Any point in filing a K3?

[ricky and elaine 8]

Hi! Ok depression is setting in bad. First we filed K1 got tired of waiting in the winter. got married, withdrew the 1-129F and filed 1-130 in hopes that things would go faster but now with the snail pace at NBC it looks like next year.

Do people still file K3? I've gotten the impression it is obsolete. Any thoughts? We just want to be together before next summer!! How crazy is it for married couples to have to wait longer than K1's???

should I bother with a K3?

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Progress Reports to K3 Process & Procedures.

**Organizer hat off**

Is your petition still at the NBC or has it been transferred to a local office? If it is still at the NBC, then I would suggest not starting the K3 process because your I-130 would be pulled from the queue and placed with the I-129F that will have just been submitted. If the I-130 has gone to a local office, it's possible the I-129F may not follow it there (i.e. it remains at the NBC) and could conceivably emerge sooner than the I-130. One thing to be aware of, even if the I-129F makes it all the way to the Consulate; if the I-130 is approved in the interim and sent to the NVC and the Consulate receives word of an approved I-130 on-station at the NVC, the Consulate will administratively close the K3 process.

[Jettechfsr 5]

I just went through this after 7 months I filed for a K3 visa what it did was get my file out of my local ofice and to Kansas City where finally something happened they cancelled the K3 case and appoved my I-130 but was still 256 days from NOA1. I don't think this will work for everyone but I think it helped me and it's free if you have a pending I-130

[GreenMetro 5]

I filed a K3 as well. Mainly because those seem to be processed faster than the I-130 and because it was free for me to do it. My file is at NBC and will be processed there. I figured this way I would have another avenue to work with instead of one.

Im not sure why folks say your file will be pulled from the queue or that it will slow down the I-130 process. But Ive never seen anything official that states that. Mainly just other folks posting that it will happen. I could be wrong, but I guess I will find out first hand. I'll make a posting to let everyone know what happens to my case. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[JA_Martinez 81]

yes Greenmetro, i did the same thing you did....hearing the same chatter you are....it's a bit disconcerting to say the least....please post what happens next with yours.... it all makes my stomach hurt!

[GreenMetro 5]

There are a lot of folks here on VJ that are quick to give mis-information. Stating K3 is obsolete, your I-130 will be pulled and you'll loose your place in line etc. Fact is the K3 IS valid..just go on the USCIS website and look. And the whole bit about pulling your I-130 and placing it at the back of the line is non sense too. If that was the case then every time you went for Infopass or made a call wouldn't they do the same thing? This is a good website to share info, share experiences, give reviews etc. But it seems that its also a good place to get mis-guided by VJ rumors. I say if you want to know something official, than get your info from someone official. Can anyone show me on the USCIS official site where it says K3 is obsolete? Can anyone show where USCIS states that my I-130 will be pulled and put in the back of the line for filing a K3? Nope... Anyway good luck on whatever visa you decide to file!

[lost_at_sea 995]

You might find it interesting to study the timelines of those people that filed both the I-130 and the I-129f for the K3.

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?cfl=0&op1=i&op2=d&op3=3&op4=1&op5=5,6,8,10,11,13,14,15,16,17,18,20,21,22,25,26,27,28,108,110,111,208,210,211&op6=All&op7=All&dfile=No&adv=0

It looks like very few people hear about their I-129f petition ahead of their I-130 being approved.

Edited September 3, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[GreenMetro 5]

You could be right, very few may get a K3 approved prior to the I-130. If your going off the timelines linked above. How many folks actually take the time to update their timeline properly? That is good info, but its only a fraction of whats out there. My point was the misinformation being given out here on VJ concerning the K3 being obsolete and the pulling of the I-130 file and placing it at the back of the line. How many people have been discouraged from pursuing a K3 beacuse of that? Personally I have pursued every avenue to get my spouse here that I can. Including the K3.

[lost_at_sea 995]

You could be right, very few may get a K3 approved prior to the I-130. If your going off the timelines linked above. How many folks actually take the time to update their timeline properly? That is good info, but its only a fraction of whats out there. My point was the misinformation being given out here on VJ concerning the K3 being obsolete and the pulling of the I-130 file and placing it at the back of the line. How many people have been discouraged from pursuing a K3 beacuse of that? Personally I have pursued every avenue to get my spouse here that I can. Including the K3.

Fine. Just providing some additional data points.

[NikLR 13,227]

You could be right, very few may get a K3 approved prior to the I-130. If your going off the timelines linked above. How many folks actually take the time to update their timeline properly? That is good info, but its only a fraction of whats out there. My point was the misinformation being given out here on VJ concerning the K3 being obsolete and the pulling of the I-130 file and placing it at the back of the line. How many people have been discouraged from pursuing a K3 beacuse of that? Personally I have pursued every avenue to get my spouse here that I can. Including the K3.

Please tell me how this is misinformation?

Here is the information relating to the I-129F being closed adminstratively at the NVC http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2993.html#5 - this is what makes the K3 obsolete.

If you're referring to the other part, I can't remember off the top of my head where I read the change in USCIS policy. Darnell or pushbrk or Ryan_H might have a better idea of where and when that was posted, as it was before I joined VJ. However because the I-129F normally has a location address as the same as the I-130 (in the last year that means an MSC number) that means the I-129F is not being sent to the VSC or CSC to be adjudicated like a normal I-129F, I assume this information is correct.

Also it's important to note the expense of K3 vs a CR1. When people are struggling to meet the financial requirements for a IR1/CR1 visa, it is important to tell them that a K3 visa holder needs to adjust their status after the I-130 is approved. That means another $1070 per adult and $635 per child if filed at the same time as an adult before the spouse or children can become green card holders.

[GreenMetro 5]

There is a BIG differance between being administratively closed due to recieving an approved I-130 and being obsolete. When most people hear obsolete they take it as they dont have the option to file because it no longer exists. That is what I count as mis-information. Call USCIS and ask them if the K3 is obsolete or if by filing a K3 your I-130 will be pulled and placed at the back of the line. All 5 times Ive called over a week and a half span Ive gotten the same answer. K3 is not obsolete and the I-130 being pulled and re-placed is complete non-sense. Granted I did my own research and made my own descisions for filing my visa's. There are those that arent computer savy and rely mostly on VJ info to make thier descisions when it pertains to filing a visa. Im not trying to make myself sound like an expert, because Im not. If I was then I would be working at USCIS and all April filers would be approved. But I do think that the folks here that need information need to recieve facts and not rumors or other mis-information. Anyone can feel free to call USCIS and ask the same questions that I did. Your right that there are additional fees and paperwork associated with a K3. But to people like me that dosent matter. Id gladly pay and additional fee or complete additional paperwork to have my wife here sooner. Not to meniton the only fee I payed for my K3 was the money to send it in.

Lost_at_sea I wasnt knocking your post with the timeline. I think the more info someone can use to make a descision the better. I only questioned the updates because it is a valid point.

Lastly, Im not here to argue with anyone. I want people to have facts and not be detered from K3 filing based on rumors etc. No your I-130 will not get pulled and placed at the back of the pile if you file a K3. No you will not loose your place in the processing line. If you feel a K3 is in your best interest the please do your own research and file if you think its right for you. Heres to easy approvals!

[Darnell 8,478]

some other light reading.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/204324-wondering-if-i-made-a-mistake-marrying-in-us/page__view__findpost__p__3060767

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/204324-wondering-if-i-made-a-mistake-marrying-in-us/page__view__findpost__p__3060767

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/204324-wondering-if-i-made-a-mistake-marrying-in-us/page__view__findpost__p__3060767

and

http://www.visajourney.com/news/2010/02/07/department-of-state-to-close-k-3-visas-if-i-129f-and-i-130-petitions-approved-and-received-together/

http://www.visajourney.com/news/2010/02/07/department-of-state-to-close-k-3-visas-if-i-129f-and-i-130-petitions-approved-and-received-together/

http://www.visajourney.com/news/2010/02/07/department-of-state-to-close-k-3-visas-if-i-129f-and-i-130-petitions-approved-and-received-together/

[GreenMetro 5]

Only things that concern me with that

1. its from 2010

2. its from visa journey news

It would be more interesting if it was recent or from say a USCIS bulletin, major news outlet etc. Old news is only good for so long. Either way thanks for posting.

[Steven.Plant 11]

There is a BIG differance between being administratively closed due to recieving an approved I-130 and being obsolete. When most people hear obsolete they take it as they dont have the option to file because it no longer exists. That is what I count as mis-information. Call USCIS and ask them if the K3 is obsolete or if by filing a K3 your I-130 will be pulled and placed at the back of the line. All 5 times Ive called over a week and a half span Ive gotten the same answer. K3 is not obsolete and the I-130 being pulled and re-placed is complete non-sense. Granted I did my own research and made my own descisions for filing my visa's. There are those that arent computer savy and rely mostly on VJ info to make thier descisions when it pertains to filing a visa. Im not trying to make myself sound like an expert, because Im not. If I was then I would be working at USCIS and all April filers would be approved. But I do think that the folks here that need information need to recieve facts and not rumors or other mis-information. Anyone can feel free to call USCIS and ask the same questions that I did. Your right that there are additional fees and paperwork associated with a K3. But to people like me that dosent matter. Id gladly pay and additional fee or complete additional paperwork to have my wife here sooner. Not to meniton the only fee I payed for my K3 was the money to send it in.

Lost_at_sea I wasnt knocking your post with the timeline. I think the more info someone can use to make a descision the better. I only questioned the updates because it is a valid point.

Lastly, Im not here to argue with anyone. I want people to have facts and not be detered from K3 filing based on rumors etc. No your I-130 will not get pulled and placed at the back of the pile if you file a K3. No you will not loose your place in the processing line. If you feel a K3 is in your best interest the please do your own research and file if you think its right for you. Heres to easy approvals!

Well you made me feel better. Thank You. Glad theres a little back up in that your getting the same info. from your 5 calls.

[NikLR 13,227]

You realize that the USCIS does not do K3 visas. That is directly involved with the NVC. When the petitions started going to local offices, the USCIS call center would often deny they went to the NBC at all, or to a local office, despite the alert on the USCIS website directly stating as much. Take what the USCIS call center says with a spice rack, not just a grain of salt.

You should ask why they do not send the I-129F to VSC or CSC instead of NBC? Does the I-129F join up somewhere with the I-130? Ask if they are adjudicated together or apart?