Should I file I-129F after I have filed I-130 for my spouse?

[Iamornext 29]

On 2/7/2022 at 12:26 PM, Axl7 said:

Hello all,

 

I am a US citizen and I have already filed an I-130 for my foreign spouse (NOA - 12/08/2021) at the TSC. The current processing times indicate 10-14months of wait time before my spouse can join me in the US. As I was looking through the forums, I did the see the option of filing the I-129F as well for perhaps a faster entry of my spouse into the US (current processing times indicate 3.5-7months). However, the USCIS website (https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-of-us-citizens/k-3k-4-nonimmigrant-visas) indicates that the need for a K3 visa is rare as the I-130 is processed faster. So, I am in a bit of conundrum as to whether I need to file I-129F or just wait for my I-130 to be adjudicated. Greatly appreciate any feedback you all can share!

Yes! It will help you. I got approved a week after submitting mine.

[GuidoArizona 13]

Yes - do it.  It makes big difference.  Yes, the K3 is going to get denied, but that’s not the point. For some reason, and nobody knows how or why, your I-130 gets looked at faster when your K3 gets denied.

[Redro 4,611]

1 hour ago, Iamornext said:

Yes! It will help you. I got approved a week after submitting mine.

 

1 hour ago, GuidoArizona said:

Yes - do it.  It makes big difference.  Yes, the K3 is going to get denied, but that’s not the point. For some reason, and nobody knows how or why, your I-130 gets looked at faster when your K3 gets denied.

Did not work for OP. From this thread it seems like it is 50/50... it will work within a month of filing or it won't change anything... 

[Iamornext 29]

6 minutes ago, ROK2USA said:

 

Did not work for OP. From this thread it seems like it is 50/50... it will work within a month of filing or it won't change anything... 

I guess so, I did mine simultaneously. 

[Simplytex 387]

9 hours ago, GuidoArizona said:

This seemed to work for me.  I think.  I also had two expedite requests denied.

Just curious, what was your timeline for filing, two expedites, then K3? I see you filed 2022-04-07, how long after did you try to expedite? I'm just asking as I'm kinda in the same position (waiting on 2nd expedite, and did file k3 already...)

[GuidoArizona 13]

I tried to do something every week to keep poking them.  Starting about 3 weeks after PD. 

[Axl7 5]

17 minutes ago, GuidoArizona said:

I tried to do something every week to keep poking them.  Starting about 3 weeks after PD. 

How did you "poke" them? Any thoughts around that would be immensely helpful. TIA.

[GuidoArizona 13]

Sent in the K-3 application, Sent an expedite request for the I 130, sent an expedite for the K3, sent an appeal for the expedite of the K3 being denied, sent an appeal for the I-130 expedite being denied. Asked my congressman for help and he emailed, etc. …. I made sure my file was opened as often as possible.  Squeaky wheel gets the grease. 

[shytown 45]

For what it's worth, I submitted K3 in March and it did nothing - imo it does not help. They even entered my birthdate wrong on the receipt and it took 3 months for them to fix. Pestering them to respond to fix this error did nothing either to move either petition to the top of the stack.

 

There are also rumors that filing for K3 only speeds things up if you're at the Potomac service center. All of these tricks are just a crapshoot and the majority of us just have to play the waiting game. 

[codycody 31]

5 hours ago, shytown said:

For what it's worth, I submitted K3 in March and it did nothing - imo it does not help. They even entered my birthdate wrong on the receipt and it took 3 months for them to fix. Pestering them to respond to fix this error did nothing either to move either petition to the top of the stack.

 

There are also rumors that filing for K3 only speeds things up if you're at the Potomac service center. All of these tricks are just a crapshoot and the majority of us just have to play the waiting game. 

When did you send K-3? Your I-130 PD is due to adjudicate now.

[Ctavarez90 244]

On 7/8/2022 at 8:13 AM, shytown said:

For what it's worth, I submitted K3 in March and it did nothing - imo it does not help. They even entered my birthdate wrong on the receipt and it took 3 months for them to fix. Pestering them to respond to fix this error did nothing either to move either petition to the top of the stack.

 

There are also rumors that filing for K3 only speeds things up if you're at the Potomac service center. All of these tricks are just a crapshoot and the majority of us just have to play the waiting game. 

That’s where I’m at with it. I’m at 10 months and one week for California service center and if I don’t get my approval by Aug 23 then I can submit an outside normal processing time inquiry. My husband said it’s not worth filling out but I’m just ready for our approval