K3 ... is it worth it?

[Scorpiankh 0]

Hi, I'm in New Zealand, wanting to move to the US to be with my hubby. I've been researching all the visa and immigration stuff for the last few days, and I have to admit i'm a little confused.

As far as I can tell the purpose of the K3 is to allow spouses of US citizens to live and work in the US while waiting for the cr1 to be approved, essentially allowing spouses to be together sooner than they would otherwse be. But it seems that the wait times for the cr1 and k3 visa are about the same at the moment, and there seems to be a LOT of posts here from people saying their cr1(i-130) was approved before their k3 was ... so is it really worth it to go to the effort of applying for a k3 visa?

[mike & elena 0]

Hi, I'm in New Zealand, wanting to move to the US to be with my hubby. I've been researching all the visa and immigration stuff for the last few days, and I have to admit i'm a little confused.

As far as I can tell the purpose of the K3 is to allow spouses of US citizens to live and work in the US while waiting for the cr1 to be approved, essentially allowing spouses to be together sooner than they would otherwse be. But it seems that the wait times for the cr1 and k3 visa are about the same at the moment, and there seems to be a LOT of posts here from people saying their cr1(i-130) was approved before their k3 was ... so is it really worth it to go to the effort of applying for a k3 visa?

There is always the possibility that if you have not filed for either K-3 or CR1 that the "immigration bill" will for some unknow reason pass and NVC and USCIS will be buried in the whole mountain of inquirys and paperwork that will crush them. We did both to insure my wife joined me the qickest and most pratical way possible. They are currently about two weeks apart and we will most likely be together by the end of the summer. Godspeed

[mike & elena 0]

I want to clarify my post it just seemed to confusing....sorry

There is always the possibility that if you have not filed for either K-3(I129F) or CR1(I-130) that the "immigration bill" will for some unknown reason pass and NVCNational Visa Center) and USCIS(Homeland Security) will be buried in the whole mountain of inquirys and paperwork that will crush them. My wife and I filed for both to insure she joined me the qickest and most pratical way possible. Both are currently about two weeks apart and we will most likely be together by the end of the summer.

Second thought is that we were and are ALL newbees here. There are no stupid questions. ask anything. Finds "Jame's Shortcuts" (you can even find them on google) they give you great proceedures to follow to shorten your journey through visa land. And get to know some people who file about the same time you do. It's very helpful. Also READ...READ...READ. Don't worry the anchors (old members who love to help) that hold this site together will always give you timely advice. Godspeed

[Dakine 26]

Alls I can say is we did the K3 I now wish we'd done the CR-1.

CR is a much better visa by far as it's a immigrant visa and you don't have to go thru the HASSLE of adjusting status and waiting for your SSN. You normally get your green card and SSN within a short time [one month] of arrival in the US.

K3s may get the same within 3 months [some not for a LOT longer] but it cost more and is another stressful process to adjust status.

PLUS you give USCIS another chance to screw things up as they did ours!

CR may take a bit longer but you can get started with your new life in the US MUCH faster.

[Scorpiankh 0]

There is always the possibility that if you have not filed for either K-3(I129F) or CR1(I-130) that the "immigration bill" will for some unknown reason pass and NVCNational Visa Center) and USCIS(Homeland Security) will be buried in the whole mountain of inquirys and paperwork that will crush them. My wife and I filed for both to insure she joined me the qickest and most pratical way possible. Both are currently about two weeks apart and we will most likely be together by the end of the summer.

ummm ... what is the "immigration bill" ?

... excuse my ignorance, I've only just started trying to get my head around the forms and procedures, haven't started looking into other factors yet.

[Urge To Race 2]

There is always the possibility that if you have not filed for either K-3(I129F) or CR1(I-130) that the "immigration bill" will for some unknown reason pass and NVCNational Visa Center) and USCIS(Homeland Security) will be buried in the whole mountain of inquirys and paperwork that will crush them. My wife and I filed for both to insure she joined me the qickest and most pratical way possible. Both are currently about two weeks apart and we will most likely be together by the end of the summer.

ummm ... what is the "immigration bill" ?

... excuse my ignorance, I've only just started trying to get my head around the forms and procedures, haven't started looking into other factors yet.

The immigration bill that mike and elena referred to is legislation being debated in congress now about giving legal status to illegals currently in the US and creating a new guest worker program. It is not likely to pass, but it might, either way it is not something for you to worry about just yet... tho the point should be noted that its passage will delay everything at USCIS because of the deluge of inquiries and eventually paperwork they will get as a result.

There are +s and -s to both the CR1 and K3. beckypua gave you some of the minuses. You don't get a green card until you adjust status, which can take a long time (or not). You have to go through some more hassle with USCIS right after you get here though.

The CR1 takes longer to get to the embassy/consulate because there is more processing to be done at NVC.

I still think the K3 will be faster and am willing to put up with the AOS hassle after my wife gets here. She doesn't need to work right away so I am not worried about that either (although the new fee will essential have me apply for her work auth anyways with AOS).

[mike & elena 0]

There is always the possibility that if you have not filed for either K-3(I129F) or CR1(I-130) that the "immigration bill" will for some unknown reason pass and NVCNational Visa Center) and USCIS(Homeland Security) will be buried in the whole mountain of inquirys and paperwork that will crush them. My wife and I filed for both to insure she joined me the qickest and most pratical way possible. Both are currently about two weeks apart and we will most likely be together by the end of the summer.

ummm ... what is the "immigration bill" ?

... excuse my ignorance, I've only just started trying to get my head around the forms and procedures, haven't started looking into other factors yet.

Sorry, I have forgotten how quickly anyone can feel lost here..too much information.... Go for both visas learn as you proceed and make you choices as your understanding becomes clearer. Immigration Bill = (The senate is trying to pass a bill that will give 12+ million mexicans amnesty and USCIS will have to do the processing)

[Scorpiankh 0]

OK

I'm beginning to understand ... thanks