Who went the K3 way ?

[Catou1181 0]

Which of you guys went the K3 way ? And do you regret it ?

If possible, I had a few questions and would like to know if I can pm you with them to not clutter up the forums some more with my constant enquiries

Thanks so much

Cat

[Marilyn. 340]

we did fill in the paperwork for it and sent it in but we got some RFE's and other delays and decided to ditch it and continue on with the CR1....

[misa 2]

Catou1181, I did get your PM. I'll PM you later this afternoon.

[Catou1181 0]

Catou1181, I did get your PM. I'll PM you later this afternoon.

Thank you I just want to make sure I have all the paperwork right when I leave in a week. That way I don't have to mail my husband the paperwork which would delay the process a little more.

I really appreciate your help

/hug Misa

[Flames9_RN 358]

We went the K3 and cr-1 route. Our cr-1 was completd and completed the interview and moved to the USA before the K3 was completed. So glad we went the "double" route. lol Back in 2005, the avg for the cr-1 was 6 months, much longer now!!

[Catou1181 0]

We went the K3 and cr-1 route. Our cr-1 was completd and completed the interview and moved to the USA before the K3 was completed. So glad we went the "double" route. lol Back in 2005, the avg for the cr-1 was 6 months, much longer now!!

And basically if the I-130 is approved before the I-129f, its best to go the Cr-1 route ? Or it can still be longer than the K3 ?

[cuci 0]

Catou1181 --- you are getting married next week (civil ceremony) -- right?? Just to throw a wrench in the works, have you guys considered a K1 visa? (this is the fiancee visa -- before marriage). The thing is, when you file the I-129 and the I-130, it seems that the USCIS is now retaining the 1-130 at their centers (instead of forwarding on to the NVC) which then forces the decision to go with the K3 and then AOS in the States.

On the other hand, you could file the 1-130 only, and do the CR1 visa. (It seems like the time lines for K3 and CR1 are very similar, and once you have the CR1, that's the green-card -- you don't need to then go home and file for AOS).

You can also hold off on getting married and go for the K1 visa -- K1s are supposed to have the same time frame as K3 -- sometimes they seem to go faster than K3, but that's difficult to determine with certainty. Once you get home with the K1, you go the AOS route.

If I had to do it all over again, and I was determined to be married, I would have filed for the 1-130 only and pursued the CR1 visa. I think if you file both the I-129 and I-130, you will be forced to go with the K3 and then AOS (however, there is a paper you can file -- others know the name of the paper -- to request that your I-130 be sent to the NVC for processing . . .)

Very confusing! Lots of choices!

Best of luck on your journey!

[Catou1181 0]

Catou1181 --- you are getting married next week (civil ceremony) -- right?? Just to throw a wrench in the works, have you guys considered a K1 visa? (this is the fiancee visa -- before marriage). The thing is, when you file the I-129 and the I-130, it seems that the USCIS is now retaining the 1-130 at their centers (instead of forwarding on to the NVC) which then forces the decision to go with the K3 and then AOS in the States.

On the other hand, you could file the 1-130 only, and do the CR1 visa. (It seems like the time lines for K3 and CR1 are very similar, and once you have the CR1, that's the green-card -- you don't need to then go home and file for AOS).

You can also hold off on getting married and go for the K1 visa -- K1s are supposed to have the same time frame as K3 -- sometimes they seem to go faster than K3, but that's difficult to determine with certainty. Once you get home with the K1, you go the AOS route.

If I had to do it all over again, and I was determined to be married, I would have filed for the 1-130 only and pursued the CR1 visa. I think if you file both the I-129 and I-130, you will be forced to go with the K3 and then AOS (however, there is a paper you can file -- others know the name of the paper -- to request that your I-130 be sent to the NVC for processing . . .)

Very confusing! Lots of choices!

Best of luck on your journey!

We did look into the K1 and decided it wasn't the way to go for us for various reasons. You say I have to go back home and file for AOS but isn't the K3 to let me stay in the States with my husband and I can file for it while Im still there ? I thought that was the whole purpose of the K3.. Indeed I wouldn't be able to work for a few months, but I also read that I might be able to apply for employment insurance(or unemployment insurance) since I will be quitting my job due to relocation due to marriage once my K3 is approved. I know there's a lot of paperwork, and costs and such, but it seems to be the quickest route to be able to live with my soon to be husband.

I thought it was once I was on the K3, I can apply for AOS, EAD and then SSN... and from there I need to file 90 days before my K3 expires to have my conditional residency removed and be considered a permanent resident(since Ill have been married less than 2 years)

[cuci 0]

Oh, yes, you are absolutely right. It's just that the CR1 and the K3 take the same amount of time. But the CR1 is a better visa because it is the green card -- and then you don't need to AOS in the States.

[Catou1181 0]

Timelines seem to show that the CR1 takes a few months more than K3.. am I wrong ?

[cuci 0]

The million dollar question. We squeaked by in Montreal with our K3, but, had we stayed on top of our CR1, it definitely would've been faster. The speed with which you get the K3 seems to depend on the Consulate -- it'll go flying through the USCIS and the NVC, but then it slows waaaay down at the Consulate. The CR1 may be about the same time frame . . . (my analysis, anyway).

[Catou1181 0]

But the K3 process makes you send the I-130... so basically its like Flame9 was saying, its a "double" route and whichever pans out first is the way you go. At least, that's been my understanding

[Flames9_RN 358]

Thats one of the most frustratin gparts of immigrating is "speed" There is no exact formula, lol I belive K3 is suppose to be faster in theory than the CR-1, I believe thats one reason why it came about--to get couples together a bit faster--but that isn't always the case. Immigration seems to go in spurts, at 1 time 1 visa is faster than the other, so one goes that route, then WHAM, it changes,lol Best of luck

[kimmbo 0]

Cat, just wanted to say good luck in whatever route you choose...

We just sent in our I-130 recently, and Im pretty sure were going with the K-3..Im still confused..LOL..

Immigration is just so unpredictable as far as timelines.. Just before I started my CANADIAN Immigration process, timelines were averaging about 4 months..I filed and then everything slowed down and it took us 8 months (still not bad)...couples that filed just a few weeks after us, started taking about 11-12 months..

I "try" now not to look at others timelines and get my hopes up.. but that doesnt mean Im not obsessing right now waiting to hear about my I-130 and literally stalking the mailman..LOL ( I so miss Saturday mail delivery!)

again Cat, good luck...will be watching to see what way you decide to go..

Kimmbo*

[MissStacey 1]

I am holding on to the hope that K3 will be faster for me.

We filed an I 824 to have the I 130 sent to NVC- that alone could take 6 months before it gets moved.

We filed our I 129- I'm still waiting for my NOA 2, hopefully that is coming soon. With my K3- I believe It will be sent to Vancouver, which I hear is quicker at processing that Montreal is.

I don't know. Whatever happens, happens. I am trying not to stress as much as I used to about it all.

Edited March 12, 2007 by Stacey33