Anyone with K3 experience from Vancouver BC?

[PNW lovebirds 0]

Hey all, just wondering if anyone can illuminate the process of getting your K3 from Vancouver.

Will the interview be in Vancouver?

Will there be a secondary interview, upon AOS?

And, if so, where would that interview be?

Your insights and experiences much appreciated.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Only something like 0.3% of K-3 applicants actually receive that visa, so it's highly unlikely you will be one of those.

[NikLR 13,227]

Also Canadian consulates have a history of closing the I-129F when they find out there is an approved I-130. So even if the I-129F makes it through the NVC, chances are it'll be be closed. Since the USCIS adjudicates them together, they tend to be approved at the same time or close to.

[PNW lovebirds 0]

So, would that then mean that I would be interviewed as if I hadn't applied for the K3.

Meaning in Montreal, which processes all Immigrant Visas from Canada.

I was advised to apply for the K3 here, so that I wouldn't have to travel to Montreal with our baby.

Thanks for your input.

[NikLR 13,227]

You can try, that's all you can do. My daughter flew for the first time at 3 months old. Her cousin flew to Mexico and was only 2 months. Flying with little babies is WAY easier than with one that can move around. You can hold them and nurse them. (And they dont cost ya an extra seat, unless you want to, until they're 2.)

[NikLR 13,227]

Btw you're on the K3 route. Nothing has been applied for yet at this time. The USC has submitted petitions that would allow you to apply for either the CR1/IR1 or K3 visa if approved.

[PNW lovebirds 0]

Yeah. 'Baby' is actually now 2. So no free flight.

Still breastfed, but a free range runner! lol

I'm a student here, and have other reasons for wanting to avoid the flight across.

Seems like that may not be possible?

We will be at the Vancouver consulate soon, to get our child's passport.

Maybe they can offer some input, as well.

[nightingalejules 678]

Yeah. 'Baby' is actually now 2. So no free flight.

Still breastfed, but a free range runner! lol

I'm a student here, and have other reasons for wanting to avoid the flight across.

Seems like that may not be possible?

We will be at the Vancouver consulate soon, to get our child's passport.

Maybe they can offer some input, as well.

I'd sure be interested in hearing what they have to say (probably nothing, since they're not really allowed to give out much info, it seems). I'd love to get approved for a K3 and not have to spend $1500 on flights and accommodation in MTL.

It's funny - those on VJ who are willing to discuss K3s all seem to harp on how much more expensive it is than the IR1/CR1. Clearly they have never had to book flights from Vancouver to Montreal and stay there!

We're busily doing our grocery shopping at Safeway and saving up Airmiles, planning that, if all goes as it seems most likely it will, we'll just decide - "Hey, holiday week in Montreal, won't that be fun!"

Good luck, and if you hear anything encouraging about the K3, let me know!

[PNW lovebirds 0]

Sorry, I'm not quite up to speed on what you mean.

As far as the USC petitions, and what I can apply for.

Forgive me. I'm a newb.

Despite having gone through a similar process to immigrate my husband.

They are very different processes.

What did you mean?

Tx for your help. Btw.

[PNW lovebirds 0]

Have you applied for the K3 then, NightingaleJules?

Through Vancouver, too?

[nightingalejules 678]

Have you applied for the K3 then, NightingaleJules?

Through Vancouver, too?

Yes, I have applications for both types of spousal visa (as you can see once you understand all the secret code in my signature!)

Although it's even less likely than with most people that I will get a K3. I applied for it much later in the process - after realizing that it's a multi-entry visa (which was my main concern) but before realizing that it really doesn't seem to do any good, and occasionally actually seems to slow down the process it was intended to speed up!

How it works is you file the I130, which is the application for the CR1/IR1. Then, once you get the NOA (notice of action) saying that they've received your I-130, you fill in an I-129f (which is technically a fiance visa petition form but that's the one they use for K3 spouses). You put essentially all the same info into another envelope, along with a copy of this NOA1 and send it to a different office.

Now you're technically on track to BOTH a CR1/IR1 AND a K3 visa, whichever comes first.

At some point, USCIS decided that they'd rather not do K3s anymore, so they generally arrange it so that the CR1 is always assumed to "come first." Then they kill the K3 process and you go on to Montreal to get your CR1.

[PNW lovebirds 0]

Ugh.

Not what I wanted to hear.

But, I appreciate you taking the time to explain.

Certainly not what any of the USCIS staff or border guards that we see daily have said.

It just seems ridiculous to require us to fly all the way across the country,

when other applications are dealt with here.

Well, we will just do what we have to do.

Thanks again for sharing your experience with us.

[NikLR 13,227]

Just to clarify: the USCIS tries to make the K3 go through. IMHO I think they hold back sending the I-130 so that the I-129F reaches the NVC first, even though they're approved the same day. The NVC is the one who closes the I-129F if the I-130 is approved because they have enough work to do without adding more unnecessary visas to the books plus they'd have to send the approved I-130 back to the USCIS for your adjustment of status. Because the USCIS made the policy to adjudicate the petitions together, the NVC said, enough is enough and will close the I-129F if it reaches them at the same time or after the I-130.

The NVC gets the about 50% of the money if you get a CR1/IR1 visa and the USCIS gets 75%+ if the K3 goes through. Why do you think the USCIS has never put a stop to people adjusting their status from tourist visas? Because it's their cash cow.

If you are already in BC, unless you're 10+ hours away from Vancouver, you can easily get the medical done in Surrey (which is available for pick up the next day) and spend only a night in Montreal. If you choose to not do this and spend the week there like I did, that's your own choice, which everyone is entitled to of course.

[PNW lovebirds 0]

Thanks for all of your input, everyone.

We are daily border crossers, and all of the staff there claim that they process many K3s from Canada at our crossing.

So, we are hoping we can take them at their word, and that will work out for us.

We're just going to put the apllication in, and see what happens.

Will let you all know...eventually.

Thanks again!

[sflasch 0]

Hi Everyone,

We're in a similar situation to what it sounds like you all are - we live in Vancouver and have sent in both the I-130 and I-129F. After reading the general negativity on the boards here about the K3, I figured we might be a lost cause with trying for it.

As a last ditch effort before I just give into the fact that we're going to be stuck going to Montreal for the interview, I called in and explained our situation to a Tier 1 yesterday morning. They were shocked to hear Montreal was our only option, and immediately put me through to a Tier 2 to file a service request (their suggestion). The Tier 2 I spoke with was also surprised to hear that we'd have to go to Montreal, especially considering the interview for the K3 and CR1 are essentially the same interview. I made sure to have estimated prices for everything before I called, from flights and hotels to food and transportation while there. He took note of everything I said, and then told me that he could would a service request asking for expediting due to "Significant financial loss". I explained to him that we didn't necessarily even need anything expedited, we just wanted to show preference for the I-129F. He told me we didn't have any other way of voicing that other than via expedite request. We have a few other circumstances involved with our case that I also added to the service request, but my biggest point was that we would end up spending significantly more on the CR1 than we would on the K3. After he submitted it, he wished me the best and said that if it were up to him, our service request would be approved. We're due to hear back from them, whether it be a request for more info or an approval/denial, by Feb 5th (Monday). Hopefully by email, and not snail mail...

Fingers crossed for the best, but not expecting much- although I definitely had a better experience customer service wise than it sounds like many have with the USCIS!

Edited February 21, 2014 by sflasch