K3 fee (Super easy, important question)

[HOHOHO 0]

wow this thread title (SUPER EASY) exploded in my face like a joke cigar.

[Urge To Race 2]

AOS fee is $1010

K3 is a muliple entry visa and beneficiary can come and go as she pleases for 2 years.

They must file to adjust status in that time. Costly now and adjusting status can be a BIG pain in the butte.

No SSN for a K3 without the GC. Means sometimes no medical, drivers license and etc.

Much better, cheaper and easier by a long ways to go for the CR-1 solo.

K3s when adjusting status, tho rare, can be denied also.

hmmm... costly meaning what? 500 $? 1500$? 5,000??

[HOHOHO 0]

that is a little pricey...

I will have to think about whether getting K3 makes a much bigger mess in the long run.

What a big racket.

AOS fee is $1010

K3 is a muliple entry visa and beneficiary can come and go as she pleases for 2 years.

They must file to adjust status in that time. Costly now and adjusting status can be a BIG pain in the butte.

No SSN for a K3 without the GC. Means sometimes no medical, drivers license and etc.

Much better, cheaper and easier by a long ways to go for the CR-1 solo.

K3s when adjusting status, tho rare, can be denied also.

hmmm... costly meaning what? 500 $? 1500$? 5,000??

[HOHOHO 0]

If the I-130 is approved and the applicant has not applied for AOS yet, they may return to their country and once issued a CR-1 or IR-1 Visa, return to the US as a permanent resident.

ok this is slowly sinking in....

I don't think this is so bad. SO instead of spending a grand on AOS bs, I could spend the same grand (or so) on a plane ticket so my wife can have a little visit with her family AND get the IR-1 visa.

again, I need to find out details of my insurance coverage... IF they do cover with alien # and not require SSN, K3 + return to indonesia for IR-1 I think would be best for my case. IF not, then maybe waiting it out is the best.

I'd rather spend a 1000 and GET something, then just AOS fees for BS paperwork nonsense.

that is a little pricey...

I will have to think about whether getting K3 makes a much bigger mess in the long run.

What a big racket.

AOS fee is $1010

K3 is a muliple entry visa and beneficiary can come and go as she pleases for 2 years.

They must file to adjust status in that time. Costly now and adjusting status can be a BIG pain in the butte.

No SSN for a K3 without the GC. Means sometimes no medical, drivers license and etc.

Much better, cheaper and easier by a long ways to go for the CR-1 solo.

K3s when adjusting status, tho rare, can be denied also.

hmmm... costly meaning what? 500 $? 1500$? 5,000??

[Dakine 26]

If you've been married 2 + years you would be crazy to do a K3 instead of a IR-1.

If less than 2 years still a "little wacko" doing a K3 instead of CR-1 the way things are now.

Different when I did the K3 as CRs took a LOT longer to process at that time.

I still wish we'd waited and just did a CR-1 instead of the K3.

We went thru hell adjusting status plus cost us a LOT more money.

Edited August 29, 2007 by beckypua

[HOHOHO 0]

Thanks for the stern warning against the AOS garbage.

I'm sort of ruling that line out, but NOT ruling out K3, with return trip to get CR-1.

Is there a strong argument against it? Of course you have to pay for a trip, but the wife gets a visit home. (besides delay of getting SSN)...

If less than 2 years still a "little wacko" doing a K3 instead of CR-1 the way things are now.

Different when I did the K3 as CRs took a LOT longer to process at that time.

I still wish we'd waited and just did a CR-1 instead of the K3.

We went thru hell adjusting status plus cost us a LOT more money.

[dagobert2 0]

Thanks for the stern warning against the AOS garbage.

I'm sort of ruling that line out, but NOT ruling out K3, with return trip to get CR-1.

Is there a strong argument against it? Of course you have to pay for a trip, but the wife gets a visit home. (besides delay of getting SSN)...

If less than 2 years still a "little wacko" doing a K3 instead of CR-1 the way things are now.

Different when I did the K3 as CRs took a LOT longer to process at that time.

I still wish we'd waited and just did a CR-1 instead of the K3.

We went thru hell adjusting status plus cost us a LOT more money.

I would just add that the CR-1 route isn't free just because you have an approved I-130. So to be fair (from a purely financial perspective) you have to compare the $1,010 to the cost of consular processing a CR-1 after K-3. My estimate is as follows: An I-824 to move the pended I-130 to NVC costs $340. You will receive additional bills from the Department of State for $335 for DS-230, Immigrant visa security surcharge $45, and I-864 (domestically processed affidavit of support) $70. That totals $790 PLUS the ticket back to Indonesia for the embassy interview. My guess is that trip will exceed $220, thus the AOS is the less expensive of the two options. Of course, following the I-130 all the way through with no K3 is the least expensive of all the options. So in the end, you have to ask yourself what do you believe the timeline difference to be relative to your separation and what is that worth to your family. Then factor in the bereaucratic hassles involved with each of the options and voila, you have yourself a decision. Sounds so simple

Edited August 30, 2007 by dagobert2

[HOHOHO 0]

Thanks for the stern warning against the AOS garbage.

I'm sort of ruling that line out, but NOT ruling out K3, with return trip to get CR-1.

Is there a strong argument against it? Of course you have to pay for a trip, but the wife gets a visit home. (besides delay of getting SSN)...

If less than 2 years still a "little wacko" doing a K3 instead of CR-1 the way things are now.

Different when I did the K3 as CRs took a LOT longer to process at that time.

I still wish we'd waited and just did a CR-1 instead of the K3.

We went thru hell adjusting status plus cost us a LOT more money.

I would just add that the CR-1 route isn't free just because you have an approved I-130. So to be fair (from a purely financial perspective) you have to compare the $1,010 to the cost of consular processing a CR-1 after K-3. My estimate is as follows: An I-824 to move the pended I-130 to NVC costs $340. You will receive additional bills from the Department of State for $335 for DS-230, Immigrant visa security surcharge $45, and I-864 (domestically processed affidavit of support) $70. That totals $790 PLUS the ticket back to Indonesia for the embassy interview. My guess is that trip will exceed $220, thus the AOS is the less expensive of the two options. Of course, following the I-130 all the way through with no K3 is the least expensive of all the options. So in the end, you have to ask yourself what do you believe the timeline difference to be relative to your separation and what is that worth to your family. Then factor in the bereaucratic hassles involved with each of the options and voila, you have yourself a decision. Sounds so simple

ok, outside the money issues, and assuming a K3 routh, is consulular file LESS buracratically hassling than AOR here in usa?

When I think about waiting for the CR-1, even with less hassles, I will wind up making a visit trip to indonesia anyway (flights are around 1,000 to 1,300). But then I end up spending only a week with the wife vs. K3.

Now I'm completely undecided. Of course I'll discuss with the other half...undoubtlely it'll be a difficult decison for her with her frugality VS her desire to be with me fighting it out.

I just want to make a decision before my 130 receipt arrives and then stick with and ride out the decision understanding the general flow and super fuzzy long timeline.

Edited August 30, 2007 by HOHOHO

[Dakine 26]

You may get lucky and have the interviews both close to each other.

No guarens tho! Does happen!

Your idea of doing the K3 with plans to return later for the CR-1 is fine.

Money wise it cost me close to $2,000 {maybe more} to adjust status because USCIS screwed up and we had to fly back and do biometrics a total of 3 times. USCIS is on a different island.

Most peeps can just drive to their appointment.

We have to fly and hotel and taxi it.

Money really wasn't the issue tho. Having to go thru all the BS and stress was the major issue.

Another thing I didn't see mentioned is having to get the I-693a for the K3.

You have to go thru more BS to get the I-693a from a goon Designated Civil Surgeon. More dough and time.

Cost me quite a bit because there are none on our island and had to take the ferry to Maui.

Same trip getting the SSN for us.

CRs get the GC and SSN in the mail a couple weeks after arrival and don't have to deal with anyone until they file to remove conditiond 21 months from GC date.

IRs have it made in the shade!

I blew it BIGTIME as I paid the CR-1 fees and got horny and went with the K3/K4 . $830 for both!

No refunds from "The Man".

DUUUUUMMMMMBBBBBBBBBBB move!

CRs were about 6 months behind K3s then.

Edited August 30, 2007 by beckypua

[Dakine 26]

OOps ! Check on James' Shortcuts for thr CR also.

How's the "simple question" answers?

Looks like you opened a "can of worms"!

Edited August 30, 2007 by beckypua

[Alt name 1]

If you filed the I130 after the fee increase the I129F is free

I am going to piggyback file for I-129F ( K3 for spouse), since I've already filed I-130.

While it mentions the fee (and I'm aware to check for current fees from the site since most have gone up), there is some confusing bit of language regarding some exception to paying K3 fee.

I assume I WILL have to pay when filing the K3 as well correct?

the I-130 fee I assume is completely separate.

Thanks for confirming. I'd expect the greedy lazy administrators would keep any nickle you sent you didn't have to, so I'm just looking for confirmation.

new to the forum.... but have read for a while sifting and sorting to get an idea of plan of action (where to marry) and now finally that that's done what visas to apply for. This forum is useful.

I've decided to EXPECT the process to take about 13 months. Hope that makes painful separtation easier and if a visa gets done earlier, they horray (as opposed to expecting progress in 6 months and living in frustration for the rest of the time).

[Alt name 1]

My company added Nit to our health plan with just name and DOB. IF: I had not added her within 30 days of our marriage they said that we would have to wait until the next enrollment period, think about that.

Regards,

D&N

No fee for filing the I-129F for K-3 on top of a previously filed I-130 Immigrant Petition for the same beneficiary per the new fee schedule (that is a change). Expect to shave on average about 3 months off the timeline for CR-1 by going for a K-3. Note that this means 3 months off the separation time. It adds an average 4 to 6 months time on obtaining the CR-1 (through the adjustment of status process once your spous in stateside). These are averages and the variables are many - consulate, processing center, NVC caseloads, individual circumstances vs. documentation requirements, etc. and most of all random luck if one believes in such things. You can derive some pretty specific averages based on your circumstances using the data on in the timelines section of this site. There is some difference in the total fees (k-3 with AOS being a little higher) depending on your choice as well. Money aside, it is generally a question of priorities based on your specific circumstances. For example, things like obtaining work authorization and SSN are dependent on CR-1 status so if they are priorities for you and your spouse that may take precedence over limiting family separation time.

Settling in for the long haul is a good strategy either way you go. I do recommend you sketch out an anticipated timeline of events along the way however, since things do go awry in this process and sometimes require your intervention to straighten them out. That aside, stress limiting strategies are key to making the most of your time apart. Good luck on your journey!

Thanks for the very helpful responses.

In our case, she doesn't plan to work for at least a year while she improves her english and takes some courses (she's fluent BUT for her profession probably needs a little polish) and adapts in general to life here. So it sounds like an approved K3 delays the CR-1 (good to know, but in our case I think it's ok).

However the issue about SSN raises a new issue... I wonder if SSN is required to add her to my health coverage? I'll have to look into that issue...since that's important. My health cover covers spouse, but not sure if they can cover without it. I'm sure someone has some experience with that issue.