these days and the new rule

[sid1234 0]

The new rule

"Important Notice: Effective February 1st, 2010, when both the I-129F petition for a nonimmigrant K visa and the I-130 petition for an IR-1 (or CR-1) spouse of a U.S. citizen visa have been approved by USCIS and sent to the National Visa Center (NVC), the availability as well as the need for a nonimmigrant K-3 visa ends. If the NVC receives both petitions:

* The nonimmigrant K visa will be administratively closed.

* The application process explained below will not be applicable and cannot be used.

* The NVC will contact the petitioner and you with instructions for processing your IR-1 (or CR-1) immigrant visa. For more information on the immigrant visa process review the Immigrant Visa for a Spouse webpage."

seems to say that these days they do IR-1 fast enough that K3 is probably not needed.

So these days, in the age of 2010, what's faster, IR-1 or K1.. and by how many months?

[SPSguy 18]

The new rule

"Important Notice: Effective February 1st, 2010, when both the I-129F petition for a nonimmigrant K visa and the I-130 petition for an IR-1 (or CR-1) spouse of a U.S. citizen visa have been approved by USCIS and sent to the National Visa Center (NVC), the availability as well as the need for a nonimmigrant K-3 visa ends. If the NVC receives both petitions:

* The nonimmigrant K visa will be administratively closed.

* The application process explained below will not be applicable and cannot be used.

* The NVC will contact the petitioner and you with instructions for processing your IR-1 (or CR-1) immigrant visa. For more information on the immigrant visa process review the Immigrant Visa for a Spouse webpage."

seems to say that these days they do IR-1 fast enough that K3 is probably not needed.

So these days, in the age of 2010, what's faster, IR-1 or K1.. and by how many months?

Yes, that's how I read it too.

The K3 became popular and in demand when the CR/IR visa process took so darn long. For me, I filed concurrently. LUCKILY FOR ME, MY WIFE HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED for her K3 two year entry. Her K3 petition was closed and cancelled upon approval of her K3 VISA.

We are now in the process of getting her a IR1 for a ten year greencard and VISA as we are both living and working in her home country.

[Darnell 8,478]

Sid - a K-1 for a fiancee petition is faster.

If I'm reading this right - the K-3 will be dropped at NVC (whoosh ! its GONE ) without opportunity for the casefile to be sent through to an Embassy/Consulate.

The NVC Processing for an I-130 - even though can take up to 2 additional months (if nothing is wrong) - I still think that CR-1/IR-1 is a superior visa type, all things considered.

BTW - I've been looking for 'that quote' you used - can you post the url or link or http address? TIA !

[sid1234 0]

Darnell,

you wanted the link from which I got the quote ... here it is http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/ty...types_2993.html

Maybe IR-1 is gonna be really fast now? Maybe we don't have enough evidence yet because this new rule just came into effect.

[Darnell 8,478]

Sid - I've been tracking CR-1 and IR-1 for almost 2 years now -

There's a trending on the approval process -

ie - if one files solely an I-130 (without the I-129F) then it will be approved FASTER.

Also, if the I-129F for a K-3 is submitted , the 'time to approve' is longer,

and the I-129F and the I-130 were approved together, on the same day.

Ages past - the K-3 was set because the I-130 approvals were taking forever.

That's not the case, these last 2 years - it's 'normalized' back to 5 to 6 months.

Then there's the NVC Processing Stuff.

If one uses the NVC Online Payment Portal - it actually reduces the time - can get it done within 30 days.

So, specifically for K-3 - the 'approval times' are similar to the I-130.

There are variances, sure - for example -

1 month approval time in CSC last year during 2nd and 3rd quarter.

12 day NVC IN/OUT on an I-130 .

Thanks for the link !

Edited February 25, 2010 by Darnell

[pushbrk 12,882]

The timeline differences between K1 and CR1 are generally six to eight weeks when done correctly. However, that's from filing to interview. Anybody considering a possible K1 isn't married yet. If they've met in person, they can file now for the fiancee process but must wait until they can arrange to marry to start the Spouse process. So, which one is faster, is only part of the story, since nobody qualifies for both at the same time.

Edited February 25, 2010 by pushbrk

[Mononoke28 135]

It really depends on two things, the service center and the country the beneficiary is located because in Colombia for example there isn't much difference between a K1 or CR1/IR1 visa.

Diana