K-3 Vs. CR-1 Visa HELP!

[bdrew612 1,071]

The big fun is getting approved is only the first step in this process. Then the file goes to the National Visa Center (where I heard a few months ago they've been moving at a snail's pace, too).

Basically, when it's all said and done, the K-3 and I-130 are running about the same time. Really, with an I-130, that's more cost effective than the K-3 anyway.

With the I-130, when you arrive in the US, you don't need to adjust your status, you're entering as a permanent resident already (or conditional permenant resident, that depends on how long you've been married). If you arrive in the US on a K-3, you'll need to file and pay for the I-485 to adjust your status.

I never in my life thought I'd know this much about US Immigration.

[Laure&Colin 558]

I suggest you take a look at the guides here on VJ about the CR1 visa process:

- http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

- http://www.visajourney.com/examples/NVC_Process_Flowchart_v1-2.pdf

It's basically a 3-step process:

1- filing i-130 form with the uscis. Once they approve your petition,

2- National Visa Center processing (you DO want to study the shortcuts, find them in the guides section too). Once they have all the paperwork and payments they need, they send your case to

3- US Embassy in your country, where you will be interviewed. The embassy will issue the actual visa.

You can visit your spouse in the US during the process, however never lie about the reason for your visit, and be ready to be questioned about your possible intention to remain in the US.

[Jay HisWife Newby 1]

If you've already filed the i130 and applied for the k3 visa why not take the chance...i did...and it so happens that my husbands interview is in 2 more weeks for a k3 visa and both my petitions have been approved. THE I 130 was even approved b4 my k3 visa...But the marriage visa is stuck in NVC stage and hasn't given me a case number for it yet...marriage visas ir1/cr1 are taking longer to process right now than k3s....so the k3s are bck in effect again. Also u have 2 options with a k3 visa...u can file for AOS when u get here in the US nd pay the $1000 or you can wait til your marriage visa kicks in and do your interview in the US for your greencard. Good luck!

[Angela256z 30]

I don't think it will hurt to file the K3. I think you might be upset if they approve both at the same time and you have to do a K3 cause of the cost difference. My husband and I did the CR1/IR1. We waited eight months for the approval of our I-130. He visited during the wait of the I-130. He is here currently and we got approved while he was here and our papers are being sent to the NVC now. So yes you can travel. The K3 is going to be up to you. Timelines are never consistent. Back in 2007 I helped a friend and even though K3 wait was suppose to be three months she waited almost eight.

[Cathi 5,748]

I don't think it will hurt to file the K3. I think you might be upset if they approve both at the same time and you have to do a K3 cause of the cost difference. My husband and I did the CR1/IR1. We waited eight months for the approval of our I-130. He visited during the wait of the I-130. He is here currently and we got approved while he was here and our papers are being sent to the NVC now. So yes you can travel. The K3 is going to be up to you. Timelines are never consistent. Back in 2007 I helped a friend and even though K3 wait was suppose to be three months she waited almost eight.

if they are approved at the same time they drop the k3 and go with the cr1, always. As said many many times before, k3 visas are no longer issued since 2010.

[Angela256z 30]

if they are approved at the same time they drop the k3 and go with the cr1, always. As said many many times before, k3 visas are no longer issued since 2010.

The poster right before me stated that she is processing for a K3. That is what I was basing my answer off of. I have read on here that most (If not all) were being dropped. I was mainly trying to state to the OP that its not really faster, if they end up on K3 its more money, and that travel can happen during processing.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Until the K-3 is in your hands, don't count on receiving it.

I have read numerous cases of the NVC administratively closing the K-3, and if the embassy also notice the K-3 has a CR-1 in the works then they may also refuse to issue it themselves.

I'd be interested to see if the person in this thread interviewing for a K-3 actually gets it.

[raven52 233]

Forget there has ever been a thing called K-3. File your I-130, and go forward, and unless something happens, out what is happening which is happening now, expect the 8-12 month wait, then NVC.., it is not easy for any of us, my wife was 10 months and 4 days, on a K-1 visa,.., just do your reserach, file all paperwork, and good luck, and I would suggest stop looking for and 5 month portals, and this web site backs that up, learn Igor's site, and if you want future help here, it would be nice for you to at least fill out your time line for fellow members to see, and help you with. Good luck!

[jsumner86 403]

Thanks for your reply!

So, like the K-3 there is a the I-129f form to apply, is there a similar form I need to apply for the CR-1 visa? As I couldn't find it online. Or am I to assume that continueing on alone with the I-130 will turn into the CR-1 aka - Permanent residency?

And finally do you know if I can travel to the USA whilst the I-130 /CR-1 is being processed?

Thanks again

Sure you can travel with the I-130 as its being processed.. I just went recently for three weeks for Christmas and New Year with my wife to the states. Just make sure you have your return ticket/and employment letter just in case. We always take it just to be sure if we run into complications. Better safe than sorry

[Nell82 2]

Me and my husband were married in my country, after he got back to US he both filed for IR1/CR1 and K-3. IR1/CR1 was approved first so they discontinued processing K-3. My advice, better stick to IR1/CR1. The length of the process depends on the place it was submitted and how fast you send them all the required documents...All good things comes to those who wait!

[NikLR 13,227]

If you've already filed the i130 and applied for the k3 visa why not take the chance...i did...and it so happens that my husbands interview is in 2 more weeks for a k3 visa and both my petitions have been approved. THE I 130 was even approved b4 my k3 visa...But the marriage visa is stuck in NVC stage and hasn't given me a case number for it yet...marriage visas ir1/cr1 are taking longer to process right now than k3s....so the k3s are bck in effect again. Also u have 2 options with a k3 visa...u can file for AOS when u get here in the US nd pay the $1000 or you can wait til your marriage visa kicks in and do your interview in the US for your greencard. Good luck!

There is no either or option for the interview. Imigrant visas do not interview in the USA but there are interviews for adjusting status. If you do the k3 you MUST adjust status.

Edited January 22, 2014 by NLR

[imane&islem 1]

Hello everybody !

I am Algerian woman married to a US Citizen ( was born in USA , he and all of his familly), he applied for the K3 Visa for me, so we received the NOA1 for the i130 form on July 16th, 2013 and the NOA1 for the i129f on August 12th, 2013. Well, i hust checked my case status and saw that they had transfered my i129f and i130 to the local office where my husband lives ( Florida). My question is does it take long time from now to get a decision for this petition? And what is the local office for Florida city? Also, Why did they transfer my case to this local?

I al very worried about that, and would appreciate your answers as soon as possible pleaaaaaaaaaaasee....

Many thanks !

[axs 18]

just an update :

Time lines updated, for Nebraska Service Center it is now March 20,2013...Earlier it was Feb 13, 2013..Long time ahead it seems

[AdnanS 82]

just an update :

Time lines updated, for Nebraska Service Center it is now March 20,2013...Earlier it was Feb 13, 2013..Long time ahead it seems

How's it long time if now their processing a month ahead?

[axs 18]

How's it long time if now their processing a month ahead?

As compared to earlier processing, they are now hell slow. Earlier i-130 was getting approved in 3 to 5 months, now it can take 8 to 12 months.