K3...give it a shot for kicks?

[pushbrk 13,166]

Also, for Pakistan, there is are consulates (karachi, lahore, etc), and the embassy (islamabad). For I-129f, question 20, would one use the consulate, or the embassy as the answer? does it matter?

The correct answer is Islamabad, as these visa interviews are only conducted there.

[EmilyS 11]

I don't think it would hurt to try as long as you don't have an attorney, it doesn't cost anything to apply but in my case, we had to pay him to file for a K3 as well as a CR-1 (2 different filling fees), so when they closd mine at the consulate I was really disappointed, he ripped us off knowingly although we had asked for it, so I can't entirely blame him for it

if yours happens in the same manner mine did, I don't think it'll survive because as soon as they see an approved I-130 in the system they will close the availability for a K3. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Edited February 10, 2013 by EmilyS

[Vic20r 14]

I am still waiting for my NOA2 for 16 months now and just last November 2012, we submitted papers for our K3..Now, my I–129f was being transferred 5 times for the whole month of December from different USCIS offices and field offices. I am hoping that they are digging my I–130 and let them both unite..Just hoping after being so broken thinking about our misfortune.

[speedwell 224]

Here's a hint from something I read in a policy manual document: Use "None" rather than "N/A". There is a little-known guideline that warns adjudicators that sometimes people will say "N/A" as a ruse to avoid really answering the questions.

That said, I looked at my recently approved I-130 paperwork this evening and was shocked to find I had consistently used "N/A" for everything, lol. But I had also lined through things that truly didn't apply and maybe that made a difference. It doesn't seem like the sort of thing that would make a difference, really.

Edited February 10, 2013 by speedwell

[The Mean Lady 604]

Here's a hint from something I read in a policy manual document: Use "None" rather than "N/A". There is a little-known guideline that warns adjudicators that sometimes people will say "N/A" as a ruse to avoid really answering the questions.

That said, I looked at my recently approved I-130 paperwork this evening and was shocked to find I had consistently used "N/A" for everything, lol. But I had also lined through things that truly didn't apply and maybe that made a difference. It doesn't seem like the sort of thing that would make a difference, really.

im always careful to only use na when things are truly not applicable

[Tosh Love 77]

You can now avoid the common misconception that filing a petition and applying for a visa are the same thing. The US Citizen files the petition. When that petition is approved, the foreigner applies for a visa.

Right, you have nothing to lose and, frankly, we don't really know how USCIS is adjudicating the I-129F for spouse since they started transferring I-130 petitions to local offices for adjudication. Please let us know how it goes.

I know I am usually slow to grasp certain things but this is the first time this process has made sense to me. Thanks for the clarification. I used to wonder why there has to be two identical packets sent for the same visa--I sent the 129 application and get a NOA1 and NOA2 and then my fiance brings the same information to an interview Duh! I get it now.

[Boges29 0]

My husband and I tried to do the same thing last year: we filed for a K3 about a month after filing our I-130 in February 2012. If I had to do it all over again, I definitely WOULD NOT file the I-129F. I swear it was responsible for months of delays in our case. Despite filing all of our petitions perfectly and following the guidelines and tips here on VJ, our case was held up at USCIS for over 9 months.

The USCIS tier 2 agents (with whom I spoke with numerous times) suggested that the delay in processing was most likely due to filing the I-129F after the I-130. After many months of fruitless calls and a desperate email to SCOPSSCATA in November, both of our petitions were approved on the exact same day. Our I-129F was promptly closed.

After more than a year of exasperation, my husband finally has his interview scheduled in Dublin on March 4 (nearly 13 months after our I-130 priority date). Perhaps filing for the CR-1 and K3 will work for someone else, but for us, it was a huge mistake.

USCIS

02/08/2012: I-130 sent to Chicago Lockbox

02/10/2012: Priority Date

02/17/2012: NOA1

04/01/2012: I-129F sent

11/09/2012: NOA 2 - both petitions approved; I-129F promptly closed

NVC

11/18/2012: NVC Case no. assigned

11/10/2012: Sent DS3032

11/19/2012: Paid AOS fee

12/18/2012: Sent IV Packet

12/19/2012: IV Packet Delivered

01/24/2013: Case Closed

Embassy

03/04/2013: Interview

XX/XX/2013:: Approved

XX/XX/2013:: Visa In Hand

USA

XX/XX/2013: POE 

XX/XX/2013: Arrival of Green Card

[pushbrk 13,166]

I know I am usually slow to grasp certain things but this is the first time this process has made sense to me. Thanks for the clarification. I used to wonder why there has to be two identical packets sent for the same visa--I sent the 129 application and get a NOA1 and NOA2 and then my fiance brings the same information to an interview Duh! I get it now.

No I-129. It's an I-129F and it is a petition, not an application.

[Vic20r 14]

My husband and I tried to do the same thing last year: we filed for a K3 about a month after filing our I-130 in February 2012. If I had to do it all over again, I definitely WOULD NOT file the I-129F. I swear it was responsible for months of delays in our case. Despite filing all of our petitions perfectly and following the guidelines and tips here on VJ, our case was held up at USCIS for over 9 months.

The USCIS tier 2 agents (with whom I spoke with numerous times) suggested that the delay in processing was most likely due to filing the I-129F after the I-130. After many months of fruitless calls and a desperate email to SCOPSSCATA in November, both of our petitions were approved on the exact same day. Our I-129F was promptly closed.

After more than a year of exasperation, my husband finally has his interview scheduled in Dublin on March 4 (nearly 13 months after our I-130 priority date). Perhaps filing for the CR-1 and K3 will work for someone else, but for us, it was a huge mistake.

USCIS Mi

02/08/2012: I-130 sent to Chicago Lockbox

02/10/2012: Priority Date

02/17/2012: NOA1

04/01/2012: I-129F sent

11/09/2012: NOA 2 - both petitions approved; I-129F promptly closed

NVC

11/18/2012: NVC Case no. assigned

11/10/2012: Sent DS3032

11/19/2012: Paid AOS fee

12/18/2012: Sent IV Packet

12/19/2012: IV Packet Delivered

01/24/2013: Case Closed

Embassy

03/04/2013: Interview

XX/XX/2013:: Approved

XX/XX/2013:: Visa In Hand

USA

XX/XX/2013: POE 

XX/XX/2013: Arrival of Green Card

I can see your point. But mine i guess is different. My I–130 has been stuck for 16months now. We sent I–129f marked 13months waiting for I–130's NOA 2.

[ndu26 114]

Go ahead and give it a try so you don't end up wondering what your own outcome would have been, if you had gone that route and regretting not atempting it.

[pm5k 129]

The correct answer is Islamabad, as these visa interviews are only conducted there.

Do you know if there is any way one can request that an interview be done in a consulate instead of the embassy?

[speedwell 224]

Do you know if there is any way one can request that an interview be done in a consulate instead of the embassy?

If we could we would, so that my husband would attend his interview in Belfast instead of London. Belfast do do some interviews, just not for the spouse visas. But no, sorry, it isn't possible to ask them to change venue.

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

Do you know if there is any way one can request that an interview be done in a consulate instead of the embassy?

You can't. You get no choice in where the interview is held.

[pushbrk 13,166]

Do you know if there is any way one can request that an interview be done in a consulate instead of the embassy?

Sure, you can request anything but that kind of request must be denied BECAUSE there is only one immigrant visa unit in Pakistan, located in Islamabad. For China it's one Consulate, Guangzhou, for Mexico, only Juarez. India has three but most countries only have one IV unit.

[Ryan H 3,834]

India has three but most countries only have one IV unit.

India only has two now (New Delhi and Mumbai); the IV unite at the Consulate in Chennai shut down last year.