K-3: How is it?

[Phoebe and Georgi 0]

Hello VJ Community: I hope everyone is doing well, keeping the faith and keeping hope alive that it will all work out!

So, I am pretty sure that we are going to go with the K-3 visa process for two main reasons (and I'm hoping you folks can give me a bit of feedback):

1. We may need to spend up to 9 months/year outside the U.S. in the next years because of our work ...we work together leading trips in Nicaragua (educational/cross-cultural trips).

From what I have read, with the K-1 fiance VISA, he will need travel authorization to leave the U.S. and there is also a limitation on how much time/year he can be outside the country until he gets his greencard (which is generally in 3 years, right)?

2. Since we are totally excited to get married ASAP and it would be really nice for his family and his community if we got married in Nicaragua, I'm thinking that we should go ahead with the K-3 VISA since I've gotten some feedback that it's actually about the same amount of time.

It seems like a lot of folks are averaging about 6 months total for the whole process ...K-1 and K-3 ...would you say that's right?

Unity, love and blessings to all of you out there! Many thanks, Phoebe and Georgie

[Niels Bohr 72]

I would believe K-3 would be best in that situation, if you marry outside of the USA. With K-1, you would need to marry in the USA.

I'm also doing the K-3 process since I married outside the country. I'm awaiting my wife's passport pictures to submit for filing with form I-130 at the Vermont Service Center. I miss her so much ! It's a test of patience, and perserverance indeed.

[Phoebe and Georgi 0]

I would believe K-3 would be best in that situation, if you marry outside of the USA. With K-1, you would need to marry in the USA.

I'm also doing the K-3 process since I married outside the country. I'm awaiting my wife's passport pictures to submit for filing with form I-130 at the Vermont Service Center. I miss her so much ! It's a test of patience, and perserverance indeed.

Hey ...good to here from you. From what you have read, will your wife be able to travel freely once she comes here? Good luck with everything--I know JUST how you feel! Phoebe

[Reba 2]

K3 is a 2 year, multiple entry visa. However, if your husband enters the US with a K3, then immediately leaves again for several months at a time, he may have difficulty re-entering.

The purpose of the visa is to settle permanently in the US, with allowances for short vacations, not to go back and live in his home country. He will need to be in the US in order to apply to adjust status, and will need to be here to go for biometrics appointments and the AOS interview.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Hey ...good to here from you. From what you have read, will your wife be able to travel freely once she comes here? Good luck with everything--I know JUST how you feel! Phoebe

She'll be able to travel freely. She adorable, a year younger than I. She has no parents. They died when she was five years old. She lived with her older sister, and now is living with a distant relative of mines. She went through alot of hardship in that country. Before I met her, my relative said her finger nails were all worn and broken because of hard physical labor she experienced.

I love her very much because she is very kind-hearted despite the conditions she grew up in. She isn't selfish, and refuse to accept money from me when I try giving her some money to spend on clothes. The clothes she wears previously were all clothes given to her by friends, and relatives. It's hard to find people like that.

Anyway, I'm hoping that the process will go smoothly for me. Thank you Pheobe!

[Phoebe and Georgi 0]

K3 is a 2 year, multiple entry visa. However, if your husband enters the US with a K3, then immediately leaves again for several months at a time, he may have difficulty re-entering.

The purpose of the visa is to settle permanently in the US, with allowances for short vacations, not to go back and live in his home country. He will need to be in the US in order to apply to adjust status, and will need to be here to go for biometrics appointments and the AOS interview.

Hi, thank you so much for responding. I've decided to see if we can just wait out the I-130 process which I hear has sped up so tha we can skp the k-3 visa and just have him come in as a permanent resident so that he can travel with that. Do you think that sounds like a good option?

Can you tell me a bit about the biometrics appts. and the AOS interview?

Thank you so much! Phoebe

[Geist 0]

I don't blame you for wanting to just wait out the I-130--I'd much rather just do that so that my husband will automatically be an immigrant. Even though we've been married less than 2 years and there would be some conditions, things would be less complicated in the short-run, I think.

In anycase, I'd rather hedge my bets and file the I-129F, too. Even if having him enter as an immigrant is the best option, I'd rather have him HERE sooner. I'll gladly pay the $170 extra if it means that. Well, okay, maybe not gladly, but I'll pay it

[MargotDarko 0]

I don't blame you for wanting to just wait out the I-130--I'd much rather just do that so that my husband will automatically be an immigrant. Even though we've been married less than 2 years and there would be some conditions, things would be less complicated in the short-run, I think.

In anycase, I'd rather hedge my bets and file the I-129F, too. Even if having him enter as an immigrant is the best option, I'd rather have him HERE sooner. I'll gladly pay the $170 extra if it means that. Well, okay, maybe not gladly, but I'll pay it

Yep, I say wait out the I-130 too. However, it is a lot more than $170 for the K3 in the end since you'd also have to pay for Adjustment of Status and Work authorisation and then still later pay for removal of conditions as well if you've been married less than two years. And the Aos fee might go from $300 something to $900 this year if the new fees pass.