CR1 to K3

[kcmetzy 0]

My husband lives in B.C. we are currently in the CR1 category and its sickening how long MTL is taking. How does one go about switching to a K3 so we can go through Vancouver? Vancouver is quite a bit quicker, right? Is Montreal the only place that does K3s as well? I know there are more fees when it comes to adjusting status..but I could really give a rip at this point. I just want to be with my husband.

[misa 2]

Hmm... well first you'd have to file the I-129F. Looks like that would be adjudicated at CSC which takes on average 90 days for approval (give or take). CSC is also notorious for "bulk sending" approved petitions to NVC so it wouldn't be sent right away but maybe a few weeks after approval. Then NVC would "process it" (usually only takes a few days to week), then send to Vancouver, then Vancouver would send packet 3 to the beneficiary and once receiving packet 3 back would issue an interview (last time I checked, the earliest interviews are usually a month after they receive packet 3).

If you do go this route, that doesn't mean you have to abandon the CR-1, just keep following it through and then fly to Montreal for the CR-1 interview.

K3s are done in both Vancouver and Montreal. CR-1s are only through Montreal.

So if you're going the K3 route, you'd be looking at approximately 5 months or so from sending in the I-129F if everything goes smoothly from CSC > NVC > Vancouver.

Edited July 13, 2007 by misa

[Catou1181 0]

Please correct me if Im wrong, because I do not want to induce anyone into error

Doesn't the NVC schedule the CR1 interviews and not the consulate itself(Montreal in this case) ?

[kcmetzy 0]

Please correct me if Im wrong, because I do not want to induce anyone into error

Doesn't the NVC schedule the CR1 interviews and not the consulate itself(Montreal in this case) ?

Yes the NVC schedules CR1 interviews, but from my understanding they are taking appx 6 months to schedule.

[misa 2]

Yup, NVC schedules the interviews with Montreal.

[kcmetzy 0]

Yup, NVC schedules the interviews with Montreal.

It would be nice if Vancouver would use our approved I-130 as the 129F. I'm so frustrated right now.

[S & J 0]

I totally understand your frustration - six months is absolutely ridiculous.

My husband and I discussed it as well [applying for the 129F] because I would be sent to the Vancouver consulate, but after reading similar topics on this site we decided to stick with the visa that gave me the greencard upon arrival. Hoping "short" term pain for long term gain...

[bowflex 0]

It definitely does take a bit longer, but the CR-1 is a FAR better way to go. My wife just got back about a month and a half ago on the CR-1, and I'm so glad we went that route based on the horror stories that some people have on here. She started applying to jobs the next day after she arrived, she got her Social Security card and her driver's license right away, and just about one month after she got here she received her permanent residence card in the mail. It totally beats doing all of the AOS paperwork and waiting for them to get everything going. Good luck!

[Catou1181 0]

It definitely does take a bit longer, but the CR-1 is a FAR better way to go. My wife just got back about a month and a half ago on the CR-1, and I'm so glad we went that route based on the horror stories that some people have on here. She started applying to jobs the next day after she arrived, she got her Social Security card and her driver's license right away, and just about one month after she got here she received her permanent residence card in the mail. It totally beats doing all of the AOS paperwork and waiting for them to get everything going. Good luck!

Im definately considering the IR-1/CR-1 way myself. I have to go through Montreal either way, so I think if my I-130 gets approved quickly, as it's been the case for a few people, I will probably pursue it and see if it ends up being quicker than the K-3.

I don't think the timelines are very reliable right now because of all the delays, but my timeline says I-130 approval : Sept. 8th, and I-129f is scheduled Nov. 11th I had delays recieving my first NOA for the I-130 so my I-129f was sent late.

Im really hoping they show us some love soon and get rid of that backlog. My heart goes out to Kimmbo who's been waiting way too long for her NOA2

[Chica Yeyé 41]

To the original poster: I would absolutely wait for the CR-1 to go through. It's cheaper (you don't have to pay the exorbitant AOS fees), and it's an immigrant visa; rather than the K-3 which will need to go through Adjustment of Status, Employment Authorization, etc., etc.

I know how frustrating the process is, but I think it's worth waiting for MTL if you are doing the CR-1 route.

Good luck,L.