CR-1 vs. K-3

[ChinaDavid 0]

I know this has been discussed before, but I am at a crossroads now. Both the I-130 and the I-129F have been approved. We have sent in the Choice of Agent form for the I-130 and it has been received and responded to. I now have a letter asking for the processing fee of the DS-230 and I-864 for the CR-1 visa awaiting me in the USA (I am in China with my wife at present).

The I-129F continues to process and her packet 3 with the DS-230-1 and OF-169 forms was mailed to her from Guangzhou on July 2 (but has not yet been received). We have prepared the DS-230-1 but must await the packet for the instructions checklist (OF-169) that must also be returned. She already has all the documents required in the OF-169, so it is just a matter of getting the packet, checking off everything on the OF-169, returning the necessary forms, and awaiting Packet 4 with her interview date.

So, visa gurus, should I continue to process the CR-1 and pay the $405 US (or whatever it is) processing fee, or should we just let the K-3 run its course as we seem only a few weeks away from being notified of an interview date?

[Dakine 26]

I know this has been discussed before, but I am at a crossroads now. Both the I-130 and the I-129F have been approved. We have sent in the Choice of Agent form for the I-130 and it has been received and responded to. I now have a letter asking for the processing fee of the DS-230 and I-864 for the CR-1 visa awaiting me in the USA (I am in China with my wife at present).

The I-129F continues to process and her packet 3 with the DS-230-1 and OF-169 forms was mailed to her from Guangzhou on July 2 (but has not yet been received). We have prepared the DS-230-1 but must await the packet for the instructions checklist (OF-169) that must also be returned. She already has all the documents required in the OF-169, so it is just a matter of getting the packet, checking off everything on the OF-169, returning the necessary forms, and awaiting Packet 4 with her interview date.

So, visa gurus, should I continue to process the CR-1 and pay the $405 US (or whatever it is) processing fee, or should we just let the K-3 run its course as we seem only a few weeks away from being notified of an interview date?

Looks like the Cr-1 will run a couple months later than the I-129F.

If you aren't in a big rush definitely go with the CR-1.

MUCH MUCH better visa down the line. No BS with TB skin test, Civil surgeons, Adjusting status, another interview where you /she could be denied, SSN no problem, working no problem, getting drivers license, joint bank accounts and paying another $1010 for AOS.

I probably missed something but you can get an idea.

We went with the K3 and we went thru hell with the BS associated with the AOS. Cost us a LOT more also even before the fee increase!

If we had to do it again we'd have gone with the CR-1~~~

Easy for me to say now tho as my bed partner is no longer my black lab!!!

[ChinaDavid 0]

Thanks, beckypua. I came to the same conclusion after posting my question and then coming across the new fee schedule. The CR-1 is DEFINITELY the way to go, as they are both so close to conclusion. Plus, I much prefer having the paperwork processed in the USA instead of in China. It is also much easier to get responses to questions, and you are not required to pay to talk to someone. I return to the USA in a few days and will immediately pay the CR-1 processing fees (while continuing the K-3 until we bump into the next set of fees).

[Dakine 26]

Thanks, beckypua. I came to the same conclusion after posting my question and then coming across the new fee schedule. The CR-1 is DEFINITELY the way to go, as they are both so close to conclusion. Plus, I much prefer having the paperwork processed in the USA instead of in China. It is also much easier to get responses to questions, and you are not required to pay to talk to someone. I return to the USA in a few days and will immediately pay the CR-1 processing fees (while continuing the K-3 until we bump into the next set of fees).

Just be sure you get ALL the paperwork from your wife you will have to submit to NVC for the I-130 and bring it back with you.

I our case NVC asked for original documents or at least I read the instructions that way. I may have been wrong.. BC, MC etc. I forget what all was required. No doubt it's on VJ somewhere.

Your wife will probably get the K3 interview appoint first. I've seen people do they K3 and later do the I-130.

Some even came the US on the I-129F and flew back for the I-130 interview.

From what it cost me doing the K3/K4 I could have flown my wife and daughter back and done the same and still have been money ahead.

Plus the money lost as my wife couldn't work until she got the GC and then SSN. I didn't really care but my wife she did want to work.

Extra $s doesn't hurt tho.

Bottomline is to get all your "ducks in a row'" to submit to NVC and get everything they ask for back to them ASAP.

.

[pushbrk 12,883]

Thanks, beckypua. I came to the same conclusion after posting my question and then coming across the new fee schedule. The CR-1 is DEFINITELY the way to go, as they are both so close to conclusion. Plus, I much prefer having the paperwork processed in the USA instead of in China. It is also much easier to get responses to questions, and you are not required to pay to talk to someone. I return to the USA in a few days and will immediately pay the CR-1 processing fees (while continuing the K-3 until we bump into the next set of fees).

That sounds like a prudent conclusion. I would do two things. Follow James' NVC shortcuts and whip that I-130 through NVC. Second, hold off on returning the P3 for the K3 until your I-130 has cleared NVC, maybe a couple weeks after. The way GUZ is running, that should give you a K3 interview two to three months later, by which time the I-130 will be on station. With a K3 interview scheduled and an I-130 on station, the Consulate will use the K3 name check and interview date but the interview will be for the CR1 visa. Make sure to obtain all the CR1 required vaccinations. This should get her here a couple months sooner than simply waiting for the CR1 process but a couple months later than going full speed on the K3. A nice compromise.