure but I think there is a vaccination waiver for pregnant women. I swear I saw that somewhere here before.

Yeah, you're right. There is. So basically either way we would get around the vaccination fees, haha, but for us - for now - the month or two that we will save is worth it for us

[Sc0tt28 26]

The major advantage of an IR-1 here is that they don't have to file for AOS and they don't have to file for removal of conditions...a lot of money, paperwork, and time saved in the long run.

I'm fairly sure I read that the starting date was 02/01/10 so you may have just missed it I would definitely try calling the NVC about it.

Wow...just wow! You are one of the people I was referring to in the last sentence of my post.

I understand the fact that a K-3 needs to adjust status however if you had bothered to actually read the reasons why the K-3 is actually the better choice for my wife and I you would not have posted such a rediculous comment.

K-3 is a multiple entry visa.

Wife has a good job where she lives (in Canada) and she will continue to work there after she immigrates (to the US), and so all this ####### about "can't get a drivers license, have to apply for EAD", does not apply to everyone.

A lot of money is the amount that would have to be paid to do an interview in Montreal rather than in Vancouver which is practically within walking distance for both my wife and I, AOS is well worth it.

[sachinky 465]

Look, man, I wasn't talking about you and your wife or Canada or a specific country. Only particular U.S. consulates in a country process immigrant visas. This is a known fact. I live in Calcutta, I have to interview in Mumbai. The K-3 was introduced when CR-1/IR-1 used to take years to process. Now it's about 3-4 more weeks if you're prepared for the NVC stage. GENERALLY, (see what I did there?) the CR-1 is considered to be a much superior visa as it is a green card on arrival and you can work straight away. Cheaper and you don't have to waste time, money and effort on AOS. I'm glad they're closing down the K-3 and all those USCIS folks can now concentrate on the K-1s and CR-1s that have been waiting in line for months. Yes, your particular situation as you outlined it might be unique but on the whole, the K-3 is a waste of time and money.

And having an opinion and expressing it doesn't make me a moron. I'm entitled to my opinion as you are to yours. It does, however, make you one, if you can't get past your own situation and see the bigger picture.

Edited February 11, 2010 by sachinky

[Justine+David 218]

You didn't say that your wife was going to continue to work in Canada in your original post, so I think your attacks have been unfair.

I'm sorry you're having such a bad day and that your visa has been closed to you, but please don't take it out on other people.

[daboyz 36]

Wow...just wow! You are one of the people I was referring to in the last sentence of my post.

I understand the fact that a K-3 needs to adjust status however if you had bothered to actually read the reasons why the K-3 is actually the better choice for my wife and I you would not have posted such a rediculous comment.

K-3 is a multiple entry visa.

Wife has a good job where she lives (in Canada) and she will continue to work there after she immigrates (to the US), and so all this ####### about "can't get a drivers license, have to apply for EAD", does not apply to everyone.

A lot of money is the amount that would have to be paid to do an interview in Montreal rather than in Vancouver which is practically within walking distance for both my wife and I, AOS is well worth it.

Your case is VERY unique. 99% of people will not have this situation. Also keep in mind when your wife applies for citizenship, she will need to document EVERY trip she has made out of the country even if it is for the day. I suspect you will run into issues with this. I personally would rather have USCIS focusing on I-130s and not have to have them waste time dealing with I-129F as well. Seems kinda unfair to burden USCIS with more paperwork so your wife can "immigrate" to the US but still work in Canada.

[daboyz 36]

Well, in my case it is what we are doing simply because getting her here even a month earlier is worth it to us. And in our case the price will be pretty close. We will pay the 131 down in Mexico for the Visa, whatever it is for the medical plus travel expenses. At the Ciudad Juarez Consulate they don't require vaccinations for K Visa applicants, and since my wife doesn't have records of her vaccinations ours would end up costing around 400-500 dollars based on the prices. So getting her here will give us the chance to get her vaccinations up here for a better price, and at least she will be here.

The main reason though is because she is pregnant and we really just want to get her here as quickly as possible.

Our I-129f was at the consulate being processed within a week of it arriving at the NVC whereas we haven't received any paperwork concerning the I-130 and it would probably at least take another month minimum to get to this point for the CR-1/IR-1.

So I can definitely see how the CR-1/IR-1 is a better visa for many people, especially if they were planning on doing it in the first place and had everything ready and prepared, and I don't blame anyone for doing it, but I still think people should have the choice.

Bad news about the $131. Gonna be $350 soon.

http://www.visajourney.com/news/2009/12/21...previously-131/

Another reason to go CR-1/IR-1

Edited February 12, 2010 by daboyz

[daboyz 36]

Your case is VERY unique. 99% of people will not have this situation. Also keep in mind when your wife applies for citizenship, she will need to document EVERY trip she has made out of the country even if it is for the day. I suspect you will run into issues with this. I personally would rather have USCIS focusing on I-130s and not have to have them waste time dealing with I-129F as well. Seems kinda unfair to burden USCIS with more paperwork so your wife can "immigrate" to the US but still work in Canada.

I stand corrected. N-400 states this:

Part 7 C

List all trips of 24 hours or more that you have taken outside of the United States since becoming LPR.

[Sc0tt28 26]

You didn't say that your wife was going to continue to work in Canada in your original post, so I think your attacks have been unfair.

I'm sorry you're having such a bad day and that your visa has been closed to you, but please don't take it out on other people.

Well actually I'm having a better day today than I had yesterday and I do apologize if I offended anyone but the blanket declaration that the K-3 is obsolete is just asinine. I contend that it is most certainly not obsolete, therefore if someone wants to say that "For many people, the K-3 is not worth the cost" that's fine but to wrap everyone up in your tight little bubble and say that the K-3 is obsolete without even bothering to hear their situation and how, just maybe, the K-3 is the better option, is just as unfair.

That said, I figured it went without saying that my wife would continue to work in Canada since she would be living so close once she moved to the states. I suppose I should have known better given the caliber of some of the advice that gets thrown around in here.

[daboyz 36]

Well actually I'm having a better day today than I had yesterday and I do apologize if I offended anyone but the blanket declaration that the K-3 is obsolete is just asinine. I contend that it is most certainly not obsolete, therefore if someone wants to say that "For many people, the K-3 is not worth the cost" that's fine but to wrap everyone up in your tight little bubble and say that the K-3 is obsolete without even bothering to hear their situation and how, just maybe, the K-3 is the better option, is just as unfair.

That said, I figured it went without saying that my wife would continue to work in Canada since she would be living so close once she moved to the states. I suppose I should have known better given the caliber of some of the advice that gets thrown around in here.

Hard to complain about free advice. Don't ask would be your best bet.

[Sc0tt28 26]

Your case is VERY unique. 99% of people will not have this situation. Also keep in mind when your wife applies for citizenship, she will need to document EVERY trip she has made out of the country even if it is for the day. I suspect you will run into issues with this. I personally would rather have USCIS focusing on I-130s and not have to have them waste time dealing with I-129F as well. Seems kinda unfair to burden USCIS with more paperwork so your wife can "immigrate" to the US but still work in Canada.

Perhaps, but for the 1%, the alternative (IR-1) is both more costly and more of a pain in the neck (paperwork is easy if you can read and follow directions).

As far as naturalization is concerned, I don't see running into too many issues with it. She crosses the border daily...not too hard to document. It might be more of a hassle for CIS to read pages of crossing history than it will be for us to document it.

The way I see it, it is more unfair to not allow my wife and I the opportunity to live together just because we live (relatively) close to each other. It would also be unfair for me to ask my wife to quit her job and lose her seniority (she is at the peak of her earnings scale) so that she can get a job in the US that way it is not such a burden. Burdening them with paperwork?! That's their job! I would much rather USCIS just issue my wife an I-551 so that she could live here since she lives so close to the border anyway and intends to continue working in Canada...thanks for the idea but it just doesn't work that way.

[daboyz 36]

Perhaps, but for the 1%, the alternative (IR-1) is both more costly and more of a pain in the neck (paperwork is easy if you can read and follow directions).

As far as naturalization is concerned, I don't see running into too many issues with it. She crosses the border daily...not too hard to document. It might be more of a hassle for CIS to read pages of crossing history than it will be for us to document it.

The way I see it, it is more unfair to not allow my wife and I the opportunity to live together just because we live (relatively) close to each other. It would also be unfair for me to ask my wife to quit her job and lose her seniority (she is at the peak of her earnings scale) so that she can get a job in the US that way it is not such a burden. Burdening them with paperwork?! That's their job! I would much rather USCIS just issue my wife an I-551 so that she could live here since she lives so close to the border anyway and intends to continue working in Canada...thanks for the idea but it just doesn't work that way.

[Christi and Ian 24]

I have seen so many stories here with K visa folks. They get here, they can't drive, they can't work etc. etc.

Why can't they drive? My husband is legally allowed to drive my car when he's here on his U.K. Drivers License.

[Dakine 26]

How do you figure this is such a "smart move"? Based on this scenario, what would be the best course of action:

Canadian citizen lives in Surrey, BC, 9.64 miles (18 minutes) from the US border.

Canadian citizen works in Burnaby, BC, 10.28 miles (24 minutes) from the US Consulate in Vancouver, BC.

US citizen lives in Ferndale, WA, 14.69 miles (17 mintues) from the Canadian border.

IR-1 interviews for Canadian citizens can only be done in Montreal.

K-3 interview can be done in Vancouver...again less than half an hour from where the Canadian citizen works.

Factor in the cost of a plane ticket from Vancouver, BC (where there is a perfectly operational consulate mind you) to Montreal, PQ.

Factor in the cost of a hotel stay in Montreal, PQ (7 1/2 hour flight time including time zone changes nearly eliminates the possibility of having an interview date the same day as the flight).

Factor in the cost of meals.

Factor in the cost of transportation from hotel in Montreal to US Consulate in Montreal.

Factor in the lost wages of a minimum of 2 days away from work. I know this may come as a shock but the consulate is not open on the weekends.

Factor in strong desire to NOT travel to the province of Quebec....EVER.

Tell me again why the IR-1 is such a "smart move"?

I don't see that it is and so to all the morons that say without a qualifier that the K-3 is obsolete, you can GO TO HE'LL!!! (Or Quebec....same thing)

Note: Distances and times courtesy of Mapquest.

you can GO TO HE'LL!!!

You may end up in HELLO going with the K#. We sure did.

Just a few reasons why to go with the CR-1. If you are eligible for a IR-1 then you would be nuts going with a K3!

The K3 has to adjust status which cost $1010 + $131 visas application fee.

Have to go thru the cost and hassles of getting a I-693 also.

K3 normally has to do biometrics and have a AOS interview. Time off from work cost the petitioner. PLUS the hassles of submitting the paperwork and going for the interview. Tain’t fun.. Especially if denied or questioned. Ever done a Stokes interview?

That’s the second interview if they are in doubt of your relationship.

Also a possibility of being deported. Yeah doesn’t happen much but it happens.

K3 has to wait about 90 days after they file to get EAD or GC so they can get SSN and be able to work.

CR-1 can work as soon as they get the GC and SS card in the mail. Normally with 6 weeks.

Can’t do a LOT of things without SSN. Like work or get a drivers license in some states.

Some K visas don’t get GC for a LONG time.

If petitioner goes belly up before you get GC you stand a chance of being deported.

If the petitioner loses his/her job after the interview you don’t have to worry about getting a co sponsor to adjust status!

CR-1 cost about $470

Get their GC and SS card in the mail within 6 weeks of arrival.

No biometrics , dealing with civil surgeons, AOS interviews, going to SSA for SS card.

I’m sure I’ve missed a few things.

Bottomline is anyone that goes with the K3 the way things are now are masochist!

Yeah I did but at that time K3s were a LOT faster. That’s not the case anymore.