K3 vs CR1/IR1

[Ramsis 1]

I want to bring my wife to the US...and i was going to go with the K3 since i read in the guide that it is faster than the CR1.

but then people here said that K3 visa is not longer available and that a CR1/IR1 is the same speed now.

What should i do?

[sachinky 465]

File for the CR-1. The K-3 has been declared dead as of Feb 1, 2010.

Good luck!

[trailmix 77]

I want to bring my wife to the US...and i was going to go with the K3 since i read in the guide that it is faster than the CR1.

but then people here said that K3 visa is not longer available and that a CR1/IR1 is the same speed now.

What should i do?

Well you can file both the I-130 and I-129F - however, if they are both approved at the same time the I-129F is tossed aside in favour of the I-130 (for CR1/IR1).

So really it's up to you, you can go ahead and try for the K3 if you want to - won't harm anything, just be prepared to be doing the CR1/IR1.

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.

If the NVC does not receive your I-130 petition and I-129F at the same time, the NVC will process your I-129F petition.

Edited April 19, 2010 by trailmix

[HandA 2]

I want to bring my wife to the US...and i was going to go with the K3 since i read in the guide that it is faster than the CR1.

but then people here said that K3 visa is not longer available and that a CR1/IR1 is the same speed now.

What should i do?

Why do you keep on asking the same questions again and again and again, Yawled??? There is not shortcut about bringing your wife to America . They all will take between 6 - 12 months, depending on yor cirmustances. If you are deperate to bring her faster than the normal process, then get a lawyer.

[sachinky 465]

A lawyer cannot achieve faster processing rates. On the contrary, they might actually slow you down considerably.

[Darnell 8,478]

Have you filed anything yet? If not, stick with the I-130.

Good Luck !

[cherishforever 0]

k3 isn't dead...whatever you may choose. When u comply all the complete requirements for the paperwork's they require what it makes it too long to get approved right?stick to your prior decision. GO! GO!..

Good luck!!!

[pushbrk 12,890]

k3 isn't dead...whatever you may choose. When u comply all the complete requirements for the paperwork's they require what it makes it too long to get approved right?stick to your prior decision. GO! GO!..

Good luck!!!

You are misinformed. K3 effectively died as an option on February 1, 2010. If you don't know this, the link to the notice has been posted in this forum half a dozen times since then.

[beedee15 0]

I just called USCIS and they confirmed that K-3 is still available. Also, you can check this info at http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2993.html.

When you want to go the K-3 route, make sure you send your I-130 first and wait for your NOA. Then, you can send your I-129F.

"How will the Department of State process my K-3 visa petition?

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.

If the NVC does not receive your I-130 petition and I-129F at the same time, the NVC will process your I-129F petition. Then NVC will send the petition to the embassy or consulate in the country where the marriage took place. If your marriage took place in the U.S., the NVC will send the petition to the embassy or consulate that issues visas in your country of nationality. If your marriage took place in a country that does not have an American embassy, or the embassy does not issue visas, the NVC will send your petition to the embassy or consulate that normally processes visas for citizens of that country. For example, if your marriage took place in Iran where the U.S. does not have an embassy your petition would be sent to Turkey. "

[astronaut 3]

The USCIS doesn't yet know that when the forms are sent at the same time to the NVC, that the NVC is saying they'll administratively close the I129F for the K3 app. The left hand (USCIS) doesn't know what the right hand (NVC) is doing.

The only hope of the K3 is if somehow the I129F gets to the NVC seperately and before the I130. Some of us are in a situation of waiting too see with our apps as to if they'll delay the I130 upon request to allow for K3 processing. We'll wait and see, and in the meantime prepare for plan B. (CR1)

[Dakine 26]

Doesn't really matter if the K3 is dead or not. Other than knocking a "short" time off the process it's a SHITTY and costly visa.

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. You want to go to a Civil surgeon?

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. Taint fun.. Especially if denied or questioned. Ever done a Stokes interview?

Thats the second interview if they are in doubt of your relationship.

Also a possibility of being deported. Yeah doesnt 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.

Cant do a LOT of things without SSN. Like work or get a drivers license in some states.

Some K visas dont 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 dont 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.

Im sure Ive 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. Thats not the case anymore.

Edited May 4, 2010 by Dakine

[pushbrk 12,890]

The USCIS doesn't yet know that when the forms are sent at the same time to the NVC, that the NVC is saying they'll administratively close the I129F for the K3 app. The left hand (USCIS) doesn't know what the right hand (NVC) is doing.

The only hope of the K3 is if somehow the I129F gets to the NVC seperately and before the I130. Some of us are in a situation of waiting too see with our apps as to if they'll delay the I130 upon request to allow for K3 processing. We'll wait and see, and in the meantime prepare for plan B. (CR1)

Another important thing to understand is that USCIS adjudicates petitions but does NOT issue visas. They'll do their part and then the petition they approved will die at NVC, which is part of the Dept. of State who DOES issue visas. K3 is effectively dead.

[YGandMAT 0]

I would recommend K3, as it worked for us, it was faster than the CR1 (For Juarez consulate at least)

[pushbrk 12,890]

I would recommend K3, as it worked for us, it was faster than the CR1 (For Juarez consulate at least)

Fair enough. How do you propose to get an I-129F through NVC after February 1, 2010?

PS: It worked for me too but that was then and this is now.

[daboyz 36]

Fair enough. How do you propose to get an I-129F through NVC after February 1, 2010?

PS: It worked for me too but that was then and this is now.

Not sure why you bother. No one seems to understand K-3 is dead. It's like telling someone if they jump off a bridge they might die, but they still do it anyway.

It's been documented with links to DOS in multiple threads that if the I-130 and I-129F arrive at NVC at the same time the I-129F will be administratively closed. Need to move forward with the NVC steps for the CR-1/IR-1 route.

It would be best for people to read up on the NVC shortcuts and be prepared for what you need to do to move through them as quickly as possible, instead of beating the already dead K-3 horse. Look here for NVC steps for CR-1/IR-1:

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