K-3 Visa: I-129F Sent to Texas Service Center?

[Masa2000 2]

Hi everyone,
 

I recently applied for a K-3 visa, and the first step was filing the I-129F petition with the lockbox. From my research, it seems that all I-129F petitions should be processed at the California Service Center unless there are specific circumstances like Adam Walsh Act (AWA) flags or criminal backgrounds, which we absolutely do not have.
 

However, I just received my receipt, and it shows that my case is being processed at the Texas Service Center (SRC). I’m confused because I thought all K-3/I-129F cases went to California unless there were AWA-related issues.
 

Am I misunderstanding the K-3 and I-129F processing flow? Has anyone else experienced their case going to Texas instead of California or any of the other Service centers? If so, any idea why this happens?
 

It would be helpful to hear about your experiences—where your K-3 case ended up and the first three letters of your receipt (mine is – SRC – Texas Service Center).

Thanks so much for any insights!

[Boiler 46,246]

K1s go to California

 

K3s are administratively closed when the I 130 is approved 

[Masa2000 2]

Just now, Boiler said:

K1s go to California

 

K3s are administratively closed when the I 130 is approved 

Hi, yes i'm aware that the K3s get closed, that is also what im hoping for (to get a push on my I-130 and not get the actual K3 approved)

However, I thought they all end up in California as it technically is an I-129F (which should be handled by California? So i'm trying to see where others K3s ended up, and the timeline from submitting to approval/denial (approval of the I-130 and denial of the I-129F).

[Boiler 46,246]

I 130s are currently taking about 15 months or so.

[JeanneAdil 6,693]

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/service-center-forms-processing

 

if u check that site ,  u will see any of the offices can receive I 129 petition when already married

[OldUser 7,863]

4 hours ago, Masa2000 said:

Hi, yes i'm aware that the K3s get closed, that is also what im hoping for (to get a push on my I-130 and not get the actual K3 approved)

However, I thought they all end up in California as it technically is an I-129F (which should be handled by California? So i'm trying to see where others K3s ended up, and the timeline from submitting to approval/denial (approval of the I-130 and denial of the I-129F).

Why would K-3 push I-130 approval? What's the rationale? I'd say don't waste your time and don't add more unnecessary work for USCIS which is already backlogged.

 

15-16 months is normal timeframe for I-130 as of day before yesterday.

[SalishSea 18,218]

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

Why would K-3 push I-130 approval? What's the rationale? I'd say don't waste your time and don't add more unnecessary work for USCIS which is already backlogged.

 

15-16 months is normal timeframe for I-130 as of day before yesterday.

There was some evidence this one weird trick worked, but that was several years ago.  It no longer seems to have that effect.

 

OP, the K3 is likely to be paired with your I-130 and administratively closed.

[Unluckiest 0]

6 hours ago, Masa2000 said:

Hi everyone,
 

I recently applied for a K-3 visa, and the first step was filing the I-129F petition with the lockbox. From my research, it seems that all I-129F petitions should be processed at the California Service Center unless there are specific circumstances like Adam Walsh Act (AWA) flags or criminal backgrounds, which we absolutely do not have.
 

However, I just received my receipt, and it shows that my case is being processed at the Texas Service Center (SRC). I’m confused because I thought all K-3/I-129F cases went to California unless there were AWA-related issues.
 

Am I misunderstanding the K-3 and I-129F processing flow? Has anyone else experienced their case going to Texas instead of California or any of the other Service centers? If so, any idea why this happens?
 

It would be helpful to hear about your experiences—where your K-3 case ended up and the first three letters of your receipt (mine is – SRC – Texas Service Center).

Thanks so much for any insights!

You went from California to Texas Service center which is weird to see because knowing California timeline on visajourney.com as of today they are processing the fastest out of all servicing centers.  K3 will not help you in any way and it is better to just focus on i-130 which you filed already.

[JD2 103]

22 hours ago, Masa2000 said:

Hi everyone,
 

I recently applied for a K-3 visa, and the first step was filing the I-129F petition with the lockbox. From my research, it seems that all I-129F petitions should be processed at the California Service Center unless there are specific circumstances like Adam Walsh Act (AWA) flags or criminal backgrounds, which we absolutely do not have.
 

However, I just received my receipt, and it shows that my case is being processed at the Texas Service Center (SRC). I’m confused because I thought all K-3/I-129F cases went to California unless there were AWA-related issues.
 

Am I misunderstanding the K-3 and I-129F processing flow? Has anyone else experienced their case going to Texas instead of California or any of the other Service centers? If so, any idea why this happens?
 

It would be helpful to hear about your experiences—where your K-3 case ended up and the first three letters of your receipt (mine is – SRC – Texas Service Center).

Thanks so much for any insights!

They can go to any of the service centers.  Ours went to Vermont.

[JD2 103]

17 hours ago, OldUser said:

What's the rationale?

They don't want to approve the I-129F and issue a K-3 so they quickly approve the I-130; or somehow it gets the attention of USCIS and they adjudicate the I-130.  If nothing else, it gives an earlier case inquiry time.  I and my brother both did it for our wives and we both got approvals in roughly 2/2.5 months.  Did it help? or would we have gotten freakishly fast approvals anyway?  Who knows? but it was free, easy, and I was worried during Covid and wanted to do everything I could.

[JD2 103]

17 hours ago, OldUser said:

don't waste your time

It's very simple.  Only takes like 30-45 minutes and most of the evidence you already have from the I-130.

17 hours ago, OldUser said:

don't add more unnecessary work for USCIS which is already backlogged.

I debated this myself when I filed.  But, I concluded it shouldn't be up to individuals to self-restrict benefits they are legally allowed to apply for.  It's up to Congress to get it's act together and change the laws.

[JD2 103]

22 hours ago, Masa2000 said:

So i'm trying to see where others K3s ended up, and the timeline from submitting to approval/denial

There's a K-3 group on Facebook.

[Masa2000 2]

Firstly, I want to acknowledge that this post is partly a rant because I’m frustrated. Also, since the forum limits daily posts, I’ll consolidate my responses to everyone here. I wish more people would research—not just on USCIS's website, but also on platforms like this forum, Facebook, Reddit, etc. Sharing fact-based information is crucial, and speculation often leads to misinformation. I also think language barriers might sometimes contribute to misunderstandings and miscommunication.

 

"If you check that site, you will see any of the offices can receive I-129F petition when already married."

Thank you for pointing this out! I hadn’t seen it before, but now I understand that I-129F petitions for K-3 visas can be sent to any service center. This reassures me that mine not being at California is still within normal processing parameters.

 

"Why would K-3 push I-130 approval? What's the rationale? I'd say don't waste your time and don't add more unnecessary work for USCIS which is already backlogged. 15-16 months is the normal timeframe for I-130 as of day before yesterday."

The rationale is simple: USCIS rarely approves K-3s anymore. When they process it, they review your other cases, including your I-130. Filing the K-3 requires the receipt for your I-130, so USCIS sees all your cases. Since the K-3 won't likely be approved, they often prioritize processing the I-130 instead. And since the K-3 filing fee is essentially already covered by the I-130, why not use it as a strategy? It’s free, so there’s no harm.

 

"There was some evidence this one weird trick worked, but that was several years ago. It no longer seems to have that effect. OP, the K-3 is likely to be paired with your I-130 and administratively closed."

Exactly—it’s often administratively closed. But it’s free to file, takes no additional effort beyond the information already in the I-130, and occasionally it has sped up approvals. It’s an option USCIS allows, so why not try?

 

"You went from California to Texas Service Center, which is weird to see because California is the fastest as of today. K-3 will not help, and it’s better to focus on the I-130."

Actually, my case started at the Texas Service Center. As for the K-3, I’m aware it’s not guaranteed to help. But if it gets my I-130 in front of an officer faster, that’s a potential win. Since filing is free and uses the same information, I don’t see why I wouldn’t try it.

 

"They don’t want to approve the I-129F and issue a K-3, so they quickly approve the I-130. Or it gets USCIS's attention, and they adjudicate the I-130. If nothing else, it gives an earlier case inquiry time. I and my brother did it for our wives, and we both got approvals in roughly 2–2.5 months."

Thank you for sharing your experience, JD2! I completely agree—filing the K-3 is a low-risk option. It’s not about creating unnecessary work; USCIS doesn’t actively process K-3s anymore. They automatically check the I-130 instead. If time is a concern, USCIS could hire more staff or increase fees—it’s not on applicants to resolve their inefficiencies.


Sorry if I seem overly passionate; being separated from my SO is emotionally taxing. I just believe in using every tool at my disposal, and the K-3 is one of them.

[OldUser 7,863]

32 minutes ago, Masa2000 said:

"Why would K-3 push I-130 approval? What's the rationale? I'd say don't waste your time and don't add more unnecessary work for USCIS which is already backlogged. 15-16 months is the normal timeframe for I-130 as of day before yesterday."

The rationale is simple: USCIS rarely approves K-3s anymore. When they process it, they review your other cases, including your I-130. Filing the K-3 requires the receipt for your I-130, so USCIS sees all your cases. Since the K-3 won't likely be approved, they often prioritize processing the I-130 instead. And since the K-3 filing fee is essentially already covered by the I-130, why not use it as a strategy? It’s free, so there’s no harm.

I don't see any connection between K-3 not being approved and I-130 being approved. Ok, they find K-3 and toss it in a bin. Why would they then go and approve I-130? I couldn't find anything in the manual saying "If K-3 is admin closed, go adjudicate I-130". They can close K-3 and leave I-130 alone until the time comes to adjudicate it. USCIS operates according to manual, so if it works, it has to be documented somewhere.

 

32 minutes ago, Masa2000 said:

"There was some evidence this one weird trick worked, but that was several years ago. It no longer seems to have that effect. OP, the K-3 is likely to be paired with your I-130 and administratively closed."

Exactly—it’s often administratively closed. But it’s free to file, takes no additional effort beyond the information already in the I-130, and occasionally it has sped up approvals. It’s an option USCIS allows, so why not try?
 

Occasionally I-130s get approved in under 3 months without expedite, K-3 and other things done about it. Some people get lucky. I don't see a link between filing K-3 and getting faster approval.

 

 

Either way, I understand that many file K-3 out of desperation. Until somebody can show solid proof of it helping I-130 approval on consistent basis, I'll be advising not to count on it and prepare for case to be adjudicated according to current processing times.

Edited January 22 by OldUser

[OldUser 7,863]

3 hours ago, JD2 said:

It's very simple.  Only takes like 30-45 minutes and most of the evidence you already have from the I-130.

They don't have to review K-3. As soon as they see the title of the form, they can scroll it down if necessary and admin close it. I don't see why they'd spend even more time on a different form, when they likely have tons of earlier I-130s to approve.