someone please wake me up

[Mike H. 0]

I haven't posted here much, but read the info here diligently while filing for my wife's GC.

Got email notification from this morning from USCIS regarding I130 approval notice sent. Even more surprisingly, another email came this afternoon saying that I129F approval was sent.

As I recover from the shock, the $1M question is should I stick with the K3->AOS, or go through consular processing? How do these options compare in terms of time, expense, and hassle?

One way or the other, the interviewing consulate will be Hongkong.

I'd appreciate any insights regarding the options, and especially going through the process at US Consulate Hongkong. Thanks in advance!

[languageladki 0]

Mike....wow, congratulations.

From what I understand it is generally considered better to continue to the CR1 because lots of times it will come through a little quicker. I could be mistaken though....I'm not exactly a newbie but definitely not an expert. I just think I remember seeing that comment several times. But, definitely do check out the comments of people that are pros on VJ. They have lots of good info to offer. Good luck though, whichever you choose to pursue.

[KingMedusa 0]

I haven't posted here much, but read the info here diligently while filing for my wife's GC.

Got email notification from this morning from USCIS regarding I130 approval notice sent. Even more surprisingly, another email came this afternoon saying that I129F approval was sent.

As I recover from the shock, the $1M question is should I stick with the K3->AOS, or go through consular processing? How do these options compare in terms of time, expense, and hassle?

One way or the other, the interviewing consulate will be Hongkong.

I'd appreciate any insights regarding the options, and especially going through the process at US Consulate Hongkong. Thanks in advance!

I don't know the wait time in Hong Kong but you might want to check that first. If it's more than 6 months, then go on with the I129. My wife's case was completed in July 2006 for I130. She's in Ghana and I've not even received a word about appointment date. Meanwhile, those I know who did the I129 have their families here. So check that out. Good Luck!

[misa 2]

Congrats!

[CarolineM 0]

[sowens 0]

Mike, first let me say congrats! Next you need to decide which visa you would rather pursue. The K-3 will bring your wife here faster "supposedly" depending on how fast the embassy works for you. The CR1 visa will take just a little longer as it will stay at the Visa center to go thru processing. The processing it will go thru will be all the processing that the K-3 will need once your wife is here. Alot of people choose to continue with the CR1 as it will give the greencard straight away, where the K-3 you will need to file AOS when your wife arrives. Looking at the embassy page (top of page under embassy info) for Hong Kong, they seem to be pretty straight forward and fairly quick as far as interviews go, but you might want to check the embassy forums to get others opinions. If you do choose the CR1 check out the National Visa Center forum and look at the timesavers thread that Aussiewench had started, it will give you short cuts etc. to save time on your NVC process. Good luck in your decision and on your journey.

Sherry

[Yodrak 7]

Mike H.

Actually, it may be a $200 question - the cost of submitting an I-824 to request that the USCIS send the approved I-130 petition to the NVC.

Yodrak

I haven't posted here much, but read the info here diligently while filing for my wife's GC.

Got email notification from this morning from USCIS regarding I130 approval notice sent. Even more surprisingly, another email came this afternoon saying that I129F approval was sent.

As I recover from the shock, the $1M question is should I stick with the K3->AOS, or go through consular processing? .....

[Yodrak 7]

languageladki,

An I-129f petition will generally pass through the NVC in a week or two, an I-130 will take several months.

It may be a moot point in this case, the USCIS may well forward the I-129f and hold the I-130.

Yodrak

Mike....wow, congratulations.

From what I understand it is generally considered better to continue to the CR1 because lots of times it will come through a little quicker. I could be mistaken though....I'm not exactly a newbie but definitely not an expert. I just think I remember seeing that comment several times. But, definitely do check out the comments of people that are pros on VJ. They have lots of good info to offer. Good luck though, whichever you choose to pursue.

[TracyLuis 0]

Congratulations!!! I recommend you follow your heart. The I-130 is the best option, of course, but maybe you should just go with whichever one brings you and your SO together sooner!!!

Best wishes

[Savanphil 3]

Congratulations

[Mike H. 0]

Thanks everyone! After discussing with my wife, we're inclined towards I130 consular processing. That's what I indicated on the application as well. However, if USCIS does hold it and forward the I129F to NVC instead, we'll have to reconsider the timeframe involved.

If anyone is interested, we'll be celebrating our 5th anniversary next month. So, unlike you lovebirds and newly-weds, shaving off a couple of months is not that critical. We'll rather take that hit and get the GC faster. Still, it's great knowing that my wife and our 2.5-year-old son are coming home again soon.

[Being me 0]

Wow, congratulations .. your processing too fast !!

[Euro 3]

Thanks everyone! After discussing with my wife, we're inclined towards I130 consular processing. That's what I indicated on the application as well. However, if USCIS does hold it and forward the I129F to NVC instead, we'll have to reconsider the timeframe involved.

If anyone is interested, we'll be celebrating our 5th anniversary next month. So, unlike you lovebirds and newly-weds, shaving off a couple of months is not that critical. We'll rather take that hit and get the GC faster. Still, it's great knowing that my wife and our 2.5-year-old son are coming home again soon.

Congratulations Mike & Mike's wife

I think choosing the IR1 is a good choice, & the NCV process can take a long time or not too long, it all depends on how quickly mail is recieved & returned, but can be done really quickly

[Yodrak 7]

Mike H.,

How did you indicate that you wanted the I-130 to be forwarded on to the NVC? Did you write a note expluicitly requesting it?

Please do report back what happens, anecdotal evidence about how the USCIS is implementing the new policy is still sketchy.

Yodrak

Thanks everyone! After discussing with my wife, we're inclined towards I130 consular processing. That's what I indicated on the application as well. However, if USCIS does hold it and forward the I129F to NVC instead, we'll have to reconsider the timeframe involved.

......

[Mike H. 0]

How did you indicate that you wanted the I-130 to be forwarded on to the NVC? Did you write a note expluicitly requesting it?

Sorry for the confusion. What I meant to say was that, in the I130 application form, I indicated that my wife will interview at the HK Consulate instead of AOS. Since I haven't received any of the NOA2s, I don't know right now if USCIS is arbitrarily holding the I130 case or not.

Will certainly post an update here once I find out.