Is it worth it?

[Alex & Brit 3]

Hi,

We applied for both an I-130 and a K-3 (this was before I saw it was no longer necessary). Both were approved on the same day and the NVC has received and assigned a case number for the I-130. However, we have received a letter from the US Embassy stating they have received the K-3 petition.

Is this worth persuing or should we focus on the I-130. we have a feeling the I-130 is more important, the K-3 will cost $350 to process and it seems pointless on top of the processing fees for the NVC.

Just want our thoughts on it confirmed by those more experienced.

Thanks

[Darnell 8,478]

well, a K-3 will get you in the country,

but,

you still have to adjust status to obtain a green card and SSN, another 1100++ usd ..

time vs money, yes?

[Peaceman 0]

How long did it take for your I-130 and I-129F to be approved?

[pushbrk 12,898]

Hi,

We applied for both an I-130 and a K-3 (this was before I saw it was no longer necessary). Both were approved on the same day and the NVC has received and assigned a case number for the I-130. However, we have received a letter from the US Embassy stating they have received the K-3 petition.

Is this worth persuing or should we focus on the I-130. we have a feeling the I-130 is more important, the K-3 will cost $350 to process and it seems pointless on top of the processing fees for the NVC.

Just want our thoughts on it confirmed by those more experienced.

Thanks

You are in a very rare situation where you actually have a choice. I expect our decision will ultimately be based on your need for speed. If you pursue the K3 visa, it is useless to also pursue the CR1 simultaneously. When the I-129F is at the Consulate and you choose to pursue it and obtain it, paying fees to NVC would end up wasted. You'll be reunited faster with the K3 but the immigrant will not be work authorized on arrival and you'll pay the $1,070 fee to adjust status after arrival.

Please help us understand how your I-129F managed to get through NVC. Did both petitions arrive the same day? If not, how far apart? Do you have an idea why? Were they both approved on the same day? Trying to determine if this is a fluke or an indicator of a procedure change at either NVC or USCIS. Please help.

[Alex & Brit 3]

well, a K-3 will get you in the country,

but,

you still have to adjust status to obtain a green card and SSN, another 1100++ usd ..

time vs money, yes?

Exactly what we thought, thanks for the confirmation.

How long did it take for your I-130 and I-129F to be approved?

Both were approved in 193 days.

You are in a very rare situation where you actually have a choice. I expect our decision will ultimately be based on your need for speed. If you pursue the K3 visa, it is useless to also pursue the CR1 simultaneously. When the I-129F is at the Consulate and you choose to pursue it and obtain it, paying fees to NVC would end up wasted. You'll be reunited faster with the K3 but the immigrant will not be work authorized on arrival and you'll pay the $1,070 fee to adjust status after arrival.

Please help us understand how your I-129F managed to get through NVC. Did both petitions arrive the same day? If not, how far apart? Do you have an idea why? Were they both approved on the same day? Trying to determine if this is a fluke or an indicator of a procedure change at either NVC or USCIS. Please help.

We'd prefer the CR-1 to be honest, we're together in the USA on the VWP and can be here until mid-April. At that point we'll switch and go to the UK for a while (by which time the Visa should be sorted, if the NVC is speedy).

.

Both petitions were approved the same day, the K-3 never seemed to reach the NVC or at least was never given a case number before going to the Embassy. It seems odd to us, the K-3 is usually scrapped if they are received at the same time for the reasons stated - its pointless to have both valid.

We'll most likely cancel the K-3 in this case, the I-130 should encounter no problems and it makes sense to spend less money and gain more benefits. Time is important but money is more so!

Edited March 6, 2012 by Alex & Brit

[pushbrk 12,898]

Exactly what we thought, thanks for the confirmation.

Both were approved in 193 days.

We'd prefer the CR-1 to be honest, we're together in the USA on the VWP and can be here until mid-April. At that point we'll switch and go to the UK for a while (by which time the Visa should be sorted, if the NVC is speedy).

.

Both petitions were approved the same day, the K-3 never seemed to reach the NVC or at least was never given a case number before going to the Embassy. It seems odd to us, the K-3 is usually scrapped if they are received at the same time for the reasons stated - its pointless to have both valid.

We'll most likely cancel the K-3 in this case, the I-130 should encounter no problems and it makes sense to spend less money and gain more benefits. Time is important but money is more so!

You would not get a case number for the I-129F petition from NVC's automated system. You would need to speak to a human. Would you mind calling and getting the date that NVC received the two respective petitions. It would be very helpful to know if they arrived the same day.

While you have no current interest in the K3, there are a few who can really benefit from it. We like to keep tabs on any new developments.

[Alex & Brit 3]

Whoops, forgot about this thread!

From what the Embassy said at Interview for my CR1 it was a mistake, the K-3 should have been cancelled but wasn't.

[jaycali 415]

Thanks for the update!

[LeoMed 0]

NOA1 1/30/2012

NOA2 5/16/2012

Interview at Consulate 6/19/2012

I sent in both the i-130 and i-129f both were approved and sent to NVC at the same time. i-129f was not closed and allowed to proceed. The consulate sent me a letter to schedule an interview and I did. My wife will be interviewing in a few days. Yes, the i-130 is a far better visa but, the way I see it, my wife and I will be reunited 2-3 months faster with the K3 visa. I would pay lots more than $1070 (Which is what the AOS will cost)to be with my wife a single day faster so, no biggie for us. We just want to be together.

Edited June 7, 2012 by LeoMed

[X Factor 1,112]

NOA1 1/30/2012

NOA2 5/16/2012

Interview at Consulate 6/19/2012

I sent in both the i-130 and i-129f both were approved and sent to NVC at the same time. i-129f was not closed and allowed to proceed. The consulate sent me a letter to schedule an interview and I did. My wife will be interviewing in a few days. Yes, the i-130 is a far better visa but, the way I see it, my wife and I will be reunited 2-3 months faster with the K3 visa. I would pay lots more than $1070 (Which is what the AOS will cost)to be with my wife a single day faster so, no biggie for us. We just want to be together.

ConGraTuLaTions

[Ryan H 3,812]

Yes, the i-130 is a far better visa

I-130 is a petition form, not a visa. CR-1 (or IR-1) is the visa that the foreign spouse applies for on the basis of an approved I-130 petition.