Going for a K-3 but now thinking about CR-1

[G&A 1]

So now that i filed the I-130 a few days ago, I have been thinking of the CR-1. I studied the processing times stats on VJ carefully and came up with the following:

Specific to CSC and Vancouver,

K3 Route:

K3 interview will be around 12/31 (7 months)

EAD will be available in Feb or March (2-3 months)

AOS interview around April or May (4-5 months)

Addition fees of ~ $700 (129F $170 and I485 $325 and I-765 180)

Time to prepare and file 3 other packages / forms

CR-1 Route:

No need to file anything

Assumed same paperwork is needed as K-3 for the interview at the consulate

CR-1 Interview in March-April (10-11 months)

Spouse move delayed 3-4 months.

Did i miss anything else? sure i did.

I wanted to get your opinion too.

[pushbrk 13,067]

So now that i filed the I-130 a few days ago, I have been thinking of the CR-1. I studied the processing times stats on VJ carefully and came up with the following:

Specific to CSC and Vancouver,

K3 Route:

K3 interview will be around 12/31 (7 months)

EAD will be available in Feb or March (2-3 months)

AOS interview around April or May (4-5 months)

Addition fees of ~ $700 (129F $170 and I485 $325 and I-765 180)

Time to prepare and file 3 other packages / forms

CR-1 Route:

No need to file anything

Assumed same paperwork is needed as K-3 for the interview at the consulate

CR-1 Interview in March-April (10-11 months)

Spouse move delayed 3-4 months.

Did i miss anything else? sure i did.

I wanted to get your opinion too.

It looks about right to me except that I take it your circumstances make the EAD important. For some, it is not. What you are missing is the rest of the fees associated with the CR1 visa. It is far more expensive than just the initial I-130 fee.

[mamalovesdada 0]

what other fees are there for there Cr1 visa? i thought you can actually save than doing the adjustment of status for k3. I heard they've increased... is that correct?

[G&A 1]

It looks about right to me except that I take it your circumstances make the EAD important. For some, it is not. What you are missing is the rest of the fees associated with the CR1 visa. It is far more expensive than just the initial I-130 fee.

Where can i find more info for the cost of the CR-1 visa so i can compare it to the K-3 visa costs?

Also, do you know if one can attend school on the K-3 visa upon entry before the EAD is issued? Also, can you get a social (not authorized for work) since some schools need it?

Thanks

[pushbrk 13,067]

It looks about right to me except that I take it your circumstances make the EAD important. For some, it is not. What you are missing is the rest of the fees associated with the CR1 visa. It is far more expensive than just the initial I-130 fee.

Where can i find more info for the cost of the CR-1 visa so i can compare it to the K-3 visa costs?

Also, do you know if one can attend school on the K-3 visa upon entry before the EAD is issued? Also, can you get a social (not authorized for work) since some schools need it?

Thanks

You'll pay an affidavit of support fee of $70 and then $380 in all with the DS230 as a visa fee, so there are $450 in additional fees. Of course, you'll pay those fees for AOS after arrival on a K3 visa. The difference is you don't also pay the $100 non-immigrant visa fee for the K3 visa itself. I haven't done all the AOS yet but to my mind, if you don't go for EAD, the total fees are $280 more going the K3 route. Since you've already paid teh $180 (or is it $190?) for the I-129F fee, your difference is a hundred bucks.

Somebody will be along to correct me if I missed something.

[G&A 1]

Regarding Fees:

K-3:

I-130: $190 (Petition for an Alien Relative)

I-129F $170 (Petition for Alien Fiance)

I-134/I-864 Free (Affidavit of Support)

DS-156 $100 (Non-Immigrant Visa)

I-485 $325 (Application To Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status)

I-765 $180 (Application for Employment Authorization)

Total K-3: $965

CR-1:

I-130: $190 (Petition for an Alien Relative)

DS-230: $380 ($335 (Immigrant Visa) + $45 (Immigrant Visa application surcharge)

I-864 : $70 (Affidavit of Support Review (fee only when AOS is reviewed domestically))

Total CR-1: $640

what about these fees? needed for both visas?

Medical examination ??

Fingerprinting fees ??

Reference: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1263.html

[pushbrk 13,067]

Regarding Fees:

K-3:

I-130: $190 (Petition for an Alien Relative)

I-129F $170 (Petition for Alien Fiance)

I-134/I-864 Free (Affidavit of Support)

DS-156 $100 (Non-Immigrant Visa)

I-485 $325 (Application To Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status)

I-765 $180 (Application for Employment Authorization)

Total K-3: $965

CR-1:

I-130: $190 (Petition for an Alien Relative)

DS-230: $380 ($335 (Immigrant Visa) + $45 (Immigrant Visa application surcharge)

I-864 : $70 (Affidavit of Support Review (fee only when AOS is reviewed domestically))

Total CR-1: $640

what about these fees? needed for both visas?

Medical examination ??

Fingerprinting fees ??

Reference: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1263.html

Those are the fees if you file for EAD separately or together with the AOS. However, there is no assurance the EAD will process any faster than the AOS, so unless you are delaying AOS (like I am) this is how I would adjust your calculation. Based on your current circumstances, you've paid everything but the non-immigrant visa fee and the AOS fee for the K3 already anyway so I would compare only the remaining fees.

CR1. $450

K3 $425 without EAD

K3 $605 with EAD.

So, your remaining costs are less with the K3.

From the beginning, if you don't go the EAD route, the full extra cost to reunite in the USA 2 to 8 months sooner is $145. If you want to gamble on saving a month by filing EAD and have a job lined up, then hopefully that month of work will be worth the $180.

It's all a value judgment each couple needs to make.

Edited May 28, 2007 by pushbrk